The Fora: A Higher Education Community

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: polly_mer on May 20, 2019, 07:03:27 PM

Title: The Venting Thread
Post by: polly_mer on May 20, 2019, 07:03:27 PM
You know you have complaints.  Go ahead and vent here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mystictechgal on May 20, 2019, 09:22:37 PM
My 96yo friend was recovering beautifully from the hip replacement surgery he had two weeks ago — that's after recovering completely from his broken neck (C-1). Then he tried to walk to the car to go to lunch using the standard-issue, small wheel, aluminum walker they insist you use after hip replacement surgery. (I gather that they fear that the larger-wheeled up-grade walkers will get away from them.)

His walker caught on an uneven patch of sidewalk at his graduated living facility. (He has one of their condos.) It pitched forward, he went backward, breaking the femur on his recently replaced hip. He spent 3 hours in surgery where they reassembled his femur and wrapped it in heavy-grade piano wire half-way down his thigh and replaced the hip shaft with a longer one; he had to receive 3 units of blood and spent 3 days in the hospital (as opposed to going home — to his own home — the day following the initial replacement surgery.

He now has a UTI, which has affected his electrolyte balance and has made him confused, and is living in the rehabilitation wing of his facility. Grrrr.

The facility claims that they always re-level their sidewalks after the winter [achoo]bullshit[/achoo] — this one was "undoubtedly on the list". They have also spray painted all uneven spots bright yellow (but haven't actually fixed any of them).

My friend is blaming himself. His daughter, also my friend, who was with him at the time, is blaming herself. I'm just royally PISSED OFF on their behalf. This sucks and it isn't the fault of either one of them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 21, 2019, 01:39:10 AM
I'm very sorry for all involved.

There are just so many ways in which that's not fair.

Hoping for a full uneventful further recovery, and for the center to indeed fix its sidewalks.

It's  May, right? Winter's been over, more or less, for awhile, now. You'd think they'd be all over the frost-heaved sidewalk panels issue, it's predictable, easily fixed, and a clear means to the avoidance of a lawsuit....ahem.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hoopyfrood on May 22, 2019, 09:28:08 AM
Arrrrgggh.  A member of the department has filed an official complaint against another member.  I was asked to be interviewed by an external investigator as my name came up in the complaint as someone who has been affected.  And during the interview it turns out the person making the complaint just lied her butt off about things that I have said.  I had no idea she thought these things about the department and me.  Why are the people at my institution so determined to act like my kids (who act like toddlers despite their ages)?  Can't they use their words and just sort things out like adults are supposed to be able to do?  (Oh wait, we're academics with the social adeptness of mayflies)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 22, 2019, 11:11:22 AM
Quote from: mystictechgal on May 20, 2019, 09:22:37 PM
My 96yo friend was recovering beautifully from the hip replacement surgery he had two weeks ago — that's after recovering completely from his broken neck (C-1). Then he tried to walk to the car to go to lunch using the standard-issue, small wheel, aluminum walker they insist you use after hip replacement surgery. (I gather that they fear that the larger-wheeled up-grade walkers will get away from them.)

His walker caught on an uneven patch of sidewalk at his graduated living facility. (He has one of their condos.) It pitched forward, he went backward, breaking the femur on his recently replaced hip. He spent 3 hours in surgery where they reassembled his femur and wrapped it in heavy-grade piano wire half-way down his thigh and replaced the hip shaft with a longer one; he had to receive 3 units of blood and spent 3 days in the hospital (as opposed to going home — to his own home — the day following the initial replacement surgery.

He now has a UTI, which has affected his electrolyte balance and has made him confused, and is living in the rehabilitation wing of his facility. Grrrr.

The facility claims that they always re-level their sidewalks after the winter [achoo]bullshit[/achoo] — this one was "undoubtedly on the list". They have also spray painted all uneven spots bright yellow (but haven't actually fixed any of them).

My friend is blaming himself. His daughter, also my friend, who was with him at the time, is blaming herself. I'm just royally PISSED OFF on their behalf. This sucks and it isn't the fault of either one of them.

That's so, so awful, and I'm so sorry for your friend.

FWIW, my stepbrother had an accident that left him quadriplegic a few years ago. One of the things we all learned, during that process, was that it's apparently easier for people to cope with these kinds of accidents when they're plausibly contruable as being at fault (even if it's not actually true); apparently, it's the people who are straight-up victims of misfortune who have the hardest time. I don't know whether it's true, but from what I saw it seems like it at least holds some water. So... hopefully, your friend's morale will improve without too many hiccups, and perhaps the current feelings of self-blame aren't as harmful as they first appear.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on June 03, 2019, 08:10:57 AM
I've been sick with allergy- and sinus-related problems since early March. When the HELL will it stop??
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 03, 2019, 04:43:38 PM
Um....October?

<ducks and hides>

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 15, 2019, 02:56:36 PM
I have just discovered that my institution only conducts student course evaluations for some classes. *facepalm*

I mean, I know that they're not especially good or trustworthy. And we do have regular peer evaluations. But... if we have student evaluations at all, then I'd like to be able to compare things for a given course over time. And if for whatever reason I need to seek another job, I'm going to need recent course evaluations. Sigh.

Guess I'll just conduct them myself, then, and find the time to crunch the numbers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: polly_mer on June 15, 2019, 05:44:57 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 15, 2019, 02:56:36 PM
Guess I'll just conduct them myself, then, and find the time to crunch the numbers.

Is there any way to volunteer your courses to be on the administered list every time?  Sort of an opt-in to ensure that the institution has a representative sample every term.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on June 15, 2019, 06:01:28 PM
In my search to try to find out how to make the forum's minimum font larger on my computer, I discovered that Safari no longer has a minimum font size setting like it used to. My options are now zoom or the computer glasses I had purchased for work (where the font is tiny and my eyes were dying). I do not mind getting older. I strongly object to having to wear glasses.

I've never needed glasses before this year. Now I wear them at work. I can deal. But needing them for the fora is a step too far.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: polly_mer on June 15, 2019, 06:09:37 PM
Quote from: bioteacher on June 15, 2019, 06:01:28 PM
In my search to try to find out how to make the forum's minimum font larger on my computer, I discovered that Safari no longer has a minimum font size setting like it used to. My options are now zoom

Can you not leave the zoom at something good like 150% for a given page?  That's what I have and it seems to work.

I sympathize with not wanting to wear glasses.  I was talked into getting progressives a few years ago and I dislike them immensely because nothing is ever in focus so I keep tilting my head and moving the glasses up and down my face. 

I'm thinking about going to another eye doctor and getting true bifocals or trifocals.  When I was a kid, I had bifocals and they were great.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on June 16, 2019, 07:50:34 PM
I can, Polly, I just don't want to. I want 20/20 vision w/o glasses or fiddling with settings for different pages.

My vent: the weekend is over. I have to rot my brain in the job from hell tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on June 23, 2019, 03:06:57 PM
For various reasons, I just want to throw things, at multiple people.  Large things.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 23, 2019, 03:43:12 PM
Quote from: histchick on June 23, 2019, 03:06:57 PM
For various reasons, I just want to throw things, at multiple people.  Large things.

Would you like help painting a target?

I just want to take a turn with a few of the large things, too....and I almost never feel this way...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on June 23, 2019, 05:09:03 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 23, 2019, 03:43:12 PM
Quote from: histchick on June 23, 2019, 03:06:57 PM
For various reasons, I just want to throw things, at multiple people.  Large things.

Would you like help painting a target?

I just want to take a turn with a few of the large things, too....and I almost never feel this way...

M.

I would LOVE it!  Feel free to incorporate your choice of paint colors! 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 23, 2019, 05:15:42 PM
Gladly.

I've been propping up a situation that isn't likely to last much longer, and I'm getting tired of it. It also looks as if I'll be washed out with the tide if it goes, so I'm scrambling now to do CV and resume updates on my various online sites, and to start thinking about how nimble I can be if things go as they look like they could.

So...let's see....RED for rage at the center (because...well, just because)...and maybe GREEN next because it's the complementary opposite so it will make the strongest contrast...and...I dunno...what do you suggest for tier three??

And do we need a couple of whetstones to sharpen the darts on? Or how do you sharpen darts?

Boy, didn't think I was this mad, but apparently the imagaic options brings it out...!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 24, 2019, 07:02:42 AM
So... to turn in my final grades, i have to:


And because it's the summer session, I have one day (today) to do it, rather than the usual two weeks. Sigh. I wonder if anyone will even be around.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 24, 2019, 07:19:54 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 24, 2019, 07:02:42 AM
So... to turn in my final grades, i have to:


  • Manually enter them into an online form that's not part of the regular CMS. (Fine, that's not entirely unusual, apart from the manual part.)
  • Fill out one of those exam booklets and have a colleague counter-sign it. (!)

And because it's the summer session, I have one day (today) to do it, rather than the usual two weeks. Sigh. I wonder if anyone will even be around.

#2 seems cruel and unusual. The one day deadline is the kind of thing that would lead me to put the final exam 2 weeks before the end of the session.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 24, 2019, 11:40:18 AM
Just did it. Not only did I have to list every assignment and grade for each student, but the final grades list is alphabetized differently from what Moodle gives me. So... major hubting and pecking.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 24, 2019, 12:43:59 PM
Is "hubting" something only Parasaurolophi do?

   ,<...ducks and runs...>

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on June 25, 2019, 08:16:15 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 23, 2019, 05:15:42 PM

So...let's see....RED for rage at the center (because...well, just because)...and maybe GREEN next because it's the complementary opposite so it will make the strongest contrast...and...I dunno...what do you suggest for tier three??

And do we need a couple of whetstones to sharpen the darts on? Or how do you sharpen darts?

Superduperspecial Snowflake Opaque Paint (works for students, administrators, and and other doofuses we encounter!) As for the darts, I'm thinking that a Swiss Army Knife can do anything, but I will defer to those  with more experience in such matters. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 25, 2019, 08:24:50 AM
Definitely need that paint for my Ex. Dir. right now.

He's trying to paddle up two creeks at once and wants me to navigate.

I'm bailing (all meanings intended...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bbmaj7b5 on June 26, 2019, 03:41:33 PM
I was asked to approve a proposal in routing on which I am a co-PI. Budget was suddenly very different than what I had agreed to. A few tense emails later, all was set to right. This made me think of all the other times I just sort of approved stuff.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 26, 2019, 04:46:58 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 24, 2019, 12:43:59 PM
Is "hubting" something only Parasaurolophi do?

   ,<...ducks and runs...>

M.

Avakyrwkt!

(Absolutely!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: drbrt on June 26, 2019, 07:57:15 PM
I somehow was allowed to book an insanely short layover on tomorrow's international flight and thunderstorms are forecast. Now I have to get up at the crack of dawn to get on standby for earlier connecting flights. Self, you really need to stop doing this to yourself. Flying is stressful enough without help.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 27, 2019, 05:17:09 AM
Quote from: drbrt on June 26, 2019, 07:57:15 PM
I somehow was allowed to book an insanely short layover on tomorrow's international flight and thunderstorms are forecast. Now I have to get up at the crack of dawn to get on standby for earlier connecting flights. Self, you really need to stop doing this to yourself. Flying is stressful enough without help.

I didn't know you could do that. Good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: drbrt on June 27, 2019, 05:45:42 AM
Quote from: downer on June 27, 2019, 05:17:09 AM
Quote from: drbrt on June 26, 2019, 07:57:15 PM
I somehow was allowed to book an insanely short layover on tomorrow's international flight and thunderstorms are forecast. Now I have to get up at the crack of dawn to get on standby for earlier connecting flights. Self, you really need to stop doing this to yourself. Flying is stressful enough without help.

I didn't know you could do that. Good luck!
Oh, there's a fee to do it, but I'm not risking a 56 minute layover on an international flight through Atlanta if I don't have to. I'm mostly mad I didn't notice when I booked. I didn't pay enough attention to the minutes and thought I had a more reasonable two hours. I got on a better connecting flight. Hanging out at Atlanta all afternoon but that's better than missing my flight.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on June 27, 2019, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: drbrt on June 27, 2019, 05:45:42 AM
Quote from: downer on June 27, 2019, 05:17:09 AM
Quote from: drbrt on June 26, 2019, 07:57:15 PM
I somehow was allowed to book an insanely short layover on tomorrow's international flight and thunderstorms are forecast. Now I have to get up at the crack of dawn to get on standby for earlier connecting flights. Self, you really need to stop doing this to yourself. Flying is stressful enough without help.

I didn't know you could do that. Good luck!
Oh, there's a fee to do it, but I'm not risking a 56 minute layover on an international flight through Atlanta if I don't have to. I'm mostly mad I didn't notice when I booked. I didn't pay enough attention to the minutes and thought I had a more reasonable two hours. I got on a better connecting flight. Hanging out at Atlanta all afternoon but that's better than missing my flight.

As they say down here, "To get to Hell, one must first change planes in Hartsfield-Jackson." 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on June 27, 2019, 11:28:38 AM
Toys whose use requires supervision by a responsible adult.  What is this world coming to?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on June 30, 2019, 06:50:50 PM
Dear Neighbors,

It is Sunday, June 30th. Some of us have to be up at O-Dark-Thirty to go to our jobs. We do NOT need your fireworks. It is not a holiday. Tomorrow is not a holiday, either. There is no reason to subject all of the neighborhood to the sound of things that go BOOM and KABAM. Many veterans, housepets, and groups of wildlife find the noise alarming and traumatizing. Leave it to the professionals.

I say this as a parent to a pair of kids (one nineteen) who will be permitted to watch their father set off some very low-level stuff in the driveway, during daylight, with proper eye protection and fire safety gear in hand on July 4th. None of it will be very noisy. None of it will pose a disruption to sleep.

Thank you,
The Grumpy Old Lady

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: drbrt on July 01, 2019, 05:19:46 AM
Self,

Before you get the brilliant idea to just buy lenses for your iPhone to save the bulk of a camera on safari, double check with the tour guide that iPhones are allowed on game drives. The time to find out about this fact was not when you arrived at base camp.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on July 01, 2019, 03:06:50 PM
Spousal unit, 19 year old progeny, 15 year old progeny:
WTF?

I staggered out of bed at O Dark Thirty and put raw beast into the crock pot. I added the necessary ingredients to make one of your favorite dishes. ALL you had to do was make rice. That's it. You were home all day, aside from some errands. THREE people at home, all of them perfectly capable and actually experienced in the absurdly difficult task of making a pot of rice.

Spousal unit just came inside from taking out the trash and said, "I just noticed the crock pot on the counter."

SERIOUSLY? Are you all congested to the point of no sense of smell? Can you not SEE that device taking up most of the limited working space we have in our small kitchen? Returning from said errands should have ensured you hit a wall of goodness when you opened the front door and realized dinner was in progress.

I am tempted to take all of the leftovers to work tomorrow to hide in the work fridge. I got three fracking hours of sleep and am not a happy camper right now. 

... stomps off to check the rice. (Biokids are at Magic the Gathering game night, so they are out of range of my wrath for the moment. My displeasure was already made clear to them, however. )
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on July 02, 2019, 05:02:45 AM
I sent in my tax forms, properly filled out and signed and everything. IRS just sent them backing, saying that we need an ''original signature''. Dude, that was an original signature! Just because I didn't bother printing the forms in color doesn't mean the whole thing was a photocopy! I'm tempted to sign the replacement copy with bright pink or something, just to make a point.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on July 15, 2019, 01:03:54 PM
A cricket in the attic woke me at 5:00 a.m. today.

I could swear . . .




[continuing with the sentence <grin>]



. . . that it moved around while we went looking for it.

Enough that if we were in the front room, it sounded as though it was about 60 feet long and on the porch, and if we then walked to the back bedroom, it sounded as though it was the same size and sitting on our cars (our parking spots are just behind our back bedroom).

Zreep zreep! Zreep zreep! Of course, it echoed throughout the house. (Why do such small things make so much noise??)

I'm hoping the high temps in our attic over the next few days will (ahem!) solve the noise problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 15, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
Whelp. It's confirmed: that "full-time" job is, in fact, sessional work. And not even very much of it, in the end.

At least I didn't turn anything down for it. Back to the alt-ac drawing board, then. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 16, 2019, 07:41:19 AM
Ouch. Sorry that has happened.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Scout on August 15, 2019, 08:03:13 AM
My spouse is traveling so I'm on my own. Our elderly dog, who is developing dementia and symptoms of sundowning, did not sleep all last night. This was after an extremely long day of opening week activities. Woke up exhausted, fed the animals, walked the dog. Went to leave for a morning meeting.

Our new house has a door to the garage that you can open from the inside, but it's still really locked. I went to my car and realized I forgot my purse. Of course the door was locked. We have a back 4 season room with an unlocked screen door. Hoping that I had forgotten to lock the door from the porch to the house, I headed there. No good. That was locked.

I have done this so many times, but managed to to luck out (a spare key was in the garage, the backdoor was open etc).

Not today.

Waited an hour for a locksmith.

Missed my morning meeting. And now that everyone's back, coming in at 9:30 means that parking is grind.

Went to print something very important I need this morning and the printer is dead.

Off to Title IX training. Whee.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 15, 2019, 09:11:04 AM
Well--maybe the only thing to say is that you hope you've had all the bad news you had to look forward to in one fell swoop....??

Or maybe not...just so as not to be seeming to put a Pollyanna touch on things...

-=-=-=-=

My vent/wish I could say/can't figure out what else to say that I haven't already said...:

This conference you want to do STILL doesn't have a room, or a set agenda, or the backing of the people you said were going to back it, OR the backing of the group we represent...and we do NOT have the funds to assist with it as we you had promised.

We need to BACK OUT now....not keep going.

Some people just can't seem to tell the difference between heroism and stupidity, and I'm getting tired of being the canary in the mine pointing out that we've hit the "stupid" side of the dial....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 15, 2019, 09:35:49 AM
Someone asks for a book to be sent to them but does not give their address.
I ask for the address and they give it.
I arrange for the book to be sent.
I tell the person I have arranged for the book to be sent.
They write back saying that they won't be there for 3 months.

I refrain from writing back "are you fucking serious?"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: LibbyG on August 15, 2019, 10:49:52 AM
Dear president, provost, and dean,

Please accept my warm invitation for coffee so that you three can get acquainted. Apparently you don't know each other. Why else, in the last two years, would ALL THREE OF YOU add all-but-mandatory re-education professional development sessions, each one four-six hours long, in the week before classes start?

Don't get me wrong. I love, with the heat of a thousand suns, those exercises that reveal to me with rapturous revelation what kind of leader I am. I'll laugh, I'll cry, I'll never be the same. And those table-by-table summaries of break-out discussion! I must stop talking about it, lest I audibly groan with pleasure.

But, y'know, maybe I should be at my desk instead? Fielding calls from students needing last-minute scheduling changes and, I dunno, prepping my own classes?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on August 15, 2019, 12:52:04 PM
LibbyG, that is truly Hall of Fame worthy!  Just added.

So eloquent, so true.

Thank you and congrats on your entry into the Hall of Fame.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 15, 2019, 01:56:21 PM
I was thinking the same thing!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on August 15, 2019, 02:32:04 PM
Quote from: LibbyG on August 15, 2019, 10:49:52 AM
Dear president, provost, and dean,

Please accept my warm invitation for coffee so that you three can get acquainted. Apparently you don't know each other. Why else, in the last two years, would ALL THREE OF YOU add all-but-mandatory re-education professional development sessions, each one four-six hours long, in the week before classes start?

Don't get me wrong. I love, with the heat of a thousand suns, those exercises that reveal to me with rapturous revelation what kind of leader I am. I'll laugh, I'll cry, I'll never be the same. And those table-by-table summaries of break-out discussion! I must stop talking about it, lest I audibly groan with pleasure.

But, y'know, maybe I should be at my desk instead? Fielding calls from students needing last-minute scheduling changes and, I dunno, prepping my own classes?

There's a McSweeney piece in there somewhere.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: LibbyG on August 16, 2019, 06:25:38 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on August 15, 2019, 12:52:04 PM
LibbyG, that is truly Hall of Fame worthy!  Just added.

So eloquent, so true.

Thank you and congrats on your entry into the Hall of Fame.

Aw, thanks! My years of lurking have paid off. And this one only costs me 14 hours of professional development!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 16, 2019, 12:02:52 PM
The univesity email is broken, which makes it hard to do some of the things I set out to do (and actually felt like doing). Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 19, 2019, 10:44:35 PM
Dear editorial assistants,

Anonymizing my paper does not necessarily require me to remove all mentions of my name. It's true, I cite another paper of mine for corroborating evidence. But I did so third-personally, as I would and do invoke anyone (and everyone) else in my paper. I could easily have cited it as [redacted for review], as you suggest I do, but I judged that doing so would compromise review, because it's obvious which paper is being cited (hint: it's the only other one on this topic in our whole discipline). So, you know. Worth a thought.

Your zealousness does you credit, but you are wrong. Nonetheless, I've now resubmitted it as you instructed.


Yours,
-[redacted for review]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 27, 2019, 06:05:27 AM
Linked In, you're a useful pain at times, but has it ever occurred to anyone there that there might be a REASON I don't want to be linked to, congratulate, or otherwise associate with certain former co-workers?

One was a make-work fluffernutter, on was actively dangerous, and one was a well-meaning, clueless idiot who didn't back me up when they could have, and made me decide I didn't need the cachet of writing for them after all.

Oh and that other one? A true raspberry-filled flakeypuff who smiled and spoke inanities that set ones teeth on edge.

So, no. Please just stop suggesting them.

I even hit "Ignore," and you still drag them back before my eyes.

Just. Stop. Now. Please!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 28, 2019, 10:59:22 PM
Mmm--raspberry-filled flakeypuff. Want.

Or rather, I would want if I could taste it. Right now I have the tail end of a cold that a student gave to me. She asked for a meeting, and then marched into teeny office, announced she'd been in bed the previous day, and could barely speak as a result, and then proceeded to sit right next to me for an hour and breathe on me. And now I'm sick.

My colds always last the same amount of time from beginning to end (about a week), with an odd break in the middle. For a really bad cold, the break is short---half a day or so, between the time my throat stops hurting and my nose stuffs up. With this cold, my throat stopped hurting on Sunday, and then on Wednesday my nose stuffed up. I really hate that mid-cold break. It always lulls me into thinking I've fought off the infection (how funny--this time I didn't get a stuffy nose!), and then I always get worse again with the remainder of the symptoms.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 31, 2019, 12:13:58 PM
The 90 minutes I spent on documenting the plagiarism in a Comp I student's first paper* this morning could have been spent grading 7-8 other students' papers, and I could have been all done by now.  Yes, I know:  if I weren't here on the fora, I could be done already, too.  Don't get all logical with me.  I'm grumpy.

*No, I don't usually pursue plagiarism charges on a first paper, either in Comp I or II; I usually give a stern talking to, record a zero, and hope to scare the hell out of the writer. 

In this case, though, the guy lost those considerations.  He clearly knows everything and tried to teach the class each of the the first three days. (That finally stopped after I took him aside--for the third time!--after the third class and and explained, essentially, that if he didn't STFU and settle down, I was taking him to see the dean so she could meet him before she'd come in to observe him teaching the next two class meetings while I sat in the back corner).

That, plus the fact that all but 16 words of his 523-word paper was copied verbatim from two extremely crappy websites, made me feel less than generous. Oh, and the paper he gave me was poorly written, poorly organized, vague. . . and an explanation of the S.M.A.R.T. decision-making technique used in business. 

Did I mention that the assignment was to write an informal personal plan for succeeding in my class, complete with four specific questions that need to be answered (What do you expect to get out of this class?  How will you reach that goal? What are bad habits affecting your academic work and how will you break those? What will you do if you struggle in the class?)

Other than that, what he submitted--and what I still need to do another 30 minutes'-worth of documentation on-- was just dandy.

--Sorry.  I'll stop now, and finish those last few papers.  (I told you I'm grumpy.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on August 31, 2019, 01:49:43 PM
AmLitHist, it sounds like you have earned a pitcher of Dear Ladies. Free refills, too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on September 01, 2019, 02:11:43 PM
First world problem? Yes. But changing my bed today raised my blood pressure. My less than 2 year old cotton sheets are now worn thin to the point where there are holes. It's in the area where my feet are. This is the second or third time I've had this happen in recent years, coinciding with my switch to 100% cottons sheets. I prefer the all cotton. But seriously, king size bed sheets are not cheap! And going online to figure out why this is happening is not helpful. All I find is ten gazillion articles on how to choose better sheets for your budget.
All I want are sheets that are soft, last a long time, free of polyester, and cost less than my mortgage.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 01, 2019, 10:26:46 PM
I'm ready to start writing the final chapter of my manuscript.  But I can't get going, because I'm in the middle of an arthritis flare-up.  Even sitting for any length of time hurts badly. 

I'm mid-career, so in no way under the gun with a publication deadline.  But still . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 02, 2019, 04:39:21 AM
Very sorry to hear of the arthritis issues.

A friend incapacitated by serious RMI in her wrists "wrote" her whole diss. on DragonSys (voice-activated software; you could even stroll around the room, or stand, if sitting were painful)

I think they (then, anyway) used to have a discount for issues related to physical disability. The learning center at one campus I worked at also had people who helped faculty with such issues; I wonder if they might be able to help?

Very painful in any case; again, my best thoughts to you.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 02, 2019, 01:07:31 PM
Thanks, mamselle!  I appreciate the good wishes and the advice.  I'll check this out with IT soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 03, 2019, 02:20:14 PM
Really, Administration?!  The day before classes start was the day to hand down suspensions for ongoing investigations?  I have to staff those classes you fools!

And no heads up?  A complaint was made in MAY and you didn't act until today, but you also didn't tell us in advance.  Thanks.

And it wasn't just me.  You handed down four today that I know of.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on September 03, 2019, 05:06:17 PM
Quote from: bioteacher on September 01, 2019, 02:11:43 PM
First world problem? Yes. But changing my bed today raised my blood pressure. My less than 2 year old cotton sheets are now worn thin to the point where there are holes. It's in the area where my feet are. This is the second or third time I've had this happen in recent years, coinciding with my switch to 100% cottons sheets. I prefer the all cotton. But seriously, king size bed sheets are not cheap! And going online to figure out why this is happening is not helpful. All I find is ten gazillion articles on how to choose better sheets for your budget.
All I want are sheets that are soft, last a long time, free of polyester, and cost less than my mortgage.

Are they equally worn top and bottom? If not, try rotating to make them last longer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on September 04, 2019, 07:23:41 AM
Quote from: bioteacher on September 01, 2019, 02:11:43 PM
First world problem? Yes. But changing my bed today raised my blood pressure. My less than 2 year old cotton sheets are now worn thin to the point where there are holes. It's in the area where my feet are. This is the second or third time I've had this happen in recent years, coinciding with my switch to 100% cottons sheets. I prefer the all cotton. But seriously, king size bed sheets are not cheap! And going online to figure out why this is happening is not helpful. All I find is ten gazillion articles on how to choose better sheets for your budget.
All I want are sheets that are soft, last a long time, free of polyester, and cost less than my mortgage.

Would you please 'name and shame' the inferior brands?  My decade-plus old flannel sheets are finally wearing out and, since Sears bought and ruined Lands End, I'm at a loss to know where to find equivalent quality.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 04, 2019, 08:16:46 AM
Apropos of nothing above...

OK, this is not the fun it once was.

I'm either going to retire, move to France, or get another job.

Maybe all of the above.

Actually, that nice French pharma is hiring...

Hmm....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on September 04, 2019, 09:22:26 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on September 04, 2019, 07:23:41 AM
Quote from: bioteacher on September 01, 2019, 02:11:43 PM
First world problem? Yes. But changing my bed today raised my blood pressure. My less than 2 year old cotton sheets are now worn thin to the point where there are holes. It's in the area where my feet are. This is the second or third time I've had this happen in recent years, coinciding with my switch to 100% cottons sheets. I prefer the all cotton. But seriously, king size bed sheets are not cheap! And going online to figure out why this is happening is not helpful. All I find is ten gazillion articles on how to choose better sheets for your budget.
All I want are sheets that are soft, last a long time, free of polyester, and cost less than my mortgage.

Would you please 'name and shame' the inferior brands?  My decade-plus old flannel sheets are finally wearing out and, since Sears bought and ruined Lands End, I'm at a loss to know where to find equivalent quality.

We splurged on some super-expensive sheets 3 years ago and they are already worn out - holes, rips, etc. Is that a reasonable lifetime for sheets?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on September 04, 2019, 10:42:55 AM
Hiccups. That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 04, 2019, 05:35:31 PM
Dean sends out memo with IMPORTANT INFO highlighted in the subject line.

The memo says that sometimes classes are moved to different rooms and faculty should check where their classes are. And that sometimes the roster changes in the first weeks.

I'll be ignoring the next "important" email from this dean.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on September 04, 2019, 06:43:14 PM
I'm using sheets from Kohls, and those are all in-house brands. It's the fitted sheets that are wearing... I am not wrestling with flat sheets on a king mattress.
I'm getting 2 years at most out of them, which is unacceptable. Poly-cotton sheets from the past have lasted me a decade at least. I understand that eliminating synthetics can affect the life span, but the money I'm putting into these makes the short lifespan unacceptable.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on September 05, 2019, 05:13:56 AM
I have Calvin Klein 100% cotton sheets that I bought at Macy's when we lived in Big City--so they must be around eleven or twelve years old by now.  They've been great, but now the elastic at the corners of the fitted sheets is beginning to lose its stretchiness, and they're fading.  To say I've been pleased with them would be an understatement.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:22:17 AM
If it's any consolation, there's an18th or 19th c. diary (can't recall the citation at the moment, sorry!) that refers to the process of turning sheets this way:

Sheets= 2 halves stitched together along the BF/CG seam thus:

        A‐--------------‐-----------B   C--------------------------D
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          |                               |   |                               |
        E----------------------------F  G--------------------------H

This was, at some regular interval, probably every 2-3 years, reversed, with the central seam ripped out and the  AE/DH edges joined and seamed instead.

Gave the sheets longer life and probably addressed the issue you're seeing.

M.










Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on September 05, 2019, 07:42:44 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:22:17 AM
If it's any consolation, there's an18th or 19th c. diary (can't recall the citation at the moment, sorry!) that refers to the process of turning sheets this way:

Sheets= 2 halves stitched together along the BF/CG seam thus:

        A‐--------------‐-----------B   C--------------------------D
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          |                               |   |                               |
        E----------------------------F  G--------------------------H

This was, at some regular interval, probably every 2-3 years, reversed, with the central seam ripped out and the  AE/DH edges joined and seamed instead.

Gave the sheets longer life and probably addressed the issue you're seeing.

M.

A sewing machine would cost more than new sheets.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on September 05, 2019, 07:50:52 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on September 05, 2019, 07:42:44 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:22:17 AM
If it's any consolation, there's an18th or 19th c. diary (can't recall the citation at the moment, sorry!) that refers to the process of turning sheets this way:

Sheets= 2 halves stitched together along the BF/CG seam thus:

        A‐--------------‐-----------B   C--------------------------D
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          |                               |   |                               |
        E----------------------------F  G--------------------------H

This was, at some regular interval, probably every 2-3 years, reversed, with the central seam ripped out and the  AE/DH edges joined and seamed instead.

Gave the sheets longer life and probably addressed the issue you're seeing.

M.

A sewing machine would cost more than new sheets.

I'm sure that with a little practice you could do the sewing by hand in less time than it would take to walk to the store to buy new ones!

<ducks quickly and skurries off>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on September 05, 2019, 08:17:58 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on September 05, 2019, 07:50:52 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on September 05, 2019, 07:42:44 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:22:17 AM
If it's any consolation, there's an18th or 19th c. diary (can't recall the citation at the moment, sorry!) that refers to the process of turning sheets this way:

Sheets= 2 halves stitched together along the BF/CG seam thus:

        A‐--------------‐-----------B   C--------------------------D
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          |                               |   |                               |
        E----------------------------F  G--------------------------H

This was, at some regular interval, probably every 2-3 years, reversed, with the central seam ripped out and the  AE/DH edges joined and seamed instead.

Gave the sheets longer life and probably addressed the issue you're seeing.

M.

A sewing machine would cost more than new sheets.

I'm sure that with a little practice you could do the sewing by hand in less time than it would take to walk to the store to buy new ones!

<ducks quickly and skurries off>

I'll take my covered wagon to the dry goods store for a new spinning wheel while my husband picks the cotton.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 10:56:02 AM
Actually, yes, it would take less than a half-hour to do the sewing by hand.

And the amount of labor/time/available thread/spinning expertise to make the cloth was the reason the turnings were done to begin with.

I was just teaching a child to spin wool last Saturday, and he covered all the relevant questions as well: How much wool did it take for a good, warm winter coat or cape? How long to spin it? Would you knit, crochet, or weave it? How long would it last?

I was impressed that an 8-year-old had that much insight into the process of cloth-making.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lillipat on September 05, 2019, 11:40:29 AM
My mother used to turn sheets that way, and after a while she'd patch sheets to deal with the worn-out-where-the feet-are issue.  And no, we weren't particularly impoverished, and while the patched areas were noticeable, she took great care to use a fairly large patch and secure the loose, frayed, and torn places to the patch and not leave openings for unconscious feet to rip further holes.  (I have not continued her practice. I use the sound sections of the fitted sheets as muslins for costume patterns. Costs just as much as anyone else to buy the new sheet, but at least they get a second life.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Scout on September 05, 2019, 01:11:55 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:22:17 AM
If it's any consolation, there's an18th or 19th c. diary (can't recall the citation at the moment, sorry!) that refers to the process of turning sheets this way:

Sheets= 2 halves stitched together along the BF/CG seam thus:

        A‐--------------‐-----------B   C--------------------------D
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          |                               |   |                               |
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          ¿                              ¿  ¿                              ¿
          |                               |   |                               |
        E----------------------------F  G--------------------------H

This was, at some regular interval, probably every 2-3 years, reversed, with the central seam ripped out and the  AE/DH edges joined and seamed instead.

Gave the sheets longer life and probably addressed the issue you're seeing.

M.


I remember reading this in some book- maybe Little House on the Prairie, or Little Women, or some such. Driving me bonkers that I can't recall the book.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 01:39:44 PM
I know, same here.

I don't recall it from Wilder's books, though it could have been described in that era as well....it was a longstanding practice.

I was thinking one of the diaries I've read, maybe Anna Green Winslow's---but now I'm thinking earlier than that.

It might have been much earlier, in fact...if you're thinking historical fiction/nonfiction, it might have been mentioned in one of Penniman's books; she's fairly detailed about domestic issues.

Or...maybe the Sister Frevisse books?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on September 05, 2019, 04:42:46 PM
I have a sewing machine but am as of yet unwilling to patch sheets that should not be falling apart this quickly. I am heading to my mom's tomorrow for a long weekend of sewing and "girl time" but I am not mending my sheets. The fabric was too narrow to fit a mattresses, which is why Laura stressed the need to get the stitching done well so the sheer would lie flat. I am not going to make my own king size sheets for the same reason. I just want to buy quality to start with.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2019, 06:02:41 PM
Sorry--I wasn't saying you had to, just ruminating on how long it's been a problem!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 06, 2019, 07:53:46 AM
Logging in to my email takes me to Moodle... eLearn... instead. Argh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 06, 2019, 08:39:28 AM
Unrelated to anything above....

So, in June you send a long, excited email asking if I'll be part of an upcoming program.

Yes, I'd be glad to.

Three months go by, and I've forgotten about it.

Then, last week, you ask if I'm still interested.

Well, yeah, maybe...but when and what exactly do you want?

Oh, in October? I have major amounts of nonsense going on in October....what day, what time?

If I'm prepping a whole program, it has to start now.

No, something else?

Well...what?

You want to meet...but when?

I give times; no reply.

If this isn't settled today, I can't...too much else going on.

Town historical societies can be great....or awful..

This one's shaping up to the latter, and it's too bad because I'd actually be very glad to do follow up work on the spring article I just wrote, even doing a more extensive study of the whole burying ground (with several very early stones that appear to have gone unstudied).

La vie...c'est toujours qqchose!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Scout on September 06, 2019, 12:15:02 PM
I do not accept friend requests from folks I do not know. I really, really don't accept friend requests when these folks are messianic Jews.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 08, 2019, 01:22:55 PM
I don't see the categorical basis for your objection, but I'll allow you your right to it.

Once again, not all members of any religious group can be lumped together as having either this or that "good" or "bad" trait. But you're free to believe so if it seems to simplify your life in some way.

My vent, unrelated: my trip to Europe in December is booked with Am. Airlines.

Guess whose homecoming layover just went from less than 1 hour to ten hours, leaving at almost midnight?

A-hem.

I'll have to see if there are any better options, I suppose.

But I'm glad NOT to be flying on birds that go down too easily...

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 08, 2019, 05:18:21 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 08, 2019, 01:22:55 PM
I don't see the categorical basis for your objection, but I'll allow you your right to it.

Once again, not all members of any religious group can be lumped together as having either this or that "good" or "bad" trait. But you're free to believe so if it seems to simplify your life in some way.

My vent, unrelated: my trip to Europe in December is booked with Am. Airlines.

Guess whose homecoming layover just went from less than 1 hour to ten hours, leaving at almost midnight?

A-hem.

I'll have to see if there are any better options, I suppose.

But I'm glad NOT to be flying on birds that go down too easily...

M.

Double grumble. The way they listed it, it looked at first as if the outbound flight was still reasonable.

It's not. Seven hour layover at JFK outbound, 10 hours inbound.

Either I'm going to have to hit a couple museums in between or take the train home.

Or call AmAirlines.....(groans)....tomorrow...and be on hold while all the others do the same.

Hmmmmmmm......

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........

Hmmm....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 09, 2019, 02:29:56 AM
Follow-Up Vent:

My arthritis was so bad last week that I had to let a class out rather early.  I couldn't stand up anymore, and I can't lecture sitting down:  No one could see me beyond the front row.  Plus if I sat down for twenty minutes, I'd need help getting up again.

Groan.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 09, 2019, 07:53:54 AM
Very, very sorry to hear this!

What options do you have at this point in the semester/school year?

(We may also need a thread on chronic pain/health conditions and teaching....I don't think one has been set up here).

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 09, 2019, 08:43:52 AM
mamselle--

I need to have both knees replaced,  But I've been to multiple surgeons, all of whom want me to hold off:  It seems they all think I'm "too young."  Artificial knees only last about twenty years, which would mean more knee-replacement surgery in my seventies, and they don't recommend that.  So I take steroids when it's unbearable.  In addition to that--I vent to colleagues!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 09, 2019, 08:48:12 AM
Yikes, what a decision tree to face!

One wonders if it would be worth it now, in hopes that some later solution might develop in the next 20 years, just to be able to get on with things in the present.

But you've probably thought of that, too.

All good thoughts.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ursula on September 09, 2019, 04:28:55 PM
A vent? A grump? A rant? A sob? who knows?

But I'm both angry and sad about (again!) not making the shortlist for a job I really want, at a university and in a city where I really want to be.

I think they just see my name and can see the curse upon it. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on September 09, 2019, 06:07:41 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 09, 2019, 08:48:12 AM
Yikes, what a decision tree to face!

One wonders if it would be worth it now, in hopes that some later solution might develop in the next 20 years, just to be able to get on with things in the present.

But you've probably thought of that, too.

All good thoughts.

M.

My thoughts as well. Delaying needed surgery in anticipation of events 20 years hence seems dubious to me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 11, 2019, 02:22:05 AM
science.expat:

To me too.  But I've actually been to four surgeons, none of whom want to do it.  I am reluctant to seek a fourth "second opinion"; I don't want to doc shop until I find a surgeon who is willing to cut.

The argument--related to the age issue--is that new replacement knees are now being developed which would last my lifetime.  So if I hold out, the logic goes, my new knees will last as long as I do.

Last week, I was desperate for the surgery.  Now that the flare-up has largely subsided, my innate cowardice has again asserted itself.  That's the cycle.

And so I vent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 11, 2019, 04:46:03 AM
Quote from: Bede the Vulnerable on September 11, 2019, 02:22:05 AM
So if I hold out, the logic goes, my new knees will last as long as I do.

If you wait long enough, your old knees will last as long as you do.

That doesn't sound like the optimal choice.  My parents both had both knees done.  Now they are enjoying immensely all the life they have left.  They both say if their new knees wear out, they 'll weigh their options then. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bede the Vulnerable on September 11, 2019, 05:27:44 AM
Thanks, Fish Prof!  I'm glad that your parents are doing well; those stories help.

This problem is affecting my quality of life--e.g., Mrs. Bede and I will be vacationing in Paris over the holidays, and the knees will limit what I can do.  She'll climb the 300+ stairs to the top of Sacre Coeur.  I'll wait for her in the nave.  Which isn't as much fun.   I'd like to be "repaired" in time for next year's trip to . . . Well, wherever.  I'm taking suggestions, but that's a different thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: backatit on September 11, 2019, 07:51:18 AM
Ugh, yes, I think we need such a forum. I sometimes wonder whether it would be better to try to think about disability of some sort. I have really bad arthritis in my hands, and there just isn't much I can do about it. I try assistive technologies, but they're just not great stopgaps (voice to text is ok, but I find it clunky and the vocabulary tweaks are not that great). I've found a temporary solution with a 13" apple laptop - the keyboard is so soft, that I can manage if I'm careful and take frequent breaks.

And mamselle, that really stinks about the flight. Our daughter just came back from the UK and had such a flight, and it took her forever to get in due to flight displays. I am thinking about flying up to NYC the next time (obviously a first world solution) just because I cannot bear the night flights. I go nearly 24 hours without sleep, and it's miserable.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 11, 2019, 08:00:54 AM
Thanks for the commiseration and sympathy. I was snowed with editing and writing tasks so haven't called yet.

What would the title of the thread discussed above be? "Decision-making around chronic pain and conditions indicating surgery"?

Or something shorter?

Glad to start it if it's useful...or anyone else can....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on September 11, 2019, 08:25:21 AM
My 13-year old Mazda6 hatchback--my baby, which just hit 190K miles--has in the last 18-24 months become a money pit. The last fix was a $1000 passenger-side headlight assembly. Yes, those are three zeroes after the "one" in the previous sentence. And now, it requires an "ABS control module" that is both $2300 and back-ordered nationally with no firm date by which it'll next be available.

The upshot: planned obsolescence has got me by the throat. I've got to get another car, and very soon.

The good: Honda's now selling a bright red Accord sedan that is approximately 95% of what I had in my "volcanic red" 2006 Mazda6 hatchback. The new Accord is laden with all sorts of electronic doohickeys (most of which I'll probably turn off once I buy it), so resale value might still be decent in a decade. It's comfy, fast, large, commodious, and (can't forget this!) bright flaming red. It also handles very well.

(Yes, I drove one yesterday. Yes, the salesman judged me accurately--without my having said a word about my need for speed--and pinned me back into the passenger seat with acceleration immediately upon getting on the highway. And yes, I played cool and said "I'll have to think about it," when inside I was experiencing a complicated mixture of emotions.)

The bad: It's not a hatchback, and its electronic thingamabobs ("lane keeping assistance," "smart cruise control," etc.) will probably be obsolete well before the car itself dies. Oh, and it doesn't have a 6-CD player in the dash or a subwoofer in the trunk, as my Mazda6 hatchback does. And we're back to having a car payment--which we weren't really ready for, because we were focused on paying down debt.

But by far the worst is having to give up my Mazda6, which is 99% of what I want in a car (sans heated leather seats and heated mirrors). Is it so crazy that I'm . . . grieving?

Certainly I'm ticked off that a car that's only 13 years old can't be kept alive indefinitely, which is why this post is in this thread, but I suppose I do have to admit that I'm filled with sadness as well. My Mazda is the only car I've ever had that acted like a sports car when I wanted it to (at triple-digit speeds, it was calm and unflustered, regardless of its age) and acted like a wagon when I needed it to (we carried home a full-size washing machine in it once, with the hatch closed; it has several times held 6-foot fishing poles, again with the hatch closed, when we went camping all over the Southeast).

My husband's and my relationship is only 2 years older than my car. We have a lot of history in it: For instance, I still have the video on my iPhone from when the odometer passed the 100K mark. (Yes, I'm that kind of guy.)

So there you have it--I'm sad to have to consign it to the Great Automotive Graveyard in the Sky, and I'm upset that circumstances are conspiring to push me into a new car with lots of (too many?) digital bells and whistles before I'm really ready to make that transition.

/self-pitying vent over; now onward to calling our credit union and seeing about setting up a loan
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on September 11, 2019, 09:13:20 AM
paultuttle, why not get another Mazda 6?

When I had a zipcar membership the Mazda was my favorite to drive - zippy and handled well. The only downside was headroom for my spouse. He often felt cramped. But this was a Mazda 3.

edited to add: it's not at all weird that you're grieving either.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: 0susanna on September 11, 2019, 12:19:33 PM
Quote from: archaeo42 on September 11, 2019, 09:13:20 AM
paultuttle, why not get another Mazda 6?

edited to add: it's not at all weird that you're grieving either.
What archaeo42 said. Also, my colleague swears by her Mazda 3--their second one. She'd probably have bought a Mazda 6 if she could justify the expense.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on September 12, 2019, 06:40:06 AM
Thanks, archaeo42 and Osusanna, for being sympathetic to my first-world problems!

I did think about the newest Mazda6, but they don't seem to come with manual transmissions in any model any more. And thanks for suggesting the Mazda3, but my legs are longer than my torso, so cars that size are a tight fit. Ironically, the tiniest economy cars are an excellent fit, but judging from my rental car history, they tend to be sold without essentials like armrests or understandable instrument panels and typically handle like elephants on ice skates and accelerate like sloths with sleep deprivation, so they're beyond consideration.

But thanks for the sympathy!

____

New vent: Continued "very high" ragweed pollen in my area per Weather.com warnings.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on September 12, 2019, 03:38:12 PM
You might consider an automatic. Modern ones are much better than the old ones were. I made the move a few years ago and am happy, even when driving off road.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 13, 2019, 04:00:34 PM
I misread that as "driving off the road," and thought...oh, dear, hope he wasn't in an accident!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 14, 2019, 10:18:50 AM
Paultuttle, thanks for giving me an excellent description of how I feel at the end of Week 4: sloths with sleep deprivation.

In part this is due to my two F2F classes which consist of herding cats in addition to trying to teach skills; combined with 2019 being the Health Year from Hell for me, including being among those getting hammered by the ragweed counts this year, I'll now return to grading in this sloth-like state.  (Note my enthusiasm?)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 14, 2019, 12:53:29 PM
Quote from: Scout on September 06, 2019, 12:15:02 PM
I do not accept friend requests from folks I do not know. I really, really don't accept friend requests when these folks are messianic Jews.

Coming back to this because one of the articles I'm currently editing is a very-well-researched and written essay on time, rest, and the redemptive life by a young man who identifies with both Hebrew and Christian texts in the way he lives his life, and articulates their interactions well.

He's read a lot of Heschel, Soloveitchik, and Hegel, and studies Talmudic as well as the canonical Hebrew and Christian scriptures in their original languages. I'm really enjoying his growing erudition and the respectful care with which he handles his materials.

This thread just kept coming to mind, had to point out the fallacy in generalizations that don't generalize from all the specifics ....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 17, 2019, 08:20:00 PM
I even have a suitable candidate, the writer whose 3-times-too-long, sloppily documented piece I'm working on.

Edit is a 4-letter word.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 19, 2019, 06:51:32 AM
I got a phone call from an unknown number. I don't normally answer these, but I was grading so I welcomed any damn distraction. I was surprised to get a live person on the other end.

It was from someone  from a company offering me information about some service to use in conjunction with my LMS.

The caller seemed surprised when I said that I would only be prepared to talk with him if they paid me to do so.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on September 19, 2019, 09:54:28 AM
In the stating-the-obvious category of vents, having one's water shut off midway through one's shower does not make for the start of a good day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 19, 2019, 11:14:30 AM
EEek!

Did it turn cold before it shut off, or did it just go from whoosh to drip?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on September 19, 2019, 11:52:48 AM
It went from whoosh to barely there until there was so little pressure that the shower turned itself off.  I had conditioner in my hair at the time and tried desperately and in a rising panic to rinse it out when the water dwindled, but it all happened too fast, and longer hair can take a while to rinse no matter how fervently one tries.  An angry call to the water company took place shortly thereafter, as you might imagine.  Eventually (fortunately, not an hour later as the company predicted), I tried the water to see if I could at least wash the soap off my face with a trickle of water.  Eureka! Water had been turned back on, and I rushed back into the shower for a quick rinse.  First world problems, I guess. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 19, 2019, 12:23:12 PM
Turned the Furnace on for the first time today.  Or I tried to.  Nothing happened.

Then, I remembered the fuse that goes out regularly.  Fixed!

Then water started spilling from radiators b/c the automatic water shutoff didn't.

So I turned it off and drained it, but this was going to be an expensive fix!

Then I realized I had opened the autofeed bypass.

So, problem solved, except for me being a dumbass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on September 19, 2019, 12:24:16 PM
Cellulitis
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bioteacher on September 19, 2019, 05:15:39 PM
I've had chronic knee pain (both knees) since doing 3 years of retail work standing on concrete floors for 40+hrs a week. I finally hit my limit of waiting to heal and went to a specialist this morning.
The good news is my knee pain is reversible. No arthritis. The bad news: 8 weeks of physical therapy and the requisite copays to get me back to "normal." I think this is good news. Except for getting up early AM for PT, the copays, and you know, exercise. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Scotia on September 19, 2019, 11:41:35 PM
Quote from: science.expat on September 19, 2019, 12:24:16 PM
Cellulitis

Oh no!. My sympathies. I've had it  once (just above my knee, as a result of an insect bite going bad) and it wasn't fun. But it did respond quickly to antibiotics once I started on them - I hope yours is the same.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on September 20, 2019, 12:11:47 AM
Quote from: Scotia on September 19, 2019, 11:41:35 PM
Quote from: science.expat on September 19, 2019, 12:24:16 PM
Cellulitis

Oh no!. My sympathies. I've had it  once (just above my knee, as a result of an insect bite going bad) and it wasn't fun. But it did respond quickly to antibiotics once I started on them - I hope yours is the same.

It's very slowly improving but seems more systemic than your version. In the course of two days I went from a swollen foot to a badly swollen and very shiny red foot and lower leg. The GP sent me to A&E who wanted to admit me. We compromised on two doses of intravenous antibiotics and a box of horse pills.

Objectively it's getting better, the swelling and redness are decreasing. But my leg is also weeping fluids which is damn nuisance. In an ideal world, I'd stay home with my leg up - and in utopia someone would be ferrying me food and drink on demand. In this reality, however, I flew to New City this morning to view a house and have a day and half of meetings at New Job at the beginning of the week. But at least the weekend is free!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on September 20, 2019, 10:20:57 AM
Quote from: science.expat on September 20, 2019, 12:11:47 AM
Quote from: Scotia on September 19, 2019, 11:41:35 PM
Quote from: science.expat on September 19, 2019, 12:24:16 PM
Cellulitis

Oh no!. My sympathies. I've had it  once (just above my knee, as a result of an insect bite going bad) and it wasn't fun. But it did respond quickly to antibiotics once I started on them - I hope yours is the same.

It's very slowly improving but seems more systemic than your version. In the course of two days I went from a swollen foot to a badly swollen and very shiny red foot and lower leg. The GP sent me to A&E who wanted to admit me. We compromised on two doses of intravenous antibiotics and a box of horse pills.

Objectively it's getting better, the swelling and redness are decreasing. But my leg is also weeping fluids which is damn nuisance. In an ideal world, I'd stay home with my leg up - and in utopia someone would be ferrying me food and drink on demand. In this reality, however, I flew to New City this morning to view a house and have a day and half of meetings at New Job at the beginning of the week. But at least the weekend is free!

Sorry to hear about the cellulitis and busy schedule.  I hope you get to relax with your leg up this weekend and that it clears up soon.  That doesn't sound fun at all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on September 20, 2019, 01:41:58 PM
Hey, maybe when you start a new job you should try asking people why things are they way they are before you go around cleaning everything up and "fixing" all the problems you see?  Huh, maybe?  Maybe there was a d**n good reason for having some things over there instead of all over here? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 29, 2019, 03:31:49 PM
People, the stupid Evite thing won't open on this phone.

So please put the Date, Day, Time, and Location in the email header as well, wouldja?

I just missed a student's Bar Mitzvah because I couldn't get an address for the site in time to set out transport.

I should, indeed, have set it up sooner, but this week wasn't lending itself well to advance planning.

The Evite apparently closed down at midnight, and the email had no info.

I'm really sorry to have missed it, I was looking forward to it.

Electronics are NOT always the be-all/end-all of good social communication.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on October 02, 2019, 09:30:08 AM
Cats who have prolonged bouts of noisy barfing.   At 6:05 a.m.   While under the bed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 02, 2019, 09:40:33 AM
Ooohhh, dear.

Been there. Remember that.

Do take it seriously, though. I lost a sweet, gray-haired smoky tabby to an obstruction neither I nor the vet realized was causing the up-chucking... we thought it was something in her food,, was all.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on October 02, 2019, 09:57:11 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 02, 2019, 09:40:33 AM
Ooohhh, dear.

Been there. Remember that.

Do take it seriously, though. I lost a sweet, gray-haired smoky tabby to an obstruction neither I nor the vet realized was causing the up-chucking... we thought it was something in her food,, was all.

M.

I'll be sure to keep an eye on him!  However, he has a long history of up-chucking every week or so - usually including either lots of grass or an obvious mat of hair.  Combing, and periodic Furminator-ing, reduces the frequency and severity, but doesn't completely put a stop to it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 02, 2019, 12:45:07 PM
I forget if you're already on the cat-herding thread, but updates are welcome there, too....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on October 02, 2019, 12:57:48 PM
New laptop and it's seeming inability to stay connected to our exchange server...even when our VPN still appears to be connected.

IT has done what they can remotely. I think this may be a case of requiring a replacement (already). I'm pissed because other than the connection stuff it works fine.

If anyone has suggestions here's everything I've tired:

Connect to the VPN after logging on to my desktop (normally connect before logging on to the desktop)
Connect through a hardwired connection
Connect through my wireless connection
Connect while not plugged in to the docking station

Same issue keeps happening. I'm currently on my old computer so that I can actually get some work done. :/
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 03, 2019, 07:12:43 AM
2019 needs to just go away, already.

•   Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in January
•   Hospitalized with MRSA/cellulitis leading to sepsis in February
•   Debilitating sciatica (right hip) in March – April
•   Enough x-rays/CT scans to make me glow in the dark May-June
•   Diagnosed with sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction (left hip) in May, confirmed by orthopedist in early July
•   Useless treatment (cortisone injection under $7000 of live CT scans—after weeks of arguing with Cigna for authorization) in late July
•   Hobbling around on walker/cane all semester (permanent condition)

I thought the bright spot had come on Tuesday, when I finally got a meting with HR to establish an ADA file with accommodations—after I started requesting this meeting on JULY 19.  Oh, hell, no. Instead of coming out of the meeting with my accommodation (as my union's state director assured me I would), I came out instead with more papers to get signed by my orthopedist. These papers require the exact same information he included and signed on the other ADA forms, but it has to be on this form. Then we have to schedule another meeting with HR (if we all live long enough to see it happen) when they will approve the accommodations.  Or maybe they won't.  If/when I ever get what I need, I'm grieving/suing HR to high heaven; my union president and the state director already have the lawyers warming up in the bullpen.

And just to keep things interesting, I have an appointment this afternoon with an oncologist after referral by my internist, following several wonky blood tests.  Sure, why not?  Literally everybody in the family dies of cancer, so I'm ready for it. Hopefully it's the kind that my numbers strongly suggest it is, in which case it's more of a PitA with 20+ years survival being the norm. I'd better live that long, just to have time to get another ADA file set up.

Still.  I'm so done with this year. It's also included major surgery for ALHS and the loss of three close colleagues all within a three-month span.   

Sorry.  This is way too long. I'm just feeling aggravated as hell this morning, and since the ortho and cancer issues are nobody's business and I'm only talking to my BFF and ALHS about them, I'm about to melt down if I don't tell somebody. Thanks for indulging me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on October 03, 2019, 07:37:55 AM
Oof ALH that is A LOT. Sending positive thoughts your way. I hope the ADA accommodation from your HR proves to be less of a hassle than it sounds like it will be.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on October 03, 2019, 07:51:11 AM
AmLitHist I'm so sorry-- vent to us all you want! I also wonder if a support group for people living with chronic illness /pain might be available through a local hospital or elsewhere? You shouldn't have to deal with this without more support than it sounds like you're getting currently.

Quote from: AmLitHist on October 03, 2019, 07:12:43 AM
2019 needs to just go away, already.

•   Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in January
•   Hospitalized with MRSA/cellulitis leading to sepsis in February
•   Debilitating sciatica (right hip) in March – April
•   Enough x-rays/CT scans to make me glow in the dark May-June
•   Diagnosed with sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction (left hip) in May, confirmed by orthopedist in early July
•   Useless treatment (cortisone injection under $7000 of live CT scans—after weeks of arguing with Cigna for authorization) in late July
•   Hobbling around on walker/cane all semester (permanent condition)

I thought the bright spot had come on Tuesday, when I finally got a meting with HR to establish an ADA file with accommodations—after I started requesting this meeting on JULY 19.  Oh, hell, no. Instead of coming out of the meeting with my accommodation (as my union's state director assured me I would), I came out instead with more papers to get signed by my orthopedist. These papers require the exact same information he included and signed on the other ADA forms, but it has to be on this form. Then we have to schedule another meeting with HR (if we all live long enough to see it happen) when they will approve the accommodations.  Or maybe they won't.  If/when I ever get what I need, I'm grieving/suing HR to high heaven; my union president and the state director already have the lawyers warming up in the bullpen.

And just to keep things interesting, I have an appointment this afternoon with an oncologist after referral by my internist, following several wonky blood tests.  Sure, why not?  Literally everybody in the family dies of cancer, so I'm ready for it. Hopefully it's the kind that my numbers strongly suggest it is, in which case it's more of a PitA with 20+ years survival being the norm. I'd better live that long, just to have time to get another ADA file set up.

Still.  I'm so done with this year. It's also included major surgery for ALHS and the loss of three close colleagues all within a three-month span.   

Sorry.  This is way too long. I'm just feeling aggravated as hell this morning, and since the ortho and cancer issues are nobody's business and I'm only talking to my BFF and ALHS about them, I'm about to melt down if I don't tell somebody. Thanks for indulging me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 03, 2019, 09:14:42 AM
Oh, no. I recall your earlier post and was thinking about that; hoped that you hadn't been back because things had been resolved.

People who hide behind paperwork are just mean.

The frustration is torturous, and the pettiness is sadistic.

I'm very sorry you're having to deal with all this.

It's like punishment for putting up with all that you've already put up with....the cosmos is certainly out of joint.

I add my good thoughts, prayers, wishes and hopes that it is resolved soon, and positively.

Also, I think someone has recently started a chronic pain thread here.

I know there was one that was very important to people on the old CHE Forum.

I'll poke around and see if I can find them both.

     <......tries search engine on this forum.....it works rather well, in fact...>

OK, here's the most recent one here:

   https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=599.msg10579#msg10579

On the old forum, one brief one was at:

   https://www.chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,196316.0.html

   (started by gennimom, it linked via PM to her to a Facebook page for academics dealing with chronic pain).

I think there was another one, but need to propitiate the search engine gods further, it appears...

I'll poke around there a bit more: there is an off-putting "error"-like message (that I've noticed recently when doing other searches there) but you can get around it by refreshing or repeating your search; dunno if they're trying to discourage use, or if it's just a by-product of the archiving process.

    In all cases, you are cared for and people are thinking of you and wishing the best for you.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 09, 2019, 06:06:09 AM
Back later, to vent, myself...

No, I can't now "summarize" the article you told me would be fine for a blog entry at the length it ended up at...if anything, I just found more info and would if anything lengthen it and just submit somewhere.

Meanwhile, it goes into the orphanage with all the other deserving, lovely, sweet articles that deserve "just a little fixing" to be submitted elsewhere...when and if an "elsewhere" appears.

Grumble....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 14, 2019, 12:06:42 PM
Am I the only one griping?

Hmmm....

Small mini-vent...

I've been pushing myself all AM to get things done so I could hit the local library and use its subscription link to the state archives to do more book-work.

Oooppsss....

Holiday.

M.

(Or maybe this is a vinhale: At least there's wifi in other more commercial places...!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 19, 2019, 07:46:49 AM
Why are we forced to use the term "the data" as a synonym for "facts"--as if it is just not possible that numbers could be another language people use to be dishonest? If we aren't allowed to see the raw data (including the original questions), we aren't allowed to see how the raw data was aggregated (if that is the correct term), and we aren't allowed to question why "the data" was interpreted (by you) in a particular way all because it is "the data," then why did I have to attend this meeting? Drop the dog-and-pony show, and just tell me the party line I'm supposed to mindlessly regurgitate so I can get on with my life.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on October 19, 2019, 03:52:00 PM
Nestor is coming, so the scar tissue in my left ankle--a legacy of playing rather aggressive soccer when I was in high school, resulting in an opposing player taking me out of the game with a perfectly timed slide that created a horribly "sprained" ankle necessitating a short while on crutches--has started the pain-and-inflammation process.

(Sometimes I want to be a cyborg.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 19, 2019, 09:38:19 PM
I HATE moving
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 20, 2019, 01:24:41 AM
Quote from: science.expat on October 19, 2019, 09:38:19 PM
I HATE moving

You poor thing. I hear and sympathize, and I'm so sorry.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: polly_mer on October 20, 2019, 06:27:55 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on October 19, 2019, 03:52:00 PM
Nestor is coming, so the scar tissue in my left ankle--a legacy of playing rather aggressive soccer when I was in high school, resulting in an opposing player taking me out of the game with a perfectly timed slide that created a horribly "sprained" ankle necessitating a short while on crutches--has started the pain-and-inflammation process.

(Sometimes I want to be a cyborg.)

I'm with you on being a cyborg as a solution to some of those joints that tell me exactly how cold and damp the weather is.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 20, 2019, 07:59:16 PM
Quote from: ergative on October 20, 2019, 01:24:41 AM
Quote from: science.expat on October 19, 2019, 09:38:19 PM
I HATE moving

You poor thing. I hear and sympathize, and I'm so sorry.

Thanks. I AM moving to a new good job so shouldn't complain...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 21, 2019, 10:31:39 AM
Updates:

I finally got my ADA accommodations!  It came in at just under three months, from first inquiry to the actual grant, but not before the HR woman tried during the last meeting to make me to back and get even more redundant paperwork from my doctor.  Happily, the local director of my national union was there and told HR in no uncertain terms that more paperwork was NOT going to happen. Happily, other admins in the room, including my dean, were reasonable and very willing to allow my request and actually offer other assistance as well.

Also, all the bloodwork with the hematologist came back relatively OK.  Some numbers are still high, but there are several plausible factors that could explain them; the good news is that, at the moment, the genetic tests don't show the mutation that defines this particular cancer. So my internist will monitor my general numbers over the next few months, and I go back for more detailed bloodwork at the hematologist in six months. Of course, if other symptoms come up, I'll go back sooner. All of this isn't permanent proof against cancer, as the mutation status/numbers can change (given my family history of other cancers), but for the moment, it's one less thing to worry about.

Thanks to all for your support!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2019, 12:23:14 PM
Wow. Very good news.

I'm glad your support team put the kaibosh on the paperwork runaround, and that they were supportive.

AND that the bloodwork is in the "better-than-it-might-otherwise-have-been" range.

All good thoughts.

Stay calm and carry on!

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 21, 2019, 04:06:36 PM
Great news, ALH. Fingers crossed that things continue to go well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 22, 2019, 11:11:13 AM
Absolutive's meatsuit has decided to update the software in his inner ear and completely bricked the firmware. He's been puking every time he tries to sit up, and that makes it difficult to drink water.

Making matters more complicated, we're in a rental cottage on vacation.

Making matters less complicated, the cottage is actually really clean and comfortable, much quieter than our apartment in the city, and has lots of spare towels and blankets and laundry facilities. We have it until Saturday, and the nice doctors we called think it's likely he'll feel better by then when his inner ear adjusts. He was able to keep down the medicine long enough for it to get absorbed before puking again.

I've also solved the drinking water problem: Our lovely well-appointed cottage had baby bottles in the kitchen, perfectly suited for imbibing fluids while lying utterly still in bed. We'll see how things go tonight.

I'm desperately worried, tired from being up most of last night, and periodically crying from stress.  I'm also getting really sick of washing out the puke basin.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on October 22, 2019, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: ergative on October 22, 2019, 11:11:13 AM
Absolutive's meatsuit has decided to update the software in his inner ear and completely bricked the firmware. He's been puking every time he tries to sit up, and that makes it difficult to drink water.

Making matters more complicated, we're in a rental cottage on vacation.

Making matters less complicated, the cottage is actually really clean and comfortable, much quieter than our apartment in the city, and has lots of spare towels and blankets and laundry facilities. We have it until Saturday, and the nice doctors we called think it's likely he'll feel better by then when his inner ear adjusts. He was able to keep down the medicine long enough for it to get absorbed before puking again.

I've also solved the drinking water problem: Our lovely well-appointed cottage had baby bottles in the kitchen, perfectly suited for imbibing fluids while lying utterly still in bed. We'll see how things go tonight.

I'm desperately worried, tired from being up most of last night, and periodically crying from stress.  I'm also getting really sick of washing out the puke basin.

Likely you've already identified the cause with the doctors, but if not it sounds a lot like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which I had never heard of until my grandmother had it, but apparently is fairly common--basically the calcium crystals in your inner ear get loose and cause extreme vertigo when moving or tilting your head. Luckily there are a set of maneuvers that are usually successful in re-positioning them and resolving the problem (though it tends to re-occur)-- google Epley maneuver.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 22, 2019, 11:46:20 AM
Quote from: Puget on October 22, 2019, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: ergative on October 22, 2019, 11:11:13 AM
Absolutive's meatsuit has decided to update the software in his inner ear and completely bricked the firmware. He's been puking every time he tries to sit up, and that makes it difficult to drink water.

Making matters more complicated, we're in a rental cottage on vacation.

Making matters less complicated, the cottage is actually really clean and comfortable, much quieter than our apartment in the city, and has lots of spare towels and blankets and laundry facilities. We have it until Saturday, and the nice doctors we called think it's likely he'll feel better by then when his inner ear adjusts. He was able to keep down the medicine long enough for it to get absorbed before puking again.

I've also solved the drinking water problem: Our lovely well-appointed cottage had baby bottles in the kitchen, perfectly suited for imbibing fluids while lying utterly still in bed. We'll see how things go tonight.

I'm desperately worried, tired from being up most of last night, and periodically crying from stress.  I'm also getting really sick of washing out the puke basin.

Likely you've already identified the cause with the doctors, but if not it sounds a lot like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which I had never heard of until my grandmother had it, but apparently is fairly common--basically the calcium crystals in your inner ear get loose and cause extreme vertigo when moving or tilting your head. Luckily there are a set of maneuvers that are usually successful in re-positioning them and resolving the problem (though it tends to re-occur)-- google Epley maneuver.

[back from another basin-scrubbing festival]

The vertigo has mostly gone away, and only the movement-induced vomiting remains. The doctor didn't seem concerned, and thinks it's a one-time mechanical thing in the inner ear that his brain needs to readjust to. It's just been phone calls because he's too sick to move, but the doctor said to give it 24-48 hours and it should clear up on its own, with instructions to call them if it doesn't by the time he's finished his medicine.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 22, 2019, 12:13:12 PM
I hope it does resolve soon. No fun at all.

My (more petty) gripe: Why, why, why does it take 5 bounces to look up an account, set up an account, pay a bill, or talk to a human being who actually knows what's going on???????

I've been on a chat line for 1/2 hour to set up the account, then on the phone for another 45 min. with one, then another, then another, and then another(!) person who only knows part of something, not all of it, and has to pass me on "to someone who can REALLY help me."

The last guy was the worst. First, he tries to upgrade everything I chose, even after twice telling him I only wanted the one item, and no others. Then, he asks a bunch of truly inane questions about something that I explained was impossible - twice - and he kept saying "bear with me, I have to ask this," and I kept saying, "but what I'm telling you answers it!"

Meanwhile my tea was getting cold and the 6 piles of stuff on the desk morphed into 8...they do that, if you don't start on them right away...so now I have more to do than when I started on the phone with them.

AND I still have other calls to make. I might, just might, at least get to do the copying and printing I came to do, but even that's in doubt now.

Grumble.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on October 25, 2019, 10:42:44 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on September 12, 2019, 06:40:06 AM
Thanks, archaeo42 and Osusanna, for being sympathetic to my first-world problems!

I did think about the newest Mazda6, but they don't seem to come with manual transmissions in any model any more. And thanks for suggesting the Mazda3, but my legs are longer than my torso, so cars that size are a tight fit. Ironically, the tiniest economy cars are an excellent fit, but judging from my rental car history, they tend to be sold without essentials like armrests or understandable instrument panels and typically handle like elephants on ice skates and accelerate like sloths with sleep deprivation, so they're beyond consideration.

But thanks for the sympathy!

____

New vent: Continued "very high" ragweed pollen in my area per Weather.com warnings.

Update: Bought the Accord. It's pretty damn fast, but the steering feel is numb, the seats are too low, the electronic nannies are too intrusive, and the whole car feels like it's a size larger than my Mazda6.

Which I miss.

Every.

Single.

Time.

I.

Drive.

The.

Accord.

<wishing some car manufacturer sold new (in the USA) a handsome mid-sized four-door hatchback with a stick, point-and-shoot steering, athletic handling married to a supple/comfortable ride, seriously good fuel economy, and enough space to for a six-footer like me to sleep overnight in the back; saddened that this became unavailable when the last USA-bound Mazda6 hatchback was sold in the 2008 model year>

<shutting my mouth before grumpily shouting "Get off my lawn!" :) >
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nescafe on November 03, 2019, 05:04:44 PM
I have a student who failed to complete an undergrad thesis project last year. He took an incomplete, and he has 1 more academic year to complete the thesis in order to graduate. Instead of working on the thesis, he is sending me a barrage of emails making increasingly unreasonable demands on my time.

Today, he suggested (for the third time!) that I drive to his city 2.5 away from campus to meet with him to discuss his thesis project because his job doesn't bring him to campus. I've told him twice before that no, this is not an option. His response was to loop in a second faculty member in my dept and suggest we "co-mentor" him.

I'm so tired.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 03, 2019, 05:09:16 PM
Quote from: nescafe on November 03, 2019, 05:04:44 PM
I have a student who failed to complete an undergrad thesis project last year. He took an incomplete, and he has 1 more academic year to complete the thesis in order to graduate. Instead of working on the thesis, he is sending me a barrage of emails making increasingly unreasonable demands on my time.

Today, he suggested (for the third time!) that I drive to his city 2.5 away from campus to meet with him to discuss his thesis project because his job doesn't bring him to campus. I've told him twice before that no, this is not an option. His response was to loop in a second faculty member in my dept and suggest we "co-mentor" him.

I'm so tired.

The main explanations I can imagine are that this person has a great sense of entitlement or is mentally ill. These are not mutually exclusive, but they do suggest different reactions to their behavior. Either way, my sympathies!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nescafe on November 04, 2019, 07:12:59 AM
Quote from: downer on November 03, 2019, 05:09:16 PM
The main explanations I can imagine are that this person has a great sense of entitlement or is mentally ill.

There is definitely a blend of both issues at work here. He also alternates between these sorts of requests and accusatory language that is also pretty alarming.

I've got the admin looped in here, and they'll help take care of him. But I feel my compassion meter being run down by this student daily.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 04, 2019, 08:07:04 AM
Quote from: nescafe on November 04, 2019, 07:12:59 AM
Quote from: downer on November 03, 2019, 05:09:16 PM
The main explanations I can imagine are that this person has a great sense of entitlement or is mentally ill.

There is definitely a blend of both issues at work here. He also alternates between these sorts of requests and accusatory language that is also pretty alarming.

I've got the admin looped in here, and they'll help take care of him. But I feel my compassion meter being run down by this student daily.

Maybe there is an advantage in acting compassionately. Or maybe it would be better to be strict and focus on boundaries and rules. It's hard to tell. I tend to prefer clear boundaries.

Personally, I'm not sure that feeling empathy or compassion is called for, and it is very easy to get worn out by difficult behavior. I'd work to minimize my interaction with the student. Seems that they have already done more than enough to say that you are not prepared to have anything more to do with them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 05, 2019, 05:50:18 AM
Why is the VP of administration sending out emails telling people to buy stuff from the campus Dunkin'?

I'd find any promotion of a campus franchise by a VP problematic, but promoting Dunkin' is beyond the pale.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thesneezyone on November 06, 2019, 07:12:55 AM
Part of my job is to cajole professors to develop courses for a particular program. This is hard to do because they don't get a reduction in their current commitments, but there is a nice stipend at the end of the process.

The stipend is supposed to be released as soon as the courses are through development. EVERYONE who I got to develop courses this past summer should have been paid in AUGUST. It is now NOVEMBER and the stipends are still not paid out (a combination of HR bureaucracy and the dept that actually pays the stipends taking their sweet-ass time releasing them).

And you want me to get MORE people to develop courses for this program?!

Sneezy
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on November 07, 2019, 10:45:32 AM
Our bookstore rep sends out surveys to students in order to assess the efficacy of their delivery systems, particularly the ebooks and online only materials.

When a student uses the survey as an opportunity to vent about an instructor it is really not appropriate for you to email me and cc the director of the Office of Civility about the complaint. It is especially not appropriate for you to ask me "now will you contact the instructor and student to take care of this or do I?"

The college has a clearly established grievance and complaint policy and procedure. Surveys sent out from the bookstore, along with bookstore reps, are not found anywhere within that process. This bookstore rep has already, in the short time they been working with our institution, established a troubling pattern of hitting the nuclear option first on every issue.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on November 08, 2019, 12:31:54 PM
Quote from: Bede the Vulnerable on October 06, 2019, 07:10:38 PM
How's this for "trivial"?  The letter "i" is sticking on my laptop keyboard.  I have to hammer it hard to get it to work.

It HAD TO be a vowel . . .

My ever-so-slightly irreverent translation: Bede the Vulnerable is having some difficulty in producing a vowel movement.

<ducks and runs>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 08, 2019, 02:52:22 PM
Was it always "Vulnerable?"

What happened to "Venerable"?

<wanders off, perplexed...>

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on November 08, 2019, 04:39:37 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 08, 2019, 02:52:22 PM
Was it always "Vulnerable?"

What happened to "Venerable"?

<wanders off, perplexed...>

M.

I do believe the Bede has always been Vulnerable.  And I expect some people take me to be Juvenile.  Been there, done that.  Ah, well.  What a difference a letter or two makes.  I tell my students (when talking of mutation) about the story of "Goldilocks and the the Three Beads."  Doesn't have quite the same punch.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 08, 2019, 05:55:05 PM
No, I always had you pegged for a satiric Roman poet....

You had that air about you...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 09, 2019, 07:32:15 AM
For a YEAR you got emails saying we were purging old stuff and that if you wanted it, you should claim it.  We tied up the conference room for two weeks to lay out all the stuff on the tables so you could claim it.

You didn't.

It got thrown out.

I have zero *%&#s to give now, years later, after you retired, that you are hurt it is gone and you wish "someone had let me know".

We did.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2019, 10:07:13 AM
Last night I was in the mood to copy all those scans and title them.

But the wifi at Panera's was dragging its heels.

(All my good libraries close at 5 or 6 PM...)

Now I'm in a decent library with good wifi.

And I don't feeeeeeelllll like it!

Don't wanna. Hafta.

Grumble.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2019, 02:00:46 PM
Vent 2a/today...

If you needed me to take out the text boxes along with the pictures for your blog, why didn't you say so three weeks ago when I first sent them??????

I thought you needed them for placement and for the captions. If not, I can easily de-supply them.

It's not that hard to do, I turned them around in 1/2 hour.

I'm waiting to give several interested parties the links; maybe before year's end?

Grrrrr........

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Porcupine on November 10, 2019, 11:42:33 AM
Blaming me for doing my job, exactly as I am supposed to do it, is profoundly unfair. Not that you care.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 11, 2019, 07:44:48 AM
Two years ago, we registered you students using method X.  You f'd it up.

Last year, we used method x.  Still, you f'd it up.

This year, wanna take a guess?  Yup, YOU f'd up method X, again. 

And now you wan't to blame me with the "When did we discuss that?" email.

Your poor poor students.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on November 11, 2019, 08:24:23 AM
How many people have been telling you this was a bad idea for how long? Please don't circle back to me again on this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on November 11, 2019, 09:30:48 AM
Chairperson, if you had been paying more attention to what's going on in the department, you would have done the committee  memberships 10 weeks ago instead of now!  Colleague, if you weren't either so self-centered or so egotistical, you would have checked what committee were you were on already, instead of waiting for 10 weeks! You know that every person has to be on a committee. What the f*ck were you waiting for ?!?!?!?!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 13, 2019, 08:47:05 AM
I just had a meeting with a PhD student who's working on a project that is tangentially related to a collaboration I've got going with some people in a sort-of neighboring field. She met our project team and told us about her work. She was smart and enthusiastic, her project was great, and we all had a great conversation. Towards the end of the meeting, she was describing how a visiting lecturer offered to let this student use her classroom to test out some ideas she's developing for her dissertation, and that she was trying to think of how she could return the favor.

Girl.

Girl!

Girl

When someone says, 'sure, PhD student, I'm happy to do you this academic favor,' you say, 'Thank you!' and take the favor! You do not try to think up more work for yourself to do something that the nice visiting lecturer doesn't ask for! You get your work done, put her in the acknowledgments, and maybe offer her a co-authorship depending on the amount of help she gives you when you start publishing the work! If she needs a favor later, you return it when she asks for it. And then when you have your own lab or classroom or whatever, you do the same favor for PhD students after you. DO NOT MAKE MORE WORK FOR YOURSELF! Not at this stage. Let's be honest: lecturers and professors do not (or rather, should not) expect PhD students to be in a position to do them favors.

She seemed very surprised by this suggestion. Who is mentoring these children? How is her supervisor not telling her how to look after herself? I wanted to put my wing over her and pat her head and give her a fluffy blanket, but all I had to offer was advice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 26, 2019, 08:50:15 AM
Yesterday, the class before mine overran by eleven minutes. There's a ten minute break between classes, so not a huge deal--it only cut into mine by one minute. But with two minutes to go before my class started, I popped into the classroom to let them know that my class was starting in two minutes. I apologized for the interruption, of course. They were completely unmoved and carried on, unhurried. Incidentally, it was a group of students presenting, meaning the instructor really failed at time management.

So they've eaten a minute into my class when they start shuffling out. Still not in any hurry. I get my powerpoint set up and start my class while people are still getting sorted. Finally, everyone settles down (and out), when a student from the previous class barges in. We're four or five minutes in at this point.

Student: "Are you the instructor?"
Me: "Yup."
S: "What's your name?"
M: "[Full name]."
S (confused): "What's your name?"
M: "[Full name]."
S (more confused): "OK but what's your first name?"
M: "First name."
S (in total incomprehension as it dawns on her it's not an Anglophone name): "OK. What's your last name, then?"
M: "Last name." (note: it's strange, non-Anglo, and the pronunciation bears no resemblance to the spelling)

By this point, my class is laughing pretty hard.

