I've found my people

Today I joined my "stretching for the inflexible" class. It is one of the classes run through the university for faculty and staff and I couldn't resist the title. I had missed the first two class sessions because of work (grrrr), but it turns out that didn't matter. I was by far not the most inflexible one in the room. It felt lovely.

Input with no output

I enjoy reading a blog by a community college dean. He seems to chime in with surprisingly good timing on topics that prey on my administrative mind. A few months ago I (and a few friends I forwarded it to) enjoyed his post on the curious desire of many faculty members to be spared any in-the-trenches sort of work and their concurrent insistence that they be consulted on everything. This is particularly evident in the summer months when the right of total absence is asserted followed by shock when come September, departmental life has marched on. Attempts at consultation enter an email vacuum. I am amazed by the number of people who swear that they don't have email access in whatever nook or cranny they hide in over these months. Last time I checked even Budapest and Spain have the internet and internet cafes. This week someone assured me that they had had no access to email in New York. Yea, and your check is in the mail.
This evening has seen a delightful exchange in which a faculty member has taken umbrage at the addition of a course to the spring schedule without their input. Never mind that in the weeks of the fall semester we took on the full weight of supervising, training, cajoling etc. in the area that the person now feels has been usurped. Here is the quote:
"I feel that my rights as a faculty have been violated." Hmmmm. There seems to be a word missing after 'faculty'. Could it be "in absentia"?

culinary victory

I still have two picky eaters. Each is alright when alone, but finding some intersection of their tastes at dinner time is trying. Tonight I had a surprise success. I marinated some chicken in plain yogurt and lemon juice and then baked it. Once done, I put in a frying pan with a sauce made of chicken broth and goats cheese. Sam had seconds - be still my beating heart.

new lows of administration

Co-Chair and I had to fire our first staff person today. The previous departures of staff members long past their sell by date mercifully happened spontaneously. Well truth be told, we had several "performance review" meetings and lo and behold, they saw the writing on the wall and moved on to different pastures. This one did not see any writing (myopia part of the overall problem). Anyway it was unpleasant, but quick. Apart from this staffing hiccup we have put together a superb team of dynamic, creative and smart people and the office feels fantastic.

resolution

I don't know about the rest of you, you are probably all dedicated teeth flossers. I always find it difficult to stick to this healthy habit. But guess what? I have inadvertently discovered a method that works for me. After a recent trip to the dentist I had three different kinds of floss samples in the car. I find my self flossing now as I drive. I know, disgusting habit, but I am going to throw politeness to the wind in favor of my dental health!

Happy New Year

This is 2008.


And this, my friends, is 2009. Craig invested in a contraption called the Vitamix 5200 for Christmas. In it you can make all manner of healthy concoctions. Here we are about to mix up something called "ogerrrr juice". But you can also make things hot in it so soups etc. Ogerrr juice, incase you can't make out all the ingredients, included kiwi, peeled lime, pineapple, grapes, apple, spinach, cabbage, wheat grass, flax seed and more!!!

Heber Creeper

Yesterday I was finally able to satisfy my urge to go on the old steam engine train that leaves from the Heber City station up past Park City. We all went up there and took a beautiful 90 minute train ride along the edge of Deer Creek Resevoir. Sam saw 96 deer and Catherine managed not to look out the window at all (ipod touch keeping her occupied). It was freezing cold but great fun.