The Waiting Room

There is possibility of something very good coming my way with respect to my job. I don't want to say just yet, because I am afraid I might jinx it with all the bad things that are happening lately.

Just think happy thoughts for me...OK?

BTW, Prisca and others have asked how I am doing with respect to the my RA and the fall. Well, I made it through the RA flare without resorting to steroids or missing much work. I only canceled one class because there was no way I would have been able to walk across campus. As for the fall, I was a little sore. I did bruise the bone in my left knee which is a little tender. I bruised that bone a few years ago as the result of a fall and it took a year for it to heal. I hope it won't take so long this time.

Emotionally, I have been on a roller coaster. I am doing the best that I can under the circumstances. Husband has been a wonderful source of comfort. I am still seeing my therapist who has been great too. GML, Righteous Babe and all my other girls have kept me sane and allow me to vent. And of course my bloggy peeps totally rock. Thanks for all the support and comfort.

*poof*

Because I just can't think about it anymore.

I turned myself in to grading jail for the morning. I have two classes of CT essays to plow through for tomorrow.

Some random thoughts:

• I just wish my students would proofread their work. The world would be a much better place.
• Spell check is not always your friend.
• I should put together a grading-hell play list
• I need more coffee.
• One of my students wanted extra credit for submitting his essay early. Since when does turning in an assignment early mean that a student should get something in return? There is no quid pro quo here.
• I really need coffee!

But, I am not.

I am in such a foul mood. First there is the painful fall I took on Friday Although I am feeling better, I re-bruised the bone my left knee which took almost a year to heal the FIRST time I bruised it. The incident that resulted in the fall just reminds me of how many rude people there are in the world. Then, I got some rotten news about a good friend who is having a hard time. Let's just say that if I ever run into this guy's soon to be ex, I am going to need a good lawyer because I shouldn't represent myself for assault and battery. And then finally, some crappy family stuff that I can't blog about.

I can't concentrate or even think straight right now.

I understand why Husband often dreams about living in the woods with just me and the Boy and forget about the rest of the world.

The Boy got a new bed on Friday. It's an orthopedic dog bed with 3 1/2 inches of foam, plus a bolster for the ultimate in canine comfort.

When I brought the box into the house, somehow the Boy knew that the box was for him. He kept pawing at it as I opened it. When I set it down, this was his reaction. Yes, his tail is wagging!

And of course, he had to grab one of his toys to enjoy while relaxing.

• I took a nasty fall yesterday while out with Husband. I fell forward, hitting my knee and then twisting down. I am so sore today.
• It doesn't help that I am experiencing my first RA flare of the season. I was in such pain on Thursday that I had to cancel my afternoon class. I just couldn't walk across campus. Plus, my brain felt like mush.
• At least it was only a moderate flare that I could treat with rest and my usual meds. No steroids...YAY!
• My quiet CT class actually participated on Thursday. I told them that this was a great discussion and thanked them for their participation. I still gave them the letter assignment, though.
• During that same class, I had a two visitors, two potential students for next year. The amazing thing was, the visitors participated in the discussion, even though they didn't have to. The potential students stayed after class and talked with me. They said they loved my class! Very nice!!!
• Today, I am getting my hair colored and trimmed. Ah, someone else will wash my hair.
• The Boy got his new bed yesterday. I will post some pics.
• Husband wanted me to tell all of you who wished him a "Happy Birthday", thanks. He thinks I have the coolest blog-friends. He's right.

New bullet

• I just scored tickets to see Todd Rundgren (Hello, It's Me). He's playing at the same small club where I saw Shawn Colvin. The tics were really cheap, like $30.00 each (RL, if you are interested, I will email you the password for the pre-sale)

Addy N tagged me for this very long and involved meme.

