A need for many martinis

Well, not really. I don't drink martinis--or do so extremely rarely--but I am thinking about that Doonesbury cartoon, with the president of Walden College giving his commencement address.... And I certainly am tired. Very tired. So tired, in fact, that I'm having a hard time figuring out what I need to do, or remembering what happened, or being certain that I'm being coherent.

Class today was fine--even a bit better than they've been of late: more students managed to stay awake and more contributed to the class conversation, including two young women who are often too shy to speak, which I take as a triumph (even if it has nothing to do with me). We did talk a bit about the themes--especially the gender thing--and this time I remembered to focus on what we see in Gethenian society and to head off at the pass a few of the common errors students make (such as stating that all Gethenians are equal, when patently they are not). Some of them are latching on, some are hanging on by their fingernails, but I think the bunch that I have right now will make it across the finish line. Barely, in some cases, but they'll make it.

In P&B, there was more discussion of the fucked up state of the campus, with idiots wanting to rule by fiat, making decisions about things they know nothing about. I spent a lot of the meeting thinking, "I think I can retire soon. I think I can retire soon." It's  a whole different take on the "Little Engine That Could" theme: I'm becoming the Little Engine That Won't.

Right now, it's ridiculously early for me, but I'm tired enough--physically, emotionally, psychologically--that I'm going to pack up my toys and go home. I never got around to eating lunch, so I think I'm going to have dunch, or linner (why isn't there a word like "brunch" for that?) and snuggle down with Dickens. Tomorrow will be easy, teaching-wise, as all I'm doing is collecting essays. (Oh, yes, and I did offer an extension to the fragile student with the hysterical mother. I'm not giving him until Monday, and I am applying a penalty, but I'm being extremely lenient.) One more day of actual teaching is required--Thursday, with the SF students--but we're almost at the final calculations phase.

And not only is tomorrow another day, but January starts another semester. Here's hoping I am stronger.