Hello, Friday morning!

I'm this close to having a break. This close. Next weekend is *gasp* a five-day weekend, followed by day of showing a really cool TV show in class. So that's really six days off, I tell ya. In a row.

I just accepted my fifth class for next semester. Is that crazed? I've been teaching the 4/4 load for awhile, and I've taught all these before but one... and it will mean a good money semester, because two of the classes are well paid.

Honestly? I realized that if I took this one-night-a-week course, I could pay back a lot of credit card debt next semester, and even have the occasional dinner out.

Fall is also an easier semester in some ways, because the date for Thanksgiving break is set in stone (unlike Spring break). Rather than having a day off here, and a day off there (here a day, there a day, everywhere a day day?) it's a single vacation period for all schools... er, much like Easter, I guess. Except, longer. I know many schools have a shorter "fall break" as well, about halfway through the semester, but for some reason it's always not on days when I teach.

Anyway, wish me luck on the rescheduling I'm shooting for... I'm trying to get two of my classes scheduled for MW, which would mean a pretty intense four-day schedule, but no Friday class.

Mood: bad to evil

Why can moods change on a dime? I was feeling pretty good about today in general - prepared for my night class, a bit behind on grading but close to being caught up, well-rested - and suddenly I'm just feeling... evil. Like, in such a bad mood that I could happily throw and break things.

Part of it is that I can't work out my TV components, which is just plain silly. Months ago, Mr. Squirrel tried to "fix something" by rearranging the cords between the DVR, DVD, VCR and TV. Ever since then, the whole system has been messed up, but it's such a pain in the ass to get behind the TV that I haven't bothered to fix it. Now, when I really wanted to copy something from the DVR to a VHS tape for class, I can't. And I spent 1/2 hour trying to crawl over, around, and under things to fix it, and it didn't help.

Arrrrrrggghhhhhh!!!

Other than that, things are just fine, I guess. I still have to write a paper for a rapidly approaching conference, and straighten out my funding for it (so that I can actually go!)... and I have a book review to write by Friday that I keep meaning to start...

Sigh. I think the lack of a "real" Spring Break makes things worse. I certainly could have used a full week off, I tell you.

Later, update: mood improving. May need more coffee.

Though I'm disappointed that nothing interesting came in the mail, today, I'm feeling slightly better after a shower and some Hollywood Babylon ("glittering Egyptian amber and heliotrope, infused with the sweetness of strawberry and vanilla - dragged into debauch by lusty red musk and a dribble of black cherry"). It's sweet, but not sticky-sweet.

Have made a 4-day To Do List, which looks utterly horrible but can probably be accomplished. I have stopped trying to grade more than 10-15 papers in one sitting, so there are multiple "grade papers" periods throughout these four days.

I may let my class out early tonight. I keep saying this - I've said it every night this semester - but I really may do it this time.

Today, I am wearing Lilith, of the BPAL Excolo blends.

Oh my goodness. I loved this in the bottle, although it smelled very sweet. On me, it's no longer sweet... it's rather very spicy and wine-like, with an afterthought of caramel.

I seriously want to lick my wrist, right now.

I'm feeling a desire to do some Spring cleaning. Not house-wise (have already started that) but for the body.

Problem is, this is very not me. As in, I have no idea where to start.

I've thought about just going for an organic veggie/brown rice week -- if I make a kick ass vegetable soup this weekend, I'd be more likely to do that. I make a good lentil stew, too.

It just feels like... damn. I have some bad habits, and I need to break them.

Monday.

I might have sort of failed to do anything productive this weekend.

Okay, "might have" is an understatement.

I have a stack of papers that didn't get graded (erk), a dissertation chapter that didn't get looked at (eek), and a bunch of "Firefly" episodes that didn't get watched (damn).

However, it's Monday. One of my three schools is on break this week, which makes me pretty happy. Also, along with DST came some warmer weather, and so my goal of "getting ass out of house" is looking quite possible. I plan to take a walk.

Also, last week I very definitely did not stick to the "no beer on weekdays" plan. If I can't be better about separating "done with work for the day" from "weekend," there might have to be (gasp) a total and complete ban on beer for awhile.

Mmmmm.... Oils.....

After reading Buzz's latest post about BPAL, I had to buy some imp's ears.

I picked all six from the Bewitching Brews...
Bewitched: Deep, luscious green and berry scents that evoke images of woodland witchcraft and the raw power of nature: blackberry, sage, green tea, wild berries and dark musk.
Chimera: The fiery, volatile scent of cinnamon, thickened by myrrh, honeysuckle, and copal.
Dee: soft English leather, rosewood and tonka with a hint of incense, parchment and soft woods.
Intrigue: Black palm, with cocoa, fig and shadowy wooded notes.
Lurid: black currant, Bulgarian lavender and white musk with a dollop of thick resin and a voltaic charge of ozone notes.
Morgause: A bouquet of five night-blooming flowers deepened by dusky violet, purple fruits and the barest breath of medieval incenses.

I probably should try some Proserpine. Actually, I'm going to have a hard time not trying almost everything here. This is probably why I had the site bookmarked but refused to go back there??? I also sorta want a t-shirt, but the one I really want is sold out. I saw it and suddenly thought "wow, that would be really interesting under my far-too-conservative black suit!" I may now have to go with this one instead.

something completely different

(a no-whining post)

Last week, I noticed a new version of Robin Hood on BBC America. I am a sucker for Robin Hood shows of any kind, and so I watched. It wasn't outstanding, but I'm willing to give it a chance (which means it's on the DVR list until further notice).

I was reminded, though, of a series on (I think?) Showtime when I was younger. It was Robin Hood, but it was a bit dark and eerie, and I loved it. As it turns out, this version was what I was remembering, and I have to laugh, now, at the pagan bits in it.

Is it really any wonder I ended up where I have, when that was the stuff I watched as a kid? I know my favorite books as a kid were by Ruth Chew...

On an even lighter note (see? I'm really trying, here!) I have a Firefly/Serenity weekend planned. My upcoming conference (not Big Damn Conference) paper is about this series and the film, so I must spend the weekend watching all the episodes, the commentaries, the film, and the film commentary.

Darn.