First, the rules:
There are a set of questions below that are all of the form, "The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is...".Copy the questions, and before answering them, you may modify them in a limited way, carrying out no more than two of these operations:

You can leave them exactly as is.
You can delete any one question.
You can mutate either the genre, medium, or subgenre of any one question.
For instance, you could change "The best time travel novel in SF/Fantasy is..." to "The best time travel novel in Westerns is...", or "The best time travel movie in SF/Fantasy is...", or "The best romance novel in SF/Fantasy is...".
You can add a completely new question of your choice to the end of the list, as long as it is still in the form "The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is...".
You must have at least one question in your set, or you've gone extinct, and you must be able to answer it yourself, or you're not viable.
Then answer your possibly mutant set of questions. Please do include a link back to the blog you got them from, to simplify tracing the ancestry, and include these instructions. Finally, pass it along to any number of your fellow bloggers. Remember, though, your success as a Darwinian replicator is going to be measured by the propagation of your variants, which is going to be a function of both the interest your well-honed questions generate and the number of successful attempts at reproducing them

So, without further ado:
My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Pharyngula
My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Metamagician and the Hellfire Club
My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is The Flying Trilobite Art Gallery
My great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Blog Around the Clock
My great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Primate Diaries
My great-great-great-great-grandparent is Thus Spake Zuska
My great-great-great-grandparent is a k8, a cat, a mission
My great-great-grandparent is Monkeygirl
My great-grandparent is Dancing Fish
My grandparent is Brazen Hussy
My parent is Addy N

The best television series in law is: Law and Order
The best teenage movie in comedy is: The Breakfast Club
The best make-out song in classic rock music is: Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
The best children’s novel in classic fiction is: Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott
The best high-fat food in Indian cooking is: Chicken Mahkani (Chunks of tandoori chicken prepared in butter and cream sauce;garnished w/cashews & raisins)
The best recent movie in comedy is: The Simpsons Movie
The worst excuse I ever heard from a student for not attending class is: I didn't own an umbrella, so I couldn't go out in the rain.

Tag:
Rented Life
Ragey One
Kai
Arbitrista (Cause I know he wants to play!)

Today is Husband's 41st Birthday!

Happy Birthday Hon! You just keep getting better with age!

Once again, thanks for all of you who commented on my quiet class, especially Righteous Babe, who is my voice of reason! I took her advice and drafted an essay assignment that addresses the issues that plague the class. I did it in the form of a letter to the students. I did not accuse or lay any blame. I just stated what my goals were for the course and how although the written goals are going well, the oral discourse was lacking. I told them what I had hoped for the class, that it be a place were there was a free exchange of ideas with the goal of gaining a new perspective on how to think. I then asked them to put themselves in my position and come up with ways for me to achieve my goals. Kinda like if they were the teacher, what would they do? I also asked them what learning style works best for them and why.

Hopefully, we (me and the students) will gain some insight.

An anonymous person posted told me to check out this website with respect to my post. So, in the hope of finding some useful information, I decided to check it out. You can read the post for yourself. Let me know what you think.

I don't think the anonymous poster on my blog or the person who wrote the post (perhaps it is the same person) has followed my saga with this class. For if they had, they would see that I am considering drastic measures after two months of trying numerous options. I have tried to understand and come up with alternative activities to help them come out of their shell. Many of my faithful readers, fellow colleagues and friends have given my some wonderful suggestions as well. Some things have worked, some have not. I have asked the students in a confidential survey how I can help them make the class more enjoyable and comfortable. Even when I have used their suggestions in the manner they suggested, they have reverted to not speaking.

I am not some vicious person trying to break these student like I was in my first year of law school. Those of you who have been through that experience are probably curled up in a little ball, rocking back and forth as you recall being subjected to the Paper Chase (Socratic) method. (Sorry, Chaser! You know I have nothing but love for you). You no doubt recall the humiliation and fear you felt. I vowed that I would NEVER teach that way. I used a kinder, gentler approach, more geared toward having them debate and discuss issues or topics with each other. I don't push or knock them around. And I fully understand that it is possible that if I do push them, it could create the same environment that cause them to be quiet in the first place.

I think this person also fails to see that part of teaching critical thinking almost requires some form of verbal discourse. That is not to say that writing has not place, in fact, it does. My course assessments are all essay and research assignments that allow the student to express their thoughts that way. Oral expression is necessary. I am not even asking them to engage with me. They don't want to engage with each other.

