David - any autographs you want? I'd be glad to take requests, but no promises.

Awww, man, Emmett would love love love a signed baseball. Just about anybody would be good, but I think Zito, Kotsay, Chavvy, Kendall, Crosby would be at the top of his list.

Beathen, this is where I'd tell my mom, former queen of Job Suckonia, "At least you're not a fluffer."

Which turned out to be like

Internet connection: 19.95

Tiara: 10.95 Realizing you know more porny talk than your hippie mom: Priceless.

HELL no. It is adorable. Have a great time!!

You are sweet.

Zito, Kotsay, Chavvy, Kendall, Crosby

Gotcha - Zito, or just about anyone who starts with a C/K. Will see what I can do.

Oh, and if anyone remembers the saga of my cousin's daughter's wedding which is smack in the middle of my baseball vacation - I finally decided to go to the game that day - leave early, go to the wedding - skip the reception, go to the season ticket holder party. I'll see family, be able to say I witnessed them exchanging vows, and then I'm outta there. There is a BBQ on Sunday, but I have not been directly invited (they told my mom about it). Yes, mom is driving out to Phoenix, but she is not saying with me (yay) and she knows she will likely only see me at the wedding.

Ok - LUNCH...am starved.

Have I vented about this semester yet? And bitched about professors? I hope not, 'cause I feel a big mid-semester rant coming on.

{{{beathen}}} I'm so sorry!

lexine, you have SO much fun!

Steph, that's so weird. It's happened to me before, but it's always been everything. And usually a couple hours later they show back up. I hope that happens for you.

Before you get too venty, vw, please consider how you might feel if I wrote about how much I wanted to vent and bitch about my students this semester. Not that I would.

At first I was really upset about not receiving the bonus, but my boss did say (I'm not sure how accurate this is) that not many people got it, which makes me feel a little better, but not by much. It's just more fuel to the fire for me to get a different, better job.

Before you get too venty, vw, please consider how you might feel if I wrote about how much I wanted to vent and bitch about my students this semester. Not that I would.

We've always seemed pretty equal opportunity, in here. I've seen Buffistas vent about their bosses, co-workers, and subordinates; teachers, administrators, students; grandparents, parents, children, spouses, and NGA status.

Ok...I won't go all venty. And actually, I have no idea how I'd feel about you venting about your students, burrell. I don't think I'd think much of it. I guess it would depend on the situation.

Since you're here, though, maybe I'll ask you a question...and I want an honest answer, 'cause if I'm being unreasonable, I'd like to know so I can change my attitude/outlook.

I'm in a creative writing class. The structure of the class is such that we are given writing assignments; we turn them in; he returns them to us with comments; we revise and turn them back in; he returns them to us with comments; and this goes on until the end of the semester when we finally turn in a "book" of polished work. I actually LOVE the structure of the class. It is how I work, so it just feels natural to me. The problem is, it takes him WEEKS to get us back drafts. Today was week three for four things he has of mine. Two of them are a different part of the classwork than the process I just explained. They are critical responses. We're doing 4 critical responses over the course of the semester. We have another one (number 3) due on Monday. I'd really like to see my first two (or at least hear from him that they're ok) so I know that I'm going in the direction he's looking for. I e-mailed him on Monday explaing this to him, and he said he was absolutely going to have them for us today. Today in class? Nothing. He stopped me on my way out and promised he'll have them on Friday, but really, I'm not holding my breath.

Is it unreasonable for me to expect a faster turnaround time with type of structure? I realize it develops A TON of work for him, so I was cutting him slack...but you'd think he knows that going in. I mean, this isn't his first semester of teaching this class.

OH, and the A's have asked me to do a thing. I can't really explain it until it is done - but it is cool. I'll report when I have details.

Why do I suspect this involves the Shiny Green Wig?

vw, as a creative writing teacher, I often take 3-4 weeks to get back drafts. Thoughtful comments do take time, and I have other classes and other grading, too. However, what is reasonable also is dependent on how many students he has, etc.

I understand the frustration, but I also understand the delay.