Historical Archives
Sometimes I look at my role within my family based on the tasks I’ve taken on and see that it’s pretty traditional. For example, I do the cooking and the laundry, both tasks traditionally taken on by the “woman of the house.” Mr. Geeky takes out the trash and mows the yard, typical “man of…
I’m a little late to the solstice party, but I’ve been reading some interesting posts about solstice around the blogosphere. In all of them, there is an impetus to put the old year behind and to look toward the new. From here on out, the light grows. In spite of the cold that will envelope…
I have 4 more days of work before I’m off for a week. I really need the down time and I’m more aware of that than ever. Normally, I save enough vacation time to take the week before Christmas off, but this year, the dissertation trip ate up almost all of it. I’m in that…
In my campaign to get rid of clutter myself, I decided not to pass clutter on to my family. Most of my family is in a position of being able to buy whatever they want or need. I’m far enough away from them that I don’t know what they have or what they need anyway.…
I’ve had this post brewing for a while, but New Kid’s recent post where she contemplates leaving academe prompted me to actually write it. The dilemma faced by many faculty thinking of leaving is wondering whether work outside of academe will offer intellectual challenges and rewards or if it will turn them into mindless corporate…
Geeky Boy is 12, decidedly not a kid anymore, decidedly not an adult yet, and definitely in the middle of some kind of transition. Before I gave birth to him, I bought every book on the planet about pregnancy, birth, and child rearing. Once I got past the the toddler stage, I quit buying books.…
Christmas shopping has begun. Most has occurred online in my pjs. We’re trying not to be extravagant and not to add to people’s clutter. Consumable goods and “experience” gifts–spa treatments, lessons, etc.–are at the top of our list. Speaking of consumable, one of the most ideal gifts for several people in my family would be…
So it’s been a tough week to start up the walking regimen again. I was much more successful than the guy from Airplane! at least. On Tuesday, it was freaking cold and there were 40 mph winds. I only walked 15 minutes, mainly because by the time I got all my gear on and got…
An article in the Chronicle this morning is very apropos to something that I’ve been witnessing a lot of lately. This semester, my colleagues and I have been the recipients of very uncollegial communications. These have come from primarily faculty and students (at least what I’ve seen) and not staff. It’s difficult to respond to…
This afternoon I learned that one of my college friends died of breast cancer. She was 39. I was struck pretty hard by the news. She was someone I was fairly close to in college, but then lost track of immediately afterwards. I only saw her at reunions. So it’s not as if I had…
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