Day 27-Governor Newsom rescinds restrictions. Outdoor dining reinstated!

Updating my Canvas classes at College No. 2…

2/20/21. Saturday.

8:00 – L. leaves for work.  I hear the garage door open and close.  I go back to sleep.

9:30–10:00 - Up and I listen to What a Day before going downstairs to greet the animal.  She’s awake and running around downstairs, playing with a tennis ball.  She likes to bounce it, then chase it…meaning she carries it in her mouth then twists her neck to throw it up in the air so it will land and bounce.  Then, she chases it and repeats the process.  It’s comical to watch. When the dog sees me, she jumps on the ottoman and rolls over on her back so I can rub her tummy three times.  Then, she grabs her toy and out we go.

I can’t be certain, but I have the sneaking suspicion that L. did NOT take the dog out this morning.  Instead, it looks like L. made a smoothie and left.

The dog does her business on the red rock.  I still don’t get it -this can’t be a comfortable place to go potty.  More bird chasing. Back inside and rotten chicken for her, coffee for me.

10:00-11:30 – Blog posts.

11:30-12:30 – I read Strung Out and have two Girl Scout cookies.

12:30-2:30 – I’m being evaluated this semester at College No. 2, which actually means I’m being audited. Since I’m taking this DE course, my two Canvas shells should reflect everything I’ve learned thus far and…they don’t.  I simply have not had the energy to make the changes to the course content in accordance with the DE guidelines...BUT, I absolutely have to if I want to 1) pass my evaluation; 2) continue to teach at College No. 2; 3) move all  my classes online someday.

The first thing I have to do is record a “Welcome” video which means I have to get ready for my ‘debut.’ Shower. Wash hair. Facial treatment. Lotion. Blow dry and curl hair.  I put on a pink fuchsia business blouse and coordinating jewelry [yoga pants on the bottom] and now it’s time to spackle on the make-up, using my trowel. False eyelashes are included. I listen to Air Talk.

2:30-4:00 – Finally done, I’m now exhausted and want to go back to bed. Instead, I report to my office. It’s time to record and I make several attempts at the “Welcome” video (around 20) before I’m somewhat (not really) satisfied. L. can airdrop it into my Canvas shell when she gets home.

4:00-5:00 – Famished.  I have the corn and red peppers I slapped together the other day and read Strung Out.

5:00-6:30 – My previous DE assignment involved creating a “Home Page” for Specialty Class 1A at College No. 1.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a Home Page for my Core Classes at College No. 2, where I’m actually being evaluated.  I’m still waiting for the Anonymous Grader’s comments on the Home Page assignment I submitted Friday night so I’m not entirely sure if it passes muster; HOWEVER, I know what to do now so I create a Home Page for my two classes in accordance with Professor W’s specifications.  The “Home Page” has to include a “Welcome” letter with specific information, per Professor W., so I make sure I hit all the criteria. I leave a space for the “Welcome” video, which L. will load later.  Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the “Home Page.”  I really want this evaluation to go well.

6:30-7:15 – I take the dog for a walk. I listen to Organize 365.

7:15 –8:00- I leave for CVS.  Although I bought all of my toiletries for 2021 in December, I forgot mascara, of all things, and I ran out of tampons. I also get gas.

8:30-9:30 – Yard work. I pick up the dog poop and sweep.  Then, I hose down the Astroturf and water all of my plants.  I also trim some of the dead leaves from the potted plants. I listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour featuring the video Nomadland.  It sounds interesting and I’d like to read the book, too.

9:30-10:00 - L. resurfaces. Immediately after work, L. reported to the Wood Ranch Restaurant for R.’s sister’s birthday.  The family [6 members] were seated at a table – outdoor dining, of course.  L. arrived and joined them.  Then, waitstaff told the family that this was in violation of Public Health Order blah, blah, blah and the family would have to sit at two separate tables. Isn’t this a bit much?  Here’s where the letter of the law overtakes the spirit of the law.  ONE extra person?  L., R., and his uncle are relegated to their own table but L. said it worked out and was still fun.  Meanwhile, in violation of Public Health Order blah, blah, blah, Alchemy continues to blast their three big screens outside.  I can watch TV from my car when I’m sitting at a signal.

L. brings home a pulled-pork sandwich that she says is “up for grabs.” Cool.

10:00-10:30 – L. drops my “Welcome” video into my Canvas shells for College No. 2.  The “Home Page” is complete.

10:30 – 3:00 – Now, in accordance with Professor W’s DE guidelines, I need to prepare a “description and instructions” for every Chapter Review Quiz, Video Quiz, and Podcast Quiz that I’ve assigned to my students, because I’m being audited.  There are approximately 30 quizzes.  Once the “intro” is posted, I also need to copy it into the Canvas shell for my second class at College No. 2.   I had to do a similar exercise for my DE class and the Anonymous Grader gave me full credit on the assignment so I know what to do and how to follow the guidelines, but…damn… this takes forever! I finally finish. I listen to a 2-part documentary from the BBC entitled Portland, prisons, and white supremacy. B. recommended this and it was fascinating.

I cut a small section from L.’s pulled pork sandwich and have it for dinner.

3:00-4:00 – Classes at College No. 2 are now up-to-date and current in conjunction with my progress in the DE course.  Night time routine. Bed. I leave the kitchen in disarray.