Someone fairly well known in a related field died and his obituary is making the rounds. I read it and saw that he had had the life I wanted: fascinating research, wonderful dissertation students, warm colleagues here and abroad. I am in a constant state of grief about having thrown good years after bad, hoping … More Obituary, identity, life, nostalgia, desire
Locate draft manuscript and open it. I am not joking, this is my writing goal for the whole week. Otherwise my goal is to grade in an organized and sane way. Axé.
I want to read the McGuigan book but it is very expensive. Perhaps I can ILL it. I’d like to have access to all the best reviews of it, too. I fear this would be “procrastination,” but perhaps it would not. (And anyway, does it matter if it is, or if someone can say it … More Neoliberal culture
I found some fragmentary notes from an old meeting that should have been followed up upon. 1. Our financial situation is not that bad (although we have contracted notable debt, and we appear to have mysterious overseas donors) 2. Data is reported strangely 3. We spend a great deal on sports, buildings and administration 4. … More Very important!
On this post. I agree with what Paula Krebs says here. It has certainly become impossible to justify the expense of holding first round interviews at MLA, especially given the likelihood of travel disruptions due to weather, which add an entirely new layer of stress to the process. At bottom, this argument is about cost-savings, … More This is a thoughtful comment
I would like to write on his Facebook feed, where he is ranting about “morally panicked literature professors” — That’s ridiculous, and actually the reactions to tv when it came in were more subtle and interesting (I notice you don’t mention it). I am tired of having students who can’t read but are only trained … More Marc B.
It must be in my horoscope, I do not like to rush. I am already rapid and efficient, so I do not need to rush, but I would not like it even if I were not rapid and efficient. There is really only ONE thing I dislike about academia and it is the ethos of … More Rushing
There are so many days I would feel just fine if I could stay home part of the time to read and write, or if I could teach in English, or teach in Spanish to people who spoke it, or teach Spanish as a second language to people who could accept that learning Spanish isn’t … More Anhelos
What I miss about the jobs I have had in R-1 institutions is feeling like an adult. You work calmly with adults. Elsewhere being constantly badgered, accused, pulled down, yelled at, interrupted, and having to work through the frantic irrationality of others really drains and disorients me because it activates the traumatized state of childhood, … More Nostalgia
If I have a definite view or a strong recommendation, I am called controlling and bossy. If I have no opinion, or a tentative opinion, or am comfortable with any of several alternatives, I am called vague and accused of insufficient participation. UPDATE: Another sexist thing I undergo, and do not understand, is the technique … More Insecure men and insecure patriarchal women
