Spring appears to have taken up residence around these parts. Despite waking to a snow-covered tableau last week, the winter snow is long gone, and while this region has historically gotten blasted with snow in May and even June, I would be very surprised if that were to happen in a year that has been unusually warm thus far, and it's getting warmer.
The lawn has turned green and is already due for its second mowing of the year. The daffodils are getting near the end of their bloom. Trees have started leafing out, and buds are swelling on the lilac, the rhododendrons, the magnolia, and other shrubs.
So what's so cruel about April? Meet me on the other side of the jump to find out.
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I suppose I could get all existential and stuff and say that April (or the season of spring in general) fills one with false hope, a la T. S. Eliot. But that's way too high-minded, not at all what I have in mind. No, from my point of view, the cruelty of April has to do with where it sits in the academic calendar: immediately before the end of the spring semester. Work comes pouring in, and I barely have time to pee. This week in particular, I feel as though I have been beaten about the head. If it weren't for the caffeine, I probably wouldn't be conscious at all.
On Monday, in addition to my normal teaching, I had to prepare assessment reports for the administration, which is preparing for re-accreditation. On Tuesday, after two consecutive three-hour lectures, and with a three-hour lab to follow, it occurred to me that maybe I'm getting too old for this. Unfortunately, I still have at least a dozen years before retirement. And so I soldier on.
I've been teacjhing now for 20 years, and for all of the years before that, going back to the age of 5, I was a student. So I should be used to this. Nonetheless, it seems unfair that just as the natural world is waking up from its winter sleep, large loads of work come pouring in and it's impossiblle to enjoy the season very much. I know, I know, I chose to be in the profession of education, and the spring crush comes with the territory. And I reallly should emphasize that I do enjoy my work, a lot. It's just that this is one disadvantageous aspect of my profession that annoys me from one year to the next.
I do look forward to the day when I can give spring the full attention is deserves.
And now...on to the comments!
TOP MOJO
April 18, 2012
(excluding Tip Jars and first comments)
Got mik!
1) Horrible ... and by bleeding heart — 144
2) It is heartbreaking by Siri — 143
3) Why AlJazeera, and not MSM? by tacklelady — 142
4) ... by Pluto — 113
5) AAAAND He shit his pants to get out of Vietnam by TarantinoDork — 108
6) Mitt is perfectly comfortable with animals caked by lineatus — 107
7) So, you're baby sitting today? by SpecialKinFlag — 105
8) I have sworn off all seafood, between by importer — 103
9) Thank you for your service and for calling out by parsonsbeach — 103
10) it's all about HOW you persuade! by G2geek — 94
11) Thanks for posting this by frankzappatista — 91
12) Someone gave us a pony by kkmd — 91
13) Stay at home dad here by Sun dog — 80
14) Any campaign that has to compare... by alaprst — 77
15) Well. He's just another libertarian sociopath by Fickle — 75
16) Gulf Watchers now posts a diary on alternate by rubyr — 74
17) Look who runs ads on the evening news by Ammo Hauler — 72
18) More info on by BOHICA — 72
19) Being a loving, nurturing parent is by moose67 — 71
20) Since Corexit by snoopydawg — 71
21) With out the oceans, by skyounkin — 70
22) And Ric Danko as well by Creosote — 69
23) Dear GOP, by Cedwyn — 69
24) I welcome this... by Jacoby Jonze — 68
25) I always hated when guys said they were by Freakinout daily — 68
26) yes, and worse than that: by G2geek — 67
27) Look at that. by psilocynic — 67
28) Good question by Siri — 66
29) Who knew Corexit was so toxic? by TheOrchid — 65
30) As an atheist, I suggest we retire calling good by cai — 64
31) Can't Rec this Diary by luvsathoroughbred — 64
32) ALEC supports transparent, accountable government? by elwior — 64
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TOP PHOTOS
April 18, 2012
Enjoy jotter's wonderful PictureQuilt™ below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment that features that photo. Have fun, Kossacks!
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