New Year's has never been that important to me. Maybe it's because I've always been on a more academic schedule. In addition to the joys of new pens and notebooks for class, my birthday is at the beginning of the school year. So, it really is more of a new year for me than the arbitrary calendar date of January 1st.

So, all I can do is hope, pray, beg the gods of the multiverse that this week is not an indication of what it will be like to be 35. The fact that my birthday isn't really until next week gives me just the smallest glimmer of hope that this is just a bad send off of 34.

The pessimism may surprise you, but that' just because I spent Wednesday evening writing my academic genealogy to avoid looking at the following.

Yup, that is the ceiling of my kitchen. Wednesday morning, after an entire night of heavy rain, I woke up to a soggy kitchen table and a pretty new ceiling.

The best part came later when the DH went upstairs to check the Cat Bathroom, which is directly above the kitchen. He said he noticed the wall and then just touched the ceiling and his finger went right through.

Thursday, instead of going to sweaty yoga, I got to hang around the house to hear a contractor tell us that the actual problem was minor. In his words, "A 10 cent fix." The resulting damage is worth a little more. Fortunately, the in-laws can file a home-owners claim because it was weather related.

Today...today was going well. Until I decided to go to the bathroom before teaching the afternoon class. That was when the zipper on my pants broke. Now, these weren't just regular pants that have multiple fasteners. These were some really cute pants with a side zipper. In fact, they are the pants that I wore to our "reception" dinner at the Peppermill in Vegas after we got married the second time. The side zipper business means that the zipper was holding these pants up.

Fortunately, I happen to bring a change of clothes to school today. This is really a random occurrence. It was the only thing that saved me from having to staple my clothes together.

Yeah, that's my week. The ceiling brakes and my pants fall down.

Don't worry, I am well aware that in the whole scheme of the world my week wasn't that terrible. In fact, I'm still pretty fortunate -- my cats have their own bathroom for cryin' out loud! It was just one of those weeks.

Oh and about the cat bathroom. It's just that it's there and no one uses it, so it's the perfect place for the litterbox. Besides we have to do something to make up for the fact that we love the dog more.

Oh...and two more things....
First of all - while I appreciate that New Orleans is in the path of Gustav, but seriously people. Look at that map a little more closely and you can see that the good folks in Cameron Parrish, who are still recovering from Rita...yeah, you know the other hurricane that hit three years ago, are more in the line of that storm. Those are the Cajun Princess's people down there and they do not need to go through that crap again.

Secondly, the saving grace of this day has been my discovery of Black Hockey Jesus. I never thought I'd thank Redneck Mommy for taking a break, but I've discovered a lot of great blogs this week. I've spent this afternoon reading through the archives and I'm in love. Really. If the DH would trust himself enough to sit down with a pen I think he'd have a similar voice.

academic genealogy

Looking back over the archives, it amazed me to realize there isn’t a lot here about where I’m from…at least not where I’m from educationally. It’s amazing because the Cajun Princess and I talk about these things all the time. In fact, it’s pretty much how we bonded. So, grab yourself a cup of coffee, a beer, or even champagne and I’ll tell you a bit of the Tale of Little Miss Someday. (By the way, I’m still waiting on some good pseudonym suggestions.) This tale is inspired by Dr. Crazy’s “College for the Underclass” post. There are several ideas in there I’d like to address, but first I need to provide the background.

As with everyone, my educational genealogy begins with my parents. My Mother never finished high school, but got her GED when I was around 7 or 8. My Father graduated from high school and was eventually sent to some further vocational training by one of his employers.

(Aside #1 – Isn’t it fascinating how we do this? Construct educational genealogies for ourselves. It’s as if our parents’ educational level should both provide some indication of what our own educational potential should be; but, it should also be the level we seek to surpass.)