That being said, I have decided that perhaps this will become a writing only course. After some discussion this morning with a great friend/colleague, I have decided that if they choose not to discuss the assigned reading, they will have to write instead. They have no trouble telling me their views in writing, so let them write. If that is their comfort level, I am willing to accept that. If that is what it takes to get the job done, then that is what I will have to do. But, I will not accept blank looks when asked a question like "If you were told you had an hour to leave your home, what essential items would you take."

I am not some poor soul who doesn't get it. I totally get it.

To My Quiet Critical Thinking class:

OK, I have had enough of your non-participation. I understand that the topic that we are currently discussing is difficult and at times boring. But, that's why I gave you a set of questions to help your understanding and fuel discussion. I didn't have to do that. I could have just made you fumble through and bitch you out for not getting it.

Also, I am tired of your excuses for not participating. Just because some of you have the Professor from Hell before my class does not excuse you from doing what is required in mine.

And, just becuase you have other things on your plate, like an exam or a paper in another class, does not mean you can slack off in mine. Time management works wonders. We did discuss that at the beginning of the term.

I have tried to make my class a place where you will be challenged to think, learn and have fun at the same time. But your inability to meet me halfway has pissed me off. You are taking advantage of my good nature and that is a very bad thing.

I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice.

Here's the deal. If at our next meeting , you don't start working and participating, I will turn into Bitchy Professor Seeking Solace. This professor will give pop quizzes, additional writing assignments and other sadistic forms of torture that will make the Professor from Hell seem tame.

The choice is yours.

Fed up and pissed off,
Professor Seeking Solace

My post about the Boy made me think of this commercial.




And this one!

I was stretched out on the couch when the Boy came over and started nudging my arm with his head. He began whining and doing his "Shepard Speak". Shepard Speak, also known as Doggie Talk, is when he tries to convey what he wants via this whine-moan-growl-soft bark noise.
So, I think this is what the Boy was trying to say:

Boy: Come on, Mom. It's 3 PM.
Me: Stop it, Boy.
Boy (nudging more): I heard what you said to Daddy at lunch. You said you would take me for a power walk instead of walking on that weird machine that doesn't go anywhere.
Me: I know, I know. But I am in the middle of something.
Boy (trotting in circles around the coffee table): What...watching that box again? Come on, it's beautiful outside!!!
Me: Boy, Mommy's tired. I really don't feel like going.
Boy (nudging me again): But you will feel better...I will feel better. You will get your workout and I will get to go on my leash.
Me: Boy, stop pestering me!
Boy ( jumping on me): LET"S GO! There are so many things to see, sniff and pee on. And so little time!!!!
Me: OK Boy, in a few minutes....
Boy: NO... get your ass off the couch...NOW!!!!
Me: OK, Boy, you win.

So, I threw on my shoes, which made the Boy do his "Yay, I am going on my leash" happy dance. We went for a 1.5 mile power walk through the neighborhood. And the Boy found plenty of things to see, sniff and pee on.

The Boy was right. I did feel better.

Thanks Boy!

Cross posted on Active Academic

I am so frustrated with my boys in Black and Gold right now. So, I decided to take a break and do a little shopping.

The Boy needs a new bed, so I ordered him this.

After all, my Boy deserves to relax in luxury.

Last night, Husband and I had dinner with Rented Life and her husband at their house. We dined on yummy quesadillas and a very sweet chocolate cake for dessert. The guys dined on the ones made with the super-fire hot insanity peppers. RL and I not that adventurous, or stupid enough to even try, despite prodding by our guys.

Husband took a bite of his and said "OK, these are not that hot."

Five seconds later, he was gulping his beer!

Yep.

We had such a great time. The guys went to the "music room" for a guitar jam session. RL and I shot the shit about work, shopping and other related "girl stuff" and visited with her kitties.

Even Husband had fun with the kitties and did not need any meds.

I must say, Rented Life is the best. She gave me some great advice about publishing, which is something I have to start doing if I am ever going to be taken seriously. I have some ideas for some articles, but she gave some good advice about getting started.

