It's been a rather long November, all told . . . From the time spent obsessing with the waning days of the presidential campaign to . . . well the time spent now obsessing with the transition process (I admit it, I'm a political junkie--did you know that Bobby Jindal is in Iowa THIS WEEK?!?! '12 here we come!!), it's been quite an engaging and often exhausting month.
Let's take a moment and evaluate some of the past few weeks:
It seems that I've lost obscene amounts of the past few weeks in meetings, I'm sure it was all for the greater good and will pay off in the end (unfortunately, there's a lot of meetings yet to come between now and pay-off time). Strategic Planning at Simmons is moving ahead and I'm quite excited to be working with Carol Bonner on it.
I gave it the College Try and completed my assignments for my Communications Technologies class early for the semester (that's why I've been avoiding posting to the blog, right? too much communications technologies for one boy!). My grand assignment was to write a paper on the attributes, future, and impact of direct mail. Yes, Direct Mail. Call me a geek, but I got into the topic a bit too much and found it a bit too interesting. But it's over, so onward to the next thing.
The New England Archivists held their Fall meeting a Simmons in the middle of November, a weekend that coincided with an Undergraduate Admissions Open House. Somehow, we coordinated 250 archivists with 330 prospective students and family members and made it through unscathed and successful. I like to think that the past year of planning on my part paid off, but I think it was more the good luck of having some properly aligned stars somewhere far away.
I read The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano. I'm still reeling in amazement from the experience. The minute I finished it, I wanted to re-read it. And from someone who likes to tear through books and move on (just like he collects friends on Facebook), that's saying something.
I've registered for a Poetry Workshop in the Spring Semester with Afaa Weaver and am looking forward to writing on-demand again, having realized that hoping for inspiration without deadline doesn't really work for me.
And as I type this, Simmons is slowing down to silent for the Thanksgiving holiday break. Speaking for myself and every single soul I encounter--from faculty, staff, student, to administrator--the 5 or so days off are much needed. Then a few more weeks and the semester break happens. My husband and I are busy making plans for a weekend in New York in December, then the holidays.
Which brings me to: as the uncle of two adorable kids, I'm entrusted with the mighty responsibility of buying toys. What do 9-month old boys like (his sister is two years older so he has all of her toys, which means he has EVERYTHING)? Trucks, I was told, trucks. Any other ideas are very welcome.
More in a couple weeks! Cheers.
Let's take a moment and evaluate some of the past few weeks:
It seems that I've lost obscene amounts of the past few weeks in meetings, I'm sure it was all for the greater good and will pay off in the end (unfortunately, there's a lot of meetings yet to come between now and pay-off time). Strategic Planning at Simmons is moving ahead and I'm quite excited to be working with Carol Bonner on it.
I gave it the College Try and completed my assignments for my Communications Technologies class early for the semester (that's why I've been avoiding posting to the blog, right? too much communications technologies for one boy!). My grand assignment was to write a paper on the attributes, future, and impact of direct mail. Yes, Direct Mail. Call me a geek, but I got into the topic a bit too much and found it a bit too interesting. But it's over, so onward to the next thing.
The New England Archivists held their Fall meeting a Simmons in the middle of November, a weekend that coincided with an Undergraduate Admissions Open House. Somehow, we coordinated 250 archivists with 330 prospective students and family members and made it through unscathed and successful. I like to think that the past year of planning on my part paid off, but I think it was more the good luck of having some properly aligned stars somewhere far away.
I read The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano. I'm still reeling in amazement from the experience. The minute I finished it, I wanted to re-read it. And from someone who likes to tear through books and move on (just like he collects friends on Facebook), that's saying something.
I've registered for a Poetry Workshop in the Spring Semester with Afaa Weaver and am looking forward to writing on-demand again, having realized that hoping for inspiration without deadline doesn't really work for me.
And as I type this, Simmons is slowing down to silent for the Thanksgiving holiday break. Speaking for myself and every single soul I encounter--from faculty, staff, student, to administrator--the 5 or so days off are much needed. Then a few more weeks and the semester break happens. My husband and I are busy making plans for a weekend in New York in December, then the holidays.
Which brings me to: as the uncle of two adorable kids, I'm entrusted with the mighty responsibility of buying toys. What do 9-month old boys like (his sister is two years older so he has all of her toys, which means he has EVERYTHING)? Trucks, I was told, trucks. Any other ideas are very welcome.
More in a couple weeks! Cheers.
Hi Jason,
I had an idea for your nephew...
I too have a 2 yr old who I have to buy for this holiday season. I really hate buying toys, so I decided I'm going to get her 3 piggy banks. One for savings, one for spending, and one for giving. I'm hoping I can be one of the people in her life who can talk to her about the importance of philanthropy and giving.
I know this is a heavy idea for a 2 yr. old, but I thought it's good to start early!