perspi | Entries tagged with from the ivory tower

HI EVERYBODY HELLO

My university went all-remote as of November 20, and the Mr is still working from home as well. Our 8th grader also started remote learning again just before Thanksgiving, so we're back into a routine of Everyone In The House Together, All The Damn Time.

I love my family and I love being at home, but on Sunday afternoon I was grouchy and wanted everyone -- especially and including the damn animals -- to leave me the hell alone. I took the dog for a walk (which didn't really help for the first half, as he needed to pee on EVERY OTHER OBJECT along the path, ugh) and then ended up taking a nap, which did help.

ANYWAY. We keep our house fairly cool in the winter (68 degrees) and especially our floors get cold. When you're sitting at your computer for a while, it gets pretty chilly! So yesterday I had my usual outfit -- leggings and a tunic top -- and then added a slightly-too-small fleece hoodie and a handmade shawl over my shoulders. The Mr told me I looked like I was in a sci-fi apocalypse movie, which prompted today's poll question!!

Poll #24965

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

View Respondents

How many layers are acceptable before you look like an extra in an apocalyptic sci-fi doomsday movie?

View Answers

2
0 (0.0%)

3
3 (13.6%)

4
2 (9.1%)

4 but only if you can't see them all
6 (27.3%)

5
2 (9.1%)

6
1 (4.5%)

I always look like an extra in an apocalyptic sci-fi doomsday movie
8 (36.4%)

and I don't even need layers
2 (9.1%)

TICKYBOX
12 (54.5%)

I mean, technically I had four layers, if you count my bralette, but apparently 3 visible layers was enough to prompt the comment. Maybe it was the shawl worn old-lady over-shoulder style. :P

And perhaps we all FEEL like extras in an apocalyptic doomsday movie, so we might as well dress like it, y/y?

As is usual for this time of year, I have a TON of grading and really would rather write some fic. How are you guys hanging in? *passes beverages* (and if you don't have anything nice to say, come sit right here by me. :D)

Current Mood: annoyed

Hello, darlings!

It's the last week of classes, and our department meeting got canceled, and I've got a shit-ton of grading to do in the next couple weeks; it's just now starting to hit me just how much. I'm also going to have to head to campus either this afternoon yet or tomorrow, because I have some printing to do -- including a form I need to sign for the access I need as summer chair, and the rubrics for grading the projects students are turning in.

Our campus is furloughing employees to meet budget shortfalls (so I and my Mr will take pay cuts with these furloughs, but at least we'll keep our jobs and we'll be OK as a family), and no one knows yet what fall semester is going to look like but I think the possible scenarios are giving the administrators conniptions. I think some areas of campus are going to start slowly bringing people back -- my Mr's unit is already pretty socially distanced (they all work in their own spaces and don't generally have face-to-face contact with people, and they may continue to do larger meetings via webconference) so he might be more regularly going to work again by the end of May.

I am always fascinated by the way social influence works, and the trends on my IG feeds are no different -- everybody's doing sourdough! I have no interest in sourdough, but I have caved and made some no-knead peasant bread, and so far the family has preferred that to the bread-machine bread we've been having.

How 'bout you guys? Baking all the bread?

Poll #23991

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 18

View Respondents

Social pressure via the Internets?

View Answers

it is a real thing
11 (61.1%)

and sometimes i have FOMO
7 (38.9%)

yes i have made food inspired by reading a fanfic
2 (11.1%)

nah
0 (0.0%)

no thanks
0 (0.0%)

this is why i don't read the Internets
3 (16.7%)

except for you fine folks on DW
3 (16.7%)

TICKYBOX
13 (72.2%)

Current Mood: restless

HELLO LOVES HI

We're hitting that point of the semester that I usually say, FUCK IT, and so having that point hit at at time when I'm not actually seeing my students or colleagues? I'm really at a solid level-8 FUCK IT, honestly.

I have put up materials/what-am-I-doing-this-week pages for all my classes, and I'm trying to check in with everybody as they're finishing they're big projects but I haven't heard from many of them. I've gotten some good feedback from students in my always-been-online class, so that's good, but the switched-to-online classes are iffy, in terms of what they're actually engaging with and learning.

