How can I already be behind in finding gainful teaching-assistant/lackey employment for next semester? How is it possible that I am (still) grading the first set of papers for this semester, and being forced to pause in my grading (ahem. right.) to send out suck-up emails about FEBRUARY FOR GOD’S SAKE already?
How is it possible, for that matter, that I am still grading said first set of papers?
How will I conceivably finish grading this (still far too large) stack in time to read and prepare intelligent comments on the paper I’m responsible for in my colloquium tomorrow?
How is it possible that they can map the human genome, but cannot produce a mug warmer that can actually warm my coffee without burning the bottom while the top freezes?
How do people juggle teaching, writing and researching for one’s own work (the diss, or in my case–because I CANNOT CATCH UP–the prospectus), relationships and their constant drama, answering emails and voicemails within a month of receiving them, and life in general (including, but not limited to, cat-pee-soaked couches, cats that clearly need a vet visit and some Valium, laundry, cupboards empty of everything except–literally–2 cans of mixed vegetables and 4 packs of Ramen, the tyranny of entropy and dust and dishes in the sink, and the difficulty of just staying awake sometimes)? I was going to say “without going insane”, but really, I’m just wondering how to manage it all. Sanity is optional.
I think that the scream that is underlying this post is at a pitch so high that human ears can’t detect it. So don’t worry if this makes no sense at all.
November 7, 2005 at 4:03 pm
It boggles the mind, doesn’t it? I’m currently applying for jobs next fall, if “giggling hysterically while re-working old cover letters” counts as applying for jobs.
However, I have this habit of cooking when I’m stressed out, which means that the closer we get to the end of the semester, the more elaborate meals we have; I’ve made three kinds of homemade soup in the last week.
(((((((((((Buzz))))))))))))
Hang in there!
November 7, 2005 at 5:57 pm
Q: How do people manage all of it?
A: They don’t. They let some things go sometimes and just don’t do a good enough job at everything. Seriously. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to. I don’t mean to be depressing…
Sanity is overrated.
Regarding “how is it possible that they can map the human genome…” You sound like my friend. She always says, “Why is it that we can go to Mars, but we can’t…” So now whenever she’s frustrated with something that isn’t functioning, but should be, she just says, “MARS!” You can say, “MAP THE HUMAN GENOME!” But it doesn’t have as effective of a ring to it as MARS!
November 7, 2005 at 6:08 pm
Taz, thanks for the support…wish I at least cooked when I get stressed out, but all I really do is sleep.
B*, I love the idea of just yelling MARS! When the Yogini and I were young whippersnappers, we’d respond to questions we couldn’t answer with “I don’t even get how record players work.”
MARS! MARS! MARS!
November 7, 2005 at 7:21 pm
It’s all about MARS! 🙂
I like the record players thing, too.
November 7, 2005 at 7:35 pm
hey, c’mon… you know you don’t REALLY wanna grade… YAHOO! *cough cough*
November 7, 2005 at 10:24 pm
I put plastic on my couch, and now the psycho cats only pee on the carpet. I’m not sure that’s an improvement, but it’s more than I accomplish on the prospectus. I take my victories where I can find them.
November 7, 2005 at 10:26 pm
B*, I have to grade! Quit it! 🙂
Hi Elizabeth! Yeah, if I could get the cats (though I should stop saying that–it’s just the one, really) to *just* pee on the carpet, I’d be happy. Plastic on the couch happens this weekend. Glad I’m not the only one in this.
November 7, 2005 at 10:52 pm
They have coffee mug warmers? I had no idea.
I wonder if they would keep my toes warm at work….
November 7, 2005 at 11:06 pm
Jesse, I know just what you need for your toes. Okay. So not only do they have coffee mug warmers, but they have mug warmers that PLUG INTO YOUR USB slots. On your computer, I mean. Not YOUR usb slots. Anyway. I bought myself one this morning. When it shows up I’m sure I’ll blog about it. BUT: they also have a thing that plugs into your USB, and it’s a cubby/cozy/”coozy” if you live where I live, and it goes around your cup to keep it warm.
You could totally buy two, and put them on your feet.
That’s brilliant! Try it! Let me know how it goes! (Damn, i’m smart when I’m drinking.)
November 7, 2005 at 11:30 pm
A usb port erupted in a very tiny flame in a computer at school when I was a junior.
What does this have to do with mug warmers? Well, USB ports producing heat.
I made sense to me when I started…..
November 7, 2005 at 11:32 pm
I am positive that the phrase “A usb port erupted in a very tiny flame” was not intended to make me giggle uncontrollably. Therefore, I can only assume that I’ve been drinking.
Regardless. Yes. I think you can warm your toes on a USB port.