I think the most important thing about my mother’s education is that when I was 10 she went to the local Community College (CC) and got a business certificate. Basically, it meant she was able to work in an office doing a number of things like basic payroll and accounting. In fact, she worked in the business office of that same college after she graduated. At an early age the idea that education could get you a decent job you didn’t hate too much was ingrained in me. Even to a 10 year old it’s pretty obvious that a low level office job is better than cleaning houseboats. My Father was talented at what he did and always had a good paying blue collar job. So, during my high school years we were pretty solidly lower-middle class. It was assumed that I would go to college, but that instead of going away to school I would start out at the local CC. I didn’t even apply to any four year schools. While we didn’t have enough money to send me to a four year school, according to my Dad’s taxes we had enough that I didn’t really need financial aid.

My staying in the home town turned out to be a good thing. During the spring of my Senior year my parents divorced. I did go to the CC that fall, but I didn’t even last a full quarter. Life was just a little messed up for me. So, I took the first of what was to be a couple of ‘breaks’ from school. I’d work for a while, go back and take a few classes, and then work for a while again. There was a rather long break where I followed John Boy to the northern end of the state, but eventually I returned home and to the CC.

To me, this is where it gets interesting.

Dr. Crazy is candid about her goals as an undergraduate, “I was no fool: I knew that I needed to graduate from college and to make some money. Period.“ It is the sensible perception of education when coming from a working/lower-middle class background. It probably should have been my goal. Education, job, steady income. When I came back from North Hippy-ville, I knew I was going to finish at the CC and transfer to a four-year school. Sounds right on track, except that I was going to be a theatre major. Oh yeah, you want to know what degree is at least as useless, if not more useless, than an English degree, that would be a Theatre degree. The craziest thing is that I did it. So, not only did I not get serious about school until I was 24, when I did get ‘serious’ about school, it was in an entirely not serious way. I was pursuing a dream.

Maybe my desire to pursue my acting dream influenced the rest of my education, because even at the CC, I took courses that sounded interesting to me. My schedule was always eclectic. Yes, I took a lot of English and Drama classes, but I also took beginning Russian and a biology course on Modern Day Plagues – and, I LOVED it! When I finally really left home to go to a state school on the Prairie, I conceded a little to sensibility and supplemented my Theatre major with an English minor. It was a little about the fall back, but mostly because an entire semester of nothing but theatre and dance classes made me feel like my brain was atrophying. So, I supplemented with things I liked and wanted to learn English and French classes and even some Sign Language. It wasn’t until after I’d decided that I’d finish the Theatre degree, but that I didn’t want a career in the theatre.

(Aside #2 - I don’t mean that to sound like I thought I’d have some grand career. It was just that going into my final year at Prairie School I knew that I loved doing community theatre, and that I didn’t want to do the business of theatre.)

So, I set a new goal. I wanted to teach English at a Community College. My experience at my CC was great and I thought that teaching at that level was an attainable goal. I’d get my MA, find a job at a CC like mine, and do theatre on campus or in the community. Two things happened – I met Dr. Snarky and I worked for a year at a CC here in Middletown. The rest is sort of history. When it was time for me to graduate with the MA, I knew I wasn’t done. I felt like graduate school was just beginning. Suddenly, although it had never occurred to me that I would ever, ever get a PhD, I wanted one.

So, why the life story?

Well, I just wanted to illustrate yet another way that “college” means something different to everyone. I’m guilty of trying to convince my students that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is good – or, at least not a complete waste of their time. I’m guilty of this not because I buy into any sort of “de facto elitism” (which does exist), but because I want them to enjoy learning of all types. It’s a silly goal, but I think that if they can enjoy learning, then they will be able to see life beyond their paycheck. They’ll still be nurses, and whatever it is business majors become, but maybe they’ll also figure out how to do something they love as well.

Another reason for the life story:

Now you know how apt a title “Wandering the Academy” really is.

Opening Night...

