Freight Train

And with that all dreams of a sweet summer are over. Classes have begun, my teaching load is quite heavy (3 nights a week I'll be teaching lab, which basically makes 7-12 pm completely useless on M, T, and H), and I've got a bunch of stuff to do managing things for one of the profs I am TAing for. I like teaching, so I am sure I'll enjoy the work when I'm actually out at the telescope, but it's a big chunk of time. And then there's grading, and the second job if I can get one. I thought I could do tutoring/grading for the department but there's been a mix up and no positions seem to be available.

I am contemplating teaching some courses at my LYS. I was thinking about doing a beginning crochet course--taking people through chaining, slip stitch, single, double, and half double crochet, hook positioning, and how to turn back--by doing a simple washcloth, and culminating in crocheting granny squares, possibly followed by a granny square exchange for a blanket or bag. I think also an introduction to Ravelry class would be a good idea--since I know the ins and outs of it pretty well ;). Intro to rav could be a one week course; intro to crochet could be a 2 week course, the second week being the granny square stuff. Might be fun, and would certainly help the bank account!

Meanwhile, the full responsibilities of the semester (in the form of meetings) has hit me like the proverbial freight train. Seriously, I spend hours answering emails, organizing times and places, giving my expert opinion on things, and working towards conclusions (that only lead to more work  :P).  I am going to have to assign myself some very specific email hours and then escape for the rest of them.

First thing on the to-do list: apply for various forms of funding.
Second thing on the to-do list: edit my paper. I received referee comments! it wasn't outwardly rejected! I just have to make changes and resubmit, probably several times! Very excited... this means it could be published soon!
Third thing on the to-do list: get my stupid bgq program to work, make some graphs, and basically get back into research so I can do this second paper and have it ready to submit by Dec 1st.

busy, busy, busy. Hmm... I think I love my job again, yarn-glee aside.

Knitting to-do:
1) finish test blanket (meep)
2) finish holiday gifts
3) knit for me. Isn't this always the way it goes? I bet I'll give up on everything and make mitts for me this month anyway.