The Perils of Love

A Switch in Time

There's a minor ick at USU (Urban Sprawl University - You like?).

We're planning out the next course in the series that I'm TAing, and we had all the times and dates down, so I let my students know which classes I'll be TAing so that they can avoid me next time or (god help 'em) choose to take the class with me. Anywhoo, it turns out that now I'm going to have to switch class times with another TA due to the other TA having a seminar that must be taken. The seminar time was TBA, but now it's been A'ed, and it conflicted, and I'm the only other TA that can cover the class that X is going to have to give up. In return, X is going to take one of my classes.

So, no real trouble except a minor inconvenience, right? Well, not so much. Naturally, all the students had to lock in their class choices early, and many chose based on the times I told them. See, I know I'm being less than kind here, but even though I like the other TA a lot, I'm finding it hard to answer my students when they say, "So how X as a TA?" 'Cause the thing is, well, I'm not sure I would want to take a class from X. Some of this impression of X as a TA is subjective, but some of it is fairly well-founded.

I tell them that X is a great person, but I haven't sat in on X's classes, so I don't know what they're like. That's all true, but it's a bit disingenuous.

The material for the classes will all be basically the same, but we're given a lot of leeway and have a huge impact on the class, and I'm sure part of this is overstating my own abilities and blindness toward my own faults, but I'm worried about my students.

On the other hand, there isn't much I can do but try to steer them toward other TAs if the can switch, and if they can't switch, well... Harumph...

10.16mi - 1:17'15"

New route today. Actually kinda nice run once I got to the grassy part. Sadly, to get the grassy part, you have to run through about a mile and a half of sidewalks and crosswalks with balky crosswalk buttons. hmm... Still it was an out and back run that I could take longer, and it was pretty flat, so I'm sure I'll find use for it.

More Random Video-age

A couple of Benny Hinn Classics to get you chuckling on a Saturday night/Monday morning:

Another Fine Mess You've Gotten Us Into

See? I went out for a short run, but I just kept running.

8.57mi - 1:02'41"

New PR for that route.

Thanks blog!

Edited to add: Thanks Profgrrrrrl! :)

Feeling Very Lazy

The main reason I'm posting this is to say that I'm going to go running. That way I will face shame and derision if I don't. 'Cause I don't wanna. I want to nap. I want to read non-required books. I want to watch TV. I want to eat. Anything but work or something that resembles work. But, alas, I oughtta (one t or two?).

So, much like Profgrrrrrl posting lost items so that they might find their way home, I post because I have to create my own peer pressure.

Maybe I'll just do a shorter run.

8.64mi - 1:03'02"

'Nother run. I felt a little tight in the beginning, but eventually started to want to stride out a bit. Ended up with a slight quickening of my personal best for this particular route.

I think it's summed up nicely by the immortal words of George from the Blackadder (WWI) series:

Up diddly up, down diddly down, whoops, poop, twiddly dee - decent scrap with the fiendish Red Baron - bit of a jolly old crash landing behind enemy lines - capture, torture, escape, and then back home in time for tea and medals.

Chuckle Chuckle

A Loooong Run

I'm trying to get back into blogging more regularly, so here's a running update.

(don't get spooked about the length of the run, I've been kinda working up to it :) )

14.55mi - 1:54'31"

It was actually supposed to be about about a 10 miler, but on the way home I was feeling good so I went ahead and did a bonus loop. I wasn't really thinking about the mileage. I was actually thinking about doing a half-marathon that's coming up. Whoops. Already did. But I didn't even get a tshirt!

I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good, but going up the stairs now (several hours later) is, um... interesting :) The special joy was a very long post-run soak in a hot and then cool and then hot bath.

Of Handbaskets and Hell

Overheard in a very swanky deli:

"No, man. It all started on 9/11. They killed 3000 of our civilians. We owe them some civilians. I mean how come on 9/11 they kill 3000 civilians and it's no big deal, but when we kill some it's this huge deal?"

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand why we elect some of the people we do, why certain tv shows stay on the air and some fail, why a frightening percentage of the world sees the US as a threat. Then I hear something like this.

Meme-o

As first seen at Zerodoll's

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Can I get away without shaving today?

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$1.77 (one bill, two quarters two dimes a nickel and two pennies, cause I know you're curious)

3. What’s a word that rhymes with “DOOR?”
Bore

4. Favorite planet?
I like the wobbly ones that are found off in other solar systems that we can't really see yet. Other than that, I've always been partial to Saturn - The rings, ya know?