Well, I tried to switch classrooms for the 1pm class, but it doesn't look like it will happen. The only other classrooms available are actually bigger and don't have chairs that move. So, I guess I'll have to add blocking to my course prep. You might think that I'd just stand on the floor infront of the class, but then it's impossible to see everyone. Oh well.

Dissertation Tuesday didn't go too well today. I went back to yoga class, ran some errands, and did some course planning for tomorrow. There are still a few hours in the day, but I'm pretty wiped out. Once I get used to the sweaty yoga, I love it, but it takes a couple of times for my body to get used to it.

So, until then a meme as seen at Dr. Crazy's

1. My uncle once took me for a ride in his semi. For years I was convinced he was really Jerry Reed in Smoky and the Bandit.

2. Never in my life would I have thought I'd end up where I am...but, I think that is a good thing.

3. When I was five Fonzie was my imaginary friend.

4. High school was mostly fun. I had a great group of friends.

5. I will never forget the summer moon over Sadie Peak. (It's a sun in the picture, but I think you get the idea.)

6. Once I met Fran Tarkenton. I only knew who he was from That's Incredible.

7. There’s this boy I know who can almost always make me smile.

8. Once, at a bar, watched my 60-something year old aunt drink a blow job.

9. By noon, I'm ready for a nap.

10. Last night I watched Ted Kennedy's speech.

11. If only I had the power to make sure everyone I care about has whatever they need.

12. Next time I go to church will probably be Christmas, because the in-laws like to do that.

13. What worries me most is whether I'll ever find a good job in this profession.

14. When I turn my head left I see the dog sleeping on my couch.

15. When I turn my head right I see a messy, messy desk that needs organizing.

16. You know I’m lying when I say I love Dickens.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is Andrew McCarthy.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing.

19. By this time next year I will be one draft away from completing my dissertation. (knock on some wood for me!)

20. A better name for me would be ... I don't know. Any votes?

21. I have a hard time understanding the DH's inability to shut things off when he leaves a room.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll give you permission to have me committed.

23. You know I like you if I let you hang out on the porch.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be the DH, my Mom, my Dad, and the Cajun Princess.

25. Take my advice, never drive through North Dakota.

26. My ideal breakfast is ... Eggs over-easy, crispy hashbrowns, and bacon.

27. A song I love but do not have is the "New Boots" song that I don't really know the name of, but my friend always sings with her band.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you drive on through to the beach.

29. Why won’t people obey the crosswalk on campus.

30. If you spend a night at my house the cats will sleep on your head.

31. I’d stop my wedding for a death in the family or natural disaster.

32. The world could do without many, many things. Cell phones would be one. (Yes, that is completely hypocritical because I have one, but it's true.)

33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than have a house infested with cockroaches.

34. My favorite blondie my friend from high school, who now runs marathons.

35. Paper clips are more useful than almost anything else.

36. If I do anything well it’s making cookies and rubbing the DH's feet.

37. I can’t help but fret over the dum-dums.

38. I usually cry at almost anything sappy. There are at least 3 scenes that make me cry in Love Actually. Oh...and when I really want a good cry, I just throw in The Hours. There is just something about Julianne Moore's character.

39. My advice to my nephew/niece is ... I don't have any, but I'd say...read.

40. And by the way, I'm very impatient for new BSG episodes.

Ready or Not...

It's back to school.

Today's first classes went well. My afternoon class was a bit quiet. I hope that was just first day boredom, because otherwise there is at least one girl who's going to earn my wrath. She was already almost nodding off. Maybe she expected a song and dance. It would work in this classroom because it is way too big and there is actually a stage at the front. It's hideous. I cannot spend an entire semester standing on stage in front of the class. Someone clearly needs to hear my, "I am not Robin Williams" speech. I didn't get home in time to request a new classroom, so I'll try tomorrow.

There were so many people on campus today. I miss the quiet summer pace of campus.

