Buffy? I like that. That girl's so hot, she's buffy.

Forrest ,'Conversations with Dead People'


Natter 73: Chuck Norris only wishes he could Natter  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Burrell - Mar 27, 2015 12:19:56 pm PDT #23082 of 30000
Why did Darth Vader cross the road? To get to the Dark Side!

degrees now seem to be a necessity

Yeah, which has the corollary that for them, having a degree is no longer a distinction, so then they panic about grades so they can be on the Dean's List, etc, and qualify for blahbittyblah internship, etc.

What surprises me is that I meet with every student at least once about the paper, and I am fairly honest (but nice!) in my criticism when I am looking at a mediocre draft, so they should know what's coming down the pike! But instead they will debate with me on every point I make, as if they just need to talk me into agreeing that their paper is fine as opposed to figuring out how to revise it. Most maddening is when they come to me after having supposedly worked on the topic for a couple weeks and they still haven't done any research beyond Google. Argh!


Burrell - Mar 27, 2015 12:24:10 pm PDT #23083 of 30000
Why did Darth Vader cross the road? To get to the Dark Side!

Oh, and the winner this week is the student who said to me, "I've been trying to do research on global food insecurity, but I honestly don't care and it's all really boring. What should I do?" Uh, change topics? He's a business major, so I suggested he look into food distribution and addressing inequities in food distribution, and there was a brief glimmer of hope there. But honestly, I am sure once he starts doing the research, that'll be boring too.


javachik - Mar 27, 2015 12:37:00 pm PDT #23084 of 30000
Our wings are not tired.

So I'm all excited to be hiring a more junior person, in hopes that that will help.

Same. I am hiring someone in Oxford (England, not Mississippi) and I was able to choose a Peruvian-born candidate. Over the well-connected white guy. Doing my part!


erikaj - Mar 27, 2015 12:37:33 pm PDT #23085 of 30000
Always Anti-fascist!

Dude, it's research. Unless you work for Nerve, research won't get you off. The point is sort of the follow-through, which I have to say you're failing at, right this minute. Also, if you don't care that people go hungry and die, you're an asshole.(Granted, you would be a very exceptional person if you mourned them all like kin or something, but still.)


Sheryl - Mar 27, 2015 1:03:43 pm PDT #23086 of 30000
Fandom means never having to say "But where would I wear that?"

Timelies all!

Sorry about the bad day, Jesse.


hippocampus - Mar 27, 2015 1:15:58 pm PDT #23087 of 30000
not your mom's socks.

I'm building a pillow fort. It's not quite an island, but anyone who wants to join me, bar's open.

(eta: things are fine, just the usual terror that goes along with unknown and, you know, soul-baring; plus Things My Mom Said In Email. AKA the usual.)


Dana - Mar 27, 2015 1:31:42 pm PDT #23088 of 30000
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

I have an entire weekend to look forward to with no responsibilities and no husband. I'm going to watch SO MUCH TV.


shrift - Mar 27, 2015 1:42:00 pm PDT #23089 of 30000
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty

I have an entire weekend to look forward to with no responsibilities and no husband.

No outside pants! No getting up early to clean!


juliana - Mar 27, 2015 1:42:53 pm PDT #23090 of 30000
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I miss them all tonight…

Pillow forts for all!

Bob is having a nervous breakdown partly due to these goddamn monsters who complain, e.g., they won't be able to stay in the country if they aren't enrolled / retroactively passed, then they still do shit work.

M works for a non-accredited institution (more like a start-up incubator university... thingy), and the weaselly tricks some of the kids try to pull is astounding.


Dana - Mar 27, 2015 1:48:04 pm PDT #23091 of 30000
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

My husband is also of the opinion that Kids These Days, but I am on the side of Everyone Always Sucked. Of course, I don't have to deal with students.