S: "OK." (starts to leave)
M: "Why do you ask?"
S: "Oh, well, you swore at us."
M: "I beg your pardon?"
S (gaining steam): "You swore at us and that's really unprofessional."
M: "I did no such thing."
S: "Yes, you did."
M: "I absolutely did not."
S: "Well." (walks out, talks to people around the corner)

I grabbed my ID and followed, and offered to let her take a picture of it because my name is apparently impossible for most people, even if they've (supposedly) had five to ten years of French-language education.

After a brief reiteration of the last exchange above, her friends intervene and say: "Oh, it wasn't him. It wasn't the instructor, it was one of the students." (I assume they mistook an older student for the me, because how could the instructor have a mohawk?)


I mean. Thanks for interrupting my class and publicly accusing me of unprofessional behaviour. That was fun. I apologized on behalf of my students, because she's right, they shouldn't have told the other class to "get the fuck out". At the same time, this isn't daycare, and I'm not here to police what happens in the hallways and out of my earshot.

But I'll end by noting that no apology was offered to me. Just redoubling on the misdirected outrage for another minute until I cut it short by returning to my class.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 02, 2019, 07:09:14 AM
Not so much a vent as a, "Really? Seriously?" kind of day.

My 8 a.m. class had a full day of student presentations scheduled.  Since I'd have no prep, I decided to (for the first time all semester) NOT leave home my usual 15 minutes ahead of the "absolutely must leave by" time.  When I walked out the back door, I was greeted by a car covered in about 3/4-1 inch of ice (rain frozen to the windows and doors) and snow.  No, it wasn't in the forecast, and the car was completely clean when I went to bed.  So, I proceeded to scrape and cuss in the dark at 6 a.m.

I then headed for work, thinking, "I wonder if the roads are slick?" They were completely dry until about 10 miles into the trip, at which time it started sleeting like mad and continued for 10 miles.  The sleet then stopped, but the next 10 miles of interstate were wet but the car thermometer said 30 degrees, so we all crept along at about 55 m.p.h. in the dark.  Then the radio traffic report said all the ramps and overpasses on my main route were ice covered and treacherous, with major accidents blocking the primary 3-interstate exchange I have to pass through.  So, it was off the main drag and onto the country roads as a scenic by-pass, still in the dark. (Those roads were dry, at least, though the uni town I had to transit has many stop lights, all of which I hit on red.)

Fine. Figuring I'd be late for my 7 a.m. office hour anyway, I stopped for a fast-food breakfast sandwich to go. I swear they had to chase down the chickens to find the eggs to make my order, since I sat in the drive-thru 12 minutes.  Fast food, my foot.

All in all, I got here by 7:20, none the worse for wear except for some aggravation.

I set up the classroom at 7:30, went back at 8, and had a decent post-holiday crowd of 9 out of 13 students.  One woman said, "I thought this was due on the 11th."  Um, no, that's the final exam; you were supposed to present today.  And two of those missing were also supposed to present today.  So. . . . after 2 presentations, with nothing else left to do (after final papers came in yesterday), I did some reminders about final exams, registration, when grades will be posted and when classes resume in January, then let them out at 8:30.

Gee, that was really worth all the hassles of getting here today, right?  Like I said, it's not a genuine vent or really a major problem; it's just been a, "Well of course all this stuff happened--it's a MONDAY!" kind of start to the last regular week of the semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: citrine on December 02, 2019, 03:23:50 PM
Oh, ALH, I am so sorry, but I had almost exactly the same day, complete with chipping my car out of the ice, but I also had a wiper blade pop off when I was trying to free it from its icy prison. Then I came back into the house to change for work and couldn't find my phone, which was concerning because Nephew is getting over a cold and I was worried that he might want to come home and have the nurse call me. 20 minutes of searching later, I found that it had fallen off the shelf where I put it on and ended up inside one of the shoes on the shoe rack. I finally did make it to work in time for some of my office hour, and my office was yet again a toasty 58 degrees Fahrenheit (we've been having temperature problems all semester) so I was frozen by the time I got to my classroom. My students are also doing presentations and I had a variety of them who were trapped elsewhere due to the storms or sick and emailed me at the last minute to tell me so.

So, I totally sympathize!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 05, 2019, 05:10:21 PM
This is kind of a dumb vent, but I feel as though my head is about to fly off my shoulders right now at my own ineptitude.  Somehow, despite the many, many years of education (lots of technical know how! really!), the prior preparatory discussion with my spouse (who had just done the procedure correctly on his phone recently), the reading of the instructions numerous times, and the watching of many videos (some also numerous times), I still managed to put my &^#*&@%$*& new phone's ^@(#&@*(& screen protector on upside down.  I even googled this occurrence, and I guess the typical reply is to ask whether this is a joke.  Nope.  I know I can't be the only one (well, clearly that guy who sparked the reply did it, too), but although it didn't look quite right to me I went with it.  Seriously the hardest part of setting up this phone.   Feel free to laugh at me, or with me.  I am having a vat of wine and rethinking my abilities.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on December 06, 2019, 05:00:52 AM
I have a PhD in digging and yet I still managed to screw up my back shoveling snow this week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on December 06, 2019, 11:23:45 AM
I'm feeling a bit burnt out. 2 more lectures next week. And then there is the setting up of the LMS for next semester.

I think I can.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 07, 2019, 06:43:55 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on December 05, 2019, 05:10:21 PM
This is kind of a dumb vent, but I feel as though my head is about to fly off my shoulders right now at my own ineptitude.  Somehow, despite the many, many years of education (lots of technical know how! really!), the prior preparatory discussion with my spouse (who had just done the procedure correctly on his phone recently), the reading of the instructions numerous times, and the watching of many videos (some also numerous times), I still managed to put my &^#*&@%$*& new phone's ^@(#&@*(& screen protector on upside down.  I even googled this occurrence, and I guess the typical reply is to ask whether this is a joke.  Nope.  I know I can't be the only one (well, clearly that guy who sparked the reply did it, too), but although it didn't look quite right to me I went with it.  Seriously the hardest part of setting up this phone.   Feel free to laugh at me, or with me.  I am having a vat of wine and rethinking my abilities.

The folks who set up my new phone a couple months ago got it so wrong it kept falling off.  I finally gave up bringing it back to be fixed and am using it without the added shield.

So far, I'm becoming strongly convinced it's just an extra piece of plastic they want to scare you into buying so they can meet their monthly sales quotas.

So, you're at least in good, robust company....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 08, 2019, 06:28:53 AM
Doubling to say....

OK, Polly...you might have had a point there.....no gilets-jaunes at the moment but many greves(strikes), manifs(demonstrations) and perturbations(social actions/disruptions, like banging a loud kettle drum and shouting slogans in the echo-y halls of the Gare de Lyons for hours on end...just because Macron proposed rationalizing the patchwork quilt of retirement schemes that drain bureaucrats' brains dry in administering them (thus providing more bureaucrats with administrative jobs to retire early from...).

Pas mal (not too bad)...I know there will always be selective strikes to work around in late December in France...(when else would transport workers get their holiday shopping done?)

But I'm now creating backup plans A (rent a car and drive to all my library towns), B (Hang out at my cousin's in Belgium for two more days, maybe go back to Bruxelles, work in the library there and try to get to CDG at some point just before I have to leave) or C (call the airlines, see if I can leave from Bruxelles instead of Paris...)

Or, D, go as far as I can, do as much as I can, see what works each day as it comes (which is what I usually do, anyway...!)

Why couldn't he have waited until after I got home to take all this on, though??

It'll be interesting...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 10, 2019, 01:18:46 PM
Quote from: mamselle on December 07, 2019, 06:43:55 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on December 05, 2019, 05:10:21 PM
This is kind of a dumb vent, but I feel as though my head is about to fly off my shoulders right now at my own ineptitude.  Somehow, despite the many, many years of education (lots of technical know how! really!), the prior preparatory discussion with my spouse (who had just done the procedure correctly on his phone recently), the reading of the instructions numerous times, and the watching of many videos (some also numerous times), I still managed to put my &^#*&@%$*& new phone's ^@(#&@*(& screen protector on upside down.  I even googled this occurrence, and I guess the typical reply is to ask whether this is a joke.  Nope.  I know I can't be the only one (well, clearly that guy who sparked the reply did it, too), but although it didn't look quite right to me I went with it.  Seriously the hardest part of setting up this phone.   Feel free to laugh at me, or with me.  I am having a vat of wine and rethinking my abilities.

The folks who set up my new phone a couple months ago got it so wrong it kept falling off.  I finally gave up bringing it back to be fixed and am using it without the added shield.

So far, I'm becoming strongly convinced it's just an extra piece of plastic they want to scare you into buying so they can meet their monthly sales quotas.

So, you're at least in good, robust company....

M.

Thanks, Mamselle.  I'm sorry you had a similar issue.  For what it's worth, the day after, somewhat recovered from the enormous tantrum I had because I was so mad at myself, I ended up taking the cover off so that I could finally use the microphone needed for dictation (the other mics worked but not for that).  Then I thought well what the heck, and I decided to just try to plop it back on.  I didn't even use the "ez" application kit.  And it went on fine! I had to adjust it a wee bit at first, but then it aligned and went on with no bubbles or other troubles.  Naturally, it has some dust under it because I wasn't exactly careful when I detached it and put it on my desk, thinking I would not be re-applying it.  But, I am satisfied for now.  It sounds as though you may have a different type? But I agree, they do charge quite a bit for them, and it seems like a racket.  Still, most of us tend to fall for the extra "protection" they may impart. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on December 11, 2019, 05:54:01 AM
I don't know how Microsoft makes a profit these days. I'm moving to Chromebooks as much as I can and using Google docs/sheets instead of MS Office. It is a lot easier.

Presumably some of their profit comes from getting universities to use their Outlook 365 Onedrive packages. I have to say that at every step working with these is an exercise in frustration. I just was unable to download an image from an email. I had to forward it to my yahoo account to get it to work. Though I do concede that their Outlook app is working pretty well on my phone, and handles 3 simultaneous accounts better than gmail does.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on December 11, 2019, 06:31:09 AM
Too much for one post...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 11, 2019, 07:09:28 AM
The colleague who has ONE task on their plate but keeps up a constant barrage of inquiries and cajoling to push me to work solely on that project.  Helloooo!  Finals! Grading! Your project needs to be done in MAY.  Back off Jack!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: citrine on December 11, 2019, 07:43:09 AM
There was no snow when I got up and put Nephew on the bus this morning. Now the Lake Effect has come for us all. I'm hoping the buses can get him and all the rest of the children home this afternoon...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on December 12, 2019, 04:03:51 AM
Very sick with powerful sinus infection just before long vacation. Second round of antibiotics started yesterday.

Husband recently rear-ended by young university student driving old Jeep on rain-slick roads not paying attention to stopped traffic. Husband mostly OK but some residual neck/back pain.

No heat in the house yesterday morning. Quickest service was 6 hours after diagnosis. Maintenance guy replaced a part. Said he "hoped this will fix everything." Really reassuring right before long vacation (insert sarcasm emoticon here).

Surely it will all get better?!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on December 13, 2019, 06:06:58 AM
Here I go again!

A number of years back I wrote on the old CHE Fora about a banking difficulty that I had encountered.  I described the situation fully and, to my oblivious surprise, a law firm (which I think was a very successful one at "class action suits" [by which was run by a former Frat Bro {by whom, to begin with, I was unloved}]), picked my idea and settled one of the, at that time, largest such suits ever settled.  Incidentally, something caused the FORA to crash in such a way that I had to change my screen name shortly thereafter (any connection?  Hell, I don't know!).

So now, as I try to pay [and it is a struggle] my credit card bills, I will go on to discuss another financial worry that I, and perhaps a few million [or hundreds of million] others have in common.  My concern is that when I call to pay a said type bill, I am asked for my bank account number by an automated payment system. Often, there is a message included which instructs me that I cannot pay by giving my debit card information and that I must enter my banking info into the system.  But, I am not sure that I want to do this as I:   1.  Do not know who I am giving the account info to
                        2.  Do not know the association or connection of the entity by which I am asked to the
                             firm to which I actually owe the money.
                        3.  Do not know which country the submission operation is located (laws/security/
                             communication procedures not as reliable as they would be if operated in the
                             U.S.A.?).
                        4.  Do not know if "customer service agents" to whom I am referred 'ditto'.

To be fair, often when I pursue other payment options, most times subject systems, although the automated systems deny it, will offer, when and if I get to a "human" customer service person, often offer other payment alternatives [often, to go directly to a chain store location].

Oh, by the way, in the initial class action suit that developed, I think, from my CHE FORA remarks, I did receive a check for $7.21.  WOW!

P.S.  By the way, I am also thinking that, if interlopers can squeeze enough numerical sequences from gathered financial info, they will eventually be able to break into international banking codes and such. That would be a beeg problem, huh!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 13, 2019, 07:12:06 AM
Just continuing to fuss about strikes, travel planning, the fact that three papers depend on working with the materials I've planned to see, and I have no way to foretell if I'll be able to get to France, in the second half of my trip, let alone travel about as I usually/do need to do once/if there.

If I postponed, it would be until March, the soonest I could next go. Unpicking all my plans would be a huge pain.
It's very unfair...a French friend says, "selfish," even, that a proposed change unlikely to affect anyone now living in any terrible way is being used as an excuse to leverage all this havoc.

And Boor-is just got in. Yuck.

A yellow-capped dingbat and on orange-tufted gooney bird are just the sort of leaders the world needs right now.

I'm going off to do a balance sheet on costs-benefits of my options, after checking more websites for travel info.

NOT what I wanted to do this AM!

《toddles off, grumbling..》

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: scamp on December 13, 2019, 09:10:06 AM
Quote from: Economizer on December 13, 2019, 06:06:58 AM
P.S.  By the way, I am also thinking that, if interlopers can squeeze enough numerical sequences from gathered financial info, they will eventually be able to break into international banking codes and such. That would be a beeg problem, huh!

Outside the US, people freely give their bank account numbers for transferring money for all sorts of reasons (e.g., for personal to person transactions, rent payments, etc.). Just having someone's bank account info doesn't mean you can take money from their account (although you can put money into their account).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on December 13, 2019, 09:46:17 AM
Re: Previous post.

Well, I guess I'll take your word for it. My concern is only recent and it is due to the requiring additional banking information that has become quite common.  Previously, my debit card was all that was required for payments almost all the time.  Why is it now that there is an increase in companies asking for the additional banking information and the requirement that one no longer can make payments by debit card?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on December 13, 2019, 10:49:15 AM

Although I try to be independent in political comments, I do have an couple of oddball questions to ask re the current hearings in the House of Representatives.  The first is about payments to witnesses and other relevant personnel for appearing or working in these matters. How much money do they make for their efforts?  Is it in addition to regular wages? Is there overtime paid.  Is there some sort of wage structure for those appearing yet not being part of the HOUSE or HOUSE staff?  The weird idea came to my mind to question if cronies working on this are just being allowed to accumulate a lot of extra Christmas money.  Well, to some degree that is going to happen, is it not?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: robear on December 13, 2019, 07:36:17 PM
Generally, witnesses aren't paid, and public servants do not get compensated for their testimonies in public hearings. The lawyers surrounding witnesses, I don't know, but I doubt they work for free.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on December 17, 2019, 07:14:30 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on December 12, 2019, 04:03:51 AM
Very sick with powerful sinus infection just before long vacation. Second round of antibiotics started yesterday.

Husband recently rear-ended by young university student driving old Jeep on rain-slick roads not paying attention to stopped traffic. Husband mostly OK but some residual neck/back pain.

No heat in the house yesterday morning. Quickest service was 6 hours after diagnosis. Maintenance guy replaced a part. Said he "hoped this will fix everything." Really reassuring right before long vacation (insert sarcasm emoticon here).

Surely it will all get better?!

Now in a completely different part of the world. Much less congestion from allergies. Husband and I both doing better, and the house will (ahem!) take care of itself (although we have arranged for someone to stop by a few times).

Now listening to wild parrots and other flashy tropical birds hanging out in the backyard's avocado, lime, and banana trees . . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on December 18, 2019, 02:25:45 AM
I'm two months into my new job and today is our last day of work before the Christmas closedown. (I'm in Australia.) Late today my colleagues got hit with the I need a favour, buy gift cards scam. I think - hope - they all recognise the scam and several have reported it to IT.

I just hope everyone realises that it is a scam and that it has nothing to do with me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on December 18, 2019, 06:45:51 AM
Dear part-time faculty,
When I say that you must be available the day grades and attendance are due I do actually mean it. When I have called you five times over the course of four hours because you have errors in both your attendance and grading I admit I will be a bit grumpy, especially since your voicemail is full and I cannot leave a message. What is especially fantastic is that you were unavailable because you were interviewing for another part-time position at a different college. To put the cherry on top the chair at the other college reached out to me, while I was trying to get a hold of you, to ask me for a reference for you as you sat in her office.

You are otherwise a very nice person who normally does not play the part of a moron so I did not rat you out but please, please, please don't do this again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 19, 2019, 09:49:04 AM
I place an Amazon order on Nov 30. I get a shipping notification, and a note that they've shipped some of my stuff separately. Most of my stuff arrives. A board game does not arrive. In fact, when I track the package through Amazon, it hasn't moved from Maryland. When I enter that tracking info on the UPS site, I'm told that the package never arrived at the shipping facility. Indeed, UPS says that Amazon requested a label be created, but nothing was ever shipped. I contact Amazon, who denies this. They claim that they know where the parcel is, it's been delayed, and I'll receive it on Dec 11. It doesn't arrive. I make a claim, and they offer to refund or replace. Since this game is for my group's Secret Santa next week, I ask for a replacement. This time it ships USPS from Georgia.

Guess what? USPS says the package was never mailed, but Amazon claims they're tracking it en route.

What sort of crap is this?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 20, 2019, 02:05:02 AM
It's what happens when very tired, very stressed workers are forced to do even more work, faster, because the company's advertising has promised physical, mental impossibilities.

I've seen a couple of articles in passing on this.

The work speed-up has taken a huge toll on the workers. And the company, obviously, has no plans or motivation to reduce its profit margins by hiring more help.

You shouldn't be on the receiving end of their false economies, either. But it sounds like that's what is happening...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 20, 2019, 06:39:03 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 19, 2019, 09:49:04 AM
What sort of crap is this?

This is what happens when brick and mortar stores close because people instead support a juggernaut called Amazon.  Somewhat similar to the Walmart phenomenon but the consequences of Amazon are much larger than the Walmart case.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 20, 2019, 08:04:43 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 20, 2019, 06:39:03 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 19, 2019, 09:49:04 AM
What sort of crap is this?

This is what happens when brick and mortar stores close because people instead support a juggernaut called Amazon.  Somewhat similar to the Walmart phenomenon but the consequences of Amazon are much larger than the Walmart case.

Generally I order my games from Miniature Market. But in this case, Amazon is the only online retailer who has this particularly thing in stock. I'm guessing that some of their affiliates -- FLGSes in Maryland and Georgia, in this case -- think they have this in stock when they don't, or aren't actually shipping the game. I asked my FLGS, but they said they weren't able to get this particular game from the distributor. It's from 2015, so I didn't think it'd be this hard to find.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 20, 2019, 09:01:33 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 20, 2019, 08:04:43 AM
Generally I order my games from Miniature Market. But in this case, Amazon is the only online retailer who has this particularly thing in stock. I'm guessing that some of their affiliates -- FLGSes in Maryland and Georgia, in this case -- think they have this in stock when they don't, or aren't actually shipping the game. I asked my FLGS, but they said they weren't able to get this particular game from the distributor. It's from 2015, so I didn't think it'd be this hard to find.

Apologies if I implied I was blaming you for buying from Amazon.  Hope their tracking data are correct and you get the game in time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 02, 2020, 04:17:35 AM
Chronicles of unnecessary security.

The school emails me my contract in a password protected PDF. They also separately email me instructions for the password, which they put in the title of the PDF.

Anyone who hacks my email will be able to get both the instructions and the PDF.

It is not as if it needed to be secured in the first place. It contains no senstive info, unless the pathetic pay counts.

What a waste of time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 02, 2020, 10:39:14 AM
That's like the instructions in the employee handbook to report a malfunctioning desktop computer by filing a ticket on the IT website.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on January 06, 2020, 12:41:59 PM
Decided this is better here than the various dog threads.
      Dear neighborhood dog owners. Please don't just let your dog out your front door without being on a leash! I have now had three encounters  in the last two weeks while walking my dog. In all three cases the dog bounds out the door and comes running up to mine- all three times running into/across the street in the process. Your dog may be friendly (called out to me three times), but mine does not like the power imbalance of being the one on a leash. She loves people and even little kids, but is defensive around other dogs. In once case we had a tussle as a result. The other two the owners were able to call back their dog before a full encounter, in part because I was yelling at their dog to stay back.
   The real kicker is that one of these dogs actually was quite aggressive to mine about a month ago when they both encountered each other on leashes. So "friendly" my ass- really it's a poorly trained dog.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 07, 2020, 10:04:36 AM
We have a WAITLIST so we know what the unsatisfied demand is.  Why are you asking me to add you into a full course when you aren't even ON the waitlist?!  Why would you think that would work?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2020, 12:41:32 PM
Well....waiting is for all those other people.

I'm special.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bibliothecula on January 07, 2020, 01:15:56 PM
There was coconut in that chocolate candy. BLEEECH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2020, 06:39:24 PM
Oh, oh, oh!

I'll take it (but not if you've taken a bite out of it first).

My little brother used to poke a hole with his thumb into the bottom of all the candies in the Russel Stover's special mixed box of chocolates.

My mom had told him he couldn't take a bite out of them to try them, so he figured it was better to check them out before he had to eat something he didn't like.

But we all liked the coconut ones...especially if they had DARK chocolate...

M
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 08, 2020, 06:24:29 AM
Quote from: bibliothecula on January 07, 2020, 01:15:56 PM
There was coconut in that chocolate candy. BLEEECH.

AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lillipat on January 08, 2020, 06:27:47 AM
New protocols from HR, which seems determined to operate as though we're a manufacturing facility rather than an educational institution, are making my job more difficult.  The petty tyrannies of functionaries who don't understand how adjuncts are found and vetted for qualifications are aggravating me this week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on January 08, 2020, 06:33:50 AM
Apparently someone has a "new vision" for my group, which involves telling a client we can't meet their federal grant needs and numerous students that their class is cancelled so here's your refund.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 09, 2020, 09:27:40 AM
Sounds like the third part of this vision is closing down the school....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on January 09, 2020, 10:53:25 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 09, 2020, 09:27:40 AM
Sounds like the third part of this vision is closing down the school....

M.

The whole thing is getting a bit comical, actually. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on January 10, 2020, 10:56:05 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 07, 2020, 06:39:24 PM
Oh, oh, oh!

I'll take it (but not if you've taken a bite out of it first).


My little brother used to poke a hole with his thumb into the bottom of all the candies in the Russel Stover's special mixed box of chocolates.

My mom had told him he couldn't take a bite out of them to try them, so he figured it was better to check them out before he had to eat something he didn't like.

But we all liked the coconut ones...especially if they had DARK chocolate...

M

Bolded for emphasis.

signed, someone who LOVES coconut and chocolate in the same mouthful
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 10, 2020, 07:14:14 PM
This book I'm refereeing for a very low-tier press is vile.

It's also completely without scholarly merit. But mostly, it's just vile.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on January 11, 2020, 08:58:20 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 10, 2020, 07:14:14 PM
This book I'm refereeing for a very low-tier press is vile.

It's also completely without scholarly merit. But mostly, it's just vile.

Time to get out that red pen and really blow off some steam?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 11, 2020, 10:07:48 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on January 11, 2020, 08:58:20 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 10, 2020, 07:14:14 PM
This book I'm refereeing for a very low-tier press is vile.

It's also completely without scholarly merit. But mostly, it's just vile.

Time to get out that red pen and really blow off some steam?

Mos def.

But honestly, it's so bad that it's hard to slog through, and hard to summon the wherewithal to even comment. My report will, of course, be even-handed in tone, but... well, I can tell that the author will just ignore the problems I point out. This is clearly a case of a kook from another field deciding to grace us with his Grand Unified Theory of Everything which, of course, does justice to none of the disciplines it claims to unify, and which also happens to be shockingly misogynist, racist, and features a thinly-disguised fascination with child abuse material.

On the plus side, a few years ago this press published a book of very rare maps that I've been coveting ever since, and I can claim that book as a reward for my labours.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 11, 2020, 12:03:01 PM
Ooohhh...a map person!

I have to get the USGS maps for any new place I visit.

I have the older two-part US map but need the updated one.

The online Boston Public Library's Leventhal collection is a place I can spend hours in.

And medieval maps?

Come to Hereford with me....

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on January 12, 2020, 07:51:54 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 11, 2020, 12:03:01 PM
Ooohhh...a map person!

I have to get the USGS maps for any new place I visit.

I have the older two-part US map but need the updated one.

The online Boston Public Library's Leventhal collection is a place I can spend hours in.

And medieval maps?

Come to Hereford with me....

;--}

M.

I assume you are familiar with Raven maps?  https://www.ravenmaps.com/  If not, I apologize for perhaps distracting you from other important activities.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 12, 2020, 08:07:47 AM
Uh-ohhhh....(shields eyes with hand).....

Danger, danger, Will Smith!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on January 12, 2020, 02:55:07 PM
I have notice some that young folks, many of them writers or journalists, have developed a kind low pitched croaking accompanying their voices as a sort of undertone. This especially when they seem to be speculating about someone or some thing.  Why is this?  Vaping or other smoking?  Atmospheric conditions?  Global warming?  Flavored water,  Starbucks?

Who else would recognize the speech condition.  Language pathologists or Speech therapists maybe?  Other views, comments, or note of recognition of same by others, please respond!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on January 12, 2020, 03:07:31 PM
Quote from: Economizer on January 12, 2020, 02:55:07 PM
I have notice some that young folks, many of them writers or journalists, have developed a kind low pitched croaking accompanying their voices as a sort of undertone. This especially when they seem to be speculating about someone or some thing.  Why is this?  Vaping or other smoking?  Atmospheric conditions?  Global warming?  Flavored water,  Starbucks?

Who else would recognize the speech condition.  Language pathologists or Speech therapists maybe?  Other views, comments, or note of recognition of same by others, please respond!

This is called vocal fry.  Here is a Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_fry_register), but if you do a search, you'll find other articles as well. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on January 13, 2020, 12:37:33 AM
Quote from: cathwen on January 12, 2020, 03:07:31 PM
Quote from: Economizer on January 12, 2020, 02:55:07 PM
I have notice some that young folks, many of them writers or journalists, have developed a kind low pitched croaking accompanying their voices as a sort of undertone. This especially when they seem to be speculating about someone or some thing.  Why is this?  Vaping or other smoking?  Atmospheric conditions?  Global warming?  Flavored water,  Starbucks?

Who else would recognize the speech condition.  Language pathologists or Speech therapists maybe?  Other views, comments, or note of recognition of same by others, please respond!

This is called vocal fry.  Here is a Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_fry_register), but if you do a search, you'll find other articles as well.

Yes.Many languages use exactly this sort of voice quality to distinguish words, in the same way that different pitchs in Chinese tones do. Hmong, for example, makes a distinction between creaky voice and breathy voice that distinguishes words from each other (e.g., po-creaky = to throw; po-breathy = 'grandmother' (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3574099/)). It is common to criticize this speaking style, which is characteristic of young, west-coast people, but it is not harmful to your voice, and there is absolutely no objective reason to avoid it, beyond standard old-farts-dislike-how-kids-talk-these-days thinking.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 13, 2020, 06:24:32 AM
Actually (as the article also points out) it can weaken the cords, cause a loss of range, and impair clearer communication over time.

A culture that values or uses that element of speech as a communicative mechanism (as mentioned above) may value it enough not to care about those issues, or even see them as valorous in some way.

But structrual/habitual changes do occur.

So, not "no" affect...and wariness about voice use overall is not just being stodgy.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 14, 2020, 07:53:31 AM
"I need a higher grade for my program" is no basis for a grade appeal.  Just stop.

Also, I now have a major grade inflation issue to deal with (the not-unexpected consequence of adjunctifying the service courses in my department).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on January 14, 2020, 01:47:58 PM
Don't send me a follow up email THIS AFTERNOON to see if I saw your email from THIS MORNING. Give me at least 24 hours. That request is not time sensitive in any form whatsoever.

(As an aside, I'm going to request that we use this guideline at our staff meeting, barring an actual drop everything and focus on X situation)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 14, 2020, 02:27:37 PM
Your desire to turn every situation into a potential negative is really draining.  Yes, things sometimes don't go as planned/hit a block/fail utterly and completely, but it's unkind to say that about everyone's ideas or plans (including your own). 
Sometimes it takes a bit of idealistic/naive optimism/enthusiasm to take risks and get results!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on January 15, 2020, 03:26:07 PM
This has been an absolute crap day, starting with a pretty devastating professional blow.  But, on the bright side... I thought I had reached the end of the delicious nonpareils my mom sent me for Christmas (despite only allotting myself two or three mini ones per day), and it turns out there was another bag underneath! I actually am tearing up right now about this.  And I shouldn't say that the day started out as crap, as it started with my very loving and supportive spouse, for whom I am eternally grateful.  And, fortunately, that's how it will end.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 15, 2020, 08:27:33 PM
Sounds like a vinhale.

Glad for your nonpareil spouse and more hidden sweets to enjoy!

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on January 16, 2020, 11:13:45 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 15, 2020, 08:27:33 PM
Sounds like a vinhale.

Glad for your nonpareil spouse and more hidden sweets to enjoy!

M.

I guess I should have checked for a vinhale thread here, but my intentions about venting were pure and good at the outset.  Thanks for the kind words.  Sending you a virtual nonpareil!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on January 17, 2020, 06:10:48 AM

Thank you for replies 202,203,204, 205 to my reply 201.  Although short, those were very informative conversation.  I have a strong clear voice, also my children have that quality.  On this subject, I do fear that they are damaging that and wish to advise them (to what effect?).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 21, 2020, 07:35:25 AM
I received your request to present in my department classes. While your particular student group or pet cause is all well and good, but using 10-15 minutes of class time is not appropriate. 

No, going to the Dean won't help.  If you do go, can I watch?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 23, 2020, 02:37:03 AM
On the "wish I could say" side of venting:

I'm getting tired of plowing through your excess verbiage and making windows in the brick walls of your sentences.

Some days, "edit" is a four-letter word...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 23, 2020, 04:39:31 AM
Jesus H Christ. I have to tell people not to share files with me via MS OneDrive. What a disastrously user unfriendly interface. Took me 15 mins to work out how to download the file. Death to Microsoft.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 23, 2020, 07:26:11 AM
More serious vent.

I hope I only sprained my ankle when I slipped on that black ice on the neighbor's sidewalk across the street.

I wrapped it, called a cab, got to the place I need to be first today, and got set up.

Have to get through this meeting, then decisions must be made.

Teach or not? Cancel the last student, or not??

Hmmm....

Grrr....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 23, 2020, 08:01:16 AM
Dear difficult faculty member,
Policies change.  That they have changed isn't a grand conspiracy, and it certainly isn't directed at you.  You don't have to participate.  Someone else can supervise your students, and  get the compensation, if you won't.

Also, if you "aren't the only one who feels this way" why are you the only one I EVER hear from about this?

Fishprof
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on January 23, 2020, 08:50:33 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 23, 2020, 07:26:11 AM
More serious vent.

I hope I only sprained my ankle when I slipped on that black ice on the neighbor's sidewalk across the street.

I wrapped it, called a cab, got to the place I need to be first today, and got set up.

Have to get through this meeting, then decisions must be made.

Teach or not? Cancel the last student, or not??

Hmmm....

Grrr....

M.

Sorry to hear about your ankle, Mamselle.  I hope it's nothing too serious and feels better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 24, 2020, 09:15:59 AM
Well, it's broken at the lowest end of the tibia, but it doesn't hurt.

They splinted it, and I'm crutching (or crawling backwards when I'm too lazy to fight with the crutches), but no great pain is involved.

Except the need to go to an orthopedic office for actual casting (why couldn't they be in-house???) and the threat of surgery if it proves too hard to cast...grrrrr....

Definitely NOT  what I'd planned for....

At least the editing, research and writing will get done...can't go traipsing around to do much else at the moment!

And oddly, it really doesn't hurt. I slept fine, only find getting around to be a hassle, but that's relatively painless, too...just tiresome and tiring!

Thanks for your kind thoughts!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on January 24, 2020, 10:27:03 AM
Best wishes for speedy and complete healing, mamselle!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 24, 2020, 10:57:02 AM
Thanks. It usually takes six weeks, from all I've ever heard, so I'm planning accordingly!

The fun part may be the need to fly out for a board meeting in a couple weeks.

I asked about it, and the PA said, yes, but you'll have to ride around in one of those golf carts to your gate.

I've always thought that would be fun, having the thing go "beep-beep" and having people let you go by!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: PTonTT on January 24, 2020, 12:00:36 PM
Mamselle, Sorry about your ankle.  I think that a break is actually better than a sprained ankle in terms of healing time and structural integrity after it is healed.  They don't cast broken bones right away because they have to wait for the swelling to go down (and make sure that the swelling won't go up).  Either way, not fun. Wishing you well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 24, 2020, 01:09:42 PM
Thanks! I didn't realize that...makes better sense.

I'll have to find something else to fuss about now...

;--}

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on January 24, 2020, 03:31:13 PM
Glad you're not in pain, mamselle.

Be good to yourself and get well soon!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 28, 2020, 03:00:42 PM
Wishing you a speedy recovery and much fun making the horn "beep! beep!" on your airport travels.
You could get one of those wheeled bench-type leg scooters.  Those are popular for our students since it's hard to have both a backpack and crutches.  Just resist the urge to ride it downhill at high speed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 28, 2020, 11:06:33 PM
Thanks! I'm doing absolutely nothing at high speed now!

I booked a train for the outbound trip and will probably do the same for the return, now, too.

I asked the orthopedist (the cast is on, it's better than the splint for comfort, and they were very good about explaining the injuries, which are both contained, chip-and split-like small things, nothing terrible) about air travel, phlebitis, etc., andvthey said an aspirin the morning before a flight would be enough to deal with that.

But I've also figured I like trains, it'll take longer but be more restful, they're easier to get on and off, no security hassels, etc.

So I may pass up the little golf carts for more peace of mind....!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 30, 2020, 01:45:05 PM
Student said they needed help, but were in class during my office hours. I agreed to be in my office for an hour before class right now (which necessitated leaving home two hours early). Predictably, the student hasn't shown up. Sigh.

No big deal, but it's annoying that I set this trap up for myself.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on January 31, 2020, 07:31:24 PM
Really feeling a need to vent; I'm tired of having to lie and say "fine" when someone asks the ubiquitous greeting/small talk question "how are you doing?"

This week was a bad one in terms of pain, and productivity was pathetic. I'm sad, exhausted, and I just can't muster up the usual forbearance and optimism I try to maintain to avoid falling into a pit of self-pity. I know flare-ups don't last forever, and I know I'm lucky to have health insurance and access to treatment. But there are days when I try to remind myself that I've been through all this before and got through it, while the predominant thought is "yes...but how long will things stay better before I have to go through it all over again?"

I'm disgusted with myself when I get like this, because I know there are lots of other people dealing with chronic illnesses far more serious, more debilitating, and more painful than mine. But I don't know how else to deal with the despair other than to let it run its course.

I think it's finally sinking in after nearly 15 years that this is stuff I may have to deal with for the rest of my life. I kept telling myself I would work really hard to get healthy, stay that way, and get past all this. But the reality may be there's no getting past it, so much as learning (and relearning) to live with it. Besides that, I'm aging out of my young adulthood which is when things often start to go a bit downhill anyway even for healthy people. There may be times that are better than others, but I'll never be as able as I used to be.

I feel grief for all the time I've lost to medical leaves and hospitalizations; and I am apprehensive about my future. I'm afraid I may never be strong enough to have children and raise a family. I'm afraid that any career I am able to forge won't last long, as my shaky health will make me unreliable or eventually render me too sick to work. I'm afraid I won't be able to maintain close relationships as people get tired of having to deal with my issues.

I know if I can just get a decent chunk of work done in the coming week that my mood and outlook will improve (I do have the great good fortune to be in a lab and research area that I love), but for now...I needed The Venting Thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 31, 2020, 08:32:59 PM
Yee-ouch!!!

All best thoughts and good wishes for an upturn in all you're dealing with.

There used to be a thread for forumites with chronic pain and fatigue: on the old site it was:

   https://www.chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,42234.0.html

There was another shorter-lived one here: '

   https://www.chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,13959.0.html

Searches for "Chronic" and "Pain" brought out several others.

But maybe it's just time to start one here.

I don't think you're alone...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2020, 10:21:31 AM
Thanks for the links, mamselle.

I do recall there was a child category attached to the work/life balance category related to health issues on the job.

Not sure if that's a good option for this new site, or if it would work best as a thread in the General Discussion category (maybe a broad Dealing with Chronic Illness/Disability topic?).

I've tried a few support/skills groups (led by licensed psychologists) at my university, but I felt out of place there. All the other members were undergrads who were considerably younger and thus at different stages of life/academic career than I was. It was a place to discuss immediate strategies for getting through school life and making good use of the student counseling services; there wasn't really room to discuss how to deal with the long-term. They were also groups designed for people with psychiatric or learning disability diagnoses, so no discussion of dealing with non-emotional distress/pain or declining physical health.

Honestly, it helped just to post here. I think I really needed the catharsis of saying "I'm not fine right now; I feel awful." It gets wearing trying to stay positive for the sake of those around you when all you really want to do is find a corner to cry in.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 02, 2020, 10:53:25 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2020, 10:21:31 AM
Thanks for the links, mamselle.

I do recall there was a child category attached to the work/life balance category related to health issues on the job.

Not sure if that's a good option for this new site, or if it would work best as a thread in the General Discussion category (maybe a broad Dealing with Chronic Illness/Disability topic?).

I've tried a few support/skills groups (led by licensed psychologists) at my university, but I felt out of place there. All the other members were undergrads who were considerably younger and thus at different stages of life/academic career than I was. It was a place to discuss immediate strategies for getting through school life and making good use of the student counseling services; there wasn't really room to discuss how to deal with the long-term. They were also groups designed for people with psychiatric or learning disability diagnoses, so no discussion of dealing with non-emotional distress/pain or declining physical health.

Honestly, it helped just to post here. I think I really needed the catharsis of saying "I'm not fine right now; I feel awful." It gets wearing trying to stay positive for the sake of those around you when all you really want to do is find a corner to cry in.

I think you're right.

It's sometimes hard to do these things for yourself.

So starting one for you...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 04, 2020, 10:03:20 AM
Pretty inconsequential vent, but it was 68 Sunday and 74 yesterday (NOT the vent).

I just got a text from city Emergency Services, forecasting 3-6 inches of snow by tomorrow afternoon.

If you don't like the weather in St. Louis, just wait a day......
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2020, 07:13:17 PM
Yes, they say that about my place, too....

My vent:

IF you had the materials over the weekend and didn't look at them, after I spent a whole day printing and prepping them, it's not my fault if the missing budget page didn't show up until just before dinner.

In any case,

1. Don't throw a hissy fit, say you're not going to dinner, say I'm not going until it's fixed, etc.....when people are waiting on you to drive them to dinner and they won't even be looking for the budget until tomorrow, by which time I can easily have fixed the formatting issue that you didn't fix to begin with, that I noted before all the packets were being done. (And that you did last cycle, too....because when I went back to my files for that, the same formatting mess had showed up in your original and I had to re-do it....so you never worked from the "fixed" file, which I sent you, but your old one, which may look fine on your computer, but is a mess, with lines jumping all over the place, every time I open it. 

2. Don't tell the hotel clerk to print something they can't print because you don't understand how their printing queue works. Someone else is on their computer, I can't (and won't) bump them, and, again....no-one needs it until the AM.

3. Stop making all kinds of positively saccharine, glowing comments about my work when we've just had said hissy fit at the elevators, and you're all nice and smilely when we get out and the board is all there. Yuck.

4. They're doing a search, and it really is time for you to step back and retire (the above is only one example of the craziness going on). Do NOT imagine they're going to ask you back...they're moving on, as they should...that conversation felt as if it were taking place in la-la-land....as if you could just go on forever and it would be OK.

They've been kind about letting you stay on a full year longer than you originally negotiated for (and pushed your way into at that...I heard the phone conversation) but the combined hamartia and hubris are no longer sustainable.

5. Don't think I'm not aware of the nonsense of all this,  and that I'll just hang out forever. I'm getting very close to the edge of quitting, with or without something else to go to, and it will be the accumulated nonsense like this--where I do quite a lot of work, get myself to the meeting site, and then have hissy fits and megalamanic imaginings to deal with--that will lead to the decision (really already made, I just keep trying to find a workable time).

I get there are health issues, regrets about things that are not likely to happen anymore, difficulties in an earlier setting that was very unfortunate and unfair....and I was willing for awhile to help try to be a part of the healing.

But the lack of realism and the hissy fits should have gone away by now, and they havent.

So I may have to.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 04, 2020, 07:19:42 PM
Yeah, that was obviously a half-assed, last-minute attempt.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2020, 12:04:12 PM
I keep a cold pack in the communal fridge/freezer unit at the lab for when I get nauseous headaches. Today, my cold pack smells strongly of ranch dressing gone slightly off. Normally the smell wouldn't bother me, but when I'm already nauseated... Right now I'm trying to decide if I need a new cold pack or if I can restore this one to its odor-neutral state by letting it air out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 21, 2020, 02:55:04 PM
Ooohhh, I'm with you there, I hate ranch dressing!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on February 21, 2020, 03:53:03 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2020, 12:04:12 PM
I keep a cold pack in the communal fridge/freezer unit at the lab for when I get nauseous headaches. Today, my cold pack smells strongly of ranch dressing gone slightly off. Normally the smell wouldn't bother me, but when I'm already nauseated... Right now I'm trying to decide if I need a new cold pack or if I can restore this one to its odor-neutral state by letting it air out.
Eww.  I wonder if leaving it in baking soda for a few days would help absorb the odor.

Hope the migraine is short-lived.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2020, 08:53:12 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2020, 12:04:12 PM
I keep a cold pack in the communal fridge/freezer unit at the lab for when I get nauseous headaches. Today, my cold pack smells strongly of ranch dressing gone slightly off. Normally the smell wouldn't bother me, but when I'm already nauseated... Right now I'm trying to decide if I need a new cold pack or if I can restore this one to its odor-neutral state by letting it air out.

Ick.

You can probably salvage it by letting it sit in vinegar (or vinegary water) for a while. Or even by coating it in baking soda for a day or two.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on February 23, 2020, 02:00:42 PM
Ugh, today my husband and I took my aunt-in-law out for lunch and she was terrible.  First, she was sick, and didn't stay home.  Second, she helped herself to the passenger seat and told my husband I had insisted (not true).  Then at lunch, she told me I was lucky because her friend's cancer was worse than mine.  And she said my hair was getting so dark (yeah, I'm not dying my hair because, chemicals & cancer) and then she said her hair was that dark but it was so unattractive, she always highlighted it. And she also commented on how thin my hair was. I think I showed remarkable control in not dumping the ice from my tea into her lap.  I have given my husband a cold shoulder he doesn't deserve - I feel sorry he's had to put up with such a mean, crappy bunch of family members.  But I am just so frickin' mad.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 23, 2020, 02:01:39 PM
The racism on display on Cross-Country Checkup today is (1) nauseating, and (2) so, so dispiriting. Holy shit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 23, 2020, 04:33:06 PM
Quote from: alto_stratus on February 23, 2020, 02:00:42 PM
Ugh, today my husband and I took my aunt-in-law out for lunch and she was terrible.  First, she was sick, and didn't stay home.  Second, she helped herself to the passenger seat and told my husband I had insisted (not true).  Then at lunch, she told me I was lucky because her friend's cancer was worse than mine.  And she said my hair was getting so dark (yeah, I'm not dying my hair because, chemicals & cancer) and then she said her hair was that dark but it was so unattractive, she always highlighted it. And she also commented on how thin my hair was. I think I showed remarkable control in not dumping the ice from my tea into her lap.  I have given my husband a cold shoulder he doesn't deserve - I feel sorry he's had to put up with such a mean, crappy bunch of family members.  But I am just so frickin' mad.

I am sorry you suffered from the "no good deed goes unpunished" bug that's going around.

Iced tea in the lap...hmmm....I can (sorry to say) understand it!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on February 23, 2020, 06:04:10 PM
Thank you, Mamselle.  My steamy cloud of anger has settled, thanks to time, beer, and pizza.  Sadly, I don't think she can change being the bearer of inappropriate comments, but I can learn to care much less. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 24, 2020, 08:33:54 AM
My turn for a steamy cloud of..frustration, maybe.

True torture is having to do a near-verbatim transcription of a meeting you could barely stand to sit through the first time...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 24, 2020, 09:07:42 AM
I am doing a teaching evaluation and I am so furious with the students.  (The professor is no great shakes, but hardly the problem).

Students - did you read the book?  Have you EVER read a book.  You don't know the most basic of things, don't speak up, don't ask questions, and generally are grumpy lumps.  I'm here to observe because several of you complained.  I now think your complaint has no merit because YOU did't really even show up.  You were AWOL (Absent WithOut Leaving).

I don't have time to waste on this petty crap.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 24, 2020, 09:10:11 AM
Nothing like getting kicked when you're down, and when you've gone out of your way to do something nice to begin with.  Been there, done that, with various in-laws. Sending you BIG hugs, alto_stratus. 

ETA:

Fish Prof, my dean is coming in for my 3-year eval next week, and I already kind of presume that's how this group of students will act.  Nobody's gone yelling to her about me yet, but still, she needs to see for herself.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 24, 2020, 09:17:57 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 24, 2020, 09:10:11 AM
Fish Prof, my dean is coming in for my 3-year eval next week, and I already kind of presume that's how this group of students will act.  Nobody's gone yelling to her about me yet, but still, she needs to see for herself.

These students have so undermined their case that I will be going to their department chair to discuss solutions.  They are in a pre-professional program and they do not belong there, based on my observation of the class.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on February 25, 2020, 10:44:04 AM
I found another professor's midterm exam abandoned in a classroom. I looked it over and found that it was in my field. Looking more closely at it, I was horrified to notice that the overall exam was bad. Very, very bad.

- 25% of the exam was nothing but True/False questions.
- 5% of the exam was joke questions (where anything is correct)
- one question just said "free point Bonus!" on it... wtf...
- All of the questions lack proper grammar (no periods, no commas, everything is just sentence fragments
- diagrams were all badly pixelated. Sloppy.
- some of the academic content is not applicable to this course type and is not found in our textbook or our (college-standardized) lesson plans
- over half of the academic content that is *supposed* to be assessed on this particular exam was missing. That's appallingly lazy.

The abandoned exam didn't have any identifiers as to who it came from, but I can probably narrow down who it is to two or three people. Nobody in my department is supposed to be behaving this irresponsibly. We all use identical resources, have identical curriculum schedules for specific topics, and we're supposed to all have very similar assessments. Someone has been lying to me about his/her assessments. I chose not to rehire the last two professors who behaved this way.

I feel disgusted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hamburger on February 25, 2020, 11:54:26 AM
Every class in my CC is like this. I repeatedly told them both verbally and in writing in the tests to put down their name and student ID on both the question sheet and answer booklet. 80% of the students did not listen. Every time a student did not do that, I talked loudly about it for everybody to listen. Yet, the remaining students repeated the same mistake. Last week, we had a test in the middle of the semester. Even I had my name written on the board in BIG letters, two students told me that they did not know my name! They don't know my name in the middle of the term?  Even I told them endless number of times to remember a special symbol and I made it clear that it would be asked on the test many many times, half of them made a mistake. Am I teaching pigs?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Ruralguy on February 25, 2020, 12:11:00 PM
They are young (mostly, I'm guessing for your CC--not always the case), not very highly skilled, distracted, and only care enough to kind of sort of show up sometimes. It happens at all levels of education, but can be worse at certain schools due to campus culture, professors "giving up", etc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 25, 2020, 03:04:15 PM
Airing out the cold pack seems to have gotten rid of the rancid ranch smell. Maybe I should pop a box of baking soda into the fridge to keep it from getting smelly again.

Quote from: alto_stratus on February 23, 2020, 02:00:42 PM
Ugh, today my husband and I took my aunt-in-law out for lunch and she was terrible.  First, she was sick, and didn't stay home.  Second, she helped herself to the passenger seat and told my husband I had insisted (not true).  Then at lunch, she told me I was lucky because her friend's cancer was worse than mine.  And she said my hair was getting so dark (yeah, I'm not dying my hair because, chemicals & cancer) and then she said her hair was that dark but it was so unattractive, she always highlighted it. And she also commented on how thin my hair was. I think I showed remarkable control in not dumping the ice from my tea into her lap.  I have given my husband a cold shoulder he doesn't deserve - I feel sorry he's had to put up with such a mean, crappy bunch of family members.  But I am just so frickin' mad.

Sheesh...I hope you don't have to see this person very often. Does she even realize how insulting and irritating she is being, or is she just that oblivious?

I have a few like her in my family. It may not be a kind thought, but sometimes I can't help but wonder "How is it that no one has bludgeoned this person to death yet?"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 25, 2020, 05:14:57 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 25, 2020, 03:04:15 PM
Airing out the cold pack seems to have gotten rid of the rancid ranch smell. Maybe I should pop a box of baking soda into the fridge to keep it from getting smelly again.


Phew!

And: definitely!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hamburger on February 25, 2020, 05:32:46 PM
Quote from: Ruralguy on February 25, 2020, 12:11:00 PM
They are young (mostly, I'm guessing for your CC--not always the case), not very highly skilled, distracted, and only care enough to kind of sort of show up sometimes. It happens at all levels of education, but can be worse at certain schools due to campus culture, professors "giving up", etc.

Some students in this CC also like to ask me and my colleagues if they got the right answers before they handed in their test papers! I had two guys coming to the front and kept pressing me to answer them in front of other students during the test.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on February 26, 2020, 06:07:02 AM
Quote from: hamburger on February 25, 2020, 11:54:26 AM
Every class in my CC is like this. I repeatedly told them both verbally and in writing in the tests to put down their name and student ID on both the question sheet and answer booklet. 80% of the students did not listen. Every time a student did not do that, I talked loudly about it for everybody to listen. Yet, the remaining students repeated the same mistake. Last week, we had a test in the middle of the semester. Even I had my name written on the board in BIG letters, two students told me that they did not know my name! They don't know my name in the middle of the term?  Even I told them endless number of times to remember a special symbol and I made it clear that it would be asked on the test many many times, half of them made a mistake. Am I teaching pigs?

Open enrollment institutions operate more as filters for the college-ready vs. not-ready than any other institutional type.

The "not-ready" are not ready for often many reasons. There is only so much you can do. If they can't perform adequately, they don't pass.

For people that don't write the proper ID's on their exams, I just leave their grade blank on the gradebook, and leave it up to them to come in during office hours and get it fixed. Oddly, lots of people never ask, never get it fixed, and seem perfectly content to keep those zeroes and flunk out. That's their choice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on February 26, 2020, 09:54:30 AM
I think I'm getting sick. I do not wish to be sick.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hamburger on February 27, 2020, 06:20:24 AM
Quote from: Aster on February 26, 2020, 06:07:02 AM
Quote from: hamburger on February 25, 2020, 11:54:26 AM
Every class in my CC is like this. I repeatedly told them both verbally and in writing in the tests to put down their name and student ID on both the question sheet and answer booklet. 80% of the students did not listen. Every time a student did not do that, I talked loudly about it for everybody to listen. Yet, the remaining students repeated the same mistake. Last week, we had a test in the middle of the semester. Even I had my name written on the board in BIG letters, two students told me that they did not know my name! They don't know my name in the middle of the term?  Even I told them endless number of times to remember a special symbol and I made it clear that it would be asked on the test many many times, half of them made a mistake. Am I teaching pigs?

Open enrollment institutions operate more as filters for the college-ready vs. not-ready than any other institutional type.

The "not-ready" are not ready for often many reasons. There is only so much you can do. If they can't perform adequately, they don't pass.

For people that don't write the proper ID's on their exams, I just leave their grade blank on the gradebook, and leave it up to them to come in during office hours and get it fixed. Oddly, lots of people never ask, never get it fixed, and seem perfectly content to keep those zeroes and flunk out. That's their choice.

You are absolutely right. What I found out is that if I continue to care about my students, I am asking for unhappiness, have extreme mental distress and have my life shortened. Now I understand why some senior colleagues called them "rubbish".

We had a programming test. At first I planned to ask them to answer two questions each with 5 tasks. Knowing their level, I wasted my time to revise the paper. I asked them to choose only one question to answer and each had only four tasks. The tasks were as following:

a) Ask the user to input six numbers. Store those numbers in an array. (3 marks)
b) Print out the numbers stored in that array. (3 marks)
c) Calculate the average of the numbers. (2 marks)
d) Sort the numbers and print the sorted list (2 marks)

I believe that these are some of the simplest programming questions. Note that sorting is more difficult. It should have worth 3-5 marks but I made it 2 marks expecting that most of them could not answer. I also made b) to kind of give them 3 marks for free. It was a close book exam. I made it clear a few times both in writing and verbally. Within a few minutes of the test, the guy who said that he pays for my salary pulled out a pdf file and copied and pasted. I pointed out that it was unacceptable. He played dumb saying that he did not know. In other schools, I just asked IT to disable the internet connection. In this CC, it cannot be done as the students are not be able to use the compiler to compile their programs. It means that students could cheat easily as I could not watch their screens all at once.

In the middle of the test, a few students argued with me about why they had to do part b). They wanted to negotiate! A student said that he did not see the point of doing it and asked if he could get half the marks skipping it. At the end, a few of them did not submit part b. A few students also told me that they did not know how to calculate the average. They are 2nd year STEM students and they don't know how to calculate the average!!!!! They are worse than elementary school children. Interestingly, almost all of them got part d which was the most difficult part. Part d involved printing numbers in the sorted array. So they knew how to do that but they did not know how to do part b?! Few minutes before the end of the test, a girl started to cry saying that she did the work but suddenly her computer failed and she lost all the work. I asked her if she saved her work and she said no. I told her that it would be her problem as I reminded the class to save their programs regularly in case of computer failure. Interestingly, within a few minutes, she could start all over and got 10 out of 10! One student told me that she completed her work. When I asked her to show me Part a. She did not know how to input the numbers from the keyboard. I had to tell her what to press on the keyboard key by key. Yet, she got perfect score. How could this happen? In the first half of the test, most students were sitting there looking completely lost. Suddenly a lot of them were able to complete and got perfect or almost perfect scores. Some students were trying to distract me throughout the test. I also caught a student using cellphone which he was not supposed to. I believe that they coordinated with each other and wide spread cheating happened. I noticed that the student who finished first and got a perfect score was sitting outside the room for the remaining 1.5 hours.

If I talk about it, my students will team up against me. I will also lose my job if many students fail. So I just have to play dumb and make simple questions for them to pass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 27, 2020, 09:36:37 AM
Quote from: hamburger on February 25, 2020, 11:54:26 AM
Every class in my CC is like this. I repeatedly told them both verbally and in writing in the tests to put down their name and student ID on both the question sheet and answer booklet. 80% of the students did not listen. Every time a student did not do that, I talked loudly about it for everybody to listen. Yet, the remaining students repeated the same mistake. Last week, we had a test in the middle of the semester. Even I had my name written on the board in BIG letters, two students told me that they did not know my name! They don't know my name in the middle of the term?  Even I told them endless number of times to remember a special symbol and I made it clear that it would be asked on the test many many times, half of them made a mistake. Am I teaching pigs?

No, you are teaching students.  They have lots to learn, but they are not "pigs".  You obviously have a lot of anger and contempt for your students.  Don't let two students who admitted they didn't know your name ruin your opinion of your entire class.  Let it go.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 27, 2020, 09:43:51 AM
Hamburger was venting. This is a venting threat. I'm not enthusiastic about people telling others not to be so upset on this thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hamburger on February 27, 2020, 10:13:10 AM
Quote from: downer on February 27, 2020, 09:43:51 AM
Hamburger was venting. This is a venting threat. I'm not enthusiastic about people telling others not to be so upset on this thread.

Exactly! My issue with them is not about not knowing my name but not writing down their name and ID regardless of the endless number of times I have told them to do so. The same group of students did the same thing in another test. I just gave another example about their ignorant.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 27, 2020, 10:40:41 AM
Sorry (unrelated to above), but no, a blog site with big pictures and large text do not an "informational hub" make.

Most blogs like that are just displaying their own ignorance--it's "new!" And "exciting!" only because they have no knowledge of the field and have no idea how much serious, deep work has gone into studying the stuff they're bloviating about.

In fact, I won't even open 'em.

I'm all for encouraging interest and enthusiasm but we're supposed to represent over 100 years of work on this topic...not yesterday's nonsense.

Sheesh!

(Thank you. This is what comes from transcribing meeting minutes for a group whose work you've come to care about...you get to hear the good stuff twice, but the fact that the idiocracy seems to be winning is also doubly painful...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 28, 2020, 03:50:41 PM
Quote from: hamburger on February 27, 2020, 10:13:10 AM
Quote from: downer on February 27, 2020, 09:43:51 AM
Hamburger was venting. This is a venting threat. I'm not enthusiastic about people telling others not to be so upset on this thread.

Exactly! My issue with them is not about not knowing my name but not writing down their name and ID regardless of the endless number of times I have told them to do so. The same group of students did the same thing in another test. I just gave another example about their ignorant.

It is the venting thread.  Sorry. 
I was upset by you referring to your students as pigs (very offensive in some cultures/regions).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 29, 2020, 12:56:17 PM
Stupid mistake. Messed up an experiment. Need to redo. Think I can make up for it next week so it shouldn't put me behind schedule. But I hate when I make stupid mistakes, which seems to be often these days. I hate having to tell my PI I made a stupid mistake.

I miss the days when my brain worked better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 01, 2020, 11:24:26 AM
I get seasons of befuddled brain sometimes, too.

Scariest was when I went through early menopause at age 37 and suddenly couldn't recall dance combinations (always taught on the fly, in class, and I used to be 'first-up' in line, ready to perform them correctly)...then, suddenly I was goofing them up and didn't know why my short-term memory had vanished.

I was also, as it happened, working on my thesis, and was terrified, after I realized what the issue was, that I was doomed not to be able to write it. (I did.)

I did, also, find work-arounds: better record-keeping since my old ability to see a reference on a page (and know the book and page no.) were gone; saying things out loud to myself, saying all the "wrong words" when hit with a "tip-of-the-tongue" moment until I worked my way through to the right one, etc.

My aural short-term memory was better than my visual idetic imagery, as it turned out, but the time to discovery on that compensation was wearying.

And it required honest mourning.

Not quite the same, maybe, but way will open.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on March 01, 2020, 01:15:39 PM
(unrelated)  You know, there are ways not to spread illness. #1 is stay home when you are sick. #2 don't hug people. #3 don't cough into your hand and stick your hand in the potato chips. #4 if your doctor told you "DON'T, under any circumstances, touch your eye," don't touch your eye while you are quoting your doctor... and breaking rules 1-3. *facepalm*
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 01, 2020, 01:48:37 PM
Sorry for the ongoing vent: I have NO interest in this transcription. Zero.

No-one will read it, no-one will take any of the brilliance it records into account, they won't even recall their own scintillating contributions at the next meeting (after 4 years' experience with twice-yearly meetings, I have observational evidence).

I have the attention span of a flea for it (hence all my posts in the last few hours...ahem).

It's getting done slowly but surely and I'll have it ready as promised, on time.

But it's truly like pulling teeth, one at a time, by the roots without novocaine.

   OK, back to work...

Oh--a second vent: Doesn't ANYBODY ever edit the online news entries anymore???  They're HORRIBLE!

I should get a job editing for them, but I'd go nuts for sure, then.

(Guess what else I've been doing when I don't want to transcribe...Google Newsfeed draws my eye...and again....and again...)

   OK, back to work for real, now.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 01, 2020, 02:28:40 PM
I am just going to say that various aches and pains that come from merely existing sure make getting older fun.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 01, 2020, 02:36:27 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on March 01, 2020, 02:28:40 PM
I am just going to say that various aches and pains that come from merely existing sure make getting older fun.

OUCH!

Sorry to hear you're going through that.

All good thoughts.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 04, 2020, 07:15:56 PM
Thank you, Mamselle, for the kind thoughts.  I am feeling a bit whiny as this week is my anniversary trip around the sun kind of thing, and between these different mysterious injuries (which I'd guess are related... compensate for this, get that, then compensate and get the other thing) plus early mornings and unrelated dentist and doctor appointments and other US and global worries, argh.  I just feel a little run down in a lot of ways.  I know I've probably got the least of it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 05, 2020, 12:55:44 AM
I hope your year-to-date analysis allows for some tracking of your accomplishments--which will have occurred, in fact, in spite of the pain, anxiety, frustration at the truculence of moving b9dy parts, etc.

Many satisfactory returns of the day, whichever one it is, this week.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 06, 2020, 03:19:01 PM
Thank you Mamselle, it was yesterday, so your post was well timed.  I haven't done the year in review yet but am very much looking forward to trying to celebrate this weekend if I don't sleep through it.  But, the week is over! And, as my youngest (15yo) wrote on the card she made for me, "[Me]: [# Years on Earth], Death: 0".  Fortunately she's a better artist than greeting card content designer, and I do appreciate the sentiment. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 09, 2020, 03:51:15 PM
Y'know that feeling when you assigned a reading because it looked interesting, but you read it the night before you have to teach it and it turns out to be (1) bad on formal grounds, (2) straight-up anti-feminist backlash, (3) one giant straw man, (4) ill-informed, and (5) has a super(!)-racist aside near the end?

Yup. Just had to teach that. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 09, 2020, 05:03:32 PM
Is that what they call a "learning experience?"

(ducks and runs...)

Me...I've just been a bit grumpy and bored all day, despite having a lot to do.

Just figured it out, thanks to a friend's transformative listening: I'm endorphin-deprived from a month's lack of seriously good dancing.

Have to get some alternatives going....chair-dqnces, maybe?

Something....

(Wanders...well, crutches...off...)

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: zuzu_ on March 09, 2020, 08:37:05 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 09, 2020, 03:51:15 PM
Y'know that feeling when you assigned a reading because it looked interesting, but you read it the night before you have to teach it and it turns out to be (1) bad on formal grounds, (2) straight-up anti-feminist backlash, (3) one giant straw man, (4) ill-informed, and (5) has a super(!)-racist aside near the end?

Yup. Just had to teach that. Sigh.

Ugh.

Reminds me of the semester a few years ago when I had an entire unit in my online course that focused on The Cosby Show. You know how this story ends. Even all the links I had to video clips were suddenly dead.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on March 10, 2020, 08:18:13 AM
Quote from: zuzu_ on March 09, 2020, 08:37:05 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 09, 2020, 03:51:15 PM
Y'know that feeling when you assigned a reading because it looked interesting, but you read it the night before you have to teach it and it turns out to be (1) bad on formal grounds, (2) straight-up anti-feminist backlash, (3) one giant straw man, (4) ill-informed, and (5) has a super(!)-racist aside near the end?

Yup. Just had to teach that. Sigh.

Ugh.

Reminds me of the semester a few years ago when I had an entire unit in my online course that focused on The Cosby Show. You know how this story ends. Even all the links I had to video clips were suddenly dead.

Once had to change a whole textbook mid-summer and restart the prep.

8th edition had been really good. 9th edition - cheese was sliding off the cracker in spots. By the 10th edition - WHERE WAS THE EDITOR?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 10, 2020, 08:27:39 AM
Quote from: mamselle on March 09, 2020, 05:03:32 PM
Is that what they call a "learning experience?"

(ducks and runs...)



For me? Nah! I will absolutely continue to assign the occasional reading I haven't read and don't plan to read until the night before. For them? Actually, I think so. We had a pretty good discussion about it all.


Quote from: zuzu_ on March 09, 2020, 08:37:05 PM


Ugh.

Reminds me of the semester a few years ago when I had an entire unit in my online course that focused on The Cosby Show. You know how this story ends. Even all the links I had to video clips were suddenly dead.

0_o Wow. Spectacularly bad timing! I can't even imagine.

Quote from: ciao_yall on March 10, 2020, 08:18:13 AM

9th edition - cheese was sliding off the cracker in spots.

I've never heard that expression before, and it just made my day!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on March 12, 2020, 05:04:22 AM
I just had a grant rejected. Normally, this is not cause for comment---I'm used to it---but it had gotten through the outline-proposal stage with flying colors, and it was a good project, appropriate for the funder's values, and I had a really good feeling about it. I can resubmit it somewhere else, sure, but this one hurts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 12, 2020, 06:50:34 AM
Ouch.

Sorry, hopes are precious things, and seeing one being attenuated or miscarried is so hard.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 12, 2020, 06:57:30 AM
Sinus infection. (No surprise there.)  But the NP ordered me to stay at home until March 23, which did surprise me--I'm not contagious, but she doesn't want me picking up something like the flu from someone else.

She started to write the note that I'd be released on 3/23, but I stopped her:  next week is spring break, but I'm sure that had I been ordered "off" that week, HR would have charged me sick days for it.  It's just how they are.

So, Introvert Me is fine with the "stay home" order, but childish me is kind of irked at being home sick over break (even though I wasn't planning to go anywhere or do much anyway).  Sigh.

If that's the biggest thing I have to vent about, it's a pretty good day in Lake Woebegone.

I guess I could vent about the stock market, but our pension fund came through the big recession actually making a little money, so let's hope that happens this go-round again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on March 12, 2020, 09:18:33 AM
I'm a department chair, currently on Spring Break. I'm not privy to the conversations, but it's clear my campus is preparing to transition courses online. The department admin just reached out to ask me for all faculty phone numbers, which are in her files. The dean also asked her to ask me for a spreadsheet of all courses currently running, which I dug out of an email ... from the dean. I know this is an unprecedented situation, but c'mon, folks — don't run to me without taking a deep breath and looking for the info you need that's already at your fingertips!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 12, 2020, 09:23:50 AM
Plus, wouldn't you expect to privy to at least some of the conversations around the issues at hand??

And I can echo your vent. The director I currently support is horrible about his emails. I have to re-send stuff multiple times, or, as you describe, send back things he sent out, because he deletes stuff, can't use the search function in gmail correctly, apparently doesn't file or label stuff so he can see the latest version, etc.

Good thing one of us is on top of things...in both cases!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on March 17, 2020, 09:11:27 AM
More a lament than a vent...

Spouse got into a car accident last week. They're fine. Insurance has deemed the car a total loss though. We've decided to take the buyout. So now we're looking for a new (used) car in all this mess.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bibliothecula on March 17, 2020, 09:45:11 AM
The senior faculty in my department are selfish jerks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 23, 2020, 12:16:57 PM
Argh. Just recorded two lectures, only to find out that the cat had turned off my mic. =/
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 23, 2020, 12:52:36 PM
They liked hearing the sound of your voice and wanted to be sure to hear it again....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on March 24, 2020, 07:59:14 PM
Morning email to chairs, deans, directors: In the event that employees can not come to work due to state, county, or university mandates, please send me a list of employees who could/couldn't work from home.

Aargh! Bad enough I spent entire day collecting info about feasibility of employees working from home, dealing with panicky employees assuring me they'll do anything to keep paychecks, dealing with others who refuse to consider changing routine to work from home. You just had to send email blast that stirs them all up again at the end of the work day.

I'm trying to get my AC1 levels down pre-diabetic to normal. You are NOT helping.

Time for a walk before I give in to desire to overload on carbs.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 24, 2020, 08:22:17 PM
Awoke to a flat tire.  Flat to the ground flat!  i pumped it up and then took my other vehicle to the local grocery for some supplies (and wait to see if the tire would hold air long enough that I would not have to put on the spare to get the tire fixed).

At the grocery store, the story is mixed.  I wanted some pre-made salads.  Those are gone!  The entire cooler they should be found was closed off!  On the plus side, the store had eggs, and milk.  The cereal had mostly returned.  I didnt do too much exploring.  I did peak at the Ben & Jerry's section.  I wont say it was empty, but there was NO B&J!!  It was filled with Blue Bell ice cream!  Blue Bell is ok, but nothing that Bluebell has compares to New York chocolate (whatever it is called).

I returned home with the loot i was able to wrestle from the grocery store and ate some lunch. The tire held air well enough so I was off to the tire store.  THey are practicing Social Distancing. You have to call the store and tell them what car you are in and they come out when they are ready.  They decided that I needed a new tire!  (run flat damage) and that the other tires were still in the good range but were over six years old.  Worse, the tires I have on the car have been discontinued.  Anyway, i was thinking that I would go ahead and get new tires all around, but i needed to wait in the car for at least an hour until it was my turn. 
I waited with the engine running for the AC as it was already over 80 degrees in this part of the world now.  AFter 40 minutes or so, I turned off the car as I figured that it was cool enough for a while.  Then they came by and said it was MY TURN!!  Hooray!!  Then the car woudl not start!!!   The battery would turn it over, and it would sort of start enough to sputter and sputter, but if I hit the gas, it died right away! I just could not get it to keep running and eventually it stopped even sputtering. 

I had to call my fiance to rescue me as I had left my AAA card in my 'travel'wallet.  After 20 minutes or so she picked me up and took me home. I took my truck to the tire store and called AAA.  They said the wait would be about 2 hours.  So I waited. This time with the windows open, because the AC in the truck seems to have given up the ghost and I have not been able to get it looked at. 

After the 2 hour wait, the tow truck arrived.  I explained the problem.  He said to give it a try so he could hear it.  Sum-bitch started right up!!! 

I drove it the 3 blocks to the closest repair shop (not my favorite place mind you), and the tow truck followed.  Tomorrow I hope that the shop will tell me what they think that they will fix.  (From my experience with them, it may not be what is broken, but it will be what they want to try to fix first!)

AFTER that, I went to Wendy's for lunch/ dinner really as it was now after 4 pm! I ordered single combo NO CHEESE!  I paid, but I needed to move forward while they got my order ready. When the lady brought out my bag, I asked "No Cheese, right?"  and the reply was "No cheese!"   So I didnt check.  Well, Im sure that you know that IF they had the order right, i would not be in the VENTING thread!!!  Bastards! 
The worst part is that this is the SECOND TIME!   We can only visit the drive through these days, and I visited them last Saturday too.  And they screwed it up then too! 

Not to worry!  I wont be visiting them any time soon.  AND IF i can find my reciept I will fill out the Talk to Wendy webpage telling her off! 

OK.  Venting over for now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 27, 2020, 07:26:21 PM
Update...

I got the call Wednesday morning that there was nothing that could be found that was wrong with the car. 

I told them to go ahead and change the oil.

It was ready about1230... right after I had a big salad and a bunch of orange drink.  They are now practicing social distancing, so they would not come and get me. I had to walk to the shop. It is not too far, only about a mile and a half. However, it was bright sun and 89 degrees.  I got about 100 yards from the shop and decided that I had better sit down a spell so that I didnt walk in there all out o f breath and scare them! 

So I spent like $130 for a diagnosis of "no problems" and an oil change. 

I m sure that whatever the problem was/IS will pop up at a more inconvenient time! 

On the positive side, the tire that was flat seems to be holding air.  So while it has 'run flat damage' as long as it is holding air, Im going to delay replacing the tires.  The tread on them is fine, only the age was the real issue, and I figure that until the tires are more worn, or the problem that caused the issue is diagnosed, Im not going to rush to put new tires on my 20 year old car!  (though it only has 64,000 miles)!

Later that evening, I scared my fiance.  I told her I was feel chili and took my temperature (97.9).  But the sight of the thermometer helped her to decide that she had better go home!  I think that it was sitting under the AC vent with a new sunburn from walking earlier in the afternoon.  I felt better yesterday, though I now have a small cough!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 28, 2020, 05:15:44 PM
Reaching out to any forumites in the path or environs of the Jonesboro, AR tornado and the other weather issues in the midwest.

Thinking of you and wishing you the best.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 28, 2020, 06:11:28 PM
My university is now totally online for instruction.  However, in my classes I have used a combination of both in class and online quizzes.  One of the quizzes is due tomorrow.  It is not a new quiz, it is one I had given online for several semesters.  This quiz has been available for students to take since Monday
ON the link to go to the quiz, there is a note to go to a certain page and use the balance sheet and income statement on that page to calculate the ratios on the quiz.

The first very bitchy email I got this morning was a student irate that the quiz page did not include the information within the quiz.  He was quite insulting and noted that I needed to give him another attempt because he clearly failed the quiz.  His quiz time was still running so I copied the information that was right below the button to start the quiz.  In the followup email he sent in reply to my email showing him the information, he noted that it "did not look important! " 

I did reset his attempt and I then adjusted the instructions by putting the page number in bold!  He followed up with a complaint that I made it easier to see! 

The second email was just a while ago.  He claims that the eText does not use page numbers so he lost a lot of time looking for the information and then had to print it out.  However, when I go to MindTap (the publisher's site) there is a box right at the top of the page and when I put in the page number specified it takes me instantly to the page I specified.  His email includes all sorts of complaints that I did not tell them the format of the quiz.  (As I am not meeting at class time on WebEx and recording the session, I pointed out that it was discussed between the 20 and 22 minute mark). 

He then complained that it was unfair that he had to use the eText and search through the page for the numbers that he wanted.  He complained that the quiz was poorly designed and that "In the Army we have a saying that poor planning gets people killed.  Obviously, we are not in any extreme setting like that but to modify it, "poor design will get students failed." " 

I replied that my design was that students would turn to the printed page so that they would not have to be scrolling up and down looking for numbers on a computer screen.  No one has before complained about using the eText with this quiz in the past.  He now notes that part of his problem was that he went to the wrong page because a classmate told him something different than was in the instructions.

So, Do eTexts NOT have page numbers?  Is there a way to turn them on?  How do people with eTexts find the section of the book without a page number?

FInally.... this is a small rant, both emails were addressed to "Mr. Clean".  I was semi tempted to reply to these bitchy emails with a note that I would be glad to forward their emails to "Mr. Clean" (both my father and my brother as they did not specify which they really wanted the message to go to) and hopefully one of them would reply to their message.  If they wanted a reply from DR. Clean, perhaps they should rephrase their notes to highlight their own errors  and request a solution (Their errors include not reading the 'unimportant' parts of the instructions, and ignoring the instructions and asking a class member instead of DR Clean if there was confusion related to the use of the eText.  Certainly the root cause of BOTH complaints is related to MY failure to ensure that they actually PAID ATTENTION to what was written!) 

Does stupidity and bitchiness increase with social distancing? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 30, 2020, 05:49:08 AM
Sometimes I am able to rise above the annoyance of rude student emails and reach a higher plane, giving a polite reply.
Other times I am not, and I just delete them.

Certainly some etexts have page numbers. Generally Kindle does not. The one I am using from WW Norton does not have page numbers. So it can be more useful to give references to sections of the book.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on March 30, 2020, 07:04:43 AM
Quote from: clean on March 28, 2020, 06:11:28 PM
<snip>

Does stupidity and bitchiness increase with social distancing?

Alternatively, you might have a student who thrives in a military environment:
     (training - do this exactly this way - and re-training until you get it right, all at the third-grade level with no independent thought allowed)
but can't transition to an academic one:
     (here's the basic theoretical & practical information & a source of more useful information, lets work this problem, now you work this other problem).

I've had a very few of these.  They do get frustrated (and sometimes furious) because they expect to be given every necessary detail, to be shown how to work every possible problem, and for the exam to be the same for every class and every semester, and for it to be available for their study!  If those conditions are met they will meet expectations - pound the information into their heads until they have it cold.  But, the minute they run into anything novel or you expect independent problem solving, they are lost!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 30, 2020, 07:38:33 AM
I have a faculty member who has always perceived huself as the last bastion of academic rigor.  Now, in the face of a campus-wide P/F policy being implemented, hu has decided that hu will simply raise the Pass threshold because "no one can tell me what a passing grade is in my own class".

Why do some people just insist on being difficult?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 30, 2020, 07:50:49 AM
Quote from: mamselle on March 28, 2020, 05:15:44 PM
Reaching out to any forumites in the path or environs of the Jonesboro, AR tornado and the other weather issues in the midwest.

Thinking of you and wishing you the best.

M.

Not near Jonesboro myself, but I know people there.  A librarian of my acquaintance rode out the storm with his family in their bathtub.  Their home is now gone.  So far about 200 homes are known to have been damaged, of which 55 are probably totaled.  There were 22 injuries, two hospitalized, with no fatalities or life-threatening injuries.  The biggest single concentration of damage was a wrecked shopping mall--which was pretty much empty because of the quarantines.  The campus of Arkansas State University does not seem to have been damaged.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 30, 2020, 08:35:18 AM
Thanks for the update.

All good thoughts to your friend, their family, and their neighbors.

I can't imagine losing ones whole home like that.

Glad they were safe.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on March 30, 2020, 10:40:42 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 30, 2020, 07:38:33 AM
I have a faculty member who has always perceived huself as the last bastion of academic rigor.  Now, in the face of a campus-wide P/F policy being implemented, hu has decided that hu will simply raise the Pass threshold because "no one can tell me what a passing grade is in my own class".

Why do some people just insist on being difficult?

Because they don't trust their students.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 30, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Very bad allergies today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 30, 2020, 02:03:34 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on March 30, 2020, 10:40:42 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 30, 2020, 07:38:33 AM
I have a faculty member who has always perceived huself as the last bastion of academic rigor.  Now, in the face of a campus-wide P/F policy being implemented, hu has decided that hu will simply raise the Pass threshold because "no one can tell me what a passing grade is in my own class".

Why do some people just insist on being difficult?

Because they don't trust their students.
Wasn't expecting that response.  Can you clarify what you mean? (No snark)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 30, 2020, 03:37:58 PM
Unrelated to the above:

Yep, that's exactly what I was trying to prevent.

I know your other job is more dazzling, but you draw on this one for your pay as well, and now things are a mess--and it affects me.

Answer your emails, do what I request when I ask for it, and stop playing diva with your other job while you use this one as a cash cow.

Really!!!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 31, 2020, 05:59:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 30, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Very bad allergies today.
+1 here, for the past week or so.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 31, 2020, 09:10:45 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 31, 2020, 05:59:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 30, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Very bad allergies today.
+1 here, for the past week or so.

Me, too.  And now mulberry's back, which is just a party waiting to happen.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 31, 2020, 10:36:09 AM
Sorry to hear that.

You can thank the 18th c. colonial sericulture enthusiasts in the South and along the East coast, who imported the trees...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 08, 2020, 06:50:56 AM
Well, double-ost, but with plenty of time in between!

Actually, this may belong on the whining thread (oh, wait, do we have one?)...

I don't LIKE sea salt stuff, or caramel, or both, with my dark chocolate, Ghirardelli!

What happened to the nice mint and raspberry flavors you used to have in the mixed squares bag?

(now, there's a rock group name: Ghirardelli and the Mixed Squares...)

I'll eat it anyway, because, well....dark chocolate, but...

I try to avoid salt in stuff, and this forces it on me.

Harrumpf.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 08, 2020, 08:00:23 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on March 31, 2020, 09:10:45 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 31, 2020, 05:59:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 30, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Very bad allergies today.
+1 here, for the past week or so.

Me, too.  And now mulberry's back, which is just a party waiting to happen.