Shifting Philosophy

As I mentioned in my discussion of the new TA orientation, the addition of a new Director is instigating a shift in departmental philosophy. It was rightly pointed out that our departmental philosophy has never been overtly articulated, but I think it's always been pretty implicit by the few things that all TAs are expected to do in their first semester here. Perhaps philosophy is too formal of a word, what I'm discussing is more like a departmental ethos.

As I sat through another two days of orientation with a group of lecturers, I listened to Dr. Midwest talk about one of the texts she asked them to read. She pointed out a chart in it that highlighted the difference between courses that use "writing to learn" (wtl) and courses that are about "learning to write" (ltw). As false as most dichotomies are, this one comes the closes to identifying the change happening in our department. This chart doesn't address the fact that wtl can facilitate ltw, but that is a different conversation.

During my time as a TA in this department, I would say that the focus has been on making our classrooms places where wtl happens. TAs are given the freedom to bring whatever focus they like to their classroom as long as their students leave with an understanding of the basics of rhetoric and writing process. (Well, after the first semester when they have to use the same text.) The idea being that whatever the topic covered in the class the application of rhetoric and the focus on revision and process would help students develop writing skills.

From what I can tell so far, Dr. Midwest is committed to the composition class being a course about ltw. Her first concern is that students leave the course having developed as writers. That goal is the same as before, it's just that she thinks about the path to that goal very differently. Her ltw approach is very practical, which is demonstrated by the texts the new TAs are using this semester.

Over the next couple of years I think the tension between these two approaches will play itself out in the amount of freedom TAs and lecturers have to design their 101 courses. I'm sure the day to day will stay in the TAs hands, but it would not surprise me if there was a move to a common 101 text. I could be wrong about this. Right now Dr. Midwest has only been here a few weeks. She hasn't had the opportunity to really experience the department. Maybe some of her own views will change over time.

Please remember, this is just the way I've seen our department working and the way I think it may go. I'm sure there are plenty of other TAs who would characterize our department differently. Also, change is not a bad thing. I just think there will be some pendulum swings before the department settles down into its new identity with Dr. Midwest.

Wallowing

As usual, I'm a little late in picking up this challenge I found over at Veace, but it was just too fun in a morose way. The challenge: create a playlist/cd with the Saddest Songs in the World. I used only what was currently in my iTunes library, so I'm hampered by the fact that the Counting Crows aren't in there. I think I made up for it with the Jayhawks.

Anyway, here it is:
Suite No. 5 in C minor for solo Cello -- Pablo Casals
Ann Jane -- The Jayhawks
I Wish I Was the Moon -- Neko Case
Love Has No Pride -- Bonnie Raitt
That's How I Knew -- Aimee Mann
Blue -- The Jayhawks
Too Long at the Fair -- Bonnie Raitt
Runnin' Out of Fools -- Neko Case
Death Before Dawn -- Liz Phair (This might not be the actual title.)
New Favorite -- Alison Krauss & Union Station
I Want You -- Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Idaho -- Josh Ritter
Goldberg Variations Aria Da Capo -- Glen Gould

Week Long Orientation

...is finally over.

Planning orientation is just one of the responsibilities of the AD position, but it's probably the biggest. It's been an interesting ride putting this all together. There have been a few bumps in the road, but overall it went pretty well.

No one who has been around me for the last week would believe I'm about to say this, but...I almost wish that this was a two-year appointment so I could do it again. But, the thing is, now that I've done it, I know what needs to be done. Sure I can pass on information to the next AD to help them next year, but until you've been through it, it's kind of inconceivable.

About the bumps.

The largest bump really had nothing to do with me; and, there is nothing left to do about it except suffer through it.

The smaller bump I wish I would have anticipated. As we worked through the week to discuss ways to use their assigned texts, we neglected an important aspect of orientation. We didn't really give them a clear statement about our departmental philosophy. In a way it was inevitable. With a new Director and changes in the works, our departmental philosophy is shifting. I did my best to re-iterate the things that I think are essential and will remain the same. the new TAs should understand the heart of our program. It's just the message could have been clearer and stronger. The Director and I already discussed some of this. I just wish there would have been time to figure out the changes before the new TAs began. There was just no way for the new Director to know all of that before this year.

