Ok. I've re-written my reflection on class yesterday. Could you guys take a look and make comments (either here or in my LJ)? It's currently unlocked and can be found here: [link]

You know, I do miss Tom and the sideways commentary.

Pardon the length, but I'm about to get all ranty:

Is it just the Yankee in me that gets fed up with rambling talky meat at meetings? I went to an organizing meeting yesterday, and we got through a whole bunch of stuff (with some rambling distractions, but none too long) and had ONE form left to get through, when the whole thing went off track. The organizer doesn't have a very strong personality, and the three other people there were all interested in the chat, but I was fuming. Seriously, it's 8:45, I haven't been home yet, we have only one form to get through, and you've been talking about how unhelpful the organization of last year's cattle judging (or something) was for new members for 15 solid minutes. Under normal, chat-specific circumstances I would be interested, since I totally empathize with being thrown sink-or-swim into something that SHOULD be explainable, but in this case SHUT UP! Or at least wait until we're officially done with the meeting and I can leave politely. But they just kept talking.

Some of this, I'm sure, is a southern thing (or, if you like, my impatience is a northern thing). I've noticed on many an occasion some of my co-workers repeat themselves a lot, and conversations in meetings often go like this:

A: What should we do about this? Because it's been a problem in [example] way.

B: Well, that is something to worry about, and here are a couple things we're doing about it.

A: Because here's another example of it being a problem.

B: Yeah, that is a problem.

A: And also, here's another example.

But this was just... honestly, it felt really rude, since it continued even after the organizer had said (twice, I think!) that we just had one more form to get through and that she and I were both tired. I was so damn mad. Especially since it made me not get enough sleep for the third night in a row (granted, the other two were my own fault). Argh!

Maybe I was just born with a sad lack of patience.

Oh, and vw, that's why I didn't call you back last night. And I can't get to lj from work, so that's why no commentary from me at the moment. That sucks, though. Ah, generalization. How we love thee, and yet how hurtful thou art.

I guess I could just post it in here and delete it later. Maybe I'll just do that...

Some of this, I'm sure, is a southern thing (or, if you like, my impatience is a northern thing)

I don't think it's a Southern thing. I think it's a Meetings thing. Unless there is a very strong hand at the wheel and everyone is motivated to stick to an agenda and not take anyone's bullshit they tend to ramble and waste a lot of time.

Tom is very much on the shy/unchatty/excessively quiet side of things. But if he's given conversation opportunity (and beer) chances are he can warm up to it.

He can be pretty articulate on the adorableness of Nora.

blush