Me three.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 08, 2020, 10:41:34 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on April 08, 2020, 08:00:23 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on March 31, 2020, 09:10:45 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 31, 2020, 05:59:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 30, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Very bad allergies today.
+1 here, for the past week or so.

Me, too.  And now mulberry's back, which is just a party waiting to happen.


Me three.

Like I say, it's all S. Carolina's fault...they started it.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 08, 2020, 04:13:18 PM
Venting about how hard it is to vent at present.

My body is malfunctioning in new and disconcerting ways. I don't understand why these things are happening. Doctors I talk to don't know whats happening, don't know what to do about, and therefore don't seem to intend to do anything about it. I'm scared and uncomfortable and in pain and, for reasons I can't articulate, having to keep it to myself makes it all much harder to bear.

A lot of people are venting these days with the disruption related to the pandemic. People I know have had to cancel weddings, have lost jobs or had to make a short-notice transition to working remotely. They are stuck at home and bored or lonely or frustrated over their diminished productivity as their work routines were thrown out of whack. They are dealing with anxiety about the virus and the stress of managing family dynamics in a lock-down situation. All such vents are perfectly understandable.

Some people vent to me personally. Some do it generally over facebook or similar. They get the comfort of sympathy, commiseration, advice, or just a friendly chat to take their mind off their worries for a while. I don't know how to get the same need met.

I know most people don't want to hear in depth talk about anything too heavy. I usually downplay it, but I will sometimes attempt to let someone know that I'm not doing ok lately. If someone asks how I am, I may say something like "Well, I've been rather down lately" or "A bit stressed out this week". The most common response is something like, "Oh, yeah. Everybody is. Just the other day [insert anecdote about a long, frustrating attempt to get supplies at the grocery store; although sometimes it is a more severe problem like a job loss]. But at least I'm getting more time at home with [insert enjoyable things here]. Try to remember [insert generic sentiment regarding forbearance, counting your blessings, or accepting things you can not change to focus on the things you can]. Anyway, I should get going. Bye!"

Even SO has been too preoccupied with his own stress to be much available to me. He is used to going out a few times a week to visit friends, and the lack of face-to-face social time has really been affecting him.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 02:29:25 PM
What do you do when you need to cry but can't? When you want to scream but you know you shouldn't? When you need to connect but there's no one around?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 02:29:25 PM
What do you do when you need to cry but can't? When you want to scream but you know you shouldn't? When you need to connect but there's no one around?

What's on your mind SCR?  Water Cooler thread is always open, even on weekends and holidays.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 03:18:17 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 02:29:25 PM
What do you do when you need to cry but can't? When you want to scream but you know you shouldn't? When you need to connect but there's no one around?

What's on your mind SCR?  Water Cooler thread is always open, even on weekends and holidays.

Hmm...I thought the water cooler thread was more for casual chat, not angst...?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 03:48:55 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 03:18:17 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 02:29:25 PM
What do you do when you need to cry but can't? When you want to scream but you know you shouldn't? When you need to connect but there's no one around?

What's on your mind SCR?  Water Cooler thread is always open, even on weekends and holidays.

Hmm...I thought the water cooler thread was more for casual chat, not angst...?

Sorry you are feeling angst.  I was referring to your "need to connect" comment when I suggested water cooler. 

Many are struggling due to the virus crisis.  It's challenging.  Those who were struggling pre-crisis now bear a heavier burden. 

Can you get some fresh air this weekend?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 05:04:39 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 03:48:55 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 03:18:17 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 10, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 10, 2020, 02:29:25 PM
What do you do when you need to cry but can't? When you want to scream but you know you shouldn't? When you need to connect but there's no one around?

What's on your mind SCR?  Water Cooler thread is always open, even on weekends and holidays.

Hmm...I thought the water cooler thread was more for casual chat, not angst...?

Sorry you are feeling angst.  I was referring to your "need to connect" comment when I suggested water cooler. 

Many are struggling due to the virus crisis.  It's challenging.  Those who were struggling pre-crisis now bear a heavier burden. 

Can you get some fresh air this weekend?

Getting fresh air every weekday, as I still have to go out to get medical treatment.

I'm upset and scared about the new ways my body is finding to malfunction. Feel like I'm dealing with it all alone because no one knows what to do about it right now (including doctors and SO), so they see no reason to keep thinking about it; there are too many other things to worry about.

Don't know how to get free of these pent up feelings.

And the stay-at-home life has made me realize how little I matter as a human being to people I thought were my friends. My SO says it's because I seem to have trouble distinguishing friends from friendly acquaintances. An acquaintance interacts with you because...well...you're there; you have activities in common. When you aren't there, they don't especially miss you and they feel no need to seek you out. I've failed to connect with them in the ways they've connected to each other. I tried, and I failed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 11, 2020, 12:52:00 PM
Well, being unable to cry is no longer an issue.

Been trying to connect with labmates through casual chat. How's it going, what are you up to...that sort of thing. So far it hasn't led to much. Answers are brief, and so far I am always the one who has to initiate. But I know people are unusually preoccupied these days and that forming connections takes time.

Had an extremely painful conversation with a lab mate (the only one I considered myself close enough to to call a friend) on Slack after I broached the possibility of planning some kind of group social meet up over Zoom, because I thought it would be more social than the brief one on one chats. Certainly was able to cry after hearing his response. Crying was the only thing I was able to do last night. He did a very thorough dissection of what he viewed as my social deficiencies to explain why I was still more of an outsider than the others. Said I had not "earned the right" to expect them to talk to me. "If you're looking for social handouts, you won't get them." Handouts...like starting a conversation with me is charity work.

I wasn't under the illusion I had a close friendship with anyone in the lab. But I thought there was still some kind of connection; a casual friendship such that a little non-work socialization wasn't out of place. But I don't think I've even got that much.

It's been hard to meet people outside of work (before the pandemic) because I feel so sick all the time. I don't have a lot of activities outside of the lab. In lab, I made an effort. I asked people to grab lunch with me, tried to make small talk when I saw them, asked after pets and families and SOs, got a housewarming gift for someone who had just moved, once in a while brought treats in for everybody...I was still left out a lot, but I thought all that counted for...something.

Now I feel even more out of place, two years in, than I did on day 1, when I was a complete stranger to everyone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on April 11, 2020, 02:50:38 PM
Jeepers! Your lab mate sounds like a Colossal Jerk!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 11, 2020, 08:01:24 PM
Quote from: Larimar on April 11, 2020, 02:50:38 PM
Jeepers! Your lab mate sounds like a Colossal Jerk!

He's been nice to me in other ways. They all have. That's probably why this hurt so much. He told me the other labmates often ask how I'm doing and what I am up to; they just never ask me. When I asked why, he said I did not take enough responsibility in telling them how to interact with me. If I am experiencing tics or am in pain or fatigued or otherwise showing signs of distress, they prefer to keep their distance rather than "invade" my space. He says I should have been more forthcoming in explaining my medical issues and how they can interact with me. I would have done this if anyone had asked or given me an inkling they wanted to know this. Instead they treated me as if I were invisible.

I had asked my PI at various times whether he thought I should discuss some of the issues with other people in the lab and he seemed reluctant to offer an opinion one way or another.

The last day the lab was open I broke down after all my labmates went to a sort of farewell lunch together, walking right past me to go out the door, but without asking me to join. They have left me out of preplanned social lunches before, but this hit extra hard because I didn't know when I'd be able to see any of them in person again.

There was a day when I had a sudden onset of stabbing pains in chest and abdomen. My throat and tongue swelled, making it hard to breathe. I ended up curled on the floor of lab gasping and trembling for nearly an hour until the pain and swelling subsided enough I could get up again. People walked past me the entire time I lay there. It was a scary experience and wretchedly lonely. I asked about it afterwards and everyone said they didn't want to bother me if I wasn't feeling well. I begged them to please come ask me if I need help if I'm on the ground, because I may not be able to speak or move well enough to flag them down.

About a month later, I had another (fortunately shorter) episode. Again, everybody just walked past me lying on the floor. Again, people said they saw me there but weren't sure whether or not to intervene. So they went to the default action of ignoring me. They told me I need to explicitly ask for help.

I don't know how long i would have lay there without help if I had passed out or even dropped dead.

It's why when people tell me that people would be upset to lose me if I killed myself, it's often difficult to take them seriously.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on April 12, 2020, 07:50:44 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 11, 2020, 08:01:24 PM
Quote from: Larimar on April 11, 2020, 02:50:38 PM
Jeepers! Your lab mate sounds like a Colossal Jerk!

He's been nice to me in other ways. They all have. That's probably why this hurt so much. He told me the other labmates often ask how I'm doing and what I am up to; they just never ask me. When I asked why, he said I did not take enough responsibility in telling them how to interact with me. If I am experiencing tics or am in pain or fatigued or otherwise showing signs of distress, they prefer to keep their distance rather than "invade" my space. He says I should have been more forthcoming in explaining my medical issues and how they can interact with me. I would have done this if anyone had asked or given me an inkling they wanted to know this. Instead they treated me as if I were invisible.

I had asked my PI at various times whether he thought I should discuss some of the issues with other people in the lab and he seemed reluctant to offer an opinion one way or another.

The last day the lab was open I broke down after all my labmates went to a sort of farewell lunch together, walking right past me to go out the door, but without asking me to join. They have left me out of preplanned social lunches before, but this hit extra hard because I didn't know when I'd be able to see any of them in person again.

There was a day when I had a sudden onset of stabbing pains in chest and abdomen. My throat and tongue swelled, making it hard to breathe. I ended up curled on the floor of lab gasping and trembling for nearly an hour until the pain and swelling subsided enough I could get up again. People walked past me the entire time I lay there. It was a scary experience and wretchedly lonely. I asked about it afterwards and everyone said they didn't want to bother me if I wasn't feeling well. I begged them to please come ask me if I need help if I'm on the ground, because I may not be able to speak or move well enough to flag them down.

About a month later, I had another (fortunately shorter) episode. Again, everybody just walked past me lying on the floor. Again, people said they saw me there but weren't sure whether or not to intervene. So they went to the default action of ignoring me. They told me I need to explicitly ask for help.

I don't know how long i would have lay there without help if I had passed out or even dropped dead.

It's why when people tell me that people would be upset to lose me if I killed myself, it's often difficult to take them seriously.

That is very hard, and clearly they didn't act the way one would hope they would. However, I very much doubt this is personal to you-- it sounds more like they just don't know how to act around someone in distress, and unfortunately their response to their own distress and uncertainty in that situation is avoidance and inaction. That is very, very, common, especially when there is diffusion of responsibility (see, bystander effect). They are afraid of doing the wrong thing, so they do nothing, which is the wrong call in this case, but sounds like it comes from a place of lack of knowledge and fear rather than indifference or malice.

As hard as your lab mate's words were to hear, having some more direct information about what they should do in different situations could be a good idea and empower them to act. When you are back in the lab, maybe write it down for them and post it by your desk in the lab so they know what to do in different situations? Maybe you could make some signs to use if they aren't able to talk-- e.g., "I'm in pain/unwell, please ______." (whatever it is you'd need them to do-- contact the health center, call 911, etc.)?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on April 12, 2020, 09:28:34 AM
I agree that it's helpful to tell people how to interact with you or how to intervene.  A lot of people don't know what to do in new situations - whether it's getting help for themselves or others.  These people in your lab do sound hopelessly clueless on a social level, but if that's what you're working with, you may need to give explicit directions. 

There's some awkwardness about sharing personal details, and bosses will be reluctant to say anything for fear of violating your privacy, but maybe now's a good time to reflect on what people need to know and when they need to know it. If you're not sure what to do, you may be able to talk it through with a therapist, someone in the disability office, a nurse, or an ombudsperson.

I've worked with people with health issues and disabilities, some who have been forthcoming about what to expect, some who I've had to learn about as I worked with them. It has helped me to know things like, "I have a hearing difference - make sure you're speaking clearly and to my face (not my back) when you're talking to me" or "When I get overwhelmed, I do XYZ behavior and I just need some space and will be okay in a few hours." Sometimes I have that info in advance, sometimes they come to me after an episode - either way works, as long as I know what to do. That way, I'm not sitting there thinking, "What's going on?" I know this person is having a bit of a crisis, and I'm either going to let them calm down, or change something in my behavior to help them, or call them an ambulance based on what they've told me.

It takes someone with social skills and risk tolerance to intervene in unexpected situations - to know what to say and what to do. Now that I'm older, I have some experience, from watching others intervene skillfully (usually people with healthcare or social work backgrounds), or bumbling along in situations where I felt someone else might be at risk if I didn't do something, anything, even if it was feeble or stupid. But there are still some situations I'm not prepared for.  Just a year ago, I was walking along the street and witnessed a rollover accident and did not know what to do. Others immediately sprang into action to pull people from the car and call 911. I waited on the sidelines, a little in shock, knowing I had no emergency training (other than that which said don't move people who might have been injured) and I'd need direction to help. I stayed with one of the families who was on the sidewalk until the police came. But I felt kind of useless.

Anyway, hugs to you. You deserved better in these situations. I'm sorry people are kind of idiots sometimes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 12, 2020, 02:14:11 PM
Quote from: Puget on April 12, 2020, 07:50:44 AM
That is very hard, and clearly they didn't act the way one would hope they would. However, I very much doubt this is personal to you-- it sounds more like they just don't know how to act around someone in distress, and unfortunately their response to their own distress and uncertainty in that situation is avoidance and inaction. That is very, very, common, especially when there is diffusion of responsibility (see, bystander effect). They are afraid of doing the wrong thing, so they do nothing, which is the wrong call in this case, but sounds like it comes from a place of lack of knowledge and fear rather than indifference or malice.

I can see the points you and alto_stratus are making, and they do make sense.

Still, having someone tell me I haven't "earned the right" to expect people to say hello to me (or, in his words, grace me with a "social handout") once in a while seems pretty personal. And it's hard to believe in this case that being ignored is not a product of indifference. After the episode passed, and things were relatively normal again, they still weren't really interacting with me. Not to ask how I was doing or even just to say hi. I may as well not exist.

Quote from: Puget on April 12, 2020, 07:50:44 AM
As hard as your lab mate's words were to hear, having some more direct information about what they should do in different situations could be a good idea and empower them to act. When you are back in the lab, maybe write it down for them and post it by your desk in the lab so they know what to do in different situations? Maybe you could make some signs to use if they aren't able to talk-- e.g., "I'm in pain/unwell, please ______." (whatever it is you'd need them to do-- contact the health center, call 911, etc.)?

I've done this.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 11, 2020, 08:01:24 PM
There was a day when I had a sudden onset of stabbing pains in chest and abdomen. My throat and tongue swelled, making it hard to breathe. I ended up curled on the floor of lab gasping and trembling for nearly an hour until the pain and swelling subsided enough I could get up again. People walked past me the entire time I lay there. It was a scary experience and wretchedly lonely. I asked about it afterwards and everyone said they didn't want to bother me if I wasn't feeling well. I begged them to please come ask me if I need help if I'm on the ground, because I may not be able to speak or move well enough to flag them down.

About a month later, I had another (fortunately shorter) episode. Again, everybody just walked past me lying on the floor. Again, people said they saw me there but weren't sure whether or not to intervene. So they went to the default action of ignoring me. They told me I need to explicitly ask for help.

It didn't make the slightest bit of difference. In my PI's case, I made a chart of possible issues that might arise in lab and actions other people could take that would help (including when it is probably warranted to call for medical assistance or walk me to the student clinic) and emailed him a copy. We also went over it in person. I especially emphasized that if there was any doubt or ambiguity at all to please ask if I need help! I explained that, even if it was hard to speak, I could signal with a hand or a head movement if I'm ok and just need a little time, and then they would know it was not an emergency. But if it were an emergency I might not be able to signal; I might not even be conscious. Please, please don't just walk past; don't just leave me there! Struggling to breathe while being completely ignored was terrifying and made me feel my life was worth nothing. If I had been lying there with a twisted ankle it wouldn't have affected me so strongly, but that's not what happened.

Not every lab member knows about my situation to the same level of detail, but what I have told them doesn't seem to matter much. I've said time and again that what I really need from them is not to be ignored. They don't have to directly help me with my health issues; they don't even have to acknowledge them. But just feeling connected to people through the little interactions (chit chat, the occasional social coffee break, etc.) would help me stay grounded and less overwhelmed. When I bring this up, people act as if it's a reasonable request and shouldn't be a problem. But it still doesn't happen.

I feel like I don't have a place there anymore. Like they are just waiting for me to remove myself so they don't have to go through the awkwardness of actively driving me out. I know that's probably mostly the depression talking, but it still hurts so much to not belong.

Quote from: alto_stratus on April 12, 2020, 09:28:34 AM
Anyway, hugs to you. You deserved better in these situations. I'm sorry people are kind of idiots sometimes.

Thanks, alto. I needed this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 12, 2020, 05:36:50 PM
Quote from: alto_stratus on April 12, 2020, 09:28:34 AM
I agree that it's helpful to tell people how to interact with you or how to intervene.  A lot of people don't know what to do in new situations - whether it's getting help for themselves or others.  These people in your lab do sound hopelessly clueless on a social level, but if that's what you're working with, you may need to give explicit directions
.....
Just a year ago, I was walking along the street and witnessed a rollover accident and did not know what to do. Others immediately sprang into action to pull people from the car and call 911. I waited on the sidelines, a little in shock, knowing I had no emergency training (other than that which said don't move people who might have been injured) and I'd need direction to help. I stayed with one of the families who was on the sidewalk until the police came. But I felt kind of useless.
.....

I'm sorry I keep coming back to this, but it's literally making me crazy. How explicit do directions need to be?

"If you see me in apparent distress, ESPECIALLY if I am on the ground (if I just feel a bit sick and need a rest, I'm going to find a place to sit down; lying on the filthy floor is NOT my way of saying "give me some space"), please take a few seconds to ask me if I need help. Please do not assume I can get up and seek help on my own or that I can pick up my phone and talk to emergency services myself. If it's not an emergency, I will give you some kind of signal to let you know you don't have to intervene. Otherwise, please help me get medical attention. There are situations in which I may be minimally responsive or not responsive at all, in which case, err on the side of caution and assume I need help [they keep expecting me to clearly and unambiguously say, "please help me"; I keep reminding them this is not always possible if a person is having an emergency medical situation]."

I don't know how else to explain this or how many reiterations it takes for the message to sink in. The first time I had breathing issues I was at home. The next time I was in lab I informed my PI what I had experienced and gave him a variation of the above as an emergency plan if something similar happened in lab. He seemed to understand and was on board with it. He still did nothing the first time it happened in lab (and I confirmed he had seen me). I spoke with him about it again, he seemed alarmed when I described the situation to him ("oh, I didn't realize it was something that bad") and said he would certainly check on me if it ever happened again ("definitely if you are on the floor"). And then, when it did happen again, he...did nothing (and again I verified that he had seen me). I don't know if too much time passed in between those two episodes and he just forgot what we had talked about, but it certainly did not make me feel like the valued member of the lab people have been claiming I am. People do more for stray dogs lying in ditches.

alto, in the scenario you described, at least you saw that other people seemed to know what action to take and were in motion to assist. No one in lab could say they saw someone else taking action and therefore decided to hang back because they did not know what to do. And when one person is a PI and another is the lab safety officer (in charge of making sure everybody gets training on how to respond and what numbers to call in an emergency), is it too much to expect that the reaction be more than nothing? Even just saying a few words to me...something that acknowledges my existence would have made the situation less unbearable.

And then for someone I had considered a friend to essentially tell me all of this was my own fault; that I need to be more "accountable" and "independent". I didn't do enough to make everybody feel comfortable taking action or talking to me about my issues, I didn't give people enough information to know what to do, I didn't get up and grab someone when I was having chest pains and trouble breathing (this one strikes me as unfair), I was expecting too much to want to be included in their small talk and workplace socializing... I'm honestly trying my best, but it's obviously nowhere near good enough. I don't know what else to do. I don't know if I should even go back to lab once it reopens. They may simply be too polite to say "we're sick of dealing with you; it would be best for the lab if you just left us alone for good."

All that talk about "don't be afraid to ask for help" "reach out to people when you are in crisis" "you shouldn't have to deal with this alone", it's all just catchphrases.

I believe in accountability and independence too. But I don't have the strength for it, not now. I've never been in such relentless pain before; I don't know how to keep enduring. I just want to feel like a human being who has something to offer, and the longer this goes on, the more remote that goal seems.

I don't know what to do with myself anymore.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on April 12, 2020, 08:15:40 PM
I'm sorry that happened to you smallcleanrat, that all sounds scary and frustrating. I don't have an explanation for their behavior, which is really perplexing to me (especially the PI),  except to say again I doubt it is about you personally in any real way.
It seems like there are really two different issues here that that it might help to separate--

1. Staying physically safe. Your lab mates and PI have unfortunately shown you that you can't count on them for that, and presumably these episodes could happen elsewhere, so when you are back out in the world again, it seems like you need another way to summon help, like a life-alert button service.

2. Your emotional needs for human contact and connection. These are of course completely legitimate and reasonable. However, again your lab has shown that they are unfortunately not the people who are going to provide that for you. Again, I think this says more about them than about you. But I think you trying to accept that they are just not going to provide that could help you feel less pain when they fail to do so, and instead seek that contact elsewhere (not easy, especially right now, I know, but eventually through small steps).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on April 13, 2020, 04:17:23 AM
Chime to what Puget has said. Smallcleanrat, you deserve much better than what those jerks in your lab did! You may be feeling stuck, but neither the coronavirus pandemic nor your lab rotation (if I remember correctly, you are a grad student) will last forever! The stay-at-home orders will lift, you will graduate, and you will escape from your current situation. Keep prioritizing your health and staying safe.

Larimar
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on April 13, 2020, 07:02:10 AM
smallcleanrat, I think I joined the conversation late. It's clear you've done a lot to inform your lab, and their behavior under the circumstances is ridiculous. I agree that it says more about them than you.

I've dealt with depression over the years. Part of my depression was rooted in cognitive distortions. The work I did on that was life-changing for me. But I also realized I was feeling totally depleted and devalued by the relationships I had. I needed to shift the center of my world to something else. I started by taking on some new activities that made me feel better about myself, and reaching out to some new people, and sticking with those who showed understanding and kindness. I found a therapist who could be my linchpin for 6 months to a year, to help me build out new, healthier social connections. I was a real "work in progress" for a while, but I kept taking the awkward baby steps forward, and eventually got myself into a different place. I was surprised and pleased to find there are better people out there. When I started to care less and put less stock into the negative relationships, they didn't bother me as much (I used to get so hooked by negative interactions). I derived value and meaning from a different place now.

I remember some of Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness meditations (Wherever You Go, There You Are) made me feel better - like I could be who I was and take up space - that much was owed to me.

It is shocking when people are careless or jerks - but you can't fix them. You tried to show them how to be more human, and they didn't get it. Now you just have to try to minimize their impact on your life, and build your life out in other ways so you have those sources of support and good energy from other places.

Thinking of you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on April 13, 2020, 07:32:24 AM
My vent: what is up with these chain emails? I don't think anyone I know would appreciate receiving those right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EquineUlcers on April 13, 2020, 07:39:02 AM
Totally agree with you. My inbox had 48 new emails, of which 45 were chain emails!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 16, 2020, 07:44:02 AM
Between the 5-year-old next door who thinks "singing" means imitating a doorbell chime, and the roofers down the street who are now on their third house (!!!) in my neighborhood during the pandemic, and the city employees running a wood chipper on the other side of the park from our house (to take care of trees downed in the recent storm), I'm feeling rather like I'm in the middle of noise pollution hell.



<that said, I am glad I still have my hearing, endangered though it is at present>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 16, 2020, 09:15:34 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on April 16, 2020, 07:44:02 AM
Between the 5-year-old next door who thinks "singing" means imitating a doorbell chime, and the roofers down the street who are now on their third house (!!!) in my neighborhood during the pandemic, and the city employees running a wood chipper on the other side of the park from our house (to take care of trees downed in the recent storm), I'm feeling rather like I'm in the middle of noise pollution hell.



<that said, I am glad I still have my hearing, endangered though it is at present>
Our version of this is the young single mom across the street, who gives her 6- or 7-year-old son (who is a total little hellion in every way) the keys to the minivan. She sends him outside alone so he can entertain himself by unlocking it and blasting the stereo at top volume or by hitting the button on the remote to make the horn beep. He also seems to enjoy setting the alarm, then running full-tilt at the van to slam into it and set the alarm off. 

Yesterday, he climbed in and fired up the engine. She came out of the house and caught him right as he started backing down the driveway, headed directly for our yard and my flower bed. I was outside and was not amused. She seemed more pissed at me than at him.  If I see him with the keys again, I'm calling the cops to get DCFS on her.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 16, 2020, 09:27:28 AM
My niece is 17.  She graduates next year. She has had a very expensive private school education.  She posted on The FaceTube that she has been painting and put them up on Ebay. She notes that the starting bid for these three paintings are 25$, 50$ and 75$.  I see this error most in non native speakers, but she has been taught English since her birth!!

Maybe it's me, but Im very annoyed when people misuse currency notation.  The only thing that bothers me more is when people try to list things for .99C (cents) .  Somehow THEY are not amused when I try to buy their product for a WHOLE penny!  On the penny it says One Cent.  One Cent is certainly worth more than .99 Cents! 

Isnt money supposed to be taught well before 2nd grade?

Where was the failing in her education?  What grade should she need to repeat before she is allowed to graduate?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on April 16, 2020, 11:15:15 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 16, 2020, 09:15:34 AM
Our version of this is the young single mom across the street, who gives her 6- or 7-year-old son (who is a total little hellion in every way) the keys to the minivan. She sends him outside alone so he can entertain himself by unlocking it and blasting the stereo at top volume or by hitting the button on the remote to make the horn beep. He also seems to enjoy setting the alarm, then running full-tilt at the van to slam into it and set the alarm off. 

Yesterday, he climbed in and fired up the engine. She came out of the house and caught him right as he started backing down the driveway, headed directly for our yard and my flower bed. I was outside and was not amused. She seemed more pissed at me than at him.  If I see him with the keys again, I'm calling the cops to get DCFS on her.

That's terrible, AmLitHist.  Sounds like that mom has some sort of mental deficiency.  Poor child.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 23, 2020, 02:18:03 PM
I'm really tired of all the emails asking when I will grade assignment x. The semester is over, and the grading deadline is April 27. You will get the mark by April 27. Leave. Me. Alone.

I don't usually get these, so I'm concluding it's a kind of insecurity or entitlement borne of moving online. But the thing is, moving online gave me a lot more to grade all at once, because stuff we would have done in class had to be redirected to a folder due at the end of the semester. So. PFO.

LATER EDIT: To be clear, it's clear to me I should have said something when I first started getting the emails, although I didn't think I'd have to. It's been a steady stream of 3-4 a day since a day or two after they were due.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 24, 2020, 06:14:08 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 11, 2020, 12:52:00 PM
Well, being unable to cry is no longer an issue.

Been trying to connect with labmates through casual chat. How's it going, what are you up to...that sort of thing. So far it hasn't led to much. Answers are brief, and so far I am always the one who has to initiate. But I know people are unusually preoccupied these days and that forming connections takes time.

Had an extremely painful conversation with a lab mate (the only one I considered myself close enough to to call a friend) on Slack after I broached the possibility of planning some kind of group social meet up over Zoom, because I thought it would be more social than the brief one on one chats. Certainly was able to cry after hearing his response. Crying was the only thing I was able to do last night. He did a very thorough dissection of what he viewed as my social deficiencies to explain why I was still more of an outsider than the others. Said I had not "earned the right" to expect them to talk to me. "If you're looking for social handouts, you won't get them." Handouts...like starting a conversation with me is charity work.

I wasn't under the illusion I had a close friendship with anyone in the lab. But I thought there was still some kind of connection; a casual friendship such that a little non-work socialization wasn't out of place. But I don't think I've even got that much.

It's been hard to meet people outside of work (before the pandemic) because I feel so sick all the time. I don't have a lot of activities outside of the lab. In lab, I made an effort. I asked people to grab lunch with me, tried to make small talk when I saw them, asked after pets and families and SOs, got a housewarming gift for someone who had just moved, once in a while brought treats in for everybody...I was still left out a lot, but I thought all that counted for...something.

Now I feel even more out of place, two years in, than I did on day 1, when I was a complete stranger to everyone.

*sigh*

Would anyone else characterize the following as a nonpology? I don't know how far to trust my own judgment these days.

I broke it down into its major components. Paraphrasing.

The Classic
'I'm sorry you felt upset.'

Maybe I said something wrong. But so did you!
'I don't hear you taking any accountability for how that conversation went.You got emotional, defensive, and blew it up all out of proportion. You didn't do anything to de-escalate and make things better.' The actual apology portion of the message was small compared to the portion of the message in which he dissected our conversation pointing out each moment in which he felt I could have handled things better.

Let me explain why what I said wasn't actually offensive. You just took things the wrong way.
'I acknowledge I shouldn't have used words with such negative connotations but you also misinterpreted my meaning which I think is unfair. I only said "IF you are looking for handouts". As long as you weren't expecting people to reach out to you then I agree you weren't doing anything wrong. It's only if you were expecting people to reach out that I would think you were in the wrong. I understand how you could have misunderstood, but I've explained this to you several times and you still act as if I said something bad. That really frustrates me.'

I understood the underlying message just fine. The underlying message itself was hurtful. The wording was just salt in the wound. I also explained myself multiple times on this point. I tapped out of the conversation when it was clear we were just talking past each other and he agreed we would "agree to disagree".

There probably are a number of ways I could have handled the situation better but it's too late to go back now. I don't quite know the words to describe what I'm feeling but...he knew I was vulnerable, depressed, and suicidal. I told him I found something he had said deeply hurtful. Why couldn't he just back off? Why was it so important I acknowledge that what he said "wasn't that bad" and that it was my reaction that was out of line, not his words?

When I had gotten to a point I was crying too hard to continue typing, I walked away from my computer. He was thoughtful enough to call my boyfriend to check whether I was safe. But then followed that by typing me a final message requesting we continue the conversation later.

Venting here in hopes of making it easier to let this incident go, as I know is best.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on April 24, 2020, 07:04:08 PM
SCR, this quote from alto_stratus merits repeating.

Quote from: alto_stratus on April 13, 2020, 07:02:10 AM
It is shocking when people are careless or jerks - but you can't fix them. You tried to show them how to be more human, and they didn't get it. Now you just have to try to minimize their impact on your life, and build your life out in other ways so you have those sources of support and good energy from other places.
Thinking of you.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 24, 2020, 06:14:08 PM
Venting here in hopes of making it easier to let this incident go, as I know is best.

Some people don't do apologies.  They just will not.  He sounds like such a person.

Yes, best to let this go.  This lab person doesn't sound like a good fit as a pal.  His "earned the right" and "handouts" comments earlier are red flags.  You can't make him be what you'd wish.  Move on.  This lab person is not the last person on Earth with whom to make friends.  Meanwhile, be your own best friend (and, hopefully, your boyfriend is a good friend).

Hope your weekend is nice with some of the serenity and beauty of nature included.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 25, 2020, 10:53:45 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 24, 2020, 07:04:08 PM
SCR, this quote from alto_stratus merits repeating.

Quote from: alto_stratus on April 13, 2020, 07:02:10 AM
It is shocking when people are careless or jerks - but you can't fix them. You tried to show them how to be more human, and they didn't get it. Now you just have to try to minimize their impact on your life, and build your life out in other ways so you have those sources of support and good energy from other places.
Thinking of you.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 24, 2020, 06:14:08 PM
Venting here in hopes of making it easier to let this incident go, as I know is best.

Some people don't do apologies.  They just will not.  He sounds like such a person.

Yes, best to let this go.  This lab person doesn't sound like a good fit as a pal.  His "earned the right" and "handouts" comments earlier are red flags.  You can't make him be what you'd wish.  Move on.  This lab person is not the last person on Earth with whom to make friends.  Meanwhile, be your own best friend (and, hopefully, your boyfriend is a good friend).

Hope your weekend is nice with some of the serenity and beauty of nature included.

Venting on this thread did help to dissipate some of the jumble of hurt feelings and confused thoughts. I'm a lot calmer about it now.

I didn't ask him for an apology, but I did ask him how he felt about things. He did offer an apology (in the form of an actual apology, not a non-pology) for his word choice, but seemed far more passionate about getting an apology out of me and an admission that there was nothing wrong or hurtful about the sentiments he expressed (independent of wording). It would have been much easier to let it go if he stopped at "I still don't think I said anything wrong [aside from how I said it], but I am sorry you felt upset." I'm close to a lot of people with whom there is a mutual understanding that on certain topics we will likely never see eye-to-eye. It was his apparent need to get me to agree with him and to confess I had interpreted him "unfairly" that was causing me the most stress.

I did apologize to him for getting emotional in that initial conversation and for trying to argue my case when he would not accept my statement that what he had said was hurtful (since all this did was prolong a stressful conversation). He said he appreciated my apologies. But even now he is still asking me to explain why I found his remarks upsetting.

I don't need to be best buddies with my labmates. It would be nice, but I don't need that to happen. But I still think it's important to avoid tension and conflict whenever possible. And I think it will be highly demoralizing and disadvantageous to my science if I am frozen out of workplace-level socialization. Friendly small-talk tends to mix with science talk; people discuss how projects are going, recommend papers to read, bounce ideas off each other... I think being left out of that could mean diminished opportunities for me to develop as a scientist. Additionally, different lab members have different backgrounds and areas of expertise; it is expected we should be able to ask each other for help or advice if someone else is strong in methods or theory with which we are inexperienced. Lacking a basic level of collegiality would make those types of interactions awkward, at the least.

It would not hurt so much if things had been like this from the time I joined; or if a-sociality was just the culture of this lab. But there is a sense of real loss as the connections I had been forming over the last couple of years melted away when my health started to deteriorate. And it won't be easy going forward to watch the others talking, laughing, and going out as a group while I'm off to the side by myself. I know grad school "isn't forever" but I do have years of lab-time still ahead of me; it's going to be difficult to endure this way. I know I can try to put more effort into finding social connection outside of the lab (and I have been making efforts), but realistically I won't get much time with anyone else. The majority of my waking hours are spent in the lab. I know I should be able to endure a few years of loneliness; at earlier points in my life I know I could have. I don't know if I'm capable of it anymore. I don't know where to find the strength.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on April 25, 2020, 08:55:58 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 25, 2020, 10:53:45 AM
I know I should be able to endure a few years of loneliness; at earlier points in my life I know I could have. I don't know if I'm capable of it anymore. I don't know where to find the strength.

Bull-pucky (to that first sentence).  Of all the things you have going on, scr, this is categorically NOT something you should feel bad about.  Humans are social creatures - we need social connection.  And grad school is too long a period, and too formative a point in life, to just keep your head down, work, and be miserable.  You deserve to find your happy.  If it's no longer in this lab, maybe you'd be able to finish your work in a collaborator's lab.  Or maybe there's a neighboring lab down the hall with people who'll be more welcoming. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 26, 2020, 07:51:30 PM
Quote from: sprout on April 25, 2020, 08:55:58 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on April 25, 2020, 10:53:45 AM
I know I should be able to endure a few years of loneliness; at earlier points in my life I know I could have. I don't know if I'm capable of it anymore. I don't know where to find the strength.

Bull-pucky (to that first sentence).  Of all the things you have going on, scr, this is categorically NOT something you should feel bad about.  Humans are social creatures - we need social connection.  And grad school is too long a period, and too formative a point in life, to just keep your head down, work, and be miserable.  You deserve to find your happy.  If it's no longer in this lab, maybe you'd be able to finish your work in a collaborator's lab.  Or maybe there's a neighboring lab down the hall with people who'll be more welcoming.

Thank you so much for saying that, sprout.

Advice I was getting from therapists was always along the lines of "keep reminding yourself grad school isn't forever, so you can endure". Intuitively something about it seemed off. No, grad school isn't forever, but it's not an insignificant amount of time either.

I want to continue in this lab because I love the project and my PI has been so supportive and encouraging during all this.

I wonder if this issue will resolve at all if my health starts to improve so there is less for my lab-mates to be uncomfortable about or if things have changed for good. I can survive without being friends with everybody in lab, but I'm not so sure how long I'd last without being at least on friendly co-worker/acquaintance-level terms with them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 27, 2020, 10:15:23 AM
Quote"keep reminding yourself grad school isn't forever, so you can endure"

Here is something I heard last night. I had said something similar, but this is more eloquent:

"When you are going through hell, dont stop!"

Get through it as fast and as best as you can!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 27, 2020, 10:45:38 AM
Quote from: clean on April 27, 2020, 10:15:23 AM
Quote"keep reminding yourself grad school isn't forever, so you can endure"

Here is something I heard last night. I had said something similar, but this is more eloquent:

"When you are going through hell, dont stop!"

Get through it as fast and as best as you can!

Yes, I think this might be common advice in grad school.  When I was going through a particularly bad time in grad school, a labmate gave me a card with the phrase "If you're going through hell, keep going" on it (sometimes attributed to Churchill).  The card has made multiple moves with me, and sits on my desk in my home office 15 years later as a reminder.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on April 27, 2020, 10:55:25 AM
When I hit my own personal hell in Grad School, what got me through was the realization that I didn't HAVE TO do it.  Grad School wasn't a requirement, or an obligation; it was a choice.

Once I had that clear in my mind, I was able to soldier on and slog through, because I was the one making the decision to do so.

That perspective shift may be of help to others.  Or not.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 27, 2020, 01:25:55 PM
I appreciate people describing their own grad school experiences.

Although, I don't know why being out of grad school is supposed to be much better.

Before my health took a steep nosedive, I was enjoying grad school. In fact it was the most content I had been in years upon years. I was learning lots, loved my project, had a great mentor, and got along well with my lab mates. Every time some therapist makes me do a pro/con list contrasting reasons to live with reasons to kill myself, I put science at the top of the "pro" list.

I know grad school for everyone has a lot of stressors and contributes to a lot of mental health issues, but I don't think that's what's happening to me. My program has been at the Goldilocks just-right level of stress. Enough to keep me on my toes, not so much I was in danger of burnout.

I don't think my problem is grad school. I think my problem is being chronically ill in grad school. It's why my productivity has drastically dropped. Why my lab mates were uncomfortable. Why it's hard to look to the future and seeing anything good coming of it. Why I think about suicide daily.

Even if I weren't in grad school, I'd still be sick and struggling to function. I would still make people uncomfortable because of this. I would still be miserable.

I don't know when I'll be better. I don't even know if I ever will. Grad school isn't my hell. My hell is the pain and debility and my malfunctioning brain. Grad school is what keeps me fighting. It gives me goals, something to look forward to, a sense that I have a place in the world and that I am able to be a functioning, contributing member of society.

I made an agreement with my therapist to stay alive for three more months, so I can say I've really given his version of therapy an honest try. "What you do after that is up to you."

So, until then...a day at a time, I guess?

I just wish I didn't have to spend those days feeling like an outcast.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on April 27, 2020, 02:15:58 PM
Lots of us had a miserable period in graduate school, I know I did.  But that doesn't mean that it's a mandatory part.  Especially when you are feeling so lonely and left out by the very folks who SHOULD be your peers.  They sound like cr@ppy people.  Try to find another group to hang out with.  I was "adopted" by students in the Botany program and did lots of events with them even though I was in another program.

What will be different after?  Well, most jobs have ADA guidelines and HR departments to back you up.  Some have unions.  You will be (hopefully) making more money, worker fewer hours, and you'll never have to defend a thesis again.

Please, please continue your therapy.  Suicidal thoughts are not the normal you.  And if what your therapist says that what you do after those 3 months is "up to you" FIND A NEW THERAPIST!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on April 29, 2020, 11:37:48 AM
I am so sick of students asking me to read their notes and tell them where they need to study more.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 30, 2020, 10:27:57 AM
IT has added a banner at the top of every email not sent from an account with this university. The banner tells us it's an email from outside the university community, and may be spam or a phishing attempt.

It's distracting and annoying. And some of us get hundreds of emails from outside the university every day. There's no way around it, no 'safe' list I can build. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 04, 2020, 12:29:48 PM
Why is it that almost every time I try to sit at my desk and grade, or do 1 of the umpteen million administrative items that I need to do, some animal or person has to howl, yowl, crash into something, vacuum or do something else that throws off my concentration. I know that stress levels have been higher than usual,  but come on...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 04, 2020, 01:28:04 PM
Quote, some animal or person has to howl, yowl, crash into something, vacuum or do something else that throws off my concentration. I know that stress levels have been higher than usual,  but come on...

Those items all sound like 'work' to some one or some thing!  Why should YOUR 'work' have precedence? 
And for what it is worth, the LAST thing that I would criticize is someone that is Cleaning!!  You can quote me.  Clean
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 04, 2020, 01:35:43 PM
Quote from: clean on May 04, 2020, 01:28:04 PM
Quote, some animal or person has to howl, yowl, crash into something, vacuum or do something else that throws off my concentration. I know that stress levels have been higher than usual,  but come on...

Those items all sound like 'work' to some one or some thing!  Why should YOUR 'work' have precedence? 
And for what it is worth, the LAST thing that I would criticize is someone that is Cleaning!!  You can quote me.  Clean

Funny, clean.

Everything is relative, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on May 07, 2020, 09:50:47 AM
This is more of a minor annoyance. Spouse and I both try to anticipate where the other is going in our smallish kitchen. We inevitably end up going where the other person is in an effort to make space for the other one. I'm finding it more irritating lately. We've been home together for over a year so this is not something new.

The weather is also really messing with my allergies and my head. Pressure changes are giving me a headache today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 09, 2020, 07:08:37 AM
SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!  LET ME GRADE!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on May 09, 2020, 10:01:57 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 09, 2020, 07:08:37 AM
SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!  LET ME GRADE!

<small, quiet voice>  Me, too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 09, 2020, 03:20:52 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on May 09, 2020, 10:01:57 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 09, 2020, 07:08:37 AM
SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!  LET ME GRADE!

<small, quiet voice>  Me, too.

I hear you guys. That was me the last week of April. I think I've recovered now, just in time for endless emails about the waitlist for summer courses (which start Monday).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 09, 2020, 07:00:38 PM
Student emails me Friday night at 831 pm asking why there are penalty points on the portion of the final.**   I ignored the email.  The student sent the exact same email at 1030 this morning.  I ignored it.  At 640 the student threatens to send the dean a note that I a ignoring their serious question about the class. 

In the mean time, so far this today, I have replied to 24 emails from students asking for clarification or help on the take home portion of their final. 

I did reply at 713pm tonight. I told him that I was sorry that he was under the misperception that faculty were required to answer emails within 24 hours or even at all on weekends!  Had his question involved something on the test rather than why there were penalty points for failing to submit their work when there were more than 60 hours left before the deadline to submit the work.  They have already had their questions for 10 full days by last night, and still had 2 1/2 more days left to submit.  Why is there any excuse for it to be submitted late?


** Inter thread alert: My exam has been posted on Chegg by 2 students now!  Each exam has unique numbers.  IF we were in class, normally, then this would not be a take home test and they would have been given an abbreviated assignment and I would have graded each problem, line by line.  However, as each is different, and they have 12 total days to do the work,I  have instead asked questions About the problem....'What is the value for the hcange in revenue in Year 1" or What is the Depreciation Expense in Year 2?  What is the Cash Flow for year 3?  So if their answers are correct, and they should be with that much time to work the problems in excel, then they jsut answer them and i grade it faster in Blackboard.  Im hoping that this saves time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on May 11, 2020, 06:54:39 AM
I also to wait until Monday morning when students send emails that are not time-sensitive. In one case (long weekend) the student wrote to the program coordinator on Sunday after I didn't respond, and she was very stern with him for expecting me to answer emails on weekends. She also CCed me on her response. But here's the thing: it was a long weekend, and if the student hadn't written to the program coordinator I would indeed have completely forgotten about his email by Monday. In the end, I just responded first thing Monday morning with cheerful, helpful advice. But I do feel a bit bad that he got snarled at when if he had done the right thing and waited patiently until Monday he would not have gotten any response from me at all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:31:50 AM
Just got my (anticipated) redundancy email. And I now have to attend an excruciating final meeting too. So yay.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 13, 2020, 08:43:31 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:31:50 AM
Just got my (anticipated) redundancy email. And I now have to attend an excruciating final meeting too. So yay.

Sorry to hear that. Sending out sympathy vibes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on May 13, 2020, 08:44:00 AM
Why the f*ck don't people put the day of the week in their questions or announcements for events? ARGGGGHHHH!!!!! How the hell am I supposed to know what July 21 is or what I'm doing that day? Tell me it's a Tuesday, and I can make a pretty good guess and might agree to come. Otherwise, I assume I'm busy and just skip past the email. 

I know this won't cure world hunger or anything, but dang-it-all . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:55:19 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 13, 2020, 08:44:00 AM
Why the f*ck don't people put the day of the week in their questions or announcements for events? ARGGGGHHHH!!!!! How the hell am I supposed to know what July 21 is or what I'm doing that day? Tell me it's a Tuesday, and I can make a pretty good guess and might agree to come. Otherwise, I assume I'm busy and just skip past the email. 

Yep. And people who don't even specify WHERE their event is. Not such an issue now things are online, but I was constantly getting notices about a talk taking place in "LECTURE THEATRE 3", which didn't specify which university, or even which country, it was in.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:55:40 AM
Quote from: downer on May 13, 2020, 08:43:31 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:31:50 AM
Just got my (anticipated) redundancy email. And I now have to attend an excruciating final meeting too. So yay.

Sorry to hear that. Sending out sympathy vibes.

Thank you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on May 13, 2020, 09:28:33 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on May 13, 2020, 08:55:19 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 13, 2020, 08:44:00 AM
Why the f*ck don't people put the day of the week in their questions or announcements for events? ARGGGGHHHH!!!!! How the hell am I supposed to know what July 21 is or what I'm doing that day? Tell me it's a Tuesday, and I can make a pretty good guess and might agree to come. Otherwise, I assume I'm busy and just skip past the email. 

Yep. And people who don't even specify WHERE their event is. Not such an issue now things are online, but I was constantly getting notices about a talk taking place in "LECTURE THEATRE 3", which didn't specify which university, or even which country, it was in.

Ooh!  Even better, we have some rooms that have an official number, but everyone calls by some weird nickname.  "Let's meet in the Basketweaving room".  Yeah, no one who works in other buildings on campus knows what you mean.  How about saying the building, floor, and room number?  Jeez. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 13, 2020, 12:20:06 PM
We have the Hall of Dead Birds, but everyone seems to know of that place.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 13, 2020, 12:49:11 PM
Some campuses (well, I only know of one, but there may be more) only ever use numbers for buildings.

You're just supposed to know.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 14, 2020, 10:49:58 AM
When I use Blackboard to calculate student grades, I get partlculary annoyed when they write at the end of the semester saying I made a mistake in the calculation. It would mean that I made a mistake in every student's grade. It's not impossible I suppose. I have in fact made mistakes in the past. So maybe it isn't totally unreasonable for them to ask me to check. But in nearly every case, they are the ones who have made a mistake in their calculation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 14, 2020, 11:00:08 AM
Quote from: downer on May 14, 2020, 10:49:58 AM
When I use Blackboard to calculate student grades, I get partlculary annoyed when they write at the end of the semester saying I made a mistake in the calculation. It would mean that I made a mistake in every student's grade. It's not impossible I suppose. I have in fact made mistakes in the past. So maybe it isn't totally unreasonable for them to ask me to check. But in nearly every case, they are the ones who have made a mistake in their calculation.

Yeah, no kidding.  But BB/Moodle does occasionally have weird grade calculation SNAFUs for single grades (although last semester it fucked up an entire course of mine). I don't quite trust it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on May 14, 2020, 11:09:12 AM
I've had Blackboard wrongly calculate an odd grade or two--although that hasn't happened for quite a few years now.  That is why I always enter grades into Excel to double-check.  It's a little more work, but at the end of the semester, I feel confident that the averages are correct.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
Budget freeze, people! Absolutely no spending! Zero, zilch, not one penny! I've said that at least three times a week for the last month. The dean's said it at least once a week. The provost and president have said it, even if they did tack on "except for exceptional circumstances requiring VP level approval." So why do you keep submitting purchase requests?

The latest one was for several hundred dollars of miscellaneous supplies, including paper clips shaped like a treble clef and custom-printed sticky notes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 14, 2020, 05:32:54 PM
Ooohhh...I'll take the paper clips....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 15, 2020, 07:41:58 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
The latest one was for several hundred dollars of miscellaneous supplies, including paper clips shaped like a treble clef and custom-printed sticky notes.

I have this vision of a music prof ordering frills, all unaware that admin is getting ready to shut down the entire music major.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on May 15, 2020, 03:53:06 PM
Quote from: apl68 on May 15, 2020, 07:41:58 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
The latest one was for several hundred dollars of miscellaneous supplies, including paper clips shaped like a treble clef and custom-printed sticky notes.

I have this vision of a music prof ordering frills, all unaware that admin is getting ready to shut down the entire music major.

Hah! I thought another education faculty putting together teaching kits, but it was actual a public administration faculty request. Must have been seriously obnoxious, since the administrative assistant actually forwarded to me for review. She's generally good at gently suggesting people would really find the basic supply cabinet items sufficient.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 15, 2020, 04:23:52 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 15, 2020, 03:53:06 PM
Quote from: apl68 on May 15, 2020, 07:41:58 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
The latest one was for several hundred dollars of miscellaneous supplies, including paper clips shaped like a treble clef and custom-printed sticky notes.

I have this vision of a music prof ordering frills, all unaware that admin is getting ready to shut down the entire music major.

Hah! I thought another education faculty putting together teaching kits, but it was actual a public administration faculty request. Must have been seriously obnoxious, since the administrative assistant actually forwarded to me for review. She's generally good at gently suggesting people would really find the basic supply cabinet items sufficient.

Wow. I guess some people really need to have those personalized sticky notes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on May 16, 2020, 03:26:52 PM
Air conditioning crapped out. Again. Always on the weekend, right? At least this time it's only 85 outside, and it's not the brutality of early August.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on May 16, 2020, 05:13:30 PM
Holy coincidences, Batman! Had to have AC repair people come here today too. They said a broken compressor had caused a power snafu that in turn did bad things to the circuit breakers. The're going to look into getting parts and cost estimates and call on Monday. Yes, thank goodness it's not August or mid-July. I don't deal with heat well.


Larimar
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 16, 2020, 06:21:09 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 16, 2020, 03:26:52 PM
Air conditioning crapped out. Again. Always on the weekend, right? At least this time it's only 85 outside, and it's not the brutality of early August.

Do you know how to check if it's the run start capacitor?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Wahoo Redux on May 16, 2020, 06:36:56 PM
Oh for pete's sake.  You are a middle-aged man.  You are not a 20-something.  Yes, your longtime girlfriend is imperfect.  You are also imperfect----my God, man, you are really imperfect.  She is not your ex-wife, but this is good, damn it, because she is your EX-wife.  And you broke up with your girlfriend, then went all the way to the west coast to win her back, and against her better judgment she moved all the way back.  You mollified her with many promises (I heard them first-hand) and now...

Is that the idea!?!?  That you have a consensual three-way swingers love triangle?!?!?!  No, no, no.  Never gonna work.  And you are not a 20-something!

I mean, geeze.  Fortunately I am not close enough to either of you to be wrecked by any of this, but it sure is disgusting. 

You're a nice guy.  Now grow up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on May 17, 2020, 02:46:53 PM
Quote from: Larimar on May 16, 2020, 05:13:30 PM
Holy coincidences, Batman! Had to have AC repair people come here today too. They said a broken compressor had caused a power snafu that in turn did bad things to the circuit breakers. The're going to look into getting parts and cost estimates and call on Monday. Yes, thank goodness it's not August or mid-July. I don't deal with heat well.


Larimar

Yeah, they said it was our compressor as well. The suggestion was perhaps a lightning strike (we've been having some storms lately) since part of it looked fried. In any case, it's under warranty. It just means it can't be fixed until Tuesday. But this unit is only 2 years old and it seems as if something's always wrong.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 26, 2020, 02:31:31 PM
FFS this is the fifth meeting about the mixed-modality courses at the satellite campus. All five have been devoted to crafting this one-paragraph description of the courses being offered (and it sucks).

There are real issues I'd like cleared up--like how we do the work-integrated learning component period, let alone during COVID. Or whether we're still supposed to teach these as mixed-modality courses. Or whether we're still being paid for a course and a half.

Why why whywhywhywhy? Move. The. Fuck. On.


EDIT: Just to add, the meeting was called to address issues pertaining to teaching at the satellite campus during the pandemic. There was zero indication that we'd still (and only) be talking about this POS document that the coordinator can't be bothered to work on outside these meetings.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: theblackbox on May 26, 2020, 03:31:02 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 26, 2020, 02:31:31 PM
FFS this is the fifth meeting about the mixed-modality courses at the satellite campus. All five have been devoted to crafting this one-paragraph description of the courses being offered (and it sucks).

There are real issues I'd like cleared up--like how we do the work-integrated learning component period, let alone during COVID. Or whether we're still supposed to teach these as mixed-modality courses. Or whether we're still being paid for a course and a half.

Why why whywhywhywhy? Move. The. Fuck. On.


EDIT: Just to add, the meeting was called to address issues pertaining to teaching at the satellite campus during the pandemic. There was zero indication that we'd still (and only) be talking about this POS document that the coordinator can't be bothered to work on outside these meetings.
Let me join you in solidarity against the meetings that go nowhere when there are so many things that we need to actually accomplish right now! So much redundant chatter with so little progress forward, no matter how many times I provide the out-of-meeting work or structure suggestions. I'm not in *charge* of the meeting, so there are limits on how much I can force the meaningful issues (and I test those limits every time).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 27, 2020, 06:09:30 PM
New category of nonfunctional behaviors: learned haplessness.

Everytime someone tries to do something nice for this person it turns into a big deal, takes longer, costs more, and/or never achieves the desired result.

They are still a valuable person and a much-loved friend.

But every effort to help or make things nicer backfires....!

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right." Can I at least still wear my jean shorts?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on May 28, 2020, 06:45:41 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
Budget freeze, people! Absolutely no spending! Zero, zilch, not one penny!

The budget freeze is still on. The hiring freeze is still on. The travel ban is still on. All three are likely to continue for many months. Want to help me figure out who gets laid off first?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on May 28, 2020, 10:08:20 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 28, 2020, 06:45:41 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
Budget freeze, people! Absolutely no spending! Zero, zilch, not one penny!

The budget freeze is still on. The hiring freeze is still on. The travel ban is still on. All three are likely to continue for many months. Want to help me figure out who gets laid off first?

Can you spill and fill and get rid of the deadwood?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on May 29, 2020, 07:59:44 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 28, 2020, 06:45:41 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on May 14, 2020, 02:47:54 PM
Budget freeze, people! Absolutely no spending! Zero, zilch, not one penny!

The budget freeze is still on. The hiring freeze is still on. The travel ban is still on. All three are likely to continue for many months. Want to help me figure out who gets laid off first?

None of the deans/deanlets/high admin will be cut.  But they will lay off the cleaning crews, office staff, and lab prep folks.  I bet they will even hire more administrators to "help" with the crisis.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 29, 2020, 08:07:03 AM
Laying off cleaning crews sounds like a bad idea if there are plans to reopen the physical campus this fall.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: permanent imposter on May 29, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."

Wait what?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 29, 2020, 06:53:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."


...but in Hawai'i, Aloha shirts are part of actual uniforms! Like at KTA and stuff. Plus, they're dress shirts there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on May 30, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: permanent imposter on May 29, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."

Wait what?

Yeah, I dunno. A colleague told me that, and that its part and parcel of the whole "tiki torch" phenomenon in recent white supremacist protests. This was part of the overall discussion of the Minneapolis riots, and claims that white dudes in floral shirts are acting as provocateurs in the situation. Then it became a pointed "You should stop wearing those shirts, Ratty. Unless you want people to think you're a white supremacist."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 30, 2020, 07:37:05 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 30, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: permanent imposter on May 29, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."

Wait what?

Yeah, I dunno. A colleague told me that, and that its part and parcel of the whole "tiki torch" phenomenon in recent white supremacist protests. This was part of the overall discussion of the Minneapolis riots, and claims that white dudes in floral shirts are acting as provocateurs in the situation. Then it became a pointed "You should stop wearing those shirts, Ratty. Unless you want people to think you're a white supremacist."

And let's face it; white supremacists breathe; we should all stop doing that so people don't think we're white supremacists.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: permanent imposter on June 05, 2020, 04:46:32 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 30, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: permanent imposter on May 29, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."

Wait what?

Yeah, I dunno. A colleague told me that, and that its part and parcel of the whole "tiki torch" phenomenon in recent white supremacist protests. This was part of the overall discussion of the Minneapolis riots, and claims that white dudes in floral shirts are acting as provocateurs in the situation. Then it became a pointed "You should stop wearing those shirts, Ratty. Unless you want people to think you're a white supremacist."

You should point out that Hawaiian shirts mean that you are a great person and an excellent baker (https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/great-british-bake-off-fans-in-tears-at-touching-tribute-to-eliminated-jon-jenkins-as-bakers-wear-a3963631.html). (Any other GBBO fans here?)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: archaeo42 on June 08, 2020, 06:17:13 AM
Quote from: permanent imposter on June 05, 2020, 04:46:32 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 30, 2020, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: permanent imposter on May 29, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on May 28, 2020, 04:51:26 PM
I've been informed that I should no longer wear Hawaiian shirts as "they are the unofficial uniform of the alt-right."

Wait what?

Yeah, I dunno. A colleague told me that, and that its part and parcel of the whole "tiki torch" phenomenon in recent white supremacist protests. This was part of the overall discussion of the Minneapolis riots, and claims that white dudes in floral shirts are acting as provocateurs in the situation. Then it became a pointed "You should stop wearing those shirts, Ratty. Unless you want people to think you're a white supremacist."

You should point out that Hawaiian shirts mean that you are a great person and an excellent baker (https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/great-british-bake-off-fans-in-tears-at-touching-tribute-to-eliminated-jon-jenkins-as-bakers-wear-a3963631.html). (Any other GBBO fans here?)

It's on heavy rotation here in Archaeohouse. I like that his daughters picked out which ones he wears each day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on June 15, 2020, 11:16:15 AM
Daughter has not been home with us for several months.  Husband has been keeping a noisy server he brought home for remote work in her room with the door shut.  I went in to look for a movie I thought she had and realized that... oops... we all forgot about her fish tank.  Now, all the fish had been gone for a while, so it was just the (fake) plants and etc.  But I can't even describe the scene.  She had left her blinds partially open, which seemed to help the algae and who knows what to flourish and flourish.  So, we spent some of the weekend trying to take care of that horror.  Ugh.  I could really kick myself for that oversight, but things have been so busy, distracting, and stressful, and I guess we all just forgot about it.  Out of sight, out of mind.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 15, 2020, 11:21:46 AM
I used to keep an aquarium as a kid; came home from campus one time after I'd moved out to find that my brothers had re-appropriated it for keeping crayfish in for fishing bait.

However, this was in December, and they'd stopped going fishing once the quarry pond froze over.

Much smelly cleaning occurred.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 15, 2020, 01:23:26 PM
Had the first session of a training on online teaching today and it was a total sh*t show— perfect example of how NOT to teach online. No one knows what the hell is going on, links don't work, info is not gathered in one place, instructor couldn't get break out rooms to work,  etc. etc. Oy. Hopefully the next sessions will be better. But seriously folks, you are supposed to be the experts, and you've in theory been preparing for this for a month. If I taught a class like this there would be a student riot.

And please, do not do a training for a bunch of folks in the psychology department and start by talking about the effects of stress as if we are unfamiliar with the topic-- Several of us in attendance are experts on this, all of us are familiar with the research.  Especially don't do this if you are an English professor.

I emailed to ask as tactfully as I could if they could practice what they are asking us to do by putting everything in an organized way in the LMS instead of sending random google docs links that don't work. No response so far.

At least we are getting a small stipend for participating. Otherwise I'd probably bail now.

We all shared some version of this rant among us by email afterward, started by senior colleague, who's subject line was "Yikes!".
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 15, 2020, 08:11:19 PM
Did some weird sitting and hurt my coccyx. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 15, 2020, 08:25:54 PM
Head over to the hypochondriac thread.

You probably broke it.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 15, 2020, 08:49:19 PM
Today marks that 10% mark in my summer class. They had their first exam late last week. Today I get an email from a student apologizing for missing the exam, but that as the exam was not in the calendar, he missed it.  He does say that he should have paid more attention to the syllabus, but asks if I can let him take a make up. 
I would have a lot more sympathy for his predicament if I had not sent at least FIVE emails to the class reminding them to schedule a time to take the exam through Examity.  Not seeing the exam in the calendar is one thing, ignoring a plethora of emails alerting him to take the register for the upcoming exam is quite another. 
I also pointed out that he has also missed 2 other assignments, and that I had already emailed him about those assignments as well! 

Of course, today is the first time he has emailed me!  Their next assignments are due in about 90 minutes and I have no indication that he has even started them yet either! 


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 15, 2020, 10:16:42 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 15, 2020, 08:25:54 PM
Head over to the hypochondriac thread.

You probably broke it.

M.

=p
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on June 16, 2020, 01:33:28 PM
Argh!!  I have had it with the "the virus could be seasonal and will go away when the weather gets warm" stories in the news. 
There is ZERO DATA to support that wishful idea.
Yes, higher temperatures do inactivate viruses on surfaces.  But the main mode of transmission is by droplets.  Someone sneezes or coughs, you inhale the droplets.  Show me the data and I'll be happy to spread the word that hot weather decreases transmission.  But wishful thinking is not helping and can be downright dangerous (e.g. folks dying from taking "preventative" hydroxychloroquine).

I get it, people are bored and tired of being scared.  They want things to be "back to normal".  It's going to be a long process.  We are not done.

Viruses. Don't. Get. Bored.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 16, 2020, 02:39:49 PM
QuoteViruses. Don't. Get. Bored.

This would make a great bumper sticker.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on June 17, 2020, 11:29:56 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 16, 2020, 02:39:49 PM
QuoteViruses. Don't. Get. Bored.

This would make a great bumper sticker.

M.

Or printed on a face mask!  I am very tempted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2020, 01:58:01 PM
Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do you need to send me over 20 emails in a WEEK about your labs???!!!! Does anyone know how to think anymore?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nescafe on June 17, 2020, 03:10:12 PM
Getting Zoom-ghosted by the final office hours appointment I have scheduled this academic year. Seems about right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 17, 2020, 07:51:23 PM
Had the last TA meeting of the term with the professor. This shouldn't hurt so much; think I need the vent.

The course has been a major source of positive social interaction for me and the one aspect of my life I felt I was doing any good.

Other TA and prof knew each other previously; sounds like other TA had taken multiple courses with him and may have TA'ed for him before. He seems to have a lot of respect for her, she calls him by his first name, and they often have friendly chit-chat during meetings. I had never met him before this term.

Throughout the quarter, there was a series of events that I tried to brush off as no big deal individually. But collectively...it's like paper-cut upon paper-cut gradually cutting you deeper and deeper. Under normal circumstances my skin is not this thin, but these are not normal circumstances and my defenses have dwindled.

1) First lecture of term. Prof introduces us to the students. Other TA gets an introduction of the length you might hear when someone introduces a guest lecturer at a seminar; her background, her research interests, her accomplishments, etc... My intro: "and your other TA is smallcleanrat." Felt a tad awkward, but of course he knows her and I'm virtually a stranger. He also got my credentials wrong on the syllabus, but I figured it wasn't worth correcting. Do freshman really care what degree their TA has?

2) Throughout term, prof. invites occasional guest lecturers and makes sure to introduce other TA to them (with abridged version of her CV-style intro). I still get "oh, and this is smallcleanrat"; if I get mentioned at all. I figure, ok if he knows she has background/research interests that are relevant to the guest's talk it makes sense for him to make the introduction. But it's still hard not to think, "I'm here too..."

3) Prof. often asks other TA for her opinion on various points in the lecture. Never asks me. Times when I try to contribute a comment or question, other TA often speaks over me. Not in a particularly mean or anti-social way; just in the way a talkative or very enthusiastic person can't wait to speak their mind and may be oblivious to the fact that she is cutting off someone else.

4) Other TA drops out of contact for weeks at a time, preoccupied with grant-writing, lab stuff, quals, etc... Prof. emails both of us asking for various things: attendance info, a draft of the requirements and scaffolding schedule for the term paper, etc... It's always, "why don't the both of you talk it out and send me what you come up with." Other TA is incommunicado when I ask for her input. I end up doing many of these things by myself. When other TA eventually reemerges, Prof. tells her of course it was ok for her to take time away from the course to focus on her other work. She's dealing with so much.

5) As TAs, we are tasked with being on hand at the beginning of lectures to let people in from the Zoom waiting room. I notice other TA often has camera off and does not seem to be active; I often seem to be the only one actually taking care of this task.

6) At the end of the final class session of the term, Prof. makes some concluding remarks/parting advice/etc...and then asks "if the TAs have anything they would like to say to the students." I unmute myself, but other TA is already saying her bit of farewell to the students. When she is finished, I take a breath to say my piece, but prof. breaks in with "Ok, I guess that's a wrap. Goodbye everyone. Have a nice summer." Then he ends the meeting.

This one really hurt. The students were really a pleasure to interact with; enthusiastic, hardworking, and just generally a nice bunch of people. I did want to say my bit of farewell to them. I ended up sending an email to my students, expressing my appreciation for their work ethic, insights, and positive attitudes, and wishing them well in their futures.

6) All of our TA meetings are structured as short bursts of course-related logistics talk interspersed with longer stretches of friendly chitchat between other TA and Prof. I am not included in these chitchats, there never seems to be a polite place to interject, so I just bide my time waiting for the meeting to come back around to talking about the course. Occasionally, I will get a few chitchat questions, but most of the time I may as well not exist.

This last meeting...I suppose because it *was* the last meeting...I guess I was hoping for slightly more consideration. Especially since, by this point, I was completely up to date communicating with Prof. and students about points earned up to that point. Other TA had students saying they are still waiting for feedback on the midterm.

Prof. congratulates other TA on all she accomplished outside of class that term (getting grant submitted, etc...). Asks about her committee, her summer plans, etc... I don't even get a "how are you?" or "what did you get up to this week?" Sometimes I at least get questions like that.

Prof. wraps up meeting saying "well, I guess we covered everything; goodbye" right after I've just asked him a question. He then closes the meeting and I'm left staring at my desktop screen with my insides feeling raw.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nescafe on June 17, 2020, 10:14:14 PM
Wow, I'm sorry smallcleanrat. That sounds like a terrible semester to go through. I don't know what to say except: I see you, and I hope the next appointment will be a better one. It is really tough to be on the business end of this kind of crass favoritism.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 18, 2020, 09:45:45 AM
Quote from: nescafe on June 17, 2020, 10:14:14 PM
Wow, I'm sorry smallcleanrat. That sounds like a terrible semester to go through. I don't know what to say except: I see you, and I hope the next appointment will be a better one. It is really tough to be on the business end of this kind of crass favoritism.

Thanks, nescafe. I know my emotional reaction to this is far more intense than the situation warrants, but the situation still seemed to lack certain elements of common courtesy.

When you're already isolated, being ignored by the few people you are still interacting with is just salt in the wound.

Odd thing is both prof. (who is also an MD) and other TA expressed concern about my well-being and offered to help in any way they could when they learned, late in the term, that I had been and still was struggling with multiple physical and mental health challenges throughout the term. They sounded sincere; I was touched. And then they went back to barely acknowledging my existence. And being ignored by people who know you are struggling hurts worse than being ignored by people who think you are doing fine.

Other TA strongly and repeatedly implored me to keep in touch with her because she went through similar issues earlier in grad school. Then she ghosted me.

I know the general advice in these situations is to not take it personally. To give people the benefit of the doubt, because you never know if they may be dealing with serious issues themselves. This is my usual way of thinking; but it's happening so often lately I'm getting burnt out on thinking up excuses for people. I know it's probably not malicious and it may not be intentional, but I don't always know what people mean when they say "don't take it personally," especially when the other person made it personal by offering to help or at least check in once in a while and then never following through. Especially when they use such strong language as "I really care about you. If something happened to you it would be terrible. Call me anytime."

"Ah, well they probably just forgot or got wrapped up in other things; don't take it personally." It isn't personal to be forgotten or ignored by someone? Even if it's by someone close to you like a partner or a friend or even a therapist (who is actually paid to have an interest in your well-being)?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on June 18, 2020, 11:17:42 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on June 18, 2020, 09:45:45 AM
I know the general advice in these situations is to not take it personally. To give people the benefit of the doubt, because you never know if they may be dealing with serious issues themselves. This is my usual way of thinking; but it's happening so often lately I'm getting burnt out on thinking up excuses for people. I know it's probably not malicious and it may not be intentional, but I don't always know what people mean when they say "don't take it personally," especially when the other person made it personal by offering to help or at least check in once in a while and then never following through. Especially when they use such strong language as "I really care about you. If something happened to you it would be terrible. Call me anytime."

"Ah, well they probably just forgot or got wrapped up in other things; don't take it personally." It isn't personal to be forgotten or ignored by someone? Even if it's by someone close to you like a partner or a friend or even a therapist (who is actually paid to have an interest in your well-being)?

The more people you meet over the years, smallcleanrat, the more you will understand what people are like.

I frequently sit in long faculty meetings in which I am not acknowledged or asked my opinion, same for most others in my dept.  It's not personal at all and I don't take offense.  The usual talkers talk, the rest of us listen (or not).

Isn't there survey data on how many people respondents report are truly best friends that they can trust and count on?  The average number is usually small. 

When people show you who they are, keep that data in mind and structure your future thoughts and interactions accordingly.

So, maybe lower your expectations of people and then you won't be so disappointed.  At times, you will be pleasantly surprised.  There are many good people in this complex world.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on June 18, 2020, 12:06:47 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 18, 2020, 11:17:42 AM
I frequently sit in long faculty meetings in which I am not acknowledged or asked my opinion, same for most others in my dept.  It's not personal at all and I don't take offense.  The usual talkers talk, the rest of us listen (or not).

I'd also add that it's common for people to assume that if someone has something to say, they will speak up.  If people think you have a pattern of not saying anything during meetings, they might not be looking for you to comment. It's weird and strange on Zoom because there aren't as many nonverbal cues that someone would like to get a word in, but you may need to inject yourself into the conversation even it it's a little interruptive.  If you wait to be asked or even for a perfect pause, you may end up not having a chance to speak. The next time you're in a situation where you feel like you're not getting an opportunity to be heard, try challenging yourself to take that opportunity, even if it feels awkward.



Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 18, 2020, 12:20:38 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 18, 2020, 11:17:42 AM
So, maybe lower your expectations of people and then you won't be so disappointed. At times, you will be pleasantly surprised.  There are many good people in this complex world.

I thought they were already pretty low. It's why I rarely get angry and rarely argue, to the point friends and family have called me pathetic/wimpy/cowardly for letting people walk all over me.

Under ordinary circumstances, I can shrug a lot of things off. But I'm at the end of my rope here, I'm at the lowest point I've ever been in my life; these aren't day-to-day annoyances, these are people offering a hand when I'm reaching out for help and then yanking it back at the last second. I thought I was keeping expectations low for most people in my life. A "hi, how are you?" message once in a while, 15 minutes of friendly chitchat a couple of times a month maybe.

As for meetings, I'm generally not offended by not being acknowledged, but in most meetings I've been in there are more than three people. When there are only three, it's harder to ignore being left out so completely by the other two. There's also something very final about the Zoom host just closing the meeting, cutting you off. In person, I might have been able to say "Oh, wait please. I had one quick question/comment." The last lecture especially when he asked if the TAs (plural) wanted to say anything; he knows there are only two of us. It doesn't seem the same as not being asked my opinion in a meeting.

There was a time when I was getting ready to move across country after a fairly hellish year. I didn't have close friends at the time, but I did know a few people in my peer group I saw often, socialized with, and was on friendly terms with. I invited them to dinner, telling them I would cook. I just wanted to have one last meal and a night to hang out before I moved away. They all agreed and said it sounded fun. Two of three people canceled within an hour of our meet time when I had already bought groceries and started prepping. Well, ok. Things come up. And one person is still coming, so I'll just finish cooking and she and I can have dinner. I waited about 3 hours (after sending her texts and a phone message attempting to check in) with dinner for four getting cold on the table before concluding no one was coming. I was scared she'd been in a car accident. Turns out she had to work later than expected and then was too tired to want to come over (which she finally told me two days later). A cancellation text or phone call would have taken less than 30 seconds of her time.

Is it too much to expect the courtesy of a cancellation? People also told me I shouldn't take this personally. Maybe sometimes that's the point. Some things are not personal, but they should be.

If it's not personal, I think people generally mean you were not at all in the other person's thoughts. So, that person who ignored you in a meeting wasn't trying to spite you, it just didn't occur to them to ask you. Not such a big deal most of the time. But a friend or a partner or a health care provider acting indifferent to your well-being? To understand it's not personal (they were busy/preoccupied/didn't know what to do/etc...; they were not consciously trying to hurt or neglect me) doesn't make it any better. How much lower do my expectations need to go, even with the people closest to me?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 18, 2020, 12:23:24 PM
Car broke down yesterday. Had to have it towed to repair center (for second time).

The diagnosis (as there are no codes showing on the computer) is that I need a new fuel pump and filter. 
However, they then 'recommend another shitload of repairs. 
I asked if they had looked up the history of the work that I had done there.  I had ALREADY done every damn item on the list! !!

I have completely lost all faith in them.  How do I know that I actually NEED anything that they want to do?  Are they just seeing what they can put on a list because that is what the "Diagnosis Wheel of Fortune" spit out!

I would not have gone there again after the last fiasco, but for the fact that I had to get towed!  (and they are walking distance from my house!)

I have been able to negotiate down their original$1600 estimate for the work down to $1200.  I found another place that could do the job for less, but I would still ahve to pay this place something for the work so far as well as $85 for a tow to the new shop (AAA wont pay for a transfer From a repair center (especially a 'AAA authorized facility'). 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 18, 2020, 12:32:29 PM
Quote from: sprout on June 18, 2020, 12:06:47 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 18, 2020, 11:17:42 AM
I frequently sit in long faculty meetings in which I am not acknowledged or asked my opinion, same for most others in my dept.  It's not personal at all and I don't take offense.  The usual talkers talk, the rest of us listen (or not).

I'd also add that it's common for people to assume that if someone has something to say, they will speak up.  If people think you have a pattern of not saying anything during meetings, they might not be looking for you to comment. It's weird and strange on Zoom because there aren't as many nonverbal cues that someone would like to get a word in, but you may need to inject yourself into the conversation even it it's a little interruptive.  If you wait to be asked or even for a perfect pause, you may end up not having a chance to speak. The next time you're in a situation where you feel like you're not getting an opportunity to be heard, try challenging yourself to take that opportunity, even if it feels awkward.

I tried this two ways in lectures: unmuting myself anyway and saying something like, "Excuse me, Professor...may I make a comment?" or sending him a text and/or a message in the Zoom chat function; no response, he keeps talking as if nothing happened; I wasn't especially offended by this, since the students try the same methods in order to ask questions, and he often doesn't notice them either (even when a student is frantically waving in their little box trying to get his attention)

In meetings, I tried using the chat function to interject. Sometimes it was noticed sometimes not, but I was able to get more of my comments recognized this way. Trying to vocalize to signal I wanted to say something didn't work particularly well with these two: "er..."; "ok, about what you just said..."; "wait a minute, I'm confused about something"... That yellow box indicating I'm talking shows up around my window; I assume that means the sound is getting through. They are both rather talkative people; sometimes talkative people don't really respond when someone tries to interject.

As for waiting to be asked...I don't do this for the essential stuff (TA-related topics), because that is my job; I need to understand what is expected of me and I need to communicate how certain aspects of the course are going. It's the long social chats I don't feel right interrupting without being directly addressed. If he asks her how her research is going, it seems presumptuous somehow to prevent the conversation coming back to course-related topics by saying something like "oh, wait; let me tell you how *my* research is going..." Not sure what the purpose of that would be.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 19, 2020, 08:28:26 AM
Does anybody else ever get sick of yourself?  I feel like lately all I do is complain, bitch, and moan.  I try to keep my mouth shut at home and with Kid #1 (who is bipolar and doesn't need me adding to their anxiety, though I sometimes even get fed up with their high-maintenance stuff and do slip and say something that I have to apologize for). 

Overall, things are OK, or about as OK as they get.  ALHS has some health concerns popping up (though none seem to be major), and I've got my own ongoing things (though I've gotten back on WW and am starting to get some weight off slowly, and my blood sugars are starting to come back down). And the uncertainty about work and life in general isn't anything especially distressing after all this time, though I'll be glad when things settle down on that front. Still, the routine things, including chronic pain, seem to be getting to me worse than usual lately.

Maybe this is just the point when being isolated is finally getting to introverted me, and I should be glad it's taken this long?  Ah, well, this too shall pass. But I do apologize to y'all here, if I've been snippy or rude.

Your grumpy friend,
ALH
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 19, 2020, 10:55:56 AM
Toi, grumpy?

Non....

Not as far as I've noticed.

But it's kind of you to consider the possiblity and apologize "in case."

There are many folks in the world who never consider the possiblity, let alone apologize....

I hope the health, stress, and school issues simmer down soon.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 19, 2020, 12:32:30 PM
I just can't with today. It's too much.  I'm out of spoons and am tired of being shamed for not having more of them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 19, 2020, 02:01:56 PM
Here.

Have a rainbow's worth of spoons...

   https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-First-Years-Take-Toss-Dishwasher-Safe-Infant-Feeding-Spoons-Rainbow-Colors-16-Pk/19757735

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 05:50:22 AM
This is a minor vent compared to what others are dealing with on this thread.
Our air-conditioner is broken. It is already 80 degrees in here at 8am with all off the lights off. We called a local repair place yesterday. They offered their first available appointment . . . in September.  Another place could not even give us a future appointment as they were scheduled out so far.   This does not bode well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 23, 2020, 07:43:43 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 05:50:22 AM
This is a minor vent compared to what others are dealing with on this thread.
Our air-conditioner is broken. It is already 80 degrees in here at 8am with all off the lights off. We called a local repair place yesterday. They offered their first available appointment . . . in September.  Another place could not even give us a future appointment as they were scheduled out so far.   This does not bode well.

A problem like that does not sound minor!  If your central air is potentially going to be out through the hottest part of the summer, you might need to get an inexpensive window unit or two so that you can keep part of the house cool.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 23, 2020, 08:34:39 AM
Quote from: apl68 on June 23, 2020, 07:43:43 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 05:50:22 AM
This is a minor vent compared to what others are dealing with on this thread.
Our air-conditioner is broken. It is already 80 degrees in here at 8am with all off the lights off. We called a local repair place yesterday. They offered their first available appointment . . . in September.  Another place could not even give us a future appointment as they were scheduled out so far.   This does not bode well.

A problem like that does not sound minor!  If your central air is potentially going to be out through the hottest part of the summer, you might need to get an inexpensive window unit or two so that you can keep part of the house cool.

This may be a little pricey, but sounds like a good idea. Those units can really cool a room down.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 23, 2020, 10:10:04 AM
Wow!  I am surprised that it is more than six weeks to get an AC appointment!  Hell, for six weeks, Id be tempted to see if there is a crash course at a local community college!  Id hate to think that the problem would be as simple as my last problem (a blown capacitor) and that I had to wait 6 weeks in summer heat to fix a $20 part! 