But otherwise work is involving some grading, and I really Don't Wanna, ugh.

Is it weird that I am looking forward to the grocery trip tomorrow? We'll be in our masks, and the Mr and I will go together -- we're returning to the me-getting-ours and him-getting-his-parents' that we did in March. (They tried ordering from the store for a pickup window a few times, and apparently the grocery workers aren't as 'careful' about picking produce as the Mr, nor are they as apt to do substitutions or check with mother-in-law about things that could be substituted, so. MIL decided she wasn't as happy with that grocery option, and the Mr is ok with it, as he's finally learned the layout of the store.)

Poll #23946

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 27

View Respondents

Haircuts?

View Answers

OMG I NEED ONE
8 (29.6%)

Eh, I'm good
8 (29.6%)

I've been cutting my hair forever so NBD
2 (7.4%)

I don't cut my hair. Ever. I'm like Rapunzel.
2 (7.4%)

I don't have hair -or- I shave my head so I'm fine
1 (3.7%)

I've decided I'm growing it out
3 (11.1%)

A cut - or lack of one - is no big deal but THE COLOR OMG
2 (7.4%)

TICKYBOX
14 (51.9%)

Current Mood: blah

Hello, darlings!

Yesterday's poll had plenty of beverages to go around, and many of you like tea! SO today's poll is all tea-related. (Many of you ALSO liked Adult Beverages, so that one may be forthcoming...:D)

Poll #23908

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 24

View Respondents

Tea?

View Answers

Black
20 (83.3%)

Green
11 (45.8%)

White
6 (25.0%)

EEEEUGH, tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice
2 (8.3%)

No Tea
1 (4.2%)

TICKYBOX
11 (45.8%)

How do you like your tea?

View Answers

Hot
22 (91.7%)

Iced
11 (45.8%)

Sweet
7 (29.2%)

No sweet
9 (37.5%)

Flavored (vanilla, Earl Grey, peach, etc)
9 (37.5%)

Straight up, no flavors
8 (33.3%)

SPICY
4 (16.7%)

Milk
8 (33.3%)

No Milk
7 (29.2%)

Sweet/Milk/Flavored depends on whether hot or iced
7 (29.2%)

TICKYBOX
11 (45.8%)

ANYWAY. Today is much like yesterday, in terms of what we're doing with ourselves. Heh. It's gray and rainy-ish outside, though, so there's that. I ended up mentally taking the afternoon off yesterday -- I read a long fanfic at my work computer, so my family thinks I was working. :P SO today I am having online office hours, and I'm Actually Doing the Grading -- I should be able to get two things crossed off my Canvas 'to-do' list for Research Methods by lunchtime.

I have found myself watching most of Stephen Colbert's The Late Show on YouTube every night -- I end up watching just early enough that I am watching the previous day's episode, and I rarely watch all of the segments, but several of them. They're OK to have on while knitting! Although I get more clips of the Orange Menace than I really want to be exposed to, so that's a drawback. The problem is I want something I can have on while I knit, but it can't be TOO absorbing (because then I won't knit) or TOO terrible (we tried VelociPastor, and it was SO BAD it was actually hilarious for a little while, but then I was just like, I CAN'T) or TOO boring (because then I'll fall asleep, which is especially dangerous with knitting in one's hands because there's a bunch of 'live' stitches that can slip off needles and disaster can strike; crocheting is more forgiving if you fall asleep with it, because there's only ever one 'live' stitch so losing it is much easier to fix).

Anybody got any suggestions for mostly-ignorable-but-still-kinda-OK entertainment? Maybe I should get back into podcasts...

Current Mood: nerdy

HELLO DARLINGS

Yes, it is Wednesday. I went out to our local Walmart for a (smallish) supply run this morning, and I have been back and sitting here at my workstation mostly thinking about how much I don't really want to do all the grading I have in my to-do list on Canvas. :|

Not much is exciting here, honestly -- I'm working on finishing a shawl so I can join a knit-along starting on May 1 (I am going to need the needles I'm using now!), and I'm also wanting to place an order for some fabric that I don't actually need but I really like. I haven't sent my

handmade2handmade gift yet, although it's very near to done (just needs a good block, so I will do that tonight and figure out the click-n-ship).

