Voila: from the deep archives of skyewriter journals, I give you [flourish of oranges, reds, and yellows]:
A Halloweek haiku:
Scattered scraps of thought
For a few moments time falls
Whispering from trees
And it is no wonder I teach for a living instead of writing.
Please feel free to leave your own haiku... (no pun intended).
Happy Samhain one and all.
Caught sight of this little morsel on HuffPost; draw your own connections and conclusions. They eat anything, including their own kind...
As the weather here fell to a chilly 49 degress with drizzle and clouds, that beach is positively cruel in its dangerous beauty.
An article just published on Huff Post supports what I have been concerned about for many months now.
"An internal Congressional Research Service report says that the Secret Service does not have the resources to deal with the unprecedented number of death threats against President Obama, along with a rise in racist hate groups and anti-government fervor."
Those anti-tax people ought to pay attention to tax payer money being spent to protect our president and high profile leaders from *their own country-people*.
Great panel from Tom Tomorrow at Salon.com:
The Plague.
What was I saying about being so heartily employed a few days ago?
Oh, right, job security and nonsense.
That is all for now as I return to my fetal, fevered curl under blankets, and curse the sick, germ-ridden students who care so much about writing that they came to class sick yesterday and Tuesday.
While our economy continues to contract and college graduates find fewer and fewer opportunities for work, I have three jobs... and I am adding a fourth in two weeks' time.
I had two offers for full-time employment: one in August and one in September. I was wary to accept either since I already committed to three courses at two different schools. I added a fourth class two weeks ago. Two weeks from today, I will begin teaching a month-long graduate seminar in Composition Pedagogy for a university out in San Diego (class number five).
Even in these hard times, I will online-commute to a campus over 2,000 miles away and will teach future teachers of Composition how to be teachers of Composition-- invaluable job experience once I am on the national job market again next Fall.
But as of January, 2010, I will be full-time employed for the first time in six years. One and a half of those years I was unemployed but collected no unemployment benefits; we lived on one graduate research assistant stipend earned by Tom. It has never felt so good getting a pay check as it did in September.
Colleges are one place where business is quite recession-proof.
In fact, institutions of higher learning are in high demand by both the supply side and consumer side of the economy. One of the schools at which I currently teach two of my four courses had to turn students away in August. Luckily, I have a doctorate in a field that nearly *every* college and university has a universal requirement: Composition.
The students have changed, too.
I have fewer teenagers and twenty-somethings than those in their 30s and 40s, returning to school for a degree to earn better pay, to start a new career, to keep up with education credits demanded by their current employers.
Smaller, accredited schools are filling the gap, too, in terms of expense. I will be teaching full-time at a school next January that is seeking better accreditation and will be the only person on campus with a Ph.D. (it is a very small school).
Tom's path to getting his degree has been a long and winding one. We have to stay here for at least another year and a half before we move (he is applying to go to Antarctica to drill an ice core next fall and has been offered a post-doc fellowship for that year).
But, it seems, that "down" time will be very helpful in terms of my own vita.
I recall a number of years ago when my Dad asked me: "Why are you still in school?"
My response: "Dad, I will have a job whenever I need one with this degree. Every school in the country has a writing requirement. Those types of classes are the ones I am learning to teach, to research, and how to contribute to the scholarship."
Turning down jobs seems like a pretty good indication to me that a job in higher education is pretty safe.
Now if I could just find time to write...
Happy Monday All
After three months without Emma, I am proud to introduce you to "The Bitsies" (as in, the Itsy Bitsies).
Meet Bella (calico) and Pete (tiger).
They picked us at a local shelter about a month ago and although they are from different litters, they are the bestest buds-- sharing naps, and playtime, and general adorableness. We missed Emma very much and tho' no catter could ever replace her, we are very happy to give a good home to two such sweet babies. Pete was sick but is almost better and packing on the pounds. The very first night, he slept between our pillows and has been a total love ever since. Bell is a bit more reserved, but adores having her tummy rubbed. (Anyone reading this blog for a while may recall my obsession with Emma's belly.)
Sorry the pictures are late in coming here to you all.
These are from today. We bought them a nine-foot tower that is currently in our new living room:
Despite weighing three pounds each a month ago, Pete has started to grow so fast. He is going to be a beast!
We are totally in kitty heaven. They are so. freakin'. cute!
In honor of themom, Happy Caturday!
*A preemptive note for all of the shitty, non-Hearts playing folks; this is not a reference to actual "shooting" but to capmangoe.
If there was any doubt as to the importance of November 4, 2008, this should hopefully dispel it.
The world has spoken.
President Obama *represents* the desire of many to move away from war, killing, and destruction toward peace, communication, and mutual respect.
Yes, I understand the Nobel nominations occurred two weeks into his administration.
Yes, I know the response from the G-NOPERS will be that the Socialist Nobel Committee is in cahoots to help Obama with his leftist agendas.
Yes, I know it hurts, G-NOPERS, that the majority of Americans voted for a nice guy, who is smart, approachable and able to multi-task instead of taking the most vacation time of any president in recent history.
Yes, I know we are still at war.
But...
To me, as an American, this is a day we should all be proud.
Only two sitting presidents (Teddy R. and Wilson) were awarded this prize. Now perhaps America can do what it has always been best at: Finding room for everyone at the table and making sure everyone shares responsibility for our world, for our peace, for each other.
Happy Friday All.
PS: From the Washington Monthly:
"This hasn't been an especially good week for the right. When the United States suffered a setback last Friday, with the Olympic decision, a few too many conservatives were thrilled to the point of giddiness. When the United States wins a great honor today, a few too many conservatives are furious.
Bad news for the country is cause for exuberance, and good news for the country is grounds for bitter disappointment.
Has the right really thought this strategy through?"
PPS: As the (R)eds in our country lick their wounds, ask yourself one question if you think this is something of which we, as a country, should be ashamed: Why isn't anyone in the GOP excited when a fellow American gets this kind of recognition on the world stage? It's a tad unpatriotic some of the blow-back from the right... keep blowin' blowhards...America chose Hope-- and apparently, so has the world.
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