The Top 11: Operating Rubbertoe Style

Much like Rubbertoe last week, I am operating a bit in the dark.  I was unable to watch the show and the damned thing didn't record.  So, I had to go and listen to the studio versions of the Elton John songs our Top 11 performed last night.  I realize that these recordings are definitely not the same as listening to them live, but it's the best I can do.  So, I listened and tried to envision how good or how bad they came across on stage.  So, here are my rankings . . .

1. Pia
2. Casey
3. James
4. Scotty
5. Paul
6. Lauren
7. Haley
8. Stefano
9.Jacob
10. Thia
11. Naima

Therefore, according to my flawed listening, my bottom 3 is Jacob, Thia and Naima . . . however, here is what I am GUESSING America's bottom 3 will be . . .

Thia, Naima, and Stefano. . . assuming they do a traditional bottom 3.  Since two are going home, my picks are Naima and Stefano. 

We shall see if, being almost blind, I have any inkling of what America will do.

A Good Day at School. . . As Martha Would Say, "It's a Good Thing"

So, I went to school this morning intending to spend about 4 hours working there.   I had some appointments with students, and some of my former students were coming by.  What happened was that I spent 8 hours at school, dealing with administrative bullshit and some lovely student encounters.  Truth be told, if I could spend all of my time with my students, teaching and interacting, I would be happy as a pig in mud.  The administrative bullshit drives me nuts, but it's a part of the academic life . . . that I must complete and accept (insert a pic of me meditating and harnessing my chi).  On the other hand, the students, ahhhhh, that makes me so happy.

After having several advisees come in to talk about their schedules, I was asked by one of the other profs to guest lecture in a class about how to evaluate social work practice.  I know, I know, it sounds so boring, but for me, it's amazing.  I LOVE to teach research . . . why, you ask . . . because it's a challenge to make a boring topic interesting.  I got to teach my students from last semester, who are now last semester seniors, and that is a very good thing.  These are students that I spent a LOT of time with last semester teaching social work practice skills, and now they are in the field . . . actually implementing them.  It was an amazing experience.

After teaching, I got to spend some one on one time with two of my students.  They are particularly close to me, and feel comfortable chatting with their prof.  It's amazing to feel like you are making an impact on a life, and that is one of the wonderful things that this job affords me.  Ahhhhh, I must come back and read this post when I get frustrated with my job.

Now, I must attend to my Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese . . . I love to cook, and a buddy of mine is coming over to eat a little dinner and watch Rosemary's Baby.

I shall check in later. :)

I'm A Little in Love with Dan Savage, and Other Musings

So, I just got finished listening to Dan Savage's Savage Lovecast  . . . and, I'm  a little in love with him.  He is so brash and unapologetic in his advice/opinions . . . he kind of makes me swoon. . .  before I move on to erotic thoughts, I'll switch topics. :)

I re-enforced my procrastinating tendencies today by waiting til the very last minute to write a test and put it online for my class.   It seems after 38 years, I have learned that I must have a looming deadline to light a fire under my ass.  I've got to figure out a way to light the fire without it actually existing.  Hmmmmm . . . I shall ponder this and check back in.

My cat is currently acting a fool . . . Gus, the most anti-Persian name I could come up with, is literally jumping in the air trying to swat the hair that he is shedding . . . strange animal, but loving and cute.

I shall use this blog to hold myself accountable.  I have to create a test for tomorrow's class . . . different class . . . and post it online.  If I finish it tonight, my life will be so much easier tomorrow.  It will also make it easier for me to get back to the gym . . . for the first time this week, le ugh.

I shall now ponder on the picture to place at the top of today's entry. . . Hmmmm, perhaps the object of my affection. . . and now you can see that I could not resist . . . I love this pic.

Update:  I actually finished writing the test, posted it, and set it up to be ready for them to take tomorrow . . . and, I fired off an email to let them know . . . I'm kind of rocking my face off tonight. :)

Drowning . . . but trying to tread water

Today, I feel like I'm drowning.  I have so much work to do.  Late last night, the window in my bedroom slammed down on my finger . . . I am currently an injured typist.  Finally, before I left the house this morning, my cat was on the roof.  How he got out there . . . I really have no idea.  At that point, I really felt like crying.  Something's got to give.  This afternoon, I have to make a list of all of the things I have to do, and slowly start chipping away.  It is the only the I can think of that might make my situation slowly start to get better. 

But for now, I have to breathe and get centered so that I can teach a class . . . about assessment of others who have issues . . . oh, the irony.

I Don't Know What to Name this Blog

I literally named this blog what I was thinking.  I couldn't come up with a smart/snarky title.  I don't really know what I want this to be about.  Perhaps it is best to not define the scope of the blog.  I think I shall just write or post about whatever enters my demented little head.

Today, I'm feeling completely unworthy.  I'm getting in my own way, and I'm screwing up my job.  Maybe that's in my own head  . . . not sure.  I'm completely qualified to have this job, but somewhere inside my head I'm trying to self-sabotage.  We'll get into that later.  Just a quick post today.  I'll be back tomorrow.  Must sleep . . . night night.