Z has a list on the fridge of pretty much ALL the Disney animated movies and is engaging in a Disney-watch-a-thon this spring/summer. So we've been making good use of our Disney+ subscription, and may I say, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is an underrated gem, and Kida deserves to be part of the Disney Princess lineup.

And today Z is finding surface area of geometric shapes for her math assignment -- she has pointed out how tedious it is but she says it's ALSO really kinda fun, so she's enjoying working on her math problems right now. MY KID. :D

( Cut for university budget talk and other pandemic thoughts... )

ANYWAY!

Poll #23887

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 19

View Respondents

Care for a beverage?

View Answers

Coffee plz
3 (15.8%)

Tea plz
8 (42.1%)

Juice plz
3 (15.8%)

Milk plz
1 (5.3%)

Water plz
3 (15.8%)

Adult beverage plz
8 (42.1%)

Sodapop plz
6 (31.6%)

OK, maybe another adult beverage plz
7 (36.8%)

I'm not actually thirsty right now thx
1 (5.3%)

except maybe for the BEAUTIFUL PERSON I will tell you about below
2 (10.5%)

TICKYBOX
7 (36.8%)

Current Mood: indifferent

Ya'll, it's Tuesday, even if you're not actually keeping track. I still have to, because I'm Actually Working. And today I have a department meeting over the WebEx, so that should be interesting.

This morning we are having cake for breakfast: I made a one-bowl pound cake recipe from the New York Times, and it has been delicious. :D Although the recipe said 'add a dash of vanilla, or almond, or brandy, if you like' so I was like, OK I'll add vanilla AND almond, and I kind of feel like the almond extract overtook the whole flavor. SO CLEARLY I need to make it again! To perfect it!

( And here I cut while I blather about groceries, and the getting thereof, and making masks... )

Poll #23780

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 14

View Respondents

Conversation with my coworkers today:

View Answers

How much do private islands cost?
3 (21.4%)

Private islands are probably good during a zombie apocalypse, right?
3 (21.4%)

We'll probably have to learn about sustainable agriculture, huh
5 (35.7%)

No we don't, we can just go into the nearest town and steal their food
2 (14.3%)

Did you forget about the zombie apocalypse?
2 (14.3%)

There are no more beans in a zombie apocalypse
1 (7.1%)

We are going to have to learn to grow our own beans
3 (21.4%)

Nah, we can use our jet ski, which is land-adaptable, and go pillage for food
2 (14.3%)

TICKYBOX
10 (71.4%)

Current Mood: aggravated

Poll #23759

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

View Respondents

Friday?

View Answers

More like FRI-YAY
4 (20.0%)

ugh, really?
2 (10.0%)

who even knows what day it is anymore
16 (80.0%)

TICKYBOX
12 (60.0%)

Hello, lovelies!

Yes, it is apparently Friday, and the Perspi household is doing all right with our isolation, I think -- ( and here we cut for deets )

And lastly: I know I mentioned thinking about making masks for my family, and I think I'm going to, but this IG post sums up pretty perfectly a lot of the reasons I've been reluctant, with way more articulation than I could have managed. If you'd asked me it was more, "I hate it."

The dog and I had sunshine for our post-lunch walk today, it was glorious. :D

Current Mood: restless

Who knew we needed to beware not just the ides but the whole fucking month of March?!?

ANYWAY, HI, everybody!

Today was grocery day, and I've been consuming news in only fairly small doses but given the newest info I'm considering also making a few masks for the Mr and I to wear when we do go out. In our small community (and the small-town grocery store we went to in the next town over, still very nice but not quite as big as the one in the nearby small city), I rarely see people wearing masks when outside, although that may start to change. I think it would likely make people give us a wide berth!

Also, today Z was done with schoolwork by 11 AM, and I had two advisee phone conversations and a videoconference meeting. So it wasn't awful, but I haven't gotten much work done today, either. I'm going to try and get one thing done yet before I call it a DAY for work. I did start some bread in our bread machine after lunch, and it's now baking and making the house smell GREAT. Plus the sun has finally come out today, so that is CHEERFUL, damn it.

