Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Fall "Break"

What is the sound of one fall breaking?
If you spend even, say, two hours, or perhaps, say ten, grading, then is it really a "break" or is it, as one colleague claimed, just an opportunity to catch up and, if so, then is it a "break"? Well, is it?
If, for example, you spend the first half-hour of said break trying to decide if you should turn the furnace on, then is it really a "fall" break or have you somehow, rapidly and inexplicably, fallen down a slippery slope that would more appropriately be deemed "winter"? Or, perhaps, is there another season between fall and winter, fwinter, and is that what we should be calling this weather that vacillates, schizophrenically, between hail and sunshine? (and wind, let's not forget the wind, lest it punish us by blowing more, and more hard. Harder.)
What, then, are the approved activities for this fwinter non-break? Grading, sure, that's one. Watching shows (any & all) on Hulu, two. Drinking wine, three (but only for today, because then, lo, the crazy October challenge begins and all fun is banned. Banned!). Hiking with dog? Maybe, if it stops hailing! Four. All indoor exercises, that's five.
I need at least ten things that aren't grading. Movies? Check. Reading? Maybe. But it might be for class. Okay, TV, that's never for class (unless I call it "research"). Dog outings, yes. Trips to Park City? Depends on the weather. Eating out? What with this challenge, let's just say no. Shoving my face with approved food items? Yes. Working out just so I can drink chocolate milk? Hell yes.
Hey, if you are only allowed one vice (chocolate milk....okay, coffee...that's two. And working out, three), you are damned sure going to work it. Or I am. Yes, I mean, I AM.
Now I just have to come up with three fitness goals for the month.
One bright spot? When it strikes midnight on Halloween, I'm going to eat some candy. I get to define "some."
Fall break? What?

5 comments:

Lisa B. said...

I am worried about this October Challenge thing, which sounds hellish. I'm sure you have your reasons. But I hope you find awesome, relaxing excellent things to do during the next four days, what ever you call them. Cannot wait until we get together to see a movie!

Nik said...

I'm feeling very unbroken right now.

Counterintuitive said...

I am right now (well I'm taking a teeny tiny break) grading and freezing my ass off.

Julie said...

I thought james was joking about the chocolate milk thing. I'm going to the store tonight. I hear you about the midnight halloween thing. My kids bags will not be safe. Keeping my kids entertained is my break.

julie said...

Whoa - you and I are on similar wave lengths when it comes to teaching work and time: http://julieatcentury.blogspot.com/2009/10/still-teaching.html

All the best on your "break"!