Of course, I am in the South, so AC companies are not rare. They are not fast, but they will come out 'after hours' for an extra fee. 

I second the suggestion to get a small room sized AC.  I have one from Walmart that was about $80 that will absolutely cool a bedroom!  I dont know that it would be able to do the main living area, but I can hole up in the bedroom if necessary. 

In graduate school, used ACs were readily available at the local used shops as some of the old dorms were not air conditioned and as students graduated, they recycled them through the used stores (as were dorm sized friges and such).  (In fact, some of the student entrepreneurs would buy them up and store them for the summer to bring them out for new students at a heavy profit!)

Good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 10:31:33 AM
Thanks all. I had expected a little more of a "suck it up, buttercup" response to my vent.  I'm from the south, and I can handle some heat; I just did not expect a six week wait for HVAC. We do have one window unit in the upstairs (as it is a converted attic with no airflow), so in a pinch, we can hunker in there.  I've definitely lived without central air before.
My main problem is that window AC units tend to be loud (or at least ours is), and I'm hard of hearing, which means I can't teach or attend virtual meetings with the window unit blowing (can't hear anyone's comments).  So, it's either fix the central air or teach while sweltering or locate an much quieter window unit (I'll take suggestions if anyone has one). We did find someone to come by sooner than 6 weeks, so hopefully this will be a short lived vent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 23, 2020, 10:47:28 AM
Yes, those window units do tend to be noisy.  But then, so do some centralized systems.  The one at my house makes a distinctive howling noise that a movie special sound effects technician might be interested in recording sometime.

It makes sense that a venting thread would have somebody venting about their ventilation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 23, 2020, 11:07:15 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 10:31:33 AM
Thanks all. I had expected a little more of a "suck it up, buttercup" response to my vent.  I'm from the south, and I can handle some heat; I just did not expect a six week wait for HVAC. We do have one window unit in the upstairs (as it is a converted attic with no airflow), so in a pinch, we can hunker in there.  I've definitely lived without central air before.
My main problem is that window AC units tend to be loud (or at least ours is), and I'm hard of hearing, which means I can't teach or attend virtual meetings with the window unit blowing (can't hear anyone's comments).  So, it's either fix the central air or teach while sweltering or locate an much quieter window unit (I'll take suggestions if anyone has one). We did find someone to come by sooner than 6 weeks, so hopefully this will be a short lived vent.

Hooray for shortening the wait time. Do you have to deal with high humidity in summer on top of high temps? I'm more experienced with dry, desert heat; spent a summer in a more humid area for an internship thinking that, after surviving 100+ temps at home, the average temps of 80-90F would be tolerable. I was so wrong; I thought I was going to drown on land, every breath felt so heavy. I never did figure out how to deal with humidity.

If it's more of a dry heat, have you ever tried some of those wearables that go in the freezer? There are different configurations, but the idea is you wrap it around your shoulders or have it on your lap or something and it helps cool you down. Cheaper version is a makeshift vest with ice packs or frozen bottles of water stuffed in it. I've also seen cooling towels/blankets (add a little water, stretch out the material to initiate whatever chemistry is at play, and you have something cool to go against your skin). Haven't tried those so I'm not sure how well they work.

Hope you find a solution soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 23, 2020, 11:20:05 AM
Quoteand I'm hard of hearing, which means I can't teach or attend virtual meetings with the window unit blowing (can't hear anyone's comments).

Get headphones. 
You will have the best of both worlds.  You will hear what is said with the speaker being right at your ears and be able to sit in the room!

Newer models are likely quieter than older, larger units. 
Window units do come in different sizes. Some are very small and are just for one small room.  Others are designed to cool a whole house!  The larger will be more expensive and heavy and not what you really need to address a short term problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 23, 2020, 11:36:32 AM
Quote from: clean on June 23, 2020, 11:20:05 AM
Quoteand I'm hard of hearing, which means I can't teach or attend virtual meetings with the window unit blowing (can't hear anyone's comments).

Get headphones. 
You will have the best of both worlds.  You will hear what is said with the speaker being right at your ears and be able to sit in the room!


This is definitely a good suggestion for most folks. It's not workable for me due to my particular loss and hearing technology. But I'm working on upgrading some of my hearing tech, so that I can have a more workable solution.  But I do appreciate the response.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on June 23, 2020, 11:07:15 AM

Hooray for shortening the wait time. Do you have to deal with high humidity in summer on top of high temps? I'm more experienced with dry, desert heat; spent a summer in a more humid area for an internship thinking that, after surviving 100+ temps at home, the average temps of 80-90F would be tolerable. I was so wrong; I thought I was going to drown on land, every breath felt so heavy. I never did figure out how to deal with humidity.

If it's more of a dry heat, have you ever tried some of those wearables that go in the freezer? There are different configurations, but the idea is you wrap it around your shoulders or have it on your lap or something and it helps cool you down. Cheaper version is a makeshift vest with ice packs or frozen bottles of water stuffed in it. I've also seen cooling towels/blankets (add a little water, stretch out the material to initiate whatever chemistry is at play, and you have something cool to go against your skin). Haven't tried those so I'm not sure how well they work.

Hope you find a solution soon.

Thanks, smallcleanrat. I grew up in a place of high humidity, so it's less humid here than what I grew up with, but it's not a dry heat.  I agree on coldpacks. I'm totally versed in the cheap versions of frozen water bottles and ice in bandannas around the neck.

How are you doing, smallcleanrat. Are you feeling any better?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 23, 2020, 12:38:48 PM
Unrelated to anything here.

About to lose my !@#$%^&^%$#@ mind. That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 23, 2020, 01:47:49 PM
Do you remember where you had it last?

  (sorry...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 23, 2020, 03:54:14 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 23, 2020, 01:47:49 PM
Do you remember where you had it last?

  (sorry...)

M.

Couldn't resist, eh? It's ok. I think I found part of it under the sofa. A certain cat was chewing on it...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 23, 2020, 04:42:10 PM
Oh, good.

Kitties help restore mindfulness....when they're not helping you lose it.

Glad it turned up, if only in part.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 25, 2020, 04:54:34 AM
The bookstore sends a reminder to order fall books but the instructions about how to order them are patently false. The message does not include a URL to get to the necessary page to order them.

I'm guessing they are just recycling an old message that now does not fit the university website. The faculty page itself hasn't been updated since the Spring semester and is still full of info about transitioning to online courses.

I think I'm just grumpy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 25, 2020, 05:13:37 AM
The email software that I've been grousing about turns out to have an incorrect file type that makes quite a difference and explains why I was having so much trouble.

The file extension ".png" is NOT the same as a ".pdf", just FYI...!!

Grrrr......hours lost trying to make it work....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 25, 2020, 07:53:00 AM
Now in the midst of what promises to be a prolonged game of phone tag.  I called a couple of days ago.  Yesterday afternoon, when I was out of the office, I missed a reply.  This morning I called back, only to hear a message saying that my quarry will be out of his office until Wednesday. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 25, 2020, 07:58:37 AM
The knight chasing the snail....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 25, 2020, 12:16:07 PM
Thank you all for commiserating me about my A/C problem.    As a follow-up, we might now have sort-of functional A/C.  We scored a referral for much quicker service from Awesome Neighborguy who has resources for everything, and we crunched the numbers on how bad the financial hit it will be (really bad).  The evaluation indicated many many problems in this old house. But, we had a work crew here and there is mildly cool air now blowing, so maybe it will be below 80 by tonight. So, kind-of a vinhale.
Hope everyone else is staying cool (if it's summer in your neck of the woods) or warm (if you are wintering) or whatever temperature you prefer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 25, 2020, 01:16:51 PM
Glad it's better, at any rate...

Make sure you cancel the other guys so you don't get charged a default no-show charge!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on June 27, 2020, 09:00:19 PM
Called USAA [ins.& banking] yesterday to get account standings. I entered the usual information to access their automated system but my entries were not getting picked to the system. Without my attempting,, a weak voiced customer rep. came on the line and wanted to quiz me with security questions. I answered one and then the fellow wanted to ask me personal information about my children, At that point I told him that I would speak with him no more..A few minutes later I called them and the call was processed as usual.

During the troubling call, I heard uniformly spaced beeps. I woried that I was on an overseas link as well or that I was being recorded by someone other than USAA.. Many veterans and active duty personnel rely on that firm so the incident piqued my concern. So by posting this I hope to raise the awareness should others find themselves  with similar curious experiences.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 03, 2020, 10:16:49 AM
Damn you to all the companies that offered free trials during Spring "due to the pandemic" who are now cutting off support.  The pandemic isn't over.  I knew it was just a marketing ploy, but you could have at least let us know the expiration date for the free trial.
Grumble.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on July 04, 2020, 10:10:39 PM
My house was broken into the other day. Thanks to an alert neighbour the guy was caught and I didn't lose much. It could have been much much worse!

It's still a shock and I've spent the weekend improving security. The last part is building new gates which will take a bit longer.

So all ok, but today I went back twice to make sure that doors were locked. I think it will take a while to get past this even though he broke in by lifting a sliding glass door out of its frame.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 04, 2020, 10:45:46 PM
It's hard to feel safe again after something like that.

I'm sorry.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 05, 2020, 10:05:31 AM
Quote from: mamselle on July 04, 2020, 10:45:46 PM
It's hard to feel safe again after something like that.

I'm sorry.

M.

+1.  It's such a feeling of violation, I imagine.  I'm glad the guy was caught, at least, and that no one was harmed.  Take care, science.expat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on July 05, 2020, 12:34:47 PM
Quote from: science.expat on July 04, 2020, 10:10:39 PMSo all ok, but today I went back twice to make sure that doors were locked. I think it will take a while to get past this even though he broke in by lifting a sliding glass door out of its frame.

Sorry you're dealing with break in. You might look at motion-sensitive lighting as a deterrent, too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on July 05, 2020, 10:47:21 PM
Thanks, all.

This happened in broad daylight - the guy went into my backyard and lifted a sliding glass door out of its frame. That's now secured so it can't happen again but need to make access to the back more difficult. As the cops said: 'if they want to get in they will; you need to make it difficult enough that they go somewhere else'.

A bit Machiavellian but accurate...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 06, 2020, 11:23:58 AM
Wow, that's pretty gutsy of the burglar, science.expat.  Unfortunately, I guess if there are areas of the house that are not readily seen by neighbors or from the street those might be tempting.  I'm not sure if it would help avert the lifting of the door from its frame, but when I had a sliding door we bought a piece of wood that we laid in the track to prevent the door from being opened if the lock were jimmied.  Of course, a burglar could always just try to break the glass, but I do agree that if you can make it less easy, maybe the burglar will go try somewhere else.  And if all the neighbors take such steps, maybe burglars avoid your neighborhood [I deleted a rant about this very much not happening in my mom's neighborhood].  Maybe another thing along the lines of what Vkw10 suggested would be to put in either a real camera system or something that looks very obviously like one?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on July 06, 2020, 04:57:55 PM
Prepping a class, decided to just use the same book the previous prof used.

18 week semester.

10 chapters in the book.

WHO DOES THAT?????
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 06, 2020, 05:33:13 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 06, 2020, 04:57:55 PM
Prepping a class, decided to just use the same book the previous prof used.

18 week semester.

10 chapters in the book.

WHO DOES THAT?????

Umm....

Wk 1: Intro first week w/ quiz on syllabus
Weeks 2-4, chpts 1-3
Wk 5: Quiz #1 w/prep, revw, and grade in-class
Weeks 6-8, chpts 4-6
Wk 9: Midterm #1 w/prep, revw, and exam in-class
Weeks 10-12, chpts 7-9
Wk 13: Quiz #2 w/prep, revw, and grade in-class
Weeks 14-16, chpts 10-12
Wk 17: Review for comprehensive final w/one in-class pop quiz to keep 'em on their toes
Wk 18: Final w/prep, revw, (and exam in-class if allowed, or extra group review time if not)

Or, fewer quizzes, more scaffolded assignments over the term that take up those weeks if it's more writing-intensive

I've had 8-chapter books that couldn't be covered in a 13-week semester because the material was very dense. i could have glossed it, but it was foundational so I didn't feel right about that. Turned out I broke where everyone else did; the assumption was that it was to cover two semesters after all.

So--chapters don't equal weeks all the time....do they?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 06, 2020, 07:45:51 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 06, 2020, 04:57:55 PM
Prepping a class, decided to just use the same book the previous prof used.

18 week semester.

10 chapters in the book.

WHO DOES THAT?????

Depends on the subject matter and how meaty the chapters are.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 07, 2020, 04:06:03 AM
18 week semester? I have never heard of that. What fresh hell?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on July 07, 2020, 06:16:10 AM
Quote from: downer on July 07, 2020, 04:06:03 AM
18 week semester? I have never heard of that. What fresh hell?

+1  Thanks for much-needed morning laughter, downer!

Quote from: mamselle on July 06, 2020, 05:33:13 PM
So--chapters don't equal weeks all the time....do they?

+1
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on July 07, 2020, 10:07:45 AM
Quarter system here.  It's got to be better than trying to cover 18 chapters in 10 weeks!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on July 08, 2020, 03:05:58 PM
I had to go into the office today to deal with some data.  When I got home the front door was unlocked. I am positive that I locked the door and deadbolt.  Nothing appears to be missing, although I haven't checked every drawer/cabinet, but I am a little freaked out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 08, 2020, 06:02:29 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on July 08, 2020, 03:05:58 PM
I had to go into the office today to deal with some data.  When I got home the front door was unlocked. I am positive that I locked the door and deadbolt.  Nothing appears to be missing, although I haven't checked every drawer/cabinet, but I am a little freaked out.

:( Understandable. I'd be freaked out too. Hope you're feeling better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
Working with student essays that employ APA format is a living hell right now. Our Library's databases are still in the 6th edition with its citation generator, online citation generators have always produced random Ref. page entries, the Purdue OWL is now in the 7th edition, and students are using textbooks with either one depending on when they bought the book. I mean, f*ckity f*ckity $hit $hit!!!!!!!! There has to be a better way to roll out a new edition!!!!!!! [insert frowny-faced poop emoji here]

Okay, I feel better now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 10, 2020, 11:15:21 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
Working with student essays that employ APA format is a living hell right now. Our Library's databases are still in the 6th edition with its citation generator, online citation generators have always produced random Ref. page entries, the Purdue OWL is now in the 7th edition, and students are using textbooks with either one depending on when they bought the book. I mean, f*ckity f*ckity $hit $hit!!!!!!!! There has to be a better way to roll out a new edition!!!!!!! [insert frowny-faced poop emoji here]

Okay, I feel better now.

Yeah, it's kind of a pain in the neck.  I think last time I looked OWL still had a link to 6th ed. pages, but if the edition is not specified, I guess students will look where they look.  I submitted to a journal using 6th ed. only to find that they had changed to 7th but had not changed the website to say so.  And also they said no page limits, but a word limit was specified on like page 5 of the submission system.  That kind of sucked.  Some of the changes for the 7th ed. make sense while in too many cases it seems like they just go back and forth or come up with weird new rules that are nonintuitive.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:46:54 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on July 10, 2020, 11:15:21 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
Working with student essays that employ APA format is a living hell right now. Our Library's databases are still in the 6th edition with its citation generator, online citation generators have always produced random Ref. page entries, the Purdue OWL is now in the 7th edition, and students are using textbooks with either one depending on when they bought the book. I mean, f*ckity f*ckity $hit $hit!!!!!!!! There has to be a better way to roll out a new edition!!!!!!! [insert frowny-faced poop emoji here]

Okay, I feel better now.

Yeah, it's kind of a pain in the neck.  I think last time I looked OWL still had a link to 6th ed. pages, but if the edition is not specified, I guess students will look where they look.  I submitted to a journal using 6th ed. only to find that they had changed to 7th but had not changed the website to say so.  And also they said no page limits, but a word limit was specified on like page 5 of the submission system.  That kind of sucked.  Some of the changes for the 7th ed. make sense while in too many cases it seems like they just go back and forth or come up with weird new rules that are nonintuitive.

I'm just trying to introduce Comp. I students to the thrills and wonders of APA formatting, so things get a little hairy when they see different versions on what should be authoritative sites.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 10, 2020, 11:52:02 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:46:54 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on July 10, 2020, 11:15:21 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
Working with student essays that employ APA format is a living hell right now. Our Library's databases are still in the 6th edition with its citation generator, online citation generators have always produced random Ref. page entries, the Purdue OWL is now in the 7th edition, and students are using textbooks with either one depending on when they bought the book. I mean, f*ckity f*ckity $hit $hit!!!!!!!! There has to be a better way to roll out a new edition!!!!!!! [insert frowny-faced poop emoji here]

Okay, I feel better now.

Yeah, it's kind of a pain in the neck.  I think last time I looked OWL still had a link to 6th ed. pages, but if the edition is not specified, I guess students will look where they look.  I submitted to a journal using 6th ed. only to find that they had changed to 7th but had not changed the website to say so.  And also they said no page limits, but a word limit was specified on like page 5 of the submission system.  That kind of sucked.  Some of the changes for the 7th ed. make sense while in too many cases it seems like they just go back and forth or come up with weird new rules that are nonintuitive.

I'm just trying to introduce Comp. I students to the thrills and wonders of APA formatting, so things get a little hairy when they see different versions on what should be authoritative sites.

Well, I have enough trouble navigating it myself, so good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 10, 2020, 12:03:09 PM
I have a hard enough time getting students to give me page numbers for their citations. Actually insisting on a properly formatted list of works cited is far, far beyond the limits of my patience.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 10, 2020, 01:04:21 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on July 10, 2020, 11:15:21 AMSome of the changes for the 7th ed. make sense while in too many cases it seems like they just go back and forth or come up with weird new rules that are nonintuitive.

It's called "adding value" for the new edition.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sonoamused on July 10, 2020, 01:37:11 PM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 10, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
Working with student essays that employ APA format is a living hell right now. Our Library's databases are still in the 6th edition with its citation generator, online citation generators have always produced random Ref. page entries, the Purdue OWL is now in the 7th edition, and students are using textbooks with either one depending on when they bought the book. I mean, f*ckity f*ckity $hit $hit!!!!!!!! There has to be a better way to roll out a new edition!!!!!!! [insert frowny-faced poop emoji here]

Okay, I feel better now.

An October rollout is a nightmare for stuff like this - as soon as I saw it was going to happen (the summer of the rollout) I notified all the faculty I work with to update their assignments so students knew what Edition to use.

(not a WSU member by the way)  but students who use 6th edition I point them to this: https://libguides.libraries.wsu.edu/QuickCiteAPA  its less overwhelming then the OWL site, especially for undergrads. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 14, 2020, 11:52:36 AM
I've been trying to take care of some paperwork odds and ends that have been on the to do list for too long.  One item required calling a bank to confirm how to handle transferring money from a particular type of restricted account.  I called the number listed for inquiries about that type of account and waited in the queue for 45 minutes only to find that it was actually a different department I needed to speak with, but they would put me right through.  About 30 minutes later, I finally got someone on the line.  I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't actually work there.  He had to be the most unhelpful customer service person I've ever talked to.  I asked about transferring the money, and he said sure, why not? I asked about the restrictions on the account type, and he said he did not understand my request.  I explained about the account type again, and he did not seem to understand at all.  It is a common account type, just has some tax implications and restrictions! Geez.  I asked if I should close the account once the money has been transferred.  Sure, he said. Why not? You can close the account if you want! Finally I just said thanks for all your help.  He said sure.  I said good bye, he said uh and then just sat on the line.  I think he might have been high.  I could use some of what he's using at this point.  Why oh why couldn't it be the specific type of that account that the first department handled? That guy was nice, helpful... argh.   I'm glad they record the calls, just in case.  I know the transfer stuff is probably fine and simple from what I've read online, but I just wanted some confirmation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 14, 2020, 12:56:54 PM
I've been feeling ill. Headache (probably stress) and major abdominal issues. I'm gonna be pissed if it's the produce I've been having delivered here. Starting to feel better. I think I need one of those frowny-faced poop emojis. :(

Edit: I will add that something looked suspect, but I ate it anyway. Mea culpa.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on July 14, 2020, 05:49:25 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on July 08, 2020, 03:05:58 PM
I had to go into the office today to deal with some data.  When I got home the front door was unlocked. I am positive that I locked the door and deadbolt.  Nothing appears to be missing, although I haven't checked every drawer/cabinet, but I am a little freaked out.

When I first came to this town, I rented a townhouse that was ostensibly for rich students. As the complex wasn't quite finished (and no students had decided to rent there), I got a good deal. The downside is that there was still occasional construction weirdness. Once I came home from a day of classes, took a nap in the  upstairs bedroom, and came downstairs to find the front door open. While that's the door that opens to the street, everyone used the parking-lot-adjacent back doors. So I imagine some workman entering the place to do whatever, found me sleeping, and decided to flee rather than wake me with a kiss.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on July 14, 2020, 07:11:05 PM
We've probably got 50,000 k-PHD science teachers in this country (or maybe world) that are comfortable working in science lab settings. Very many of them are on salary this summer. These personnel are already in manageable employment hierarchies. Is there some hurdle to breaking down research tasks in such a way that puts "more feet on the ground" by using them on Coronavirus 19 lab work, data analysis, and info sorting? GET YOUR ASSES TO WORK PEOPLE, WE'VE FOLKS DIEING AND BEING WAYLAYED THAT SHOULD NOT BE!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 15, 2020, 10:14:32 AM
Discovered some mould on the underside of the mattress this morning, which was just what I needed. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on July 15, 2020, 12:58:48 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 15, 2020, 10:14:32 AM
Discovered some mould on the underside of the mattress this morning, which was just what I needed. Sigh.

Oh no! I've been carefully ignoring some mold on the curtains in my bedroom, because it's a rental and they're huge and thick and came with the property, and negotiating with the company is just too much to deal with. But I have to scrub it off the walls under the window every so often, and I'm pretty certain it's in the carpet in that side of the room too. But on the mattress does seem to demand attention. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 15, 2020, 02:01:21 PM
Quote from: ergative on July 15, 2020, 12:58:48 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 15, 2020, 10:14:32 AM
Discovered some mould on the underside of the mattress this morning, which was just what I needed. Sigh.

Oh no! I've been carefully ignoring some mold on the curtains in my bedroom, because it's a rental and they're huge and thick and came with the property, and negotiating with the company is just too much to deal with. But I have to scrub it off the walls under the window every so often, and I'm pretty certain it's in the carpet in that side of the room too. But on the mattress does seem to demand attention. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that right now.

In fairness, it's not actually a big deal. It's relatively easy to deal with, especially when it's in the early stages. It's just that it makes for a bad start to the day.

The carpet sounds kind of serious. I don't envy you that! Any chance you can actually launder the curtains one by one?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2020, 03:44:06 PM
I'm trying to be good and limit my time dealing with crazy demented people, but @#$%^&Y^%$#, I can't deal with this shit anymore.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on July 15, 2020, 06:44:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2020, 03:44:06 PM
I'm trying to be good and limit my time dealing with crazy demented people, but @#$%^&Y^%$#, I can't deal with this shit anymore.

C'mon Sarge, iighten up! It's not good for you to stay like that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2020, 08:31:33 PM
Quote from: Economizer on July 15, 2020, 06:44:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2020, 03:44:06 PM
I'm trying to be good and limit my time dealing with crazy demented people, but @#$%^&Y^%$#, I can't deal with this shit anymore.

C'mon Sarge, iighten up! It's not good for you to stay like that.

True. It's not good for my mental health. But, we're talking about dealing with someone who is really 'Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs' here. Subscribes to every conspiracy theory in the book and regurgitates them at me at will. I'm trying to stay away at this point.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on July 15, 2020, 09:00:21 PM
Some folks are prone to do that. This particular time begs for it. There are probably buildings full of experts doing it.

My worrying time is in the middle of the night and often causes sleeplessness. An older former homicide detective gave me advice as to calming and going back to sleep. Warm milk!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 20, 2020, 08:35:07 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I hope your tests all come back negative but am sorry you have to deal with so much red tape and inconvenience to get tested in the first place. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on July 20, 2020, 08:39:53 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on July 20, 2020, 08:35:07 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I hope your tests all come back negative but am sorry you have to deal with so much red tape and inconvenience to get tested in the first place.

As a Canadian, the more I learn of the American healthcare system the more I'm amazed by how bizarre it is. I thought having things handled by the private sector instead of the public sector was supposed to reduce red tape and bureaucracy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on July 20, 2020, 09:33:59 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

You have every justification to vent away, FishProf.  Terrible bureaucracy.  Wishing your family good health and brighter days.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on July 20, 2020, 09:39:48 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 20, 2020, 08:39:53 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on July 20, 2020, 08:35:07 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I hope your tests all come back negative but am sorry you have to deal with so much red tape and inconvenience to get tested in the first place.

As a Canadian, the more I learn of the American healthcare system the more I'm amazed by how bizarre it is. I thought having things handled by the private sector instead of the public sector was supposed to reduce red tape and bureaucracy.

Kind of the opposite. If someone can figure out a way to jump into a process and make some money, then people figure out a way to do it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 20, 2020, 10:32:24 AM
Sending good thoughts and best wishes to you all, FishProf.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 20, 2020, 10:51:40 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I'm sorry to hear this FishProf. I hope all goes well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 20, 2020, 02:46:09 PM
More lament than vent, but I washed my mp3 player today. I checked all my pockets, except for the pair of pyjama pants I decided to throw in at the last minute. I've had the thing since 2008. For a couple years I used a newer one, but it crapped out and the old one kept going.

It's made worse by the fact that just yesterday, I thought about getting a new one then decided against it because this one was still in such great shape. Alas!

(It might survive once it's dried out. We'll see.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 20, 2020, 03:02:37 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 20, 2020, 02:46:09 PM
More lament than vent, but I washed my mp3 player today. I checked all my pockets, except for the pair of pyjama pants I decided to throw in at the last minute. I've had the thing since 2008. For a couple years I used a newer one, but it crapped out and the old one kept going.

It's made worse by the fact that just yesterday, I thought about getting a new one then decided against it because this one was still in such great shape. Alas!

(It might survive once it's dried out. We'll see.)

Oh no! I will cross my fingers that it has survived. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 20, 2020, 10:51:40 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I'm sorry to hear this FishProf. I hope all goes well.

Thanks.  I have to concur with Polly - worst 5 seconds of my day.

An the plus side (?), MrsFishProf may in fact have a post surgical abscess that is causing the symptoms, rather than Covid.  What a strange thing to hope for...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 20, 2020, 05:56:27 PM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 20, 2020, 10:51:40 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 20, 2020, 07:52:18 AM
MrsFishProf seems to have Covid.  She is getting tested today (it only took 5 days to schedule).  Smolt and I aalso need to get tested.  I was able to get scheduled for today.  Smolt not until tomorrow.

Same place for us?  Nope.  3 different locations b/c of our health care providers affiliations.   

Same insurance, different groups.  So 3 different test centers in 3 different town.

Lovely.

I'm sorry to hear this FishProf. I hope all goes well.

Thanks.  I have to concur with Polly - worst 5 seconds of my day.

An the plus side (?), MrsFishProf may in fact have a post surgical abscess that is causing the symptoms, rather than Covid.  What a strange thing to hope for...

Yikes. Sending good vibes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: kaysixteen on July 20, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Indeed, one wonders how most Canadians, and for that matter most Europeans, can right about now be doing much of anything other than cringe in a pathetic mixture of horror and sympathy, at the terrifyingly incompetent and inadequate, and vastly overpriced, nature of the American 'health care' system.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 21, 2020, 09:11:48 AM
Quote from: kaysixteen on July 20, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Indeed, one wonders how most Canadians, and for that matter most Europeans, can right about now be doing much of anything other than cringe in a pathetic mixture of horror and sympathy, at the terrifyingly incompetent and inadequate, and vastly overpriced, nature of the American 'health care' system.

What amazes me is that Americans put up with what they have. I guess some believe it is a good system because they don't know any better and they have heard some politician tell them it is the best in the world because it is American, or some similiar nonsense. But most people who have had to deal with insurance company nonsense know what a pile of BS it all is. In terms of what impacts people's lives, it must major. Why aren't people storming their capitols about it? Regarding the number of lives lost, the impact on quality of life, and racial disparities, it's a bigger issue than most that got a lot more recent publicity.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 09:35:02 AM
Quote from: downer on July 21, 2020, 09:11:48 AM
Quote from: kaysixteen on July 20, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Indeed, one wonders how most Canadians, and for that matter most Europeans, can right about now be doing much of anything other than cringe in a pathetic mixture of horror and sympathy, at the terrifyingly incompetent and inadequate, and vastly overpriced, nature of the American 'health care' system.

What amazes me is that Americans put up with what they have. I guess some believe it is a good system because they don't know any better and they have heard some politician tell them it is the best in the world because it is American, or some similiar nonsense. But most people who have had to deal with insurance company nonsense know what a pile of BS it all is. In terms of what impacts people's lives, it must major. Why aren't people storming their capitols about it? Regarding the number of lives lost, the impact on quality of life, and racial disparities, it's a bigger issue than most that got a lot more recent publicity.

There is a major political party that is preventing health care reform in this country and it has convinced their followers that health care is not a human right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 21, 2020, 09:47:17 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 09:35:02 AM
Quote from: downer on July 21, 2020, 09:11:48 AM
Quote from: kaysixteen on July 20, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Indeed, one wonders how most Canadians, and for that matter most Europeans, can right about now be doing much of anything other than cringe in a pathetic mixture of horror and sympathy, at the terrifyingly incompetent and inadequate, and vastly overpriced, nature of the American 'health care' system.

What amazes me is that Americans put up with what they have. I guess some believe it is a good system because they don't know any better and they have heard some politician tell them it is the best in the world because it is American, or some similiar nonsense. But most people who have had to deal with insurance company nonsense know what a pile of BS it all is. In terms of what impacts people's lives, it must major. Why aren't people storming their capitols about it? Regarding the number of lives lost, the impact on quality of life, and racial disparities, it's a bigger issue than most that got a lot more recent publicity.

There is a major political party that is preventing health care reform in this country and it has convinced their followers that health care is not a human right.

And then there's the Republican death cult...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 09:53:50 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 21, 2020, 09:47:17 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 09:35:02 AM
Quote from: downer on July 21, 2020, 09:11:48 AM
Quote from: kaysixteen on July 20, 2020, 06:54:49 PM
Indeed, one wonders how most Canadians, and for that matter most Europeans, can right about now be doing much of anything other than cringe in a pathetic mixture of horror and sympathy, at the terrifyingly incompetent and inadequate, and vastly overpriced, nature of the American 'health care' system.

What amazes me is that Americans put up with what they have. I guess some believe it is a good system because they don't know any better and they have heard some politician tell them it is the best in the world because it is American, or some similiar nonsense. But most people who have had to deal with insurance company nonsense know what a pile of BS it all is. In terms of what impacts people's lives, it must major. Why aren't people storming their capitols about it? Regarding the number of lives lost, the impact on quality of life, and racial disparities, it's a bigger issue than most that got a lot more recent publicity.

There is a major political party that is preventing health care reform in this country and it has convinced their followers that health care is not a human right.

And then there's the Republican death cult...

I thought that's what we were talking about.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 21, 2020, 10:03:06 AM
Yes. I just couldn't resist the jab at the significant chunk of the Democratic party that voices support for health care as a human right and then does everything it can to undermine its provision as a human right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 10:12:38 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 21, 2020, 10:03:06 AM
Yes. I just couldn't resist the jab at the significant chunk of the Democratic party that voices support for health care as a human right and then does everything it can to undermine its provision as a human right.

Point. It's sad that there are so few politicians (if any?) who really care about representing their districts. Too much fighting, money, corruption. Yuck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 21, 2020, 10:50:17 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 10:12:38 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 21, 2020, 10:03:06 AM
Yes. I just couldn't resist the jab at the significant chunk of the Democratic party that voices support for health care as a human right and then does everything it can to undermine its provision as a human right.

Point. It's sad that there are so few politicians (if any?) who really care about representing their districts. Too much fighting, money, corruption. Yuck.

That widespread distrust of government is the main reason why so many Americans are so fiercely resistant to the idea of greater government intervention in health care.  They're afraid of making a bad situation even worse.  Especially senior citizens who are frightened that better government medical care for other sectors of society will come at the expense of the heavy government subsidies that they already have.  A lot of zero-sum thinking there.

I (and I suspect a lot of others) have just reached a point at which it's hard to see how further government intervention could be worse than what we already have.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 21, 2020, 12:26:44 PM
So many places this could go, and I am more defeatedly reporting than venting, but here is the Saga.

1) MrsFishProf (who has has a 2020 from hell in non-CV19 ways) starts (Wednesday) to exhibit some Covish symptoms (fever, chills, aches, headache) but nothing definitive as either flu or CV19.  However, when you hear hooves outside your office, assume horses, not Zebras.  CV19 is most likley.

2) But, says I, maybe your surgical site is infected?  That would also cause many/most of your symptoms.   Check wound.  Not obviously infected.  CV19 still leads the pack.

3) Teledoc visit Thursday am.  Yup.  Need to get tested.  Doc will request.  Testing center (Site 1) will schedule w/in 48 hours.  In meantime, MFP isolates.

4) Friday, nothing.

5) Saturday, nothing.

6) Sunday pm, appt scheduled for Monday.   Hmmm, Maybe Fishprof and Smolt should get tested too?

7) Monday am, Fishprofs Doc says yes get tested.  Go to Site 2, today (much faster than MFP).

8) Smolt also to get tested says pediadoc.  Go to Site 3 tomorrow between 8 and 12.

9) Take MFP to testing center.  Sit outside and watch nurses, sans masks, walk in carrying take-out lunch for (presumably) rest of staff.   Both nurses exhibit comorbidity.  SRSL? WTF?  My state requires masks when out in public.  MFP gets brain swabbed for 10 seconds.  Total time at testing center: 35min.  Results: 3-5d.

10) Fishprof to Test Center 2.  Drive up tent.  Full masks, face shields, super professional and organized.  Brain swabbed for 5 seconds. Total time at testing center: 5 min.  Results: 5-7d.

11) Monday evening.  MFP needs help changing wound packing.  Probing wound discovers and opens additional abscess cavity.  This is definitely infected.  Take photo and send to MFP's surgeon.

12a) This morning, arrive at Site 3 for Smolt test.  Huge lines.  Smolt gets spit test.  Total time at Testing center, 4 HOURS 45min.  Results: 24-48h.

12b) Meanwhile, MFP hears from Surgeon.  Yes, please come in.  Wait, suspected CV19?!  Picture reviewed.
That is definitely infected.  Don't come in.  Will prescribe super antibiotic dose.   Begin 4 hours of back and forth b/w Surgeon who wrote scrip w/ mismatched days/doses/pill counts, and pharmacy which is undergoing audit at the moment.

13) Fishprof and Smolt finally procure meds (and ice cream) and return home.

Conclusion, ONE insurance company, 3 doctors in 3 networks, 3 tests in two modalities, and no consistency in procedure, wait time or results expected time.

Oh yeah, and it looks like CV19 has faded in the back stretch and is no longer the most likely candidate. 

Sheesh.

tl;dr = Getting the family covid-tested is a huge hassle, and probably not necessary anyway.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 21, 2020, 01:04:11 PM
On the plus side, it looks like somebody got ice cream.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 21, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
I'm so sorry to hear all of this Fishprof.... but, yes, ice cream can definitely help. Wishing MFP a speedy recovery.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 21, 2020, 05:24:54 PM
I love Ice Cream.  Not enough to do that AGAIN.

Thanks for all positive wishes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 23, 2020, 06:00:58 PM
Quiz

Adminstrator X sends an email to everyone saying "A/C is not working in building Z" with all recipients listed in the email. Of course, no one has any intention of leaving their home, so no one cares.

Someone Y "replies-all" saying "Thanks for the info!".

Who is the biggest loser? X or Y?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 24, 2020, 09:44:41 AM
Why are you wasting my time? Do you not understand the purpose of turnitin.com? Did you think that I wouldn't notice that you have a 65% match with another student on your lab reports?

Waste. of. time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on July 24, 2020, 11:29:45 AM
Could your College's administration please stop making far more stringent and arbitrary covid19 rules than the rest of the university? It is driving me crazy trying to navigate your inane rules when everyone else says to do something else.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 24, 2020, 01:03:40 PM
Quote from: downer on July 23, 2020, 06:00:58 PM
Quiz

Adminstrator X sends an email to everyone saying "A/C is not working in building Z" with all recipients listed in the email. Of course, no one has any intention of leaving their home, so no one cares.

Someone Y "replies-all" saying "Thanks for the info!".

Who is the biggest loser? X or Y?

The biggest loser is all the people on the reply-all list who had to open, read, and then delete the exchange.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 25, 2020, 07:08:36 AM
Follow up.  Smolt negative.  MFP negative.  I'm still waiting for official news but how can I not be negative too?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 25, 2020, 11:01:29 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 25, 2020, 07:08:36 AM
Follow up.  Smolt negative.  MFP negative.  I'm still waiting for official news but how can I not be negative too?

That's great news so far and very promising! My fingers and etc. will remain crossed until you find out for sure.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on July 25, 2020, 03:06:58 PM
Glad to hear it, FishProf.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 25, 2020, 03:29:41 PM
Quote from: FishProf on July 25, 2020, 07:08:36 AM
Follow up.  Smolt negative.  MFP negative.  I'm still waiting for official news but how can I not be negative too?

Great news!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 27, 2020, 09:48:30 AM
Quote from: FishProf on July 25, 2020, 07:08:36 AM
Follow up.  Smolt negative.  MFP negative.  I'm still waiting for official news but how can I not be negative too?

Sounds like this calls for more ice cream!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on July 28, 2020, 07:15:18 PM
TIIC at my Uni are closing our building, theoretically to save costs. We are being relocated to temporary diggs for an indeterminate amount of time. The initial plan was a staggered move with a deadline to be out of the building by the end of the calendar year.  Now, in their infinite wisdom, they have decided that the best time for faculty and staff to completely relocate is . . .  at the beginning of fall semester! New tentative deadline----September 1st.  Frack.   I need ice-cream.  And wine.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on July 30, 2020, 08:38:30 AM
I am angry and scared.  I am in a "red zone" state, and the numbers are climbing.  Yet, my system is bound and determined that we're having in-person classes.  I really thought they would have gone virtual for fall semester.  This is insanity, and my colleagues are frightened.  When the science instructors are saying that this isn't a great idea, one tends to believe them. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 03, 2020, 12:03:35 PM
Do other folks have totally incompetent people running their campus bookstore, or is it just us? I just found out today- from a student, that the bookstore lists NO books for one of my Fall courses. For one of the books, we are using (first time) one of these inclusive access deals, so I thought that might be why. But they should still have the listing for print custom lab manual that can ONLY be bought at the bookstore.
   But no! A later student email reveals that the inclusive access site says that my students are not enrolled in an eligible course. This after multiple emails from the bookstore about how it was all set up and what instructions to give the students.
    Now I would be more forgiving, if I don't have some sort of issue of this type with he bookstore EVERY semester. They seem incapable of ordering the correct books, or enough of them, and then seem shocked when there are issues.  And these same people have worked at the bookstore for several years now, so it's not due to turnover.

I really wish we could dump them as a whole. I just don't see what benefit the Uni gets from having them. An amazon outlet would have lower markup and better customer service.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 03, 2020, 12:09:05 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on August 03, 2020, 12:03:35 PM
Do other folks have totally incompetent people running their campus bookstore, or is it just us? I just found out today- from a student, that the bookstore lists NO books for one of my Fall courses. For one of the books, we are using (first time) one of these inclusive access deals, so I thought that might be why. But they should still have the listing for print custom lab manual that can ONLY be bought at the bookstore.
   But no! A later student email reveals that the inclusive access site says that my students are not enrolled in an eligible course. This after multiple emails from the bookstore about how it was all set up and what instructions to give the students.
    Now I would be more forgiving, if I don't have some sort of issue of this type with he bookstore EVERY semester. They seem incapable of ordering the correct books, or enough of them, and then seem shocked when there are issues.  And these same people have worked at the bookstore for several years now, so it's not due to turnover.

I really wish we could dump them as a whole. I just don't see what benefit the Uni gets from having them. An amazon outlet would have lower markup and better customer service.

This has been my experience at a lot of places. These days I email the students info about the book I'm using, with an ISBN and info about whether they need to get an access code with it from the publisher.

Some students apparently have special arrangements and have to get their books through the bookstore.  I also try to make the book unnecessary in the first 3 weeks, but that is not always possible.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 03, 2020, 01:10:31 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on August 03, 2020, 12:03:35 PM
Do other folks have totally incompetent people running their campus bookstore, or is it just us? I just found out today- from a student, that the bookstore lists NO books for one of my Fall courses. For one of the books, we are using (first time) one of these inclusive access deals, so I thought that might be why. But they should still have the listing for print custom lab manual that can ONLY be bought at the bookstore.
   But no! A later student email reveals that the inclusive access site says that my students are not enrolled in an eligible course. This after multiple emails from the bookstore about how it was all set up and what instructions to give the students.
    Now I would be more forgiving, if I don't have some sort of issue of this type with he bookstore EVERY semester. They seem incapable of ordering the correct books, or enough of them, and then seem shocked when there are issues.  And these same people have worked at the bookstore for several years now, so it's not due to turnover.

I really wish we could dump them as a whole. I just don't see what benefit the Uni gets from having them. An amazon outlet would have lower markup and better customer service.

Around the turn of the century, professors at the university where I used to work compared notes and found out that they weren't all just unlucky.  Ordering glitches for textbooks at the campus bookstore had become the norm, not the exception.  I forget the percentage reported in the news.  It was definitely over half of all courses that semester.  The university responded by taking textbook ordering out of the hands of the bookstore's staff and outsourcing it to some specialty outfit.  The bookstore staff had done themselves right out of a job!

I don't recall any follow-up regarding how well the outsourcers handled book orders after that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 03, 2020, 01:29:55 PM
I've had interactions with three college bookstores.

1. I worked at one for six years in various departments, starting out with student books (after a year there, I took positions in other parts of the store, which was really like a small department store, but we all, always, were aware of book sale season). I was very impressed with the thoroughness of the buyers, who (despite pressures to keep costs down and last-minute submissions by very entitled professors) managed to have books on the shelves for nearly all classes by a week before the opening of the school.

Because the instructors ordered all the cool new books to teach from, researchers in the area would come and buy student books there, too....so we always had to get as much as 30% overage to be sure there were enough books for the students....

2. At another school where I taught, a seminary, the state Bible Society ran the bookstore. It was tiny, and it was fine.

3. At another, I was hired to adjunct a week before classes started one year, and the day before they started, the next. (In both cases, someone apparently resigned at the last moment...)

In the first instance, I was told the books had already been ordered--turned out they had not. I put the order in the second day I was hired, and they took two weeks to arrive. I didn't even have a book myself; fortunately the publishing company put the first chapter online as a "show-and-tell" for professors and I got to use that.

I was also observed that first week, and was dinged for not making assignments from the book for the week's classes. I refused to sign the assessment, instead adding my rebuttal, that no-one, including me, had any books, and signed that. I heard nothing more about it.

In the second instance, the next year (they hired me back, so it must have been OK), the books were indeed on order--but they'd changed which book was to be used and hadn't told me, so I had to re-do my whole syllabus. But again, that wasn't the bookstore's fault--it was the department office's misstep.

(At two other schools, they appeared to have phased out the bookstores and students apparently ordered all their books online. I had no interactions with them at all; I don't recall any major student )

I don't know what the exact solution would be, but the current tendency to hire new kids as buyers (and pay them very little) would be the first problem I would look at. The highly functional buyers I knew at the first store were year-round workers who'd been there a long time, valued their jobs, and were good at them. The third school actually had a pretty good buying team, too, and I believe they were full/time as well.

The reps I met were uniformly new to the work, young, and changing year-to-year as if there were a revolving door on their offices. They often seemed overwhelmed, more in need of chasing orders (and, really, commissions) than filling them, and clueless as to how to make it all work. They might also be repping for more than one company, unethical as that sounds, and just couldn't do the juggling required to keep it all ticking over.

Those are the weak links I'd look at. Good, longstanding book buyers can read the professor's minds from Capri to California and have their orders in by Christmas for next June (and usually did). Part-time kids not so much. And musical-chairs reps are a serious problem everywhere.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 03, 2020, 03:44:53 PM
Well, we half fixed the problem. The bookstore website now at least lists the appropriate books. One of them is out of stock, but this is because of the e-book inclusive access deal they supposedly set up. The manager is now looking into why none of my students are able to access the "inclusive access" site to purchase that. Right now the inclusive part just makes me laugh.
   I think it really helped that I sicced the Pearson rep on the bookstore the moment we had an issue. The last Pearson rep got fired for interfering with bookstore orders out of my department. I actually has the head poo-bah for the entire Eastern seaboard Pearson sales team in my office last Fall, to make sure we were happy and they picked a new rep who would work well with our department. I actually enjoyed making them sweat a bit. So our new rep is VERY hop-to to fix these type of issues, at least for the moment.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 03, 2020, 09:18:53 PM
Oh. Pearson.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 04, 2020, 09:10:40 AM
IMHE, the only one worse than Pearson is Cengage.  I refuse to deal with either of them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 04, 2020, 09:23:02 AM
Yep.

My gripe for the day:

I woke up to see a bright, shiny screen on my laptop, proudly proclaiming that it was all ready to download the "new" EDGE and wasn't I just ready and waiting for that to make my day??

Nope.

In fact, I realized it feels like an extension of rape culture, to be told you "should" want something you don't want, just because someone else wants you to have it and has projected their desire on you.

AND it is consistent with the followthrough required that I must now take MY time to figure out how to get this unwanted file OUT OF MY COMPUTER'S HARD DRIVE and OUT OF MY LIFE.

And they will make it harder to do than to just go along with what they want (at least in the short term) while I know what kinds of grief (overuse of memory, heating up computer, etc.) will result if I just go along, "lay back and take it," etc. (I did go through to remove it the first time, but it's more complicated now....they're more desperate to be wanted, loved, and paid...yuk.)

So...Very, very displeased.

And disgusted.

And underneath it all, feeling violated.

Whatever 'they' may think, I didn't "ask for" this.

No means no.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on August 14, 2020, 06:21:42 AM
Classes.  On campus.  Ugh. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 14, 2020, 11:52:37 AM
Oh, no!

Sorry....very sorry.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on August 15, 2020, 08:15:57 AM
Quote from: mamselle on August 14, 2020, 11:52:37 AM
Oh, no!

Sorry....very sorry.

M.
Thanks, mamselle.  I have health accommodations, as does my spouse, but it still requires an on-campus component.  We're in a serious hot spot right now, and faculty and staff morale is lower than I've seen it in some time.  Our system runs things in such a way that individual institutions can't go virtual even if they wanted to, and the governor seems bound and determined to ride this wave. 

First day was bad.  Not so much the masks, even though that was weird.  It was the having to remind students that they needed to stay more than six feet away from me, and knowing that the virus can go farther than that. 

But "we're open!" And we're constantly reminded that layoffs might have been on the table if we were virtual this semester.  You know what?  I would rather be laid off and keep my family from paying health care bills out the wazoo and dealing with the physical long-term ramifications of this thing if either or both of us get it. 

Further, I am tired of the administrators who keep telling us that they care about us and our students. I don't doubt that they do, but if they can't do anything to help, then just shut up and leave me alone. 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on August 17, 2020, 11:00:16 AM
Dear parental units,
I do not have "summers off".  I do not have a "summer break".  I have a full-time, 12-month, yes-that-means-summers-too JOB.
No, I do not have plans to travel/vacation/camp/road-trip. 
Why?
1) JOB 2) Pandemic 3) my state is on fire 4) I have to get ready for Fall classes
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 17, 2020, 01:10:07 PM
The glacial test of getting back test results has been hitting home locally.  They're taking at least a week around here.  We have a staff member who seems to have recovered from COVID-19 whose return to work is being held up by the delay in getting a (we anticipate) negative test result.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on August 17, 2020, 05:07:37 PM
Hello.  It's a small vent in comparison, but I think I just discovered that I may have neglected to copy some files to take with me when I left my previous position.  Files that I need to complete the revisions on my journal article.  Totally forgot those would go away when I left, so the co-authors I shared the folder with won't have access.  I am still hoping I have at least some of them somewhere.  F^%&^%*^ OneDrive.  My fault.  I can probably recreate, but good grief.   At least they are not data, but I also don't have journal database access anymore, and I don't have some summary files we put together a long time back.  I am going to go have some wine now.   Watch out for shared folders owned by others (or just don't be as dumb as me when you are the other).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 17, 2020, 05:35:36 PM
Did you ever email the files to anyone (or yourself, to print, or something?)

That's saved me a few times when my XHDD has gone mysteriously kaput (so, same sort of result).

Time travel is always so tempting then, too....

Hope you find a work-around.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 18, 2020, 06:07:11 AM
Yesterday was the first day of mandatory Service Week online meetings.  Clearly a faculty group of MA, MS, and PhD holders are incapable of understanding that everyone should wear a mask and wash their hands--that's why every meeting involved repeated exhortations about it.  (Seriously:  in the chancellor's opening, which lasted an hour, I counted and stopped after I reached 45 mentions in the first 40 minutes.)

Other assorted lunacies:  our union has filed two "class action" grievances, one against the requirement for all faculty to use Courses of Record in all online classes.  (One such COR I'm supposed to use makes zero pedagogical sense:  students can fail every essay and still pass the class on the basis of BS busywork assignments.)  I'm seriously thinking of going rogue and changing the class; the union will back me on academic freedom and "best interests of the students" grounds.  Also, a panel of those who taught "live virtual lecture" classes in spring confirmed my worst fears about the stupidity of being required to do so in all non-F2F sections this fall. Dandy.

One day down, four more to go.  Sigh.   (The bright spot:  I didn't have to use a week of sick time to avoid the meetings as I usually do; I just turn on Collaborate and crochet, surf the web, or do whatever else I want.)  And yes, I know:  at least I still have a job.  SIGH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 18, 2020, 08:35:28 AM
Well now even our Pearson rep is fed up with the incompetence of our bookstore. Apparently our bookstore is actively sending students emails about how to register for e-books etc that contain the wrong information.
   I just sent my class an announcement abut this. The gist was 1) stay calm 2) yes I'm frustrated too, 3) here are the correct instructions, 4) don't blame me, blame the bookstore.

Of course, many of the students who are having issues are also the type who don't read announcements. I know from experience that this too will pass, but I really just want to kick the bookstore to the curb.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 18, 2020, 09:07:14 AM
My school just declined to buy N95 masks for lab instructors, claiming the CDC doesn't recommend them.   Does anybody know of a source I can share with them to change their minds?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on August 18, 2020, 10:06:19 AM
Quote from: FishProf on August 18, 2020, 09:07:14 AM
My school just declined to buy N95 masks for lab instructors, claiming the CDC doesn't recommend them.   Does anybody know of a source I can share with them to change their minds?

It is true that they don't. To my knowledge, they aren't recommended for anyone but healthcare workers. Maybe some people disagree, but to me the reasons seem sound. There still aren't enough of them for healthcare workers. I think we could probably agree that whatever the risks in labs, they are almost certainly lower than the risks to health care workers treating people with Covid.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 18, 2020, 01:26:29 PM
More in the continuing bookstore idiocy saga. Many students claimed they were never getting the emails from the book store. It turns out that IT has updated the student dashboard for all our functions. They now have a big email button (for university email) AND and inbox button (for the Canvas email system). Guess what- bookstore emails don't go to the Canvas system, so all our students with no emails are likely just checking in the wrong place! Personally, I wish I could turn off the student's Canvas email functionality. It causes to many problems for me.

I bet no one in IT thought there would a problem with having 2 email buttons side by side since they knew what the difference was.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 18, 2020, 01:55:51 PM
My fall Blackboard shells have disappeared for one school. The IT dept tells me they should be there. Yet they are not.

Maybe this is part of their clever scheme to encourage people to switch to Canvas.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on August 20, 2020, 11:25:07 AM
Quote from: downer on August 18, 2020, 01:55:51 PM
My fall Blackboard shells have disappeared for one school. The IT dept tells me they should be there. Yet they are not.

Maybe this is part of their clever scheme to encourage people to switch to Canvas.
I hate blackboard, man do I hate blackboard. As an organization we've sunk so much money and training into it that we'll never switch though.

Also can you just read what I sent you instead of telling me what you thought I said? It's awfully awkward when I have to get my supervisor involved to tell you the exact same thing I just sent, especially since your response was snippy and condescending.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 25, 2020, 07:28:16 AM
Checking your school email IS part of your job.   Choosing to not do so is choosing to not do your job.   I will NOT Back you in this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 25, 2020, 09:27:07 PM
A few weeks ago, I got a message from DirectTV that my devices were no longer supported and I would lose my local channels.  I called them. I waited and waded through phone hell.  Finally got a person that told me that she could see no reason that I was getting the message and to ignore it. 

Well, it seems that the notice was not an error. So I lost all of my local chanels (which means all of network TV).  Oh, and while I am not in the 'Cone of Death' for hurricane laura, some of the spaghetti models do go directly through my town!

Today I called and again waded through Phone hell.  I was hung up on the first time as the employee wasnt able to hear me!  I called back and after 40 minutes I was in the same situation I was when I called. 

Why was my equipment able to provide my local channels 12 hours earlier but not now?  Why can they not flip the switch that they flipped to turn them off?

When I was on the phone with them 2 weeks ago, we discussed that one box was 17 years old and worked fine.  The other was 10 years old.  I have been a customer of theirs for 22 years!  BUT when I talked to them 2 weeks ago, I was told I would need a 2 year contract and be charged added fees for the additional services  (HD instead of regular TV). 

My bill has been creeping up for years. Ive been too lazy to find a new provider.  It looks like it is time NOW to find one.  IF they can not provide the services that they have provided for years (nay, decades), then it is time for us to part ways.  Im sure that cable TV is widely available!!  (AND I can probably bundle internet services, that I currently have to pay an additional fee for from another provider!!


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on August 26, 2020, 06:48:38 AM
I don't have DirecTV myself, but from what I've heard, ever since AT&T took over they've steadily increased prices, and not by small amounts.  My sister pays double what she did just three years ago for the exact same package.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on August 26, 2020, 07:19:22 AM
Quote from: FishProf on August 25, 2020, 07:28:16 AM
Checking your school email IS part of your job.   Choosing to not do so is choosing to not do your job.   I will NOT Back you in this.
AMEN
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 26, 2020, 12:38:55 PM
QuoteIm sure that cable TV is widely available!!  (AND I can probably bundle internet services, that I currently have to pay an additional fee for from another provider!! [end quote]

Another tack is an antenna, since I don't have a landline and didn't want the only bundle that saved any money.  I have been fairly pleased with mine. Limited stations, but not THAT limited compared to my basic cable, which had doubled in price over the last 10 years. You might try looking at Antennaweb.org to see what you could get temporarily while you figure out a more permanent solution. The antenna and Prime (including Britbox) have quite a lot to offer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 26, 2020, 01:50:44 PM
I am getting absurd numbers of emails with attachments all containing supposedly important information. The main message says "See below."

Generally, when I look, it turns out the info is not important to me.

My interest in opening these attachments is rapidly diminishing.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on August 26, 2020, 02:47:08 PM
Students, I know you are anxious and everything is different this semester, but I provided all that information in (a) course announcements, (b) the syllabus, and (c) the welcome video. You should have seen it at least 3 times, so why are you emailing me "just to clarify". It is clear. You do not need me to personally tell you the same information yet again.  (I did not say any of this to them. Well, I did point them to those sources of information, but much more kindly.).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on August 26, 2020, 02:47:43 PM
Look here cousin-who-thankfully-lives-far-away, it is NOT responsible to have an in-person wedding!  Yes, I know you had to reschedule due to the pandemic & had to find a new church that is willing/foolish enough to allow a gathering & find an outdoor venue for your "you don't have to have a mask on the entire time" reception and your fiancee is insisting that you have to get married now because she wants a baby.  But you are going to kill people.  I don't care how much money you your parents lost on deposits.  How many funerals do you want to attend?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 26, 2020, 04:05:31 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on August 26, 2020, 02:47:43 PM
Look here cousin-who-thankfully-lives-far-away, it is NOT responsible to have an in-person wedding!  Yes, I know you had to reschedule due to the pandemic & had to find a new church that is willing/foolish enough to allow a gathering & find an outdoor venue for your "you don't have to have a mask on the entire time" reception and your fiancee is insisting that you have to get married now because she wants a baby.  But you are going to kill people.  I don't care how much money you your parents lost on deposits.  How many funerals do you want to attend?

I was actually impressed by a family member's kids, whom i expected to want something like what you're describing: they actually did a 5-person service (officiant, the two kids, and one parent each). They livecast it (for those who wanted to attend in real time) and put the video up as well, for those of us who, like me, were otherwise occupied at the time.

I specifically wrote and told them how considerate they were, and how thankful I was for their thoughtfulness.

So, it can be done.  I'm sorry you're having to deal with all the difficulties.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on August 26, 2020, 05:53:29 PM
Quote from: mamselle on August 26, 2020, 04:05:31 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on August 26, 2020, 02:47:43 PM
Look here cousin-who-thankfully-lives-far-away, it is NOT responsible to have an in-person wedding!  Yes, I know you had to reschedule due to the pandemic & had to find a new church that is willing/foolish enough to allow a gathering & find an outdoor venue for your "you don't have to have a mask on the entire time" reception and your fiancee is insisting that you have to get married now because she wants a baby.  But you are going to kill people.  I don't care how much money you your parents lost on deposits.  How many funerals do you want to attend?

I was actually impressed by a family member's kids, whom i expected to want something like what you're describing: they actually did a 5-person service (officiant, the two kids, and one parent each). They livecast it (for those who wanted to attend in real time) and put the video up as well, for those of us who, like me, were otherwise occupied at the time.

I specifically wrote and told them how considerate they were, and how thankful I was for their thoughtfulness.

So, it can be done.  I'm sorry you're having to deal with all the difficulties.

M.
I like the plan of the "micro-wedding" and live-stream!  That's what I hope they end up with.  At any rate, I will not be going and I'm going to do my best to convince my 85 year old grandfather that it's not worth the risk to attend.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 26, 2020, 05:55:50 PM
Unrelated.

Minor vent.

My package from Fedex is over 1 week late. Apparently there is an issue with a warehouse nearby. Really frustrating considering what I've been hearing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 04, 2020, 03:42:45 PM
Today, in an official document for my probationary period of employment here, I am 'Garasaurolophus'. (It was the family name this time, and clearly not just a typo.)

I just. Ugh. It's not that hard when my name is printed right there in front of you. I quite like the person who made the mistake this time, and of course I forgive them because it's a small thing, but this is really starting to wear me down. I kid you not, there's an incident, like, every day or two. I've lived in four other provinces, and I've never encountered anything like it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on September 04, 2020, 05:56:35 PM
IT Security has blocked Dropbox, apparently to force everyone to use Office365. Who cares that some of us do research with people at other universities? And why bother to give anyone any notice, just in case they have materials needed today stored in DropBox?

IT Security has also set email encryption at such a high level that it's almost impossible to send a message with more than a six-digit number off campus without it being automatically encrypted. Product numbers, membership numbers, andpricing for big ticket items are all getting garbled by the encryption.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 04, 2020, 08:18:23 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on September 04, 2020, 05:56:35 PM
IT Security has blocked Dropbox, apparently to force everyone to use Office365. Who cares that some of us do research with people at other universities? And why bother to give anyone any notice, just in case they have materials needed today stored in DropBox?

IT Security has also set email encryption at such a high level that it's almost impossible to send a message with more than a six-digit number off campus without it being automatically encrypted. Product numbers, membership numbers, andpricing for big ticket items are all getting garbled by the encryption.

omg. That's unbelievable, especially blocking DropBox. Come on! O365 sucks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on September 05, 2020, 10:09:47 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 04, 2020, 08:18:23 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on September 04, 2020, 05:56:35 PM
IT Security has blocked Dropbox, apparently to force everyone to use Office365. Who cares that some of us do research with people at other universities? And why bother to give anyone any notice, just in case they have materials needed today stored in DropBox?

IT Security has also set email encryption at such a high level that it's almost impossible to send a message with more than a six-digit number off campus without it being automatically encrypted. Product numbers, membership numbers, andpricing for big ticket items are all getting garbled by the encryption.

omg. That's unbelievable, especially blocking DropBox. Come on! O365 sucks.

+1.  Especially if they didn't give you any heads up! We had DropBox and similar blocked and were forced to use OneDrive.  Besides collaboration issues, if the person whose account houses the files leaves and the account goes away (as in my case), things can go further awry.  What's up with encrypting numbers? I had not heard of that.  Do they think they're secret codes of some sort?  We also got a lovely new email feature that scanned every document sent through email (even within the institution).  So, of course, people would be on conference calls and send over a document for folks to look at, and it would take way too long to scan and open.  Fun stuff.  Anyway, sorry you have to deal with these shenanigans!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on September 06, 2020, 11:12:54 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on September 05, 2020, 10:09:47 AM
What's up with encrypting numbers? I had not heard of that.  Do they think they're secret codes of some sort?

The encryption supposedly is to prevent violations of privacy and confidentiality rules. I suspect IT Security intended to block social security numbers and/or student phone numbers. But, as usual, they imposed an over broad rule. If they get enough of the right people complaining because they can't get their work done, maybe they'll loosen up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 06, 2020, 11:31:02 AM
^Unrelated.

Grumble.

Someone else did some of what I've been working on. I don't agree with all of it, and it's nice to know I'm on the right track, but it's frustrating to find.

However, I'm taking a page from someone on the NSF thread, who more maturely noted that keeping busy precludes having time to sulk.

So, I'll keep busy (more than enough to do, in fact...) and try not to sulk.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 12, 2020, 04:58:41 AM
I do think we could have a whole separate thread about why everything in Office 365 is terrible.

But here is one: why is it that in the mornings when I click to log in to my school email, the screen I get is "We are logging you out of email"? Is that good design? I don't think so.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 15, 2020, 11:59:16 AM
Several VENTS COULD be submitted.
The recent one... I bought groceries on Saturday afternoon. I purchased 2 steaks that I was going to grill.  I looked for them in the fridge and could not find them.  THEN I found that I had not put the away and that they sat on the counter for a day and a half!  NO steak for dinner yesterday (or for lunch today either!!) 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 15, 2020, 12:04:14 PM
Kid #1 FINALLY has internet at her house.  I placed the order on August 4 and have spent 10+ hours on the phone/chat with the company in the interim.  I finally told them I'd be going to the state's Atty. General and the nearest t.v. stations if all wasn't completed by the end of today.

(That's what happens when you play H.D. Thoreau and rent a farmhouse in the middle of BFE, right past Resume Speed.)

Actually, I guess this should be on the inhaling thread.  The venting was in full swing last week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2020, 12:39:59 PM
Quote from: clean on September 15, 2020, 11:59:16 AM
Several VENTS COULD be submitted.
The recent one... I bought groceries on Saturday afternoon. I purchased 2 steaks that I was going to grill.  I looked for them in the fridge and could not find them.  THEN I found that I had not put the away and that they sat on the counter for a day and a half!  NO steak for dinner yesterday (or for lunch today either!!)

I do hear your pain. I had some London broil beef I neglected to put away a couple weeks ago, with a similar, wrenching feeling of loss when I realized I'd just wasted a perfectly lovely dinner menu by negligence.

Howl.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hmaria1609 on September 15, 2020, 06:25:08 PM
I hate Zoom!  Had an online training on Zoom earlier today--kept getting the runaround for logging in. Google Meet, Jitsi, and Microsoft Team give me less hassle.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 16, 2020, 07:23:07 AM
Quote from: clean on September 15, 2020, 11:59:16 AM
Several VENTS COULD be submitted.
The recent one... I bought groceries on Saturday afternoon. I purchased 2 steaks that I was going to grill.  I looked for them in the fridge and could not find them.  THEN I found that I had not put the away and that they sat on the counter for a day and a half!  NO steak for dinner yesterday (or for lunch today either!!)

An acquaintance once did that with about 12 pounds of ground turkey.  Didn't discover his mistake until a couple of days later, when he noticed several bulging plastic packets in the kitchen and then remembered what they were. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 21, 2020, 11:09:26 AM
The smoke's gone but I'm having bad allergies of some kind. Been sneezing violently all day, and the nose refuses to stop dripping. Should make for a fun synchronous help session in a few minutes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 21, 2020, 12:21:35 PM
It's Monday.

Elder evil cat did not want to be out of the office while I was doing a Webex. He howled, banged on the door and started to open it. I had to jump out of my chair and secure the door before he came into the office.

Email is screwed up again. Students aren't talking on Webex. I'm frustrated, so I'm going outside to pull weeds.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 08:06:56 AM
I have now discovered that the university, although it's purchased Zoom and WebEx licenses and all that jazz, does not have the facility to provide closed captioning for hearing-impaired students.

WTF?


I was ready to pay out-of-pocket for third-party software, but it turns out that I can't even set it up because it's got to go through whichever IT person is designated as the 'administrator'. So I have to type my own captions, or find a student who'll do it for a piddly honorarium from the accessibility office (in which case, I sort of doubt that they'll be of adequate quality). Grr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on September 24, 2020, 08:22:48 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 08:06:56 AM
I have now discovered that the university, although it's purchased Zoom and WebEx licenses and all that jazz, does not have the facility to provide closed captioning for hearing-impaired students.

WTF?


I was ready to pay out-of-pocket for third-party software, but it turns out that I can't even set it up because it's got to go through whichever IT person is designated as the 'administrator'. So I have to type my own captions, or find a student who'll do it for a piddly honorarium from the accessibility office (in which case, I sort of doubt that they'll be of adequate quality). Grr.

DSPS services are federally mandated. And funded. Your institution will take care of this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 09:44:16 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on September 24, 2020, 08:22:48 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 08:06:56 AM
I have now discovered that the university, although it's purchased Zoom and WebEx licenses and all that jazz, does not have the facility to provide closed captioning for hearing-impaired students.

WTF?


I was ready to pay out-of-pocket for third-party software, but it turns out that I can't even set it up because it's got to go through whichever IT person is designated as the 'administrator'. So I have to type my own captions, or find a student who'll do it for a piddly honorarium from the accessibility office (in which case, I sort of doubt that they'll be of adequate quality). Grr.

DSPS services are federally mandated. And funded. Your institution will take care of this.

I dunno whether they're federally mandated in Canada. What I do know is that the institutional response has been: the best we can do is have a student transcribe the captions for you.

I did find a volunteer this morning, except that Zoom wouldn't let me pass the captioning job onto them. Maybe they'd accessed from a phone or something. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 24, 2020, 10:16:09 AM
We just have a regular basic Zoom professional account, and I've seen a tab at the bottom left of the main margin for "Closed Captioning" when I'm using it.

I'm trying to remember now if that's when the folk dance group is running its program, so maybe they have a different level of service, but they're a student run organization, so I doubt if they have a very high-falutin' version, either.

Are you sure it's not something you already have, but just have to find and turn on?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 10:46:59 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 24, 2020, 10:16:09 AM
We just have a regular basic Zoom professional account, and I've seen a tab at the bottom left of the main margin for "Closed Captioning" when I'm using it.

I'm trying to remember now if that's when the folk dance group is running its program, so maybe they have a different level of service, but they're a student run organization, so I doubt if they have a very high-falutin' version, either.

Are you sure it's not something you already have, but just have to find and turn on?

M.

When you click the tab, you have the option of typing the captions yourself, designating a participant to type them, or using third-party software to caption it. Zoom doesn't actually offer captions itself.

That's what I've learned, at least. The same appears true for WebEx. You can kludge a workaround with Google LiveTranscribe, but it's inelegant and requires some juggling.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 30, 2020, 02:44:39 PM
JFC! Why do you reply-all to an invitation to a Zoom, saying you can't do it, when the invitation itself had an RSVP button in it? I guess it does reassure me that no matter how little effort I put in to teaching, my classes will be more organized than yours.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 04, 2020, 05:19:48 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 10:46:59 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 24, 2020, 10:16:09 AM
We just have a regular basic Zoom professional account, and I've seen a tab at the bottom left of the main margin for "Closed Captioning" when I'm using it.

I'm trying to remember now if that's when the folk dance group is running its program, so maybe they have a different level of service, but they're a student run organization, so I doubt if they have a very high-falutin' version, either.

Are you sure it's not something you already have, but just have to find and turn on?

M.

When you click the tab, you have the option of typing the captions yourself, designating a participant to type them, or using third-party software to caption it. Zoom doesn't actually offer captions itself.

That's what I've learned, at least. The same appears true for WebEx. You can kludge a workaround with Google LiveTranscribe, but it's inelegant and requires some juggling.

If you record the event to the cloud on Zoom, doesn't it automatically provide captioning? Or is that license-dependent? My university's license gives straightforward captioning once a recording has finished processing.

Uploading to Microsoft stream also provides captioning. My colleagues say that the Stream captioning tends to be more accurate, although I haven't noticed the difference much myself.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on October 04, 2020, 06:02:55 AM
Quote from: ergative on October 04, 2020, 05:19:48 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 24, 2020, 10:46:59 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 24, 2020, 10:16:09 AM
We just have a regular basic Zoom professional account, and I've seen a tab at the bottom left of the main margin for "Closed Captioning" when I'm using it.

I'm trying to remember now if that's when the folk dance group is running its program, so maybe they have a different level of service, but they're a student run organization, so I doubt if they have a very high-falutin' version, either.

Are you sure it's not something you already have, but just have to find and turn on?

M.

When you click the tab, you have the option of typing the captions yourself, designating a participant to type them, or using third-party software to caption it. Zoom doesn't actually offer captions itself.

That's what I've learned, at least. The same appears true for WebEx. You can kludge a workaround with Google LiveTranscribe, but it's inelegant and requires some juggling.

If you record the event to the cloud on Zoom, doesn't it automatically provide captioning? Or is that license-dependent? My university's license gives straightforward captioning once a recording has finished processing.

Uploading to Microsoft stream also provides captioning. My colleagues say that the Stream captioning tends to be more accurate, although I haven't noticed the difference much myself.

On our University WebEx account, if you save to the cloud, you can choose to have the automatic transcripts included (It's in the recording preferences).   If you save the recording to your computer rather than the cloud, the transcripts do not appear (at least as far as I can figure it out so far).

Real-time captioning requires someone in the meeting to type them. The problem in WebEx is that the person typing the captions is sharing a document with the captions which covers other documents you might be sharing on the screen. We've not figured out a workaround to this so far. Anyone know how best to handle this?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on October 04, 2020, 06:54:09 AM
The University I teach at started their COVID screening tool ahead of a planned class return in August. We are required to fill it out every day. It's fairly ridiculous like most of these things. My favorite part is that the last question is "are you planning to come to campus today?" and after that you are told "you're cleared to come to campus!" Great, but I just told you...

Anyway, since then the planned return to campus was postponed and then watered down to the point where in practice a pretty small number of classes are actually meeting in person. Students could move in, but it is already about half commuter students and I think dorms are far from full.

So, we get a notice that there is now an exception form you can fill out so you don't have to do the form if you aren't going to be on campus this semester. Great, the form only takes 20 seconds to fill out, but I'm imaging some scenario where for some reason I don't look at my email for two days and come back to increasingly dire threats of what will happen to me if I don't fill out the form.

Except the exception only applies if you aren't coming to campus this semester and you live more than 30 miles away. I live 22 miles away. The justification for this is that the school has a "responsibility" to anyone close enough to campus to make sure they are connected with resources and testing, should they become ill. Obviously, this is just a made up reason. I don't really think there's anything nefarious behind this, its just a classic case of the way bureaucracies operate. I suspect they are mostly concerned about clusters among students who live together near the university off campus. Ok fine, but then why not just let people opt out if they can attest, that they won't be on campus and don't live with anyone who will be on campus.

I thought for a second about just saying I lived 30 miles away, but I do have to click some things saying I attest to all of this being true, and while it seems extremely unlikely anybody would ever check, it seems like good general policy to not lie on record to your employer. Anyway, sorry for this boring story, hopefully posting it here will relieve me of the need to bore my friends and family by ranting to them about it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 05, 2020, 10:07:11 AM
We are now required to get a flu shot to be on campus.  That means that EVERYONE (even folks who haven't set foot on campus in months/are living abroad/etc.) has been sent a survey to verify our compliance.  It has 2 questions: Did you get a flu shot?  What date did you get your flu shot?
No asking for medical verification.  No asking if you're even in the same damn county as campus.
I think it's a test run for when/if there is a widely available COVID vaccine.  I'm certain it will be required.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 05, 2020, 02:58:30 PM
Today, I had to do the following:


It was awful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on October 06, 2020, 06:15:41 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on October 05, 2020, 10:07:11 AM
We are now required to get a flu shot to be on campus.  That means that EVERYONE (even folks who haven't set foot on campus in months/are living abroad/etc.) has been sent a survey to verify our compliance.  It has 2 questions: Did you get a flu shot?  What date did you get your flu shot?
No asking for medical verification.  No asking if you're even in the same damn county as campus.
I think it's a test run for when/if there is a widely available COVID vaccine.  I'm certain it will be required.

There's also an option for medical exemption for the small number of people who actually have conditions that don't allow them to get vaccines.  I don't have any problem with schools requiring flu vaccines and I won't have a problem with them requiring a Covid vaccine. (assuming it goes through the proper channels) I share your annoyance about it not mattering if you are going to be on campus. If I'm going to be on campus, my employer has a legitimate interest in my health and vaccinations. If I'm 20 miles away, I don't really want to tell them whether I have a runny nose or not.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 06, 2020, 10:13:35 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on October 05, 2020, 02:58:30 PM
Today, I had to do the following:


  • Shower
  • Shave
  • Apply deoderant
  • Comb what's left of my hair
  • Wear long pants
  • Present myself as a functional adult through meaningful conversation

It was awful.

I am so, so sorry for you, fishbrains.  I hope you've recovered.  <<shudder>>

I have a Zoom meeting this afternoon with a summer PitA student and need to change into a less-ratty sweater.  I've been putting it off all morning.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 06, 2020, 10:18:04 AM
Could you maybe knit something up quickly? (Interthreaduality...oh, sorry, bad...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 06, 2020, 12:24:58 PM
Quote from: Caracal on October 06, 2020, 06:15:41 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on October 05, 2020, 10:07:11 AM
We are now required to get a flu shot to be on campus.  That means that EVERYONE (even folks who haven't set foot on campus in months/are living abroad/etc.) has been sent a survey to verify our compliance.  It has 2 questions: Did you get a flu shot?  What date did you get your flu shot?
No asking for medical verification.  No asking if you're even in the same damn county as campus.
I think it's a test run for when/if there is a widely available COVID vaccine.  I'm certain it will be required.

There's also an option for medical exemption for the small number of people who actually have conditions that don't allow them to get vaccines.  I don't have any problem with schools requiring flu vaccines and I won't have a problem with them requiring a Covid vaccine. (assuming it goes through the proper channels) I share your annoyance about it not mattering if you are going to be on campus. If I'm going to be on campus, my employer has a legitimate interest in my health and vaccinations. If I'm 20 miles away, I don't really want to tell them whether I have a runny nose or not.

The medical exemption is helpful for the handful of folks who can't get vaccinated at the moment. 
I also noticed that there is no deadline for the compliance.  I get it, the flu vaccine just came out, folks are busy, etc.  I'll have to ask my students if they are getting the same emails even though all of their classes are remote and very few are living on campus.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on October 06, 2020, 03:23:58 PM
Early voting will happen on my campus soon.  That is ok.  BUT the NMBY is kicking in for me because it is scheduled for the building I WORK IN!! 
The room that they are going to use is not all that big, which means that the lines will be into the main entrance and probably down the hall. 
My fear is that there will be too many people breathing my air and sending contamination into the air circulation system! 

(Maybe I should be on the Hypochondriacs thread). 

Im going to try to limit my time on campus until after Early Voting. 

I dont know why they would not use the Ball Rooms in the University Center!  They can make those rooms  (by opening the dividers) bigger than my house!!  Plenty of room to keep distant, and best of all NOT IN MY BACK YARD/Building!!  Better, there is closer parking right outside of that building! 

Who is in charge of this??
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 06, 2020, 05:16:56 PM
Unrelated.

Why, dear students (2 so far), did you decide to not use the provided file for the lab report? Instead you wrote it up on a piece of notebook paper, out of order, I might add. So, while I grade my 60 lab reports a week, I have to take extra time grading yours. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on October 06, 2020, 06:14:51 PM
QuoteUnrelated.

Why, dear students (2 so far), did you decide to not use the provided file for the lab report? Instead you wrote it up on a piece of notebook paper, out of order, I might add. So, while I grade my 60 lab reports a week, I have to take extra time grading yours.

I grade on a 'meter'. The more time it takes me to find the answer, the more points come off the grade.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 07, 2020, 07:49:41 AM
I gave in to a bullying student yesterday.  He earned the D for his summer class, but he wore me down with BS nitpicking in the opening stage of the appeal process. The clincher was his excuse that he spent much of the time when he didn't turn in work because he was getting COVID tested. First I've heard of it. (And it takes 2 weeks to go in to have your nosed swabbed?  Who knew?)  He also helpfully added that he lost his paperwork from the testing (of course he did), but his aunt and uncle are standing ready to file suit on the grounds of his COVID experience if I don't accept his BS excuses.  Student's last name is the same as one of the biggest shyster, "please, I don't want any publicity" while looking at the t.v. camera, lawyers in town.

Old Me would have said, "Bring it on, asshole."  2020 Me said to myself, "Screw it.  We've wasted enough time and energy on this without having to deal with a lawsuit on top of it."  Old Me is angry with 2020 Me, but we'll all get over it.  I'm already exhausted from the year in general.  So I'll do the grade change to a C and hope he chokes on it and move on.

(2020 Me is also far less charitable in my thoughts toward PitA's than Old Me was. )
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 08, 2020, 04:02:09 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on October 07, 2020, 07:49:41 AM
I gave in to a bullying student yesterday.  He earned the D for his summer class, but he wore me down with BS nitpicking in the opening stage of the appeal process. The clincher was his excuse that he spent much of the time when he didn't turn in work because he was getting COVID tested. First I've heard of it. (And it takes 2 weeks to go in to have your nosed swabbed?  Who knew?)  He also helpfully added that he lost his paperwork from the testing (of course he did), but his aunt and uncle are standing ready to file suit on the grounds of his COVID experience if I don't accept his BS excuses.  Student's last name is the same as one of the biggest shyster, "please, I don't want any publicity" while looking at the t.v. camera, lawyers in town.

Old Me would have said, "Bring it on, asshole."  2020 Me said to myself, "Screw it.  We've wasted enough time and energy on this without having to deal with a lawsuit on top of it."  Old Me is angry with 2020 Me, but we'll all get over it.  I'm already exhausted from the year in general.  So I'll do the grade change to a C and hope he chokes on it and move on.

(2020 Me is also far less charitable in my thoughts toward PitA's than Old Me was. )

I don't love the word 'shyster', but I've very sympathetic to everything else you describe. I salute the determination of Old You, and I support New You's limited concession towards the current exigencies of the world.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 09, 2020, 01:55:12 PM
Hey IT!  Knock it off with the nagware!

You assigned us training.  It is Due NOVEMBER 1st.  I don't expect to be nagged about not doing it until November 2nd.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on October 09, 2020, 06:25:05 PM
Stop nagging me to open shared files, Office 365! I got the email that X shared a file with me. I filed the email. If I'd wanted a reminder, I'd have set one myself.

