Databasing...

Back when I was in graduate school, dreaming about what life would be a like when I was a real professor, I didn't think that would mean spending a Sunday morning in my office on campus doing data entry and database clean-up. In fact, my summer job back then involved database clean-up and data entry and such work always stood out to me as "the work I was doing to pay for the education I needed to do the work I really wanted to do." Fast forward 10 years or so, and here it is, part of my work for SSAWW, and so I do it. The thing is, I don't mind it too much--it's a bit like working on a puzzle, which has always appealed to me.

Ten entries down (for this particular project). About 250 to go...

Getting ready...

I'm not one to get ready for Christmas too soon, but a bit of cheer arrived in the mail today and Bing tried his on. (Blame Petco's free shipping this past weekend... Two cat bow ties for less than $5 each? I'm all over that!)

 Wesley has one, too, but he doesn't like his as much. When I get a picture, I'll post it.

(For the record, I am equal parts in love with and embarrassed by all of this.)

Wiseguys...

While commenting in writing on an English 101 student’s paper, I reminded him/her that students need a C or better in the course in order to graduate. Then I wrote, “It would be a shame if someone as talented as you had to repeat this course.” In my mind, I meant for that to sound encouraging (more carrot than stick), but as soon as I wrote it, I realized it also sounds like the threat a mobster makes in a movie. “Nice place you got here. Would be a shame if something happened to it…” Do what you will with that.