Toady, I have so much to do. I have work-related stuff, house-related stuff and resume-related stuff that just has to get done today. But, it's a beautiful day outside. And local football team and my boys and Black and Gold are both playing today.

Damn, I so wish I had a fall break!!!

Today, I made my LAST student loan payment...EVER!!!!!!

It took 11 YEARS and SIX MONTHS!!!!!!

That means an extra $300.00 per month!!!!!

Thanks to Husband for his frugal ways and great paying job that helped us get to this point in our lives.

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!

ETA: I just got a check in the mail for $1500.00 for attorneys fees for a case that I previously transferred to another attorney.

So, what do you think? Cabo San Lucas or Maui in January????

Husband and I were up at 7:30 AM because we had a date with the vampires at 8:15. I hate needles. I tell the vampire to keep talking to me as she sticks me. What I don't understand is why do they say "It won't hurt." when IT DOES HURT!

Five vials of blood later (Husband only had three), we went to a little diner next door for breakfast. As we sipped out coffee, we discussed what our plans were for the morning.

Husband: I need to get a haircut.
Me: OK, well I have to go to JC Penny's and pick up the shirts you wanted and return some stuff I bought last week.
Husband: Well, I have to go home first and take a shower.
Me: Why?
Husband: Because I have to wash my hair. It's all greasy.
Me: Hon, the girl can wash you hair at the salon. That's what they do, you ding dong.

So, Husband dropped me off and went for his haircut. About half and hour later, he picked me up, with freshly cut hair. We stopped at the supermarket to pick up dessert. Tonight, we are having dinner with Rented Life and her husband at their house. Plus, Husband needed some antihistamines because he is allergic to cats and RL has two kitties.

We settled on a very decadent chocolate cake....yumo!!!

Finally, we made it home by 10 AM.

I think I need a nap.

I stopped to use the restroom before my 9 AM class. There was a girl in the stall next to me, talking on her cell phone while taking a poop!

That's weird and gross, but it gets worse.

When I left my stall, to wash my hands, I saw her standing in front of the mirror fixing her hair. It was a student from my 9 AM class. She saw me and said hi. I thought she was waiting for me to step aside so she could wash her hands.

Nope, she walked out of the restroom with me.

As I was lecturing, I tried to avoid looking at this student. When I would catch a glimpse of her, all I could think was EEEEWWWWWW.

And people wonder why I keep antibacterial stuff in my bag and use it (discretely) after students give me anything.

As seen at Lina's

No doubt, you have heard about this.

Wow.

I remember one of my students at my former college telling me how she had to explain to her 11 year old daughter that she could not play with her 12 year old friend becuase the 12 year old was pregnant.

I raised the issue in my Critical Thinking class. One student told me that when she was 10, she was at the hospital while her mother was giving birth to her little sister. The student heard a young girl screaming and asked a nurse what was wrong. The nurse told her that it was a 12 year old giving birth...to twins.

Sweet merciful crap.

I don't know if it is a good idea to allow middle school aged girls having access to the birth control pill and patch. I am all for the use of birth control.

But at THAT age?

The district says that a girl would need her parent's permission. That seems ridiculous to me because if a parent felt that his or her child needed birth control, wouldn't that parent contact the child's medical provider?

The pill does not protect against STDs. It seems like that is just as much of a concern, if not bigger, than pregnancy. Oral sex is running rampant in schools. Kids don't think it's sex. But, it is and has dangerous consequences.

Besides, does that really solve the issue? No, I am not going into a abstinence lecture because I am a realist and don't buy the arguement. I just think that this is putting a band-aid on a much bigger problem. We are asking kids to grow up WAY TOO DAMN FAST.

Kid that young should still be playing with toys and going outside. They should not have to deal with cell phones and adult relationships.

Should we focus on WHAT are kids are telling us by this kind of behavior? Forget all the religion and parents rights arguments for just a moment. Bill Cosby was right when he recently stated on "Meet the Press" and later on Oprah.

