Here's how it works:
Mondays and Wednesdays are chaos. My first class is at the Farm at 8am. It runs until 9:15 and then, after asnwering students' questions that they didn't ask during class, I drive over to the Patch. There, I take care of office hours....of which students will never use so I can make tests and get grading done.......and I teach at 11:40. At 1, I let the group go, inhale lunch, put in the attendance & make sure I am out of the buidling before 1:30. Otherwise I will not make it to the 2:00 class back at the Farm. I have two classes back-to-back and then at 5:00 I race home to scarf down something that is supposed to be dinner and then run to the Patch to teach a 5:40 and an 8:15.
At the Farm, where I have all freshman, it is amazing. My 8am group are there. Only about three trickle in by 8:03. Not 8:10. Not 8:20. 8:03 is when the entire class is there with books open, notebooks at the ready, and pens uncapped.
I can say the same for my two afternoon classes. They are all on time for the afternoon hours. They are ready.
The work ethic is something out of a teaching textbook. They do the work. I mean they actually do the entire assignment. No gripes. No "Why?", "Are you serious?", or "When do you want me to do this because I ain't got time..." crap.
My EG 1 classes had to bring in their rough drafts for a first essay this past Wednesday. I did not announce it. The directions had been on the syllabus from Day One. I did not remind them, did not reread it to them, and did not post any announcements on a website for them. Combined, of the 55 students, only five came without it. The other fifty had it typed & ready to go. Those that didn't were so embarassed, asked to leave, and promised me a great essay on Monday.
The EG001 group completes all activities in a chapter. Even if I said only do certain ones. They are quick to provide answers, allowing me the luxury of never calling on anyone. When they get it wrong, another who got it right tries to explain the answer. ?????????????????????? It's like I am in a dream.
Then the nightmare begins. My EG 2 class in the Patch whined about 'having to reeeeeaaaaaaaaad". They 'don't wanna'. Hey~it's a literature class. What do you think is involved? Why bother attending college if you don't want to do the work?
At the Farm, they are all brand new. Freshman status. Mixed ethnicities. From all areas of LI and the 5 boroughs. Same at the Patch. So why such discrepencies in their attitudes and behaviors? Why such opposite work ethic?
Last night took the cake. I was teaching a 5:40 of my own & had to cover for a brand new adjunct. The ad. was out Tuesday and I went in, told the class to read Chapter 11, and sign the attendance. Some were thrilled that he was not present, saying 'he ain't got no clue what he's doin'". I said it was not polite to say such things & pointed out that he already passed EG1 and they have yet to do so.
Last night I went in and told them to answer the five questions at the end of an essay within that same chapter, as well as write a one-page descritpion from a selection at the end of the chapter. "Why?" "What's this for?" "We didn't read that essay. It wasn't part of the chapter." I pointed out that it is in the chapter and when an entire chapter is assigned, one must read the whole chapter. It is not at their discretion to decide what's important and what isn't.
They argued that they didn't know the vocabulary. I said that is their own fault for not defining it before coming to class. They gave the whole list: don't have time, don't own a dictionary, don't have a computer to look it up on dictionary.com, had other work to do, and the one said she's homeless and I can't expect anything of her.
So I said "How can you afford $15k a year if you are homeless? Yet you can't afford a $7 dictionary? Or to go to a library?" She repleis with "So what? You sayin' if I ain't got no home I can't go to college?" I pointed out that one should attend where they can afford. I couldn't have afforded the Patch when I went to school & I selected schools by how much I could afford to pay. Nevermind that she has brand new highlights, $100 jeans on, and a fancy phone with (I bet) a hefty bill each month. But can't afford a $7 dictionary?
It was such a waste. They did the work half-heartedly. They goofed off. One student came to me complaining that he couldn't do the work with the music playing and the phones ringing. And, keep in mind that these are adults. People who work all day. People who we think are mature and responsible.
Pathetic.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
WTF Is With The Men?
Okay....I have to calm down. I am so wound up it isn't funny!
