Ok. I am near tears. I have an incomplete--actually the project I was doing on the Buffistas and the Bronze on choosing an Internet community--that needs to be finished so I can graduate. The professor advising me on the project left the department and teaching and now works at the University's president's office. He has been difficult to work with, to say the least. He's the main reason why this project isn't done. I really don't have anyone advising me, and I actually need some direction with this project.

I emailed him once again a couple of weeks ago (which I do every couple of months), and, as usual, I have gotten NO response from him. So I decided, screw him. I'm going to finish this project. I'll talk to my thesis adviser and see if he would be willing to help offer some direction.

He emailed me back last week and said not only is the topic out of his area of expertise, but it gives him the creeps (I'm not sure which part of it, and I didn't ask. Honestly, I don't want to know), so he will be unable to help. He suggested I email my English adviser and ask him. So, I did.

I just heard back from him. He said it is also out of his area of expertise, and he recommended that I contact the new head of the communication studies department and ask for her help.

Well, I've come full circle, because I did that about a year ago. She is not at all interested in the project, and I'm guessing she has some bad blood with original adviser because she said I needed to work it out with him--she was not taking on any more of his projects.

Looks like I'm gonna have to do this on my own. Which, fine. I just hope someone will grade the thing when I finally finish it.

I am so frustrated I could scream.

Ok. Back to Spanish.

Thank you Daniel - I appreciate it!! We cleaned everything last night (fan, coils, etc.) and let the compressor cool down overnight, hoping it had just overheated.

nsm. And the only sound it's making now, aside from the fan when that's turned on, is the hum of the lightbulb.

I think sears is in my future, with the siren call of the 10% discount and free haul-away.

egad vw, why can't grown ups act like grown ups? I'm sorry you're having such a time getting them to do their job.

Drew, having had to care for an ailing parent who was pretty much immobile (at the end at least), caring for her at home is a HUGE undertaking. At this point you are right, she's better off in a skilled care facility. She won't be abandoned simply because your family isn't about to abandon her. There's no rule limiting the number of days you can visit her there, or limiting the time you spend. I visited my mom twice a week or so when she was in one, so did my brother, and my sister went every day.

egad vw, why can't grown ups act like grown ups? I'm sorry you're having such a time getting them to do their job.

Ok. This response is actually good to hear from you. I feel like I am mostly to blame for this...that I wasn't on top of it enough from the beginning, and I'm getting what I deserve. But NO ONE at the university will take responsibility for this project in any way, shape, or form, and it's getting so frustrating.

Oh! Poor Kristin, I hope you took off already. We are getting belted with rain and wind.

But NO ONE at the university will take responsibility for this project in any way, shape, or form, and it's getting so frustrating.

Honey, this is when you bypass all of the minions and go straight to the top, to the dean of your particular college and if they can't help, then whoever's above him/her.

Because this is BULLSHIT. No one wants to take responsibility, you show them what happens when they don't.

If the project was approved, then someone needs to guide you through it, or at least, be willing to give a damned grade when it's done.

Ok. Just got a more positive e-mail in my inbox. This weekend I emailed a cover letter and resume for a public relations/communications internship at a big well-known and well-respected non-profit in the area. I already heard back from the Director of Public Relations. She wants to set up an interview as soon as possible. YAY!

If the project was approved, then someone needs to guide you through it, or at least, be willing to give a damned grade when it's done.

Yes, this! Stupid academic-politics-immature bullshit.

Honey, this is when you bypass all of the minions and go straight to the top, to the dean of your particular college and if they can't help, then whoever's above him/her.

Seconding this recommendation.

Ok. Just got a more positive e-mail in my inbox. This weekend I emailed a cover letter and resume for a public relations/communications internship at a big well-known and well-respected non-profit in the area. I already heard back from the Director of Public Relations. She wants to set up an interview as soon as possible. YAY!

Yay!

Actually, that's not a half-bad idea, Barb. I know and like the Assistant Dean quite a lot. She has been amazingly helpful in the past. I'm going to take one more stab with the current department head, and if she isn't more willing, then I will do that. Thank you.