"Our children are trying to tell us something."

So, instead of passing laws like this or engaging in the never ending debate about sex and religion, maybe we need to LISTEN first.

Since my most recent migraine episode, I am trying to cut back on my caffeine intake. Too much caffeine leads to dehydration which leads to a migraine. I've been drinking way to much lately.

It's not going very well. It's after 3 PM and I am jonesing for a caffeine fix. I was pretty foggy during my Business Law class. Even the students noticed my lack of energy.

Crap...

Withdrawal sucks.

While channel surfing last night, Husband stops on CNBC's The Next Big Thing. The commentators were excited that Led Zeppelin would be available for download. With a snort, Husband says the following.

Husband: "I bet none of those fucking pinheads ever listened to Zeppelin!"

My man cracks me up.

One of my biggest issues with my department is that many of the faculty, adjuncts mostly, are confused about assessments the chair wishes for us to collect as part of a re-vamping of the Critical Thinking course. I just had a conversation with one of my colleauges and she had no clue about an assessment which faculty need to administer at midterm. I copied my documents for her, which she gladly accepted and thanked me for the heads up.

Over the summer, the chair meet with faculty to discuss the proposed additions to the Critical Thinking curriculum. I attended these session and provided my input. We were scheduled to meet again before the beginning of the semester when the chair abruptly cancelled the meeting. In addition, my understanding was that the proposed changes were tabled until the next semester. Well, that did not happen, and a few of us were caught with our pants down when the Chair wanted essay summaries by the fifth week of class!

In my chair's defense, and boy does he need one, he is juggling two positions at the moment. So, I can understand why things are a little scattered. But, when so many faculty, especially adjuncts are not on the same page, it can only lead to disaster. And the Homer Simpson-esque phase of "But it's my first day" just doesnt cut it if you have to explain why you didn't submit the work.

If the goal is consistency, shouldn't it start with all faculty having a clear understand of what the consistency is supposed to entail?

I saw this at Addy N's blog, who saw it at Luckybuzz's blog.

Here's the deal.

By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physical gift to each of the first five people to comment here. The catch? Each person must make the same offer on her/his blog.

And...go!

Thursday night, I felt the familiar twinge of pain in my head. I popped an Imitrex and went to bed.

The next morning the pain was much, much worse. After two more rounds of Imitrex, my doctor suggested I go to the ER.

Six hours, one CT Scan and a round of IV drugs later, I am back to normal.

Poor Husband should be sainted and given combat pay for dealing with my numerous medical issues. He is such a trooper.

Also my students were probably happy that class was canceled.

And if I run into the secretary who is somewhat nasty to me when I call, I'll just flash her my discharge papers.

I completed my lecture on Product's Liability in 50 minutes. My class runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Since I was finished and the students seemed to grasp the concepts, I ended the class.

But, I feel a little guilty about ending class that early. I mean, usually I teach class until the scheduled end or maybe with 10-15 minutes remaining. But, there are times when a lecture goes faster than I anticipated, or the students are extra smart and wearing their thinking caps on that particular day.

I don't like to cram a bunch of information down students' throats, particularly in the my law class. There is a significant amount of information in each of the chapters that I must cover in the class. So, I try to keep one chapter per class. Otherwise, it is overkill.

I try to plan my lectures so that if things go too fast, I have other things to do. But at the same time, I don't want to flood them with "busy work". I mean, they are not little kids.

Also, I am not used to teaching on a Tuesday-Thursday schedule where the classes run longer. At my old college, the classes were either Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday for one hour and 15 minutes. So, my lectures are geared toward that bench mark. It's not a problem when I teach my MWF classes, but I have trouble making up the extra time on my TR schedule.

I often worry that I am going to catch hell for letting students leave early. At my last school, the dean would patrol the halls to ensure that faculty would not let students out early, unless there was an exam. Seems kinda childish, but there is the school of thought that the students are paying for 1 hour 25 minutes, so they should be in class for that amount of time.

What's your take on this? Do you lecture until the very second class ends? Do you every finish early and let the students go? Do you base your time on whether or not your students "get it"?

