on a more cheerful note

Life around here is very different since a magical day almost two weeks ago when Catherine got her driving license. There was a bit of drama with the test - she failed the first time because she couldn't parallel park (but, really, how many teenagers can?) and she did not look over her shoulder sufficiently when turning and changing lanes. On the second go she did brilliantly although by then she was 'shoulder checking' so much that she looked like she had Tourettes. Todd has handed down his subaru outback so we are back to having three cars at our household - but the most excellent thing is that she drives herself and Sam to school now. SLEEPING IN!!!! Yes, my friends with young children, there is an end in sight. Very distant sight, but in sight nonetheless. She also lends the car to Craig for his gigs and he, in turn, puts gas in it when he uses it so they are both happy.

my patience is running thin

This chair thing can't end soon enough--or at least that is how I am feeling today. Allow me to share a couple of lines from emails I received in the last 24 hours. Admittedly these are out of context, but trust me, in most cases they are even more horrifying in situ. Still to protect my ass, I will edit down to choice phrases:

Response to scheduling conflict of the writer's making:

"You and Fernando set up the system, now make it work."

Commenting on the required course that yours truly teaches:

"but let me remind you, the L2020 is NOT part of the curriculum. It is not a prerequisite for any other language class or program, meaning that it does not clearly funnel into any particular course of study and therefore has little pedagogical application to the language major courses."

I feel so worthwhile....

On the same issue, from someone else:

"I think it's absolutely outrageous to ask a student not to take a required major course for a departmental course at the 2000 (!!!!!) level."

The only bright spot, is that the full text of one of the above, duly forwarded to relevant higher up on campus has gotten me the green light to "write the person up" for unprofessional behavior. Yippee. There go another couple of good hours.

So, here we are in our last months of leadership making some sweet enemies.

Sorry so grumpy.

update

I am not dead. And I promise a nice big post later today.