from a student homework assignment

They were asked to do an observation connected to Deborah Tannen's work on male and female conversational rituals. One student wryly wrote in a footnote about students who sit behind her in class:

"...they spent five minutes debating whether or not 'linguistical' is a word. They all agreed that it sounded like it should be a word, but they couldn't figure out why it wasn't in their computer's dictionary. They concluded that they were just smarter than the computer because they knew a word that it didn't know. My opinion might differ slightly from theirs."

Ahhh, Russia

Starting to work on next summer's study abroad program and I get this tip from the group leader based on past experience.

"I also think this year we need to leave some money for bribes when we purchase group train tickets. Maybe around 50-60$? It is mafia who operates train ticket sales. They sell only 4 tickets at a time, so last year I had to stay in several lines. This time maybe we can bribe someone there and they will sell us the necessary amount of tickets."

Now, how to square this with our university accounting rules....

End of the long weekend

Feeling lethargic and weirdly pathetic. Today was a gorgeous day but I have been fighting off a nascent cold and so ended up sleeping/dozing all day. Finally roused myself because of the **bloody*** marking that just hasn't gotten itself done. Am trying the timer method-- ten minute bursts with the red pencil. There are only two more weeks of term so the end is in sight but I feel like I actually quit the race and forgot to let anyone know... On Thanksgiving day I ran a 5k and there was this tempting moment when the course was looping around and the unscrupulous could have cut down a side street and shaved a mile off the whole thing. I didn't do it, but am looking for the academic equivalent this week.

Craig flew off to Reno this morning for a few days of tax court. He has already texted me two pictures, one of his toilet and one of the view from his hotel room window. Not sure which he is more excited about.

Some new pictures

Here we are on Thanksgiving which we celebrated with Ellen and family.Craig and I got out the snowshoes a week ago and took a beautiful hike up Mill Creek Canyon

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.