I have ten minutes before I have to run off to introduce the English Department's winners of the Chancellor's Award this year. (If I get it, I'll be one of the recipients at about this time next year.) Happy to do it for Bruce, but what with one thing and another, it's been a hell of a flurry today.

In class, I had to give two students a very stern talking to. Despite the clear statement in the assignment sheet that I would not accept any version of the final paper late, they didn't have anything for me on Monday, when it was due--and still didn't today. However, for various reasons, I don't feel like being as draconian with the policy as I've been in the past. I told each student individually that he or she had to submit the first version to me in my office by 2 p.m. tomorrow--or fail the course. I also said that I'd give half the credit the paper would have earned if it had been submitted on time, and that I would not provide any feedback or commentary. It will be interesting to see if they come through. I take no bets either way.

After class I had a brief meeting with an adorable student from that class. At first, I thought she was sulky and sullen and had a 'tude the size of Texas, but no. She's sweet and hard working and cares deeply about learning and doing well. She is in better shape with her paper than she thought, but we went over some places where she needs to do some more thinking.

Class went pretty well--better than the last few sessions. The groups were talking well, bringing up good points, engaged. Some good analysis going on; I'm pleased. The papers didn't necessarily reflect that analytical ability, but I think this process will do much more to help them get there than the old proposal process did.

But that's the students. For me, in class, and in just about everything else today, I was pretty much a blithering idiot. I'm blaming it on lack of sleep (I don't know why I keep waking up a minute or two before 5, but I do, dammit), but it could also be the time of semester. It's sort of a perfect storm of brain static: no sleep, end of semester, and sudden curve-balls of tasks to accomplish.

Like doing those introductions, which I have to run off to do in 5, 4, 3....