Poll #23747

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15

View Respondents

April Fools?

View Answers

not this year what the fuck
8 (53.3%)

plz show me good-natured pranks only
5 (33.3%)

prank 'em if ya got 'em
1 (6.7%)

no! pranks! til Brooklyn!
1 (6.7%)

TICKYBOX NO FOOL
9 (60.0%)

Current Mood: chipper

Hello, loves!

I am just *tickled* by all the Dramatic Bitch channeling we did in yesterday's poll, and I apologize for the things I forgot -- most especially the Billowy Swirly Coat of Awesome (made of leather optional). Clearly Dramatic Bitches require voluminous garments to swirl and swish properly (which perhaps explains why my brain interprets Nick Fury as a Dramatic Bitch, but Natasha Romanov not so much; nothing about her outfit is swishy).

A number of us also thought a holster of some kind was necessary to our Dramatic Bitch outfit, which is where today's poll question comes in:

Poll #23697

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 24

View Respondents

If you were to wear a holster, what would you need it for?

View Answers

sword
6 (25.0%)

axe
1 (4.2%)

knife
8 (33.3%)

gun
4 (16.7%)

phone
4 (16.7%)

snacks
8 (33.3%)

scissors
5 (20.8%)

pens
8 (33.3%)

camera
3 (12.5%)

grenades
7 (29.2%)

umbrella
0 (0.0%)

walking stick
2 (8.3%)

bold of you to assume I'd only have ONE holster
16 (66.7%)

TICKYBOX
11 (45.8%)

( And for today's pandemic journaling... )

It's a gray day outside today -- it's always better when it's sunny! Yesterday afternoon we did have some sunshine, and Z even came walking with me and the dog and Grandma (who lives next door and I've been walking with regularly; Grandma needs to be reminded to maintain distance, though).

So, back to work with me! I hope y'all have the beverages you require to get you through the day today!

Current Mood: gray

Good morning, loves!

I don't know where my week went, honestly! OK, I kind of do, but it doesn't feel much like I have A) had my spring break, and B) like I've gotten very far on my classes this week. But actually, now that I take stock, I think I'm farther than I'd given myself credit for. ( And behind the cut: Perspi family news, and being safer-at-home, in case you're tired of seeing such thoughts... )

This week, our family is re-watching the Lord of the Rings extended editions during and after dinner. So far we're up to Theoden and company leaving Edoras. :D And I haven't made much progress on any of my crafty projects, and I really want to, because the next knit project I have in my queue is a shlanket: A really big-ass shawl, and I really like wearing them! I'm currently wearing my biggest and coziest (but not quite the softest) shawl draped over my shoulders, and whenever I do that I feel like a particularly Dramatic Bitch.

Poll #23690

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 19

View Respondents

When you want to feel like a Dramatic Bitch, what item of clothing would you reach for? (It doesn't matter if you own it or not, imagine you're in the Tardis closet and can wear whatever. Sidenote: everyone can be a Dramatic Bitch if they want. Yes, even you.)

View Answers

A veil
1 (5.3%)

A corset
4 (21.1%)

Tall boots (high heels/platforms)
5 (26.3%)

Tall boots (shanks go up the leg; maybe knee-high, maybe thigh-high)
7 (36.8%)

A sweeping cape
12 (63.2%)

A shawl to drape over my shoulders
0 (0.0%)

A poufy-sleeved blouse
2 (10.5%)

As long as a holster is part of the outfit, I'm good
4 (21.1%)

A crown
1 (5.3%)

You didn't think of the Right Dramatic Bitch Wear for me; I will tell you where you went wrong in the comments
4 (21.1%)

TICKYBOX
9 (47.4%)

Current Mood: dramatic

Poll #23644

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15

View Respondents

What news from the Mark?

