It's been several weeks since I've seen anyone on campus and I play this game of trying a new parking space every day. Granted, faculty get summers off, but I didn't realize administration did, too. I've been in every day trying to stay afloat with what I have to accomplish, so I was thrilled to have someone to talk with at the water cooler. I asked Frank the fly to let me know when he needed a copier, and that I'd lie low.
I unpacked more books, paid off another series of vendors, put more teachers into the system, registered 14 more kids, met with a doctoral student from University of Illinois on digital literacies, download articles that need my review, and wrote. I told Frank that, perhaps, we might find him an office when the Fall semester returns and we see if anyone comes back to the physical space.
Interestingly, I talked with staff in other buildings and their responsibilities have already realigned. They are being promoted to a new role, and the rumor is that they're going to push faculty to have more in-office seat-time. I welcome to see where that takes them. I wish them luck.
Part of me wished for a bug zapper to kill the fly, but the larger part of me was just thankful to have someone to work with for a change. I was on the phone with K-12 teachers across the state anxious about what's next in their careers, mentoring on them on whether or not they wanted to jump into the arena of higher education. I told them, "Talk to Frank. He works harder than the rest of us."
Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand to restructure the entire universe. Again, I keep channeling the three fingers of Grogu and Yoda, and the hand gestures of Umbrella Academy members and Stranger Things. I just want to correct the galaxy....to make it make more sense.
But it doesn't.
Meanwhile, what a great conversation from the doctoral student from University of Illinois. He's mentored by the best and I hope I was of some minimal support.
Back to work. They let everyone go on half days (because it's summer). Not me. CWP is in full force.