Let's start with the Marine: haven't heard from him since Sunday. Good! Then today I get an 'im':
Marine: "how are ya hun?"
me: "hi"
Marine: "so did you make out with anyone at Mccanns? Listen I heard you said I was being shady so I wanted to tell you that..."
and then he goes in to some personal story about his mom and all. Whatever. It doesn't explain him hanging out on weekends but not calling and making/keeping plans with me.
So I finally sent back "Does it matter what I did Saturday night? Let it go."
Marine: "Well, I want to make out with you. So much for your morals. You try and
be all innocent."
Me: "Why bother? Why are you doing this? Just drop it."
Marine: "Well, when you tell your friends I am shady it gets back to me. You
wanted to know why so I am telling you. You are over analyzing this."
Me: "I didn't tell my friends anything. Crak read the texts. She must have
told Babymaker. And it was all your words, not mine."
Marine: "Well, whatever. Hun, don't be like that. Just stop."
Me: "Okay. Bye!"
And I logged off. Doesn't the moron text me: "You over analyze. Have fun at McCanns"
I took a shower. I let it go. I then emailed him brielfy:
"I am not overanalyzing anything. I let it go. You said you wanted to be left
alone so I did just that. You are the one putting words into my mouth. Not
me. You are the one speculating. Not me. You want to talk? You have
something to say? Call. Stop the texting and iming."
And I ended it.
THE LAWYER:
Remember the lawyer who badgered me about plagiarism at the college level, showed up 1/2 hour late to our 'date', wanted to meet in a sauna instead, and then when I said it wouldn't work out he agreed because he "likes to work out and I don't"?
He emailed me Wednesday: "How are you?"
I sent it back Thursday: "Doing well. Yourself?"
He fields it back with :"Good. Really busy with work. Had a great summer"
Email #2 said "What's your #? I'll call you."
I sent it back with : "We chatted before. You have my cell. That was way back in
March. Does this ring a bell?"
Lawyer: "I recall. I have a new cell. I lost all the old numbers."
Me: "Hi Lawyer~
I am glad you are well and had a good summer. I did, also. It may be nice to chat again, but I do not think anything would work out between us. So, while your request is nice, I do not think it is something to pursue. Best of luck~ Grotter"
Two emails come back this morning saying:
#1 "Ok. I think I should move to Southern California. Good Luck."
#2 "Yes, I recall now. You felt it wouldn't work out because you were the only one in your family to go to college and that most of my family are professionals. Your family is all here in NY. My family is in California. I was laid back. You were very high strung. I think I also recall you wanted a blue collar man. Yes, it definately won't work out. Sorry to have contacted you. I forgot. Best wishes."
You know I can't let that one slide by:
"Ummm....no. You don't remember truths, do you Counselor? It wouldn't have worked out because you couldn't stick with the plan. You showed up 40 minutes late. You were wishy-washy about going to Florida and asked me twice to go with you. When I rejected twice, you begrudgingly said I could have my own room.
I don't go away with me I do not know.
You were not laid back. You were nervous and clumsy. You talked about flying and people disappearing in to the Bermuda Triagle. I was tired. I had taught from 8am til 8pm. I was coming from wotk with a plan to buy a book I needed. I wanted to leave a half hour after waiting for you, but found it to be in poor manners. So I waited.
You said you were taller than you are. You claim to have blonde hair but it's quite dark. And balding...yet you overlooked that entirely.
You emailed me after the date to ask me what type of cuisine I enjoy and when I asked why you said it was to make plans for dinenr for us the following week. I said thank you but it wouldn't work out. You didn't understand why, as I was what you were looking for. I said thank you but (kind let down) since you have family in Cali & were planning on moving there & I wanted to stay in NY, it was not really worth it. You then agreed and said it wouldn't work out because you like to work out and I don't.
So, the whole 'family insult' is sweet and all......plus that reference to the blue collars (who have more class at this point)....but, Lawyer, it won't work out because of how you treated me, lied, and couldn't hold a conversation without putting words in my mouth or attacking me.
Good luck with what you called the desperate California women who 'grab your hand because you are a hot commodity out there'. Maybe they will overlook poor manners and insults. Degrees can not buy you social grace and class. Remember that."
I'm on a role,people. Try and stop me!
