tick tock, when am I no longer chair?

Things at work are coming to a head; unfortunately I cannot post much that isn't terribly cryptic because I wouldn't want to get myself into trouble. One of my colleagues at another school uses the acronym: FBB (faculty behaving badly) and I can just say that there is quite a bit of that going on. My favorite was someone taking umbrage at us for impugning her integrity, after she had tried to leverage her famous husband's position and grant money to get something out of us she didn't earn on her own merits...

I momentarily misplaced my straight face.

Two big meetings tomorrow and Friday that will reveal a little more of how the department and language center will move forward.

I should provide pictures

Today Ellen and Zack came over to hang out while stuff they needed to be out of their house for was happening. While I made tabouleh for Craig to take to a jam session this evening and Zach watched Monster Trucks, I could tell Ellen was itching to tidy. She has "the gene" as Daniel calls it. I was teasing her and she said she didn't want to offend me but.... So I said have at it. And now our kitchen looks unlike it ever has. She cleaned out two whole cupboards in addition to washing dishes, cleaning countertops, washing out the thing we keep spatulas and spoons in, etc. You get the idea. Heaven.

new term, more fun

Perhaps some beginning of term vignettes to paint a portrait of life in the chair's office.

1) New meaning for TMI: checking in on faculty member off last term for prostate cancer treatment and I receive this email.

dear jane:

thank you for the e-mail asking me about my situation.

i hope that i will be fine. i still have problems such as feelings of urgency, frequent urination and occasional bladder spasm (you do not want to hear all about these). despite the side effects, i am positive that i will be able to perform the duties.

2) Continued interaction with student who believes there are FBI spies in her Arabic class.

3) Asked colleague who needs to go out of town for family meeting to make plan for elderly mother if there is anything I can do to help. Response: "place pillow over my sister's face."

So, all in all, things are off to a rousing start.

MLA

Back from four days in Seattle at the MLA convention. It was a wonderful trip. Seattle was fabulous - and like Portland, food just beyond delicious. What is wrong with food in SLC? Here is a picture of me delivering the award for outstanding service to John Grandin. Nice, bland conference room surroundings and I have my eyes closed, but proof that I acted in my 'presidential' capacity.

Seattle was gorgeous. I managed a walk before leaving and here are a few pictures:

Walking downtown.

On the waterfront.

Flying home the pilot took us this close to Mt. Ranier.

Dream + questions

I dreamt that there was a decapitated mouse running around our house. Apparently I was responsible for its headless state, and I felt terribly sad and remorseful but as none of us could bear to look at it decided we had to put it outside. Obviously this was to consign it to a certain death. I let him go and watched as he found a stuffed animal some child had left out and snuggled up to it.

So, my dear readers: who is the mouse? who is the stuffed animal? Am I beyond redemption?

Viewing

I shall follow the good example of family members who have resolved to blog more in 2012.

Went to see Melancholia on New Year's Eve afternoon with Ellen. Stunning visually and thematically haunting. I 'enjoyed' particularly the portrayal of depression which rings painfully true for anyone who has experienced it.

Yesterday afternoon Craig talked me into The Muppets. Mildly embarrassing to be sat there when a colleague shows up, but she has children with her.... I only have Craig....

Our evenings of late have been cozying up to Netflix for MI-5.

pictures from xmas

The walkers.Visiting Temple Square to see the lights.
Craig and his Dad warming up at Temple Square.
Self-portrait on Temple Square.