sucko.

this all just really sucks.

~bh.

Sometimes...

...I really miss you guys. Gabe included.

joshua

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Question to all.
Given how this semester has gone so far, I'm trying to be more careful.
I let the classes pick their own film. One class picked Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I love the film, and I am fine with it. However, I warned the class that it centers around drugs, language, and violence. I haven't seen it in a long time, so I don't recall any explicit sex. I told them if they have an issue with the class's film choice, they can e-mail me anonymously, and we will choose another film.
However, we know they don't always do that.
Am I risking too much by showing this film?
E.D.

Beaurocracy

So, turns out Student Learning Outcomes were due August 31st. So, I had to do them (as best I could because, as usual, how to do them isn't explicitly explained) and apologize to Zena and express that I got caught up in the beginning of the semester, and since I've never taught to this extent, and thus have nothing to assess, I assumed there wouldn't be anything for me to do.
What do I get? She tells me to do them as soon as possible. Does she tell me how? Nope.
I did my best and sent them in to D'Ann, but titled them "Tentative" because I have no idea what I'm doing and I know she'll want me to change them.
I swear to God, if I get into trouble over this I'm going to let someone have it royally.

There. I've vented.

i hate banks.

and bankers. and everyone having to do with banks and bankers. they all suck. every last one of them.

the closing on my dad's family home looks like it's been delayed again because the buyer's bank it too f-ing stupid to figure the paperwork out.

we are SOOOOOOOOOO tired of dealing with all the real estate/legal hoopla that is going into this sale. we've been under contract since the beginning of july and were supposed to close fifteen days after the contract date. it's september now. that's way more than fifteen days.

for the love of god, i hope it ends soon (like sometime this week)!

so there you have it. bankers suck.

~bh

The American President

I love this movie. I showed the final speech in class. We got some interesting discussion out of it. Then I looked at a student's outline for their personal belief paper. "I believe that political persuasion has no place in the college classroom."

Now, I try to make it a point not to attempt persuasion. I simply offer up discussions and ask them to debate, and I always say things like, "however, you may disagree," or "if you disagree, tell me. Debate me." However, I can't help but feel like this is a shot.

E.D.

why i love higher education.

we're just fun folks, us english nerds.

i got an e-mail from our new co-chairs at one of the campuses i teach at. their names are angela and george, but have decided to be referred to "angelorge". they sign all their e-mails and notes that way. it's really quite fun.

i love word nerds.

~bh

heaven help me

since i've wasted away my summer and not made any progress on the bradbury project (my eyes have not even glimpsed the material since april), i'm angry with myself. my deadline is fast approaching, and i've nothing to show.

this anger has led to contemplation which has led to rereading and attempting (again) to revise the work. i took a look at it yesterday, and it seems as though the end is in sight. i hope. the revisions i made in the spring look fairly good (with the exception of the summary), so there is not a whole lot more writing to do.

here's why this matters to you: bradbury and asbestos will be back on my mind and tongue. i will need to talk about it. i will need help revising. i will definitely need to vent the frustrations i have with myself, my writing ability, and with the material in general. i will need the various expertises of my circle to get me through this whole attempting to publish thing.

please be patient with me, and if i'm annoying you, tell me.

oh, and if you haven't read the book, READ IT! IT ROCKS!

~bh