Should I feel guilty?

Did you know that doctors take the Hippopotamus Oath?

At least that's what one of my Critical Thinking students wrote in his essay.

Hmm, I guess that means that doctors will do no harm to hippos, but the rest of us are screwed.

It's that time of year when the course offerings are posted. As an adjunct, I am the bottom feeder of the food chain. I get whatever scarps, if any, are remaining.

At the last place I taught, I wasn't worried about how many classes I would teach for the next semester. It was pretty much a guarantee that I would at least teach the Business Law course because I was the only one qualified. Also, it was taught every semester becuase it was a required course for business majors. Anything on top of that was gravy. That was the way it worked until the Wicked Witch took over and, well you know the rest.

I am concerned that I will not have the same luck at my new place. I have dropped hints and emails to those in power, but no one has given me a definitive answer. The chair of the department which oversees the Critical Thinking course does not know how many sections because it is a first semester course. No one will know how many sections until the end of the semester.

I would think that the chair of the Business department might have some idea about Business Law. It is also a required course, but I don't know if they offer it every semester. There is also a Business Law II course which is an elective, but there is no indication if it will be offered.

I know I am probably putting the cart before the horse. I guess I am afraid of getting blindsided like I did last year. The only difference is that this time I will be let go because of enrollment and not because someone hates me.

The thought of being on employment hiatus again scares me. I was depressed and frustrated with my life. I don't like uncertainty, and that's the problem with working as an adjunct. There is always that worry that one will not have a gig for the next semester. I have a plan to start hustling to find other adjunct gigs soon, just in case my current employer does not re-hire me.

At least this time, I will be ready.

My quiet Critical Thinking class just about drove me crazy today. I thought for sure they would be talkative today, seeing as we were discussing marriage and family and a couple of students are writing their research papers on legalizing gay marriage.

Nope. You could hear a pin drop.

No matter how much I pushed, nothing seemed to work. I finally looked at them all and said "What is wrong with you people? Do you hate this class? Is thee something wrong with the way I am teaching? Why are you all so afraid to speak up? I am at a loss here."

Finally, one of them spoke up.

Professor Solace, it's not you. It's not this class. It's just we are fed up and beaten down by our English professor." We like you. We hate him. It's very exhausting.

So, I asked them what was going on in their English class. I asked them not to name any names. They began to vent about this professor who yells at them, tells them that they never do anything right and does not explain assignments or answer questions. It just so happens that this class is before mine and about two-thirds of my students are in that class.

I explained to them that sadly, this will not be the last time they will encounter an instructor like this. I told them that they have to figure out how to play this professor's "game". Because, it is a game. And right now, they are losing.

I then asked my how they envisioned my class. I wanted to know what they wanted from me, short of not assigning any work. We discussed showing films, having them discuss topics that interest them and group work. I told them that I would consider changing things for their section. I also encouraged them to suggest activities too. They appeared to be open to all the new ideas.

All in all, I think they felt better about things. I know I did. But, it frustrates me that another instructor can treat an entire group of students so poorly. I know that sometimes students exaggerate, but for a majority of the class to be this afraid makes me wonder if there is some truth in what they are saying.

I don't believe in coddling students, but I don't believe in humiliating them either. I remember in law school going through the Paper Chase method of teaching and it just scared me into learning the material. Learning should challenge the student, not scare the shit out of them.

At the same time, our job is not to entertain them either. Granted, I use a some humor in my teaching, but my students know that I mean business and that I expect nothing but their best work. My classes are not for amusement or for pursing any agenda.

I guess today's class explained some things and led to even more questions. How to find balance with a group that is being weighed down?

• I have no voice today.
• I overslept this morning.
• I am downing coffee like water.
• I am a little grumpy.

Here's a hint...T.O. is an asshole!

I am incensed at Ann Taylor right now.

I have their store card. I don't use it that often, maybe once a year. I usually pay cash for my purchases. I only have it to get additional coupons.

Well, I knew that I had a balance, and i thought it was strange that I had not received a bill. I am a stickler for paying bills on the 1st and 15th of the month, always paying my accounts off in full.

