Sometimes I dislike being a grownup (read: responsible). Today is one of those days. I am working (and I have gotten work done! I now have something which could pass as a powerpoint presentation for the AAA, plus a handout, plus a draft of an annual report for the section whose program selection I just chaired; and I'm about to prep for tomorrow's classes)(however, I have to admit that I did not get through the pile of grading that is waiting for me - I hit the wall). But it did mean that I couldn't spend the day with three awesome women, engaging in a yarn crawl of epic proportions (seven stores!), and ending with this. Le sigh. My friends really are good people, though - they have been texting me with updates and pictures all day, and they're getting a copy of the book signed for me. Living vicariously is good, although not as good as going along...
In other random thoughts, I will share with you a brief story. The other day I was explaining co-referentiality to a student, and she asked for an example. I said, well, the phrases "Barack Obama" and "The President" are currently co-referential - they refer to the same person. This was apparently a good example, because she wrote it in her notes. Only turns out (who knew?) that our president's name is spelled Broc.
Does this scare anyone but me?
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18 comments:
Well, given Bush's dislike of broccoli, it explains a lot.
And I recommend the staircase method to finish your grading. Drop the stack of papers at the top of the stairs, the ones on the highest steps get A's, the ones on the lowest steps get F's. A very useful technique! I learned this when "assistant professor" and LCDR Hamby were co-referential in my case.
Ah, yes - just a little (sarcasm!)
Oh dear; these people have made it to college and cannot spell a commonly used word! I could rant but I won't!
Quite frankly it scares the heck outta me. I deal with this on a daily bases with my stepdaughter. I wish something would change in the schools. I alway wish the yarn harlot would come to maine. I would so be there.
Being grown-up stinks!
I won't comment on your student.... I don't think either of us have that much time...
I hate to scare you even more, but have you seen the blog Shit My Students Write?? TERRIFYING.
Someone asked me yesterday if I thought texting and online chatting is to blame for terrible spelling...um, no. Just a contributing factor.
Yes, I am scared, terrified, and horrified. On the other hand, I am also mildly (or wildlly) envious of your three friends who saw YH in person.
Oh noes. Missing Stephanie? She's so much fun!
:(
And the Broc? yes. TERRIFYING. And yet so obviously a sign of our times.
(((hugs)))
Boo. Being a grownup (and especially a responsible one) does get in the way of fun. I'm sorry you missed your yarn crawl and the Harlot. =(
All I can say with regards to "Broc" is that I will forever see a cartoon president made of a very tall broccoli stalk from now on when I hear that name. If only I were an artist...
Way to go, Joce! You rock for sticking to that work!!! You're awesome!! Academic Goddess and Jocelyn are co-referential!!!!! How many bangs will it take to make you feel jazzed about missing Steph?!!!
(I don't have enough time to type that many, so I'll stop and say I am feeling for you and hope the universe drops a big pile of happy on you unexpectedly to make up for this.)
We missed you on Wednesday!
I burst out laughing at twinsetjan's first line! Oh goodness though. Wow.
I hope you've been able to have some "me" time and done a few fun things. (though it's a bummer you had to miss Stephanie)
I was blown away a couple weeks ago by a young man who has his electrical engineering degree: He had never heard of the Massacre at Wounded Knee; not known that the US has not honored (past or present!) signed treaties. Basically he'd never been taught or made aware of all the atrocities against the native Americans. What do they teach in school these days??
Especially in the age of spellcheck? (Which has its own issues.) Yes. Scary. I've gotten cold calls from potential employees, who at least get points for initiative, but some of their resumes! /gobsmacked
Yeah, scary. I've heard the President referred to as scarier names recenty, so it was at least only a misspelling. When this stuff happens I try to remember a time years ago when I was explaining the situation in Ireland to a colleague who had graduated from MIT, was a CPA and an attorney. It was really confusing till I figured out he didn't know that Ireland was an island. Specialist.
Thanks for your comment! I'm still lurking here and it was lovely to know that you're still keeping an eye on me too!
once upon a time - at least in Asutralia - it was necessary to have a reasonable level of education to move from secondary to tertiary education, but apparently it's now more important to make people feel good about themselves.
So glad I'm not teaching anymore.
and I shouldn't type without my glasses - Australia of course
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