Thursday, January 31, 2008

Random bullets of back in the thick of it

  • Having my first class at 11.30 a.m. is almost unimaginably blissful. Even on days when I haven't gotten enough sleep, I still feel okay when I get up. (Maybe because it's not pitch-dark outside?)

  • I just learned that I'll have the same schedule next fall.

  • I wonder whether I should find it troubling that the album I've had playing in my car to and from campus all week has been Kanye West's College Dropout.

  • So far my students seem great. And there are only 60 of them.

  • My contract was renewed, which means I'm basically guaranteed an income through 2012--something that, after time served in grad school and as contingent faculty, I hope never to take for granted.

  • The state and my faculty union finally hashed out their own contract, which means I might soon see the cost-of-living increase I was supposed to get September 1st.

  • So all's as well with my financial world as it can be while I remain both indebted and improvident.

  • Wearing pointy, red stilettos on the first day of class will earn you many compliments. But if it's a day that involves 10 hours on campus, nearly seven of them in the classroom, you will have a very disagreeable walk back to your car at 9.30 p.m.


  • As lessons go, that one's not really worth learning

15 comments:

Belle said...

Congratulations! Yeah, I really my more normal schedule and envy you yours. Next term? I'm going back to a sane(r) schedule.

Do you think somebody out there would pay us per word on blogs? That'd help with the debt load...

RageyOne said...

Sounds like all is well in your world! How wonderful!

Thoroughly Educated said...

Great news about schedule, job security, and the rest. And despite the painful lesson, I bet the red stilettos were worth it in the great scheme of things.

Anonymous said...

So you don't set your own schedule? I'm starting to work on my fall schedule and it's basically whatever I want. I'm actually enjoying my early classes -- 8:30 am twice a week is rather nice. Also -- 60 students? Lucky lucky. I've got almost 150. 6 sections. Aaah, but I'm at a CC. Cheers.

Flavia said...

Belle: that's an excellent idea. Let me know where I can sign up for such a program.

Historyprof: I have a say in my schedule, but I don't set it--there are just too many variables, and we all teach such a mix of upper/lower division classes, that getting the right spread for our students (and for all our classes to make) is complicated.

Really, I'm delighted to be on a consistent T/Th schedule and to have one new or 400-level class every term. The late start only makes those things better!

Renaissance Girl said...

The shoe lesson is one I've learned before, but I have to say that it hasn't prevented me from continuing to make the same fashion statement at the beginning of most semesters. If my students knew that I limped home at 9pm for the sake of undermining their Renaissance prof expectations, they would certainly question my faculties at precisely the moment I'm trying to convince them I'm brilliant.

PS. For some time I've been thinking that I would begin calling you Flavia-Flav, and your road music seals the deal.

Flavia said...

RG: please do, though you won't be the first! I think that honor belongs to either my brother or Medieval Woman.

And in fact, Fear of a Black Planet is itself one of my favorite driving CDs (a deep affection for Public Enemy can be counted among the better remains of my last relationship). Another would be Hole's Live Thorugh This. Those details may tell you all you need to know about my driving.

gwoertendyke said...

love the pointy heels idea; i've been play amy winehouse back to black, which my daughter tells me makes me lame or immature (or maybe both?); congratulations on the renewed contract AND the union resolutions!!!

who in their right mind would not renew the fabulous flavia??

Renaissance Girl said...

And, no doubt, all I need to know about your last relationship.

medieval woman said...

Adjunct Whore - me too! I luuuuv me some Amy Winehouse.

And Flavia-Flave - I'm so glad you got renewed and that you're getting a raise (likely).

Yay for you!!!!

Kick some stiletto....

Anonymous said...

Wahoo! for renewed contract. Not that any of us would have doubted. Many cheers for you.

As for the shoes. Well. All I can really say is: "Tsk."

Clio Bluestocking said...

OOf! I feel your shoe pain! My feet usually hurt for several days after wearing heels. Yet, every now and then, I can't resist.

Yea for your contract!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the news!

Whenever I feel the need to trot out my stilettos I always toss a pair of flats in my purse for later that day. A trick I learned working retail.

Sisyphus said...

Ooh, early modern grad has a good idea there ---- not only can you limp back to the car in more comfy shoes, but obviously you need to get a second cute pair! I mean, who would want to be seen at the end of the day in shoes that don't match your outfit?

Jack said...

Odd that this is the post I finally feel compelled to comment on. Odder still, I was listening to that KW album the entire first week of school too. I guess you know what keeps me warm at night in the coldest city on earth. That's right, those degrees.