Being Productive

Teaching is a lot easier when the students aren't around.  The campus is relatively quiet---we do have summer classes but not many on my floor---and I've had some peace and quiet.  Ideally I'd be doing a lot of contemplative work but I'm not up for it yet---still feeling worn thin mentally.  I have been focusing more on organization---trying to articulate finely what needs doing and prioritizing.  Accomplishing things feels better than what I'm doing but I truly hate the feeling that I've let something slip through the cracks and this builds my confidence that I'm not doing so.

Our Son is an Eagle Scout

We love him and are very proud of him.  That is ever-present and should be the lead.

Eagle Scout?  Where did that come from?

I never made it past Webelos.  I despise the outdoors.  I burn quickly.  I am allergic to pretty much everything related to plants.

My wife will go on scout camp trips since I don't.  She doesn't initiate camping.

Our son is something in and of himself.  As much as we see ourselves in him there is much that originates in him apart from us.  The Scouting is strong evidence of that.

Finally

I'm proctoring my third and last final exam for the term.  Only six students---good students;  the grading should be swift and simple.  Most of my effort will go into making sure that I don't make any typographical errors in recording the grades.

The semester and academic year come to a screeching halt.  I have a lot to work on this summer in preparation:  courses, committee work, a presentation in August.  I don't yet sitting here proctoring have the motivation to tackle anything too deep.

Closure on the Academic Year

A number of things are approaching closure if not completion.

I am writing final exams with a half week left of classes.  There is more of a sense of finality at the end of the Spring term than in December.  We are all low on stamina, and collectively this lowers our enthusiasm and increases our satisfaction.

I am winding down work with my research student, and have one possibility for a student to do research with in the coming year.

Committee work is in transition;  I have completed serving out the term of a colleague on sabbatical and will be nominated to chair a work-intensive committee.  I nearly desire to nor wish to avoid chairing the committee;  I just want to know so that I can mentally prepare either way.

Overall the fatigue has been more of an issue and that too should ease up a bit in three more weeks.  We'll see.

I Came Here to Sing

After five services for the Triduum, my university choral group had a concert last week and a concert this week, each with two dress rehearsals.  I am greatly pleased that my voice is still strong, but I am weary as I am only in May each year.  Not much down-time or sleep.

If It's After Easter Why Do I Feel So Dead?

I made it through the five Triduum services with my voice intact;  I can tell that there is a real difference now that I've been singing MWF with my university's singing group.  Physically I'm exhausted though.

April is always rough on the system.  The cumulative stress and the lack of sleep all hit hard.  I've got a concert this week with two evening dress rehearsals, so my evenings are committed.  Both of our kids have been spending a lot of time with me asking questions about their math homework.  Not a whole lot of downtime.

But the downtime is coming;  only a few more weeks of classes.

Running Low

This time of year has me grading lots of student work and preparing for Easter music.  On top of that I have several concerts with my university singing group.  I'm definitely low on energy.  It hasn't affected my work so much as my mood;  I'm not so much depressed as low on hope I guess, despite knowing from the calendar that these responsibilities will ease soon.