I may have asked for all of this taking on the AD position in such a transitional period. All I can say is that I definitely deserver more money for this.

Well Laid Plans

I don't know if I've mentioned it here or not, but the DH and I have been sharing a car all summer. It's partly an effort to save a little gas money, but also because his car is not in the best of shape.
It's the other reason I've often been stuck at home.

One benefit of having just one car is that I get to hone my skills at planning the most efficient sequence of accomplishing errands. It does my little Virgo heart good when I can make the first stop on my list the farthest from home and then work my way back. It makes both the DH and I really happy when we can use one car without having to do too many drop-offs and pick-ups.

Putting the finishing touches on the new teaching assistant orientation has required me to spend most of my time this week on campus. This hasn't led to the most efficient drop-off/pick-up schedule. So, for today I purposefully planned NOT to go to campus, because the DH had to work and there would be less running around if I didn't have to go to campus. Now...I actually have quite a bit to left to do on campus, but I figured not going there today would be okay because I could spend all day tomorrow there. I would go to campus around 8:ish do all my office chores, walk down the hall to my 10am meeting, then spend the afternoon running errands on campus while I waited for books to arrive.** After the books arrived I would head home and the DH could go to work.

It was a pretty damned good plan, if I do say so myself. As you can probably guess, that is not how my day is going to work. Nope. How do you thoroughly destroy such a beautiful plan? Move the 10am meeting to 11am and hold it off campus as opposed to just down the hall. Oh...and it's not just off campus, it's the equivalent of all the way home.

It wouldn't be so bad except that I really do have enough stuff to do that I need to go to campus before the meeting...and, because I have to wait for the books, I have to return to campus after the meeting. yeah. There goes my well planned day.


**Don't get me started on why I need to wait for the books. Just don't.

Back to School

School doesn't really start for three weeks, but summer is over for me. Tomorrow is my first, of many, many days on campus before the semester even begins.

Everything is in place for the new TA orientation...I think. Something will fall apart, someone will not show up, and, well, I'll cross those bridges when I come to them.

Last night, at what I consider the first party of the year, I realized this is the first semester that I'm not taking classes. Last fall I didn't have classes, but I did have directed readings, which made it feel like I had classes. Last spring I didn't have classes, but the looming pressure of comps made sure that I still felt like a student. This fall, although I have a dissertation to write, is the first time I'm more teacher than student. I'm not sure I can express how scary that is for me. Two weeks ago I was raving about how sick I am of this process. "Screw the dissertation. I'm ready for the job." Now, the reality that I no longer have a place on the other side of the classroom is sinking in.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good transition. And, really, I am ready for it. It's just that for so long my family, and probably everyone else, have thought of me as the "professional student" that it's weird to think that I am so close to never being a student again.

Yeah, yeah, I know...if I am doing my job well, I will always be a student at heart. It's just not the same as sitting at the back of the class.

On the side...

The two of you who read this may notice the new button on the side.
One of my secret pleasures in the blogosphere is reading Mommy-blogs. Hence the link to dooce over there and to Kirsten's blog which is always a good read.

Don't read anything into this. Most of you who read this know the DH and I and probably have a pretty good idea of the disaster the act of our procreating would bring on the world. Nobody wants that...except for my mother-in-law.

So, why do I read these blogs? I don't know. They are funny. When they are not funny, they are thought provoking in ways I don't normally encounter.

The new button will send you over to Motherhood Uncensored, where Kristen Chase explains her plan to Blog the Recession. Click. and then click around some more. Oh, and be sure to go check out Redneck Mommy, it's the latest addition to my growing list of regularly read mommy-blogs.