Let's start with the Marine: haven't heard from him since Sunday. Good! Then today I get an 'im':
Marine: "how are ya hun?"
me: "hi"
Marine: "so did you make out with anyone at Mccanns? Listen I heard you said I was being shady so I wanted to tell you that..."
and then he goes in to some personal story about his mom and all. Whatever. It doesn't explain him hanging out on weekends but not calling and making/keeping plans with me.
So I finally sent back "Does it matter what I did Saturday night? Let it go."
Marine: "Well, I want to make out with you. So much for your morals. You try and
be all innocent."
Me: "Why bother? Why are you doing this? Just drop it."
Marine: "Well, when you tell your friends I am shady it gets back to me. You
wanted to know why so I am telling you. You are over analyzing this."
Me: "I didn't tell my friends anything. Crak read the texts. She must have
told Babymaker. And it was all your words, not mine."
Marine: "Well, whatever. Hun, don't be like that. Just stop."
Me: "Okay. Bye!"
And I logged off. Doesn't the moron text me: "You over analyze. Have fun at McCanns"
I took a shower. I let it go. I then emailed him brielfy:
"I am not overanalyzing anything. I let it go. You said you wanted to be left
alone so I did just that. You are the one putting words into my mouth. Not
me. You are the one speculating. Not me. You want to talk? You have
something to say? Call. Stop the texting and iming."
And I ended it.
THE LAWYER:
Remember the lawyer who badgered me about plagiarism at the college level, showed up 1/2 hour late to our 'date', wanted to meet in a sauna instead, and then when I said it wouldn't work out he agreed because he "likes to work out and I don't"?
He emailed me Wednesday: "How are you?"
I sent it back Thursday: "Doing well. Yourself?"
He fields it back with :"Good. Really busy with work. Had a great summer"
Email #2 said "What's your #? I'll call you."
I sent it back with : "We chatted before. You have my cell. That was way back in
March. Does this ring a bell?"
Lawyer: "I recall. I have a new cell. I lost all the old numbers."
Me: "Hi Lawyer~
I am glad you are well and had a good summer. I did, also. It may be nice to chat again, but I do not think anything would work out between us. So, while your request is nice, I do not think it is something to pursue. Best of luck~ Grotter"
Two emails come back this morning saying:
#1 "Ok. I think I should move to Southern California. Good Luck."
#2 "Yes, I recall now. You felt it wouldn't work out because you were the only one in your family to go to college and that most of my family are professionals. Your family is all here in NY. My family is in California. I was laid back. You were very high strung. I think I also recall you wanted a blue collar man. Yes, it definately won't work out. Sorry to have contacted you. I forgot. Best wishes."
You know I can't let that one slide by:
"Ummm....no. You don't remember truths, do you Counselor? It wouldn't have worked out because you couldn't stick with the plan. You showed up 40 minutes late. You were wishy-washy about going to Florida and asked me twice to go with you. When I rejected twice, you begrudgingly said I could have my own room.
I don't go away with me I do not know.
You were not laid back. You were nervous and clumsy. You talked about flying and people disappearing in to the Bermuda Triagle. I was tired. I had taught from 8am til 8pm. I was coming from wotk with a plan to buy a book I needed. I wanted to leave a half hour after waiting for you, but found it to be in poor manners. So I waited.
You said you were taller than you are. You claim to have blonde hair but it's quite dark. And balding...yet you overlooked that entirely.
You emailed me after the date to ask me what type of cuisine I enjoy and when I asked why you said it was to make plans for dinenr for us the following week. I said thank you but it wouldn't work out. You didn't understand why, as I was what you were looking for. I said thank you but (kind let down) since you have family in Cali & were planning on moving there & I wanted to stay in NY, it was not really worth it. You then agreed and said it wouldn't work out because you like to work out and I don't.
So, the whole 'family insult' is sweet and all......plus that reference to the blue collars (who have more class at this point)....but, Lawyer, it won't work out because of how you treated me, lied, and couldn't hold a conversation without putting words in my mouth or attacking me.
Good luck with what you called the desperate California women who 'grab your hand because you are a hot commodity out there'. Maybe they will overlook poor manners and insults. Degrees can not buy you social grace and class. Remember that."