The new automatic productivity reminder emails are creepy. Makes me feel like someone's spying on me to be sure I'm not wasting 10 seconds.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 14, 2020, 06:47:45 AM
If Safe Assign is taking more than 12 hours to process student work, then it is basically non-functional.

Do I want to contact the Help Desk to get help? No I don't. I will just give the students the benefit of the doubt.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 14, 2020, 08:55:31 AM
I hate using Blackboard as much as the rest of folks, but I'm making it work.

Why are you telling us NOW that you've bought Canvas and that everyone has to "transition" their courses over for next year?!

And why are there no answers to easy questions like, "Can material be automatically transferred from Blackboard to Canvas?" or "When will I be able to access my Canvas sites for next year?" or "Who do I contact for help?"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 14, 2020, 09:20:43 AM
Next Year?!  As in, the Spring Semester 2021?

Madness.  Madness I tell you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on October 14, 2020, 11:16:12 AM
QuoteNext Year?!  As in, the Spring Semester 2021?

Madness.  Madness I tell you.

I agree!  It's like religion. You dont convert over night!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on October 14, 2020, 12:08:03 PM
Humans.  I sent you THREE invitations with a live link into this event.  I have copies.  I cannot read your email for you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 14, 2020, 02:10:37 PM
Quote from: clean on October 14, 2020, 11:16:12 AM
QuoteNext Year?!  As in, the Spring Semester 2021?

Madness.  Madness I tell you.

I agree!  It's like religion. You dont convert over night!

There has been a LOT of pushback.  I'm guessing the University will "extend the deadline".
I think they just don't want to pay for both Blackboard and Canvas at the same time.  And they are paying for a really old version of Blackboard.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 14, 2020, 03:31:54 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on October 14, 2020, 02:10:37 PM
Quote from: clean on October 14, 2020, 11:16:12 AM
QuoteNext Year?!  As in, the Spring Semester 2021?

Madness.  Madness I tell you.

I agree!  It's like religion. You dont convert over night!

There has been a LOT of pushback.  I'm guessing the University will "extend the deadline".
I think they just don't want to pay for both Blackboard and Canvas at the same time.  And they are paying for a really old version of Blackboard.

So at a time when the online component of courses is the main part of the course, they are planning to change from Blackboard to Canvas with an overlap between the two of about a month? With unclear IT support?

Do they have a deathwish?

One of my places is doing this with an overlap of a year, and it still isn't going particularly smoothly.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 14, 2020, 11:34:37 PM
Quote from: downer on October 14, 2020, 03:31:54 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on October 14, 2020, 02:10:37 PM
Quote from: clean on October 14, 2020, 11:16:12 AM
QuoteNext Year?!  As in, the Spring Semester 2021?

Madness.  Madness I tell you.

I agree!  It's like religion. You dont convert over night!

There has been a LOT of pushback.  I'm guessing the University will "extend the deadline".
I think they just don't want to pay for both Blackboard and Canvas at the same time.  And they are paying for a really old version of Blackboard.

So at a time when the online component of courses is the main part of the course, they are planning to change from Blackboard to Canvas with an overlap between the two of about a month? With unclear IT support?

Do they have a deathwish?

One of my places is doing this with an overlap of a year, and it still isn't going particularly smoothly.

We did it over a year but with a LOT of support from T&L and IT and it worked fairly well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 17, 2020, 08:13:16 AM
We have now had our annual statewide professional association conference.  A VIRTUAL conference, which means two days of sitting in the office at work attending Zoom sessions and such.  It was awful.  Interaction with the speakers at Q&A time was very awkward, there were the technical glitches, no opportunity to talk shop and network in between sessions, etc.  Instead of a welcome break in the routine, the "conference" was more of an annoying distraction from it.  I feel so sorry for teachers and students alike who have been reduced to doing this sort of thing all the time.

The prize winner of all the sessions was the big business meeting.  One officer was Zooming from a guest room with a stuffed deer head looming over her shoulder the whole time, and a toddler niece out in the hall screeching now and then.  Another was in her car driving down the road (So THAT'S why they call it a "Zoom" session!).  We heard a third's dog barking while she was giving a report, and a fourth had a cat walk directly between her and her camera at one point.  It was rather entertaining as business meetings go.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on October 18, 2020, 06:28:23 PM
<unrelated>

I am grading a scaffolding assignment for the final class project in a large enrollment general education science course.  It is very clear that most students have done nothing so far on the project and their entries range from vague to down-right incomprehensible.

What I'd like to do: require the following verbal statement before students can access the course shell. Repeat after me: "The professor cannot care more about my education than I do. From now on, I will do the (very simple) work associated with this class. I understand that my education is my responsibility, and that the professor cannot care more about my education than I do."

What I am actually doing: writing comments to each student repeating the parameters of the final project and suggesting that they submit (via email) revised project descriptions to verify that their project will meet the minimum expectations for this major component of their course grade. Sadly, this will require even more time on my part, since I will have to read these revised descriptions and reply. If only they had done the work when it was required.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on October 19, 2020, 05:59:39 AM
I am tired of my seasonal allergies. I am ready for them to stop.

That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on October 19, 2020, 04:11:01 PM
Sure, you can telecommute. After all, just 90% of your job is supply and equipment receipt, inventory, and distribution. You can telecommute as soon as you find a new job working for someone else doing something else. I'd rather have a vacant frozen position than have to deal with you whining about being expected to do your job.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 20, 2020, 08:01:51 AM
I convene a large, team-taught undergraduate intro class. One of the lecturers, in particular, has been ignoring the documents and guidance I send out, and it came back to cause problems with a review activity. Students got confused, she apologized for the confusion to them, with lots of 'I don't know how this happened', and I had to do a lot of smoothing and 'oh, so sorry for the miscommunication'ing. Except there wasn't a miscommunication. I was crystal-clear about what I needed her to do for that review activity back in August. But for the sake of smoothness I pretended it was my fault and sent out a clarification to everyone.

Now I've goofed on something relatively minor, and she's acting as if it's evidence of more ineptitude on my part. It's really not. It's evidence of some ineptitude on my part, but the earlier evidence was me covering for her own ineptitude.

I'm so desperately frustrated by this whole task. It's a massive class, it has to be taught online for the first time, the students are all brand new to university, and I have to make all the moving parts work smoothly. There's friction. I knew there would be friction. I'm working so, so hard to minimize it, and I could really, really do with someone who works with me, rather than responding with unhelpful answers full of 'Oh, how I wish you'd told me this sooner'.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 20, 2020, 08:09:56 AM
Maybe book an appointment with her now, to go over the ways *she* fell down at the posts, not you--for meeting later, after it's all over, so it's more in the guise of a standard evaluation session?

Then plan every single sentence you want to say before then, thus focusing your sense of frustration on something--clear, uncompromising communication--about the issues and what you expect to be done about them in future. Keep a file and visit as needed.

Even if you don't do online teaching and learning to the same degree in future, she doesn't get a pass from ignoring instructions and then blaming her errors on the convener.

That's grade-13 behavior, you know?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on October 20, 2020, 04:40:16 PM
Quote from: ergative on October 20, 2020, 08:01:51 AM
I convene a large, team-taught undergraduate intro class. One of the lecturers, in particular, has been ignoring the documents and guidance I send out, and it came back to cause problems with a review activity.

I'm working so, so hard to minimize it, and I could really, really do with someone who works with me, rather than responding with unhelpful answers full of 'Oh, how I wish you'd told me this sooner'.

I'm sorry you're dealing with unprofessional behavior.

Have you considered emailing information with a delivery receipt and read receipt required? Some people pay more attention if they see that sender has requested receipt. If you don't get receipts, you send ONE polite reminder that you need everyone to read class emails to ensure students get information needed to be successful. If that doesn't help, you now have documentation that you're being ignored so when lecturer tries to say it's all your fault, you have backup either that person received email but didn't follow instructions or that person isn't reading work email.

If you meet with person as mamselle suggests, I suggest having a follow up email drafted before you meet. Write out what you plan to say. After you meet, edit as needed before sending. My template is, "Thank you for meeting with me to discuss ISSUE. As we discussed, I expect you to DO WHAT by WHEN. Please let me know immediately if you need further explanation. Thank you for your cooperation in [helping our students succeed, complete this project, whatever]." Drafting the email in advance helps you plan conversation and makes documenting your conversation simple.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 20, 2020, 06:49:57 PM
^Ooh, good idea.

Like.

I'm thinking of a couple situations in which I'd find that useful elsewhere.

Thanks.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 03:40:15 AM
Unrelated double post.

I need my head examined.

I've just agreed to a Zoom dinner meet-up with my Michigan-based siblings on the night before the elections.

We don't see eye-to-eye on certain political issues and personalities, and they're not reticent about their views.

I can usually avoid bloodshed by biting my tongue, but it's hard to chew ones food that way.

Pondering a re-book, but they're saying they will be having blizzards soon and one has to drive to the other's home to use the wifi to be online.

I'm a dummy.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 21, 2020, 07:12:41 AM
Mamselle, darn the luck--isn't it just too bad that [your internet went down, Zoom crashed, your electricity got knocked out when someone hit a power pole] just at that exact time?  And it didn't get restored until the next morning!  Ah, well, stufff happens......

(NOT that I might ever have used such an excuse myself, you understand.  Well, not more than once or twice so far this year.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 07:13:34 AM
Don't tempt me.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on October 21, 2020, 08:17:21 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 03:40:15 AM
Unrelated double post.

I need my head examined.

I've just agreed to a Zoom dinner meet-up with my Michigan-based siblings on the night before the elections.

We don't see eye-to-eye on certain political issues and personalities, and they're not reticent about their views.

I can usually avoid bloodshed by biting my tongue, but it's hard to chew ones food that way.

Pondering a re-book, but they're saying they will be having blizzards soon and one has to drive to the other's home to use the wifi to be online.

I'm a dummy.

M.

Could you all agree to have a politics-free discussion?  Seems reasonable.  You could say there's been politics overload and it would be refreshing and nice to catch up on other things -- books read, tv shows enjoyed, neighbor updates,  new recipes and foods enjoyed, and so on.
So sad when politics damage family interactions.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 21, 2020, 10:28:09 AM
I have family members that are so certain that "herd immunity" will mean the pandemic will end very soon.  Like by January soon.  Because "lots of folks" have already had it.
Current cases: 8.2 million
Current deaths: 221,000

If you think that's bad, let's look at what it would take to get herd immunity without a vaccine:

The best-estimate threshold for herd immunity is 70% Immune.  That means that 70% of folks have been sick.  With a current mortality rate of 1% and the US population at about 315 million people, so-called natural "herd immunity" from infections will mean:

222 million MORE cases of COVID-19
1.75 million MORE deaths

And it doesn't include the # of hospitalizations, the number of folks who have long-term damage from the disease, etc.
And that's just in the US.  This is a global disease.  It's only the beginning.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 11:12:01 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on October 21, 2020, 08:17:21 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 03:40:15 AM
Unrelated double post.

I need my head examined.

I've just agreed to a Zoom dinner meet-up with my Michigan-based siblings on the night before the elections.

We don't see eye-to-eye on certain political issues and personalities, and they're not reticent about their views.

I can usually avoid bloodshed by biting my tongue, but it's hard to chew ones food that way.

Pondering a re-book, but they're saying they will be having blizzards soon and one has to drive to the other's home to use the wifi to be online.

I'm a dummy.

M.

Could you all agree to have a politics-free discussion?  Seems reasonable.  You could say there's been politics overload and it would be refreshing and nice to catch up on other things -- books read, tv shows enjoyed, neighbor updates,  new recipes and foods enjoyed, and so on.
So sad when politics damage family interactions.

Even broaching the question of a politics-free discussion could open the outer can of worms in which the inner can of worms is hiding....and creamed angleworms on toast was not what I had in mind for my dinner menu that night....

I may be able to ask my brother separately--he's a bit less rabid about things--but my sister would have probably put their governor on the raft and rowed her out to the middle of the lake herself.....so, I dunno.

But thanks for the vote of confidence in quiet, non-political conversations.

'Tis devoutly to be wished.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on October 21, 2020, 05:35:09 PM
Quote from: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 11:12:01 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on October 21, 2020, 08:17:21 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 03:40:15 AM
Unrelated double post.

I need my head examined.

I've just agreed to a Zoom dinner meet-up with my Michigan-based siblings on the night before the elections.

We don't see eye-to-eye on certain political issues and personalities, and they're not reticent about their views.

I can usually avoid bloodshed by biting my tongue, but it's hard to chew ones food that way.

Pondering a re-book, but they're saying they will be having blizzards soon and one has to drive to the other's home to use the wifi to be online.

I'm a dummy.

M.

Could you all agree to have a politics-free discussion?  Seems reasonable.  You could say there's been politics overload and it would be refreshing and nice to catch up on other things -- books read, tv shows enjoyed, neighbor updates,  new recipes and foods enjoyed, and so on.
So sad when politics damage family interactions.

Even broaching the question of a politics-free discussion could open the outer can of worms in which the inner can of worms is hiding....and creamed angleworms on toast was not what I had in mind for my dinner menu that night....

I may be able to ask my brother separately--he's a bit less rabid about things--but my sister would have probably put their governor on the raft and rowed her out to the middle of the lake herself.....so, I dunno.

But thanks for the vote of confidence in quiet, non-political conversations.

'Tis devoutly to be wished.

M.

I have a list of questions to ask at events involving certain family members. I'd much rather get a ten minute update on Aunt Zoni's pet chickens, Uncle Bob's bursitis, and cousin Joan's quilting club than hear political rants. Questions about deceased relatives work well, too, especially when they died before I was born.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 27, 2020, 01:30:37 AM
We have a new laundry detergent (for Reasons which are boring), and the new bar of soap in the bathroom has a scent I don't care for, and now it smells like I'm living in someone else's house and wearing someone else's clothes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:00:56 AM
Quote from: ergative on October 27, 2020, 01:30:37 AM
... now it smells like I'm living in someone else's house and wearing someone else's clothes.

So, a welcome change from Covid doldrums?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on October 27, 2020, 12:16:24 PM
somewhere, a sociologist pricks up their ears...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 27, 2020, 12:37:14 PM
Unrelated to the above (however fascinating.....let us know when the book comes out...)...

I can't wait to be done with this bunch of sweet, overripe, pungent bananas.

Soon it truly will be "not my circus, not my monkeys..."

Replacing it as a job will be a different issue, but all the same stuff is starting up all over again, and 5 years is enough.

Had to say that to someone...!!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:06:38 PM
Dammit.

Last Tuesday, I was stopped on the (major) road in front of my house, waiting to turn left into my driveway.  One, two, three, Four, Five cars pass on my right.  Then BAM, we get rear ended.

Smolt and I were uninjured.

Today, I learned that my car was totaled (I had it for just over a year).

Now I have to go through the car search process, again.  Grrr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 27, 2020, 03:57:52 PM
Very sorry about your car and the pain of looking for another one so soon.

Very, very glad you and Smolt were uninjured.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 27, 2020, 05:51:47 PM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:06:38 PM
Dammit.

Last Tuesday, I was stopped on the (major) road in front of my house, waiting to turn left into my driveway.  One, two, three, Four, Five cars pass on my right.  Then BAM, we get rear ended.

Smolt and I were uninjured.

Today, I learned that my car was totaled (I had it for just over a year).

Now I have to go through the car search process, again.  Grrr.

Sorry to hear about the rear ending. Glad to hear that there were no injuries. Must be a hassle to look for a new car, especially during the pandemic, because of safe-distancing protocols.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on October 28, 2020, 01:40:54 PM
Couple of political things:

1. TV political ad explicitly stating that if DT is re elected our  social security program will be broke by 2022 or 2023.

2. Required pre vote questionaire which inquired as to what party one is aligned with or whether one is independent. I never want to reveal that much, as it would, figuritively, tie  me to beingas a specific party supporter.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on October 28, 2020, 01:43:55 PM
Quote from: Economizer on October 28, 2020, 01:40:54 PM
Couple of political things:

1. TV political ad explicitly stating that if DT is re elected our  social security program will be broke by 2022 or 2023.

2. Required pre vote questionaire which inquired as to what party one is aligned with or whether one is independent. I never want to reveal that much, as it would, figuritively, tie  me to being a specific party supporter.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on October 31, 2020, 12:18:27 PM
Very minor vent compared to what is going on around us. I screwed up parts of an assignment and the rubric. Thus, what should have been a 90 minute grading process will now take at least 4 hours. Just crap.  I'm behind on grading as it is, and this will not help. I am correcting the problem by making certain parts of the assignment as bonus credit. At least the students will be happy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on October 31, 2020, 07:42:00 PM
A vent at myself:  what on earth made you think that you could squeeze three days of virtual conference in between two major accreditation reviews without also scheduling some down time?  Balance....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 01, 2020, 05:07:19 AM
I drove 2 hours through a GPS mapped hell-route to check out a replacement car.  That was already sold.  FOR DAYS before the salesman contacted me.

I am so angry I am calm.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on November 01, 2020, 08:13:30 AM
Quote from: FishProf on November 01, 2020, 05:07:19 AM
I drove 2 hours through a GPS mapped hell-route to check out a replacement car.  That was already sold.  FOR DAYS before the salesman contacted me.

I am so angry I am calm.

Argh I can only imagine.  So sorry to hear about the accident (though glad you and Smolt are okay), and then to have to deal with this BS?! No, sir. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 01, 2020, 08:35:45 AM
To add insult to injury, a suitable car was posted last night about a mile form the failed search location.  But I am not driving back down there again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 01, 2020, 01:31:57 PM
Quote from: FishProf on November 01, 2020, 08:35:45 AM
To add insult to injury, a suitable car was posted last night about a mile form the failed search location.  But I am not driving back down there again.

I'm sorry you're having a hell of a time getting a car, FP.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 01, 2020, 01:33:19 PM
I pulled something in my back, or pinched a nerve, or have a cyst, but whatever the hell it is- it !@#$%$$%#$@ing hurts like a @#$@#$.

I thought this weekend would be productive, but it seems like I'm slogging through mud in a hurricane-force gale.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 01, 2020, 03:57:10 PM
OOOouuuuccchhhh!!!!!

Sorry to hear that. No fun at all.

I've only had it happen twice, but it's indeed debilitating and memorable.

I hope you find the best solution for yourself soon....there can be so many different causes and resolutions.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 01, 2020, 08:15:21 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 01, 2020, 03:57:10 PM
OOOouuuuccchhhh!!!!!

Sorry to hear that. No fun at all.

I've only had it happen twice, but it's indeed debilitating and memorable.

I hope you find the best solution for yourself soon....there can be so many different causes and resolutions.

M.
Thanks Mamselle. It's slowly getting better. <3.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 02, 2020, 01:43:22 AM
Zoom family 'baby sprinkle', to celebrate birth of new cousin. There were multiple small children and all anyone wanted to do was try to try to talk to them. The kids were 2-3, barely verbal, and there were connection problems, and so I got to spend 30 minutes listening to my parents and aunts and uncles begging the children to comment on whether the new baby sibling pooped a lot, and similar scintillating topics of conversation. It was especially excruciating because of the zoom format, where only one person can talk at one. In a proper family gathering I can step back and start chatting with someone else about something more interesting, like Star Trek. (I fully recognize that many people would prefer to hear toddlers lisping about poop than me talking about Star Trek.)

About thirty minutes in when even the proud grandparents started flagging in their efforts to elicit responses from the grandkids, I asked what people had been reading recently. Then just as that was taking off we hit the 40 minute limit.

The host sent around by email a new link to continue the conversation. I did not click it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 02, 2020, 03:57:56 AM
Quote from: ergative on November 02, 2020, 01:43:22 AM
I fully recognize that many people would prefer to hear toddlers lisping about poop than me talking about Star Trek.

Distinction without a difference.

(Ducks.  Runs.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 02, 2020, 07:27:42 AM
Quote from: ergative on November 02, 2020, 01:43:22 AM
Zoom family 'baby sprinkle', to celebrate birth of new cousin. There were multiple small children and all anyone wanted to do was try to try to talk to them. The kids were 2-3, barely verbal, and there were connection problems, and so I got to spend 30 minutes listening to my parents and aunts and uncles begging the children to comment on whether the new baby sibling pooped a lot, and similar scintillating topics of conversation. It was especially excruciating because of the zoom format, where only one person can talk at one. In a proper family gathering I can step back and start chatting with someone else about something more interesting, like Star Trek. (I fully recognize that many people would prefer to hear toddlers lisping about poop than me talking about Star Trek.)

About thirty minutes in when even the proud grandparents started flagging in their efforts to elicit responses from the grandkids, I asked what people had been reading recently. Then just as that was taking off we hit the 40 minute limit.

The host sent around by email a new link to continue the conversation. I did not click it.

Too bad no-one thought to set up Breakout rooms.

You could have gone there for your Star Trek chat and given the lisping kids a miss all the way around.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on November 02, 2020, 08:37:12 AM
I can't find my leather bomber jacket. You know, the one that my wife bought me for our anniversary a few years ago. The one that I haven't worn since before the quarantine started. If I can't find it soon then I might simply throw up from sadness and guilt over losing it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on November 02, 2020, 08:42:53 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on November 02, 2020, 08:37:12 AM
I can't find my leather bomber jacket. You know, the one that my wife bought me for our anniversary a few years ago. The one that I haven't worn since before the quarantine started. If I can't find it soon then I might simply throw up from sadness and guilt over losing it.

My mom realized the other day that she hadn't seen her watch since early in the spring (she has had that watch for, I think, as long as I've been alive) since she doesn't really go out anymore.  But sure enough, she moved something while taking care of other tasks, and there it was.  I wish the same for you, thought it might be a little harder for the jacket to be hiding under something.  Sending jacket-finding vibes!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 02, 2020, 11:06:34 AM
My car has been in the shop for over a week now. The rental didn't work out because the company no longer picks up or drops off their customers. According to the shop and the insurance website, the car should be ready tomorrow. I'm now waiting for the shop to let me know what time I can pick up the car.  Then I'll have to find a kind neighbor to drive me to the shop late afternoon on Election day. I am not getting into an Uber or a cab, not in my neck of the woods. I'm not sure if the neighbors would want to drive late afternoon tomorrow. On the bright side, the polling place is walking distance, unlike the location for early voting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on November 02, 2020, 09:41:13 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on November 02, 2020, 08:42:53 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on November 02, 2020, 08:37:12 AM
I can't find my leather bomber jacket. You know, the one that my wife bought me for our anniversary a few years ago. The one that I haven't worn since before the quarantine started. If I can't find it soon then I might simply throw up from sadness and guilt over losing it.

My mom realized the other day that she hadn't seen her watch since early in the spring (she has had that watch for, I think, as long as I've been alive) since she doesn't really go out anymore.  But sure enough, she moved something while taking care of other tasks, and there it was.  I wish the same for you, thought it might be a little harder for the jacket to be hiding under something.  Sending jacket-finding vibes!

I've had a pair of shorts and good t'shirt go similarly missing. I hope I find them soon...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 02, 2020, 11:02:35 PM

QuoteI can't find my leather bomber jacket.

QuoteI've had a pair of shorts and good t'shirt go similarly missing. I hope I find them soon...

We must be nearing The End of Days... The Vortex is widening!  It used to just suck up socks, but now shorts, shirts, and a bomber jacket!!

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse Will look cool in bomber jackets!!   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 03, 2020, 06:30:46 AM
I'm missing a favorite sweater. Rather uncool for the horsemen of the apocalypse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 03, 2020, 06:45:26 AM
Why do some people INSIST on being hostile and aggressive?  From the get-go in any conversation.  NOBODY likes YOU!  Not because you are right, or harder working, or smarter - or any other BS you tell yourself.  Because you are MEAN.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 03, 2020, 06:54:20 AM
Quote from: FishProf on November 03, 2020, 06:45:26 AM
Why do some people INSIST on being hostile and aggressive?  From the get-go in any conversation.  NOBODY likes YOU!  Not because you are right, or harder working, or smarter - or any other BS you tell yourself.  Because you are MEAN.

Sad to say, I know of folks to whom that applies as well.

Entering into that dynamic with any correctives is so hard because the outer shell of denial prevents healing from happening.

The choice to be mean can be unlearned, but there is a substructure beneath it that must be ventilated and softened.

And the individuals themselves are usually unhappy and may not ever understand that it's the result of their own choices.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with that kind of a situation.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: joeroberts on November 03, 2020, 07:38:18 AM
Is here a good place to just dump that I'm in a funk? Or should I do that elsewhere? Just looking for some friends, I think. And some chit-chat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 03, 2020, 08:07:32 AM
You are welcome to vent here!

There is also a quiet room for peaceful rest:

      https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=1878.0

And there are some ranting threads, some topic-specific threads, and some veering-off-the-topic-at-every-turn threads.

We have a very textured, thread-rich environment here...

Glad you can be a part of it.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 03, 2020, 09:46:21 AM
Quote from: clean on November 02, 2020, 11:02:35 PM

QuoteI can't find my leather bomber jacket.

QuoteI've had a pair of shorts and good t'shirt go similarly missing. I hope I find them soon...

We must be nearing The End of Days... The Vortex is widening!  It used to just suck up socks, but now shorts, shirts, and a bomber jacket!!

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse Will look cool in bomber jackets!!

Today might be a good day for binge watching the excellent adaptation of Good Omens (on Prime video).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 03, 2020, 09:48:55 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 03, 2020, 09:46:21 AM
Quote from: clean on November 02, 2020, 11:02:35 PM

QuoteI can't find my leather bomber jacket.

QuoteI've had a pair of shorts and good t'shirt go similarly missing. I hope I find them soon...

We must be nearing The End of Days... The Vortex is widening!  It used to just suck up socks, but now shorts, shirts, and a bomber jacket!!

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse Will look cool in bomber jackets!!

Today might be a good day for binge watching the excellent adaptation of Good Omens (on Prime video).

That was a great show! Loved it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on November 12, 2020, 03:12:48 PM
To add to my other numerous life frustrations (interthreaduality: the wall), tomorrow is my school's deadline for choosing 2021 health care. Given my "renewable" but one-year contract, spouse and I have been weighing the merits of various plans since open enrollment opened, and are planning to make a decision after spouse arrives home tonight (the last chance).

Benefits emailed to let me know the deadline when the open enrollment opened, then emailed me twice a week to remind me of this week's deadline for the entire month of October.

In November, the emails picked up pace, and yesterday they even phoned our mobile telephone to make sure I was aware of the deadline. They did not, ironically, call my office telephone.

The deadline has not passed. I have not missed the deadline. Yet, every workday in November, I have received a reminder email about a deadline OF WHICH I AM ALREADY AWARE. To reiterate: the deadline has not passed, and I have not missed the deadline. It has not changed, despite the numerous updates. The deadline is clear.

This morning, or last night, after posting on the "wall" thread, I finally emailed the Benefits office to acknowledge that I knew the deadline and was planning to meet it.

They finally emailed back:

"Dear M[x  Reader]*
I am sorry for the inconvenience . . ." [and then the rest is visibly--i.e. with a faint grey background--copied and pasted from a template explaining that the email is sent daily to anyone who has not yet submitted the required paperwork]."

*I am not Mr. or Mrs., but Dr.

Why is it necessary to send me DAILY reminders about a deadline that has not yet passed? Anyone who is ignoring these obsessive emails is going to ignore them after the deadline passes also.

AR
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on November 12, 2020, 03:30:52 PM
Dear Professor Dr. AR - While I understand the annoyance of multiple emails, I was one who almost missed the deadline for re-enrollment at my institution. I knew it was usually due around mid-November. I saw the various emails as they came through, but I did not actually look at the exact date (in part because I was assuming they would send the normal printed book that highlighted the various plans). It was not until the email header said "open enrollment ends tomorrow" that I realized that "mid-November" was "early-November" this year, and that I would not be getting the printed document I was waiting for. So, while it sounds like your HR department has gone overboard, it may actually be required for some of your colleagues. Please be patient with us.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 12, 2020, 05:25:05 PM
Asked a doc at the student health center about, swollen and painful lumps on parts of my tongue.

Doctor: "Lumps on your tongue? *guffaws* You mean tastebuds?!? Tastebuds are perfectly normal; everybody has them!"

*sigh*

First of all, did he not just hear me say the lumps were painful? Is that really normal for tastebuds? Have I just been enormously lucky until recently to have escaped this ever-present bane of the human condition?

Second, does he honestly think I went my entire life unaware of the existence of tastebuds?

Third, this has been an off-and-on problem so I had the opportunity to take pics of my tongue in its normal state to compare with its swollen-lump state. Those tastebuds are clearly larger than normal.

Dismissive doctors can be frustrating. Condescending doctors who literally laugh in your face can be outright infuriating.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 12, 2020, 05:40:42 PM
I get those very occasionally, usually just one or at most two at a time; it's like a whitehead that really does hurt. I also agree about dismissive doctors, especially those in school-related healthcare centers.

I explained to one that when I used to get bronchitis (because I had an unidentified latent tooth abcess that didn't hurt but was a regular little storehouse of germs), I needed, not amoxycilin, which never did a thing for me, but eurythromycin, which usually worked in 2 days.

Smile, laugh, nod, and--a script for amoxy. "We know better now, you don't need eurythro, this will do just fine." (turns out amoxy is less expensive...ahem).

A week later, after a couple of nights when I literally thought I might die, I was coughing so hard and couldn't get my breath (because it had by then started approaching pneumonia, I'm pretty sure)....I went back, saw a different MD, and got the script I needed.

"Oh, yeah, he's new, thinks he knows it all; I remember, you need eurythro, here's a script, sorry you had that problem."

The MDs in the uni health services and the docs-in-a-box can often be good but there should be a lemon law about the ones who are really not.

I found that a bit of baking soda toothpaste helped with the swollen taste bud-like thingys. It seemed like vinegar or some sour food might have caused it, so I reasoned that a basic like baking soda might oppose the acid, and it seemed to work.

I'd put a little bit on the sore spot, rinse, put some more on, etc.

I don't get them anymore, but that might be because I can't eat many acidic foods anymore, either. (Anchovies....sigh...)

Hope you find a workable solution. (Oh, sorry, no pun intended!!)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on November 12, 2020, 06:06:04 PM
Quote from: arcturus on November 12, 2020, 03:30:52 PM
So, while it sounds like your HR department has gone overboard, it may actually be required for some of your colleagues. Please be patient with us.

Arcturus, I am glad you made the deadline. I feel hugely better having vented, and this would not normally annoy me. In my defense, though, our email headers have all, including today (last day to the deadline), said things like "Reminder: Choose Health Insurance." A countdown, or "Ends tomorrow," would make much better sense.

On a related note, where has November gone? Oof.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 15, 2020, 06:13:56 PM
Feeling close to physical collapse; not getting the meds I need makes problem-solving the dilemma of not getting the meds I need ridiculously difficult.

Pharmacist shrugs his shoulders saying doctor never sent in the prescription. Doctor shrugs his shoulders saying he did submit it (and can verify through the online system that he did). I have been ping-ponging back and forth verifying addresses and phone numbers on file are correct; extracting promises from each side to contact the other.

Pharmacist said he could not give me emergency doses to carry me through until the communications issue is resolved. Also could not give me any advice on what I might expect from suddenly not having a medication I've been taking daily for quite a while now. (Me: "There's really no info available on potential effects of sudden withdrawal?" Pharmacist: "I don't know. Tell your doctor to get the prescription order in.")

I may have to be physically in front of pharmacist next time I zoom with the doctor so they can communicate with each other in real time.

I understand healthcare professionals are often overburdened at the best of times, so running into snags is especially to be expected during a pandemic. But it's so demoralizing to be met with the "This isn't my problem" attitude at every turn when I'm feeling so sick and exhausted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 06:44:56 PM
I hear you.

I think I've already posted somewhere about the human shuttlecock I became when (yet another) Student Health doc wrote the wrong order for a chest x-ray (I'd broken a rib sneezing while bending down...don't ask...).

I had to go six blocks back and forth three times in the snow and ice one January day because the rad tech refused to center the cone over the place I was pointing to ---i.e., the place that hurt!--because in radiology lingo "chest x-ray" means "rule out a pneumothoracic problem" (usually lower down in the lobes) and "UPPER chest x-ray was the only order that would let them point the cone where I said it hurt.

Worst was, I knew this radiology group: I'd worked as a floor clerk at a local hospital before doing my grad work, and they were our service provider there, too--and were just as difficult.

I knew they'd probably say,, "no," but I asked anyway for a verbal (over-the-phone) order to save myself the painful legwork...of course they refused (and I knew from my hospital work that they could have taken one, but were just being cantankerous).

There are kind, excellent caregivers, and I've worked with some; there are also schmucks, and these guys, like the ones it sounds like you're dealing with, can only be placed in that category.

Keep at it, they owe you what they owe you, both in terms of patient care AND the proper mess.

M.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 15, 2020, 07:32:03 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 06:44:56 PM
I think I've already posted somewhere about the human shuttlecock I became when (yet another) Student Health doc wrote the wrong order for a chest x-ray (I'd broken a rib sneezing while bending down...don't ask...).

I had to go six blocks back and forth three times in the snow and ice one January day...

With a broken rib?!? Ugh...I'm sorry; that sounds awful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 09:14:23 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 15, 2020, 07:32:03 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 06:44:56 PM
I think I've already posted somewhere about the human shuttlecock I became when (yet another) Student Health doc wrote the wrong order for a chest x-ray (I'd broken a rib sneezing while bending down...don't ask...).

I had to go six blocks back and forth three times in the snow and ice one January day...

With a broken rib?!? Ugh...I'm sorry; that sounds awful.

Yeah, thank you, it was. And they wouldn't let me leave my book bags at either place--didn't want to be responsible for them--so I had to schlep those, too.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Unseen Academical on November 15, 2020, 10:20:28 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 15, 2020, 06:13:56 PM
Feeling close to physical collapse; not getting the meds I need makes problem-solving the dilemma of not getting the meds I need ridiculously difficult.

Pharmacist said he could not give me emergency doses to carry me through until the communications issue is resolved. Also could not give me any advice on what I might expect from suddenly not having a medication I've been taking daily for quite a while now. (Me: "There's really no info available on potential effects of sudden withdrawal?" Pharmacist: "I don't know. Tell your doctor to get the prescription order in.")


The doc's office may have some samples available to tide you over until you sort this out with the pharmacy. Worth a call. Last time I had to deal with this for meds that could not be stopped the doc's office was able to provide a week's worth and that was enough time to get the prescription conundrum resolved.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 16, 2020, 08:34:46 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 15, 2020, 07:32:03 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 15, 2020, 06:44:56 PM
I think I've already posted somewhere about the human shuttlecock I became when (yet another) Student Health doc wrote the wrong order for a chest x-ray (I'd broken a rib sneezing while bending down...don't ask...).

I had to go six blocks back and forth three times in the snow and ice one January day...

With a broken rib?!? Ugh...I'm sorry; that sounds awful.

When I had my accident last year the emergency room caught the broken shoulder, but missed TWO broken ribs, and a broken lung.  I spent the next couple of weeks wondering why the worst pain always seemed to be lower down, and waking up every half an hour at night gasping for breath.  They only found the missing internal injuries when I got pre-op X-rays for surgery to fix the shoulder.  I was in the hospital with an IV in my arm about to go into surgery when the radiologist called and said that they might shouldn't put this patient with a collapsed lung under anesthesia. 

Doctors and other medical staff are only human.  They make mistakes.  Potentially very dangerous mistakes, but human nonetheless.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 16, 2020, 09:49:32 AM
Walking companions: Why, when we are walking and talking in places with plenty of room, why when we are discussing the need for social distancing do you move within 18 inches of me? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on November 16, 2020, 10:10:47 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 12, 2020, 05:25:05 PM
Dismissive doctors can be frustrating. Condescending doctors who literally laugh in your face can be outright infuriating.

I sympathize, SCR. My wife's epilepsy counts as an autoimmune issue, and she's quite sensitive to such changes and pains in her body. Once a clinic doctor told her that her conjunctivitis was "those fake eyelashes you women wear. I see it all the time." She went to that clinic another time because she was worried she had a kidney infection. "A kidney infection?" that different doc chortled. "If it were a kidney infection then it'd hurt right here" and he did a mild karate chop to the area that hurt her the most.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 16, 2020, 10:24:24 AM
Re: the talk about doctors makes me feel very, very fortunate to have my internist/GP.  I saw him this morning and spent a good deal of time talking with him about various things without feeling rushed (despite his practice being down many nurses/techs, as mine told me--between a couple of maternity leaves, one out for surgery, various ones in isolation/quarantine, and a couple with sick kids, they're scrambling to keep up tech/nurse coverage in the office). 

The vent of all this is that, as suspected, I do have a sinus infection (third one this year), plus he had to add a diabetes med and up my insulin.  Pfft. He agreed with my self-diagnosis that if COVID and other stressors would go away, I'd likely feel better and see my BG numbers come down.  I guess there's a little comfort knowing that most of his diabetic patients are also struggling, in a misery-loves-company kind of way.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 16, 2020, 07:27:12 PM
Quote from: apl68 on November 16, 2020, 08:34:46 AM
Doctors and other medical staff are only human.

I'm pretty sure I acknowledged this in my earlier post. I'm aware that medical providers are human. The whole reason I feel I'm reaching the end of my rope is that I'M HUMAN TOO, and I want to be acknowledged for it like anybody else!

My usual mode of operation is to give people the benefit of the doubt, but right now I just don't have it in me to keep coming up with excuses for everyone else. I haven't slept more than 2 hours a night for over a week; I'm rundown from lack of food, but too nauseated to eat enough to refuel; my voice is hoarse from crying through intense joint pains and muscle spasms. I'm too tapped out to try to be understanding at moment; all I can do right now is be selfish.

I'm sick of being met with indifference or outright contempt when I try to get help for myself. Mistakes in medicine (or any other human endeavor are inevitable); eye rolls, exasperated sighs, mocking laughter, and condescending remarks are not.

Sometimes I want to scream when people lecture me against looking to family or friends for support through my health issues because "that's what professionals are for..." Not because the principle is wrong in theory, but because too many of those professionals just don't seem to have gotten the message. What other recourse do I have except to be a pest?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
I didn't realize joint pains and muscle spasms were a part of your situation.

Do you have problems with subluxation?

There are some differential diagnoses for which that is an indicator.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 17, 2020, 12:50:42 PM
Student took a class in the 7 week online session that ended in early october.  Student was caught by online proctor using multiple sheets of notes, when only one was permitted.  When I got the notice from the proctoring service, I emailed the student for her description of the event.  Krickets.
Being out of time, and hearing nothing, I completed the academic misconduct forms. 
2 weeks later I get an email from the student's advisor asking about the I grade (we must give an incomplete until the resolution of the issue).  I emailed that student should check emails for full description of issue.  8 days later student emails me.  Today (now over 5 full weeks after initial emails) student is claiming that s/he never got the emails or knew of deadlines.

SO, Im now copying all of the emails in an effort not to have to go to Cheater Court, especially after the deadlines for filing an appeal have lapsed.  EVEN IF the student didnt get the initial emails, it has been nearly a month since student visited advisor and was told to "check your emails"!  2 weeks is the max time limit to deal with these forms! so EVEN IF we go by the LATEST date that the student emailed ME, it is more than 2 weeks. 

Case closed (I HOPE!!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 17, 2020, 01:31:00 PM
As Pry used to say, sounds like the student is going to flunk cheating as well as the course.

My vent:

Oh, come on, now. After all the work I've done on this booklet, your machine has GOT to print back-to-back!

It's got enough other bells and whistles (I've used it in the pre-covid past) that a simple thing like a back-to-back/short-side flip booklet shouldn't be an issue.

And I'm NOT going across town to help figure it out: the office staff there has got to know how to do this.

Good grief. 

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 17, 2020, 02:53:02 PM
I think my damn sciatica is back. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 17, 2020, 02:56:33 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 17, 2020, 02:53:02 PM
I think my damn sciatica is back. :(

Ouch!

Sleeping surfaces? Chairs or car seats too soft? Belt or other constraining clothing doing a number on the muscles near the back?

Or just a couple of vertebrae having a tug of war?

No fun when it happens. I can usually exercise mine away, but it's indeed worrisome.

I hope it resolves quickly

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on November 17, 2020, 03:04:15 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 17, 2020, 02:53:02 PM
I think my damn sciatica is back. :(

NO!! Sorry to hear that! I hope it's not back or that whatever is back or is new is very, very temporary.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 17, 2020, 03:17:18 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on November 17, 2020, 03:04:15 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 17, 2020, 02:53:02 PM
I think my damn sciatica is back. :(

NO!! Sorry to hear that! I hope it's not back or that whatever is back or is new is very, very temporary.

Quote from: mamselle on November 17, 2020, 02:56:33 PM

Ouch!

Sleeping surfaces? Chairs or car seats too soft? Belt or other constraining clothing doing a number on the muscles near the back?

Or just a couple of vertebrae having a tug of war?

No fun when it happens. I can usually exercise mine away, but it's indeed worrisome.

I hope it resolves quickly

M.

Thanks all. I think it has something to do with me thinking I'm all better and stubbornly doing a Webex marathon at my desk- in the hard chair. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 18, 2020, 10:29:00 AM
Didn't occur to me until now my post might have come across as directed at apl68 specifically when I didn't mean for it to be.

Quote from: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
I didn't realize joint pains and muscle spasms were a part of your situation.

Do you have problems with subluxation?

There are some differential diagnoses for which that is an indicator.

M.

Spasms aren't that new for me, but this level of joint pain is. I'm not really clear on the meaning of subluxation.

Right now it's the nausea that's hurting me most; have lost over ten pounds in about a week; argued with SO last night about going to the ER when a really bad bout had me struggling to catch my breath and crying from the pain; was struggling to hold down even a few sips of water. SO wanted to take me to hospital so I could at least get hydrated and enough nutrition to prevent crashing any harder. I begged him not to because I couldn't handle the contemptuous attitude I might get if the medical personnel decided I was wasting their time with insignificant problems. Too many experiences of being dismissed without getting help, with a heap of humiliation to top off the pain of whatever motivated me to ask for help in the first place.

Probably being short-sighted and irrational about this; not feeling much better today so may end up having to go in for medical help anyway
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 18, 2020, 10:42:19 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 18, 2020, 10:29:00 AM
Spasms aren't that new for me, but this level of joint pain is. I'm not really clear on the meaning of subluxation.

Right now it's the nausea that's hurting me most; have lost over ten pounds in about a week; argued with SO last night about going to the ER when a really bad bout had me struggling to catch my breath and crying from the pain; was struggling to hold down even a few sips of water. SO wanted to take me to hospital so I could at least get hydrated and enough nutrition to prevent crashing any harder. I begged him not to because I couldn't handle the contemptuous attitude I might get if the medical personnel decided I was wasting their time with insignificant problems. Too many experiences of being dismissed without getting help, with a heap of humiliation to top off the pain of whatever motivated me to ask for help in the first place.

Probably being short-sighted and irrational about this; not feeling much better today so may end up having to go in for medical help anyway

I'm no MD, but have you had your sodium levels checked? Symptoms of low blood sodium include:
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.
Confusion.
Loss of energy, drowsiness and fatigue.
Restlessness and irritability.
Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps.
Seizures.

AND, SSRIs and some other medications can cause low sodium.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on November 18, 2020, 10:55:08 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 18, 2020, 10:29:00 AM
Didn't occur to me until now my post might have come across as directed at apl68 specifically when I didn't mean for it to be.

Quote from: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
I didn't realize joint pains and muscle spasms were a part of your situation.

Do you have problems with subluxation?

There are some differential diagnoses for which that is an indicator.

M.

Spasms aren't that new for me, but this level of joint pain is. I'm not really clear on the meaning of subluxation.

Right now it's the nausea that's hurting me most; have lost over ten pounds in about a week; argued with SO last night about going to the ER when a really bad bout had me struggling to catch my breath and crying from the pain; was struggling to hold down even a few sips of water. SO wanted to take me to hospital so I could at least get hydrated and enough nutrition to prevent crashing any harder. I begged him not to because I couldn't handle the contemptuous attitude I might get if the medical personnel decided I was wasting their time with insignificant problems. Too many experiences of being dismissed without getting help, with a heap of humiliation to top off the pain of whatever motivated me to ask for help in the first place.

Probably being short-sighted and irrational about this; not feeling much better today so may end up having to go in for medical help anyway

Smallcleanrat, you need to seek medical care.  That much weight loss in a week is alarming, so is the dehydration.  If you can, see if there is a walk-in clinic open rather than and ER.  Otherwise you might spend hours waiting to be seen.  Or go to the ER during the middle of the day - do not wait until the evening or you'll again have a really long wait.
You'll have to answer a bunch of repetitive questions (medications? symptoms? etc), but that's mostly so they can rule a bunch of stuff out (pregnancy, food poisoning, the flu, norovirus, COVID, appendicitis) .  Tell them upfront about your medications and your severe anxiety.  Tell them you are worried and you were feeling so severely terrible that you had to come in.  Don't try to hide or dismiss how serious this is.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 18, 2020, 12:47:38 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on November 18, 2020, 10:55:08 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 18, 2020, 10:29:00 AM
Didn't occur to me until now my post might have come across as directed at apl68 specifically when I didn't mean for it to be.

Quote from: mamselle on November 16, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
I didn't realize joint pains and muscle spasms were a part of your situation.

Do you have problems with subluxation?

There are some differential diagnoses for which that is an indicator.

M.

Spasms aren't that new for me, but this level of joint pain is. I'm not really clear on the meaning of subluxation.

Right now it's the nausea that's hurting me most; have lost over ten pounds in about a week; argued with SO last night about going to the ER when a really bad bout had me struggling to catch my breath and crying from the pain; was struggling to hold down even a few sips of water. SO wanted to take me to hospital so I could at least get hydrated and enough nutrition to prevent crashing any harder. I begged him not to because I couldn't handle the contemptuous attitude I might get if the medical personnel decided I was wasting their time with insignificant problems. Too many experiences of being dismissed without getting help, with a heap of humiliation to top off the pain of whatever motivated me to ask for help in the first place.

Probably being short-sighted and irrational about this; not feeling much better today so may end up having to go in for medical help anyway

Smallcleanrat, you need to seek medical care.  That much weight loss in a week is alarming, so is the dehydration.  If you can, see if there is a walk-in clinic open rather than and ER.  Otherwise you might spend hours waiting to be seen.  Or go to the ER during the middle of the day - do not wait until the evening or you'll again have a really long wait.
You'll have to answer a bunch of repetitive questions (medications? symptoms? etc), but that's mostly so they can rule a bunch of stuff out (pregnancy, food poisoning, the flu, norovirus, COVID, appendicitis) .  Tell them upfront about your medications and your severe anxiety.  Tell them you are worried and you were feeling so severely terrible that you had to come in.  Don't try to hide or dismiss how serious this is.

Yes!  Nausea that severe needs to be checked out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 18, 2020, 01:35:29 PM
If you think I'm going to download the PDF, print it out, sign it, scan it, and email to the registrar for every student who wants to withdraw, you have another think coming.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 18, 2020, 05:02:43 PM
Time for a double shot.

When a Dean sends an email saying, regarding the next couple of weeks:

Apparently there are different versions of the academic calendar.

the question becomes: will the wheels fall off before then end of the semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 19, 2020, 07:45:29 AM
This morning I had to let a service technician into a utility room with a door lock that sometimes gives trouble.  It was especially bad today.  As part of my effort to get it open, I tried lubricating the lock.  Now my hands smell like WD-40.  Not an unpleasant smell, but not exactly what a library director is supposed to smell like.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 19, 2020, 11:05:37 AM
Re:  sciatica and joint pain:

I went in Monday for a meds follow-up/checkup with my internist (and a sinus infection, which I've had for awhile but put off since I knew I'd be going in soon anyway).  We were talking as I was on the exam table and he was listening to my lungs and heart. Just as he was saying, "So how are the SI joints doing?"--but before he actually got it out--he touched those areas on each side in my lower back, and I nearly flew off the table.  It hurt SO bad, and he felt so bad about it.  I actually felt sorry for the guy.  But damn, that hurt!  They've been giving me fits for a month now, even worse than usual (likely because of the wild swings in the weather).

Evil_Physics_Witchcraft, I feel for you.  The only thing I found that even remotely helped with my bouts of sciatica was sleeping stretched out in a recliner, rather than trying to lie in bed.  (And I spent several months doing that.)  It didn't take it away, but it was the only way I could get a few hours of sleep here and there.  I also had Vicodin, but it just too some of the edge off or made me sleep; it didn't really stop the pain.  Sending good thoughts your way.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 19, 2020, 11:15:17 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on November 19, 2020, 11:05:37 AM
Re:  sciatica and joint pain:

I went in Monday for a meds follow-up/checkup with my internist (and a sinus infection, which I've had for awhile but put off since I knew I'd be going in soon anyway).  We were talking as I was on the exam table and he was listening to my lungs and heart. Just as he was saying, "So how are the SI joints doing?"--but before he actually got it out--he touched those areas on each side in my lower back, and I nearly flew off the table.  It hurt SO bad, and he felt so bad about it.  I actually felt sorry for the guy.  But damn, that hurt!  They've been giving me fits for a month now, even worse than usual (likely because of the wild swings in the weather).

Evil_Physics_Witchcraft, I feel for you.  The only thing I found that even remotely helped with my bouts of sciatica was sleeping stretched out in a recliner, rather than trying to lie in bed.  (And I spent several months doing that.)  It didn't take it away, but it was the only way I could get a few hours of sleep here and there.  I also had Vicodin, but it just too some of the edge off or made me sleep; it didn't really stop the pain.  Sending good thoughts your way.

Thanks AmLitHist. I hope you get some relief as well. My pain has been intermittent lately. I think I tore my piriformis muscle last month and it just aggravated everything.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 19, 2020, 12:29:26 PM
I have had my own bouts of back issues, including heavy doses of narcotics (the kind no one prescribes anymore).  Ive done physical therapy as well.  I found that the PT in the pool helped a lot.

for drugs, frankly 2 neproxin (allieve) worked almost (not quite but almost) as well as the smaller doses of hydrocodone.  The plus side is that you dont end up stupid with the allieve. 

Just my experience, if it is helpful.


Follow up on my last vent:
The admin in charge of appeals denied the appeal.  However, the student replied that she was shocked, but most disgusted by my reply (which outlined all of the dates that she had been sent the emails, and noted that some of those emails were initiated by her and that even from those dates, she had not initiated a reply in time to appeal. 

"Disgusted" she was. 

She violated the test policies (because she didnt understand them).  She ignored the emails (because she doesnt look at her university email)  which violates the syllabus for the course and the policy for the university.  She ignored the deadlines,  But she is Disgusted by my reply pointing out that she had to know about the situation from her own replies. and that as she had missed the many deadlines, that I objected to her appeal. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 19, 2020, 12:42:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 19, 2020, 11:15:17 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on November 19, 2020, 11:05:37 AM
Re:  sciatica and joint pain:

I went in Monday for a meds follow-up/checkup with my internist (and a sinus infection, which I've had for awhile but put off since I knew I'd be going in soon anyway).  We were talking as I was on the exam table and he was listening to my lungs and heart. Just as he was saying, "So how are the SI joints doing?"--but before he actually got it out--he touched those areas on each side in my lower back, and I nearly flew off the table.  It hurt SO bad, and he felt so bad about it.  I actually felt sorry for the guy.  But damn, that hurt!  They've been giving me fits for a month now, even worse than usual (likely because of the wild swings in the weather).

Evil_Physics_Witchcraft, I feel for you.  The only thing I found that even remotely helped with my bouts of sciatica was sleeping stretched out in a recliner, rather than trying to lie in bed.  (And I spent several months doing that.)  It didn't take it away, but it was the only way I could get a few hours of sleep here and there.  I also had Vicodin, but it just too some of the edge off or made me sleep; it didn't really stop the pain.  Sending good thoughts your way.

Thanks AmLitHist. I hope you get some relief as well. My pain has been intermittent lately. I think I tore my piriformis muscle last month and it just aggravated everything.

Wish you both well in getting past this.  And apologizing for the rather trivial "vent" above.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 19, 2020, 02:18:36 PM
I'm thinking someone--might have been Octo--had a face-down massage table to sleep in for back pain.

Might or might not work or be possible, but it's another option to consider.

I sort of remember it worked so well at home that she considered getting one for the office as well, somehow.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 19, 2020, 02:44:24 PM
Quote from: apl68 on November 19, 2020, 12:42:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 19, 2020, 11:15:17 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on November 19, 2020, 11:05:37 AM
Re:  sciatica and joint pain:

I went in Monday for a meds follow-up/checkup with my internist (and a sinus infection, which I've had for awhile but put off since I knew I'd be going in soon anyway).  We were talking as I was on the exam table and he was listening to my lungs and heart. Just as he was saying, "So how are the SI joints doing?"--but before he actually got it out--he touched those areas on each side in my lower back, and I nearly flew off the table.  It hurt SO bad, and he felt so bad about it.  I actually felt sorry for the guy.  But damn, that hurt!  They've been giving me fits for a month now, even worse than usual (likely because of the wild swings in the weather).

Evil_Physics_Witchcraft, I feel for you.  The only thing I found that even remotely helped with my bouts of sciatica was sleeping stretched out in a recliner, rather than trying to lie in bed.  (And I spent several months doing that.)  It didn't take it away, but it was the only way I could get a few hours of sleep here and there.  I also had Vicodin, but it just too some of the edge off or made me sleep; it didn't really stop the pain.  Sending good thoughts your way.

Thanks AmLitHist. I hope you get some relief as well. My pain has been intermittent lately. I think I tore my piriformis muscle last month and it just aggravated everything.

Wish you both well in getting past this.  And apologizing for the rather trivial "vent" above.

"Trivial" vents can accumulate and feed into non-trivial stress, so sometimes there's value in venting them anyway.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 19, 2020, 04:28:46 PM
FFS, deer have antlers, not horns. That velvet's full of blood vessels. How many times do we have to go over this?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 19, 2020, 05:33:06 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 19, 2020, 02:44:24 PM
Quote from: apl68 on November 19, 2020, 12:42:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 19, 2020, 11:15:17 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on November 19, 2020, 11:05:37 AM
Re:  sciatica and joint pain:

I went in Monday for a meds follow-up/checkup with my internist (and a sinus infection, which I've had for awhile but put off since I knew I'd be going in soon anyway).  We were talking as I was on the exam table and he was listening to my lungs and heart. Just as he was saying, "So how are the SI joints doing?"--but before he actually got it out--he touched those areas on each side in my lower back, and I nearly flew off the table.  It hurt SO bad, and he felt so bad about it.  I actually felt sorry for the guy.  But damn, that hurt!  They've been giving me fits for a month now, even worse than usual (likely because of the wild swings in the weather).

Evil_Physics_Witchcraft, I feel for you.  The only thing I found that even remotely helped with my bouts of sciatica was sleeping stretched out in a recliner, rather than trying to lie in bed.  (And I spent several months doing that.)  It didn't take it away, but it was the only way I could get a few hours of sleep here and there.  I also had Vicodin, but it just too some of the edge off or made me sleep; it didn't really stop the pain.  Sending good thoughts your way.

Thanks AmLitHist. I hope you get some relief as well. My pain has been intermittent lately. I think I tore my piriformis muscle last month and it just aggravated everything.

Wish you both well in getting past this.  And apologizing for the rather trivial "vent" above.

"Trivial" vents can accumulate and feed into non-trivial stress, so sometimes there's value in venting them anyway.

Good point. Don't bottle it up! This is the Venting Thread! :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 19, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
Lab tests from urgent care visit listed a few abnormalities, but results didn't include doctor's interpretation. I guess this means contacting my PCP to see if I need to follow up on this. I know abnormal results don't always indicate a problem, but if the PCP uses this reason not to investigate further it will be pretty frustrating. I've never had this particular pattern of results before, so I would really like an explanation.

I feel exhausted in advance, anticipating the talk with the PCP; I'll need to stay focused to prevent him from just brushing me off.

At least they ruled out COVID.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 20, 2020, 08:09:17 PM
Unrelated.

Why the hell is it that when one body part starts to feel better, another one starts to hurt? This is getting old. Put some bionics in my body and be done with it!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 21, 2020, 08:30:15 AM
Thanks for the good wishes, all, but really, I'm fine--well, as fine as it's going to get.  I've been told the SI joints are a lost cause:  PT just makes things (WAY) worse, even after working through the initial pain that's common in PT; surgery isn't an option, as typically the relief lasts maybe a year at most, then the problem (arthritis) comes back even worse later; and pain meds don't do much, so I only use them in a real pinch, and that at bedtime.

Clean, I agree about Aleve:  it's as good as/better than hydrocodone, especially for inflammatory problems (e.g. arthritis). I'm on it as a maintenance med (2 in the morning, 2 at night) with the ability to layer in Tylenol as needed.  ALHS was on Aleve (naproxen) way back in the 80s/90s, when it was still prescription only.  I worry about what it's doing to my kidneys, along with my diabetes; he ended up in Stage 4 renal failure a few years ago from all the NSAIDS over the years, though he came back after getting off most of them.

My internist and orthopedist have told me that pain management is going to be in my future, but at 59, and having seen my elderly mom go through that for her final 10 years, I'm fighting it as long as I can.  I'm in the "mind over matter" mode now:  I have significant pain every day, all day, but I'm learning to treat it as a baseline and just live with it. 

I read a really good GQ article (https://www.gq.com/story/george-clooney-icon-of-the-year-2020) this week:  it interviewed George Clooney, and he talked about his various serious injuries and about how he's learned to do something similar about the pain.  It really encouraged me, and some of the rest here might find it interesting as well.

As for venting:  again, vent away, y'all!  And don't worry about me--I'm fine (except when stupid admins, etc. get in my way)! 

And Clean:  if you've capital-D Disgusted a student, I think you've done your job. Good for you!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on November 23, 2020, 01:21:54 PM
Unrelated.

Did no one ever tell you that statistics is NOT an appropriate pre-requisite for calculus?

Who the hell taught you how to advise?  FFS!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on November 23, 2020, 01:24:19 PM
Quite the other way around, I should think.  Stand fast!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 28, 2020, 05:29:28 PM
Nothing big, but still:

IT broke all the links on the faculty page yesterday, and they haven't been fixed yet. Those are the links for Moodle, email, waitlist management, grade reporting, Zoom, etc. I have a workaround for some of those, but seriously.

In other IT news: I have a colleague (in her late seventies) who's contemplating retirement (she's already teaching a quarter-load), but who's been told by IT that when she retires she will lose her university email address. She would rather not retire (and move up to a half-load) than lose the email address. She's contacted the Dean, HR, the faculty senate... everyone else seems to think that she should be able to keep the email (obvs.). But IT insists it's impossible, and refuses to explain why.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on November 28, 2020, 07:52:55 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 28, 2020, 05:29:28 PM
She's contacted the Dean, HR, the faculty senate... everyone else seems to think that she should be able to keep the email (obvs.). But IT insists it's impossible, and refuses to explain why.

Wow, IT runs the place, hey?  More power than even the university president?  Why?  Situation sounds ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 28, 2020, 08:03:33 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on November 28, 2020, 07:52:55 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 28, 2020, 05:29:28 PM
She's contacted the Dean, HR, the faculty senate... everyone else seems to think that she should be able to keep the email (obvs.). But IT insists it's impossible, and refuses to explain why.

Wow, IT runs the place, hey?  More power than even the university president?  Why?  Situation sounds ridiculous.

That particular situation seems really weird and rinkydink to me. Sure, faculty who leave should surrender their email. But when they retire? It can hardly use up much server space, and the institution still benefits from their maintaining their contacts and stuff. And from having an easy way to reach out to them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 02, 2020, 03:04:52 PM
Went to the grocery store today for 35 minutes (from roughly 3 to 335).  In that short time I saw NINE people without masks! 

The store HAS a mask policy! 

I emailed the corporate office, but got a 'non reply' that essentially said that 'we have a policy but dont enforce it'. 


I was so tempted to just dump my cart in the aisle and walk out, but by the time the count got up there, I was heading out the door already. 

I hate that the store is profiting from this!  HOW?  Well, they do offer home delivery and curb service, but in addition to charging a minimum $5 fee, they charge higher prices for things bought... up to 10% higher! 
They limit your choices too.  Half of the vegetable offerings are organic, whether you want organic or not!!  (You dont get the choice of organic, it is all that is on the site for about 1/2 of the produce). 

Then the final blow is that the shoppers are overloaded with a ton of orders to get fast, so they dont 'shop' they just grab and go.  Bananas bruised?  Someone has to get them!!  'beacon' just fat? Hell, they didnt even look to see, just that the box had the correct UPC !

bastards!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 02, 2020, 03:32:13 PM
Quote from: clean on December 02, 2020, 03:04:52 PM
Went to the grocery store today for 35 minutes (from roughly 3 to 335).  In that short time I saw NINE people without masks! 

The store HAS a mask policy! 

I emailed the corporate office, but got a 'non reply' that essentially said that 'we have a policy but dont enforce it'. 


I was so tempted to just dump my cart in the aisle and walk out, but by the time the count got up there, I was heading out the door already. 

I hate that the store is profiting from this!  HOW?  Well, they do offer home delivery and curb service, but in addition to charging a minimum $5 fee, they charge higher prices for things bought... up to 10% higher! 
They limit your choices too.  Half of the vegetable offerings are organic, whether you want organic or not!!  (You dont get the choice of organic, it is all that is on the site for about 1/2 of the produce). 

Then the final blow is that the shoppers are overloaded with a ton of orders to get fast, so they dont 'shop' they just grab and go.  Bananas bruised?  Someone has to get them!!  'beacon' just fat? Hell, they didnt even look to see, just that the box had the correct UPC !

bastards!! Yesss!!!

The woman behind me, standing very close, kept complaining that there was only one line (the store is practicing safe distancing). When I asked her to step back, she launched into a tirade of how the virus didn't bother her, whereupon the person behind her told her in no uncertain terms that she needed to keep her distance so that she wouldn't be infecting others. Complainer moved, but still kept complaining about how she wasn't standing close to me. Other lady in line reminded her that she was indeed standing too close hence the request that she step back.

The store is in a bright orange zone, with the infection rates around 5% and steadily rising.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 02, 2020, 07:43:58 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 02, 2020, 03:32:13 PM
Quote from: clean on December 02, 2020, 03:04:52 PM
Went to the grocery store today for 35 minutes (from roughly 3 to 335).  In that short time I saw NINE people without masks! 

The store HAS a mask policy! 

I emailed the corporate office, but got a 'non reply' that essentially said that 'we have a policy but dont enforce it'. 


I was so tempted to just dump my cart in the aisle and walk out, but by the time the count got up there, I was heading out the door already. 

I hate that the store is profiting from this!  HOW?  Well, they do offer home delivery and curb service, but in addition to charging a minimum $5 fee, they charge higher prices for things bought... up to 10% higher! 
They limit your choices too.  Half of the vegetable offerings are organic, whether you want organic or not!!  (You dont get the choice of organic, it is all that is on the site for about 1/2 of the produce). 

Then the final blow is that the shoppers are overloaded with a ton of orders to get fast, so they dont 'shop' they just grab and go.  Bananas bruised?  Someone has to get them!!  'beacon' just fat? Hell, they didnt even look to see, just that the box had the correct UPC !

bastards!! Yesss!!!

The woman behind me, standing very close, kept complaining that there was only one line (the store is practicing safe distancing). When I asked her to step back, she launched into a tirade of how the virus didn't bother her, whereupon the person behind her told her in no uncertain terms that she needed to keep her distance so that she wouldn't be infecting others. Complainer moved, but still kept complaining about how she wasn't standing close to me. Other lady in line reminded her that she was indeed standing too close hence the request that she step back.

The store is in a bright orange zone, with the infection rates around 5% and steadily rising.

Our state had over 4,000 new documented cases today. People are deluding themselves when they say this virus is 'nothing.' Hospitals are overflowing, health workers are burnt out...

My own mother doesn't think it affects anyone unless they have underlying health issues. One of their friends almost died from it (he's younger than I am). He went into a coma and then came out of it.

No words.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nonsensical on December 03, 2020, 04:31:18 AM
Quote from: clean on December 02, 2020, 03:04:52 PM
They limit your choices too.  Half of the vegetable offerings are organic, whether you want organic or not!!  (You dont get the choice of organic, it is all that is on the site for about 1/2 of the produce).

Do you have a way to communicate with the shopper outside of putting things in your cart on the app? For instance, Instacart lets you leave notes about possible replacements, and I've sometimes put the organic version in my cart and then typed them a note asking for the non-organic version if one is available. Or if you have a way to text the shopper when they're out, perhaps that might work?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 03, 2020, 09:45:07 AM
QuoteDo you have a way to communicate with the shopper outside of putting things in your cart on the app?

Im not aware of such options.  Also, it is not an ap per se. It is the stores website. You log in online and go from there. 

the more time i have had to think about it, the less likely that I am going to visit them either online or in person. 

Yesterday I got word that a family member's husband died of Covid.  (It was my uncle's widow's second husband.  He was 67.  He was hospitalized with Covid and while in the hospital had 2 strokes.  He was taken off life support on Monday).  The funeral is on hold as my aunt has Covid as well. 

So I am especially galled that the reply claims that they are trying to protect their partners and customers with a mask policy but do not enforce it (do protect their partners from the assholes.... especially when they are paying a private security company to park their car at the front door.  Why arent THEY doing the mask enforcement?

Anyway, Im sure that they wont miss my business. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 04, 2020, 07:15:21 AM
Good News 1 - We are taking a survey of students to determine their preferences for Spring Classes.

Bad News - The Results came out today.  THREE FULL WEEKS after registration for the spring.  SIX FULL WEEKS after the Spring schedule was DUE.

Real helpful.  Thanks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 04, 2020, 02:36:07 PM
Quote from: FishProf on December 04, 2020, 07:15:21 AM
Good News 1 - We are taking a survey of students to determine their preferences for Spring Classes.

Bad News - The Results came out today.  THREE FULL WEEKS after registration for the spring.  SIX FULL WEEKS after the Spring schedule was DUE.

Real helpful.  Thanks.

What did they choose?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 05, 2020, 05:45:18 AM
Oh, a mix.

1/4 wanted remote only. 
1/4 wanted a mix. 
About a 1/3 wanted blended with a late start.
1/8 (ish) wanted f2f labs
1/2 would support hiflex.
Essentially no one wanted to cancel spring break (which we are 90% certain to do)

Of course, the questions were so poorly worded that no real meaning jumps out.  Enough fodder for all POVs to argue student support.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 05, 2020, 07:23:57 AM
Quote from: FishProf on December 05, 2020, 05:45:18 AM
Of course, the questions were so poorly worded that no real meaning jumps out.  Enough fodder for all POVs to argue student support.

More importantly,  like Admin here, they now have something shiny to wave around and say, "But, LOOK, we ASKED for faculty input! And see, they couldn't come to a consensus, so we're left to do what we wanted to do to begin with."

Right there with you, FishProf.  It gets old, fast.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nonsensical on December 07, 2020, 07:26:03 AM
Dear previously convenient retailer: If you make me jump through hoops to use your website, I will happily buy from elsewhere. That is in fact what I just did for my Christmas shopping.

Now that I've typed this out, it looks like something that could go on the "things I wish I could say" thread. But I did in fact say some version of this when calling said retailer to figure out their website, and I'm not sure if things that have actually been said qualify for that thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on December 07, 2020, 03:16:28 PM
I know the Postal Service has a bigger job this time of year than normal, but this started a while ago with our local delivery... mail that is several days to a week later than what is posted in the daily digest from Informed Delivery, when the mail is delivered, it can arrive anywhere from before 10 AM until after 8 PM, and leaving packages that don't fit in the mailbox in the recipient's driveway - not in any way, shape, or form acceptable. I've talked to my neighbors about it and we've all filled out the online forms, but have not received any response except the generic "thank you for your feedback" emails.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: kaysixteen on December 08, 2020, 05:40:16 PM
I just got a birthday card today.   My birthday was last Monday.   The postmark, from Mississippi, was 24 Nov.   I do not think this would be a result whereof Ben Franklin would have approved.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on December 08, 2020, 06:42:16 PM
Quote from: kaysixteen on December 08, 2020, 05:40:16 PM
I just got a birthday card today.   My birthday was last Monday.   The postmark, from Mississippi, was 24 Nov.   I do not think this would be a result whereof Ben Franklin would have approved.

My mother used to say late postal deliveries were a hint to call the sender.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 08, 2020, 06:59:48 PM
Quote from: kaysixteen on December 08, 2020, 05:40:16 PM
I just got a birthday card today.   My birthday was last Monday.   The postmark, from Mississippi, was 24 Nov.   I do not think this would be a result whereof Ben Franklin would have approved.

Sorry the card took so long to reach you, but a belated happy birthday to you, K16!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 08, 2020, 07:07:25 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on December 07, 2020, 03:16:28 PM
I know the Postal Service has a bigger job this time of year than normal, but this started a while ago with our local delivery... mail that is several days to a week later than what is posted in the daily digest from Informed Delivery, when the mail is delivered, it can arrive anywhere from before 10 AM until after 8 PM, and leaving packages that don't fit in the mailbox in the recipient's driveway - not in any way, shape, or form acceptable. I've talked to my neighbors about it and we've all filled out the online forms, but have not received any response except the generic "thank you for your feedback" emails.

Between all the nonsense generated by the woodpecker-in-chief in fomenting USPS delivery sabotage, I figure we're lucky to be getting things within the usual week to ten days it takes for mail from one part of the town to reach the other part.

I think I've probably mentioned before that it's sent by train to a sorting facility in the middle of the state, then returned, sorted, to the town it was originally sent from. (Our delivery person told me this so I trust it's true.) We're now seeing things sent from several states away taking three weeks; I log in donations for the non-profit whose director I assist, and we've had one held up since late October that's still not here.

One came in yesterday that was sent on the 22nd of November...so, let's see, hmmm....16 days, with the holiday, that's not too bad.

M.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 08, 2020, 07:24:11 PM
Quote from: mamselle on December 08, 2020, 07:07:25 PM
We're now seeing things sent from several states away taking three weeks; I log in donations for the non-profit whose director I assist, and we've had one held up since late October that's still not here.

One came in yesterday that was sent on the 22nd of November...so, let's see, hmmm....16 days, with the holiday, that's not too bad.

M.

This makes me feel a little better because I have a special package pending, sent from someone a few states away.  Tracking appears stuck:  it's been listed as "in transit to a sorting facility" for almost a week now.  I'm feeling sad for the sender and for me.  Your post gives me hope that the package may arrive one day this year.  Thanks, mamselle.

Since I was very young, I've loved the USPS.  In recent years, it's been breaking my heart.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on December 09, 2020, 05:53:04 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 08, 2020, 07:07:25 PM
I think I've probably mentioned before that it's sent by train to a sorting facility in the middle of the state, then returned, sorted, to the town it was originally sent from. (Our delivery person told me this so I trust it's true.) We're now seeing things sent from several states away taking three weeks; I log in donations for the non-profit whose director I assist, and we've had one held up since late October that's still not here.

Ours used to be sorted locally, but now it's sent to a larger city 100 or so miles away. I've watched stuff, via tracking, just sit in that other city for several days before either coming here or going on its merry way. That, all things considered, I can sort of understand, and maybe even the variation in pickup and delivery times on any given day, but leaving packages in driveways? Nope. Completely not acceptable, not only could they be stolen, the could be run over (I personally ran over one of my packages - thankfully it was squishy clothing and well packaged so no damage occurred) but now that it's snowy, to not have packages under cover could ruin them, but that's more a specific employee problem, than a systemic problem. Whoops, I'm getting annoyed again ;)

I've had family who worked for the Postal Service and was always a fan, would choose them over other methods of sending things, so I do hope they get this fixed soon and get back to better service for their customers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 09, 2020, 06:20:23 AM
Maybe after Jan.20th.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on December 09, 2020, 08:12:05 AM
I ordered something online from Target early last week. It was $2 less than the amount needed for free shipping, so I added a small bag of cashews to save the $9 shipping charge. Target sent the two items separately (so I doubt the extra purchase really benefited them). The first, larger item, came by one of the big carriers (UPS?) and arrived Monday. The cashews are coming by USPS, who says they were delivered Monday (they were not). I don't think it is worth the hassle of calling, since I still paid less than shipping, but I was looking forward to my better-than-free snack. Sigh.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 09, 2020, 04:37:18 PM
I.  "My friend got an A, but I only got a B.  But I did all of these (non graded) things and she didnt! And I studied so much harder.  It is not fair that I only got a B".

Reply, "AS you have no grades that were As, what grade did you expect to earn?  I agree that it is unfair that some have better genes/gifts from nature/God that allow them to get better grades than those that must work harder"

II.  "I scored better on the tests than my friend, but I got an F and he got a D.  What did you do for him that you wont do for me?"

Reply, I can not discuss the grades of others, but you did not do ANY of the homework (worth 10% of your grade) and you did not do any of the work that would have earned bonus points. Perhaps your friend took advantage of the items you did not"


I. was resolved with a WebEx meeting going over every problem on the final.
II. might be resolved after no fewer than 6 emails reiterating that " I will not discuss your friend's grade with you. Ask your friend. I have done everything that I can do for you to help you overcome your poor choice NOT to do an entire semesters' assignment, but in the end, as your own calculations concur, your grade is still an F."

For II I even alerted the chair of the brewing storm. 

What do you want from me?  (A passing Grade). 
You missed 4 of 6 in person class meetings (and quizzes).  You missed 90% of the homework grade because you decided it was a poor use of your time.  You didnt take advantage of the bonus points.  You allowed your text subscription to end 2 weeks into the class. You didnt alert me of an issue, but NOW because your Friend did the work and earned the bonus points by doing more work, YOU 'deserve' a passing grade to because your exam grade was higher?  Pu-Leeze!!


But Merry Christmas to All! 

Im sure that others are also dealing with the last minute pleas.  Why, oh why do I hear more from lost students AFTER the grades are posted than in the total 15 weeks before? 


FINAL vent of the day:

Day 1:  "Examity reports a violation of the test protocols. Please explain the situation."..... crickets
Day 3:  (emails to university email and all gmail accounts listed by student).  "Please check your university email and reply to my inquiry".... Crickets
Day 6:  File Academic Misconduct report.  No reply
Day 8:  After email follow-up from Academic Misconduct folks, a reply! 

HAD the student just replied, no report would have been filed.  By ignoring the situation, the student now has a written reprimand recorded.  Should anyone else complete a report before student graduates, there is a much better likelihood that the student will take a semester hiatus
Why do students think that  ignoring the situation improve things? 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 09, 2020, 05:03:23 PM
^

Wish I could tell you. If anyone figures it out, let us all know, please.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 11, 2020, 09:19:20 AM
I came here to vent about mail deliveries as well. Mail was pretty consistent throughout 2020, but the last two weeks have been weird. I get that it's the holidays. And I know that I'm one of the very few people who get Netflix discs instead of stream. But what used to take two days now takes 10? And the Netflix distribution center is quite close! I've had a disc in the mailbox since tuesday -- little red flag is up and everything -- and no mail was picked up or delivered on Wed or Thurs.

Fedex and UPS have been mostly reliable. I kickstart a lot of board games, and the parcels are tracked accurately. But when those logistic services use USPS for final delivery, I really have to wait. At least one item was "transferred to the Post Office" on 12/1, and it's yet to be delivered.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 11, 2020, 10:42:28 AM
ALHS is waiting for eyeglasses from Zenni ordered on Black Friday. USPS Daily Digest has shown "Delivering Today" since Wednesday, and the mail just went--still no glasses.

I seem to be what the Old Folks in the family used to call "down in the back":  nonspecific general aches and discomfort, with the occasional twinge when I move wrong (and the "move wrong" seems to move from one position to another so it's always a surprise).  It's nothing major and not really worth a vent.  That would take too much energy, and I'm already exhausted, with many a paper to grade before I'm finally done next week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 11, 2020, 10:43:59 AM
QuoteAt least one item was "transferred to the Post Office" on 12/1, and it's yet to be delivered.

Yes, that sucks!! What is the point of paying for delivery To The Post Office!!!  Add 3 days minimum to the travel time!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 11, 2020, 06:20:03 PM
They're probably still re-assembling all the sorter machines that were removed and/or sabotaged over the summer to slow down delivery so the mail-in votes would skew in a certain direction...

(Truth.)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 11, 2020, 07:32:26 PM
This is posted in red on the USPS tracking page.

"ALERT: USPS IS EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED PACKAGE INCREASES AND LIMITED EMPLOYEE AVAILABILITY DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND REMAIN COMMITTED TO DELIVERING THE HOLIDAYS TO YOU."

I am sure things are tough.  Wishing USPS employees good health.

The "Priority Mail" package I'm awaiting is on Day 9 of its journey.  It made it out of the sorting facility and has now departed the distribution center.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on December 14, 2020, 02:43:57 PM
OMG, that was just the most stressful online exam experience--- in the middle of our exam today, all the students' exams suddenly timed out, with the LMS showing that they had been going for an hour when they had only been going for half an hour, and showing an end time half an hour in the future! I was supervising the team of TAs proctoring each section so was fielding a gazzilian frantic messages from them all at once. I scrambled to allow a second attempt building on the first -- same thing happened, requiring allowing a third attempt. Eventually we got through it but it was not a fun process.

I was simultaneously emailing with the tech team and they did find and fix the problem just at the end ("a system-wide time stamp error" was all they told me-- I'd really like to know more.) The TAs are great troopers though and we had lots of jokes about temporal anomaly fields and time travel going back and forth. I just sent a course announcement thanking them for their patience and letting them know the problem was system wide and not something we could anticipate or prevent ourselves, but I still expect some complaints, even though we made sure they ultimately got all the time that was due them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 14, 2020, 04:10:13 PM
There was a note in my AM newsreel (EST) that Google and other systems were suddenly hit with a system failure earlier in the AM.

I wonder if that could have made some calendar somewhere re-set itself, confusing your time-stamp setup?

Just a thought...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on December 14, 2020, 04:22:13 PM
Quote from: mamselle on December 14, 2020, 04:10:13 PM
There was a note in my AM newsreel (EST) that Google and other systems were suddenly hit with a system failure earlier in the AM.

I wonder if that could have made some calendar somewhere re-set itself, confusing your time-stamp setup?

Just a thought...

M.

Good thought but nope, problems turned out to be a server failure that was just so unlucky as to have happened in the middle of our exam, causing the LMS to lose time synching.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 15, 2020, 09:59:04 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 11, 2020, 07:32:26 PM
The "Priority Mail" package I'm awaiting is on Day 9 of its journey.  It made it out of the sorting facility and has now departed the distribution center.

Package update, Day 13:  "Label Created, not yet in system."  : - |

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dinomom on December 15, 2020, 06:48:35 PM
Just found this thread, wish I had seen it before!

I need to vent because:
(a) my department chair schedules meetings without consulting anyone about the time and then when you ask for clarification they just change the time the night before the meeting
(b) my department chair violated policies for reappointments currently in process in my department
(c) the provost is unlikely to do anything because said department chair threatens to sue the institution when things don't go their way

I'm working on getting (b) resolved but don't have high hopes
there are just no rules at my institution.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 15, 2020, 07:13:18 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 15, 2020, 09:59:04 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 11, 2020, 07:32:26 PM
The "Priority Mail" package I'm awaiting is on Day 9 of its journey.  It made it out of the sorting facility and has now departed the distribution center.