Well, I got the nastiest phone call. It seems that my account was past due. When I explained that I had not received any billing statement in the mail, the person on the phone stated that I was enrolled in email billing.

What? I don't' recall giving permission for that?

It seems that Ann Taylor does not send paper billing notices unless you request it. So, I checked my email to see if I received anything. Nothing in the last two months. I was then told that if you have a spam blocker on your email, the message gets kicked back. So, you could be in default and never know it.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Then, the person had the audacity to suggest that for a fee of $7.00, I could pay the bill over the phone.

Do the words "FUCK NO" mean anything? I told him that I would pay the bill at the store this morning.

Then, the person wanted my employment information.

He was soooo not getting that.

Then he started bitching about the bill again.

Do these people KNOW how much money I spend there? Don't they see that I have stellar credit?

So, I will go to the store, write out a check and pay the balance in full.

Then I will cancel my account.

And if you have a card, I suggest you do the same.

I am off today, as it is Columbus Day and my campus is closed. It is kinda nice to have a little break. I am behind in my grading and lecture preps.

So, does that mean I will be spending the day in grading jail?

Hell, no.

I will do some grading, but I am going to take a break and do a little shopping with J who also has the day off.

Enjoy your day off if you got it.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends.

After some record breaking heat the last few days, I think we are starting to turn the corner toward fall in my neck of the woods. Rain has cooled thing down a little and it appears that the temperatures will be more seasonable.

Fall is my favorite season in Lake Effect Snow Central. Everything is so rich, crisp and full of color. On a sunny day, the sky is such a rich blue, like the color of a mountain lake. Sunsets hold a rich rainbow of red, orange, blue and purple that you wonder if there is a pot of gold at the end. And, of course, the leaves turn such brilliant hues of yellow, orange and red.

The air is so crisp, that there is a gentle bite to it. Not a painful chill, like you feel in the winter, but a little nip that is more comforting than a nuisance.

I love the feeling of fall. The rich food, cozy sweaters, and all those things associated with the harvest. Unlike the bitterness of winter or the extremes of summer, It's comforting and warm. It welcomes you.

The warm September weather coupled with the lack of rain has interfered with this sensory dance. Everything looks as if summer just does not want to go gently into that good night.

Those of you who know me, know that last fall was cut a little short in my little corner of the world. I am hopeful that fall will make it's presence known, at least for a little while.

Because, it has been known to snow on Halloween 'round here. Once that happens, it's all downhill.

While sitting at the bar waiting for a table at a restaurant...

Husband: "What do you want to drink?"
Me: "Just a Coke."
Husband: "What, no wine?"
Me: "No, I am not in the mood to drink tonight."
Husband: "Are you serious?"

Actually, I was.

Scary, no?

Have any of you ever given you students a outline in which they fill in as you lecture?

I used to do this at the other college I worked, mainly because the students had no concept of note taking. But, I am at a four-year school now and one would think they know how to take effective notes. Basically, the outline is similar to my lecture notes, except the student has to fill in the information.

Here's the thing. In my law class, I cover a huge amount of material in a short amount of time. Stuff that takes an entire semester at the law school level, I have to cover in a couple of classes.

But, does that excuse them from taking proper notes?

In my day, you took your own notes, and if you didn't understand or miss something you either spoke up, asked the instructor after class or checked with a classmate. Otherwise, you were SOL and I don't mean Statute of Limitations.

I want my students to get the stuff that I am teaching, Also, since my exams are open notes, having a good set of notes is critical.

At the same time, I don't want to coddle them either.

Why is it that no matter how often you warn your students that they must study for an open book and/or open notes exam because often it is much harder than a regular exam, they still think you are blowing smoke?

My business law class bombed their first exam. I think about 70% of the class got a C or a D. I was happy to see that two students each got a A and I think three got a B. But, I know these students take the courses seriously as evidenced by their participation in class and their recent homework.

But the others? I just don't know. I just hope they learned their lesson and take better notes in class.