I'm on a role,people. Try and stop me!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Happy Singles Week
It is National Singles Week & I think I am supposed to celebrate.
Celebrate that I am a single woman.
Celebrate the fact that I do not need a man to be a whole person
Celebrate the fact that I do not sit home waiting for a phone call...I go out with
other fancy-free single gals to enjoy the weekend.
Celebrate the notion that I'm 'still young and have time'.
Celebrate that I am 'drama free' without a man.
Yippee.
And then Z100 states the number of 'straight singles' in the world:
109 million women
98 million men
The odds are not good.
Celebrate that I am a single woman.
Celebrate the fact that I do not need a man to be a whole person
Celebrate the fact that I do not sit home waiting for a phone call...I go out with
other fancy-free single gals to enjoy the weekend.
Celebrate the notion that I'm 'still young and have time'.
Celebrate that I am 'drama free' without a man.
Yippee.
And then Z100 states the number of 'straight singles' in the world:
109 million women
98 million men
The odds are not good.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Just When I Thought The Battle Was Over
I get a text at 3pm from the Marine. All is said was "feeling better?" I did not & will not reply, but shouldn't he ask himself that question? He's the nasty moron who attacked me. Stupid.
I'm Done
I have looked for a man for a few months now. I have found liars and irresponsible guys, but that is about it. I am tired. I have had no luck. I am not going to do this to msyelf anymore. I am going to be happy being single and alone. Don't ak me about the Match Men. Don't ask if I got to meet anyone in a bar/restaurant/on the train because I won't be engaging.
The whole process has been too exhausting. And disappointing. Grotter in going to put herself on the shelf.
The whole process has been too exhausting. And disappointing. Grotter in going to put herself on the shelf.
The Marine Ignites An All-Out Text War
Last night Crak, KDP, Prettybird, the Blonde & I gathered at McCanns in Massapequa Park. This has become our new gatehring place as it is easy for us to all get to & its not completely on the other side of the island.
We were there for three hours & nothing happened. No guys to talk with, no good drinks, and no good stories to swap. I am in need of a good kiss and since the Marine & I have not been able to link up, I texted him to come out so we could kiss.
He said he was at a party but wanted me to go there to see him. I sent it back "nevermind" seeing as I was not about to go to an unknown location to hang with a guy I don't know well. Maybe I'm silly, but my safety is important to me.
At 12:30 he sent me a text asking if I changed my mind. I said no and that I had my fun & was headed home. He sent it back "Figures". So I sent it back "What does that mean?" wanting to know why he'd send that. I then fell asleep.
At 3 am I see that he sent "Does it matter?" So I said "Yeah, I'd like to know." At 3:23 am he sends "We should meet up." I replied with "So make plans. YOushould still respond." "Hun, i have no excuse for my shadiness...just a lot of bad s** at the same time" "So whylie? U hound me with texts for two weeks to go out. I try to set up stuff & youblow me off. Typical guy." He said "Yeah, typical guy then".
I sent "And you never answered the original text anyway. Don't worry hun (bc thats what he sends to me often & I asked him not to as we've gone out once) no big deal. have a good night." "K. good job being selfish. go 2 sleep now n thin abuot how guys suck." "Ur the one saying negative stuff towards me. Dont put this on me. I tried to make plans. I contacted youto try n go out. again, no big deal." "K. i have 2 friends die in one week. have some fu*** compassion"
Ummm.......this is where I got lost. He has said he was out at parties eachtime. He said he was with his Navy buddy who just got back from the service. Now its two people died?
"Not once did you call or text to say that. N every time I have contacted you your out & invite me so think of how it seems fromthis side of things." "Sorry I dont cry to someone I went out with once" "Didnt say to...I dont do drama. I'm saying be honest. N now u have tried to put this on me rather than explain what youmeant or what happened. Enough texting. Good night." "heh. K. ur obviously all about you" "Whatever youhave to tell yourself to not take responsibility"
This is when I shut my phone off. And yet I wake up to this: "Why should I feel responsible for coping with this sh**? Leave me alone."