Package update, Day 13:  "Label Created, not yet in system."  : - |

My latest package vent: shipment from Amazon seems to be traipsing between Dallas and Arlington, and then back to Dallas in a never-ending loop. I hope the package has left Dallas for good and is on its way to me. I couldn't make this up, however hard I tried.

Day 1, Saturday, December 12
Package has shipped
11:22 AM arrived at a carrier facility Dallas, TX US

Day 2, Sunday, December 13
12:22 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Arlington, TX US

Day 3, Monday, December 14
1:29 PM Package has left the carrier facility Arlington, TX US
2:08 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Dallas, TX US
5:14 Package has left the carrier facility Dallas, TX US

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on December 15, 2020, 11:59:03 PM
Wow!

Unrelated and from an Aussie perspective, admittedly very different from the US:

3 Covid cases in Sydney today! After weeks of no community transmission in Australia.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 16, 2020, 06:20:35 AM
Quote from: science.expat on December 15, 2020, 11:59:03 PM
Wow!

Unrelated and from an Aussie perspective, admittedly very different from the US:

3 Covid cases in Sydney today! After weeks of no community transmission in Australia.

I guess an island is a good place to be in a pandemic.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on December 16, 2020, 06:25:06 AM
Listening to a regional advisory group with lots of academics. Does no one have the ability to be succinct? Gah!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 16, 2020, 06:27:16 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 16, 2020, 06:20:35 AM
Quote from: science.expat on December 15, 2020, 11:59:03 PM
Wow!

Unrelated and from an Aussie perspective, admittedly very different from the US:

3 Covid cases in Sydney today! After weeks of no community transmission in Australia.

I guess an island is a good place to be in a pandemic.

Except for the thoroughly incompetent, who crash, uninvited, and then think they gamed the system.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/world/europe/jet-ski-isle-of-man-dale-mclaughlan.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 17, 2020, 10:35:10 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 15, 2020, 07:13:18 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 15, 2020, 09:59:04 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 11, 2020, 07:32:26 PM
The "Priority Mail" package I'm awaiting is on Day 9 of its journey.  It made it out of the sorting facility and has now departed the distribution center.

Package update, Day 13:  "Label Created, not yet in system."  : - |

My latest package vent: shipment from Amazon seems to be traipsing between Dallas and Arlington, and then back to Dallas in a never-ending loop. I hope the package has left Dallas for good and is on its way to me. I couldn't make this up, however hard I tried.

Day 1, Saturday, December 12
Package has shipped
11:22 AM arrived at a carrier facility Dallas, TX US

Day 2, Sunday, December 13
12:22 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Arlington, TX US

Day 3, Monday, December 14
1:29 PM Package has left the carrier facility Arlington, TX US
2:08 PM Package arrived at a carrier facility Dallas, TX US
5:14 Package has left the carrier facility Dallas, TX US

Package received in good shape.  Part of the bar code had a black mark on it, probably why final tracking didn't work.  I still love USPS.  I know they're working extremely hard under impossible conditions.

Hope your package made it out if its Arlington-Dallas loop, Langue_ doc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 17, 2020, 10:56:27 AM
Cheerful, glad to hear that your package made it in good shape. Mine seems to have traveled across several states, most likely by air. It's scheduled to get here by tomorrow, so I'm not too worried about it.

I do agree that the post office workers have to put up with impossible conditions and little or no support from the administration.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 07:04:33 PM
Unrelated.

I'm so frustrated that I started crying, just to let off steam. My doctors aren't getting back to me and I've been in mild, but disconcerting pain for the past three weeks. What the hell?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 17, 2020, 07:09:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 07:04:33 PM
Unrelated.

I'm so frustrated that I started crying, just to let off steam. My doctors aren't getting back to me and I've been in mild, but disconcerting pain for the past three weeks. What the hell?

Sorry e_p_w, hope you can de-stress.  Try to get distracted.  Things will work out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 08:16:11 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 17, 2020, 07:09:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 07:04:33 PM
Unrelated.

I'm so frustrated that I started crying, just to let off steam. My doctors aren't getting back to me and I've been in mild, but disconcerting pain for the past three weeks. What the hell?

Sorry e_p_w, hope you can de-stress.  Try to get distracted.  Things will work out.

Thanks Cheerful. That's my current plan. I'm already working on my classes for next semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 18, 2020, 08:06:19 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 08:16:11 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 17, 2020, 07:09:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 17, 2020, 07:04:33 PM
Unrelated.

I'm so frustrated that I started crying, just to let off steam. My doctors aren't getting back to me and I've been in mild, but disconcerting pain for the past three weeks. What the hell?

Sorry e_p_w, hope you can de-stress.  Try to get distracted.  Things will work out.

Thanks Cheerful. That's my current plan. I'm already working on my classes for next semester.

I hope your doctors get back to you and the pain goes away! That sounds awful and frustrating.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 18, 2020, 10:56:20 AM
Our fantastically expensive and energy-intensive automatic HVAC control system is supposed to fine-tune each area of the building to stay within tolerances.  It has never in the 16 years I've been here worked very well.  We're cold in the winter, and cold (due to excessive cooling) in the summer.  This winter it has been worse than ever.  I've been trying to tweak the settings to improve things, and have found that the system won't let me do anything.  What's the point of having an expensive control system if you can't control anything?  We've got a technician looking into it now to try to figure out what's going on.

I could just about shoot the architect who sold the library this system, were he not already dead.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 18, 2020, 11:25:15 AM
In Florida this week.  I yelled at a 'tween' today.  I am visiting my parents this week and went to Walmart for some food. I was glad to see people wearing masks in the parking lot, and I was glad to see the sign saying that masks were required.  HOwever, they are NOT required!  I saw at least a dozen without masks.  As i was checking out, a  maskless family came behind me.  The 10/12 year old could not wait to see what was on the shelf beside me in the check out line and tried to squeeze by my basket to look.  I said,"Back up!  You dont have to wear a mask, but you dont get to stand by me!"  Then his mamma spoke up with "We are behind you"  and added "PEOPLE".  I replied "Yea, PEOPLE!" 

Then I went to a Publix, thinking that the situation would be better.  It Wasnt!  Even at Publix!!  Their lunch counter section had no less than 6 maskless folks waiting to order sandwiches. 

I left thinking a few things:
1.  I wont leave the house for the rest of my visit.
2.  Sometimes you just want to Root for the Covid Virus!!  (and to quote Ebenezer-which I saw last night-) "and decrease the surplus population"

Idiots.  And if it ends up that I am part of the surplus population, then so be it!  At least I will 'be in a better place'! 


While Fauci is cancelling his Christmas with his family, We have scaled back markedly.  My new bride and I are here in Florida with my parents now.  My brother and his wife and daughter will be here Sunday through Wednesday morning.  The other usual visitors are staying away this year. 

Frankly, as my bride's family seem to go out more often than My parents, I thought that it would be safer here in Florida, and as we are probably all staying home until we plan to leave in 10 days.  Perhaps I am wrong as I thought that Publix and Walmart were holding firm on the mask restrictions, but clearly they are not!   

"PEOPLE!!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 19, 2020, 06:12:42 AM
Unlike others on this thread, I haven't been having a problem with packages getting lost or badly delayed.  However, when I left for work this morning I found an inconspicuous little package tucked under a corner of my garage.  It was for the neighbors across the street.  How long has it been there?  I don't think it was there yesterday morning.  But it is possible that it has been sitting there overlooked for a couple of days.  Anyway, I'm getting it to the proper address now.  At least it's still in time for Christmas, if that's what it was about.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 19, 2020, 08:37:03 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 19, 2020, 06:12:42 AM
Unlike others on this thread, I haven't been having a problem with packages getting lost or badly delayed.  However, when I left for work this morning I found an inconspicuous little package tucked under a corner of my garage.  It was for the neighbors across the street.  How long has it been there?  I don't think it was there yesterday morning.  But it is possible that it has been sitting there overlooked for a couple of days.  Anyway, I'm getting it to the proper address now.  At least it's still in time for Christmas, if that's what it was about.

We had something like that happen last week! It was so strange.  Husband went down to the local mart briefly on Saturday morning to pick some stuff up that we had ordered.  When he was driving back up the drive, he saw two packages way down at the end of our driveway, tucked away in some rocks (to keep them from blowing away, I guess, because they were the padded envelope type of packages).  He went back down to take a look at them, and they were for someone we didn't know in our neighborhood.  He contacted them through our neighborhood watch email list and took care of it, but we don't know when the packages  arrived or why they were left down there.  I guess neighbor had been going nuts trying to figure out what had happened to them.  We always get deliveries right to our door, which is good, because we can't see down to the end of our driveway without intentionally going down there.  Plus, the packages were right by where our house number is, so they were clearly not for us.  I guess that delivery person was lazy.  Or, maybe they got delivered to another neighbor, and that neighbor did not take too much time to figure out where they should go.  Our trash gets picked up on Thursday, and they weren't there then, but it was pretty rainy and windy in between then and Saturday, so I'm glad they eventually got where they needed to go.  If he hadn't done the rare store trip, I guess they might have been there for almost another week or made their way elsewhere.  But, at least I guess we got to meet (somewhat) a neighbor and exchange contact info.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 23, 2020, 09:14:55 AM
Local post office, I know that it's not your fault, but today is the 23rd, two days before Christmas, and the only stamps you have are ones that say "Drug Free USA" in giant letters. Nothing like this slogan to convey Christmas cheer and New Year's wishes, especially this year. http://www.stampnewsnow.com/images/USPS-Stamps/US-Stamps-2020/20-Drug-Free-Stamp-B.jpg

WTF, post office??!! I had to affix these monstrosities on my Christmas cards. I have much nicer ones at home but didn't have a choice as the cards were already late. At the very least, I thought you'd have some decent, neutral ones, in case you had run out of the holiday-themed ones.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 27, 2020, 02:04:46 PM
The damn kitchen faucet decided to 'break' today. It could be as simple as a bad washer/O-ring, but we're not sure yet. Just a giant pain in the ass along with everything else.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 27, 2020, 02:53:14 PM
drove to florida for Christmas with my parents.  I think that it was safer here than at home.  My bride visits her parents most days and her parents wont stay home.  My parents Do stay home, so we havent left the house much.

Getting ready to head back home.  my electric seats move, but not far, so it is not something easy like a fuse.  (Probably some paper got stuck in the motor or runner or something).  But the seat wont move up enough for her to drive.  Not that I particularly want her to drive, but now that option seems to be off the table. 

I suppose that I will be spending a chunk of money at the start of the year to get this adjusted if she is going to be able to use the car. 

I am considering paying the electronic subscription fee for a chiltons manual to see if it is something that I can attempt myself. IF it is trash messing up the gears/runners/drive bolt, It may be worth a shot. HOwever, I already know that you need to be able to get the seat to a certain postion to even access the bolts holding it down!  Im not hopeful that I will be fortunate enough to be able to do that!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on December 27, 2020, 03:02:45 PM
Talking about driving: When did all the a$$hole drivers trade in their BMW's for ginormous pick-up trucks?

Did I miss a memo?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 28, 2020, 07:44:18 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 27, 2020, 02:04:46 PM
The damn kitchen faucet decided to 'break' today. It could be as simple as a bad washer/O-ring, but we're not sure yet. Just a giant pain in the ass along with everything else.

I just had to replace the bathtub faucet.  There was no access panel in back of the fixture, so they had to cut a hole in the tile wall from in front.  Currently I have a gaping hole in the wall at the front of the bathtub.  I've had to hang a towel over it to keep out the drafts.  I need to have a slab of something appropriate cut to fill in the hole, but with the holidays I haven't had a chance to have that done yet.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 28, 2020, 08:47:23 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 28, 2020, 07:44:18 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 27, 2020, 02:04:46 PM
The damn kitchen faucet decided to 'break' today. It could be as simple as a bad washer/O-ring, but we're not sure yet. Just a giant pain in the ass along with everything else.

I just had to replace the bathtub faucet.  There was no access panel in back of the fixture, so they had to cut a hole in the tile wall from in front.  Currently I have a gaping hole in the wall at the front of the bathtub.  I've had to hang a towel over it to keep out the drafts.  I need to have a slab of something appropriate cut to fill in the hole, but with the holidays I haven't had a chance to have that done yet.

Stack of books...

   ;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on December 28, 2020, 12:37:40 PM
Received an Amazon gift card through my work email account, which was then automatically applied to my work Amazon account! They won't shift it to my personal account which is going to mean some strange conversations with our purchasing people. Or I could just choose to buy boring things that are sort of work-related to not raise too many eyebrows.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 28, 2020, 02:56:15 PM
That was mean!!

Find some reaalllyy good stuff that looks work-related and use it for that!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on December 28, 2020, 03:48:35 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on December 28, 2020, 12:37:40 PM
Received an Amazon gift card through my work email account, which was then automatically applied to my work Amazon account! They won't shift it to my personal account which is going to mean some strange conversations with our purchasing people. Or I could just choose to buy boring things that are sort of work-related to not raise too many eyebrows.

If you have a university-sponsored Amazon account, you need to contact your purchasing office about how to handle the gift card. University sponsored accounts may be subject to internal audits, balance tracking, statement checking, etc. Any time there's something odd with a university account, it's wise to email and ask about how to handle the oddity so you have documentation that you sought advice.

It's possible that Amazon wouldn't transfer because you were asking for transfer from a business to personal account. The business account manager in purchasing may be able to help.

Some time ago, Internal Audit at my university selected EmployeeA's Amazon account for review, reviewed one month of transactions, spotted a gift card purchase, and expanded their review. A single gift card transaction probably would have rated a simple corrective action memo, but EmployeeA had done several thousand dollars of gift card transactions on university account. The university fired EmployeeA for misusing account and reported the transactions to state revenue office as required under the regulations governing tax exempt state agencies. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 28, 2020, 04:13:27 PM
I retract my suggestion. Apologies.

I didn't realize the tax status might be an issue.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 AM
No, MrsFishProf I am not "On Vacation".  Yes, I am not teaching classes at the moment, but I am still prepping classes, finishing grades, running a department, managing budgets, arranging internships, doing my own research etc. etc.

YOU (MFP) are on vacation b/c the nature of, and you approach to, your job is such that teaching = work and not teaching = vacation.  After 12 years together, I would expect you to get this....

And colleagues, you are not on vacation either, nor is the university closed until Feb 1.  Take that autoreply down or face the wrath of the Dean.  You have been warned.

On the other hand, Students - it is the week between Xmas and NewYearDay. NO, I won't zoom with you to discuss your grade.  If you cannot figure out why you didn't pass the class when you DID.NOT.TAKE.THE.FINAL. then no amount of zooming will help you.  Try back next week.

And KNEES!  I can't seriously entertain renewing my workouts or running when sitting makes you so stiff I can't straighten you or walk for 10 minutes.  Knock it off!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on December 29, 2020, 08:14:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 AM
No, MrsFishProf I am not "On Vacation". 
[...]
And colleagues, you are not on vacation either....You have been warned.

All work and no relaxation with some full days completely away from all work isn't good.  Work will always be there.  The best days of your life and family will not.  Just sayin'.  All the best to you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: vanty4366 on December 30, 2020, 10:07:46 AM
Something similar happened to me recently. Department chair doesn't know what 12/23 and 12/30 mean and still sends you work to do. Btw, I'm a student assistant. It's like she's afraid I might get bored on vacation and right before my break she assigns tasks. Who would do that??

Quote from: FishProf on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 AM
No, MrsFishProf I am not "On Vacation".  Yes, I am not teaching classes at the moment, but I am still prepping classes, finishing grades, running a department, managing budgets, arranging internships, doing my own research etc. etc.

YOU (MFP) are on vacation b/c the nature of, and you approach to, your job is such that teaching = work and not teaching = vacation.  After 12 years together, I would expect you to get this....

And colleagues, you are not on vacation either, nor is the university closed until Feb 1.  Take that autoreply down or face the wrath of the Dean.  You have been warned.

On the other hand, Students - it is the week between Xmas and NewYearDay. NO, I won't zoom with you to discuss your grade.  If you cannot figure out why you didn't pass the class when you DID.NOT.TAKE.THE.FINAL. then no amount of zooming will help you.  Try back next week.

And KNEES!  I can't seriously entertain renewing my workouts or running when sitting makes you so stiff I can't straighten you or walk for 10 minutes.  Knock it off!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 30, 2020, 11:09:50 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on December 29, 2020, 08:14:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 AM
No, MrsFishProf I am not "On Vacation". 
[...]
And colleagues, you are not on vacation either....You have been warned.

All work and no relaxation with some full days completely away from all work isn't good.  Work will always be there.  The best days of your life and family will not.  Just sayin'.  All the best to you.

Fine.  Of course.  Don't put it in your autoreply.

Also, taking the week from Xmas-NYD =/= taking until Feb 1st.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 30, 2020, 11:13:24 AM
Could it be a type for Jan 1st?

(Or is this someone who actually believes what they wrote to begin with...?)

Still, commiserations.

As I've noted elsewhere, I'm typing a transcription of the most awful meeting ever, complete with calm, weird meltdowns, completely contradictory claims in successive sentences, etc.

My eyes want to cross behind my head.

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 30, 2020, 11:17:36 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 30, 2020, 11:13:24 AM
Could it be a type for Jan 1st?

(Or is this someone who actually believes what they wrote to begin with...?)

Not a Typo - that is the delayed start date for the Spring.  And yes, I'm sure many of my colleagues really truly believe it.  They are wrong. 

These same folks don't have a final exam in the Spring so "summer vacation" starts on May 1 and they don't do a thing until Sept1.  They are on contract 1Sept-31May.

There was quite the hue and cry when some of them came back to discover that several MAJOR policies were passed (by quite narrow margins) at the meetings in May they didn't bother to attend.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 30, 2020, 04:00:30 PM
QuoteThere was quite the hue and cry when some of them came back to discover that several MAJOR policies were passed (by quite narrow margins) at the meetings in May they didn't bother to attend.

Oooppssss...!

In more cheerful venting, I fear I may have unleashed a small demon on the world.

Who know my six-year-old piano student would get so excited about diminutions, improvisation, AND using the (free, downloadable music app) MuseScore to notate them all?

It's getting truly scary.

He doesn't quite have perfect pitch, but pretty good relative pitch, his rhythm is very decent, and his two older siblings actually set pretty good examples (and are proving infinitely patient in answering all his questions about the software, thank goodness).

Balancing between the up-ramping game to keep him alert and growing and the need to keep it playful and appropriate for a six-year-old is a great problem to have, but I'm really going to have to think about this more specifically than I've ever had to before.

The sibs are teaching Python and Advanced Python to their peers (for pay....at that age, I was babysitting) and taking advanced trig and calculus privately, so it's a family thing, and they're all very cheerful and light-hearted about it all, so I think they'll be able to take it in stride, but, still...

I was talking to his mom about something after their lessons and he burst into the room with the software already downloaded, one new piece in progress, and wanting to know how to start another new file because he had a different composition in mind.

I feel like I'm holding onto the string of a very strong kite: I don't want to let go, but I need to give it as much freedom as possible so it can enjoy the wind.

Speaking of venting...(sorry).

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 01, 2021, 01:50:42 PM
Looks like I'll be spending the first money of 2021 today. What we thought was just a hose replacement under the sink appears to be a broken shut off valve. Yay. So, we're now waiting for someone to stop by and hopefully fix it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 01, 2021, 03:09:29 PM
Oh, no.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 01, 2021, 04:35:28 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 01, 2021, 03:09:29 PM
Oh, no.

M.

Actually, we got somewhat of a deal. We were pretty sure the faucet was broken and the plumber confirmed it. He said he'd fix the valve for free and install a new faucet for a couple hundred bucks. Not too bad.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on January 02, 2021, 12:47:17 PM
My niece, who has used her wedding invitation as a vehicle to crowdsource her honeymoon (which they skipped, banking the money) and who has not been in contact with me for years, just sent me an invitation to her baby shower, many states away — an overt request for a gift. So I sent a onesie from a local museum, which at least means a book will be donated to a community in need.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 04, 2021, 07:58:04 AM
I'm being distracted at work today by a terrible ear ache.  My ears are very sensitive to changes in the weather.  Wild temperature swings of the sort that have come to be the norm here all winter long really do a number on them.  Now my head is hurting, and that is making me grit my teeth and pop my jaw.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 04, 2021, 08:22:38 AM
Ear wax can prevent tiny bits of water from draining and cause pressure buildups (I get this sometimes).

First aid: A bit of rubbing alcohol on a tissue, rubbed on the surface not far at all into the ear (to prevent injury to the tiny bones inside) may help evaporate any water that's gotten in from showering, swimming, etc. There are also "swimmer's ear" drops, that are also basically rubbing alcohol, in most drugstores.

Beyond First Aid: If the pain is serious, sharp or persistent there could be an infection behind the wax, which requires medical intervention for removal and an antibiotic to resolve the infection itself.

Of course, if you get this a lot, you probably know all this...

Hope it feels better soon!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 04, 2021, 08:39:17 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 04, 2021, 08:22:38 AM
Ear wax can prevent tiny bits of water from draining and cause pressure buildups (I get this sometimes).

First aid: A bit of rubbing alcohol on a tissue, rubbed on the surface not far at all into the ear (to prevent injury to the tiny bones inside) may help evaporate any water that's gotten in from showering, swimming, etc. There are also "swimmer's ear" drops, that are also basically rubbing alcohol, in most drugstores.

Beyond First Aid: If the pain is serious, sharp or persistent there could be an infection behind the wax, which requires medical intervention for removal and an antibiotic to resolve the infection itself.

Of course, if you get this a lot, you probably know all this...

Hope it feels better soon!

M.

Thank you.

Yes, I do know this.  I had my ears cleaned by the doctor some months ago.  What I have at the moment is showing the hallmarks of a seasonal problem I've had for years.  It normally goes away in a day or two.  If it doesn't, then I go to the doctor.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 11:31:40 AM
Our financial and accounting software at work has failed to open.  That's a serious problem, because today is the day each week that I do payroll and bill paying. 

I've been online with the company's representatives trying to get the situation resolved.  Still no fix.  I'm currently waiting for a third rep, who is supposed to be a "Second Tier" support expert, to call.

In 16 years I've never failed to get the payroll out on time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 06, 2021, 11:38:16 AM
Dear co-worker,
I need your signature on [a thing].  You are not answering your emails.  You apparently don't check your campus phone messages or your on campus mail box.  I wish we were on campus so I could find you in your office and get you to sign the damn piece of paper.  Yes, I know you're busy.  I'm busy.  We are all busy.  Don't make me look up your address and start sending you snail mail at home.
Grumble.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 06, 2021, 12:55:12 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 11:31:40 AM
Our financial and accounting software at work has failed to open.  That's a serious problem, because today is the day each week that I do payroll and bill paying. 

I've been online with the company's representatives trying to get the situation resolved.  Still no fix.  I'm currently waiting for a third rep, who is supposed to be a "Second Tier" support expert, to call.

In 16 years I've never failed to get the payroll out on time.

I dealt with this once by doing all the computations in Excel and getting the treasurer to hand-write the checks, then back-filing all the debits once the system was back up (with approval, of course--but the overriding issue was that people needed to be paid, so the oversight person was OK with it).

That may not be possible in your situation, of course, but it, or something like it, might be an option if there aren't more than, say, twenty checks and the tax withholding stuff isn't too complex (I estimated based on the previous week and adjusted a couple by a few pennies the next week, again with permission).

Your bank officer might be able to suggest a work-around as well.

But it's no fun, I agree....!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
The promised third rep--the "Second Tier" help--has yet to get back to us.  I don't know what else to do except to contact the help center again and start all over again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 06, 2021, 01:24:19 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
The promised third rep--the "Second Tier" help--has yet to get back to us.  I don't know what else to do except to contact the help center again and start all over again.

Oh dear! My sympathies. I hope things get resolved and people get paid on time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 02:28:55 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on January 06, 2021, 01:24:19 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 06, 2021, 01:21:23 PM
The promised third rep--the "Second Tier" help--has yet to get back to us.  I don't know what else to do except to contact the help center again and start all over again.

Oh dear! My sympathies. I hope things get resolved and people get paid on time.

It's already too late for that.  Looks like I'll have to find an alternate way of cutting checks tomorrow, in between efforts to get hold of somebody who's actually in charge at the service vendor.

I've shown a great deal of patience during all this, but it looks like I'm going to have to to into squeaky wheel complaint mode to get anything done. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 06, 2021, 05:02:54 PM
A year ago, I ordered some books from Palgrave-MacMillan because they were having a big sale. I entered my credit card number, etc., and a few weeks later got the books in the mail.

Today I got a letter from what looks like a collection agency telling me I owe Springer $144.  I thought at first it was fraudulent, but now I'm wondering...


I went back to my credit card statements for the time, and all I can find from Springer is a charge for $28, which makes it all weirder. I do have a copy of the original invoice which, upon closer inspection, seems to indicate that $0.00 was prepaid and I owe them $115. That's weird, because the whole point of providing them with a credit card number is that they then charge it, rather than not.

But it's especially weird because they charged me $28. And I've subsequently ordered other books from Palgrave, and as far as I can tell they charged me then and there, and not through Springer (although I can find no trace of charges on my credit card either, so...). So I'm just really, really confused about what happened here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 09:54:41 AM
Still no service on our software.  After about another hour of piddling around with a third representative in chat this morning, I received a promise that a Tier 2 service rep will call "within the day."  Since I have no idea when that will be, I can't leave to go to lunch or take care of business.  I could well be here until closing time, waiting for a call that may--as happened yesterday--not even come.  On what was supposed to be my short day.  I need these short days, given that I come in six days a week.

I can't even really accomplish much at work, since I'm afraid to get into doing anything that I might have trouble dropping at a moment's notice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2021, 11:25:00 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 09:54:41 AM
Still no service on our software.  After about another hour of piddling around with a third representative in chat this morning, I received a promise that a Tier 2 service rep will call "within the day."  Since I have no idea when that will be, I can't leave to go to lunch or take care of business.  I could well be here until closing time, waiting for a call that may--as happened yesterday--not even come.  On what was supposed to be my short day.  I need these short days, given that I come in six days a week.

I can't even really accomplish much at work, since I'm afraid to get into doing anything that I might have trouble dropping at a moment's notice.

Strong sympathy and high respect for your conscientious attitude towards your co-workers.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 11:48:14 AM
Our VP of the Board of Trustees, a retired accountant who is our go-to person for financial matters, came in and got the copy of the software that he uses on his machine when developing the budget.  He was able to get into it.  We used my latest data backup, and I was able to cut the payroll and the most urgent other checks.  He also brought me a package of peanut butter and crackers, which I'm now having for lunch.

Won't be a long-term solution, but at least now I can send a staff member to the Mayor's office to get the checks signed so that I can distribute.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2021, 02:48:53 PM
Love the PB and crackers!

Glad it's resolved! Yea!!

I think I told this on on the Old Forum:

I worked AP at a nearby hospital, once, and we used to pay all the ER docs by voucher because their hours were so irregular. That raft of PVs went to my desk, often handed in at odd times--under my door at 2 AM when they rotated off, for example, etc.

Many of them were newly qualified MDs with huge bills to pay. Someone would come by the next day to pick them up as soon as they were run to distribute to their colleagues rather than wait for the interoffice mail we sent other such checks, like reimbursements, in. They needed those checks ASAP.

I woke once at 3 AM out of a dead sleep, sat up in bed, and said clearly and loudly, "I forgot to pay Dr. So-and-so!"

Went in early to the office at 7 AM and made it just in time to get the check into the next run.

Good times.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 03:52:06 PM
Unfortunately it's NOT resolved (Although everybody's very glad to have their checks.  Mine isn't doing me any good so far, since I've been unable to deposit it.  One of several things I'd intended to do this afternoon, on what was supposed to be my short day).  We don't know how long the backup software I'm using will remain viable, and it's very awkward to use that workstation.

I've now been in building for almost nine hours straight.  Haven't set foot outside once.  The promised support center call hasn't taken place, and I doubt it'll come through in the next half hour until closing. 

Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2021, 05:21:54 PM
Is it something like PeachTree or QuickBooks?

They can be a bear.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 08, 2021, 06:13:50 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 03:52:06 PM
Unfortunately it's NOT resolved (Although everybody's very glad to have their checks.  Mine isn't doing me any good so far, since I've been unable to deposit it.  One of several things I'd intended to do this afternoon, on what was supposed to be my short day).  We don't know how long the backup software I'm using will remain viable, and it's very awkward to use that workstation.

I've now been in building for almost nine hours straight.  Haven't set foot outside once.  The promised support center call hasn't taken place, and I doubt it'll come through in the next half hour until closing. 

Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow.

Time to throw a hissy fit. Higher-ups do sit up and take notice especially if you've shown that you've done everything you can to fix the problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 09, 2021, 07:22:51 AM
Yesterday I got our IT contractor working on the problem to see if it was something we could handle from our end.  Which I had already come to suspect, but would like to have had some insight from the software vendor's support people to give the IT man to go on.  IT says he can fix it.  I'll check back with him on Monday.

Meanwhile, I've gotten an e-mail from the vendor saying that we should have our own IT handle the problem.  The e-mail said that they tried to contact us three times on Thursday, but it kept going to voice mail.

We do not have voice mail.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 09, 2021, 07:54:15 AM
The vendor either didn't call or called the wrong number. You could report the vendor to a state agency such as the AG's office.

I was reminded of a towing company claiming that they couldn't reach me and therefore had to cancel the appointment scheduled by my insurance company. It turned out that they had written down the wrong phone number. The insurance company rescheduled the tow, only for a second no-show. This time some (expletive) lady from the insurance company told me to leave the key in the car so that it could be towed and kept overnight in the towing company's possession as it was too late in the day for the car to be towed to the shop. I told the rep that there was no way in hεll that I would leave the car unlocked and that there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be additional damage or loss as a result of such a/an (expletive) idea. Finally, after the third no-show, I had to arrange for the car to be towed. This company had such bad reviews that the insurance company shouldn't have used them in the first place. Fortunately they are not being used anymore as I had a very professional tow truck driver tow my car a few months ago for bodywork (fender bender).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on January 09, 2021, 11:56:22 AM
My class schedule has changed three times in the last three weeks. Factors include classes being cancelled for low enrollment, grad students pulling out of their assigned classes, instructors who desire to change their delivery method (online to hybrid or vice versa), and administrators who change delivery methods of particular classes. This has been a poopstorm for our department scheduler, and I don't fault her. But I've gone from "you're teaching this new class three times a week" to "you're teaching that class once a week" to "I know you just finished setting up your class, but now you're teaching something else. It's a twice-a-week class, but you'll be teaching half the class a time -- make sure to double up your assignments."

And just now I've received an automated message from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness saying that I haven't uploaded my syllabus for a class. Well, I'm not officially the instructor of record for that class yet, so I don't have access to the online syllabus system yet.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on January 10, 2021, 04:18:51 AM
I really dislike purveyors of audio fiction who don't provide an easy way to download .mp3s of whatever you've bought. Case in point: Serial Box. I love their serials, and buy them with real money, but in order to download them onto my .mp3 player, I must either use their app---difficult, since I don't have a smartphone---or else go to the page source of each episode, search for '.mp3' in the source code, extract the url of the audio file from the page source code, and then download it that way. I mean, I do it, but since I've already bought and paid for the audio files, why can't I just have them?

On the other hand, when I borrow audio books from the library through Overdrive, I get the raw .mp3s with no difficulty, and can save them and transfer them with no problems, and keep them well after the loan period expires. That also seems wrong.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 10, 2021, 11:35:54 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on January 09, 2021, 11:56:22 AM
My class schedule has changed three times in the last three weeks. Factors include classes being cancelled for low enrollment, grad students pulling out of their assigned classes, instructors who desire to change their delivery method (online to hybrid or vice versa), and administrators who change delivery methods of particular classes. This has been a poopstorm for our department scheduler, and I don't fault her. But I've gone from "you're teaching this new class three times a week" to "you're teaching that class once a week" to "I know you just finished setting up your class, but now you're teaching something else. It's a twice-a-week class, but you'll be teaching half the class a time -- make sure to double up your assignments."

And just now I've received an automated message from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness saying that I haven't uploaded my syllabus for a class. Well, I'm not officially the instructor of record for that class yet, so I don't have access to the online syllabus system yet.
I'm waiting for the same kind of BS to be pulled on me this week (classes start a week from Tuesday).  If/when it does, I'm going to my union to throw a conniption fit on my behalf. 

Admin generally pulls this crap here on people who've taught all the classes in the department and in both online and F2F--"we know we can stick you anywhere."  Since there are fewer and fewer of us left, after the huge RIF of 4 years ago plus all the retirements/resignations, the chance of this happening to me is increasing.  But I'll be damned if I get rewarded for seniority and service with a bunch of last-minute changes.  Hire some damned faculty and leave me alone.  (I used to be a team player.  Not much at all, anymore. I look out for me, since nobody else will--"I stick my neck out for nobody," to quote Rick in Casablanca.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 10, 2021, 07:47:50 PM
Quote from: ergative on January 10, 2021, 04:18:51 AM
I really dislike purveyors of audio fiction who don't provide an easy way to download .mp3s of whatever you've bought.


Oh yeah, this drives me nuts! (But with podcasts.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 11, 2021, 04:59:44 AM
I'm sorry you are sick.  But we have a morning routine around here and you are disrupting it.  I can handle it; I do ever day of the week.  Stop "helping".  You are not.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 11, 2021, 09:53:50 AM
Our IT contractor has successfully fixed our accounting software update problem.  When our accountant comes in tomorrow to start on our W-2s, I'll see if she can fix the glitches on last week's payroll.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on January 12, 2021, 07:39:01 AM
My condo complex has a shared laundry room. Today was the third time in a row that a dryer failed to heat up/run long enough to dry my clothes. Adding insult to injury, the price for running a dryer doubled last month. I've called the maintenance team — again — and now have damp clothes spread all over my bedroom to dry. Grrrr!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on January 12, 2021, 08:57:03 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on January 12, 2021, 07:39:01 AM
My condo complex has a shared laundry room. Today was the third time in a row that a dryer failed to heat up/run long enough to dry my clothes. Adding insult to injury, the price for running a dryer doubled last month. I've called the maintenance team — again — and now have damp clothes spread all over my bedroom to dry. Grrrr!

That's awful.  If you're renting, you should get a reduction in rent for not having access to a working dryer for so long.  Doubling the price on a broken dryer is mean and wrong.  You and neighbors need to act collectively to demand working dryers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 12, 2021, 09:03:44 AM
Minor vent.

Why on Earth do people feel the need to reply all to an email with over 300 recipients? I've been getting these all day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 12, 2021, 10:14:21 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 12, 2021, 09:03:44 AM
Minor vent.

Why on Earth do people feel the need to reply all to an email with over 300 recipients? I've been getting these all day.

Same here.  Between that, and a zillion emails from Teams telling me about meetings that I have NO attachment to/reason to attend. 

I really dislike Teams.  So of course we're being forced to move to it.......I'm sticking with Collaborate for spring, even though it's not being supported.  (I don't love Collaborate, but better the devil I know at this late date.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on January 13, 2021, 01:09:19 PM
Not even really a rant... more like general whinging. Canvas decided it was going to have a technical error for a couple of hours today so nothing could be edited; received an email from a student who wants in a closed section of my in-person course and thinks he should be the exemption to the Covid class size limits; made the mistake of looking at last semester's evals and they were not very good in a class that is usually pretty well received, and most of the complaints were about things I couldn't control like limited in-person lab time (again, Covid); my dean sent out an email with new stuff that's required on our syllabi, so I had to redo those (classes haven't started yet, thankfully) and it took forever to reupload them because of the aforementioned Canvas error. Ugh. That's all. Back to your regularly scheduled venting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 14, 2021, 12:14:51 PM
Dear Dean
I am curious whether you really think it is useful to send out an email with 17 attachments for adjunct faculty to use and review. I can say that I won't be opening any of them. Maybe I will just email you if I have any questions.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on January 14, 2021, 01:22:08 PM
Dear Bookstore,
   Does ordering an extra 100 copies of our lab manual one week into the semester with rush overnight shipping mean that I was right all along about you not having enough for course enrollment?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on January 14, 2021, 01:32:26 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on January 14, 2021, 01:22:08 PM
Dear Bookstore,
   Does ordering an extra 100 copies of our lab manual one week into the semester with rush overnight shipping mean that I was right all along about you not having enough for course enrollment?

That's why I stopped using the bookstore years back, before I went to totally online lab manuals. By their policy for textbooks, they would only oder 85% of course enrollment due to the number of people who wouldn't buy the text normally. So the first labs were chaos with lots of students not having a manual.......
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on January 14, 2021, 01:44:28 PM

Well, it looks like I have just finally truly lost the game of Roulette that is adjuncting. All my classes have been cut for low enrollment or reassigned to a full-timer. I know how the game is played; this is far from the first time I've seen this. What's changed is that always before I've been offered replacement sections. Not this time. OnlyGameInTown CC is going through major retrenchments, and there were no more sections. My supervisor wants to rehire me, but cannot. Weeks of unpaid prep work down the drain. In fact, sixteen years of experience down the drain, because the institution really is the only game in town and I am geographically immobile. Not that adjunct work pays enough to be worth moving for anyway.

I am going to have to start a new career. My field is creative writing. Companies aren't exactly hiring poets, novelists, or other writers in droves. I don't even know what else I'm good for, if anything. I haven't done a real job search in sixteen years, either, much less during a pandemic and economic near-collapse. I hate job hunting and haven't needed to do it, until now. Career counseling is expensive. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience or ideas regarding whether it is worth it?


Larimar



Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 14, 2021, 01:55:11 PM
Sorry to hear about your classes being canceled at the last minute.

I have no insights on job searches or how one would go about finding writing jobs, but you could look into temp agencies that specialize in writing/editing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 14, 2021, 01:57:41 PM
Quote from: Larimar on January 14, 2021, 01:44:28 PM

Well, it looks like I have just finally truly lost the game of Roulette that is adjuncting. All my classes have been cut for low enrollment or reassigned to a full-timer. I know how the game is played; this is far from the first time I've seen this. What's changed is that always before I've been offered replacement sections. Not this time. OnlyGameInTown CC is going through major retrenchments, and there were no more sections. My supervisor wants to rehire me, but cannot. Weeks of unpaid prep work down the drain. In fact, sixteen years of experience down the drain, because the institution really is the only game in town and I am geographically immobile. Not that adjunct work pays enough to be worth moving for anyway.

I am going to have to start a new career. My field is creative writing. Companies aren't exactly hiring poets, novelists, or other writers in droves. I don't even know what else I'm good for, if anything. I haven't done a real job search in sixteen years, either, much less during a pandemic and economic near-collapse. I hate job hunting and haven't needed to do it, until now. Career counseling is expensive. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience or ideas regarding whether it is worth it?


Larimar

You could certainly find work right now as a private tutor.  Lots of students really need extra support, not just help writing, but also methods for staying organized.  With most folks entirely online, you don't even have to be in the same geographic area as potential students.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on January 14, 2021, 03:13:33 PM
Microwave-cum-vent-hood died in the middle of thawing frozen meat with which I had planned to cook chili. Looks like it shorted out internally -- the outlet still works and hasn't blown a fuse.

Not sure when/if we'll be able to find another model that fits and get it installed in a way that doesn't expose us to people outside our quarantine bubble, which consists solely of our household, and when they can go 2 weeks without sharing air-space with other people, my parents and my MIL.  Will have to figure out when we can avoid the kitchen for a while, which is not easy when we are cooking all meals at home and have a baby.  (Yes, we are more risk-averse than most.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 14, 2021, 03:28:00 PM
Quote from: namazu on January 14, 2021, 03:13:33 PM
Microwave-cum-vent-hood died in the middle of thawing frozen meat with which I had planned to cook chili. Looks like it shorted out internally -- the outlet still works and hasn't blown a fuse.

Not sure when/if we'll be able to find another model that fits and get it installed in a way that doesn't expose us to people outside our quarantine bubble, which consists solely of our household, and when they can go 2 weeks without sharing air-space with other people, my parents and my MIL.  Will have to figure out when we can avoid the kitchen for a while, which is not easy when we are cooking all meals at home and have a baby.  (Yes, we are more risk-averse than most.)tion,

Can you get an inexpensive counter-top model for the duration? Target, etc. probably have them and could deliver.

Or perhaps you're already doing that.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 14, 2021, 03:30:33 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on January 14, 2021, 01:57:41 PM
Quote from: Larimar on January 14, 2021, 01:44:28 PM

Well, it looks like I have just finally truly lost the game of Roulette that is adjuncting. All my classes have been cut for low enrollment or reassigned to a full-timer. I know how the game is played; this is far from the first time I've seen this. What's changed is that always before I've been offered replacement sections. Not this time. OnlyGameInTown CC is going through major retrenchments, and there were no more sections. My supervisor wants to rehire me, but cannot. Weeks of unpaid prep work down the drain. In fact, sixteen years of experience down the drain, because the institution really is the only game in town and I am geographically immobile. Not that adjunct work pays enough to be worth moving for anyway.

I am going to have to start a new career. My field is creative writing. Companies aren't exactly hiring poets, novelists, or other writers in droves. I don't even know what else I'm good for, if anything. I haven't done a real job search in sixteen years, either, much less during a pandemic and economic near-collapse. I hate job hunting and haven't needed to do it, until now. Career counseling is expensive. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience or ideas regarding whether it is worth it?


Larimar

You could certainly find work right now as a private tutor.  Lots of students really need extra support, not just help writing, but also methods for staying organized.  With most folks entirely online, you don't even have to be in the same geographic area as potential students.

With editing in my resume, I get a lot of listings via Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

I'll PM you with a few shortly...teaching in just a moment.

And yes, online homework help is big right now.

More later.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on January 14, 2021, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 14, 2021, 03:28:00 PM
Quote from: namazu on January 14, 2021, 03:13:33 PM
Microwave-cum-vent-hood died in the middle of thawing frozen meat with which I had planned to cook chili. Looks like it shorted out internally -- the outlet still works and hasn't blown a fuse.

Not sure when/if we'll be able to find another model that fits and get it installed in a way that doesn't expose us to people outside our quarantine bubble, which consists solely of our household, and when they can go 2 weeks without sharing air-space with other people, my parents and my MIL.  Will have to figure out when we can avoid the kitchen for a while, which is not easy when we are cooking all meals at home and have a baby.  (Yes, we are more risk-averse than most.)
Can you get an inexpensive counter-top model for the duration? Target, etc. probably have them and could deliver.
Or perhaps you're already doing that.
Yes, that's the plan for the immediate term. 

The vent hood over the stove will be a little trickier to replace.  It's not great barbecue weather here, either, but we'll certainly manage.  Having spent a good deal of time in S. Asia where many people have terribly-polluting indoor cookstoves (and also with colleagues who studied that very thing), I know that this is orders of magnitude less bad (but also that you don't want to breathe in byproducts of combustion when you can help it).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on January 15, 2021, 05:40:07 AM
Thank you for the replies and PM's. I appreciate it. You've given me some good ideas.


Namazu, I hope you are able to get your vent hood replaced quickly and safely.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 15, 2021, 08:05:43 AM
Quote from: Larimar on January 15, 2021, 05:40:07 AM

Namazu, I hope you are able to get your vent hood replaced quickly and safely.

Yes.

Incidentally, venting about a vent seems a doubly appropriate use of this thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 15, 2021, 08:50:04 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 15, 2021, 08:05:43 AM
Quote from: Larimar on January 15, 2021, 05:40:07 AM

Namazu, I hope you are able to get your vent hood replaced quickly and safely.

Yes.

Incidentally, venting about a vent seems a doubly appropriate use of this thread.


Ha!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on January 15, 2021, 11:06:01 AM
Being location-bound doesn't necessarily prevent you from adjuncting, particularly right now.  If you've been teaching online for covid, you could put feelers out nationwide for teaching online classes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on January 15, 2021, 06:24:19 PM
You have a good point, and yes, I had been teaching online. Thank you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 19, 2021, 04:21:03 PM
IT IS DEAD.

My hard drive has a short.  The Geeks were unable to salvage my files.  All may be lost.

SO BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER!!!


The kicker (in the ass) is that I DID buy a new external hard drive in November!  I have not even taken it out of the box!!

I am now living what I tell my students, "BUYING the study guide has never helped anyone.  USING the study guide might help!"   (It seems that my computer was not impressed by my PURCHASE of a back up drive!!)


I am exploring the options of buying the same model hard drive and swapping out the physical disk part of it... but I dont know if anyone is able to do surgery on a hard drive. (The geeks suggested that they COULD TRY to send it somewhere else for 'level 3' work that starts at $1000).

I dont think so!  But thanks for the offer!


SO BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER TODAY (or risk my fate!!) 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 19, 2021, 04:29:59 PM
The Geek Squad is not necessarily the best resource, if that's who you're referring to.

There are several online sites (I had one die for which it took 2 days to download everything, but it only cost 70.00).

And I also find it maddening that they can't seem to make them better. I'm suspecting intentionally planned obsolescence, really.

Mine is also making things difficult, and I was just this AM thinking I'd better order a new one and start downloading.

But I also have a large XHDD to save to, so I'll be backing up to that first.

Thanks for the reality check, though, really.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 11:22:04 AM
Clean, before abandoning hope check with your university IT support and see if they can help.   My hard drive is next to the computer.  Ahem.  I will use it today. thanks for the nudge.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.

Wow! That's a lot of info. Could you possibly talk your dean into putting the boilerplate online? I know some schools do that and all the instructors have to do is put a link in the syllabus. If I had seven pages of additional stuff to add to my syllabus I'd definitely be asking people up the food chain if we could put it somewhere online like the school website or an intranet.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 11:48:49 AM
Another vent vent of a different kind:  In an effort to avoid going to the store for more potting soil, I was sterilizing potting soil in my microwave.  I have done this successfully before, and added (I thought) plenty of water to the mix.  15 minutes later smelled something burning, and sure enough, 3 teeny twigs in the mix were smoldering.  A lot. Filled the downstairs with smoke.  Did not set off the smoke alarms, oddly—they are usually sensitive to even a hot oven.  Soaked the smoldering potting soil, scrubbed the microwave. Aired out the house for an hour.

Question:  when the furnace (forced air)  comes on the house smells like smoke all over again.  Assume the vents are a bit smoky.  Aside from replacing the furnace filter, which of course means a trip to store I was avoiding in the first place, what can I do?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 20, 2021, 12:09:53 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.

Wow! That's a lot of info. Could you possibly talk your dean into putting the boilerplate online? I know some schools do that and all the instructors have to do is put a link in the syllabus. If I had seven pages of additional stuff to add to my syllabus I'd definitely be asking people up the food chain if we could put it somewhere online like the school website or an intranet.

I don't really want to engage with the dean, based on past experience. This is a requirement made of all faculty, and probably comes from higher up than the dean. There is all sorts of info up online, though the website for the school isn't easy to navigate. Then there's the school intranet which is also confusing. I doubt that students are going to read the info wherever it appears.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 20, 2021, 12:12:36 PM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 12:09:53 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.

We occasionally get the same kind of crap. I don't put it in my main syllabus, but I post it with the Syllabus under Class and University Policies in our CMS.  I also break out Schedule of Topics as a separate PDF in that list.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 12:38:18 PM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 12:09:53 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.

Wow! That's a lot of info. Could you possibly talk your dean into putting the boilerplate online? I know some schools do that and all the instructors have to do is put a link in the syllabus. If I had seven pages of additional stuff to add to my syllabus I'd definitely be asking people up the food chain if we could put it somewhere online like the school website or an intranet.

I don't really want to engage with the dean, based on past experience. This is a requirement made of all faculty, and probably comes from higher up than the dean. There is all sorts of info up online, though the website for the school isn't easy to navigate. Then there's the school intranet which is also confusing. I doubt that students are going to read the info wherever it appears.

That's too bad. I guess sometimes it's just easier to copy and paste and get on with it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 20, 2021, 12:50:59 PM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 12:09:53 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on January 20, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: downer on January 20, 2021, 11:24:16 AM
A dean emailed a document with 7 pages of boilerplate to be included in the syllabus. This was cumulative from years of boilerplate, and I only had to add half a page to the syllabus. Sad for the students, sad for me, sad for the dean, for all of us to be so thoroughly enmeshed in a waste of time.

Wow! That's a lot of info. Could you possibly talk your dean into putting the boilerplate online? I know some schools do that and all the instructors have to do is put a link in the syllabus. If I had seven pages of additional stuff to add to my syllabus I'd definitely be asking people up the food chain if we could put it somewhere online like the school website or an intranet.

I don't really want to engage with the dean, based on past experience. This is a requirement made of all faculty, and probably comes from higher up than the dean. There is all sorts of info up online, though the website for the school isn't easy to navigate. Then there's the school intranet which is also confusing. I doubt that students are going to read the info wherever it appears.

What in the world is all that boilerplate about, anyway?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 20, 2021, 12:57:04 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 20, 2021, 12:50:59 PM

What in the world is all that boilerplate about, anyway?

I don't know -- I didn't look at it!

Well, I did a bit. Policies and information. Rubrics, of course.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 01:01:19 PM
Quote from: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 11:48:49 AM
Another vent vent of a different kind:  In an effort to avoid going to the store for more potting soil, I was sterilizing potting soil in my microwave.  I have done this successfully before, and added (I thought) plenty of water to the mix.  15 minutes later smelled something burning, and sure enough, 3 teeny twigs in the mix were smoldering.  A lot. Filled the downstairs with smoke.  Did not set off the smoke alarms, oddly—they are usually sensitive to even a hot oven.  Soaked the smoldering potting soil, scrubbed the microwave. Aired out the house for an hour.

Question:  when the furnace (forced air)  comes on the house smells like smoke all over again.  Assume the vents are a bit smoky.  Aside from replacing the furnace filter, which of course means a trip to store I was avoiding in the first place, what can I do?

Make Moroccan Orange Chicken to get rid of the smoky smell....seriously.

A small trashcan fire in a new apartment was quickly dispelled, but the stinging smell lingered all day--until a friend came over and cooked a birthday dinner for me that night, several years ago.

Smell gone, absorbed, taken up, gloriously replaced by the smell of the dinner cooking.  (I'm glad to PM you with the recipe if you like, too...!)

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on January 20, 2021, 01:08:04 PM
Quote from: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 11:48:49 AM
Question:  when the furnace (forced air)  comes on the house smells like smoke all over again.  Assume the vents are a bit smoky.  Aside from replacing the furnace filter, which of course means a trip to store I was avoiding in the first place, what can I do?
I've been ordering furnace filters online.  If you're in an area with reliable delivery, that might be an option.  Whether replacing the filter will be sufficient, I'm not sure; if there's accumulated dust/etc. in the ductwork, that could have absorbed some of the smoke and I'm not sure how much you can do about that, short of having the ducts cleaned (which would mean someone in your home, and also duct cleaning may actually mobilize more dust in your home than it removes).  If you have smoke-inhabited textiles (e.g. curtains) near any of your vents/registers, cleaning them (launder, if possible, else sprinkle with baking soda, let sit, and vacuum up later) might also help reduce the smell.  Good luck!

On review: Mamselle, I'd love that recipe!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 01:15:54 PM
OK, to keep thread topics clear, I'll go post it over on the dinner thread in just a moment!

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on January 20, 2021, 01:38:15 PM
Arrived on campus today for the first day of spring classes. Our building has electronic locks on all classroom doors. Apparently all the lock codes in the building were changed last week, except that the dept. secretary (also in charge of changing the locks) only sent the new codes to some people (not me, and not most of the other people with 8:00 a.m. classes). Fortunately, one colleague was able to get the code for my 8:00 class via text message from another colleague who actually had been sent (some of) the codes (which are different for every room).

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 04:14:53 PM
Ick! That happened to me once when I was teaching 8 AM French I.

I took them around the campus and did a vocabulary lesson a la Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society" since we couldn't find anyone else to let us in (not even the Security Office across the walkway was staffed until 9 AM...!)

Since the weather was nice, no-one complained.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 06:10:16 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 01:15:54 PM
OK, to keep thread topics clear, I'll go post it over on the dinner thread in just a moment!

;--}

M.

Thank you! It sounds wonderful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 06:13:30 PM
Quote from: namazu on January 20, 2021, 01:08:04 PM
Quote from: Harlow2 on January 20, 2021, 11:48:49 AM
Question:  when the furnace (forced air)  comes on the house smells like smoke all over again.  Assume the vents are a bit smoky.  Aside from replacing the furnace filter, which of course means a trip to store I was avoiding in the first place, what can I do?
I've been ordering furnace filters online.  If you're in an area with reliable delivery, that might be an option.  Whether replacing the filter will be sufficient, I'm not sure; if there's accumulated dust/etc. in the ductwork, that could have absorbed some of the smoke and I'm not sure how much you can do about that, short of having the ducts cleaned (which would mean someone in your home, and also duct cleaning may actually mobilize more dust in your home than it removes).  If you have smoke-inhabited textiles (e.g. curtains) near any of your vents/registers, cleaning them (launder, if possible, else sprinkle with baking soda, let sit, and vacuum up later) might also help reduce the smell.  Good luck!


Thanks.  Curtains right under the vent really did absorb the smell, and they are where I sit in the living room, so off to the washer they go. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on January 20, 2021, 06:22:14 PM
Sorry, wrong thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2021, 04:53:17 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 01:15:54 PM
OK, to keep thread topics clear, I'll go post it over on the dinner thread in just a moment!

;--}

M.

Ok, done.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 21, 2021, 07:22:59 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 20, 2021, 04:14:53 PM
Ick! That happened to me once when I was teaching 8 AM French I.

I took them around the campus and did a vocabulary lesson a la Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society" since we couldn't find anyone else to let us in (not even the Security Office across the walkway was staffed until 9 AM...!)

Since the weather was nice, no-one complained.

M.

At least you weren't in the same situation as the medical staff at a Texas hospital.  They were locked out only this week:


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-heights-hospital-houston-doctors-parking-lot-unpaid-rent/

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2021, 07:33:41 AM
Eek!

And you don't want to tangle with an unhappy MD in their natural habitat (or worse, locked out of it).

They're worse than grizzlies when angered ...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 21, 2021, 05:37:24 PM
Dammit! I just recorded a Kaltura video, my computer burped and now it's gone. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 21, 2021, 07:49:08 PM
Update! I found the video!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 21, 2021, 08:35:04 PM
My desktop kept blacking out with every click of the mouse. Aaarrrgh!!! The directions on how to fix black screens were rather cumbersome. Fortunately though, after restarting the computer three times, it seems to not black out --I can only hope that I didn't jinx myself.

Now I'm too scared to open Word because that's how the problem started--at least, that's how I think the problem started. Langue_doc, back up those documents in Dropbox and also on the laptop. And on the external hard drive. How difficult is that?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 22, 2021, 03:38:21 AM
Gaaah! I have to have a meeting with HR this morning because one of my supervisees (SV1) is unhappy with his office.  How did we get here?

1) Covid
2) My SVs sit in cubicles in an open air space frequented by students and Faculty.  This is troubling.
3) SV2 is moved (by her choice) to a more remote, but still open air space.
4) SV1 is offered a desk in a storage area with a closable door and essentially zero traffic and gladly accepts.
5) SV 3 and SV 4 stay where they are b/c there are now 1/2 as many people to contend with in their space.
6) Nothing
7) We go remote from TGiving to Feb 1
8) I get summoned to HR b/c SV1 is unhappy with the space he chose, and now I am called on the carpet for not treating him well.

I will point you to the numbered list above where he said anything to me or his direct supervisor about being unhappy with the space.  But don't waste your time looking, it isn't there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 22, 2021, 06:11:55 AM
Dear Provost

Thanks for the message saying that all employees are required to complete a COVID screening every day, even for those who never come to campus.

I will also be glad to text you a selfie every time I do this. Please send me your personal cell #.

So excited to be working with you on this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on January 22, 2021, 08:24:57 AM
Quote from: downer on January 22, 2021, 06:11:55 AM
Dear Provost

Thanks for the message saying that all employees are required to complete a COVID screening every day, even for those who never come to campus.

I will also be glad to text you a selfie every time I do this. Please send me your personal cell #.

So excited to be working with you on this.

Hilarious. Off-campus employees should just not do it.  Or have the dictators threatened withholding paycheck or firing for noncompliance?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 22, 2021, 08:54:16 AM
Pfft, two months and a rejection without comments. If it isn't a desk rejection, it should come with something.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on January 22, 2021, 09:18:19 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 22, 2021, 08:54:16 AM
Pfft, two months and a rejection without comments. If it isn't a desk rejection, it should come with something.

Sorry.  Says a lot about the Editor to behave like that.  If it's that same journal you've struggled with before and yet still complete reviews for, you might re-consider helping them out in the future.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 22, 2021, 11:16:45 AM
Quote from: downer on January 22, 2021, 06:11:55 AM
Dear Provost

Thanks for the message saying that all employees are required to complete a COVID screening every day, even for those who never come to campus.

I will also be glad to text you a selfie every time I do this. Please send me your personal cell #.

So excited to be working with you on this.

We have to fill out an online "approval to come to campus" AND we're supposed to report if we think we were exposed to COVID or being tested for COVID or actually diagnosed with COVID. 
However, we have the ability to type in the name of our immediate supervisor.  Don't tempt me to put in our Provost for every entry!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on January 24, 2021, 04:29:43 PM
My apartment complex was sold in October. New company is increasing rent $50 - $75 a month. Also requiring leases. They've also eliminated several small amenities, including twice-weekly trash pickup at door and disinfectant wipes in weight room. Tiny things, but annoying.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 24, 2021, 04:52:46 PM
No time like the present to search for a new place!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on January 25, 2021, 09:31:57 AM
Quote from: AvidReader on January 20, 2021, 01:38:15 PM
Apparently all the lock codes in the building were changed last week . . .

The lock codes were all changed AGAIN on Friday afternoon and the two (new) codes I got from a colleague last Wednesday for my two MW classrooms did not work at 8:00 this morning. Again. As before, no email with codes was sent out.

((Why change them twice in a week???))

At least the dept. secretary was in the office on time today and let me in to my classrooms.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 25, 2021, 05:46:44 PM
Someone I have never heard of, from an office dealing with international students somewhere across campus CCd me on a message to IT initiating IT to make changes to my Blackboard shell (merging my existing class with a class that is not listed as being assigned to me). 

I treated it essentially as a spam attack and alerted the IT people, my chair, my associate dean, the MBA director (as it was an MBA class that was being 'attacked'). I have also now alerted the Speaker of the Faculty Senate.

The Distance Learning liaison (also alerted) sent the instructions showing that only the department chair or instructor of record are allowed to make such requests.

So NOW that I know that the person is not a scammer Im still pissed!  Hopefully one of my administrators will stand up to such crap and spank the officials that tried such misdeeds! Perhaps a policy will be created, (or hopefully, the existing one will be brushed off and followed!)

No one has yet apologized either, so I sort of feel like I am the only one that thinks this is a problem!  I know that classes are starting today and that there are a lot of fires to deal with and this may be small embers to some, but Im sort of annoyed that no one else seems to think that having someone from the International Student's office unilaterally request changes to a faculty member's Blackboard shells is a problem.... ??? WTF???
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 26, 2021, 06:37:34 AM
Tutoring Center has a flyer they want all students to see. So they send it to the deans, who send it to all faculty, asking them to distribute it to the students.

Why doesn't the Tutoring Center just send an email to all students?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 26, 2021, 09:42:27 AM
Quote from: clean on January 25, 2021, 05:46:44 PM
Someone I have never heard of, from an office dealing with international students somewhere across campus CCd me on a message to IT initiating IT to make changes to my Blackboard shell (merging my existing class with a class that is not listed as being assigned to me). 

I treated it essentially as a spam attack and alerted the IT people, my chair, my associate dean, the MBA director (as it was an MBA class that was being 'attacked'). I have also now alerted the Speaker of the Faculty Senate.

The Distance Learning liaison (also alerted) sent the instructions showing that only the department chair or instructor of record are allowed to make such requests.

So NOW that I know that the person is not a scammer Im still pissed!  Hopefully one of my administrators will stand up to such crap and spank the officials that tried such misdeeds! Perhaps a policy will be created, (or hopefully, the existing one will be brushed off and followed!)

No one has yet apologized either, so I sort of feel like I am the only one that thinks this is a problem!  I know that classes are starting today and that there are a lot of fires to deal with and this may be small embers to some, but Im sort of annoyed that no one else seems to think that having someone from the International Student's office unilaterally request changes to a faculty member's Blackboard shells is a problem.... ??? WTF???

WOW.  Just wow.  Like they thought you wouldn't notice/be totally fine with a sudden increase in your class size?

Our International Studies program tried to pull that sort of nonsense on me for an in person lab class.  The class is for non-majors and has 0 prerequisites so anyone can take it.  The class always fills with seniors who need the class to graduate, there are never any seats left when the international studies students get to register.  They wanted me to increase the lab sizes.  Nope.  Not possible due to fire code.  Then they asked if we could "just add some more sections".  Nope.  Not unless you pay for the TAs.  Or offer a "discussion section" version.  Nope.  It's a lab.

I'm waiting for them to ask again this Spring. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 26, 2021, 10:23:29 AM
Quote from: downer on January 26, 2021, 06:37:34 AM
Tutoring Center has a flyer they want all students to see. So they send it to the deans, who send it to all faculty, asking them to distribute it to the students.

Why doesn't the Tutoring Center just send an email to all students?

Maybe that's their way of making sure that faculty are aware of what the Tutoring Center is telling the students.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 26, 2021, 11:14:16 AM
Someone in the College has unpaid invoices in a certain corporate account. Because of this, I cannot get the things that I need for my projects. Grrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 26, 2021, 11:15:27 AM
Time to do a tap dance on some accountant's desk.

No fun.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 26, 2021, 11:48:44 AM
Dean
Why are you sending out registration info for the Online Teaching Summit after it occurred?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on January 26, 2021, 11:51:33 AM
Quote from: downer on January 26, 2021, 06:37:34 AM
Tutoring Center has a flyer they want all students to see. So they send it to the deans, who send it to all faculty, asking them to distribute it to the students.

Why doesn't the Tutoring Center just send an email to all students?

They may not have access to the student listserv.  On my campus, you have to pledge your first-born as collateral, attend mysterious midnight rites, obtain a secret password, and wait for the moon to be in the Seventh House before you may have this privilege.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 26, 2021, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: wareagle on January 26, 2021, 11:51:33 AM
Quote from: downer on January 26, 2021, 06:37:34 AM
Tutoring Center has a flyer they want all students to see. So they send it to the deans, who send it to all faculty, asking them to distribute it to the students.

Why doesn't the Tutoring Center just send an email to all students?

They may not have access to the student listserv.  On my campus, you have to pledge your first-born as collateral, attend mysterious midnight rites, obtain a secret password, and wait for the moon to be in the Seventh House before you may have this privilege.

Maybe so. I'd be surprised though since the whole college is run on a shoestring and there seem to be maybe 2 or 3 people in the IT dept. I don't even know if they are all full time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 26, 2021, 02:52:32 PM
Quote from: wareagle on January 26, 2021, 11:51:33 AM
Quote from: downer on January 26, 2021, 06:37:34 AM
Tutoring Center has a flyer they want all students to see. So they send it to the deans, who send it to all faculty, asking them to distribute it to the students.

Why doesn't the Tutoring Center just send an email to all students?

They may not have access to the student listserv.  On my campus, you have to pledge your first-born as collateral, attend mysterious midnight rites, obtain a secret password, and wait for the moon to be in the Seventh House before you may have this privilege.

Sounds about right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 27, 2021, 11:29:43 AM
I am sick.  I have been sick for almost two weeks now.  I am very sick of being sick.
And I need a nap.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 27, 2021, 04:17:38 PM
Can't help with the sick part, except to say I hope you'll be on the mend very soon.

There's a quiet room thread for napping in, though....if you like.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 28, 2021, 11:18:07 AM
Feel better soon, geneticist!

It's definitely full moon here.  My evidence since yesterday:

Kid #1 put her car in a ditch on the country road by her house. (It could have been worse:  she did a couple of 360s across both lanes, skidded sideways, and buried the back end in a road ditch--but she didn't hit anything, or damage the car, or end up in the creek that was just a few feet to her right after she'd stopped.) She's a good driver on snow and was taking the pup to the vet, with only an inch of snow forecast.  She said the pup's eyes got big and he braced himself and hung on, then seemed to want to do it all again after everything stopped moving.  He enjoyed it when the tow truck pulled them out, too.  Neither of them was hurt.

I logged on around 8:15 for my 9:30 live class, only to have no internet.  The router, right beside me, was fine, and everybody else in the house had a good signal.  Apparently my wifi in the laptop has shot craps; it's fine with wired ethernet, so I'll go with that rather than buy a new laptop. 

Before I figured all that out, I dug out my work laptop and used it--and of course, had to wait for all the updates, and then had to download the MS Teams app so I could share screens, etc.  I eventually started the class, just a few minutes late, and my students all waited for me.

During class, others were having tech problems, too--dropped connections, mics that dropped out, etc.  One guy's mic came back on in the midst of a stream of blue language directed at his computer, which we all got a good laugh out of.

As I told them once class was done, I'd consider giving up for the day and going back to bed, but I'd likely fall out and brain myself.

At least it was a really good class, and I can laugh about it all. If these are the worst things I have to vent about, I'm OK with that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 28, 2021, 03:08:19 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 26, 2021, 11:15:27 AM
Time to do a tap dance on some accountant's desk.

No fun.

M.

I wish I could. Last time this happened, it took two weeks to resolve...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 03, 2021, 08:40:26 PM
I snapped at my bride today and she remains mad at me.

My area is doing a drive in shot thing whenever they get the  vaccine.  This has only been going on for a few weeks, maybe 3 weeks now.  They have not yet done the second round of vaccines for those that got the first shot as part of these big events. 

I am eager to get my shot as i have preexisting issues (bilateral pulmonary embolisms among other things).  HOwever, I want to be sure that I get the vaccine AS Designed! (meaning 3 or 4 weeks apart depending on brand).  I do not yet have confidence that the county/state will be able to deliver the second dose on time.  AS the time has not yet arrived for the first batches of folks that were given the shots, there is no way to know yet if they will deliver on their promises.

So this morning, While I was TRYING to grade papers before my afternoon classes (via Webex), she starts nagging me (I told her she was nagging me and now she is mad).  1st.... Father RJ is now out of the hospital and back to work.  He recovered quickly because he got the first shot before he got sick...... 2nd.
The J&J dose wont be out for some time, I dont think that you should wait.   .... 3rd.  The effeciency of the J&J vaccine is lower, you should get the current shot rather than wait.....  All of this in 30 minutes. 

We have discussed WHY I am waiting.  Im not waiting too long. I told her last week (for the 3rd time) that I will be glad to discuss the shot issue after the first week of March, once we have a few weeks' evidence of whether and HOW the county is going to make good on shot 2. 

So after the 3rd 'hint' that I should get the shot in 30 minutes today, while trying to grade,  I reminded her that I wont talk about it until March and for her to stop nagging me about it and  she got her feelings hurt.  It is not like I could even get in line for a shot as there isnt even a drive in clinic scheduled at least before Friday, so What did she want me to do about it TODAY? 

I suppose that the "good news" is that tonight as we were fixing dinner, she said she 'wont be mad for much longer'..... Good!  It had only been about 10 hours by then, so Im glad to hear that she wont be mad much longer because I told her she was nagging me!!

Vent over (in a few more hours!!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2021, 06:18:46 AM
Is your partner also in Academia?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 04, 2021, 09:06:12 AM
No, she is currently doing homemaking sort of duties.  She worked in the office of a medical practice, but the physician was diagnosed with cancer and with COVID he is in the process of closing the practice so she is home a lot, or spending time with her parents, especially when her sister's baby visits!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on February 04, 2021, 09:42:18 AM
Quote from: mamselle on February 04, 2021, 06:18:46 AM
Is your partner also in Academia?

M.
My partner is not, but with both of us working from home, he has learned to give me wide berth on my big grading days.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 04, 2021, 09:56:59 AM
Quote from: clean on February 03, 2021, 08:40:26 PM
AS the time has not yet arrived for the first batches of folks that were given the shots, there is no way to know yet if they will deliver on their promises.

So this morning, While I was TRYING to grade papers before my afternoon classes (via Webex), she starts nagging me (I told her she was nagging me and now she is mad).  1st.... Father RJ is now out of the hospital and back to work.  He recovered quickly because he got the first shot before he got sick...... 2nd.
The J&J dose wont be out for some time, I dont think that you should wait.   .... 3rd.  The effeciency of the J&J vaccine is lower, you should get the current shot rather than wait.....  All of this in 30 minutes. 

We have discussed WHY I am waiting.  Im not waiting too long. I told her last week (for the 3rd time) that I will be glad to discuss the shot issue after the first week of March, once we have a few weeks' evidence of whether and HOW the county is going to make good on shot 2. 

So after the 3rd 'hint' that I should get the shot in 30 minutes today, while trying to grade,  I reminded her that I wont talk about it until March and for her to stop nagging me about it and  she got her feelings hurt.  It is not like I could even get in line for a shot as there isnt even a drive in clinic scheduled at least before Friday, so What did she want me to do about it TODAY? 


I don't have a solution, but have a significant other who sounds similar. For her, issues are either off the radar completely, or have to be dealt with RIGHT NOW. So the problem comes up in cases as you describe, where right now there isn't enough information available to make a definitive decision. Waiting for when that information becomes available, especially when it can't be guaranteed by any specific date seems excruciating for her, since it isn't even possible to put a specific date on the calendar when it will be "done".

Maybe someone on here is like that and can describe what would work for them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on February 04, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake!

I have to wonder about learning the alphabet.  When I've helped line up the grads at commencement, I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them could not get themselves in alphabetical order.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on February 04, 2021, 09:58:51 PM
Quote from: wareagle on February 04, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake!

I have to wonder about learning the alphabet.  When I've helped line up the grads at commencement, I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them could not get themselves in alphabetical order.

I haven't expected anyone much younger than me to know the alphabet from A to Z since teaching sixth grade thirty years ago. Of the 120 students I taught during those two years, there may have been five who could recite the alphabet in order when they began my class. Elementary schools had dropped ABC from the curriculum, just as they'd dropped Roman numerals and have since dropped cursive. I taught the ABCs in sixth grade, because I couldn't bear seeing children flip through a dictionary hoping they'd magically arrive at the page with the word they needed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on February 05, 2021, 05:56:21 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 04, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake!

I have to wonder about learning the alphabet.  When I've helped line up the grads at commencement, I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them could not get themselves in alphabetical order.

I remember at my first graduation ceremony, I was so nervous I barely knew my name much less where it fell alphabetically in relation to other names!

So that may be more nerves interfering than actual not knowing the alphabet. Also, I remember them giving us instructions but I couldn't hear them so I wasn't sure what they wanted which only made me more nervous. I'm sure they thought I was an idiot but really I was just confused and unable to hear.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 05, 2021, 06:27:47 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 04, 2021, 09:58:51 PM
Quote from: wareagle on February 04, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake!

I have to wonder about learning the alphabet.  When I've helped line up the grads at commencement, I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them could not get themselves in alphabetical order.

I haven't expected anyone much younger than me to know the alphabet from A to Z since teaching sixth grade thirty years ago. Of the 120 students I taught during those two years, there may have been five who could recite the alphabet in order when they began my class. Elementary schools had dropped ABC from the curriculum, just as they'd dropped Roman numerals and have since dropped cursive. I taught the ABCs in sixth grade, because I couldn't bear seeing children flip through a dictionary hoping they'd magically arrive at the page with the word they needed.

That's odd. I remember my niece learning the alphabet in kindergarten, she's 13 now. They had worksheets and sang the alphabet song, but she was proud that she already knew it because she'd learned it at home.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 05, 2021, 06:56:34 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 04, 2021, 09:58:51 PM
I haven't expected anyone much younger than me to know the alphabet from A to Z since teaching sixth grade thirty years ago. Of the 120 students I taught during those two years, there may have been five who could recite the alphabet in order when they began my class. Elementary schools had dropped ABC from the curriculum, just as they'd dropped Roman numerals and have since dropped cursive. I taught the ABCs in sixth grade, because I couldn't bear seeing children flip through a dictionary hoping they'd magically arrive at the page with the word they needed.

Don't teach children any objectively-measurable skills! It's important the the teacher's subjective evaluation, (especially of things like "potential"), are all that really count so parents can be told whatever they want to hear, and school boards can have all the success all the time!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 05, 2021, 07:59:59 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 04, 2021, 09:58:51 PM
Quote from: wareagle on February 04, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on February 04, 2021, 11:06:49 AM
How hard is it to put things in order? We all learned our alphabet and how to count when we were wee kiddies. And the instructions said, submit the documents in the following order. The document templates even had numbers on them for *&^% sake!

I have to wonder about learning the alphabet.  When I've helped line up the grads at commencement, I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them could not get themselves in alphabetical order.

I haven't expected anyone much younger than me to know the alphabet from A to Z since teaching sixth grade thirty years ago. Of the 120 students I taught during those two years, there may have been five who could recite the alphabet in order when they began my class. Elementary schools had dropped ABC from the curriculum, just as they'd dropped Roman numerals and have since dropped cursive. I taught the ABCs in sixth grade, because I couldn't bear seeing children flip through a dictionary hoping they'd magically arrive at the page with the word they needed.

Not teaching the alphabetical order seems like terribly penny-wise, pound-foolish use of class time.  Is it really that hard to teach small children the ABC song?  That'll fix the alphabet in their heads but good!

Has "Sesame Street" stopped teaching the ABC song?  That's where I recall seeing the most memorable version of it.  How can you forget a guy whose lunch box contains a tiny piano player who plays the ABC song?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 05, 2021, 06:53:36 PM
I was in my 20s before I realized that 'the alphabet song' was 'Twinkle Twinkle little star'. 

But yes, preschool and maybe even kindergarten kids should learn all sorts of skills... like counting, the alphabet and even 'cypherin'  (2*2 is 4; 2*3 is 6)... and even 'goesintos'  (2 goesitno 10 5 times, 2 goesinto 12 six times...)

It is unimportent that the child knows what any of this means, only that they know the songs or chants.  The application will come later!

but Im not in charge! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 05, 2021, 09:14:21 PM
I have a vague memory of being maybe 3 or 4 years old singing the alphabet song but with random letters because I didn't quite know the order. "C-B-R-S-K-R-U-..." And my dad laughing.

And thinking there was a letter called "meno" and asking my mom which letter it was. My sister thought there was a letter called "ellemmenno" and tried to use it to show off that she knew how to spell something.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 06, 2021, 03:34:03 AM
The old Forum had a poster whose moniker was "Ellameno" or a spelling something like that.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 06, 2021, 07:15:33 AM
I thought that everyone over 5 knew the alphabet. How do you read if you don't know the letters? Now I know why I see glazed eyes when I talk about alphabetizing the list of references.

Numbers too seem to be a problem with most cashiers who should at the very least know how to add and subtract. I often get blank looks when I give the cashier additional pennies, nickels, or dimes so that I get quarters back (to feed the meters). Then it's the aha moment when the register spits out quarters.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 06, 2021, 07:46:37 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 06, 2021, 07:15:33 AM
I thought that everyone over 5 knew the alphabet. How do you read if you don't know the letters? Now I know why I see glazed eyes when I talk about alphabetizing the list of references.

Numbers too seem to be a problem with most cashiers who should at the very least know how to add and subtract. I often get blank looks when I give the cashier additional pennies, nickels, or dimes so that I get quarters back (to feed the meters). Then it's the aha moment when the register spits out quarters.

In the days before bank machines, when I used to get cash from the bank, I would make the withdrawal an amount that made my balance come out to an even dollar. (It was an easy way to see that cheques had come off, etc..) Anyway the bank tellers would often marvel at this feat. I would have thought, of all people, even if they didn't do that themselves they would automatically see the utility in it. And that it just requires elementary school arithmetic.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 06, 2021, 08:44:02 AM
Back to singing, when we had to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution, my 7th grade teacher allowed us to sing it. Because... Schoolhouse Rock.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on February 06, 2021, 09:09:40 AM
My elementary school music teacher taught my class a song that consists of the names of all the states in alphabetical order. I still remember it and have occasionally found it useful over the years.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on February 06, 2021, 09:14:23 AM
Quote from: Larimar on February 06, 2021, 09:09:40 AM
My elementary school music teacher taught my class a song that consists of the names of all the states in alphabetical order. I still remember it and have occasionally found it useful over the years.

We learned one of those (same song, maybe?) for chorus in elementary school, and I still sing it! I play a bunch of different trivia, and that song has helped me more than a few times.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 06, 2021, 05:05:57 PM
"Fifty, nifty U-ni-ted States from thir-teen o-ri-gin-al col-o-nies"...

That one?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on February 06, 2021, 05:35:46 PM
Yup, that's the one.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on February 06, 2021, 09:22:50 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 06, 2021, 07:15:33 AM
I thought that everyone over 5 knew the alphabet. How do you read if you don't know the letters? Now I know why I see glazed eyes when I talk about alphabetizing the list of references.


My sixth graders knew the letters and the associated sounds. They knew "c" could sound similar to k or to s. What they didn't know was the standard arrangement from A to Z. Some of them knew chunks in order, but very few could recite all 26 letters from A to Z. Even those who knew the alphabet from A to Z hadn't practiced alphabetizing and knowledge doesn't automatically translate to application.

Quote from: EdnaMode on February 05, 2021, 06:27:47 AM

That's odd. I remember my niece learning the alphabet in kindergarten, she's 13 now. They had worksheets and sang the alphabet song, but she was proud that she already knew it because she'd learned it at home.

I'm glad to hear that some children are still learning alphabetical order. It's like addition and multiplication facts, something that seems minor but makes learning other skills easier.  There was a period in the early 1970s when rote memorization of multiplication facts wasn't considered important, so my mother drilled me in them at home. Although I disliked drilling them after school in 3rd grade, by middle school it was obvious that not knowing them was handicapping some of my classmates. Estimating and figuring percentages is hard when you don't have some grasp of multiplication facts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 07, 2021, 12:34:33 AM
When I was a library assistant in 1st grade we were taught the A-B-C, B-C-D, C-D-E mnemonic to help file borrower cards quickly.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 07, 2021, 07:44:09 AM
Long, but this might ring bells with some forumites:  Back in my country school, in the Stone Age (late 1960s), I had one of my mom's teachers and one of my dad's. We spent large chunks of time on the alphabet, the dictionary, and penmanship. 

We had lots of work in alphabetizing in second and third grades, and by third we also had to memorize the basic "hundreds" categories of the Dewey decimal system. 

We also did a lot of dictionary drills in third grade:  each student had a hardback Webster's, and the teacher would call out an unfamiliar word.  The first to find it would stand up and read the definition.  (We used to have to stand to recite in our third and fourth grade classes.)  I used to love those--first, I was always the nerdy girl with glasses and my nose in a book, and also, it was the only time (that, and spelling contests) where the captain of a team actually wanted me and I'd get picked first!

By fourth grade, when we were still doing penmanship lessons to refine our basic handwriting, Dad's former teacher incorporated timed writings to get us used to writing clearly with speed (rather than laboring to make every letter legible and pretty).  One of those exercises was a timed writing of the lowercase letters strung together, a-z. Once most of the class could meet her strict standards on that, the next exercise was a timed writing of the same thing--backwards. (Yes, I can still do it.)

All of these might sound petty, but all of us could write clearly--and spell, because we were drilled in root words and spelling rules from second grade on--and we were ready to learn note-taking by the middle of fourth grade and really kicked that into high gear in fifth. 

