Parents writing papers? Mine would drive me to the library to do reasearch (though that ended when I got my driver's license). And if I had to interview an expert in something or other for a school assignment, they'd arrange for me to talk to a suitable friend or co-worker.

Once I got to college? Forget it.

Christ, will this day never end??

Mine did, rather abruptly, when I got sick and then went home.

Maybe that's not what you meant though.

Home from company holiday lunch.

Very full. Sleepy.

Mine did, rather abruptly, when I got sick and then went home.

You know, I have to say, while that sounds like the end of a work day, it does not sound like the end of a bad day. If you see the distinction.

I've been goofing off and playing games on my computer.

Mine did, rather abruptly, when I got sick and then went home.

I'm trying to decided whether to stay all day. I feel fine, but I feel like my occasional (albeit hacking) cough is not making anyone very happy--even though I have no other cold symptoms and am being extremely vigilant about not touching anything not in my cube and washing my hands constantly just in case.

The English Majors I've known would tear someone like that to shreads without as much as a second thought.

No kidding. Being able to structure a paper is the same skill as being able to give a talk, and for that matter it also employs the skill you need to analyze a passage orally in class. How is this kid getting by in her classes? And how has she managed to completely avoid any timed/no notes final exams?

My mother taught me how to write an English paper, when I was a junior in high school. 20 years later, when she was finishing her master's degree in history, I attempted (at her instigation) to edit a draft of her thesis; this proved to be a disastrous mistake. (She can dish it out, but boy, she can't take it!)

I feel fine, but I feel like my occasional (albeit hacking) cough is not making anyone very happy--even though I have no other cold symptoms and am being extremely vigilant about not touching anything not in my cube and washing my hands constantly just in case.

The Voice of Bitter Experience says: If you've got the time off available to you, take it! Get out getoutGETOUT!

O frabjous day! My loving and funny and sweet nephew, who was supposed to go into basic training for the Marines right after Christmas, failed his physical. He has a bad knee and they turned him down flat. He was devastated, but the rest of the family is overwhelmingly relieved.

AND not only is this student an English Major, but she wants to be a TEACHER! (of kindergarten, but still!)

She feels that the system failed to teach her incompetence early enough, and wants to take steps to make sure kids learn it as soon as they're old enough to be out of daipers?