Was planning on it. He doesn't get it. He sent me such probing....too intimate texts for two weeks of what am I looking for and the kind of guy he is & will be if we go out....and I'd say I just want to go out and have fun. Movies, dinner, dirnks, walking on the beach.....just to go out & have a good time. But one thing we talked about was communicating & here he didn't. He's texted me a few times at 12 in the morning to come hangout & I never respond because its too weird. I don't just get up & go to hang with a guy at midnight when I don't know him well. It was becoming clear to me taht I was good to contact at odd hours of the night to hang out but that would be it. So I thought I'd use him in the way he wanted to use me. And this is what it broke into. Him saying he's at parties then its he had two friends die & I have no compassion.
Whatever.
We were there for three hours & nothing happened. No guys to talk with, no good drinks, and no good stories to swap. I am in need of a good kiss and since the Marine & I have not been able to link up, I texted him to come out so we could kiss.
He said he was at a party but wanted me to go there to see him. I sent it back "nevermind" seeing as I was not about to go to an unknown location to hang with a guy I don't know well. Maybe I'm silly, but my safety is important to me.
At 12:30 he sent me a text asking if I changed my mind. I said no and that I had my fun & was headed home. He sent it back "Figures". So I sent it back "What does that mean?" wanting to know why he'd send that. I then fell asleep.
At 3 am I see that he sent "Does it matter?" So I said "Yeah, I'd like to know." At 3:23 am he sends "We should meet up." I replied with "So make plans. YOushould still respond." "Hun, i have no excuse for my shadiness...just a lot of bad s** at the same time" "So whylie? U hound me with texts for two weeks to go out. I try to set up stuff & youblow me off. Typical guy." He said "Yeah, typical guy then".
I sent "And you never answered the original text anyway. Don't worry hun (bc thats what he sends to me often & I asked him not to as we've gone out once) no big deal. have a good night." "K. good job being selfish. go 2 sleep now n thin abuot how guys suck." "Ur the one saying negative stuff towards me. Dont put this on me. I tried to make plans. I contacted youto try n go out. again, no big deal." "K. i have 2 friends die in one week. have some fu*** compassion"
Ummm.......this is where I got lost. He has said he was out at parties eachtime. He said he was with his Navy buddy who just got back from the service. Now its two people died?
"Not once did you call or text to say that. N every time I have contacted you your out & invite me so think of how it seems fromthis side of things." "Sorry I dont cry to someone I went out with once" "Didnt say to...I dont do drama. I'm saying be honest. N now u have tried to put this on me rather than explain what youmeant or what happened. Enough texting. Good night." "heh. K. ur obviously all about you" "Whatever youhave to tell yourself to not take responsibility"
This is when I shut my phone off. And yet I wake up to this: "Why should I feel responsible for coping with this sh**? Leave me alone."
Was planning on it. He doesn't get it. He sent me such probing....too intimate texts for two weeks of what am I looking for and the kind of guy he is & will be if we go out....and I'd say I just want to go out and have fun. Movies, dinner, dirnks, walking on the beach.....just to go out & have a good time. But one thing we talked about was communicating & here he didn't. He's texted me a few times at 12 in the morning to come hangout & I never respond because its too weird. I don't just get up & go to hang with a guy at midnight when I don't know him well. It was becoming clear to me taht I was good to contact at odd hours of the night to hang out but that would be it. So I thought I'd use him in the way he wanted to use me. And this is what it broke into. Him saying he's at parties then its he had two friends die & I have no compassion.
Whatever.
Crak's Big Bash
Friday, Sept. 7th found The Blonde, Blonde's Brother, JP & me on a Manhattan bound train. Crak had decided to celebrate her birthday at the Anchor, a bar she reviewed back some time in February. And I tagged along.
The ride in was entertaining as BB & JP are funny to wtch & listen to. We met KDP in Penn while the Blonde inhaled two HUGE slices of pizza. Then it was off to figure out how to get to the subway platform for the C or the E train. It tooka bit of walking in circles, and one nauseating ride in the most unsanitary elevator, but we made it.