That same fourth-grade teacher was a stickler on arithmetic, too, and every single kid in her class knew our multiplication tables through the 12s.  She also taught us what I remember as "the formulas":  circumference, volume, area, etc.  And the Pythagorean Theorem--OMG, I thought that was witchcraft!  Not surprisingly, when my dad was still a kid on the farm (and for years afterward), neighbors from all around would come to him to tell them how much corn or beans or wheat a silo or grain bin or corn crib would hold; he'd eyeball it, estimate the dimensions, and figure it on the back of an envelope.  Mrs. Nehrkorn had taught it to him all those years before I came along. 

Of course, "the New Math" was in its stride when I got to first grade in 1966, so you can imagine the fights that caused:  Dad taught me the "regular" way, and all sorts of tips about estimating, etc., which was much faster, but it didn't meet the rule for showing my steps and such that the teachers wanted.  My parents rarely went to the school, but when there were meetings about New Math, Dad was there, front and center.  The teachers finally gave up and let me get by with doing it the old-fashioned way, and I never did learn the new-and-improved things they were teaching in class; I just did the problems in my head.   :-)

By the time we went to high school with the town kids, the teachers could always tell without looking up who the students from my grade school were.  That school operated on a shoestring, and the parents were 99% uneducated farm and factory workers themselves--what would be considered a "disadvantaged" district today.  But we learned.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on February 07, 2021, 08:39:23 AM
Quote from: Larimar on February 06, 2021, 05:35:46 PM
Yup, that's the one.

Same here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 08, 2021, 07:20:49 AM
Okay, back to venting!

Our extended forecast calls for a chance of snow a week from now.  Really?  We went without snow for four straight winters, and now it looks like we may get it twice in one season?

I actually like to see snow.  The vent comes because now I may have to put out the caution tape around the library's property again in an effort to keep the four-wheel ATVs from destroying our yard.  Having foiled them once, I was really hoping we were done for this season. 

Maybe in the next week the chance of snow will dissipate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on February 08, 2021, 09:16:40 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 07, 2021, 07:44:09 AM
Long, but this might ring bells with some forumites:  Back in my country school, in the Stone Age (late 1960s), I had one of my mom's teachers and one of my dad's. We spent large chunks of time on the alphabet, the dictionary, and penmanship. 

We had lots of work in alphabetizing in second and third grades, and by third we also had to memorize the basic "hundreds" categories of the Dewey decimal system. 

We also did a lot of dictionary drills in third grade:  each student had a hardback Webster's, and the teacher would call out an unfamiliar word.  The first to find it would stand up and read the definition.  (We used to have to stand to recite in our third and fourth grade classes.)  I used to love those--first, I was always the nerdy girl with glasses and my nose in a book, and also, it was the only time (that, and spelling contests) where the captain of a team actually wanted me and I'd get picked first!

By fourth grade, when we were still doing penmanship lessons to refine our basic handwriting, Dad's former teacher incorporated timed writings to get us used to writing clearly with speed (rather than laboring to make every letter legible and pretty).  One of those exercises was a timed writing of the lowercase letters strung together, a-z. Once most of the class could meet her strict standards on that, the next exercise was a timed writing of the same thing--backwards. (Yes, I can still do it.)

All of these might sound petty, but all of us could write clearly--and spell, because we were drilled in root words and spelling rules from second grade on--and we were ready to learn note-taking by the middle of fourth grade and really kicked that into high gear in fifth. 

That same fourth-grade teacher was a stickler on arithmetic, too, and every single kid in her class knew our multiplication tables through the 12s.  She also taught us what I remember as "the formulas":  circumference, volume, area, etc.  And the Pythagorean Theorem--OMG, I thought that was witchcraft!  Not surprisingly, when my dad was still a kid on the farm (and for years afterward), neighbors from all around would come to him to tell them how much corn or beans or wheat a silo or grain bin or corn crib would hold; he'd eyeball it, estimate the dimensions, and figure it on the back of an envelope.  Mrs. Nehrkorn had taught it to him all those years before I came along. 

Of course, "the New Math" was in its stride when I got to first grade in 1966, so you can imagine the fights that caused:  Dad taught me the "regular" way, and all sorts of tips about estimating, etc., which was much faster, but it didn't meet the rule for showing my steps and such that the teachers wanted.  My parents rarely went to the school, but when there were meetings about New Math, Dad was there, front and center.  The teachers finally gave up and let me get by with doing it the old-fashioned way, and I never did learn the new-and-improved things they were teaching in class; I just did the problems in my head.   :-)

By the time we went to high school with the town kids, the teachers could always tell without looking up who the students from my grade school were.  That school operated on a shoestring, and the parents were 99% uneducated farm and factory workers themselves--what would be considered a "disadvantaged" district today.  But we learned.

We had a required class our senior year of high school called "Grammar and Research." All seniors had to take the class. We did pretty much every exercise in the Harbrace and had to write a 10-page research paper. And when I say we had to type the essay, I mean we had to use an actual typewriter (no real computers back then) that many of us had to rent. If we didn't pass the class by the end of the year (the school was on something of a quarter system, so you theoretically had a couple of attempts), we didn't graduate, and we had to take the course again in summer school (and pass) to receive our high school diploma. This class was taught by one teacher who all students referred to as "The B*tch"--a nickname she pretty much owned (although not publicly), and not a term as common as it is now. You can figure out who taught the class in summer school.

My guess is that when she died, a lot of students went to the funeral just to make sure.

But we learned!

Maybe we need to start a "But We Learned!" thread. :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on February 08, 2021, 09:23:54 AM
Anyway, I had a vent:

The primary purpose of my course syllabus is not to welcome students to the course. The main purposes of my syllabi are to 1) Articulate policies as clearly as possible so we are all on the same page in order to 2) Protect myself from the small percentage of students who are sociopaths so that 3) Administrators can't throw me under the bus when these students complain.

This entire training on a "friendly syllabus" was just silly.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on February 08, 2021, 09:35:57 AM
I also recently had training about my syllabus, but mine was training for making it accessible. I am all for accessibility. A lot of the training was very useful. I know, for instance, not to use multiple tabs to align information and to be careful with tables because it is hard for students to find information in a table if the students use screen readers. Fine.

Accessibility instructor: Screen readers don't indicate colors, highlighting, bold type, or underlining. They only recognize italics. You may only use italics in your syllabus.

Now, I'm happy to use italics for emphasis, but the departmental syllabus font barely distinguishes between italic and upright text (the slant is maybe 3%), so I initially put the important facts in bold and italic. But this is apparently forbidden and inappropriate because screen readers can't see bold, and even using bold--you know, for me and the sighted students who struggle to distinguish between upright and italic in the set font, especially at size 10--would be "noninclusive." Why is both not okay???

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lilyb on February 08, 2021, 09:41:09 AM
QuoteThis entire training on a "friendly syllabus" was just silly.

Our training was on the "hospitable" syllabus. Extended use of this metaphor made me think that someone's confused teaching college students with managing a Westin.

Accessibility or clarity, or fairness, though--that's all good.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 08, 2021, 09:50:57 AM
Quote from: lilyb on February 08, 2021, 09:41:09 AM
QuoteThis entire training on a "friendly syllabus" was just silly.

Our training was on the "hospitable" syllabus. Extended use of this metaphor made me think that someone's confused teaching college students with managing a Westin.

Accessibility or clarity, or fairness, though--that's all good.

Seriously, was there ever a student who actually carefully read through a syllabus, and referred to it regularly during a course?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 08, 2021, 09:54:33 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 08, 2021, 09:50:57 AM
Quote from: lilyb on February 08, 2021, 09:41:09 AM
QuoteThis entire training on a "friendly syllabus" was just silly.

Our training was on the "hospitable" syllabus. Extended use of this metaphor made me think that someone's confused teaching college students with managing a Westin.

Accessibility or clarity, or fairness, though--that's all good.

Seriously, was there ever a student who actually carefully read through a syllabus, and referred to it regularly during a course?

The only ones who do read it through carefully, are those who are looking for a loophole to exploit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 08, 2021, 10:27:49 AM
Everything I'm trying to do today--make comments in papers, upload graded work in Blackboard--is going bass-ackwards.  None of it's serious, but I'm ready to pull my hair out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 10:37:55 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 08, 2021, 09:50:57 AM
Quote from: lilyb on February 08, 2021, 09:41:09 AM
QuoteThis entire training on a "friendly syllabus" was just silly.

Our training was on the "hospitable" syllabus. Extended use of this metaphor made me think that someone's confused teaching college students with managing a Westin.

Accessibility or clarity, or fairness, though--that's all good.

Seriously, was there ever a student who actually carefully read through a syllabus, and referred to it regularly during a course?

This is a rhetorical question, right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 08, 2021, 11:10:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'

Well, there is the "magical thinking" that if the student asks really hard for some extra credit that they will be given a good grade.

I send emails to students who are struggling, even though it's not asked.  Why?  It can save students from utter and complete disaster when their life is in chaos (easier to drop one class than to beg for a retroactive withdrawal).  And I am a big softie at heart who came from a tiny liberal arts school.  It makes me sad that students can so easily get lost or be overlooked in their huge classes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 08, 2021, 11:11:35 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'

Just last semsester I had a student who, at about halfway through the course was sitting at 17%. I emailed to say "You can't pass, so you should drop and take it again later if you want." Guess who didn't drop? Guess who I got contacted about a few weeks ago by the petitions committe, presumably asking for permission to retroactively drop the course?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on February 08, 2021, 12:09:14 PM
Quote from: mamselle on February 06, 2021, 03:34:03 AM
The old Forum had a poster whose moniker was "Ellameno" or a spelling something like that.

M.

The ABC song made an appearance on SNL Weekend Update (also a segment on a couple who cancel children on Twitter):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf-sMJ2PwyY
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 02:09:52 PM
Back to the thread--

Quote from: the_geneticist on February 08, 2021, 11:10:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'

Well, there is the "magical thinking" that if the student asks really hard for some extra credit that they will be given a good grade.

I send emails to students who are struggling, even though it's not asked.  Why?  It can save students from utter and complete disaster when their life is in chaos (easier to drop one class than to beg for a retroactive withdrawal).  And I am a big softie at heart who came from a tiny liberal arts school.  It makes me sad that students can so easily get lost or be overlooked in their huge classes.

I also send emails to the struggling students along with a copy of their grades (thanks to Canvas). This helps them decide whether to withdraw or change their study habits.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 03:40:38 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 02:09:52 PM
Back to the thread--

Quote from: the_geneticist on February 08, 2021, 11:10:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'

Well, there is the "magical thinking" that if the student asks really hard for some extra credit that they will be given a good grade.

I send emails to students who are struggling, even though it's not asked.  Why?  It can save students from utter and complete disaster when their life is in chaos (easier to drop one class than to beg for a retroactive withdrawal).  And I am a big softie at heart who came from a tiny liberal arts school.  It makes me sad that students can so easily get lost or be overlooked in their huge classes.

I also send emails to the struggling students along with a copy of their grades (thanks to Canvas). This helps them decide whether to withdraw or change their study habits.

I know. I'm not heartless, I guess I'm just amazed by the magical thinking that some students have. I can't help students who don't check their emails or read the announcements though...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 03:49:29 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 03:40:38 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 02:09:52 PM
Back to the thread--

Quote from: the_geneticist on February 08, 2021, 11:10:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 10:41:58 AM
Unrelated.

Why do we have to do Early Alerts? If a student is failing everything in the course, does he/she really need to be told- 'Hey bud, you're not doing well in the course.'

Well, there is the "magical thinking" that if the student asks really hard for some extra credit that they will be given a good grade.

I send emails to students who are struggling, even though it's not asked.  Why?  It can save students from utter and complete disaster when their life is in chaos (easier to drop one class than to beg for a retroactive withdrawal).  And I am a big softie at heart who came from a tiny liberal arts school.  It makes me sad that students can so easily get lost or be overlooked in their huge classes.

I also send emails to the struggling students along with a copy of their grades (thanks to Canvas). This helps them decide whether to withdraw or change their study habits.

I know. I'm not heartless, I guess I'm just amazed by the magical thinking that some students have. I can't help students who don't check their emails or read the announcements though...

It's always a good idea to CYA.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on February 08, 2021, 04:30:08 PM
I teach several dual enrollment courses run through high schools that have local high school teachers assigned (and paid) to "facilitate" my courses. Students at one of my schools are doing poorly, and the facilitator and I do not always communicate well. Last week, the facilitator emailed with a query about how to make one of their college essays for me work with a high school essay (for the facilitator's class).

I responded with some suggestions, and added a note with some concerns I had about their most recent essay, which had numerous and serious citation errors that were consistent across the whole class. I was trying to find out, tactfully, if these were erroneous techniques that the facilitator had suggested/condoned, since they didn't match the guidelines in my handouts, the textbook, or my videos.

The facilitator never replied to me, but this morning one of our mutual students sent me an email and explained that the facilitator had forwarded my email to the entire class. Thus all the motivated students are emailing in a panic to find out if their essays contained the concerning citation errors, and I still can't find out where these bizarre approaches originated.

I don't want to throw the teacher under the bus. Instructor has a MA, probably from my university, and a giant chip on the shoulder. And it is important to teach students to respect instructors. On the other hand, these students are contravening guidance given in the textbook, my handouts, and my videos.

Can the instructor just respond to my email like an adult before forwarding it to students that I am trying to protect from what are probably the instructor's own errors?

UGH!

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on February 08, 2021, 04:46:56 PM
Never, ever agree to "do more with less". When your budget, faculty, and staff get cut, you should invest time looking for activities that you can stop doing. Do less with less!

I've heard that "We"ll all have to figure out how to Do More With Less speech before. It ends with lots of unhappy, burnt out people who do shoddy work from sheer exhaustion. My department is actively looking for activities to stop doing. We have fewer resources, so we will Do Less With Less.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 08, 2021, 10:39:12 PM
QuoteThe facilitator never replied to me, but this morning one of our mutual students sent me an email and explained that the facilitator had forwarded my email to the entire class. Thus all the motivated students are emailing in a panic to find out if their essays contained the concerning citation errors, and I still can't find out where these bizarre approaches originated.

Since it could be construed as a simple reply to the one student who originally emailed you, perhaps you could just ask them, peaceably and low-energy-like, in a direct email reply to just that student, how they happened to use that reference style? Like you were just curious, and you wondered...

Might be the simplest, and it wouldn't throw the instructor under the bus because you'd just be asking as if you planned to leave them at the bus stop.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on February 09, 2021, 07:25:18 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 08, 2021, 04:46:56 PM
Never, ever agree to "do more with less". When your budget, faculty, and staff get cut, you should invest time looking for activities that you can stop doing. Do less with less!

I've heard that "We"ll all have to figure out how to Do More With Less speech before. It ends with lots of unhappy, burnt out people who do shoddy work from sheer exhaustion. My department is actively looking for activities to stop doing. We have fewer resources, so we will Do Less With Less.

Agree.  Attempts to do More With Less rarely end well.  Unhappy, exhausted people (throw in no raises in recent memory) may implement coping strategies that don't serve the organization well.  A challenge in gaining buy-in for Do Less With Less is when dept. chair/dean are not on board.  Their failure to acknowledge reality inevitably backfires on them, sooner or later.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 09, 2021, 07:30:17 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 08, 2021, 04:46:56 PM
Never, ever agree to "do more with less". When your budget, faculty, and staff get cut, you should invest time looking for activities that you can stop doing. Do less with less!

I've heard that "We"ll all have to figure out how to Do More With Less speech before. It ends with lots of unhappy, burnt out people who do shoddy work from sheer exhaustion. My department is actively looking for activities to stop doing. We have fewer resources, so we will Do Less With Less.

I've seen that advice given to librarians who face budget cuts.  If you are told that your periodical budget has been cut, then let it be known that titles will be cut, and make sure patrons know why some of their accustomed periodicals are no longer there.  Make sure that patrons feel the loss of service, and that they know who to thank for the cuts. 

So far I've never been placed in that position.  Nearly all of our budget comes from a dedicated property rate--we can't have it cut by anything short of a deliberate voter campaign.  What we're looking at is the probability of gradual long-term erosion of revenues as the community shrinks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 09, 2021, 07:56:13 AM
Yes, and always spend down budgeted line items to the last dime if you want them to be re-funded at par or above.

Otherwise it looks like you don't need the money and someone on the recipients' list will start lusting after it for their pet line items....and lobbying for it.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on February 09, 2021, 08:43:32 AM
Quote from: mamselle on February 09, 2021, 07:56:13 AM
Yes, and always spend down budgeted line items to the last dime if you want them to be re-funded at par or above.

Otherwise it looks like you don't need the money and someone on the recipients' list will start lusting after it for their pet line items....and lobbying for it.

M.

Yes.  Once you establish the precedent of getting by with less, the situation often becomes permanent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 08:53:39 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on February 09, 2021, 08:43:32 AM
Quote from: mamselle on February 09, 2021, 07:56:13 AM
Yes, and always spend down budgeted line items to the last dime if you want them to be re-funded at par or above.

Otherwise it looks like you don't need the money and someone on the recipients' list will start lusting after it for their pet line items....and lobbying for it.

M.

Yes.  Once you establish the precedent of getting by with less, the situation often becomes permanent.

Ugh, it's the miserable cousin to the "if someone gives you a budget, you spend it!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 09, 2021, 08:56:03 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 09, 2021, 07:30:17 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 08, 2021, 04:46:56 PM
Never, ever agree to "do more with less". When your budget, faculty, and staff get cut, you should invest time looking for activities that you can stop doing. Do less with less!

I've heard that "We"ll all have to figure out how to Do More With Less speech before. It ends with lots of unhappy, burnt out people who do shoddy work from sheer exhaustion. My department is actively looking for activities to stop doing. We have fewer resources, so we will Do Less With Less.

I've seen that advice given to librarians who face budget cuts.  If you are told that your periodical budget has been cut, then let it be known that titles will be cut, and make sure patrons know why some of their accustomed periodicals are no longer there.  Make sure that patrons feel the loss of service, and that they know who to thank for the cuts. 


This can be done in one of two ways; in good faith or grandstanding.
If it's done in good faith, it means cutting the things that are expensive and used by the fewest people, so it will affect very few people. If it's grandstanding, then it means cutting things that are used by a lot of people so it makes a lot of anger to put pressure on the Powers-That-Be to reverse the cuts.

I can't in good conscience do the grandstanding, even with having had many budget cuts to deal with in my career.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 09, 2021, 09:17:40 AM
 I heard a story when I was in Grad School from an Air Force Colonel.  He was asked by an Army General why the Air Force had so much nicer bases than the Army.  The Colonel asked how they built their bases,

The General said, "we build the mission critical structures, and work our way down, and we never get enough money for decent barracks or rec facilities.  What do you do?

The Colonel said: We build all the facilities and amenities first.  The LAST thing we build is the runway."

The General replies "What if you run out of money before then?"

"What Congressman is going to be the one who denies the Air Force the funding for a Runway on a new base?  We always get the additional funds"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 09, 2021, 09:21:37 AM
I managed to grade 20 lab reports in an hour and was ready to start my second set.... and then everyone woke up and came downstairs...

Cue cats howling as well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 09, 2021, 09:56:32 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 09, 2021, 08:56:03 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 09, 2021, 07:30:17 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 08, 2021, 04:46:56 PM
Never, ever agree to "do more with less". When your budget, faculty, and staff get cut, you should invest time looking for activities that you can stop doing. Do less with less!

I've heard that "We"ll all have to figure out how to Do More With Less speech before. It ends with lots of unhappy, burnt out people who do shoddy work from sheer exhaustion. My department is actively looking for activities to stop doing. We have fewer resources, so we will Do Less With Less.

I've seen that advice given to librarians who face budget cuts.  If you are told that your periodical budget has been cut, then let it be known that titles will be cut, and make sure patrons know why some of their accustomed periodicals are no longer there.  Make sure that patrons feel the loss of service, and that they know who to thank for the cuts. 


This can be done in one of two ways; in good faith or grandstanding.
If it's done in good faith, it means cutting the things that are expensive and used by the fewest people, so it will affect very few people.

Which is exactly how libraries making cuts normally do it.  The point of the advice was to make sure that everybody still knows about the cuts, and why they happened, instead of making them as inconspicuous as possible.  The thinking is that if people aren't stirred up about less damaging cuts, that will only invite more damaging ones in the future.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 09, 2021, 10:05:17 AM
All employees received an email a couple of weeks ago, urgently insisting that everyone must come to a campus/main admin no later than 2/12 to replace a crucial Federal document in our personnel files.  (None of us could have been hired/paid without providing this documentation at the time of hire--for me, 16+ years ago.). 

Um, NO?  I'm not dragging my non-vaccinated diabetic self on a 100-mile round trip to replace something I gave you in 2004.  Not happening (and I notified my union as much).

Later, a faculty friend contacted Legal to see what the deal is, and was told that  this document from EVERY person's file was shredded last year, by mistake. 

Oh, HELL, no.

That same friend, also unvaccinated and with health issues, argued that she's not entering any buildings to do this paperwork, so they offered to have her meet her dean and do the transaction in a parking lot, '"like buying weed," as she put it.

F-ing morons.  (But let me not have the Banner printout of final grades I entered for a class from 12 years ago, and all hell will rain down--as actually happened to a number of faculty a few years back.)  Nope. They can come after me if they want, or they can wait til things get back to normal.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 09, 2021, 10:15:50 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 09, 2021, 10:05:17 AM
All employees received an email a couple of weeks ago, urgently insisting that everyone must come to a campus/main admin no later than 2/12 to replace a crucial Federal document in our personnel files.  (None of us could have been hired/paid without providing this documentation at the time of hire--for me, 16+ years ago.). 

Um, NO?  I'm not dragging my non-vaccinated diabetic self on a 100-mile round trip to replace something I gave you in 2004.  Not happening (and I notified my union as much).

Later, a faculty friend contacted Legal to see what the deal is, and was told that  this document from EVERY person's file was shredded last year, by mistake. 

Oh, HELL, no.

That same friend, also unvaccinated and with health issues, argued that she's not entering any buildings to do this paperwork, so they offered to have her meet her dean and do the transaction in a parking lot, '"like buying weed," as she put it.

F-ing morons.  (But let me not have the Banner printout of final grades I entered for a class from 12 years ago, and all hell will rain down--as actually happened to a number of faculty a few years back.)  Nope. They can come after me if they want, or they can wait til things get back to normal.

I'd be pissed too. Why should you pay for their screw ups?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 03:32:39 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 08:53:39 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on February 09, 2021, 08:43:32 AM
Quote from: mamselle on February 09, 2021, 07:56:13 AM
Yes, and always spend down budgeted line items to the last dime if you want them to be re-funded at par or above.

Otherwise it looks like you don't need the money and someone on the recipients' list will start lusting after it for their pet line items....and lobbying for it.

M.

Yes.  Once you establish the precedent of getting by with less, the situation often becomes permanent.

Ugh, it's the miserable cousin to the "if someone gives you a budget, you spend it!"

Ironically, I learned that we have somehow acquired a small pot of money to use towards teaching lab equipment.  We have to submit a proposal to the higher up folks by next month. 
I emailed a coworker to say "Hey, we have potential funds!  What do we need/want?"
They said, "I think we're set".
Wrong. Answer.
When someone offers you money, you TAKE IT.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 09, 2021, 03:43:39 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 03:32:39 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 08:53:39 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on February 09, 2021, 08:43:32 AM
Quote from: mamselle on February 09, 2021, 07:56:13 AM
Yes, and always spend down budgeted line items to the last dime if you want them to be re-funded at par or above.

Otherwise it looks like you don't need the money and someone on the recipients' list will start lusting after it for their pet line items....and lobbying for it.

M.

Yes.  Once you establish the precedent of getting by with less, the situation often becomes permanent.

Ugh, it's the miserable cousin to the "if someone gives you a budget, you spend it!"

Ironically, I learned that we have somehow acquired a small pot of money to use towards teaching lab equipment.  We have to submit a proposal to the higher up folks by next month. 
I emailed a coworker to say "Hey, we have potential funds!  What do we need/want?"
They said, "I think we're set".
Wrong. Answer.
When someone offers you money, you TAKE IT.

All these goody two shoes, shooting themselves in the foot and also depriving others of opportunities and funds they're entitled to.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on February 09, 2021, 08:53:57 PM

Quote from: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 03:32:39 PM
Ironically, I learned that we have somehow acquired a small pot of money to use towards teaching lab equipment.  We have to submit a proposal to the higher up folks by next month. 
I emailed a coworker to say "Hey, we have potential funds!  What do we need/want?"
They said, "I think we're set".
Wrong. Answer.
When someone offers you money, you TAKE IT.

I've learned to say, "Hi, EsteemedColleague. A miracle has occurred and UpperAdmin has some money for teaching lab equipment. May not happen again for years. So, what do we need, either now or to have on hand for things that are likely to wear out in a few years?" If the fund rules allow spending on relatively inexpensive items, I'll add, "Think about breakables, too. We can find storage space if there's stuff that gets broken." I do have to watch for things like printer cartridges and rubber bands that become obsolete or deteriorate, but that usually gets me a decent list.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 09, 2021, 09:12:02 PM
I can't even grade in peace. The minute I write comments on assignments, I immediately get emails from students about unrelated topics. The emails aren't the problem, but the expectations that since I'm grading, I should be responding to the emails immediately. I just got two emails, both from students whose assignments I graded about 15 minutes ago. Note to self: remember to use the "hide grades" function when grading assignments, even the low-stakes ones.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 10, 2021, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on February 09, 2021, 08:53:57 PM

Quote from: the_geneticist on February 09, 2021, 03:32:39 PM
Ironically, I learned that we have somehow acquired a small pot of money to use towards teaching lab equipment.  We have to submit a proposal to the higher up folks by next month. 
I emailed a coworker to say "Hey, we have potential funds!  What do we need/want?"
They said, "I think we're set".
Wrong. Answer.
When someone offers you money, you TAKE IT.

I've learned to say, "Hi, EsteemedColleague. A miracle has occurred and UpperAdmin has some money for teaching lab equipment. May not happen again for years. So, what do we need, either now or to have on hand for things that are likely to wear out in a few years?" If the fund rules allow spending on relatively inexpensive items, I'll add, "Think about breakables, too. We can find storage space if there's stuff that gets broken." I do have to watch for things like printer cartridges and rubber bands that become obsolete or deteriorate, but that usually gets me a decent list.

You are correct that it will not happen again for years (if ever). 
I've looked at the equipment we have and we do have some needs.  My Esteemed Colleague is rarely in a classroom and doesn't think about logistics like "If we need 3 lab rooms set up with [item], then we need three [items]."  Having one isn't enough.
And we have lots of old, likely to break soon/again equipment that should be replaced.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 10, 2021, 09:47:58 AM
If your system has changed people's email addresses, would it not be a good idea to forward the emails to the old address to the new one?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 10, 2021, 10:03:52 AM
Because $40K a month wasn't enough?

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/02/10/after-allegations-secret-gifts-chancellor-emeritus-fired

This, folks, is why we can't have nice things.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 10, 2021, 10:13:59 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on February 10, 2021, 10:03:52 AM
Because $40K a month wasn't enough?

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/02/10/after-allegations-secret-gifts-chancellor-emeritus-fired

This, folks, is why we can't have nice things.

That golden handshake deal where he got paid hundreds of thousands a year for what appears to have been essentially a sinecure sounds thoroughly crooked to start with.  It sounds like the Board of Trustees has only recently had a belated awakening.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:08:51 AM
Why is it that every time lightning strikes we lose internet access and have our computer network knocked for a loop?  We had a thunderstorm last night.  It didn't do any serious damage locally.  I don't even think we lost power at work.  Definitely not at my house, only a few blocks away.  And yet first thing this morning absolutely nothing was working on the network.  We're still working with IT to try to fix everything.  At least we've got internet back.  It feels sometimes like we can't have lightning strike within forty miles of our building without discombobulating something.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 11, 2021, 08:25:09 AM
I have just put in three hours of my time (which will be paid for, but still....) on fixing stuff I warned people about a month ago.

And now, seeing the new timesheets, it appears the incoming clowns' pay rates are more than double mine, which will chew through the endowment in a year if they keep up the level of mismatched work they've started with and don't bring any new funds in.

Not my circus, not my monkeys, very soon...thank goodness.

But, boy.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
I understand that it is cold outside.

I understand that this building is older than God, with an HVAC system to match.

I understand that we are not allowed space heaters because, you know, fire.

IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on February 11, 2021, 09:05:58 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....

In my previous office, I measured the temp as 85 degrees in the summer--we theoretically had air conditioning.

In my current office, the thermostat is broken. It is theoretically set at 72, but I'm sure it cannot be actually above 60.  When I have to be campus, I wear multiple layers including my coat and have purchased finger-less gloves due to the problem wareagle is describing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 11, 2021, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on February 11, 2021, 09:05:58 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....

In my previous office, I measured the temp as 85 degrees in the summer--we theoretically had air conditioning.

In my current office, the thermostat is broken. It is theoretically set at 72, but I'm sure it cannot be actually above 60.  When I have to be campus, I wear multiple layers including my coat and have purchased finger-less gloves due to the problem wareagle is describing.

That is too cold. In my building, we're not allowed to change the thermostat, well, we can't since it's controlled at another location.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 11, 2021, 10:14:29 AM
NYC streets are by default narrow with only one lane in each direction. Today there were wide trailers and trucks parked on two blocks resulting in buses coming from the other direction getting stuck because of trucks unloading the usual groceries and supplies on that side of the street. Guess how long it took for the bus and the cars behind it to get through? Guess how long it took me, the cars in front of me, and the ones behind me to get through? Which idiot in City Hall thought that allowing on-location shooting was a good idea in this neighborhood? Most likely the idiot who doesn't live here and who probably stood to gain from the transaction. At the very least, the city could have assigned one or more police officers to direct traffic. I can't imagine what it's like during rush hour.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 11, 2021, 10:30:05 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 11, 2021, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on February 11, 2021, 09:05:58 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....

In my previous office, I measured the temp as 85 degrees in the summer--we theoretically had air conditioning.

In my current office, the thermostat is broken. It is theoretically set at 72, but I'm sure it cannot be actually above 60.  When I have to be campus, I wear multiple layers including my coat and have purchased finger-less gloves due to the problem wareagle is describing.

That is too cold. In my building, we're not allowed to change the thermostat, well, we can't since it's controlled at another location.
I have a thermostat, but I think it is merely decorative.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 11:23:43 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 11, 2021, 10:30:05 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 11, 2021, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on February 11, 2021, 09:05:58 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....

In my previous office, I measured the temp as 85 degrees in the summer--we theoretically had air conditioning.

In my current office, the thermostat is broken. It is theoretically set at 72, but I'm sure it cannot be actually above 60.  When I have to be campus, I wear multiple layers including my coat and have purchased finger-less gloves due to the problem wareagle is describing.

That is too cold. In my building, we're not allowed to change the thermostat, well, we can't since it's controlled at another location.
I have a thermostat, but I think it is merely decorative.

Current office has a decorative thermostat as well.  So did previous office.  I am trying to figure out how to incorporate them into some kind of attractive wall art.  At least they'd be of some use then.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 11, 2021, 12:21:32 PM
QuoteI have a thermostat, but I think it is merely decorative.

Isnt there some foundational psychology/HR study that shows that as long as people THINK that they have some control they are happy?
So would that explain why you are (or at least should FEEL)  warmer and happier when you move your decorative thermostat to 85 in the winter and 65 in the summer?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 12:56:06 PM
Quote from: clean on February 11, 2021, 12:21:32 PM
QuoteI have a thermostat, but I think it is merely decorative.

Isnt there some foundational psychology/HR study that shows that as long as people THINK that they have some control they are happy?
So would that explain why you are (or at least should FEEL)  warmer and happier when you move your decorative thermostat to 85 in the winter and 65 in the summer?

I've usually worked in buildings where it was 65 year-round.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 11, 2021, 01:11:29 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 11, 2021, 10:14:29 AM
NYC streets are by default narrow with only one lane in each direction. Today there were wide trailers and trucks parked on two blocks resulting in buses coming from the other direction getting stuck because of trucks unloading the usual groceries and supplies on that side of the street. Guess how long it took for the bus and the cars behind it to get through? Guess how long it took me, the cars in front of me, and the ones behind me to get through? Which idiot in City Hall thought that allowing on-location shooting was a good idea in this neighborhood? Most likely the idiot who doesn't live here and who probably stood to gain from the transaction. At the very least, the city could have assigned one or more police officers to direct traffic. I can't imagine what it's like during rush hour.

It's a problem in several places, yes.

   https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2021/02/10/framingham-dont-look-up-filming-continues-for-netflix-series/6707240002/

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 19, 2021, 07:41:50 AM
The two private schools I teach for both are now emphasizing a need to cut back on the costs of expensive textbooks. They are encouraging the use of free textbooks.

I'd be more sympathetic if they told us more about what they are doing to cut back on student costs in other ways. Textbook costs are only a tiny proportion of tuition. With greater class sizes faculty are more motivated to rely on the resources supplied by textbook publishers.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 19, 2021, 02:52:21 PM
QuoteThey are encouraging the use of free textbooks.

What authors write text books for free?
What publisher sells "free textbooks"?

In the recent congressional hearings on Gamesmart one of the congresspeople noted, "if you are getting free stock trades, you are not the client, you are the product".  (As the trading platform is selling your order!)

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook? 

____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.
________________
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on February 19, 2021, 02:56:06 PM
Quote from: clean on February 19, 2021, 02:52:21 PM
QuoteThey are encouraging the use of free textbooks.

What authors write text books for free?
What publisher sells "free textbooks"?

In the recent congressional hearings on Gamesmart one of the congresspeople noted, "if you are getting free stock trades, you are not the client, you are the product".  (As the trading platform is selling your order!)

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook? 

____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.
________________

Openstax.com is one source.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 19, 2021, 03:34:54 PM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 11:23:43 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 11, 2021, 10:30:05 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 11, 2021, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on February 11, 2021, 09:05:58 AM
Quote from: apl68 on February 11, 2021, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: wareagle on February 11, 2021, 08:55:48 AM
IT IS FIFTY-NINE DEGREES IN MY OFFICE.  I can't type with mittens on.

What gets me is when this happens in the summertime....

In my previous office, I measured the temp as 85 degrees in the summer--we theoretically had air conditioning.

In my current office, the thermostat is broken. It is theoretically set at 72, but I'm sure it cannot be actually above 60.  When I have to be campus, I wear multiple layers including my coat and have purchased finger-less gloves due to the problem wareagle is describing.

That is too cold. In my building, we're not allowed to change the thermostat, well, we can't since it's controlled at another location.
I have a thermostat, but I think it is merely decorative.

Current office has a decorative thermostat as well.  So did previous office.  I am trying to figure out how to incorporate them into some kind of attractive wall art.  At least they'd be of some use then.

If it's round, you might consider something painted on the wall based on Sonia Delaunay's work:

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Delaunay#/media/File:Sonia_Delaunay,_1914,_Prismes_%C3%A9lectriques,_oil_on_canvas,_250_x_250_cm,_Mus%C3%A9e_National_d'Art_Moderne.jpg

or

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Delaunay#/media/File:Sonia_Delaunay,_Rythme,_1938.jpg

or

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Delaunay#/media/File:Delaunay,_Dessin_en_couleurs,_published_in_Der_Sturm,_1922.jpg

or Frank Stella's:

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stella#/media/File:Frank_Stella's_'Harran_II',_1967.jpg

or

   https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Stella_%22Cones_and_Pillars%22_%28Part_2%29.jpg

Just for fun...

M.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 19, 2021, 04:09:45 PM
QuoteQuote from: clean on Today at 02:52:21 PM
Quote
They are encouraging the use of free textbooks.

What authors write text books for free?
What publisher sells "free textbooks"?

In the recent congressional hearings on Gamesmart one of the congresspeople noted, "if you are getting free stock trades, you are not the client, you are the product".  (As the trading platform is selling your order!)

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook?

____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.
________________

Openstax.com is one source.
Quote

Great!  You answered the first part.  What is the answer to the second part?

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook?

____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on February 20, 2021, 02:59:09 AM
Quote from: clean on February 19, 2021, 04:09:45 PM
Great!  You answered the first part.  What is the answer to the second part?

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook?
____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.

Quote from: https://openstax.org/faqHow does Openstax make money?
OpenStax is part of Rice University. We are also supported by foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation and other generous supporters. Foundations give us the funding to create high quality, peer-reviewed textbooks that are written by paid educators and experts, not crowd sourced. We also have partnerships with for-profit companies that provide sophisticated, optional online homework at a low cost. These partners give us a mission support fee in return for using our content, contributing to our sustainability.

Is OpenStax sustainable? How can you afford to make high quality learning materials for available for little to no cost?
Yes. OpenStax is supported by philanthropic foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, and more that provide funding for the development of our free textbooks. We also have partnerships with for-profit companies that provide sophisticated, optional online homework and adaptive courseware for our books at a low cost. These partners give us a mission support fee in return for using our content, contributing to our sustainability. This model allows us to create free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks and keep those titles up to date.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on February 20, 2021, 09:34:13 AM
Quote from: namazu on February 20, 2021, 02:59:09 AM
Quote from: clean on February 19, 2021, 04:09:45 PM
Great!  You answered the first part.  What is the answer to the second part?

Similarly, what is the going price/value (revenue stream) of the student/product using the free textbook?
____________
Facebook users are not the Facebook 'customer'. Facebook users are the Product being sold to the advertiser - Facebook's true customer.

Quote from: https://openstax.org/faqHow does Openstax make money?
OpenStax is part of Rice University. We are also supported by foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation and other generous supporters. Foundations give us the funding to create high quality, peer-reviewed textbooks that are written by paid educators and experts, not crowd sourced. We also have partnerships with for-profit companies that provide sophisticated, optional online homework at a low cost. These partners give us a mission support fee in return for using our content, contributing to our sustainability.

Is OpenStax sustainable? How can you afford to make high quality learning materials for available for little to no cost?
Yes. OpenStax is supported by philanthropic foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, and more that provide funding for the development of our free textbooks. We also have partnerships with for-profit companies that provide sophisticated, optional online homework and adaptive courseware for our books at a low cost. These partners give us a mission support fee in return for using our content, contributing to our sustainability. This model allows us to create free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks and keep those titles up to date.

Interesting, thanks.  Big role for foundations, including the ubiquitous Gates?  There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on February 23, 2021, 10:00:34 AM
I really wish some people would stop be so sanctimonious, absolutist, loud, and aggressive about their political belief systems--not EVERYONE agrees with you...and just because they do not does not necessarily make them terrible people or stupid!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 23, 2021, 11:18:33 AM
Demanding documentation of the un-documentable, and withholding merit pay increases based on that lack, is EVIL.

How does one document "advising quality" when the only criteria in the contract is "Each faculty member advises up to 30 students.  Student advisees in excess of 30 counts toward College Community Service."

I advise 60-70 a year and we aren't allowed to give advising surveys on an individual level, only aggregated for the entire department.  How would I show that I do an good/great/superlative job at that?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on February 23, 2021, 11:27:21 AM
Quote from: FishProf on February 23, 2021, 11:18:33 AM
Demanding documentation of the un-documentable, and withholding merit pay increases based on that lack, is EVIL.

How does one document "advising quality" when the only criteria in the contract is "Each faculty member advises up to 30 students.  Student advisees in excess of 30 counts toward College Community Service."

I advise 60-70 a year and we aren't allowed to give advising surveys on an individual level, only aggregated for the entire department.  How would I show that I do an good/great/superlative job at that?

How many of your advisees were retained to the next semester/year?

How many of them changed majors?

How many went on probation, or were suspended?  How many made the dean's list?  How many were accepted into grad school/law school/fill-in-the-blank school?  How many found good jobs in your field?

Can your IR office give you those data?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 23, 2021, 11:28:28 AM
Dear Dean

Thanks for the info about professional development day you will have soon, via Zoom.

I guess you have to do professional development days, and I guess some people have a contractual obligation to attend, or at least some incentive vis-a-vis promotion.

But really, what a waste of time. Good luck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 23, 2021, 11:30:26 AM
How would one document that any of that was a result of good or poor advising? How do I list the Pre-Meds who had no business being near a med school even as an organ donor, who I steered into other avenues? 

Advising, good and bad, is a slippery thing to measure, and especially to document.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 23, 2021, 01:01:57 PM
Quote from: FishProf on February 23, 2021, 11:30:26 AM
How would one document that any of that was a result of good or poor advising? How do I list the Pre-Meds who had no business being near a med school even as an organ donor, who I steered into other avenues? 

Advising, good and bad, is a slippery thing to measure, and especially to document.

Could your emails and/or online calendar serve as a "paper trail" (so-called)?

I've used mine to document when I've sent things out, to prove the work must have been done by then, etc. on occasion.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on February 23, 2021, 01:04:13 PM
Quote from: FishProf on February 23, 2021, 11:30:26 AM
How would one document that any of that was a result of good or poor advising? How do I list the Pre-Meds who had no business being near a med school even as an organ donor, who I steered into other avenues? 

Advising, good and bad, is a slippery thing to measure, and especially to document.

Think correlation, not causation. What did you advise and what did they do? If you routinely advise pre-med students taking GatewayCourse to participate in the free supplemental instruction program for that class, can you get info on how many attended at least one session and cite that? Has an advisee emailed you a "yeah, I did that" or "thanks" that you can include? From what I've seen, any documentation beyond "I advised 71 students" would likely be sufficient since documenting advising quality is hard.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 23, 2021, 01:34:04 PM
I've gotten a few things taken care of that have been needing done for awhile (finances, legal, and such). I was feeling a lot better, but then everybody in my orbit has been snippy, snarly, and downright mean for the past few days.

I took a day of medical leave for a mental health day today.  Sometimes you just have to, right?  (I'm going to sit out on the patio in the warm sun for a little while.  Maybe that will cheer me up.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 23, 2021, 03:13:39 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 23, 2021, 01:34:04 PM
I've gotten a few things taken care of that have been needing done for awhile (finances, legal, and such). I was feeling a lot better, but then everybody in my orbit has been snippy, snarly, and downright mean for the past few days.

I took a day of medical leave for a mental health day today.  Sometimes you just have to, right?  (I'm going to sit out on the patio in the warm sun for a little while.  Maybe that will cheer me up.)

Good to see you!

How's the quilting?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 23, 2021, 03:16:22 PM
QuoteStudent advisees in excess of 30 counts toward College Community Service."

I advise 60-70 a year and we aren't allowed to give advising surveys on an individual level, only aggregated for the entire department.

Perhaps another perspective is called for.... Consider:

YOU SUCK AS AN ADVISOR!   Therefore, you should NOT be PERMITTED to advise more than twice the required load!  Forthwith, transfer the surplus to the admincritter that is filling out your evaluation!!  FOR THE GOOD OF THE STUDENTS !!! BEFORE YOU SCREW THEM UP FOR LIFE AND ENDANGER THE CONTUED OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY, you MUST transfer them to the most qualified person (clearly, the administrator overseer!) 


Good Luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 23, 2021, 05:31:38 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 23, 2021, 01:34:04 PM
I've gotten a few things taken care of that have been needing done for awhile (finances, legal, and such). I was feeling a lot better, but then everybody in my orbit has been snippy, snarly, and downright mean for the past few days.

I took a day of medical leave for a mental health day today.  Sometimes you just have to, right?  (I'm going to sit out on the patio in the warm sun for a little while.  Maybe that will cheer me up.)

A little sun always helps.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 24, 2021, 04:07:42 AM
Quote from: clean on February 23, 2021, 03:16:22 PM
QuoteStudent advisees in excess of 30 counts toward College Community Service."

I advise 60-70 a year and we aren't allowed to give advising surveys on an individual level, only aggregated for the entire department.

Perhaps another perspective is called for.... Consider:

YOU SUCK AS AN ADVISOR!   Therefore, you should NOT be PERMITTED to advise more than twice the required load!  Forthwith, transfer the surplus to the admincritter that is filling out your evaluation!!  FOR THE GOOD OF THE STUDENTS !!! BEFORE YOU SCREW THEM UP FOR LIFE AND ENDANGER THE CONTUED OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY, you MUST transfer them to the most qualified person (clearly, the administrator overseer!) 

Good Luck!
Well, this is for Merit Pay, so if they deem my work insufficient, it would be the only responsible thing to do...

Not being Chair would also be warranted.  If I can't do the basic job of professor well enough...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 24, 2021, 09:32:40 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 23, 2021, 05:31:38 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 23, 2021, 01:34:04 PM
I've gotten a few things taken care of that have been needing done for awhile (finances, legal, and such). I was feeling a lot better, but then everybody in my orbit has been snippy, snarly, and downright mean for the past few days.

I took a day of medical leave for a mental health day today.  Sometimes you just have to, right?  (I'm going to sit out on the patio in the warm sun for a little while.  Maybe that will cheer me up.)

A little sun always helps.

It did, thanks!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 25, 2021, 04:41:17 AM
Dear Dean

Thanks for your email about the student who has been ill. Yes, I can be flexible about some course requirements.

I am curious why you think I should be the one emailing the student. If the student is recovered, then the student can email me. If the student is not recovered, then it can wait.

I also am curious about why you are asking rather than telling. Either the student is entitled to hand in work late or they are not. It's not about me being nice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 25, 2021, 08:10:43 AM
QuoteI also am curious about why you are asking rather than telling. Either the student is entitled to hand in work late or they are not. It's not about me being nice.

Perhaps this is Dale Carnegie in action?  "Ask questions instead of issuing commands"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on February 26, 2021, 04:12:03 AM
Yesterday my supervisor suddenly asked to review my position description but then postponed the meeting at the last moment, leaving me fretting over what's going on. Then a neighbor asked me to check on a sick pet and as I left her house, I wiped out on her wonky front step and wrenched an ankle. Feeling pretty grumpy at the moment!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 26, 2021, 10:45:28 AM
We're having one of those weeks when things don't seem to work very well around here.  We've had an odd problem with our newly-adopted credit card payment service.  We can't get hold of our IT contractor to fix some internet access issues that have made it hard for patrons to use our Wi-Fi.  And our public photocopier keeps acting up.  These problems are putting undue stress on staff members, and inconveniencing the people we're supposed to be serving. 

It's good that libraries can provide a wider variety of services than they once did.  But to be able to provide these services, we have to depend on technology from assorted vendors.  And our vendors have not been doing well by us lately.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 26, 2021, 11:45:06 AM
What is up [Online Vendor]?!  You have emailed me every week all year trying to sell your product.  I've NEVER responded.  Why are you now emailing daily, and casually, like we're old friends?

It's not going to happen.  Stop.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 01, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
Wait. So Interlibrary Loan is not doing physical copies of books (fair enough) nor is it doing ebooks.

So basically it isn't doing books at all.

You could just say that on the main page to make it clear you have given up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on March 01, 2021, 10:28:33 AM
I really don't want to re-review this paper.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 01, 2021, 10:30:46 AM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
Wait. So Interlibrary Loan is not doing physical copies of books (fair enough) nor is it doing ebooks.

So basically it isn't doing books at all.

You could just say that on the main page to make it clear you have given up.

What ARE they still doing?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 01, 2021, 12:21:39 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 01, 2021, 10:30:46 AM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
Wait. So Interlibrary Loan is not doing physical copies of books (fair enough) nor is it doing ebooks.

So basically it isn't doing books at all.

You could just say that on the main page to make it clear you have given up.

What ARE they still doing?

They will still deliver PDFs of journal articles.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on March 01, 2021, 04:49:01 PM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 12:21:39 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 01, 2021, 10:30:46 AM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
Wait. So Interlibrary Loan is not doing physical copies of books (fair enough) nor is it doing ebooks.

So basically it isn't doing books at all.

You could just say that on the main page to make it clear you have given up.

What ARE they still doing?

They will still deliver PDFs of journal articles.

Our library recently bought a book they couldn't borrow for me. Surprised me, but they said it wasn't too expensive and looked useful for collection. Love our library!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 02, 2021, 07:15:16 AM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 12:21:39 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 01, 2021, 10:30:46 AM
Quote from: downer on March 01, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
Wait. So Interlibrary Loan is not doing physical copies of books (fair enough) nor is it doing ebooks.

So basically it isn't doing books at all.

You could just say that on the main page to make it clear you have given up.

What ARE they still doing?

They will still deliver PDFs of journal articles.

I'm surprised that libraries are still refusing to circulate hard copies by ILL.  Public libraries returned to circulating hard copies months ago with no indication that it's making people sick.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 02, 2021, 08:41:55 AM
I think it is a way to cut costs.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on March 08, 2021, 09:03:29 AM
So my Uni has just established (through an alumni donation) an award for women faculty. In particular it's for women who go above an beyond in the service category. There is a decent check that comes with the award in addition to . . . . getting to serve on as the University delegate on some national level committee!

GWAAAH!!!

Just once, I want this kind of award to come with an all expenses paid trip to Waikiki, not more thankless work.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on March 08, 2021, 10:49:38 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on March 08, 2021, 09:03:29 AM
So my Uni has just established (through an alumni donation) an award for women faculty. In particular it's for women who go above an beyond in the service category. There is a decent check that comes with the award in addition to . . . . getting to serve on as the University delegate on some national level committee!

GWAAAH!!!

Just once, I want this kind of award to come with an all expenses paid trip to Waikiki, not more thankless work.

Maybe the national level committee will meet somewhere awesome?  Use the check to stay a few extra days & make a vacation out of it. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 08, 2021, 11:48:01 AM
Health insurance companies are a major pain in the ass!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on March 08, 2021, 07:55:49 PM
I missed most of my online conference today, because "I know you're in a conference, but ...." about 20 times. Most of the interruptions were from people I've been trying to chase down for a week or more. Why did they ALL have to be available today?

Tomorrow, my door will be locked, out of office message will be on, and email auto-reply will say "I'm presenting at an international conference and am unavailable."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 10, 2021, 12:40:39 PM
Registrar
Unless you tell me how "not attending" is different from "never attended" I really can't give you updated info on which students are not attending.
The fact that you don't give a definition suggests you don't really give a shit either.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on March 10, 2021, 12:44:54 PM
My guess is that "not attending" includes the subset of "never attended", but has different ramifications for financial aid. My LMS indicates the last time that a student logged into the class. Last semester, I had several students who never logged on - they were on my "never attended" list. I also had students who stopped logging on at some point during the semester. They were on my "not attending" list and I had to provide a date at which they stopped attending.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 10, 2021, 12:47:27 PM
Right. But does logging on to the LMS count as attending? If they miss one week, are they "not attending"?
Once the semester is over, I can give a last date of attendance. But I won't know the last date of attendance until the semester is over.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on March 10, 2021, 01:01:46 PM
I agree that it is ridiculous that your registrar can't give a clear definition of this. My school has a wildly generous definition of attending that includes emailing the instructor with any question about any class material, even once, but there is at least a list of specific activities that count!

If the registrar has no definition, can you make up your own?

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 10, 2021, 01:12:25 PM
Quote from: AvidReader on March 10, 2021, 01:01:46 PM
I agree that it is ridiculous that your registrar can't give a clear definition of this. My school has a wildly generous definition of attending that includes emailing the instructor with any question about any class material, even once, but there is at least a list of specific activities that count!

If the registrar has no definition, can you make up your own?

AR.

Yes, I will assume that students who have not been doing any work are just having a rest, and plan to return. Otherwise they would have withdrawn, right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on March 10, 2021, 01:21:54 PM
Quote from: downer on March 10, 2021, 01:12:25 PM
Yes, I will assume that students who have not been doing any work are just having a rest, and plan to return. Otherwise they would have withdrawn, right?

Not if they need to be enrolled for financial aid reasons. Ever have students take courses purely to meet financial aid credit hour quotas?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wareagle on March 10, 2021, 01:25:58 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on March 10, 2021, 01:21:54 PM
Quote from: downer on March 10, 2021, 01:12:25 PM
Yes, I will assume that students who have not been doing any work are just having a rest, and plan to return. Otherwise they would have withdrawn, right?

Not if they need to be enrolled for financial aid reasons. Ever have students take courses purely to meet financial aid credit hour quotas?

Sure have.  They usually use the aid for basic needs - food, shelter.  A handful use it for a nice spring break vacation, though.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 10, 2021, 01:30:24 PM
I got a reply from the registrar. There is a document that addresses the issue. The answer is: do what you like!
I already know what I like.

Quote from: Cheerful on March 10, 2021, 01:21:54 PM
Quote from: downer on March 10, 2021, 01:12:25 PM
Yes, I will assume that students who have not been doing any work are just having a rest, and plan to return. Otherwise they would have withdrawn, right?

Not if they need to be enrolled for financial aid reasons. Ever have students take courses purely to meet financial aid credit hour quotas?

It would violate the spirit of community and campus family, which are so often emphasized in communications from the administration, to make such vile assumptions about students.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2021, 02:23:05 PM
You know that some students DO this, but you don't know who.  So you can't report them.  You might figure it out at the end of the semester, but that's too l late.  The administration wants to know?  Sounds like them problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on March 11, 2021, 05:49:59 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 10, 2021, 02:23:05 PM
You know that some students DO this, but you don't know who.  So you can't report them.  You might figure it out at the end of the semester, but that's too l late.  The administration wants to know?  Sounds like them problem.

Last semester, my department agreed to respond by exporting rosters with last time stamp, sorting by date, deleting student names if they had logged in during the last 15 days, then sending list to Registrar. Attendance jumped soon after. From random student contacts, I gather that financial aid and advising staff contacted non-attending students as part of the retain-students-and-tuition/fees initiative.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 08:55:40 AM
My insurance company denied my surgery saying that it wasn't 'medically necessary.' Really? REALLY???????

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 11, 2021, 10:06:18 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 08:55:40 AM
My insurance company denied my surgery saying that it wasn't 'medically necessary.' Really? REALLY???????

Really.  They'll do just fine without it.

What? You thought this was about YOU?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 11, 2021, 01:36:49 PM
QuoteMy insurance company denied my surgery saying that it wasn't 'medically necessary.' Really? REALLY???????

Im sure that the doctor's office can file some additional paperwork to show that it is. 

Otherwise perhaps you can call your HR department and ask them about an advocate.

(I was assigned a BCBS nurse once. Im not sure why... It was after I was in the hospital, but I am not sure that it was related to the hospital visit or they happened to cold call me with my 'new benefit' at the right time.  She was able to cut some red tape for me as doctor's offices tend to answer calls from insurance companies and other health professionals.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on March 11, 2021, 02:04:11 PM
After I had cataract surgery several years ago, my insurance company stunned me by denying coverage.  What, do they think it's okay for me to go blind?  Is that acceptable?  How can they not cover cataract surgery? 

In the end, a mediator worked her magic and they ended up paying, but good grief. What an unnecessary hassle.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 03:04:25 PM
By a miracle from Odin, my doctor spoke with the insurance company and they decided that yes, I do need surgery. Fuckers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 11, 2021, 03:28:39 PM
OMG... Insurance!! 
Surely a realm of Hell!

In October 2018 I was hospitalized with pulmonary embolisms (both lungs).  I only stayed one night because they were unable to find any more blood clots that they feared may break off and make things worse.  (The damage was already done)  So I was not required, though I had the option to stay a second night. 

Weeks later, I got a letter from the insurance company (BCBS) that I was approved for one night!  So I am glad that I chose not to stay longer as I would then have had to fight for the added coverage! 

Bastards! 


Even Today!  A recently retired coworker's husband is dealing with Humana for her husband. He had a stroke last week and the doctors and rehab facilities are ready to move him, but Humana has yet to approve it!  Humana claimed "no one put a rush on it"  from the doctor or rehab.  My former coworker is NOW having to get an attorney to draw up a Health Care Power of Attorney because Humana will not deal with my coworker (and her hubby had a stroke so he needs the rehab in order to be understood when he talks!!)

Fortunately, I already have 2 health care power of attorney people (with the HIPA releases that are needed as well). 

Anyway!  Evil Physics Wichcraft, have a good weekend before your NOW Covered Surgery!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 04:10:10 PM
Quote from: clean on March 11, 2021, 03:28:39 PM
OMG... Insurance!! 
Surely a realm of Hell!

In October 2018 I was hospitalized with pulmonary embolisms (both lungs).  I only stayed one night because they were unable to find any more blood clots that they feared may break off and make things worse.  (The damage was already done)  So I was not required, though I had the option to stay a second night. 

Weeks later, I got a letter from the insurance company (BCBS) that I was approved for one night!  So I am glad that I chose not to stay longer as I would then have had to fight for the added coverage! 

Bastards! 


Even Today!  A recently retired coworker's husband is dealing with Humana for her husband. He had a stroke last week and the doctors and rehab facilities are ready to move him, but Humana has yet to approve it!  Humana claimed "no one put a rush on it"  from the doctor or rehab.  My former coworker is NOW having to get an attorney to draw up a Health Care Power of Attorney because Humana will not deal with my coworker (and her hubby had a stroke so he needs the rehab in order to be understood when he talks!!)

Fortunately, I already have 2 health care power of attorney people (with the HIPA releases that are needed as well). 

Anyway!  Evil Physics Wichcraft, have a good weekend before your NOW Covered Surgery!!

Thanks, Clean.

Yes, insurance companies are beyond the Ninth Circle of Hell. So tired of companies profiting off our health (good or bad).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on March 11, 2021, 05:17:24 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 03:04:25 PM
By a miracle from Odin, my doctor spoke with the insurance company and they decided that yes, I do need surgery. Fuckers.

Glad to hear it will be covered. Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick and complete recovery. And that when you get home, you get swarmed by loving, snuggly kitty cats.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 06:32:50 PM
Quote from: Larimar on March 11, 2021, 05:17:24 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 03:04:25 PM
By a miracle from Odin, my doctor spoke with the insurance company and they decided that yes, I do need surgery. Fuckers.

Glad to hear it will be covered. Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick and complete recovery. And that when you get home, you get swarmed by loving, snuggly kitty cats.

Thanks Larimar. :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 11, 2021, 08:55:23 PM
Quote from: cathwen on March 11, 2021, 02:04:11 PM
After I had cataract surgery several years ago, my insurance company stunned me by denying coverage.  What, do they think it's okay for me to go blind?  Is that acceptable?  How can they not cover cataract surgery? 

In the end, a mediator worked her magic and they ended up paying, but good grief. What an unnecessary hassle.

That's ridiculous! I'm glad the mediator got the company to cover the surgery.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 12, 2021, 10:08:49 AM
And this is why I double and triple-check things. Called the insurance company and they have no such record of my doctor speaking with them, or an approval. Waiting to call the doctor back (they're on lunch).

Grr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on March 12, 2021, 11:11:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 12, 2021, 10:08:49 AM
And this is why I double and triple-check things. Called the insurance company and they have no such record of my doctor speaking with them, or an approval. Waiting to call the doctor back (they're on lunch).

Grr.

Yes, smart to confirm.
Why has our society become so error-laden?  Seems rampant.  People not paying attention to detail, errors, telling you something's addressed and you find out it's not, etc.  Sorry you're having to go through all of this.  Gonna feel great to have it all behind you soon!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 12, 2021, 11:48:02 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on March 12, 2021, 11:11:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 12, 2021, 10:08:49 AM
And this is why I double and triple-check things. Called the insurance company and they have no such record of my doctor speaking with them, or an approval. Waiting to call the doctor back (they're on lunch).

Grr.

Yes, smart to confirm.
Why has our society become so error-laden?  Seems rampant.  People not paying attention to detail, errors, telling you something's addressed and you find out it's not, etc.  Sorry you're having to go through all of this.  Gonna feel great to have it all behind you soon!

I'm not sure about other areas of life, but my main hypothesis regarding health insurance is that that their goal is to dissuade people from following up, and generally make them give up the fight. The more dispiriting they make the experience, the better for them.

So far I've had very little to disconfirm my hypothesis.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on March 12, 2021, 01:39:25 PM
Yep. Insurance companies are in the business of avoiding paying whenever and however they possibly can.

Last summer I had to have dental surgery. I had to pay the whole $8000+ cost up front to get the procedure done, and I had to take out a new line of credit in order to do that. It then took 3 months for the insurance company to reimburse me. There were a lot of phone calls in the meantime just to find out what was going on, and then the double checks.

I don't intend to forget about this.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 12, 2021, 02:54:25 PM
Argh, insurance companies!! Don't get me started.   I'm deleting my rant because each time I try to edit it down I just expand upon it further.  Anyway, venting in solidarity! Hope it gets sorted quickly and easily, EPW.

Quote from: downer on March 12, 2021, 11:48:02 AM
I'm not sure about other areas of life, but my main hypothesis regarding health insurance is that that their goal is to dissuade people from following up, and generally make them give up the fight. The more dispiriting they make the experience, the better for them.

So far I've had very little to disconfirm my hypothesis.

YES
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 13, 2021, 06:44:28 AM
Quote from: downer on March 12, 2021, 11:48:02 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on March 12, 2021, 11:11:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 12, 2021, 10:08:49 AM
And this is why I double and triple-check things. Called the insurance company and they have no such record of my doctor speaking with them, or an approval. Waiting to call the doctor back (they're on lunch).

Grr.

Yes, smart to confirm.
Why has our society become so error-laden?  Seems rampant.  People not paying attention to detail, errors, telling you something's addressed and you find out it's not, etc.  Sorry you're having to go through all of this.  Gonna feel great to have it all behind you soon!

I'm not sure about other areas of life, but my main hypothesis regarding health insurance is that that their goal is to dissuade people from following up, and generally make them give up the fight. The more dispiriting they make the experience, the better for them.

So far I've had very little to disconfirm my hypothesis.

That, and the insurance system has become so inefficient and complex that it's very easy for stuff to fall through the cracks. 

A neighbor of mine, who also happens to be on our Board of Trustees and is in charge of the local hospital, groups insurance companies into categories of "Slow pay" and "No pay."  Hospitals and medical practices have to spend a huge amount of time and effort dealing with insurance as well.  At times their very survival depends on how well they can get money out of the insurers.  Many rural hospitals and practices in recent years haven't made it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 13, 2021, 07:18:26 AM
Back in the 1960s, my dad was called for jury duty in a case where someone was suing an insurance company.  The lawyers asked him, "Do you have any opinions about insurance companies?"  He answered, "The bastards are all as crooked as a barrel of snakes."  He was back at work that same afternoon.

Dad was right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 13, 2021, 07:30:32 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 13, 2021, 07:18:26 AM
Back in the 1960s, my dad was called for jury duty in a case where someone was suing an insurance company.  The lawyers asked him, "Do you have any opinions about insurance companies?"  He answered, "The bastards are all as crooked as a barrel of snakes."  He was back at work that same afternoon.

Dad was right.

Yep.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on March 13, 2021, 07:45:51 AM
My Canadian view of this is like watching some kind of dystopian fantasy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on March 13, 2021, 05:14:39 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on March 13, 2021, 07:45:51 AM
My Canadian view of this is like watching some kind of dystopian fantasy.

In Canada, do some people have private health insurance or is everything public? Here in Australia, we have public health care but you can speed things up by going private and over a certain income you pay additional tax if you don't have private health insurance.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on March 14, 2021, 06:31:14 AM
Quote from: science.expat on March 13, 2021, 05:14:39 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on March 13, 2021, 07:45:51 AM
My Canadian view of this is like watching some kind of dystopian fantasy.

In Canada, do some people have private health insurance or is everything public? Here in Australia, we have public health care but you can speed things up by going private and over a certain income you pay additional tax if you don't have private health insurance.

While there are federal guidelines, each province has their own specific rules over healthcare. So things like drugs, dental, and vision care can have different things covered in different provinces. So private health insurance tends to cover those other things. My work health insurance covers dental and vision care, so that's mostly what people have private insurance for. I think the law in Canada requires doctors to either be part of the public system or be totally private, so in practice the private option doesn't really exist. (Someone else may be able to correct me on that.) But the important part is that if I got in a car accident in some other province, I wouldn't have to worry about a bill, since that gets sorted between provinces.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 11:48:44 AM
I work at a major R1 university. We have lots of grants. Why is it, then, that the grant management software is so horrific? My expenditures are pretty easy: graduate student salary, my summer salary, and some travel. As I near the end of a grant, I should be able to assess quickly how much is left and how much of that has already been pre-allocated for salaries (our graduate students are on contract, so the amount remaining to be paid is known). Instead, I get a listing that includes "encumbrances" that have no connection with current contracts and do not include the fringe benefits (health insurance) for graduate student appointments. Last summer, the encumbrances included graduate student stipends that I had not yet contracted; now, they have no mathematical relation to the stipend of the student currently under contract. I do not know how people with complicated budgets navigate this system!

As a separate, but related, annoyance, HR does not yet know the fringe rate for summer stipends. How am I suppose to avoid overspending on this grant if I do not know the fringe rate for salary to be allocated in the month that the grant ends?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 15, 2021, 12:59:57 PM
Syllabus Change Time!!

I have an online class that I teach 3 times a year (each in a different time format... 7 weeks in Spring, 10 weeks in Summer and 15 weeks in Fall).

I use Examity for exams.  Since COVID they ask that exams be offered over longer periods.  So I have given the students a 48 hour window to take the exam.  Many, many schedule in the last time slots available.  However, inevitably, there is some problem that some will encounter.  IF they scheduled the exam in the first hours available, then they have time to fix the problems, or they would not even BE problems because there is time available.  In other words, nothing is required of me to intervene. 

Those that wait and have a problem, almost always require that I intervene to make changes to Blackboard and then to communicate with Examity in order for the student to be able to take the exam late (and hopefully not pay another exam fee).  These changes seem to take at least 6 and up to 10 emails between me and the student and the Examity Folks. 

Frankly, I m not sure about Examity all the time either!  They tell me that they have 'attempted to contact the student, but there we no answer', but when I forward that email to the student confirming their phone number, they claim that they have no calls from anyone ! 

Last night was the end of my 7 week Spring class. One student is only now finishing the exam because of some problems.  He logged in on time, but Examity required him to download a new file and confirm it was working. By the time they were all ready to start the exam, the window had closed!  I didnt get any notifications of problems until 20 minutes AFTER the exam was supposed to be started (10pm), so I didnt get the notice until I checked again on my way to bed at 11.  I made the fast changes I could make and sent it to the student, but as something had started on Examity's end, they needed to wait an hour before something on that end timed out, and that was After the extensions I had made so I didnt next hear from the student until after midnight! 


ANYWAY, I am NOW so annoyed by these unending problems that I am seriously considering whether to add to the syllabus and all test registration  reminders a notice that any student that schedules their exam in the last hour accepts all of the risks that there are computer or other errors!  That I will not extend any deadlines and that should the student miss a deadline because they registered in the last hour AND had a problem, that they accepted those risks!  NO more problems for ME becuase THEY decided to delay!

Thoughts?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 15, 2021, 01:09:27 PM
There are two dimensions. Would such a policy be fair? And would be be effective at solving problems?

I'd say probably not very fair -- while a lot of "technical problems" result from students not paying attention, and may not exist at all, some are genuine. Maybe you could require screen shots of the problems as proof?

Effective? That depends on the student population and the school. Most of my students are on the passive side, and deans tend to side with faculty if there is a complaint. I can mostly have any policy I want, within reason. So it depends on how the administration will react if students complain about unfairness.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on March 15, 2021, 01:21:34 PM
Can you limit the Examity time slots to all be during "normal business hours" or at least not past the time you'd normally stop checking your emails?  If you teach large classes, you will always have a student with a technology problem (unpaid internet is shut off, laptop stolen by roommate, etc.).  Ugh for Examity issues though. 

My vent:  The [Basketweaving 101 lab] has a HUGE waitlist.  This is a required class for anyone who wants to be some sort of [life of baskets] major.  I've been telling you about this issue for the last two weeks.  The list is getting longer, not shorter. 
YOU are the department chair.  It is YOUR decision to approve hiring more instructors and add more sections.  YOU need to make a d@mn decision and make it soon!  Your usual strategy of "if I ignore it, the problem will simply go away" isn't going to work.
This class starts in 2 weeks.  Either add more sections or YOU are getting the blame for the 100+ students who will be behind in their major.  I will message each and every single one of them and give them your email.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on March 15, 2021, 02:03:42 PM
Quote from: clean on March 15, 2021, 12:59:57 PM
Syllabus Change Time!!

I have an online class that I teach 3 times a year (each in a different time format... 7 weeks in Spring, 10 weeks in Summer and 15 weeks in Fall).

I use Examity for exams.  Since COVID they ask that exams be offered over longer periods.  So I have given the students a 48 hour window to take the exam.  Many, many schedule in the last time slots available.  However, inevitably, there is some problem that some will encounter.  IF they scheduled the exam in the first hours available, then they have time to fix the problems, or they would not even BE problems because there is time available.  In other words, nothing is required of me to intervene. 

Those that wait and have a problem, almost always require that I intervene to make changes to Blackboard and then to communicate with Examity in order for the student to be able to take the exam late (and hopefully not pay another exam fee).  These changes seem to take at least 6 and up to 10 emails between me and the student and the Examity Folks. 

Frankly, I m not sure about Examity all the time either!  They tell me that they have 'attempted to contact the student, but there we no answer', but when I forward that email to the student confirming their phone number, they claim that they have no calls from anyone ! 

Last night was the end of my 7 week Spring class. One student is only now finishing the exam because of some problems.  He logged in on time, but Examity required him to download a new file and confirm it was working. By the time they were all ready to start the exam, the window had closed!  I didnt get any notifications of problems until 20 minutes AFTER the exam was supposed to be started (10pm), so I didnt get the notice until I checked again on my way to bed at 11.  I made the fast changes I could make and sent it to the student, but as something had started on Examity's end, they needed to wait an hour before something on that end timed out, and that was After the extensions I had made so I didnt next hear from the student until after midnight! 


ANYWAY, I am NOW so annoyed by these unending problems that I am seriously considering whether to add to the syllabus and all test registration  reminders a notice that any student that schedules their exam in the last hour accepts all of the risks that there are computer or other errors!  That I will not extend any deadlines and that should the student miss a deadline because they registered in the last hour AND had a problem, that they accepted those risks!  NO more problems for ME becuase THEY decided to delay!

Thoughts?

No, it's not cool to hold students accountable for problems with the software that you have chosen (or your college has chosen) for the course. They are not "delaying" if they are attempting to complete the work within the prescribed time-frame you have given them.

I certainly feel your frustration though. I like the_gen's suggestion, but I have no idea how Examity works (side note: what a dumba$$ name for a product that is).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 15, 2021, 05:19:45 PM
This is WHY we have a VENTING thread!
I am certainly not thrilled with the huge waste of time that these issues have taken.

Examity, especially after COVID wants/prefers a 48 hour exam window.  I dont have a real problem with the time, but I am not thrilled that there are a bunch of students that take the exam from 10pm to Midnight of the last day!  I have tried to rein them in to starting the exam by 10, but even then some students complain , "I can not take it before 10 pm."  I reply that they CAN take it after 10 pm, but it would be after 10 pm before the final deadline day, and the thought that they would have to take the test before the very last minute of the very last moment of the exam window is so foreign and distasteful...How would any professor think such a thing even possible??

Anyway, I agree that I probably can not transfer the risk of scheduling in the last hour to the student.  (BUT I would LIKE TO!!) 

HOWEVER, I can revert to what I do in my other classes.  IF someone misses the test, for any reason, no worries!  The grade on the comprehensive final will replace the missed grade.  That means that I ONLY have to deal with the problems that come up from the final exam.  I CAN limit the hours of the final exam so that I am not dealing with a lot of problems late at night.  I can even give 'bonus points' for those that take the exam in the first hours of the exam window.  That may encourage some to voluntarily take the final exam earlier in the exam window. 

For this class, the final, not not other exams, is open book, and most do much better than on the earlier exams anyway, so even those that have a problem with one of the first exams wont feel too put out by the Final Replaces Missed Grade policy. 

Anyway, I appreciate the opportunity to Vent and the level headed advice that I need today!  I WILL include the final replacement policy for this class in the future, though!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on March 15, 2021, 06:19:04 PM
I've had similar issues with a midterm I gave this semester, clean. I've been thinking that if I need to do an online exam like this again, I might set it from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. to avoid the midnight hour complications. Ugh!

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 06:46:49 PM
Quote from: AvidReader on March 15, 2021, 06:19:04 PM
I've had similar issues with a midterm I gave this semester, clean. I've been thinking that if I need to do an online exam like this again, I might set it from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. to avoid the midnight hour complications. Ugh!

AR.

A word of caution: if you do not already have an 8am (or 8pm) deadline established for your class, you will almost certainly get complaints from students who did not realize that the deadline was not midnight (as this appears to be the default deadline for most LMS). I have a 5pm deadline for all assignments in my course *except* for the exams (which I leave as 11:59pm). I always have complaints at the start of the semester by students who miss the submission window for regular assignments since it is not "standard".

@clean: One work-around for the technical delays is to have a time at which it is due, and a time (an hour+ later) at which submissions close.  This is a loophole for students who wait even longer to start the exam, but does provide an automatic grace period for those who run into technical difficulties. While there are technical difficulties that could take more than an hour to resolve, that is going to be much fewer than what I hear you reporting here. Those who choose to start late, with a plan to submit late, should not expect (nor receive!) accomodations if there are technical difficulties.

I will also state that I do not use examity, so I do not know how they would deal with the above. All of my online exams are open note, open book, open everything. This removes my concerns about cheating. At the same time, my multiple choice questions appear to be sufficiently sophisticated (i.e., require application of knowledge and skills) such that the grade distribution appears to be indicative of student mastery.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 15, 2021, 07:19:30 PM
Quote@clean: One work-around for the technical delays is to have a time at which it is due, and a time (an hour+ later) at which submissions close.  This is a loophole for students who wait even longer to start the exam, but does provide an automatic grace period for those who run into technical difficulties.

I have already tried that... Blackboard puts the due date in the calendar, so I have had students attempt to take the exams 'on demand' and then complain that Examity would not let them take the exam, BUT Blackboard (to them) gave them the idea that they could still take it until the last minute.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 07:36:47 PM
Quote from: clean on March 15, 2021, 07:19:30 PM
Quote@clean: One work-around for the technical delays is to have a time at which it is due, and a time (an hour+ later) at which submissions close.  This is a loophole for students who wait even longer to start the exam, but does provide an automatic grace period for those who run into technical difficulties.

I have already tried that... Blackboard puts the due date in the calendar, so I have had students attempt to take the exams 'on demand' and then complain that Examity would not let them take the exam, BUT Blackboard (to them) gave them the idea that they could still take it until the last minute.



That is unfortunate. There really is no good way to say: "The exam closes at midnight, except in the rare case where you have technical difficulties, in which case you can have until 1am, but you must have attempted to start the exam at least x hours before midnight."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on March 16, 2021, 06:27:50 AM
Quote from: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 06:46:49 PM
A word of caution: if you do not already have an 8am (or 8pm) deadline established for your class, you will almost certainly get complaints from students who did not realize that the deadline was not midnight (as this appears to be the default deadline for most LMS). I have a 5pm deadline for all assignments in my course *except* for the exams (which I leave as 11:59pm). I always have complaints at the start of the semester by students who miss the submission window for regular assignments since it is not "standard".

Oh, good point. I do actually have a lot of work due in the mornings (usually at class time), but I can see that this could complicate rather than simplify things.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on March 16, 2021, 08:58:17 AM
Quote from: AvidReader on March 16, 2021, 06:27:50 AM
Quote from: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 06:46:49 PM
A word of caution: if you do not already have an 8am (or 8pm) deadline established for your class, you will almost certainly get complaints from students who did not realize that the deadline was not midnight (as this appears to be the default deadline for most LMS). I have a 5pm deadline for all assignments in my course *except* for the exams (which I leave as 11:59pm). I always have complaints at the start of the semester by students who miss the submission window for regular assignments since it is not "standard".

Oh, good point. I do actually have a lot of work due in the mornings (usually at class time), but I can see that this could complicate rather than simplify things.

AR.

I keep the due date and time standard for each of my class sections (e.g. all worksheets are due 24 hours after the end of the class session) and list all of the assignments & due dates in the syllabus, but I still get complaints from students that it's "not the same as [other class]".  I know the hardest part of online classes is being organized and responsible, but really??
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on March 28, 2021, 12:20:06 AM
I really need someone to act like it matters whether or not I get my usual medications so I can avoid the suffering and dysfunction of withdrawal and symptom recurrence.

I'm so tired of trying to get yet another botched refill request fixed and getting nonchalant responses from either doctors or pharmacists. There seems to be no sense of urgency or accountability. And this has been true for multiple doctors and multiple pharmacies, so it's not a simple fix of simply switching to someone who might at least pretend to care.

I'm also numbly discouraged at how easily multiple episodes of convulsions have been dismissed. No doc I've talked to thinks it warrants a referral to a neurologist. "Did you bite your tongue or lose bladder control? No? Then it doesn't sound like a seizure." But...those things don't *always* co-occur with seizure...and even if they're not seizures, they're still *something* worth getting checked out, no? Apparently not.

It often seems like the implied message is "You don't have any real problems. You don't need help. You just need to learn to suck it up and live with it." And the fact that I'm not 'living with it' very well makes me feel like a failure.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 28, 2021, 07:42:49 AM
SCR,
would your episodes prevent you, in your opinion, from driving?

Perhaps a way to get the physicians attention is to ask, Well, Doctor, in YOUR opinion, is it safe for me to drive?  (IF no, then Who should you be referring me to?  IF yes, ask for that to be written in a letter so that IF you ARE in an accident, you can have documentation that may be required for a malpractice inquiry..... that should shock your doctor into a referral to someone! )
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on March 28, 2021, 01:40:24 PM
Quote from: clean on March 28, 2021, 07:42:49 AM
SCR,
would your episodes prevent you, in your opinion, from driving?

Perhaps a way to get the physicians attention is to ask, Well, Doctor, in YOUR opinion, is it safe for me to drive?  (IF no, then Who should you be referring me to?  IF yes, ask for that to be written in a letter so that IF you ARE in an accident, you can have documentation that may be required for a malpractice inquiry..... that should shock your doctor into a referral to someone! )

Since I apparently don't even reflexively put my hands out to break my fall, I think it makes sense to take driving off the table.

Driving actually did come up in the appointment; doc says "well, for now, err on the side of caution and don't drive"; he still didn't see a reason to look further into it unless it "gets worse"

Eh...is this normal?

These shaking/convulsing episodes are causing falls; doesn't that at least make it worth getting checked out?

I had a friend once who fainted when getting up from a meeting; docs had him go through a number of tests just to rule out anything serious (even though there are lots and lots of non-serious reasons why someone might faint when standing up). They never did find a cause and it never happened again, but it still made sense to get him checked. Isn't something like this in a similar category?

Over the last couple of years, I've gone to doctors regarding 1) frequent numbness in my hands and feet lasting hours at a time 2) pain, spasms and difficulty moving one foot/ankle and 3) unusual sensory experiences and all I got were shrugs. "It's probably nothing serious."

Well, ok...but why does that mean it's not even worth addressing?

I had a hand injury that I would have classified as fairly low on my list of priorities of health malfunctions, but the particular doctor I managed to see for it gave me a referral right away for getting fitted for a brace and meeting with a physical therapist. Now the hand is nearly back to 100% function and the pain that used to keep me awake at night clutching an ice pack is practically gone. Makes me wonder what else could be better if some of the other issues got more attention.

Feeling so fuzzy and tired from not having my usual meds, so not in the best state to be argumentative and assertive. I could really use an ally right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on March 29, 2021, 09:30:39 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on March 28, 2021, 01:40:24 PM
Quote from: clean on March 28, 2021, 07:42:49 AM
SCR,
would your episodes prevent you, in your opinion, from driving?

