early morning thoughts

up early this morning, which i should have used to get a jump on my grading, but i knew i wouldn't finish it all to get it back to the students today, so i put it off. plus, i'll probably end up working in the auditorium this weekend, so might as well save it so i have something to do while the dance company dances. still find myself without rory, who i hoped would be here by the time i worked next. may she arrive from philadelphia soon....

first week of rehearsals down. last night we watched some video clips of how to interpret the shakespearean text and let it guide us as we learn our roles and discover our characters. much better than i anticipated and it was actually a lot of fun to see ian mckellan and judi dench and patrick stewart from way back in 1982. as is normal, i still feel a bit on the outside, especially coming into things late, but it feels like i've seen these people before though i cannot pinpoint where. i'll be interested to see how rehearsals go next week and what is done.

i started this post before school and now it's lunch - stupid students wanted me to teach them something today. half a bell to go and then my plan bell and then the weekend. did finally get the schedule for the weekend - i'll be working both sat. and sun. evenings, as i thought. will be good for the bank account and for spending time with my script.

am feeling a bit frustrated about the prospects of continuing education to keep my teaching license. i need six hours every five years, i think, which philosophically i don't mind. keeping abreast of what's going on in your field is vital, especially one like education. my issue comes with the cost of such a venture. looking around at possible courses, it looks like i'll spend anywhere from $800-$2,000+ to meet the requirements. and because i already have two graduate degrees and won't be pursuing another, i am ineligible for any financial aid. might not seem a lot, but when you're in forbearance on the loans you have. it's frustrating to think about throwing even more money at it. the cynical side of me thinks this is all just a way to line the coffers of universities. but i'm trying not to be cynical. i contacted someone on the professional development committee here at the school to see if there are any options i haven't thought of. we'll see.

i had a great idea driving home from work yesterday. as usual, i was frustrated by the lack of driving skill and simple knowledge of the rules of the road on the highway. then it hit me: wouldn't it be great if you were required to have some kind of license in order to operate a vehicle? you know, have to take some classes and maybe pass a test before you were allowed to hit the road at 55+ mph. learn simple things like how to use a turn signal, not drive in the passing lane, not be so distracted by your phone that you're not aware of what's going on around you, not pass on the right? wouldn't that make the world a much better place?

what's that? they already do that? hmmm...then why are the roads filled with so many people without the basic grasp of the simplest of driving rules?

sorry. had to vent.

students trickling back from lunch. time to talk about their bibliographies. oh joy.
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