Random picture of Aruba
Say cheese.
1 My teevee notifies me when someone calls.
2 Great feature, but only if the teevee is on.
3 Last night I got a phone call from "Unavailable."
4
5 Anybody lookin'?
6 Who in the world would answer the phone from someone named "Unavailable?"
7 I almost took a picture.
8 Should have called back and left my name and my number, and a "I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
9 Yeesh.
10 Yesterday was the first day I had to go full speed ahead on paper grading.
11 I had a TON, and a TON more coming in today.
12 I got out early, got home and got right to work. I decided to make a rule that I would stop at 10 p.m.
13 Have to.
14 Anyway, it felt pretty good to be back in the thick of it.
15 It won't by next week.
16 This is generally my busiest time.
17 I figure this: Students are at prime time for learning. It's a long stretch, and they are geared and ready. The kumbaya stuff is done; it's time for everyone to roll up sleeves.
18 Spell check just hit "kumbaya" with "jambalaya."
19 Sometimes that stuff is fun.
20 Might have even talked me into cooking tonight.
21 Moving on, Part One: Anybody lookin'?
22 It's 10:40 last night. I decided that I'm still on call, but writing and editing.
23 Some fun.
24 Moving on, Part Two: Pretty late at night to be writing this.
25 It works, in an odd sort of way.
26 I've labored over it since June. Lotta changes going on: new computers, Windows 8, Xanga going bonkers, hunting down a new place to post this stuff, and enjoying a modicum of success.
27 I still get goofy ideas during the day. I never can remember them when I sit down to gather this stuff in.
28 I never really think about writing until I'm somewhere normal, like the supermarket, or a restaurant or something.
29 The other night I faded back into Lucky's for something or other.
30 I got in a line that went around the block. I waited. Three different people lined up behind me when I heard a voice say, "I'll help you over here." He said it to the last guy in line, who suddenly became the first guy in line.
31 I just stayed where I was. That's what I usually do.
32 I should also place bets on this: that guy was going to skip out of the store, followed by the other three who were behind me because there will inevitably be SOME delay in my own line. Shoe in.
33 Too bad I couldn't pull a slot machine handle with the odds on that bet. I'd have gotten three sevens and an all-expense paid trip to Aruba.
34 Did I spell that right?
35 A-R-U-...
36 That's what life is all about.
37 The lady in front of me kept insisting her card had money in it.
38 The new line, the one that took the last guy in my line, moved quickly out the door.
39 Nice to know I would have won.
40 Aruba.
41 I've never been.
42 I've heard great stuff. Zip lines, white beaches, and stores with bikinis half off.
43 Anybody lookin'?
44 <eyes darting back and forth like Roger Rabbit attempting to steal second.>
45 And he goooooooooooes!
46
SAFE!
47 Tough to keep us with this shuck and jive.
48 I had students writing me last night at 11 p.m. in disbelief that they had THREE huge papers due today.
49 I guess I haven't been telling them about this date since the first week of school.
50 Ah vell.
51 I won't be seeing the light of day until next Thursday, and even THEN I'll be somewhat inundated.
52 Happens.
53 Meanwhile, the advantage to staying up that late is that I slept right through the night. Went to closed my eyes, went to sleep, mumbled at the dog to shut up in the middle of the night, and then stumbled back into finishing this up.
54 Not bad. Not bad.
55 So I'm goin' in. They'll be lots of bleary-eyed students flopping into my room. They LOVE "all-nighters." They wear red eyes like a badge of valor.
56 They'll deliver. Always do. Good kids.
57 Gottago.
58 See you again. Wish I were in Aruba. Just for the zip lines.
59 Peace.
~H~
No comments:
Post a Comment