Week 1 over
I seem to have made it through week one, and so far, I love my students and my job again. I'm not overwhelmed yet, the ones who actually care have come to class, many seem to be trying to do their work so far (though some are predictably whining about it), and the administration is so busy moving into their shiny new offices that they have not yet had time to bother us with stupid demands on our time. That may also have something to do with the departure of one of the higher ups (regional VP or something) whom I will designate Wicked Witch of the West (1). There may be another to replace her, but for the moment, we don't have to dress in suits/ ties for the men-- business casual is the new order of the day.
Also went to see Wee Hob at Scout Camp tonight. Tried to get him to pack up quickly so we could take him tonight, but he was too disorganized for that and it was really too hot and humid for us to hang about all night. We'll get him tomorrow. One cool thing was when some of his new friends said, "When he comes with us next year...." This troop always goes to this local scout camp as opposed to traveling out of state or further afield. Maybe we will send him next year, although perhaps by next year he will be old enough to be on Camp staff.
I have a lot of work to do on my new class Blogs (I'm trying to record daily what happened posts for the benefit of absent students, but I think it will also keep me more on top of things, not relying on my quite imperfect memory).
I have got some very nice feedback on In Loco, though not as much as past installments. That was something I was expecting-- I have also given updates a pass when I can't remember off hand what they were about. Of course, I have also drifted out of the fandom, and I don't have the energy and passion for catching up that I once had. The feedback is somewhat overwhelming, though, in the sense that it makes me doubt whether I can continue to write installments up to the level of previous ones.
More on Doubt:
Most people on my f-list have already seen it on sahiya's journal, but if you missed it, she recently posted a link to a very helpful article: Too Much Self Doubt? Try Thinking Like a Creator. I posted a link on my school blog. Some students assume they're the only ones who have ever been paralyzed by self doubt and feelings of inadequacy when they are trying to write. I hope they are helped to know the feelings are normal and that I've been there, too.
Sitting by the lake tonight with my Beloved gave me an idea of something I might be able to write. He teasingly told me I loved the green growing things because I am a wood elf. It struck me that I have always felt an outsider, a changeling in my world. That's a theme I think I could explore in fiction. A lot of what passes for modern "literature" leaves me cold-- even if well written, why do I really want to read about 2 couples having dinner where the husband of one and the wife of the other are having an affair and they all know it? Bleh. I hope never to have anything in common with that.
The foregoing example came from Francine Prose's How to Read as a Writer, which is excellent, even if her examples make me despair a bit of having anything literary to say. Ever. Also of knowing enough to say anything not stupid, which is why the other article was so timely for me.
Thus ends the State of the Hobgoblinn Address for this week. Stay cool, everyone.
Also went to see Wee Hob at Scout Camp tonight. Tried to get him to pack up quickly so we could take him tonight, but he was too disorganized for that and it was really too hot and humid for us to hang about all night. We'll get him tomorrow. One cool thing was when some of his new friends said, "When he comes with us next year...." This troop always goes to this local scout camp as opposed to traveling out of state or further afield. Maybe we will send him next year, although perhaps by next year he will be old enough to be on Camp staff.
I have a lot of work to do on my new class Blogs (I'm trying to record daily what happened posts for the benefit of absent students, but I think it will also keep me more on top of things, not relying on my quite imperfect memory).
I have got some very nice feedback on In Loco, though not as much as past installments. That was something I was expecting-- I have also given updates a pass when I can't remember off hand what they were about. Of course, I have also drifted out of the fandom, and I don't have the energy and passion for catching up that I once had. The feedback is somewhat overwhelming, though, in the sense that it makes me doubt whether I can continue to write installments up to the level of previous ones.
More on Doubt:
Most people on my f-list have already seen it on sahiya's journal, but if you missed it, she recently posted a link to a very helpful article: Too Much Self Doubt? Try Thinking Like a Creator. I posted a link on my school blog. Some students assume they're the only ones who have ever been paralyzed by self doubt and feelings of inadequacy when they are trying to write. I hope they are helped to know the feelings are normal and that I've been there, too.
Sitting by the lake tonight with my Beloved gave me an idea of something I might be able to write. He teasingly told me I loved the green growing things because I am a wood elf. It struck me that I have always felt an outsider, a changeling in my world. That's a theme I think I could explore in fiction. A lot of what passes for modern "literature" leaves me cold-- even if well written, why do I really want to read about 2 couples having dinner where the husband of one and the wife of the other are having an affair and they all know it? Bleh. I hope never to have anything in common with that.
The foregoing example came from Francine Prose's How to Read as a Writer, which is excellent, even if her examples make me despair a bit of having anything literary to say. Ever. Also of knowing enough to say anything not stupid, which is why the other article was so timely for me.
Thus ends the State of the Hobgoblinn Address for this week. Stay cool, everyone.