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
Another TA from the class I teach

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Ummm... I really don't know. It's classical and nice, but I don't remember what it's called

7. What shirt are you wearing?
Old school 'go soccer team' t-shirt

8. Do you “label” yourself?
What the...? um... what a freakazoid question. I don't know... Rather than go into a tirade on identity issues, I'll just say 'no more than most other folks'

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
No shoes. Last pair I had on was a pair of nike pegasus tenny-pumps for the afternoon run

10. Bright or Dark Room?
I prefer dark, but I usually need enough light to read by, 'cause lord knows that's all I do anymore

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
She rocks in many ways, and she's got cool kittie-cats

12. What does your watch look like?
It's an old Nike (my, aren't I branded. Maybe I need to rethink that 'label' question.) watch that went with the pre-iSweat pedometer they had. It's ok, but I probably should have a more classy one. I don't like those all metal monstrosities though. Hmph.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
Something like 'call me,' I think. Hey, I got up and checked the phone to find out the 4th last missed call, and frankly, I can tell you already that the actual answer to this question won't be amusing enough to me or you to make it worth the effort :)

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
I really don't know. I just moved here and haven't been around much, but I can't remember seeing one... Odd...

16. Whats a word that you say a lot?
'a' I also say 'an' and 'the' quite a bit. Some call me a 'smartass.'

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
My mom

18. Last furry thing you touched?
Me

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
if we say that drugs are the needing prescription or illegal hookup types, then none. Otherwise, there's caffeine and those drugs in chocolate and tea and all that stuff. Vague question - define your terms. B-

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
Need? none. I think I have a roll or two rolling around here somewhere. I do have a roll that I developed for someone and never got the prints back to him though.

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
I never know how old I am. I have such a lousy sense of age that I can't really answer this one. I like my now though.

22. Your worst enemy?
Myself (to quote Mr. Mercury, "Gimme a choice!")

23. What is your current desktop picture?
This one

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
"'scuse me" (hopping past someone on the running trail)

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
I think I'd go for the million bucks too, get back to me if the superpower changes though. I've just never been that excited about the being able to fly bit.

26. Do you like someone?
Do you mean like like, or like like? [] Check this box for like like or [] this box for like like.

27. The last song you listened to?
An old 1920's Shanghai jazz song called 'I Want Your Love'

28. What time of day were you born?
I knew at one time. Early morning? Maybe?

29. Whats your favorite number?
I don't really have one. If pressed, I might say 9

30. Where did you live in 1987?
Where the wind comes right before the raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains

31. Are you jealous of anyone?
Sure. Well, parts of people. I want her money, and his girlfriend and his body and her brains etc...

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I know I have a better life than most people on the planet, but I don't think anyone who knows me personally really wishes they were me.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
Asleep in bed. My then girlfriend called to wake me up and tell me what was going on. I had to go to work at the bookstore that day. We stayed open for a half day and I kept my headphones on all the time listening to the news. Customers made me very frustrated that day.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
You know, I was going to make fun of this question, but it is interesting that the one thing I never do is call the number for a refund. Ok, maybe not so interesting.

35. Do you consider yourself kind?
[stolen verbatim from Zerodoll] I think so, but I also am selfish.

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
I'm pretty anti-tattoo, so if I were forced, I guess I'd get a single needle-prick's worth of a tattoo on the heel of my left foot.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Ok, geek-out here, I'd love to be fluent in Latin. If it had to be a living language, I'd pick Arabic (so long as the military didn't find out and try to pull me back in), Chinese or Japanese.

38. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes.

39. Are you touchy feely?
Sometimes

40. What’s your life motto?
People have life mottos? Umm... I don't.

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
I try to keep a pen on me. Um... sunglasses... I'm trying to think of things that not everyone would carry with them... Ah, USB drive.

42. What’s your favourite town/city?
Way too many. I love NYC, but I haven't been there in so long. London, Beijing, San Fran, honestly, just about any city can make me happy, well, almost :)

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
A wonderful 'California Burrito' from a local dive restaurant

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
um... I have not idea. Years ago?

45. Can you change the oil on a car?
I could, but won't. Note that I have no car.

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
Married and doing theatre somewhere in... Texas maybe?

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
Personally, I don't know jack. There are, however, those in my immediate family who have traced us back to the 1600s I think

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
Fancy? That's another term that needs a definition. By the author's wacky British spelling of favourite, I'm wondering if they don't mean fancy dress as in costumes. Hmm... Anywhoo dressed up for a conference earlier this year and I can't remember the last time I did a costume party costume. It was probably that murder mystery dinner thing where I dressed up as Riker from star trek (I know, I know...)

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
A little post run soreness in my calves

50. Have you been burned by love?
I can't top Zerodoll who is copying running42k: Yeah, burned by my love of pizza. Hot cheese, yowsa! (With an "s")

Early Onset Alzheimer's

Things I have misplaced today:

• sunglasses
• where I left them on the counter
  
• keys
• where I left them on the bookshelf
  
• that book I should have been reading
• it was in my bag
• extra bonus - I looked in the bag multiple times and didn't see it
• combination lock
• in the old workout bag
  
• sanity
• TBA
  

All but the last have been recovered.

