Blurring boundaries

When I stepped down from administrative work to resume full-time teaching this year, I made a decision that I would no longer deal with email during evenings and weekends. I pretty much stuck to that during the fall semester, and I felt liberated. I still had school work to do at home, but I made sure that when I was doing my school work I didn't have Facebook and Twitter windows open at the same time. So even when work happened at home, I made sure I was completely "at work" while I was doing it. (Heck, I even would wear a school t-shirt to remind myself of what I was supposed to be doing!)

Maintaining boundaries was difficult to adjust to, but once I did, it was freeing. I was able to compartmentalize things in my life in ways that allowed me to feel more productive and accomplished in each area. I began to feel more balanced, and when I was thinking about any particular area of my life, I was once again feeling engaged and energized and accomplished--instead of flustered and constantly behind.

Recently, however, I've been experiencing a blurring of boundaries. Naturally, I blame Scott Walker. So much of my personal time has been directed to engaging in conversations about state political issues--and since the budget repair bill and the proposed budget affect both my work and my compensation, it's been harder to maintain these boundaries.  Like many of my colleagues, I spent most of February and March distracted and angry while at work. It was sometimes hard to look at students and not wonder, "Are you against me?" It was hard to read student papers from home while sitting at the same table where I sit to pay bills and balance the checkbook.

As one of my beloved colleagues retires, I am also experiencing the fluidity of boundaries. I am personally very sad that she is retiring. (I'm thrilled for her, but very sad for what her absence will mean for the campus and the department and simply for the value of being in the presence of her strength and wisdom.) My colleagues and I have been discussing the various ways we might celebrate her time with us as she moves on to her next phase of life. Unfortunately for me and my intentions, much of this conversation has been happening via email outside of daytime working hours.

Now, I have no issues with someone sending email at odd times. I've certainly done my share of sending emails at 4 am, in the middle of summer, deep into January snowdays, and so forth. Because much of academic life takes place at home, during the times that work within our own individual lives, I respect this. The fact that I am choosing to honor boundaries in my life does not mean that I think everyone else should be doing the same thing. But I am seeing decisions get made during these odd times. During Spring Break, when some of my colleagues were on a much-needed break from all things work-related, people were making decisions about how to acknowledge my colleague's retirement. This past weekend (Easter weekend, when I was out of town to visit family), emails were being sent about another department activity.

All I ask is that people be given an opportunity to adhere to work/life boundaries if they choose--and that decisions not be made when classes are not in session. Feel free to discuss and share ideas during off-times--but don't make decisions until everyone has had a reasonable opportunity (as in, during the teaching day)  to make their voices heard. I am feeling so frustrated right now, and I am getting very snarky. Most work-related decisions do not need to be made within 24-48 hours, and I feel resentful when it seems that am behind my colleagues' expectations simply because I am trying to strive for balance in my life.

Deep fried chaos

Amidst all the political chaos of the state and the effects that has on my life, a new chaos has been introduced to my life: my sons' joy of deep frying.

I blame my husband, who bought the deep fryer years ago and came up with the idea of pulling it out of storage last week to make french fries.

Then, late one afternoon, I heard my sons having an animated and enthusiastic conversation in the kitchen.  They informed me that I should stay out of the kitchen while they experimented with the deep fryer. I was told I just couldn't handle what they hadgoing on in there--and they were right. On the deep frying list: cheese, fries, doritos, and bacon. They then dug through the fridge to see what else could be deep fried.

They made disparaging comments about me for not having the deep fryer out every night as a central component of all food preparation.

Over the past few days, I have witnessed more french fries than I could stand, multiple attempts at deep frying bacon, deep fried hot dogs, corn dogs, and, just for fun, ice cream (that one didn't work so well).
The deep fryer has taken up residence on my kitchen counter. Oil splatters are everywhere. My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe card that had been left on the counter now has a permanent oil coating.

I walk into the kitchen and roll my eyes. At the same time, though, my heart is warmed. At 16 and almost 19 (this week!), the days when my sons will be together to concoct a kitchen mess are numbered. I am reminded that when I hear them, it means they are in my home.

I'll have lots of years to clean up the kitchen after they're gone. For now, I'll enjoy their chaos and mess. And the french fries.

What If Scott Was One of Us (#wiunion)

It needs some work, but sing this to "If God Was One of Us."
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If Scott felt some shame, what would it be
And would you throw it in his face
If you were faced with him at a press conferences
What would you ask if you had just one question

And yeah yeah Scott’s not great yeah yeah Scott’s not good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if Scott was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the train
Trying to stay in his home

If Scott had some grace what would it look like
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to agree
In things like corporate tax breaks and the trough and job creation

And yeah yeah Scott’s not great yeah yeah Scott’s not good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if Scott was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the train
Trying to stay in his home
He’s trying to take over the state
Back up to Madison
Only Koch is calling on the phone
Except for the Fitzwalkers in the dome

And yeah yeah Scott’s not great yeah yeah Scott’s not good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if Scott was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the train
Trying to stay in his home
Like a brick wall on his own
He’s trying to take over the state
Back up to Madison
Only Koch is calling on the phone
Except for the Fitzwalkers in the dome