Day 59-Governor Newsom imposes new restrictions

Grilling at B.’s house…

1/13/21. Wednesday.

9:30-10:00 – I’m up and I go downstairs to greet the dog.  No accidents today!  We go outside and she goes potty right away.  Back inside – more rotten chicken but the dog is none the worse for wear. Coffee for me.  Did I mention that a belated Xmas present from L. arrived last week?  It’s a high-tech travel mug that keeps my coffee hot for HOURS!!  Previously, I was constantly heating my coffee in the microwave as the morning unfolded – I guess I drink my coffee slowly.  I really don’t like cold coffee so my work flow was repeatedly interrupted.  The travel mug was L.’s idea and it’s a game changer!  I love it.

10:00-12:00 – Upstairs with my coffee and I read The Beauty in Breaking.

12:00-2:00 – I update my blog.

2:00-3:00 – I really have to check email at both colleges, especially College No. 1. The first week of school is important because students have questions or want Add Codes so they can crash my classes. I’m actually trying to find a student who wants to add Specialty Class 1A because the OSD student I referenced in Monday’s blog dropped.

Karma’s a bitch! I spent most of that post trashing that student, but now the entire class is under threat of collapse because his withdrawal reduced the class size to 19, or one student below the requisite cap.  Yesterday, I sent a quick email blast to the students in Specialty Class 1A telling them I have extra space and to let their friends know, but there have been no responses thus far.  If this class folds, it’s an $800 per month hit.

BUT…good news!  A lone student is interested in crashing the class.  I give her an Add Code and create a sense of urgency by telling her to crash the class as soon as possible.  In reality, I need to reach the magic number (20) before Week 3, when the Census is taken – if it wasn’t for the Census, I could care less when she adds.

I respond to some student emails from College No. 1 then switch to College No. 2, just to see what’s going on. TBH, I feel like this is an exercise in futility because I’m positive my classes will be canceled. HOWEVER, I’m enrolled in an online Distance Education certification program through College No. 2 and I’m afraid I’ll be booted out of the program if my contract isn’t renewed at College No. 2.  There is a real sense of urgency to complete this program before my classes are canceled – I need that DE certificate.

Not much is going on with College No. 2 – it’s Winter Intersession right now so it’s quiet.  At College No. 1, we’re actually in spring semester, and things are hopping.

3:00-4:00 – I turn my home office into a home gym by pulling down my treadmill.  Then, I do a 1-hr HIIT speed walking app, maxing out at 4.1 miles per hour. I read The Beauty through most of the app.

4:00-5:15 – Shower. Spa Day. Jeans and a long-sleeved top.  Light make-up and I take out my braids.

5:15-5:45 – I add onions, shallots, carrots, zuchinni, eggs, and olive oil to 2 lbs of ground turkey and make turkey burgers. I put everything in Tupperware then load the turkey burgers, tomorrow’s breakfast, my overnight bag, etc. into my car.

6:00 – I leave for B.’s house.

6:30-8:00 – Cocktail Hour!!!  and B. has purchased an excellent bottle of Cava that I really, really like!  B. has a Tennessee Honey Jack Daniels with 7-up, i.e., the classic 7&7.  We talk politics until it is time to start grilling.

8:00 – 12:00 - B. grills the turkey burgers and does a masterful job – they taste amazing!  He purchased potato salad from Stonefire Grill and also bought barbecued beans.  It’s a great spread and I have seconds of everything.  We watch a couple episodes of The Wilds while we eat.  

-OMG – we completed Season 1.  That last episode was a nail-biter! I hope there’s a Season 2.

12:00-12:30 – Night time routine. Bed.