View From the Sidewalk

On the run this evening, I saw about 20 or so people sitting in line on the sidewalk on the other side of the street. They had chairs and blankets and coolers and stuff. I thought they might be getting ready to go see a game of something, but they weren't in team colors and they looked like they were settling in for a long time. I was running two big long loops, so I had time to think about what in the world they might be doing. by the time I got back to them, I realized it. Around the corner is the big techie store. They were waiting for this. It doesn't come out until Friday. Ok, folks, I'm a huge geek, but that... that's beyond the pale. And let me tell you, some of the people in line were really really pale. :)

I Know...

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On The Couch

I think part of the reason for my lack of posts lately is more than simply the fact that I don’t sit in front of the computer 7 hours out of every day like I did at Old U. I think it’s something a little more fundamental. I imagine it’s not odd or unexpected that a switch to a bigger and more ‘important’ university would lead to stress, anxiety and self-questioning. I generally hate doing or being thought of as doing what is expected, but there you have it – I’m having a bit of an stress crisis.

Part of it comes from simple insecurity. The main seminar I’m in right now is on a topic that I don’t consider strictly in my realm of study, but I’m wondering more and more if it isn’t dealing with a lot of topics that I need to be able to manipulate well. Add to that the fact that the class I’m TAing now (and will be for the foreseeable future) is one that I feel more than a little bit uncomfortable teaching, and it all adds up to me feeling that I’m not doing what I want to be doing, and I don’t feel particularly effective doing what I’m doing.

So. I’m buried in work about things that I believe are important but not particularly interesting or as rewarding as I would like, and worried that this is what the next 5 years (perhaps the entire academic career?) will be like.

All this makes me feel sluggish. I’m not running as much as I used to. I’m sleeping more than I should. I feel like my brain is set on slow. I sometimes struggle to force myself to read through a page of words that swim around the page only to realize that I didn’t really understand any of it and have to start again. I'm pretty lazy to begin with, but now it seems to be getting worse.

As an optimist against all reason, I should say that I’m glad I’m in the seminar, and I am getting a lot out of it. I’m glad I’m TAing the difficult class for a lot of reasons. I really do think things will come out all right, even though I couldn’t tell you how. I just hope that I’ll be able to find something to re-inspire me – something challenging but that I know I can do, and do well.

I’ve got a pile of grading I don’t want to do, several chapters left to read (at least they’re in English), and a response paper to write, but I think I’m going to put on my running clothes and see if that convinces me to get out the door and run.

Edited to add: Because of the Blogger outage, I didn't post this right after I wrote it, but I did get out and do a long run. It felt pretty good.

8.88mi - 1:05'55"

Rock, Paper Scissors

I looked around but the paper they had didn't explain its strengths and they weren't selling any rocks.

You Are Cordially Invited

To beat my score of 879 on this trigram game.

I nearly got stumped on a couple of them :(


And yes, I should be grading.

Curiouser and Curiouser

I have received a mysterious missive from a million-mile away man. Because of blocking by a blockheaded former bloc-land, he became bereft of blogger. Consequently, he came to be incapable of commenting. Crap.

Anyway - his emailed comment was that while I do look a bit like Mr. Bart, I am much closer to Ex-Daily Show and 40-Year Old Virgin Steve Carell. I have to agree. I think I look more like him than Roger.

So Overread is a mix of this and that, but poorer and less popular than either.

PS. It seems that mentioning Desperate Housewives really drives traffic. I doubt it's what they're searching for though.

Edited:
Hotlinking images is sometimes bad, sometimes funny. This time it was funny. I've been a good boy and removed the hotlinked images :)
PS - Roger Bart? is that a porn name?

I Know I'm Desperate, But I Didn't Think It Would Turn Out Like This

Well, it seems inescapable. I am Roger Bart. Two more people confirmed that I could be no one else. He's my doppleganger. This would be very cool if I could cash his checks, although I hear he died on the show, so the checks might not be as good now. Maybe I can at least get into swanky restaurants or something.

Are there any cool things I could do if I were passing myself off as a TV star?

Stop Them Before They Sing Again

Helpful hints and comments from Overread to the nice young women in the band that was playing outside the student center-ish place on campus:

1. Learn to sing. Really. It'll help. The guitars and drums sounded ok as I walked by, but unless you got a whole lot better, you need a singer. Because despite what you may think, you don't have one.
2. I understand that it's good to try to get the crowd all riled up and all, but after the first 10 or so times of trying to get them to chant your name, if they still don't, you may want to move on and umm... play some music or something. I would still advise against singing though (see #1)
3. Were you all drunk? Stoned? or just very uncoordinated?

Perhaps all of these boil down to #3.

Bonus quote from the Prostelitizer's Alley:

[Shouted loudly enough for me to hear from far far away]: "Get your religion out of my face!"