We just get out of the subway when Crak texts me that she is at a restaurant a few doors away from Anchor, as they are not yet open. ??? They said they'd be open at 9 and it was 9:15. So the five of us walked to it & sure enough, lights on but nobody's home. The guys decided to stop in at the Emerald Isle for a beer (because the 12-pack on the train & one 40 in Penn was clearly not enough). KDP, Blonde & I followed and sat on the softest stools one could imagine finding in a bar in Manhattan.
Crak arrived with the Scos, Fred, Fred's coworker/friend, and soon following were the Cali Girl & her friend Gay White Oprah, along with LL. We had a great time partying it up and running (literally next door) to see if Anchor opened.
When they did open at 10, Crak went in. Yup. We were the only ones in there. Can you say private party? But the place reaked of paint & was so empty that it was pointless. And we headed back to Emerald.
I will point out that BB is cute & I wonder why the Blonde has been hiding him from us all this time? He & I flirted a bit & when it was time to leave he said he wanted my number. I told him to get it from his sister. He yells to her "I'm getting her number" and she laughed and shrugged it off. He's a sociable guy who must get lots of numbers is all I can come up with.
KDP & I had to catch a 1:04 train otherwise she'd have to wait until 3am for the next one. And that was not an option. So we said our goodbyes & ran out of there.
We made it just in time for our train & both got home safely. I was wiped out & fell asleep so soon after hitting the pillow.
The next day I found a text from BB that said "Hey u." So I sent it back like 9 hours later. Oops. We then had a text dialogue for the next two days about nothing. Sweet.
Saturday night I was so not awake & yet I somehow drove to Crak's to give her presents. I was not about to wait a whole week to do so because it then doesn't have the same impact as it does the weekend of the birthday. Prettybird was there & the three of us sat and recapped life in general.
I had to leave too soon and its good that I did. I got home and was asleep moments later.
I hope Crak had a great birthday weekend & can't wait to do it again next year.
The ride in was entertaining as BB & JP are funny to wtch & listen to. We met KDP in Penn while the Blonde inhaled two HUGE slices of pizza. Then it was off to figure out how to get to the subway platform for the C or the E train. It tooka bit of walking in circles, and one nauseating ride in the most unsanitary elevator, but we made it.
We just get out of the subway when Crak texts me that she is at a restaurant a few doors away from Anchor, as they are not yet open. ??? They said they'd be open at 9 and it was 9:15. So the five of us walked to it & sure enough, lights on but nobody's home. The guys decided to stop in at the Emerald Isle for a beer (because the 12-pack on the train & one 40 in Penn was clearly not enough). KDP, Blonde & I followed and sat on the softest stools one could imagine finding in a bar in Manhattan.
Crak arrived with the Scos, Fred, Fred's coworker/friend, and soon following were the Cali Girl & her friend Gay White Oprah, along with LL. We had a great time partying it up and running (literally next door) to see if Anchor opened.
When they did open at 10, Crak went in. Yup. We were the only ones in there. Can you say private party? But the place reaked of paint & was so empty that it was pointless. And we headed back to Emerald.
I will point out that BB is cute & I wonder why the Blonde has been hiding him from us all this time? He & I flirted a bit & when it was time to leave he said he wanted my number. I told him to get it from his sister. He yells to her "I'm getting her number" and she laughed and shrugged it off. He's a sociable guy who must get lots of numbers is all I can come up with.
KDP & I had to catch a 1:04 train otherwise she'd have to wait until 3am for the next one. And that was not an option. So we said our goodbyes & ran out of there.
We made it just in time for our train & both got home safely. I was wiped out & fell asleep so soon after hitting the pillow.
The next day I found a text from BB that said "Hey u." So I sent it back like 9 hours later. Oops. We then had a text dialogue for the next two days about nothing. Sweet.
Saturday night I was so not awake & yet I somehow drove to Crak's to give her presents. I was not about to wait a whole week to do so because it then doesn't have the same impact as it does the weekend of the birthday. Prettybird was there & the three of us sat and recapped life in general.
I had to leave too soon and its good that I did. I got home and was asleep moments later.
I hope Crak had a great birthday weekend & can't wait to do it again next year.
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