Thanks. I took some Vicodin, and I'm watching Mulan for some distraction.

I have dropped off the face of the planet getting this show up and running. At this point I'm so tired I can't think straight, but I need to finish up some work in the studio. Night A of Sci-Fest opened tonight. Now we just need to finish tech for night B before next Tuesday and then I think I get to find out what sleep is again. At the moment there are almost 700 cues in the main project running the show, and we have 5 more shows to go.

I'm feeling a lot better this morning. Definitely glad I don't need to teach, but well enough to walk a few blocks to drop off some stuff at the food bank downtown. Now, to deal with more emails from students who don't like their grades.

Now I feel bad for making Bobby write to his instructor when he has had issues with his test results. On SEVERAL occasions the teacher has ended up changing it after responding that he was right and that was also a correct answer. And then fixing the rest of the class grades too. This is likely the result of the effort that goes into preparation of your level of tests and the testing prepared by teachers at the state college that are working on maybe getting a teaching certificate someday. The range of quality in his instructors has been significant.

I have also responding to his bitching on scores by responding 'I told you that wasn't what he was looking for' when that is appropriate. That happens a bunch too!

A student wants me to add four points to his grade for "participation" because he showed up at class almost every day. That's not extra credit -- that's bare minimum expectation.

Now I feel bad for making Bobby write to his instructor when he has had issues with his test results. On SEVERAL occasions the teacher has ended up changing it after responding that he was right and that was also a correct answer.

That's different. What I'm getting isn't "I think the answer I put down was actually correct, and you marked it wrong." I'm getting, "I need a higher grade. Can you give me a higher grade?"

Oh yeah, I'll lose my scholarship, I'll get in trouble at home, I am such a good person I deserve it. Showing up is something that isn't worth extra points unless it is part of the syllabus as being worth something.

Some teachers do sort of add that in, but not at student's request, I'm sure.

Yay Dr Esse! (or however your preferred nomenclature)

I have good news on the medical front. FINALLY got a diagnosis on my primary pain source, and it is a labral tear in my right hip. Took most of a year to figure it out, and now, knowing the source and what tends to cause it (ongoing wear and tear, mostly pivoting on a weight-bearing leg) I can look back and see that it has been coming on for years but each time it hurt after dancing or zumba I always thought I just needed to stretch better or avoid a certain move or step.

Anyways, YAY DIAGNOSIS! Have my first 'procedure' of ultrasound-assisted lidocaine/cortisone injection next week and fingers crossed it *might* knock out the pain for a week to a year or altogether. At the very least it'll make it clear whether the pain is coming from the damaged labrum.

Unrelated but discovered as part of all that imaging...my liver adenoma (or 'badenoma' as my friend refers to it) is officially in the hands of a surgeon now. Gonna wait another 4 months to see if cessation of BCP leads to any regression. Hoping it does get at least a little smaller because at the current size and location removing it (which is heavily recommended due to possibility of rupture or turning into a carcinoma at some later time) would also involve removing the gallbladder. While I know I don't *need* my gallbladder, it's never caused me any problems and just happens to be butted up against the adenoma. I much prefer to keep all my bits that have a purpose. Regression might get the adenoma to a size and position where it can be removed without taking the gall bladder with it. *fingers crossed*. Either way, it puts off dealing with surgical reality for another 3-4 months at the least and gives me some time to bank up comp time. Plus my med flex account resets June/July so I can put aside considerably more pre-tax $$ to cover what will be a ridiculously expensive procedure, even with "good" health insurance.

As for the ovarian cyst...just can't fit it into the picture ATM and I've had enough over the years just reabsorb that waiting and seeing is my primary plan. GYN appt on Friday will confirm whether it's still there/growing/shrinking/whatever. I'll think about it again then.

Your innards really need to start taking more care.

Yay for a diagnosis!