Countdown to fall semester: three days
Yesterday, as you know, was orientation: day one.
The new recruits are, well, just that -- new recruits. I don't know much about any of them yet, as they seem pretty quiet. Friendly, of course, but quiet. There were so many of us crammed into the Writing Center yesterday morning that each of us got a quick introduction, and then we moved on to the more pressing matters of the day. Really, I only remember about three of their names, and one of them only because he now shares an office with me. He's tall, wiry, and a musician, and that's about all I know about him. I don't even know if he's fiction or poetry. Seems like a nice enough guy, I guess. Like I said, I don't really know him -- or anyone else new -- yet. That, of course, will come with time.
Amongst our new recruits, there's a girl from Newton, several recent grads, a few new guys, a girl with her MA already (who is the other person teaching the science writing class alongside me) coming back for her MFA, and others who I have not yet formally met long enough to, as I said, even remember names. Blame it on my fuzzy memory, blame it on sleep deprivation, but I didn't have much of a chance to take care of anything today but business-related things.
I have, however, noticed that I've had a flood of new readers/visitors from Wichita in the past 24 hours, more than likely current students who have just learned of my blog here as well as new recruits, and I welcome you all. Hi, I'm Brandon. You may remember me from such offices as the one down the hall, or as the nerdy guy with long hair and beard who has a toy TIE Fighter hanging above his desk. I'm also the guy who leaves all of the issues of Sports Illustrated and Entertainment Weekly on the book tables in the department lobby. Amongst other things I do and am. Many other things.
Anyway, where was I?
Yesterday afternoon, I met with my new supervisor and got as many details as I could on the science writing class I'll be teaching starting on Tuesday. The discussion between me, my supervisor (read: boss) and the new girl who's also teaching two sections of the course lasted the better part of an hour, if not longer, and I now know how to edit and craft the syllabus for my class to my whims. I also now have the textbook for the class, which looks incredibly interesting, and I'll be able to peruse it this weekend in order to get a feel for some upcoming lesson plans.
The rest of our first orientation day, however, was much the same as last year's was -- we were given tips and a point-counterpoint on how (and how not) to dress when teaching, given the brief rundown of the new policies involving plagiarism, were introduced to the EGSA (English Graduate Student Association, in case you were wondering), and introduced to the new editor of the department's literary journal before breaking off into our assigned practicum groups to discuss what and how we'd be teaching. We then returned to the Writing Center for a discussion on its purpose before we were "let go" for the day and told to return tomorrow morning for six hours more of instruction and further orientation in the Media Resources Center. I BS'ed with a few friends before hopping into the Decepticon landboat and returning home.
I can now tell you that it is a 48-mile round trip between the house here in Newton and campus in Wichita. How do I know? Because I set my trip meter for it to see just how long I can go between car fill-ups (looks like 2.5 trips or so, max, and even that may be pushing it). I can also tell you that while the Monte Carlo may not mind the interstate drive during more reasonable temperatures, such as in the mornings, it certainly doesn't like it too much when it's 100 degrees outside and when said black-on-black car has been baking in the sun all day in the parking lot. I didn't have any problems getting home (obviously), but I can tell the car didn't like it -- judging from the fact that the speedometer stopped working again this afternoon and I had to use my GPS for the appropriate speed readings, and the car wanted to shudder a bit and get a little warmer under the hood than usual during the sweaty drive back home. Unless it rains or storms today, it's going to be 104 outside, too.
I keep reminding myself, however, that it's an old, old American car, and it's going to run until it can no longer do so, and because of that I need to get it worked on as soon as I can to keep it running as long and strong as possible. As long as I can get it to school and back without major issues, then it's all good. It's the day that it doesn't start or the day when the engine dies halfway between Newton and Wichita that I have to worry about, and hopefully that day won't be anytime soon.
Last night, before bed, I spent an inordinate amount of time crafting my syllabus and office hours schedule, as well as a new profile/picture for the "student wall" in the hallway of the department, so that they can be printed and copied over the weekend; as far as I know I won't be returning there on Monday unless I absolutely have to. As it stands now, I have enough stuff to do on Monday and would rather avoid yet another car trip down there and back. I sent an email to my supervisor asking if she needed or wanted to see a copy of my syllabus before I finalized it and sent it to print because of this as well. We'll see.
Today, as you may have guessed, I again got up at 5AM (which, I will reiterate again, is fun for no one involved), got my coffee/shower/vitamins in me for the day, and within the hour I'll be once more leaving for Wichita. Today we have two different three-hour training sessions in the MRC -- one from 9-12, and the other after our "lunch" until 4:30 or so. I just want to get them over with so that I can go back home (possibly getting more gas in the car on the way) and set up my new TV, which should arrive today. I long to be able to actually sit on the couch in the living room and watch television again. After fiddling with the controls on the new TV and antenna, I should be able to do just that, which is good -- there are not one, but two preseason football games I'll be flipping back and forth between tonight, provided I can get it all set up and working properly.
So yes, so far everything seems to be going well. I have to write four different checks this weekend to pay bills and rent, and that means a hell of a lot of money will be spent, but it also means that those things will be taken care of for another month (and, as will be the case with the former girlfriend's old deposit on this place, permanently) and I'll be able to breathe easier. This weekend will be spent preparing for classes and finishing the book, cleaning the house a little more, and reading/writing. Tomorrow is also my parents' birthday (yes, they both share the same birthday; weird, hm?) and Sunday is my grandmother's birthday. The book should -- if all goes according to plan -- be on sale on Monday, and of course I will give all of you the link here if you'd like to purchase it.
On that note, I need to finish getting dressed and vacate the premises soon, so that I can get a decent parking spot on campus before everyone else gets there. I will update you on day two sometime over the weekend, more than likely.
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