View Answers

Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of MORDOR
2 (13.3%)

I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm
1 (6.7%)

If you want him, come and claim him
0 (0.0%)

Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east!
2 (13.3%)

Ride out with me: Ride out and meet them
1 (6.7%)

FOR DEATH AND GLORY
3 (20.0%)

um, perspi, some of these aren't from the Mark
5 (33.3%)

TICKYBOX
12 (80.0%)

Hello, loves!

( Today's deets and thoughts! )

Today I am going to try my best to stay away from the news -- I read some this morning, and the John Oliver's Last Week Tonight on YouTube last night was really good but I think I need to step away from the coverage for a bit. Because I REALLY need to get moving on my Actual Work: I have Social Psych mostly planned in terms of the steps I need to take, so I should be able to make headway on that class today. Maybe the breaks will be planning out my other two classes.

But I'm also keen on thinking, we DO have spring break until March 29, so there really isn't a rush to finish everything. So my plan is to do some time in my sewing room today, too.

And the dog is certainly glad we're all home!

Current Mood: okay

Poll #23635

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

View Respondents

Ahoy!

View Answers

AYE AYE (an officer is in the boat)
3 (13.6%)

NO NO (no officer here)
0 (0.0%)

What news from the Mark?
9 (40.9%)

*raises hot beverage in greeting*
6 (27.3%)

Hail and well met
10 (45.5%)

*glomps*
5 (22.7%)

perspi, c'mon now
1 (4.5%)

TICKYBOX
17 (77.3%)

Hello, loves! It's a beautifully sunny day today, and I have plans to take the dog walking out in it, but that's the extent of my outside time!

( For this St Patty's Day, we drink at home! )

Current Mood: good

HELLO DARLINGS

The sky is a weird blue color today, and there's something SUPER BRIGHT hanging in it that also makes shadows on the ground, IDK IT'S KIND OF AMAZING

And I have just one class in the afternoon today, which I'm looking forward to, and the morning will be spent on doing stuff for my 1-credit online class and getting some lecture notes up for a different class, and maybe some data analysis. MY LIFE SO FUN HAH

ANYWAY. Welcome, y'all! I have hot and cold beverages for everyone -- the benefit of internet beverages is they're EXACTLY the way you like them, all the time! -- and I hope your days are treating you well. I didn't watch the Big Sportsball and Commercial Extravaganza (I mostly worked on a Tunisian crochet wrap while watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), so: If there's something you saw and think I should also go see, feel free to comment below! :D

Poll #23380

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 19

View Respondents

Can you have too many projects in-process? -- asking for a friend

View Answers

YES -- there is such a thing as too many plates spinning, too many balls in the air, too much going on at once
8 (42.1%)

NO -- starting projects is fun! and sometimes they like to hibernate, or age like fine wine
8 (42.1%)

I don't understand the question
1 (5.3%)

I don't think you're asking for a friend
12 (63.2%)

have you heard of Project Starters Anonymous?
4 (21.1%)

tickybox
12 (63.2%)

I...may have wound some yarn over the weekend, and really kind of want to start something in my queue. My current knit has hit the lacy part, requiring concentration, so maybe it isn't the best thing to carry with me everywhere anymore?

Current Mood: peaceful

Hi all!

I'm sneaking in between classes because I see that Nightdog hasn't yet posted a morning coffeeklatsch, so I'm jumping in. I've had some caffeine and a pretty decent class already today, so I'm looking forward to the next one and then, oh, then, I will be free until a meeting at 2. And I have lots to do, but it won't be such a bad time doing it, so. Yay?

In other news, I'm wearing my floral Chuck Taylors today (go, Dr. Perspi!) and I'm supremely comfortable. It's amazing how much better you feel when your feet are happy. *g*

Current Mood: chipper

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perspicacious

wind soup and rabbit tracks: it's what's for dinner

Entries tagged with from the ivory tower

WTF Y'ALL

Tuesday and no meetings

Tuesday and my motivation is shot

Thursday AHOY!

Wednesday?

Tuesday!!

Hello, Friday!

So it's like, April now? Has March finally ended?

Embracing our inner Dramatic Bitches

How the fuck is it Wednesday already?

Wednesday!

Tuesday!

and just like that, it's Monday again

Morning!

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