Approaching the End

The semester is taking on a different pace.  Part of it is me staying at work more because of the concerts;  in any event I'm getting further ahead in my class preparation and planning for the last weeks of the semester.

Still exhausted because of the concerts but it's worthwhile.

Concert

Tonight is the dress rehearsal for a choral concert tomorrow that I'll be singing in.  I really like the music, so I'm enjoying the process.  It cuts into my sleep time staying late these two nights but what doesn't?  I also had a bit of extra time not spent with my family to get further along in my class preparation, etc.  That should sadden me but it doesn't, which meta-saddens me.

More late night grading

Very tired.  I usually am at this point in the semester.  Too much work, not enough rest or relaxation.  Definitely feeling as if my brain is fried.

Pinched Nerve

I've got a pinched nerve, right between my shoulder blades.  It makes my left arm fell "pins and needles" depending on how I orientate my neck, and is painful.  I've had them before---they take forever to heal.  I need to stop carrying things on my shoulders such as my briefcase strap, etc.

Pain is very distracting;  it disturbs what little sleep and rest I get.

Spring Break

Spring Break (at least at my university) feels very different from Fall Break.  The whole university community seems more winded as we sprint toward the end of the school year.  It makes sense to take a whole week to catch our breath.

As with all my vacations I focus on the things that I don't accomplish to self-flagellate and not on the things that I do accomplish.  I'm keenly aware this week as well of how much my body hurts from the damage I've done to it with too many late night grading-sessions and carrying to many heavy bags around on my shoulder.

Who knows?  Perhaps I'll learn to savor my accomplishments and to be a better steward of my health.  It could happen.

Back from Conference

I've been dismayed at how miserable I have felt physically at my last several conferences.  Back pain, sleep loss, bleary eyes---all have made it difficult to feel energetic about networking, etc.

On the flip side the relief from my normal responsibilities and stressors is significant.  I look forward to my next conference.  I just wish that I felt better.

Back Pain

I've lived with back pain off and on as an adult.  There was a really bad incident before the kids were born where I was unable to get off the floor without crying.  I've just had a moderately bad episode, a week before going to a conference.

I stretch each day, but I also carry much more than I should.  That seems to be the primary cause, as opposed to over-doing it at the gym or my perpetual sleep loss.  I may need to start using my luggage carrier prophylactically.