Been distracted with work-related stress. Have nothing to say at the moment. Struck dumb at the very real possibility that I may not be working in my occupation of choice come September.
On the plus side, the ache in my teeth has died entirely.
Weekend was spent sporting consumer-face; after several long nights of marking, opted to treat myself to mass-market consumption.
Stumbled upon a new Silver Mt. Zion EP Saturday afternoon, Pretty Little Lightning Paw. Not sure how I missed the news of its impending release, but I’m all the better for having found it when I did. Purchased too was a copy of the new Múm CD, Summer Make Good, as well as Ulver’s Lyckantropen Themes. All is full of love.
Broke down after many long months of denying the impulse and bought a copy of Bioware’s Knights of the Old Republic. Was motivated by shops halving the price overnight, trimming from $60 to $30. No complaints from me.
Not much else to say. Bulk of the weekend’s been spent lounging, shamelessly avoiding anything work-related.
First thought of the day was, unexpectedly, “ow!”
Woke up at 4:25AM to throbbing pain in my mouth, back bottom-left. Drifted to the bathroom, visual analysis finding nothing beyond irritated and bleeding gum. Fell asleep despite pain, re-awoke at 7:25AM, phoned dentist at 8:00AM. A co-worker covering my late morning classes — attended work for first block such that I could get things in order for others later in the day — I arrived at the dentist’s 9:45AM.
X-rays, scrapings, pokings and questions followed. Head scratching, too.
For lack of a better explanation, it’s assumed that my wisdom teeth — correction, wisdom tooth — in the back bottom-left of my mouth is putting pressure on the roots of its neighbours. Surgery recommended. Consultation in July, surgery in August.
Sitting here, sipping a coffee and preparing to return to work for afternoon classes, I pray to whatever gods can hear me that the pain subsides inside of increasing; August is a long ways off. May the time pass like healthy stool.
Worst Thing About Working Until 10:30PM #851:
I’m exhausted but, having just removed the strain of a few dozen papers from my shoulders, I feel giddy with release and want nothing more than to stay up and actually do something beyond sitting at a desk grading.
That, or it may be the coffee I had but a few short hours ago.
Going stir-crazy. Tonight will mark three twelve-plus hour days in a row. Physical exertion of that magnitude I can handle; concentrated mental exertion I find much more strenuous. Fatigued, I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone concentrate, yet have another thirty-odd research essays to hack through over the next four hours.
I’m walking for a coffee. Getting some exercise and air should clear my mind and caffeine will work to pry my lids open.
I AM A, HOW YOU SAY, CAR-NEE-VAL!
Bizarre lil’ mantra that popped into my head a few minutes ago. Can’t stop repeating it. Nope nope!
Blogger.com has a new look. This will take some getting used to; seems to be functional as well as fashionable, but I feel strangely out of place, navigating this… thing.
Sitting here, up late, camping an eBay auction. Been on a Radiohead kick of late and am desperate to track down a copy of the “Airbag/How’s My Driving?” EP that a) I missed when it was released back in ‘98; b) obtained, and; c) gave away, stupidly thinking that finding another copy couldn’t possibly be that difficult.
Well.
Several years later, I’m finally breaking down and paying the fucking piper. The EP shall be mine, damnit!
Ironically enough, while waiting to buy Radiohead, I’ve opted to plug in some Nine Inch Nails and, lo and behold, the second disc of my copy of “The Fragile” has been, shall we say, somewhat damaged. The damage doesn’t seem to have affected the audio — there’s no skipping — but my god, what did I put the disc on top off that did this? My poor, wounded baby…
UPDATE: I won the auction. Nyaaaaah! I am Happy Camper Boy.
So.
It’s been a week since my last update. Not a bloody week, though; just a week. Spent two, two-and-a-half hours wrestling with a virus that nailed my parents’ computer on Sunday. Annoying as it was at times, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun with it. I may be a butcher of a surgeon when it comes to excising malignant software growths but, damnit, I’ve still got the distinction of being a surgeon, and enjoy the opportunity to show off my sometimes-subtle touch. Sitting still for the entire time was a bit of a chore; spring fever’s kicked into high gear. Put simply, I’m impatient for summer to roll on in for summer is something I equate with relaxation and, as we all of us know, relaxation is wonderful.
I’ve a few projects in mind for summer, in addition to sleeping copious amounts and reading plenty, consisting of any or all of the following: visiting my dying grandfather, whom I have not seen in several years; nurturing my little record label, which is developing nicely, and; building novel studies for both Card’s Ender’s Game and Pullman’s The Golden Compass, much like I did with Tolkien’s The Hobbit (assuming, of course, I still have a job come September due to chronic underfunding by my backwards provincial government).
Speaking of…
It’s frustrating knowing that despite staff, students, and parents loving me and my mad-ass panache and volumes of verve, I’d be first on staff unemployed because I’m… green. A rookie. At the bottom of the totem pole. The sweet meat on staff. Mind you, this is nothing new. Since graduating from the university, I’ve spent every year of my fledgling career — three, for those counting — being thought of highly and, simultaneously, living with the knowledge that no matter how good a job I do, I’m screwed if the budget isn’t there to catch me. It’s a disgusting way to live, and one I grow increasingly resentful of.
I’m able to keep a positive outlook because, should I have to leave my profession of choice due to budgetary imbalance, finding employment elsewhere or doing something entirely different would not be especially difficult or even unwelcome. Still, I hope I don’t get buggered by the budget; I love teaching.
