The last month

This is probably one of those needless to say statements, but I've been in a bit of a blogging slump. In fact, I'm afraid I may have hit the blogging wall... I have been writing about my life for the last 6.5 years. That sure is a lot of comebacknikki. I still have tons of ideas and approximately fifty posts saved in my draft graveyard (where ideas go to die), but I rarely have the motivation to write. I'm not sure why... maybe because I'm tired & frustrated with parts of my life, maybe it's because so many bloggers have closed shop, or maybe it's because I don't feel like what I have to say is all that interesting. I loved blogging for the first five-ish years, but over the last year and half or so, it's felt more like an obligation/something I feel guilty about and less like something I want to do. Sigh. I don't know.

I've started another blog (focused on food), but I haven't opened it up to the public yet - there are still a few things I want to set up before I share it with everyone. I am definitely much more excited about writing over there (and I have so many awesome foodie photos to share!). In the meantime, I haven't made a decision about this space. While I'm feeling a bit blah about it, I'm still not ready to let go.

And on that note, here's a bit of the last month of my life...

• M got a job! I haven't mentioned too much about the situation over the last year or so, but if you remember, M was laid off back in August '09. Up until two weeks ago, he was still unemployed. Thankfully, he did have his consulting clients (that he started with before he was laid off), but that was inconsistent and very much part-time. The consulting helped keep him semi-sane, but honestly, the last year and a half has been rough... I don't want to go into the details, but we'll just say that it was a very stressful time for both of us. Now, his new job isn't perfect, as he's classified as an apprentice & the company has some financial issues, but it's *something* (and he likes it!). There is potential for him to move up in a few months (if the financial issues don't put an end to his position). It's definitely exciting, but we're both trying not to get too excited as there's still a bit of uncertainty.
  
  
• An instructor was fired from Large College because of things she wrote about the school & students on facebook. Sigh. I seriously do not understand what she was thinking. Department Chair friended everyone in the department a few days after he joined fb (a year or so ago) and strongly encouraged all of the instructors to do the same (which is another issue - um, why am I being forced to share my personal life with people I don't necessarily like?). I would estimate at least 3/4 of the faculty & staff are now friends with each other... knowing that, why would you say anything negative about the school (even if it's true)? I'm sure she felt there would be no repercussions because she put it on facebook instead of mentioning it at school, but... ugh! Bad move!

• I met a professor from my graduate school (not my program) through some friends of M. Fifteen minutes into our conversation, she asked me if I feel like I'm "compromising my academic integrity on a daily basis" by teaching at Large College and that I really should be looking for another job if I "ever want to be taken seriously by the academic community." Oy. Now, as much as I'm not in love with Large College and feel there are some major ethical and organizational issues (see here, here, and here), I still wouldn't say that I'm less of anything because of where I work ... who the fuck does she think she is?!? I have to admit that not only was I taken aback by the question, I also felt bad. In fact, I was even a bit embarrassed. Non-adjunct faculty positions aren't exactly easy to come by these days & LC is not where I would be if I had a choice... but still, I work my ass off there. I teach 20-25 classes each year (with anywhere between 10-35 students in each class). I am the adviser for two student activities/clubs, I coordinate a faculty council, sit on four committees, and tutor various students (not from my classes). Despite what I may feel about LC's practices, I still give my all to the students. Sigh. I so want to go back in time and tell her in the most polite way possible to kiss my fucking ass.

• M had a birthday! :-)

• So did E! Remember this tiny baby? Oh, he's very much a rough-and-tumble, silly little three-year-old now. Where did the time go?!?

• I spent way too much time discussing/arguing with former classmates about how I am anti-American because I mentioned that I do not celebrate death, even if the person in question is Osama bin Laden. I said that while I do not mourn the death of ObL, I also do not celebrate it because we should not celebrate the murder of anyone... and the issues are far too complex to reduce everything to the destruction of one (albeit, very bad) man. I also said that I found the images of people partying in the streets to be quite unsettling. Apparently, those sentiments make me a "uninformed fool" and a "traitor." Hmmm... I somehow failed to make that connection.

• The 5K for Midwives happened once again. There were no bags of apples this time, but there was a cool tree at the starting point. :-)

• And finally... M & I saw A Twist of Water and Jay & Silent Bob Get Old (hilarious!), I got my hair cut/highlighted at an awesome salon, bought some more shoes, had another meal at Mercat a la Planxa (I'm officially obsessed with that restaurant), ate at the Davis Street Fish Market for the first time (excellent!), had the best facial ever (seriously, if you live in Chicago, you should go here!), bought a bunch of White Sox tickets (pleeeaase stop losing!), fell in love with an adorable puppy,* and graded approximately 95 midterms & 170 papers.
  
  *we couldn't get him though because he's way too big for our place - if you're interested in an extremely sweet & adorable Pitty mix, he's available here (Roo)