But here is the sad/funny part. Two students actually chose the response which stated that being employed is a fundamental right and actionable under the 14th Amendment.

Really? If that is the case, then I have a few lawsuits I could file. I bet you do too.

Seriously, if only one student chose that response, I could chalk it up to maybe the student picked it by accident. But two students choosing the same response?

Damn.

I throw in red herrings like that just to see if someone will bite. I guess they did.

Today is De-lurking Day!

As seen at Chaser's

You are Thong Sandals

Trendy and modern You're always seen in the latest styles From glam to casual, you always look fantastic!

• The only thing I brought home last night was Junior. I took the night off from grading and lecture prep. I just vegged in front of the TV.
• House was OK last night. SUV was really messed up...as usual.
• One of my adjunct colleagues asked me to join a task force about health care issues in Lake Effect Snow Central. Since, I handled personal injury cases for plaintiff and insurance carriers, she thought I would have an interesting perspective. I will have to give this some thought.
• My poor office mate is really sick. She is so sweet in trying not to infect me. Feel better soon!
• Unlike the student in my Business Law class who was hacking during yesterday's exam.
• Anyone heard the new Springsteen CD? Husband was supposed to pick it up last night, but he fell asleep on the couch.
• It is supposed to be almost 80 degrees today, tomorrow and Friday. Um, this is October...right?

There is an interesting discussion going on at Dean Dad's blog in response to a post written by New Kid's regarding an article in the Chronicle. The question revolves around age and what we think someone who applies for a deanship should look like. New Kid states that she is not sure she could wrap her mind around a working for a dean that is 36 years old.

In defense of New Kid, I do not believe she meant this comment to be ageist. I respect her honesty.

But, I can't agree with what she is being honest about.

When I first began to practice law, there were some clients who did not want me representing them because I was young. Although I was in my early 30's, I had a youthful look. (I still do). The perception is that with age comes knowledge, wisdom and experieince. I also think that people still perceive that legal profession as a bunch of old white men.

You could make the same arguement about higher ed. Dean Dad cites the stats. We picture deans as some white haired old guy that the students refer to as the "crusty old Dean". How could some young whippersnapper have the wisdom and experience to handle such a job?

Here's the rub. Should someone make apologies for accomplishing their professional goals a little earlier than what is expected? Should we cut someone off at the knees because of ambition?

As for myself, I make no apologies for attaining success at an early age or doing things that are not "age appropriate" for my profession. I have been a successful attorney, small business owner (law practice) and college professor and I am only 39 years old. You could call it drive or ambition that fueled my early success. But I think most of it is because of a arrogance on my part to do things because someone said I could not do it for whatever reason. (Think: race, gender and age).

I also know there are those younger than me who have achieved more than I did at that age. My office mate is 26. But, she has more knowledge and experience in higher ed than I do.

Should I be afraid?

Of course not.

After all, age ain't nothin' but a number.

I have a mini meltdown on Friday. It involved an assessment that my chair wanted all the Critical Thinking instructors to assign to the students and submit to him. There was some misunderstanding on my part as to what exactly my chair wanted me to do. What I submitted and what he wanted were two totally different things.

So, why the meltdown? I guess it's because I am still trying to figure out how things work around here. I am a bit paranoid that what happened to me at the last place may happen here. I am afraid to fail or make any sort of mistake, even the most benign.

I have always been sort a perfectionist when it comes to myself and the things that I do. I can tolerate fault in others, but not myself. I have been told that one of the great qualities is that I never make the same mistake twice.

But, I am not so sure it's a great quality to have.

Being a perfectionist means being constantly on guard. It means always wondering when the worst is going to happen. It means avoiding failure at all costs. It a high anxiety life.

It's a hard way to live.

There was a brief time in my life where I didn't care about what happened or what result occurred. When I was studying for the bar exam, it got to the point where if I failed, it didn't matter. I would just keep playing the game until I figured out how to win. And when I figured out the rules of the game, I won.

Somehow, I got away from that mindset.

I have to get back to being that less than perfect girl. And, I have to be OK with it.