Perhaps a way to get the physicians attention is to ask, Well, Doctor, in YOUR opinion, is it safe for me to drive?  (IF no, then Who should you be referring me to?  IF yes, ask for that to be written in a letter so that IF you ARE in an accident, you can have documentation that may be required for a malpractice inquiry..... that should shock your doctor into a referral to someone! )

Since I apparently don't even reflexively put my hands out to break my fall, I think it makes sense to take driving off the table.

Driving actually did come up in the appointment; doc says "well, for now, err on the side of caution and don't drive"; he still didn't see a reason to look further into it unless it "gets worse"

Eh...is this normal?

These shaking/convulsing episodes are causing falls; doesn't that at least make it worth getting checked out?

I had a friend once who fainted when getting up from a meeting; docs had him go through a number of tests just to rule out anything serious (even though there are lots and lots of non-serious reasons why someone might faint when standing up). They never did find a cause and it never happened again, but it still made sense to get him checked. Isn't something like this in a similar category?

Over the last couple of years, I've gone to doctors regarding 1) frequent numbness in my hands and feet lasting hours at a time 2) pain, spasms and difficulty moving one foot/ankle and 3) unusual sensory experiences and all I got were shrugs. "It's probably nothing serious."

Well, ok...but why does that mean it's not even worth addressing?

I had a hand injury that I would have classified as fairly low on my list of priorities of health malfunctions, but the particular doctor I managed to see for it gave me a referral right away for getting fitted for a brace and meeting with a physical therapist. Now the hand is nearly back to 100% function and the pain that used to keep me awake at night clutching an ice pack is practically gone. Makes me wonder what else could be better if some of the other issues got more attention.

Feeling so fuzzy and tired from not having my usual meds, so not in the best state to be argumentative and assertive. I could really use an ally right now.

No, it's not normal and the episodes are worth addressing.  Maybe find a new physician and lead with the "a previous doctor said I probably shouldn't drive".  If nothing else, they could try and rule OUT a bunch of possible causes: inner ear infection? extreme anxiety? blood sugar issues? blood flow issues?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on March 30, 2021, 05:18:14 AM
Quote from: arcturus on March 15, 2021, 07:36:47 PM
Quote from: clean on March 15, 2021, 07:19:30 PM
Quote@clean: One work-around for the technical delays is to have a time at which it is due, and a time (an hour+ later) at which submissions close.  This is a loophole for students who wait even longer to start the exam, but does provide an automatic grace period for those who run into technical difficulties.

I have already tried that... Blackboard puts the due date in the calendar, so I have had students attempt to take the exams 'on demand' and then complain that Examity would not let them take the exam, BUT Blackboard (to them) gave them the idea that they could still take it until the last minute.



That is unfortunate. There really is no good way to say: "The exam closes at midnight, except in the rare case where you have technical difficulties, in which case you can have until 1am, but you must have attempted to start the exam at least x hours before midnight."

Hmm Canvas lets me keep submissions open, but they are marked late and I can decide what do with that. I have a standard policy that until I'm up and at work the next morning is the grace period.  I think its helpful to keep the actual time vague. In truth I'm probably not going to worry about anything being late till the afternoon, but in practice its best not to tell the students that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 30, 2021, 08:27:31 AM
in thinking about this some more, some of this is the way Examity handles the registration problem.  I set everything up in Blackboard and IF I say that the exam is available from, for example, 8 to 10, they will allow students to register for slots between 8 and 10.  That is fine IF Examity is on time!  However, since Covid, they are extra busy, so even though a student has a 945 appointment time, it could be after 10 before an Examity person shows up and by then Blackboard has stopped showing the exam.

I suppose that a fix on my end (taking more of MY time again!!) is to set the exam windows for Examity and then adjust them after.

I will remember that.

The fix I decided to do, though, was to adapt what I do with my face to face classes.  No questions asked, if you miss an exam for any reason, the grade on the comprehensive final replaces the missed exam grade.  In this class the final (and only the final) is open book, so they may prefer that anyway!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on March 31, 2021, 06:16:49 AM
Quote from: clean on March 30, 2021, 08:27:31 AM
in thinking about this some more, some of this is the way Examity handles the registration problem.  I set everything up in Blackboard and IF I say that the exam is available from, for example, 8 to 10, they will allow students to register for slots between 8 and 10.  That is fine IF Examity is on time!  However, since Covid, they are extra busy, so even though a student has a 945 appointment time, it could be after 10 before an Examity person shows up and by then Blackboard has stopped showing the exam.

I suppose that a fix on my end (taking more of MY time again!!) is to set the exam windows for Examity and then adjust them after.

I will remember that.

The fix I decided to do, though, was to adapt what I do with my face to face classes.  No questions asked, if you miss an exam for any reason, the grade on the comprehensive final replaces the missed exam grade.  In this class the final (and only the final) is open book, so they may prefer that anyway!

Oh that's a good plan! I'm just never willing to have students get a zero on some significant portion of their grade because of a silly mistake. But, its maddening if that results in lots of work on your end to fix the problem. This way you don't have to do anything and can tell students "look, its ok, pay more attention to this stuff in the future, but just concentrate on doing well on the final." A good student who made a mistake can fix it, if this is part of a larger pattern, they'll mess up the final too, or not take it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 31, 2021, 01:36:35 PM
Dear financial aid office assistant

I forwarded the message from you about needing to sort out financial aid to the student in question.

But why do you think the student is any more likely to pay attention to your message when I forward it than they are to when it directly from you?

My guess is the student has checked out, and the school has lost out on that money.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on April 01, 2021, 02:33:09 PM
Okay, no more "faculty should work with students" from anyone unless they are able to define what they mean by "work with students" in precise terms. Should faculty accept any and all late work? Are there any limits to the number of absences students can accumulate? Should we just give Incompletes to students who didn't submit their work at all?

And no more shocked and disappointed looks when someone dares to ask, "What do you mean by 'work with students'?" and you don't have a functional answer.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 06, 2021, 08:01:23 AM
I don't know if I should post this in the 'First World Problems' thread or here. Oh well.

I found out today that someone tested positive for Covid at the outdoor gardening event I hosted on Saturday. I will need to get tested. The thing that pisses me off is that we were supposed to get our second dose this Friday and I'm not sure if that will happen now.

I got locked out of my email this morning on my laptop, but not on my phone. After waiting the mandatory 30 minutes, I tried again and now I'm able to access email from my laptop. I suppose this was more of a 1st world problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on April 06, 2021, 09:33:31 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 06, 2021, 08:01:23 AM
I don't know if I should post this in the 'First World Problems' thread or here. Oh well.

I found out today that someone tested positive for Covid at the outdoor gardening event I hosted on Saturday. I will need to get tested. The thing that pisses me off is that we were supposed to get our second dose this Friday and I'm not sure if that will happen now.


Ugh. That seems like a pretty low risk situation assuming everyone was outside and taking precautions, but still stressful and frustrating.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on April 06, 2021, 09:42:09 AM
I ate something that disagreed with me last night* and was up at 4:00 this morning feeling unwell, vomiting at 5:15, asleep by 6, and feeling almost normal by 8. So now I'm working on my paper revisions, because those can't wait, and feeling somehow as if I deserve more of a reward for getting through my ordeal than just feeling better after a couple of hours. I haven't thrown up in almost two decades. This should be a big deal. Like, shouldn't I get a day in bed watching television? But I feel fine, now, and can't justify taking it easy. I have work to do!

I've booked time off for next week. I'm going to ignore that email SO HARD.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 06, 2021, 11:23:05 AM
Quote from: Caracal on April 06, 2021, 09:33:31 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 06, 2021, 08:01:23 AM
I don't know if I should post this in the 'First World Problems' thread or here. Oh well.

I found out today that someone tested positive for Covid at the outdoor gardening event I hosted on Saturday. I will need to get tested. The thing that pisses me off is that we were supposed to get our second dose this Friday and I'm not sure if that will happen now.


Ugh. That seems like a pretty low risk situation assuming everyone was outside and taking precautions, but still stressful and frustrating.

Agree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I was close to this person at one point.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 06, 2021, 02:15:32 PM
I don't know where the health thread is, and it's a vent, so I guess it goes here, but I am so sick of feeling sick. I cannot kick these COVID effects, and it's been more than a month.   I'm having trouble getting off the couch, and I can't concentrate, and I can't stay warm. I may actually cancel class tomorrow, and I'm so behind in grading that I think one of my other classes may revolt.  I'm teaching two of my most technical classes this semester, and I'm not keeping up.  I know others got COVID so much worse than I have, so I hope this is OK for the vent thread.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 06, 2021, 05:47:52 PM
Yikes!

Vent away.

Any TAs you could get to do some grading for you? Colleagues?

Maybe send gift cards for DoorDash or something in thanks?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on April 06, 2021, 08:10:40 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 06, 2021, 02:15:32 PM
I don't know where the health thread is, and it's a vent, so I guess it goes here, but I am so sick of feeling sick. I cannot kick these COVID effects, and it's been more than a month.   I'm having trouble getting off the couch, and I can't concentrate, and I can't stay warm. I may actually cancel class tomorrow, and I'm so behind in grading that I think one of my other classes may revolt.  I'm teaching two of my most technical classes this semester, and I'm not keeping up.  I know others got COVID so much worse than I have, so I hope this is OK for the vent thread.

I'm so sorry! Not to scare you, but one of my grad students is still not at 100% nearly a year later (but making progress!). This thing is no joke, and I hope you can take time to rest rather than trying to push through-- cancel class, call in help from colleagues, do what you've got to do to put your health first.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 06, 2021, 08:17:17 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 06, 2021, 02:15:32 PM
I don't know where the health thread is, and it's a vent, so I guess it goes here, but I am so sick of feeling sick. I cannot kick these COVID effects, and it's been more than a month.   I'm having trouble getting off the couch, and I can't concentrate, and I can't stay warm. I may actually cancel class tomorrow, and I'm so behind in grading that I think one of my other classes may revolt.  I'm teaching two of my most technical classes this semester, and I'm not keeping up.  I know others got COVID so much worse than I have, so I hope this is OK for the vent thread.

That's awful!

So sorry you're having such a hard time OneMoreYear!

I hope you can get whatever support you need at work.

I'll be thinking of you and wishing the best.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on April 06, 2021, 08:23:15 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 06, 2021, 02:15:32 PM
I don't know where the health thread is, and it's a vent, so I guess it goes here, but I am so sick of feeling sick. I cannot kick these COVID effects, and it's been more than a month.   I'm having trouble getting off the couch, and I can't concentrate, and I can't stay warm. I may actually cancel class tomorrow, and I'm so behind in grading that I think one of my other classes may revolt.  I'm teaching two of my most technical classes this semester, and I'm not keeping up.  I know others got COVID so much worse than I have, so I hope this is OK for the vent thread.

Could you get medical leave for at least a couple of weeks? In our state employees are entitled to medical leave for two weeks just for quarantining.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 07, 2021, 05:45:53 AM
Thanks all! I've been taking sick time throughout the week when it gets bad (seems to be worse in the afternoon, all of my energy is zapped by then). I did end of cancelling a couple classes this week (students are still getting more than the specified amount of instruction per credit hour in those classes), and I'm not attending any meetings in which I'm not expected to say something (I'll read the minutes the next day). [note--I was remote prior to exposure-no students/colleagues were exposed when I got sick]. Colleagues have been supportive--we are all at capacity, but there are a few things I've been able to ask for support for that I can reasonably pass off. I do have TAs (and I know I'm lucky to have them), but have fewer this semester than typical (for a variety of reasons).   The end of the semester is always a push, and I just don't have the energy it usually takes. As I tell my students, we'll make it through together--the semester will end, just like every other year.  Thanks for letting me vent, y'all.
Evil_physics_witchcraft, I hope your test is negative after your exposure and you can complete the vaccination process.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on April 07, 2021, 06:20:58 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 07, 2021, 05:45:53 AM
Thanks all! I've been taking sick time throughout the week when it gets bad (seems to be worse in the afternoon, all of my energy is zapped by then). I did end of cancelling a couple classes this week (students are still getting more than the specified amount of instruction per credit hour in those classes), and I'm not attending any meetings in which I'm not expected to say something (I'll read the minutes the next day). [note--I was remote prior to exposure-no students/colleagues were exposed when I got sick]. Colleagues have been supportive--we are all at capacity, but there are a few things I've been able to ask for support for that I can reasonably pass off. I do have TAs (and I know I'm lucky to have them), but have fewer this semester than typical (for a variety of reasons).   The end of the semester is always a push, and I just don't have the energy it usually takes. As I tell my students, we'll make it through together--the semester will end, just like every other year.  Thanks for letting me vent, y'all.
Evil_physics_witchcraft, I hope your test is negative after your exposure and you can complete the vaccination process.

If the TAs are maxed out on hours, can the department hire an extra hourly grad student grader to get through the rest of the semester? That's what we would probably do under these circumstances. I hope you can get some more support!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 07, 2021, 06:21:18 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 07, 2021, 05:45:53 AM
Thanks all! I've been taking sick time throughout the week when it gets bad (seems to be worse in the afternoon, all of my energy is zapped by then). I did end of cancelling a couple classes this week (students are still getting more than the specified amount of instruction per credit hour in those classes), and I'm not attending any meetings in which I'm not expected to say something (I'll read the minutes the next day). [note--I was remote prior to exposure-no students/colleagues were exposed when I got sick]. Colleagues have been supportive--we are all at capacity, but there are a few things I've been able to ask for support for that I can reasonably pass off. I do have TAs (and I know I'm lucky to have them), but have fewer this semester than typical (for a variety of reasons).   The end of the semester is always a push, and I just don't have the energy it usually takes. As I tell my students, we'll make it through together--the semester will end, just like every other year.  Thanks for letting me vent, y'all.
Evil_physics_witchcraft, I hope your test is negative after your exposure and you can complete the vaccination process.

OneMoreYear:

I hope that the admins are empathic and flexible. Feel free to vent. I think anyone going through what you're experiencing would be.

I'm hoping to get a test today. I had so much work yesterday, that I couldn't get out of the house. The person who tested positive is asymptomatic (poor kid has to be quarantined).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on April 07, 2021, 06:25:41 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on April 07, 2021, 05:45:53 AM
Thanks all! I've been taking sick time throughout the week when it gets bad (seems to be worse in the afternoon, all of my energy is zapped by then). I did end of cancelling a couple classes this week (students are still getting more than the specified amount of instruction per credit hour in those classes), and I'm not attending any meetings in which I'm not expected to say something (I'll read the minutes the next day). [note--I was remote prior to exposure-no students/colleagues were exposed when I got sick]. Colleagues have been supportive--we are all at capacity, but there are a few things I've been able to ask for support for that I can reasonably pass off. I do have TAs (and I know I'm lucky to have them), but have fewer this semester than typical (for a variety of reasons).   The end of the semester is always a push, and I just don't have the energy it usually takes. As I tell my students, we'll make it through together--the semester will end, just like every other year.  Thanks for letting me vent, y'all.
Evil_physics_witchcraft, I hope your test is negative after your exposure and you can complete the vaccination process.

Also remember that students are often quite sympathetic when faculty are going through something, and having lingering effects of COVID is something any decent person is going to understand and make lots of allowances for.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 07, 2021, 11:05:32 AM
After waiting many eons, dealing with a cranky receptionist (understandable, but annoying), filling out a ton of paperwork at the place that was supposed to be a drive-thru testing site, but wasn't, I finally got my test and I'm negative! Thank the Elder Gods!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 07, 2021, 09:50:22 PM
Not a vent as such, more of an eyeroll logged here for a future "I told you so":

My colleagues were very worried about hiring someone (for non-regular work, albeit a decent courseload) who would leave. HR had me excuse myself from the decision because I had to miss an interview due to the hatchling's follow-up medical appointments.

The candidate they decided on is going to leave. Guaranteed. Actually, he's never going to come--he's going to teach online in the summer and fall, and hand in his notice come winter before he has to move here to teach IRL. (I strongly suspect, actually, he's going to accept his VAP offer and teach "here" and there simultaneously until we run out of online courses for him.)

I don't mind--it'll give my preferred candidates another kick at the can--but it seems like a silly waste, and entirely predictable.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: nonsensical on April 08, 2021, 05:38:55 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 07, 2021, 11:05:32 AM
After waiting many eons, dealing with a cranky receptionist (understandable, but annoying), filling out a ton of paperwork at the place that was supposed to be a drive-thru testing site, but wasn't, I finally got my test and I'm negative! Thank the Elder Gods!

So glad to hear this!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 08, 2021, 08:18:07 AM
In this week's library column in the local paper I mentioned that we had gotten in a large batch of new junior graphic novels.  The editor of the paper, evidently having a bit of extra space available and trying to be helpful, decided to illustrate the column with a graphic novel cover.

He chose Allen Moore's Watchmen.  Which is considered a graphic novel classic and is in our library's collection.  But it is emphatically NOT a junior title.  It's the equivalent of illustrating a column about upgrades to our juvenile mystery section--you know, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc.--with a cover of Silence of the Lambs.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 08, 2021, 08:45:37 AM
It's a wise journalist who checks out their visuals with the subject of the article...(from experience....!)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 08, 2021, 08:54:21 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 08, 2021, 08:18:07 AM
In this week's library column in the local paper I mentioned that we had gotten in a large batch of new junior graphic novels.  The editor of the paper, evidently having a bit of extra space available and trying to be helpful, decided to illustrate the column with a graphic novel cover.

He chose Allen Moore's Watchmen.  Which is considered a graphic novel classic and is in our library's collection.  But it is emphatically NOT a junior title.  It's the equivalent of illustrating a column about upgrades to our juvenile mystery section--you know, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc.--with a cover of Silence of the Lambs.

If you contacted the editor, do you think he would explain what he was thinking?
*If* he was thinking that is.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on April 08, 2021, 09:51:28 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 08, 2021, 08:18:07 AM
In this week's library column in the local paper I mentioned that we had gotten in a large batch of new junior graphic novels.  The editor of the paper, evidently having a bit of extra space available and trying to be helpful, decided to illustrate the column with a graphic novel cover.

He chose Allen Moore's Watchmen.  Which is considered a graphic novel classic and is in our library's collection.  But it is emphatically NOT a junior title.  It's the equivalent of illustrating a column about upgrades to our juvenile mystery section--you know, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc.--with a cover of Silence of the Lambs.

Maybe he's seeing if anyone still reads the paper anymore. It would be kind of fun to see a letter-to-the-editor complaining about a naked blue guy running around in a kid's book.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on April 08, 2021, 09:55:30 AM
Jeni's Ice Cream has been hyping their Dolly Parton strawberry-pretzel-pie ice cream for a while now. They've made it clear that it'll be a limited run. They were scheduled to start taking orders today ... but the website is crashing and glitchy. All I'm saying is don't mess with the Dollyverse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 08, 2021, 12:06:04 PM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 08, 2021, 09:51:28 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 08, 2021, 08:18:07 AM
In this week's library column in the local paper I mentioned that we had gotten in a large batch of new junior graphic novels.  The editor of the paper, evidently having a bit of extra space available and trying to be helpful, decided to illustrate the column with a graphic novel cover.

He chose Allen Moore's Watchmen.  Which is considered a graphic novel classic and is in our library's collection.  But it is emphatically NOT a junior title.  It's the equivalent of illustrating a column about upgrades to our juvenile mystery section--you know, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc.--with a cover of Silence of the Lambs.

Maybe he's seeing if anyone still reads the paper anymore. It would be kind of fun to see a letter-to-the-editor complaining about a naked blue guy running around in a kid's book.

Oh, people still read the paper.  I just got an e-mail from the editor saying that a reader had asked him to ask us to highlight more science fiction in the column.  Which I'll try to do.  While I was at it, I gently pointed out that the image of Watchmen looked a little odd next to a mention of junior graphic novels.

The editor also suggested another GN that he thought might be good.  I'll probably get it.  But not for the junior GN section.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on April 08, 2021, 03:58:00 PM
So, even after multiple discussions from people in our semi-rural neighborhood (a row of houses on one side of the street and farmland on the other side), our idiot neighbors down-the-way kept letting their Labradoodle roam the neighborhood unleashed. They describe it as "a neighborhood dog." Ugh. The dog is friendly enough, but dogs around here are generally employed to keep critters away from their yards. Our neighbor two-doors-down the other way finally had animal control pick up the loose Labradoodle, and its owners received some kind of citation.

Suffice to say, hilarity has not ensued, but we have stayed out of it.

This is the second Labradoodle owner in the area that has caused problems because they let their dog run around unleashed and say it's a "friendly dog"--like that explains something.

   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on April 09, 2021, 09:21:29 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 08, 2021, 03:58:00 PM
So, even after multiple discussions from people in our semi-rural neighborhood (a row of houses on one side of the street and farmland on the other side), our idiot neighbors down-the-way kept letting their Labradoodle roam the neighborhood unleashed. They describe it as "a neighborhood dog." Ugh. The dog is friendly enough, but dogs around here are generally employed to keep critters away from their yards. Our neighbor two-doors-down the other way finally had animal control pick up the loose Labradoodle, and its owners received some kind of citation.

Suffice to say, hilarity has not ensued, but we have stayed out of it.

This is the second Labradoodle owner in the area that has caused problems because they let their dog run around unleashed and say it's a "friendly dog"--like that explains something.



As if a "friendly dog" won't poop in other yards, dig up gardens, or interact with your cats/dogs/livestock.
My childhood dog was allowed outside unleashed when we were home, but was trained to stay on our property.  And had a very large dog run and garage for when we weren't home.  Ironically, it was my childhood cat that kept the so-called neighborhood dogs off of the property.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on April 09, 2021, 11:03:07 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on April 09, 2021, 09:21:29 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 08, 2021, 03:58:00 PM
So, even after multiple discussions from people in our semi-rural neighborhood (a row of houses on one side of the street and farmland on the other side), our idiot neighbors down-the-way kept letting their Labradoodle roam the neighborhood unleashed. They describe it as "a neighborhood dog." Ugh. The dog is friendly enough, but dogs around here are generally employed to keep critters away from their yards. Our neighbor two-doors-down the other way finally had animal control pick up the loose Labradoodle, and its owners received some kind of citation.

Suffice to say, hilarity has not ensued, but we have stayed out of it.

This is the second Labradoodle owner in the area that has caused problems because they let their dog run around unleashed and say it's a "friendly dog"--like that explains something.



As if a "friendly dog" won't poop in other yards, dig up gardens, or interact with your cats/dogs/livestock.
My childhood dog was allowed outside unleashed when we were home, but was trained to stay on our property.  And had a very large dog run and garage for when we weren't home.  Ironically, it was my childhood cat that kept the so-called neighborhood dogs off of the property.

My dog was once attacked by a Rottweiler twice his size. We were on the sidewalk passing a house with an open garage from which the unleashed Rottweiler ran out barking and growling. I ran to the house's front door and pounded on it. When the dog's owner came out, I said, "Please call off your dog, he's attacking mine!" and I pointed to the sidewalk where the dogs were tussling.

The guy looked at the dogs, then looked back at me. Annoyed, he huffily asked, "And who are *you*?"

What was going through his head? I'm the person whose dog is being attacked by his dog. Why does he need any more information than that?

Sometimes people are hard to understand.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 09, 2021, 02:47:18 PM
"I'm the person who's going to sue you and send you the vet bills if your dog so much as puts a scratch on mine."

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 12, 2021, 12:08:01 PM
Unrelated.

Listen dumbass, trying to get me in trouble with the Chair for something I didn't do is not making a good first impression with me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 12, 2021, 07:40:16 PM
Student had a hearing for Academic Misconduct 2 weeks ago.  She did not appear.  Today is the deadline for an appeal.  She claims among other things:
1. She didnt get proper notice of the hearing because it went to her spam. (This MAY cause a retrial).
2.  The penalty (an F for the course) is too harsh for cheating on an exam. (I doubt that this will help because it is in the syllabus and on the exam!)
3.  Student claims that she emailed me that her daughter was hurt and needed to go to the ER, but that I didnt reply in time.
This one pisses me off.
Her email to me at 630 was that her exam was scheduled (with the proctor) at 8, and that she would PREFER to take the exam on another day, but would take her to the ER after the test at 8  (clearly indicating that the broken toe and sprained ankle were not 'bad hurt'.)
I replied at 715 that I hoped that she was already at the ER, that she should take care of her family first, and that while I would not extend the deadline (as she would have to pay for the proctoring again), that I would adjust the weight of the final to replace this exam grade.
She replied at 750 that she had already finished the exam (the proctors let her take it early), but that she STILL had not left to take child to the ER.

Note then that she had 48 hours to schedule the exam in the first place and waited for a slot in the last 4 hours of availability. SHE chose to take the exam earlier, DELAYING her taking her daughter to the ER.  BUT NOW, she is claiming that her crying daughter, in the other room (who can NOT be heard on the recording, but the 4 dogs in the room with her while taking the exam keep wanting to sit in her lap, seem to be the only actual distraction).

Anyway, she is NOW trying to get sympathy because her daughter was 'badly hurt' and her professor didnt reply in time for her to take her to the ER.

None of this has anything to do with the recording of her cheating, but is CCd to my chair associate dean, and a university VP. 

I forwarded her emails to the Academic Misconduct person to refute at least that irrelevant part, and my chair to refute that I DID reply not only quickly but compassionately! 

Some things you can not let go unchallenged! 

It may take a week or more to hear if her appeal is granted. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 12, 2021, 07:47:13 PM
Quote from: clean on April 12, 2021, 07:40:16 PM
Student had a hearing for Academic Misconduct 2 weeks ago.  She did not appear.  Today is the deadline for an appeal.  She claims among other things:
1. She didnt get proper notice of the hearing because it went to her spam. (This MAY cause a retrial).
2.  The penalty (an F for the course) is too harsh for cheating on an exam. (I doubt that this will help because it is in the syllabus and on the exam!)
3.  Student claims that she emailed me that her daughter was hurt and needed to go to the ER, but that I didnt reply in time.
This one pisses me off.
Her email to me at 630 was that her exam was scheduled (with the proctor) at 8, and that she would PREFER to take the exam on another day, but would take her to the ER after the test at 8  (clearly indicating that the broken toe and sprained ankle were not 'bad hurt'.)
I replied at 715 that I hoped that she was already at the ER, that she should take care of her family first, and that while I would not extend the deadline (as she would have to pay for the proctoring again), that I would adjust the weight of the final to replace this exam grade.
She replied at 750 that she had already finished the exam (the proctors let her take it early), but that she STILL had not left to take child to the ER.

Note then that she had 48 hours to schedule the exam in the first place and waited for a slot in the last 4 hours of availability. SHE chose to take the exam earlier, DELAYING her taking her daughter to the ER.  BUT NOW, she is claiming that her crying daughter, in the other room (who can NOT be heard on the recording, but the 4 dogs in the room with her while taking the exam keep wanting to sit in her lap, seem to be the only actual distraction).

Anyway, she is NOW trying to get sympathy because her daughter was 'badly hurt' and her professor didnt reply in time for her to take her to the ER.

None of this has anything to do with the recording of her cheating, but is CCd to my chair associate dean, and a university VP. 

I forwarded her emails to the Academic Misconduct person to refute at least that irrelevant part, and my chair to refute that I DID reply not only quickly but compassionately! 

Some things you can not let go unchallenged! 

It may take a week or more to hear if her appeal is granted.

Did the dogs help her cheat? Sorry...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on April 13, 2021, 09:45:32 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 12, 2021, 07:47:13 PM
Quote from: clean on April 12, 2021, 07:40:16 PM
Student had a hearing for Academic Misconduct 2 weeks ago.  She did not appear.  Today is the deadline for an appeal.  She claims among other things:
1. She didnt get proper notice of the hearing because it went to her spam. (This MAY cause a retrial).
2.  The penalty (an F for the course) is too harsh for cheating on an exam. (I doubt that this will help because it is in the syllabus and on the exam!)
3.  Student claims that she emailed me that her daughter was hurt and needed to go to the ER, but that I didnt reply in time.
This one pisses me off.
Her email to me at 630 was that her exam was scheduled (with the proctor) at 8, and that she would PREFER to take the exam on another day, but would take her to the ER after the test at 8  (clearly indicating that the broken toe and sprained ankle were not 'bad hurt'.)
I replied at 715 that I hoped that she was already at the ER, that she should take care of her family first, and that while I would not extend the deadline (as she would have to pay for the proctoring again), that I would adjust the weight of the final to replace this exam grade.
She replied at 750 that she had already finished the exam (the proctors let her take it early), but that she STILL had not left to take child to the ER.

Note then that she had 48 hours to schedule the exam in the first place and waited for a slot in the last 4 hours of availability. SHE chose to take the exam earlier, DELAYING her taking her daughter to the ER.  BUT NOW, she is claiming that her crying daughter, in the other room (who can NOT be heard on the recording, but the 4 dogs in the room with her while taking the exam keep wanting to sit in her lap, seem to be the only actual distraction).

Anyway, she is NOW trying to get sympathy because her daughter was 'badly hurt' and her professor didnt reply in time for her to take her to the ER.

None of this has anything to do with the recording of her cheating, but is CCd to my chair associate dean, and a university VP. 

I forwarded her emails to the Academic Misconduct person to refute at least that irrelevant part, and my chair to refute that I DID reply not only quickly but compassionately! 

Some things you can not let go unchallenged! 

It may take a week or more to hear if her appeal is granted.

Did the dogs help her cheat? Sorry...

What a mess.  The hurt child, barking dogs, and email issues are all unfortunate, but just secondary points.  The misconduct folks should only be considering whether or not there is clear evidence that she cheated on the exam.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 15, 2021, 08:23:10 AM
I am pretty sick of college emails and web pages that start with a huge banner or picture, where you have to scroll down to find the information they are meant to be giving you. What with that and more and more elaborate acknowledgements of cookies, requiring click after click, and I might start to feel my time is not being valued.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on April 15, 2021, 11:11:38 AM
You've just described our college web page. Many clicks to find anything...if you're lucky.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on April 15, 2021, 12:30:31 PM
Don't leave out the banners that zoom in or out or otherwise appear to be a video. Those make me motion-sick. I have to quickly scroll down on our College and University pages so that I can see non-moving content.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 15, 2021, 01:49:47 PM
I really dislike our admin's practice of trying to schedule meetings a year in advance. Of course I don't have any conflicts yet, you psycho!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 20, 2021, 03:10:33 PM
I have fully reverted to FULL PROFANITY LEVEL today!

I have been dealing with TurboTax and incorporating my bride's information for our taxes!

Turbotax kept giving me errors for the K1 tax document as she has a miniscule interest in some 'family limited partnership'.  There is a $14 entry from something that tripped a $1 foreign tax credit.  I did all the work correctly, GIVEN THE FORM that I was given.  TurboTax objected.  I checked and checked and WHAT I ENTERED was WHat I Was Told to enter from the form. 

Monday her dad called the accountant but I wasnt there, and I got 3rd hand, from my bride, what the solution was.  (Which made NO SENSE!)

After much back and forth, I deleted the k1 and reentered it leaving off the irrelevant $1 foreign tax credit! 

It let me through


NOW the IRS has rejected my return because the W2 information doesnt match.  It looks to me, that her dad (or his accountant) didnt update her name and THAT is the problem.  So we have been married 3 months before the tax form was prepared. Why doesnt it have her chosen name? 

So I MAY have to print everything and file by mail. 


And what about this Name Change issue? 
I can only tell you about all of the hassles I have had (just so far) to change her name on her driver's license, social security card, passport, bank accounts...

I dont know IF it would have been easier to leave it alone!

I STILL have to adjust her passport for Global Entry and THEN we need to update her NEXUS card to get through Canadian Customs, and THAT may require a trip to Canada to update (Once they let people IN!)


Rant.... Rant.... Rant.....


THEN a student emails me a question that indicates that "his answer is 400$ off of my answer and does that matter"? 

I dont know if 400 is a material amount, BUT I guarantee that a finance major should by God KNOW how to use a damn Dollar Sign!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 20, 2021, 03:18:56 PM
Can't your wife change her own forms?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 20, 2021, 06:53:01 PM
AT this point, I think that I will give up on attempting to e*file.  I will print and mail it in.

IF the problem is her W2 (and there is no reason to necessarily believe that it is... I m given an error code that the IRS has declined to take the return, and that the cause is a problem with ONE OF OUR W2s not matching what the IRS has). 

So instead of trying to figure out what the IRS THINKS it is, I am just going to delever it to them.  The refund is less than $155!!  Im so tired of dealing with all of it.

We probably COULD have her father update her W2 with the accountants (she works for his office). HOwever, I know that the IRS information is not quickly updated, but batch processed.  Rather than wait for the accounting company to resubmit her W2, guess WHEN the IRS will update their records, and then TRY to submit the information as I have it, I will just print and mail and be done with it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 21, 2021, 05:16:41 AM
OK, who did it? Who pissed off the weather gods?! Why did I wake up to 3 inches of snow on the ground and an upcoming freeze warning for tomorrow? It's April, people! Now, whoever is responsible, go apologize so we can get back to Spring.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 21, 2021, 05:22:25 AM
That would be the governmental agency in charge of weather creation and distribution, and I believe they're still on hiatus, occasioned by lay-offs, resignations of political appointees, and the usual spring attrition when retirement looks better than that desk one's been facing for the past aughty-ought years.

I'd suggest re-sending your request via email in the fall. Surely the new administration will have things in order by then. (Well, except for the hurricanes. That office is upstairs, second door on your left...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 21, 2021, 06:13:18 AM
The weather office has a very high rate of burnout, from what I understand.  Having to listen to all that complaining from the public is bad for staff morale.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: kiana on April 21, 2021, 06:25:52 AM
I hate online testing so fucking much.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on April 21, 2021, 07:58:12 AM
Younger unemployed adult family members: Quick sitting around on your a$$es creating family drama on your cell phones, and get a f*cking job. Everyone is hiring right now, and you aren't even applying. The idea of the stimulus checks was not for you to potato on your couch and play video games all day long on your new TV.

And the answer is "Hell, no!" about coming to live with us after your impending eviction is enacted. Just, "Hell, no!" You are about to engage in what we-in-the-business call "experiential learning."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 21, 2021, 08:45:10 AM
OK, I must have really angered the weather gods because not only is there snow on the ground in April, but my HVAC system is malfunctioning and there is no heat in the house. I'm still dealing with feeling like crap b/c of residual COVID effects (looks like I'm in for the long-term, whatever that means), and now I'm freezing as well. These are totally good reasons to beg off my meetings for today, right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 21, 2021, 11:53:44 AM
^ Today?  Take the rest of the week off!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 22, 2021, 12:12:43 PM
It is ACCEPTED!!!

I was ready to print and mail, but I made one last check and found the error!  My bride's W2 was in a slightly different format and I was using the wrong employer ID number!

So it is DONE!!

ONLY 5 days!!  a new 'record'. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 22, 2021, 01:14:42 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 21, 2021, 11:53:44 AM
^ Today?  Take the rest of the week off!

I skipped a 2 hour meeting yesterday.

Unfortunately, I'm a 7 hour meeting today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on April 22, 2021, 04:41:23 PM
Using my lunch time today, I went home and I finally spot-sprayed all the dandelions in my yard.

Of course, it's the one day and one afternoon out of many that my lawn guy picked to start mowing the lawn for the new year. (He showed up to splay all the weed killer all over the lawn, right after I left to return to campus).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on April 23, 2021, 05:48:00 AM
There is increasing evidence that the dandelion is actually a native plant (https://plants.usda.gov/).  It's a very important pollinator resource early in the season. And...they're cute.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 23, 2021, 07:14:04 AM
Quote from: lightning on April 22, 2021, 04:41:23 PM
Using my lunch time today, I went home and I finally spot-sprayed all the dandelions in my yard.

Of course, it's the one day and one afternoon out of many that my lawn guy picked to start mowing the lawn for the new year. (He showed up to splay all the weed killer all over the lawn, right after I left to return to campus).

I don't spray the yard, but at the library I have to spray cracks in the walks and parking lot and douse the whole air conditioner enclosure to keep the weeds down.  The battery-powered sprayer died on me when I was trying to do so.  I got a spray bottle for a backup, but yesterday's and today's weather are proving uncooperative.  While I'm sidelined, the weeds are racing ahead.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on April 24, 2021, 03:45:43 AM
"You have anxiety" and "It's just anxiety" are beginning to sound like the new female hysteria diagnosis. It cannot be normal to be in this much pain. Quit blaming everything on anxiety and refusing to even look for another possible explanation. Why won't anyone take me seriously? Do I just look like someone who should not be taken seriously?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 24, 2021, 05:07:51 AM
Probably, if you're female.

It's gonna take a couple more generations before we get to anything like equity.

Meanwhile, courage, and keep fighting the good fight.

And keep on seeking out help until you find help that actually helps.

You will find it, but it's not simple, sorry to say.

Even the helpers are overwhelmed and in pain right now.

But do keep trying.

Courage and all good thoughts to you.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on April 24, 2021, 06:08:14 AM
Thank you, Mamselle.

I do know that physical pain can be the result of psychological issues. But when I do not have abnormal levels of anxiety or an anxiety disorder to be told that my physical pain stems from anxiety is frustrating. Does pain not have a physical cause anymore? More deeply, it makes me question myself and wonder if I am truly crazy. Then, later on I can barely walk without pain and there is nothing I can do because the doctors will not complete an examination or order tests.

Or maybe physical pain is normal? That's the beauty of being told you're just anxious. You can't trust your own head anymore so all you can do is trust the doctor to tell you what you are feeling.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on April 24, 2021, 08:21:25 AM
I'm not a doctor. Nor do I play one on TV. However, I have read about 2000 student narrative essays on various medical topics (I do this essay as an intro to research for Comp. I), and there are three common threads these essays:

1) Doctors--especially at the GP level--are quite often idiots focused on dispensing pharmaceuticals and pumping patients through the billing system.
2) Doctors will often dismiss women's complaints of physical pain with a diagnosis of stress, anxiety, or some other "it's in your head" conclusion--or they will tell women it's just "normal" no matter how bad the pain is.
3) Change doesn't happen by returning to the same doctor who previously dismissed the pain.

I hope I don't sound like I'm mansplaining in this post, but Charlotte's posts sound like the beginning paragraphs for many of these essays. Finding the right doctor was the key to success in most of the essays. At any rate, good luck with this.







Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on April 24, 2021, 09:11:56 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 24, 2021, 08:21:25 AM
2) Doctors will often dismiss women's complaints of physical pain with a diagnosis of stress, anxiety, or some other "it's in your head" conclusion--or they will tell women it's just "normal" no matter how bad the pain is.


I've never heard any research on this, but does anyone know if this depends on the sex of the doctor?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 24, 2021, 09:23:21 AM
A couple of good books, both address how women get treated by medicine, especially male doctors:

Sex Matters: How Male-Centric Medicine Endangers Women's Health and What Women Can Do About It
Alyson J. McGregor

How to Be a Patient: The Essential Guide to Navigating the World of Modern Medicine
Sana Goldberg
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on April 24, 2021, 09:31:01 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on April 24, 2021, 03:45:43 AM
"You have anxiety" and "It's just anxiety" are beginning to sound like the new female hysteria diagnosis. It cannot be normal to be in this much pain. Quit blaming everything on anxiety and refusing to even look for another possible explanation. Why won't anyone take me seriously? Do I just look like someone who should not be taken seriously?

My wife's neurological issues lead to a wide range of chronic pains. Between the epilepsy, the migraines, the thyroid issues, and the PCOS, she has trouble getting any of these southern gentlemen doctors to take her seriously. Thankfully her neurologist is a woman who understands the scope of my wife's disability. With the rest my wife has resorted to quoting from "The Yellow Wallpaper," and that usually wakes them up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on April 24, 2021, 09:51:36 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on April 24, 2021, 09:11:56 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 24, 2021, 08:21:25 AM
2) Doctors will often dismiss women's complaints of physical pain with a diagnosis of stress, anxiety, or some other "it's in your head" conclusion--or they will tell women it's just "normal" no matter how bad the pain is.


I've never heard any research on this, but does anyone know if this depends on the sex of the doctor?

The only meta-analysis I could find didn't differentiate based on the sex of the patient:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195191
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on April 24, 2021, 11:42:53 AM
Quote from: jimbogumbo on April 24, 2021, 09:51:36 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on April 24, 2021, 09:11:56 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on April 24, 2021, 08:21:25 AM
2) Doctors will often dismiss women's complaints of physical pain with a diagnosis of stress, anxiety, or some other "it's in your head" conclusion--or they will tell women it's just "normal" no matter how bad the pain is.


I've never heard any research on this, but does anyone know if this depends on the sex of the doctor?

The only meta-analysis I could find didn't differentiate based on the sex of the patient:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195191

And it seems more about communication than about treatment.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 24, 2021, 12:11:51 PM
Sending you good wishes, Charlotte.  Don't let them gaslight you.

I'm happy to have found a doctor I really like and trust, probably the first since my OB of 30+ years ago.  It probably doesn't hurt that I'm 60 and not afraid to come off as cranky when any medical professional tries to feed me a line of nonsense (a character trait built from caring for Mom during her medically-complicated final years, and also for ALHS over the past decade). 

You don't have to come across as snotty, but you do need to explain, calmly and with an edge to you voice, why what is being suggested to you doesn't sound right, and why you're demanding an explanation.  I've found, "Talk to me like I'm five," to be a pretty effective line:  if they can't explain it to me and answer my questions to my satisfaction, I just tell them, "I'll be seeing another physician--I need the form to have my medical records shared." It didn't take long to get comfortable with being assertive after the first time I had to do it for Mom. (Yes, I'm that daughter/wife if things don't seem to be going right.)

Hoping you get some answers soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 27, 2021, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.

Oh my! I'm glad the outcome wasn't worse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on April 27, 2021, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 27, 2021, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.

Oh my! I'm glad the outcome wasn't worse.

+1.  That must have been quite startling and sounds very painful.  Yikes just thinking about what did happen, let alone what could have happened.  I hope your shins feel better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on April 27, 2021, 07:56:24 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on April 27, 2021, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 27, 2021, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.


Wow, apl68, glad you are mostly ok. One of those things I always trust to stay where they are supposed to

Oh my! I'm glad the outcome wasn't worse.

+1.  That must have been quite startling and sounds very painful.  Yikes just thinking about what did happen, let alone what could have happened.  I hope your shins feel better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on April 27, 2021, 08:58:48 PM
Vent/fretting: Beloved, cash-strapped cousin just joined a multi-level marketing scheme.  I hope it doesn't put her into too much debt. and that she has the sense to cut and run before that happens.

Vent: I hate MLM things.  I don't like sales pitches on general, and I really don't like sales pitches from friends/family who are probably being fleeced.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 28, 2021, 06:35:18 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on April 27, 2021, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 27, 2021, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.

Oh my! I'm glad the outcome wasn't worse.

+1.  That must have been quite startling and sounds very painful.  Yikes just thinking about what did happen, let alone what could have happened.  I hope your shins feel better soon.

Thanks!  It was startling, all right!  I ended up taking part of the evening off.  When I was able to have a good look in the privacy of home, I found that the cover had managed to gash both shins.  Odd, since my jeans were undamaged.  There was a trickled of dried blood running down my right leg.  I thought I had felt something wet there earlier!

I've been doctoring the scrapes and trying to take care not to bump into anything.  Walking helps to limber the legs up.  A little while ago I had to kneel at work to perform a bit of maintenance.  I plan to try to avoid doing that any more today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on April 28, 2021, 08:32:38 AM
Venting after one of those tense meetings with students who want to discuss their failing grade after final grades are turned in.
   I'm tired of hearing that you had "personal issues" that contributed to your poor performance.
   I'm tired of this catch all get out of jail free card that I'm supposed to be considerate of.
   I'm tired of this excuse supposedly absolving you from ever attending office hours or turning anything in on time.
   I'm tired of students who can't be bothered to put any energy into a class that they paid for and made a commitment to.

Thankfully, I'm done, and on sabbatical for the Fall. Hopefully by Spring I'll stop being tired.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 28, 2021, 08:58:36 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on April 28, 2021, 08:32:38 AM
Venting after one of those tense meetings with students who want to discuss their failing grade after final grades are turned in.
   I'm tired of hearing that you had "personal issues" that contributed to your poor performance.
   I'm tired of this catch all get out of jail free card that I'm supposed to be considerate of.
   I'm tired of this excuse supposedly absolving you from ever attending office hours or turning anything in on time.
   I'm tired of students who can't be bothered to put any energy into a class that they paid for and made a commitment to.

Thankfully, I'm done, and on sabbatical for the Fall. Hopefully by Spring I'll stop being tired.

Congrats on being done. I think it is unfair for both faculty and students to be in this position. It's inappropriate for faculty to be judging the validity of students' personal excuses, putting both sides in a difficult position. Maybe it is more reasonable in small colleges where everyone knows everyone else and faculty are meant to be there for the students 5 days a week. But in most places that's not the relationship at all.

Unless there is a certified medical excuse, I generally push students to confer with their faculty advisor about personal problems, and I ask them to get their advisor to write to be saying the student deserves a break. That almost never happens though.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on April 28, 2021, 09:36:53 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on April 28, 2021, 08:32:38 AM
Venting after one of those tense meetings with students who want to discuss their failing grade after final grades are turned in.
   I'm tired of hearing that you had "personal issues" that contributed to your poor performance.
   I'm tired of this catch all get out of jail free card that I'm supposed to be considerate of.
   I'm tired of this excuse supposedly absolving you from ever attending office hours or turning anything in on time.
   I'm tired of students who can't be bothered to put any energy into a class that they paid for and made a commitment to.

Thankfully, I'm done, and on sabbatical for the Fall. Hopefully by Spring I'll stop being tired.

Congrats on being done and enjoy your sabbatical.

As to "personal issues," I've reached the point that whenever I do receive these emails I reply, express my sympathy, recommend they refer to the syllabus for the relevant policies on attendance, or late work, or whatever, and CC their advisor, and/or the dean of students, and/or psych services, and/or the health center (whatever seems appropriate to their situation) and tell the students that people will be reaching out to help them in their time of need. This way, I am the caring prof if they really are having problems and need help that I can't give, or if they're bluffing, they'll have to explain themselves to someone other than me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on April 28, 2021, 09:46:27 AM
As a department chair, I'm now getting peppered with emails about students who, thanks to poor advising, have not ticked all of the boxes for graduation. I really wish advisors would just follow the rules!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 28, 2021, 10:20:43 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 27, 2021, 08:58:48 PM
Vent/fretting: Beloved, cash-strapped cousin just joined a multi-level marketing scheme.  I hope it doesn't put her into too much debt. and that she has the sense to cut and run before that happens.

Vent: I hate MLM things.  I don't like sales pitches on general, and I really don't like sales pitches from friends/family who are probably being fleeced.

It's remarkable that people continue to be taken in by pyramid schemes like this.  What is this one supposed to be selling?

I do hope that she doesn't lose too much money on this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on April 28, 2021, 10:48:45 AM
Quote from: downer on April 28, 2021, 08:58:36 AM

Unless there is a certified medical excuse, I generally push students to confer with their faculty advisor about personal problems, and I ask them to get their advisor to write to be saying the student deserves a break. That almost never happens though.

I don't know if this counts as a "Jedi mind trick" or not, but I direct them to the academic advisor because "these personal issues probably affected several of your courses, and they can help with all of them". (In the rare situation that it's legitimate, having the options to late drop courses, etc. can be done from the academic advisor/dean's office.)

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on April 28, 2021, 11:16:43 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 28, 2021, 10:20:43 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 27, 2021, 08:58:48 PM
Vent/fretting: Beloved, cash-strapped cousin just joined a multi-level marketing scheme.  I hope it doesn't put her into too much debt. and that she has the sense to cut and run before that happens.

Vent: I hate MLM things.  I don't like sales pitches on general, and I really don't like sales pitches from friends/family who are probably being fleeced.

It's remarkable that people continue to be taken in by pyramid schemes like this.  What is this one supposed to be selling?

I do hope that she doesn't lose too much money on this.
I guess if there's a product, it's not technically a pyramid scheme.  But it's still unsavory.
This one sells expensive women's clothing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: pepsi_alum on April 28, 2021, 11:38:46 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 28, 2021, 11:16:43 AM
I guess if there's a product, it's not technically a pyramid scheme.  But it's still unsavory.
This one sells expensive women's clothing.

Yeah, definitely unsavory.

In my (thankfully limited) observations, MLMs prey on people from certain socioeconomic demographics by appealing directly to their economic and cultural anxieties. The people at the top of the pyramid definitely know what they're doing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on April 28, 2021, 05:57:45 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 28, 2021, 06:35:18 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on April 27, 2021, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 27, 2021, 01:07:55 PM
Quote from: apl68 on April 27, 2021, 12:59:00 PM
Today I was walking home for lunch and cut across a storm drain on a corner.  When I stepped on the manhole cover on the drain, it flipped up and I dropped through.  I found myself sitting there with both legs in the hole and the cover standing on edge resting against my shin.  It took a little trouble to extricate myself.  Now I've got both shins badly bruised and sore.  I'm just glad I didn't break anything.  I called the head of the street department and let him know that one of their manhole covers is ajar.  I don't know how it got loose.  Normally they're on there solid.

I'll never be able to view old cartoons about manhole plunges the same way again.

Oh my! I'm glad the outcome wasn't worse.

+1.  That must have been quite startling and sounds very painful.  Yikes just thinking about what did happen, let alone what could have happened.  I hope your shins feel better soon.

Thanks!  It was startling, all right!  I ended up taking part of the evening off.  When I was able to have a good look in the privacy of home, I found that the cover had managed to gash both shins.  Odd, since my jeans were undamaged.  There was a trickled of dried blood running down my right leg.  I thought I had felt something wet there earlier!

I've been doctoring the scrapes and trying to take care not to bump into anything.  Walking helps to limber the legs up.  A little while ago I had to kneel at work to perform a bit of maintenance.  I plan to try to avoid doing that any more today.

Sorry to hear about your injuries, apl68. Falling into a manhole must have been a frightening experience.

Now if you were one of the trigger happy lawsuit people in NYC, you would be suing the city for your injuries and getting a fat settlement, depending on who you know. A few years ago, the offspring of one of the local pols sued the city for $5 million, claiming that hu had tripped on the sidewalk and injured hu's ankle. The only evidence was a picture of the ankle wrapped in an ace bandage that you can get in any drugstore. Despite pictures on this person's Facebook page showing said person dancing in high heels, hiking along a mountain path in a foreign country, and standing on a stepladder trimming a Christmas tree soon after the alleged injury, the city settled for $95000. It's always advantageous to be good friends with the person in charge of the city and its finances. Had the NY Post not published these pictures, said person might have been awarded the $5 million that was requested.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 29, 2021, 07:09:25 AM
I just told the head of the street department that I felt about the incident kind of like a mom whose kids missed Mother's Day--not angry, just a little hurt.

Yesterday when I went home for lunch I didn't go back to work.  I felt like a dish rag!  All I could do was lie down and sleep for an hour and a half.  I guess walking around on injured shins is more tiring than you would think.

Last night I slept well despite the soreness, but had a whole night of crazy dreams.  In one night I dreamed about being late for class, having my car stolen, and being caught walking through a crowd with no britches.  You would have thought I was running a fever.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on April 29, 2021, 07:40:23 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on April 28, 2021, 05:57:45 PM
Now if you were one of the trigger happy lawsuit people in NYC, you would be suing the city for your injuries and getting a fat settlement, depending on who you know.

Sorry apl68, hope you're feeling much better.  Sounds traumatic, probably why you were fatigued and feeling unsettled afterwards.  After you get some distance from it, should feel much better all around.

Shouldn't have happened.  I don't know about lawsuits but seems like there should be some compensation for you.  Did they pledge to fix the sewer cover right away?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on April 29, 2021, 08:04:45 AM
apl68, I would suggest getting your legs and feet checked by a physician. You could also go to the ER.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 29, 2021, 09:20:13 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on April 29, 2021, 07:40:23 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on April 28, 2021, 05:57:45 PM
Now if you were one of the trigger happy lawsuit people in NYC, you would be suing the city for your injuries and getting a fat settlement, depending on who you know.

Sorry apl68, hope you're feeling much better.  Sounds traumatic, probably why you were fatigued and feeling unsettled afterwards.  After you get some distance from it, should feel much better all around.

Shouldn't have happened.  I don't know about lawsuits but seems like there should be some compensation for you.  Did they pledge to fix the sewer cover right away?

Not only pledged it, did it!  It helps to know who to call.

My predecessor as library director would've just called her husband.  For some years he was the one in charge of the city work crew.  Came in really handy whenever the library's yard needed mowing.  Under my administration, we have to hire somebody to do it.


I appreciate your concern, Langue_doc.  However I clearly haven't broken anything, and am not showing any signs of my scrapes getting infected.  It's just the sort of thing that takes a few days to heal.  And anyway, last time I DID go to the doctor with an injury he caught the broken shoulder but missed the broken ribs and collapsed lung.  All I got to help me get better was a sling and some pain pills, and I'm managing okay without them this time. 

I guess it's a blue-collar family culture thing.  Dad only ever went to the doctor with an injury when it involved stitches.  And when that car fell on him while he was working on it.  That latter incident was the only time anybody in the family spent a night in the hospital the whole time I was growing up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 01, 2021, 06:11:26 AM
Still have a lot of soreness and multi-colored bruising, but I'm on the mend.  Walking is no problem.  Sitting for long periods is the challenge.  I was able to manage okay all day yesterday at work.  I can now stand to kneel (Wait a minute--that didn't sound right!) for brief periods.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mahagonny on May 03, 2021, 02:43:47 PM
Ugh! I told the student she scored an 80 on her final exam (this was generous), and then she gives me the water works (tears). "I can't have that low a grade on my transcript! I'm a straight A student. I didn't know there would be all this stuff involved."

(Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!)

She even used up half the office hours that I had available for all my students. Fortunately the others were mostly up to speed.

I'm getting too old for this s**t.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on May 04, 2021, 12:59:17 AM
My body seems to have lost the ability to digest raw vegetables, and it is very disagreeable.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 04, 2021, 07:46:19 AM
It may only be high-starch-that converts-to-sugar content ones.

Don't give up on all of them unless you have to....PM me if you want to discuss more specifically...!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 04, 2021, 08:04:22 AM
Quote from: ergative on May 04, 2021, 12:59:17 AM
My body seems to have lost the ability to digest raw vegetables, and it is very disagreeable.

While you have my sympathy, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of your post on a thread with this title.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on May 04, 2021, 08:36:34 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 04, 2021, 08:04:22 AM
Quote from: ergative on May 04, 2021, 12:59:17 AM
My body seems to have lost the ability to digest raw vegetables, and it is very disagreeable.

While you have my sympathy, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of your post on a thread with this title.

Now that you mention it, I do see a certain appropriateness, alas.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 04, 2021, 11:12:55 AM
Two vents.  First, I've spent much of this morning trying to order some specialized library items from a vendor.  We haven't ordered this particular item in a long time, and the supplier has since undergone a major merger and reorganization.  I've been scrutinizing their web site, calling various numbers, talking to various representatives, and e-mailing in an effort to find out how in the world to order what we need.  I thought I had found a form online to do it and filled it out, only to find that that wasn't it.  Still waiting to find out how to place the order. 

The second vent has to do with our vents.  The ones in the ceiling of the library's community meeting room.  It has not been in service for the past year.  Now we find that mold has sneaked up on us and is staining the ceiling around the vents.  It looks nasty.  Guess who'll soon be perched on a ladder with bleach trying to scrub all that away?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 04, 2021, 12:15:34 PM
Are there any nearby (or far-off) librarians you might reach out to who have had the same headaches? Maybe they found the pathway to library gold??

;--}

(In her best school-marm voice...))Don't you DARE go up there, young lady! You've just been injured and talking about rainbow bruises.

Do you want more? Get someone else to do it!!!!! (If there is someone else...)

M.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on May 04, 2021, 02:43:45 PM
Quote from: apl68 on May 04, 2021, 11:12:55 AM
The second vent has to do with our vents.  The ones in the ceiling of the library's community meeting room.  It has not been in service for the past year.  Now we find that mold has sneaked up on us and is staining the ceiling around the vents.  It looks nasty.  Guess who'll soon be perched on a ladder with bleach trying to scrub all that away?

Not you, hopefully.  Hire professionals for this.  They should have the proper mold removal tools, ladder, and overall safety training.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 03:44:08 AM
There is a crime wave, shootings mostly, in nearby megalopolis. The mayor of central city, solutionless so far, rejumps on the national gun control issue.Guess what , there are less than Mayor positions in every sub district in the whole metro area who need to be heard that
probably know what needs to be done and can be done to better situations and/or conditions in their areas. But noooo..first try to amend the Constitution of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! How about identifying the rights of criminals which allow them to proceed with their crimes and misdeeds, i.e. protections against search and and seizure.

But in the megacity central, huge potholes cannot be repaired on one of the most prestigious theroughfares in the WHOLE NATION. That, I am sure, is the appplication of old redneck, deep south , crooked as dog doo, inititiative for political change!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 05:21:22 AM
Quote from: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 03:44:08 AM
There is a crime wave, shootings mostly, in nearby megalopolis. The mayor of central city, solutionless so far, rejumps on the national gun control issue.Guess what , there are less than Mayor positions in every sub district in the whole metro area who need to be heard that
probably know what needs to be done and can be done to better situations and/or conditions in their areas. But noooo..first try to amend the Constitution of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! How about identifying the rights of criminals which allow them to proceed with their crimes and misdeeds, i.e. protections against search and and seizure.

But in the megacity central, huge potholes cannot be repaired on one of the most prestigious theroughfares in the WHOLE NATION. That, I am sure, is the appplication of old redneck, deep south , crooked as dog doo, inititiative for political change!
theroughfare should be "thoroughfare". The misspelling was due to the incorrect correction by the source subscribed to by my Androidal provider, probably.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 07:49:41 AM
Oh, it had been mentioned to me, way previously, that a big part of the problem was not allowing law enforcement
personnel to violate (?) the privilege of good (?) folks to secret (stash) illegal drugs. Yeah!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on May 05, 2021, 08:52:59 AM
Quote from: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 07:49:41 AM
Oh, it had been mentioned to me, way previously, that a big part of the problem was not allowing law enforcement
personnel to violate (?) the privilege of good (?) folks to secret (stash) illegal drugs. Yeah!

Maybe the bigger problem is (1) worrying what kind of stuff people are storing in their homes, and (2) using guns and other potentially deadly means to get that stuff out?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 09:13:18 AM
Maybe? I was thinking more about illegal stuff in motorized vehicles. And, I should have termed it contraband perhaps. There seem to be autos associated with most all of the shootings about which I am writing. Being able to frustrate the portability of weapons should curb the occurence of shootings.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on May 05, 2021, 09:16:21 AM
Quote from: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 09:13:18 AM
Maybe? I was thinking more about illegal stuff in motorized vehicles. And, I should have termed it contraband perhaps. There seem to be autos associated with most all of the shootings about which I am writing. Being about to frustrate the portability of weapons should
curb the occurence of shootings.

Or, don't worry so much about what kinds of stuff people have in their cars? Contraband is a human, political definition.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 05, 2021, 10:44:04 AM
Quote from: mamselle on May 04, 2021, 12:15:34 PM
Are there any nearby (or far-off) librarians you might reach out to who have had the same headaches? Maybe they found the pathway to library gold??

;--}

(In her best school-marm voice...))Don't you DARE go up there, young lady! You've just been injured and talking about rainbow bruises.

Do you want more? Get someone else to do it!!!!! (If there is someone else...)

M.

It probably WILL end up being me on the ladder, since I have the longest reach on the staff.  Plus, I hate asking other staff members to do unusual things that I'm not willing to do myself.  I don't plan to do it until early next week, after I've had a few more days to recover.  I've got to get it done before Thursday, because that's when the Board of Trustees will be using the room for a meeting.

BTW--I'm sorry if I've given a wrong impression or failed to correct a mis-impression but...though I am a librarian, I am not a lady.  I'm a guy librarian.

I'm not really that young any longer either.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 05, 2021, 11:47:42 AM
Your gender isn't an issue here, apl68. Your insurance will not cover your treatment should you get injured in your workplace, the library. Do get an outside vendor to take care of the mold issues in the vents.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 05, 2021, 12:50:12 PM
QuoteYour insurance will not cover your treatment should you get injured in your workplace,

??

Workman's compensation should!

But it is always safer to NOT get hurt!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 05, 2021, 01:12:55 PM
Not all medical practices accept workers compensation. apl68, talk to a librarian from another site.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 05, 2021, 01:18:44 PM
Enrollment Management over-admitted students in popular program (which my department provides the first 2 semesters of coursework) by 33%.   

Things that haven't increased by 33%:
1) Support staff
2) Supply budget
3) Lab space
4) Faculty lines

Grrrrr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 05, 2021, 01:20:21 PM
QuoteNot all medical practices accept workers compensation. apl68, talk to a librarian from another site.

That is true.  As the employer (or their insurance company) is paying, they may select the doctor. 

the bottom line is that 'getting hurt at work' does not mean that you are not covered by insurance. 
However, Workman's Compensation has  a  lot of protections for the injured employee!

Still,  it is always best NOT to get hurt ANYWHERE! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 05, 2021, 03:28:35 PM
I appreciate everybody's concern for my well-being.  Honestly, though, I'm not trying to be hardheaded or macho or anything.  We have eight people working here, and I probably have as much business climbing a ladder as any of us.  We have one who's limping with a hurt knee, another with an appointment to see a pulmonary specialist, a third who's seeing a chiropractor with chronic neck problems, etc.  And we're a small town where available local service vendors are limited.  Somebody has to do the job.  I promise to be careful!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 07:50:57 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on May 05, 2021, 09:16:21 AM
Quote from: Economizer on May 05, 2021, 09:13:18 AM
Maybe? I was thinking more about illegal stuff in motorized vehicles. And, I should have termed it contraband perhaps. There seem to be autos associated with most all of the shootings about which I am writing. Being about to frustrate the portability of weapons should
curb the occurence of shootings.

Or, don't worry so much about what kinds of stuff people have in their cars? Contraband is a human, political definition.
Black's Law Ductionary has contreband as a legal term, although its definition leans toward illegal imports or exports. In essence, however, it seems to refer to items that are against the law to have or utilize, specifically.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 06, 2021, 06:50:03 PM
I am giving a take home exam this term (following through since last year when we went to Covid time).  I gave them the final exam 10 days ago (maybe 11).  The exam is not until Monday. 
Last night a student writes, "As I am working through these questions, I'm realizing that a lot of these are more advanced than anything we covered in class. What do you suggest would help? Would the homework be an okay place to study? " 
The exam is almost exclusively problems. 

Now I am finding that any questions I respond to include the page/figure/chart from the text,  the day the class discussed the issue (class recordings are available for review and all the paper notes are available as well), and I include the problems that were assigned from the text.  It has certainly slowed my response time, but the answers are now VERY thorough!

Still, I m annoyed that I am using time when I get questions that are really from prerequisite classes!  It is bad enough that some of these students (Junior level FINANCE majors) didnt learn this in the prereq class, but I covered these topics myself!  (How many times, and in How Many Courses does it take before they actually LEARN how to do things like this??)

So I get questions like, "I calculated the variance by square rooting the std dev that I got from the calculator, is that not correct? "  (note that they are allowed to use Excel if they choose).

" If we have already calculated the variance of the market and the variance of asset A, wouldn't covariance be the product of those two variances? "

"I was reviewing how to solve for standard deviation and on the in class examples the probabilities were whole like .30 and .40 so when we "tricked the calculator" as you said, we entered the numbers 3 times for the .30 and four times for .40, it makes since because it is out of 100% (10 number sets).

However, on my exam I got half percentages like 0.25 and 0.15 for probability, how do I enter the numbers in to solve it correctly? I don't get it because I can't enter the numbers 2 and a half times? Additionally, I was reviewing the first exam and on this same type of problem it gave whole probabilities like .10, .20, .30, and .40 also understandable to enter into the calculator like the in-class example. I just don't understand how to solve it with half number probabilities like 0.15 and 0.25? Please provide some guidance on this.

I replied, and was given a follow up statement - "I have divided my probabilities by "5" and am left with 5, 3, and 12 these numbers do not add up to 10? The example you gave in the last email is understandable .25, .50, and .25 would be 1, 2, 1 in the calculator. The least common denominator between .15, .25, and .60 is 300, which gives me decimals not whole numbers to enter into the calculator. "

....The least common denominator between .15, .25, and .60 is 300[.... and Variance is the square root of standard deviation....   from FINANCE majors!

THESE FAILURES ARE NOT MY FAULT!!!

While I have spent a lot of CLASS TIME to make sure that they are supposed to know HOW to do things (and not rely on preprogrammed calculator or Excel functions), they seem lost! They are unable to do them WITH OR WITHOUT a calculator!! 


Exams are Monday.  My preliminary, targeted RETIREMENT DATE is in 'only' 1334 DAYS!!!
If my portfolio holds up, and these sorts of questions, along with the students falsely claiming that the exam questions are much harder than anything done in class (which means when they get to Watch ME solve the problems!!)  Retirement may become a very welcome option!!


Bastards!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 08, 2021, 03:08:54 PM
So, by following your directions and prior instruction, and by beginning preliminary work specifically prepared by you for them prior to a final exam, your students allow you to determine the approximate number of "bastards" in each of your classes, each semester? Interesting! Very Interesting. Perhaps, though, you fail to give proper attention to their individual utilization of expletives, during their calculations, maybe?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 08, 2021, 04:21:55 PM
They are free to use the expletive functions on Both their calculator, AND excel if they think it will help!! 
IF it helps in solving the problems, I will encourage it for future classes!

Even if it is found to be helpful, unless there is a YouTube link (or they think that using it is against the rules) I m not sure how many will use it, though they may wait until the end of the window and then email me to tell them where to find it.  (They will then become quite proficient at it, upon reading my reply similar to:" rework homework problems 5 & 6, from chapter 4;  Review the WebEx recording from 2/28; watch the MindTap videos showing step by step instructions to solve problems 5&6; or search YouTube if they desire  (and to please send any links that they find particularly helpful so that I can add the to the list of YouTube videos already available on Blackboard).

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on May 10, 2021, 11:13:22 AM
My vent: our provost had said that students can petition to take their classes remotely.
They do not have to give a reason.  There is no "firm deadline" for them to submit their request.
Granted, we are not required to provide a remote option for our classes, but I'm guessing we will get a LOT of pressure to do so in the name of "being flexible". 
Can I just put a blanket "NO" reply for my lab courses?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 10, 2021, 12:39:15 PM
THIS is why I can't have student workers. It should not take a MONTH to process paperwork to hire a student worker. HR, what the hell are you all doing?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 10, 2021, 01:51:27 PM
I've been having recurring ear aches as the weather changes.  Today it has been so bad I've been unable to concentrate on my work.  I took a nap and applied heat to them over a long lunch to try to some relief.  I got a little, but still don't feel very good.  It's bad enough that I've made a doctor's appointment for tomorrow.  I'll have the doctor check the banged-up shins then too, although they still seem to be on the mend.  The bruising and swelling are still gradually diminishing.

I don't need this much trouble during the days when I've got to be preparing for a Board of Trustees meeting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 11, 2021, 10:01:16 AM
My ears checked out clean and infection-free.  Apparently they hurt because of a lifetime of grinding my teeth.  Looks like I'll have to revisit the dentist's suggestion about making a mouth guard to wear at night. 

And the shins just need some more time to finish healing.  About what I expected.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 11, 2021, 10:03:34 AM
Quote from: apl68 on May 11, 2021, 10:01:16 AM
My ears checked out clean and infection-free.  Apparently they hurt because of a lifetime of grinding my teeth.  Looks like I'll have to revisit the dentist's suggestion about making a mouth guard to wear at night. 

And the shins just need some more time to finish healing.  About what I expected.

A few years ago, I hurt my big toe playing soccer. It surprised me how many weeks it was before I could run at full speed again. You never realize how many parts are involved in everyday movement.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 12, 2021, 07:02:18 AM
No! Your advisor (who is getting paid to do this) needs to supervise your experiment for the next few weeks- not me! Why are people trying to rope me into doing things that I did not sign up to do???
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on May 12, 2021, 10:58:43 AM
No I will NOT figure out "what went wrong" with your experiment.  It's yours.  I'm collaborating with you on one project, not ALL of them.

ETA: And I don't have time or brain space to listen to your wanting to tell me about said experiment.  I have enough on my plate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 14, 2021, 11:03:16 AM
So, this morning I came to the library the day after a Board of Trustees meeting with a punch list from the Board, a library newspaper column to write, an important Zoom meeting at 10:00, and some other stuff to work on.  The moment I got in I learned about a "situation" that developed yesterday afternoon when I was away getting rested up for the evening Board meeting.  I also learned that my computer was burping on me.  So far today I have:

Rebooted the computer multiple times until it finally worked
Discussed the "situation" and a couple of other things with the staff
Gone into the Zoom session in media res and tried to pay attention while
E-mailing back and forth with a representative at the state Department of Health about guidelines for resuming meetings at the library to develop a plan for that
And writing my library column for the week
Gotten out of the Zoom meeting and reported to the staff what I learned in that (It has to do with several K of Recovery Act funding that we can put in for to do some stuff we've been wanting to do for a long time.  So it's kind of necessary).
Finally addressed the "situation" from yesterday.  Without going into detail, it involved reviewing security video to determine whether a crime had been committed.  It has, which means we have some decisions to make about police involvement
Helped a patron with a somewhat unusual reference question
And discussed with the staff what I learned from the Department of Health about resuming meetings at the library

Now getting ready to go to lunch, after which I can get to work on the other stuff I have to work on.

And people sometimes wonder what librarians do all day....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 14, 2021, 11:20:13 AM
what became of the ladder on a table issue to clean the mold/dust around the vent? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 14, 2021, 12:33:23 PM
Don't ask!!

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 14, 2021, 01:32:26 PM
Quote from: clean on May 14, 2021, 11:20:13 AM
what became of the ladder on a table issue to clean the mold/dust around the vent?

Taken care of.  And the ladder was placed on the floor, in a nice, stable position.

Still working on the "situation" from yesterday.  Since it was a misdemeanor offense involving a youth, we're trying to pursue what I guess could be called a "restorative justice" approach that does not involve the police.  Here's hoping and praying that we can get it worked out--and that the youth will make good use of the second chance, instead of taking it as a sign that he can get away with doing whatever the Hell he pleases.  That sort of attitude is a guaranteed way to end up in Hell.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on May 16, 2021, 09:19:37 AM
OH, HELL YEAH!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 01, 2021, 03:31:51 PM
Holy FUCK! Will someone answer the damn phone?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on June 01, 2021, 04:52:46 PM
TIAA, would you please get your act together? I called on March 2 and submitted the form you said I needed online the same day. You said the transfer would take less than two weeks. The transfer hadn't gone through on April 2, so I called again. Repeat on April 14, April 27, May 7, May 19. Each time, you assured me that the paperwork was fine, transfer in progress, all will be complete in 3-5 days. Today, the consultant tells me that we have to start over, because the paperwork is only good for 90 days, and it never got sent to the state plan rep for approval. Arghhhhh!

I have the date, time, and name of each person I talked with written down. After I calm down, I might just complete that customer service survey you sent me. In detail. People do make mistakes, but four people in a row suggests a massive training issue.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on June 01, 2021, 04:55:32 PM
For the love of all things good and precious, please take a class in statistics before ever presenting again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on June 03, 2021, 09:19:18 AM
Don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased that Office365 can import and convert to Word a PDF that was generated in LaTeX. The output is actually perfectly readable. That's all lovely.

But why, why, why for the sake of all whys, does Top Journal In My Field not provide a LaTeX style file? Their guidance for authors says 'please put in Word if at all possible; our typesetter charges us if you submit LaTex' (and I don't blame the poor typesetter!) but even if I decided to not convert and make the typesetter do the work, that doesn't do me any good, because I still have to make sure the LaTeX document conforms to the style guide. And there's no LaTeX style file! ARAAARARARARGH
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on June 03, 2021, 10:32:08 AM
Quote from: ergative on June 03, 2021, 09:19:18 AM
Don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased that Office365 can import and convert to Word a PDF that was generated in LaTeX. The output is actually perfectly readable. That's all lovely.

But why, why, why for the sake of all whys, does Top Journal In My Field not provide a LaTeX style file? Their guidance for authors says 'please put in Word if at all possible; our typesetter charges us if you submit LaTex' (and I don't blame the poor typesetter!) but even if I decided to not convert and make the typesetter do the work, that doesn't do me any good, because I still have to make sure the LaTeX document conforms to the style guide. And there's no LaTeX style file! ARAAARARARARGH

Ugh! I'm always surprised when journals don't have style files, especially in fields in which there might be a lot of non-text material in the paper.  I've had to mock up a few, but that can be a lot of extra work. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on June 03, 2021, 11:28:21 AM
My vent requires some thoughtful response from y'all because you can arrest the development of other vent worthy situations if you come up with a good understanding or an actionable direction for remedy:

OK. Though not new situations, there seem a greater threat by "computer hackers" to strategic firms and organizations. There are constantly efforts by supplying companies to better protect via their products and products of others. But what about their "APPS"? How safe are these? How can I say this..uh..though many firms push the use of their APPS, my experiences in in-person encounters with..again difficult to say..non-native customer service employees gives me the opinion that they are excessively aggressive in getting APP users. Is it because they get a "spiff" for getting customers to sign on, because they are a good employee, or that they are aware of flaws in APPS by which victimization can occur from who knows who from who knows where.

Specificallly, it is my opinion that the peoples of the U.S. are well into the throes of divide and conquer actions. Nowadays, a strategy of disable, limit, and destroy seems nascent.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on June 03, 2021, 01:15:59 PM
So we have about 10 extended family members on the in-law side who like to involve anyone and everyone in textfights--or whatever you call creating massive drama on their phones over stupid $hit. I'm talking about some long-ass texts. They started up again yesterday, so I "took" my wife's phone. After ignoring at least 30 texts regarding how Aunt F*face said something to Aunt $hitforbrains about putting cinnamon in the apple butter or some-such nonsense without a response from my wife, they all started calling and asking to speak to my wife. I offered to take a message, but wouldn't give her the phone to talk (she didn't want it anyway), and we turned her phone off when we went to bed.

I had me some fun, and my wife was happy.

The in-laws? They ain't happy and are now, you guessed it, texting about it. So my wife just gave me her phone today. Good times.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 04, 2021, 08:14:07 AM
Trying to work on a federal ARPA funding grant for libraries.  Some of the restrictions--like not just using the funds to cover bad debts, or putting them in the bank and drawing interest on them--make sense.  But why are they so insistent that we can't use any of the funding for installation of equipment that's eligible for purchase? 

We want to use some of the funds to buy things like a touchless water fountain and UV sterilizing equipment for our HVAC system.  These things are covered, because they help avoid the spread of germs, and that's part of what the legislation is aimed at.  But these aren't items that we can install on a do-it-yourself basis.  We HAVE to have them professionally installed for them to work.  Installation is likely to cost as much as or more than the purchase of the items themselves.  So we either will have to forego some things we could have used the grant for, or go ahead and accept that we'll end up obligated to spend thousands of dollars out-of-pocket along with the grants.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 04, 2021, 09:03:02 AM
Can you do a community appeal for funding for the installation?

People may be willing to match a partial donation where some part of the funding is covered, so they know what they're donating for.

I don't know enough to know if this is even possible, but would some kind of crowd-funding site be useful?

It does seem a shame to pass up something useful where at least one important part of it is covered.

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on June 04, 2021, 01:20:11 PM
I had dental surgery the day before yesterday. I have never had such a swollen jaw before, not even when I got my wisdom teeth out as a teenager. Then I woke up this morning with a huge black bruise under my eye. I look like I belong at a domestic violence women's shelter. I'm glad that the meetings I have next week will be virtual. Thank goodness also for non-dairy ice cream and no-sugar-added applesauce. And industrial-strength ibuprofen.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on June 04, 2021, 07:13:34 PM
Quote from: apl68 on June 04, 2021, 08:14:07 AM
Trying to work on a federal ARPA funding grant for libraries.  Some of the restrictions--like not just using the funds to cover bad debts, or putting them in the bank and drawing interest on them--make sense.  But why are they so insistent that we can't use any of the funding for installation of equipment that's eligible for purchase? 

We want to use some of the funds to buy things like a touchless water fountain and UV sterilizing equipment for our HVAC system.  These things are covered, because they help avoid the spread of germs, and that's part of what the legislation is aimed at.  But these aren't items that we can install on a do-it-yourself basis.  We HAVE to have them professionally installed for them to work.  Installation is likely to cost as much as or more than the purchase of the items themselves.  So we either will have to forego some things we could have used the grant for, or go ahead and accept that we'll end up obligated to spend thousands of dollars out-of-pocket along with the grants.

Sounds like the program is designed to push libraries into purchasing more expensive equipment that comes with "free" installation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 05, 2021, 06:38:07 AM
Quote from: Larimar on June 04, 2021, 01:20:11 PM
I had dental surgery the day before yesterday. I have never had such a swollen jaw before, not even when I got my wisdom teeth out as a teenager. Then I woke up this morning with a huge black bruise under my eye. I look like I belong at a domestic violence women's shelter. I'm glad that the meetings I have next week will be virtual. Thank goodness also for non-dairy ice cream and no-sugar-added applesauce. And industrial-strength ibuprofen.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today, Larimar!

(I had all my teeth pulled a few years ago, and then immediately afterward had the dentures placed, to be left in place 24/7 for three full days and then only removed for a quick rinse.  Ouch!  Sleep and popsicles and scrambled eggs were my friends for a couple of weeks.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on June 05, 2021, 02:33:35 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on June 05, 2021, 06:38:07 AM
Quote from: Larimar on June 04, 2021, 01:20:11 PM
I had dental surgery the day before yesterday. I have never had such a swollen jaw before, not even when I got my wisdom teeth out as a teenager. Then I woke up this morning with a huge black bruise under my eye. I look like I belong at a domestic violence women's shelter. I'm glad that the meetings I have next week will be virtual. Thank goodness also for non-dairy ice cream and no-sugar-added applesauce. And industrial-strength ibuprofen.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today, Larimar!

(I had all my teeth pulled a few years ago, and then immediately afterward had the dentures placed, to be left in place 24/7 for three full days and then only removed for a quick rinse.  Ouch!  Sleep and popsicles and scrambled eggs were my friends for a couple of weeks.)


Thanks, ALH. Yipes, sorry to hear that you had such bad dental problems. +1 about the scrambled eggs. Will be making egg drop soup for supper.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on June 05, 2021, 07:44:45 PM
Quote from: Larimar on June 04, 2021, 01:20:11 PM
I had dental surgery the day before yesterday. I have never had such a swollen jaw before, not even when I got my wisdom teeth out as a teenager. Then I woke up this morning with a huge black bruise under my eye. I look like I belong at a domestic violence women's shelter. I'm glad that the meetings I have next week will be virtual. Thank goodness also for non-dairy ice cream and no-sugar-added applesauce. And industrial-strength ibuprofen.

Ouch. Wishing you a swift recovery, Larimar!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on June 06, 2021, 08:57:20 AM
Thank you, smallcleanrat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on June 07, 2021, 02:37:59 PM
So sorry about the painful mouth and head, Larimar. Take good care of yourself.  Definitely ice cream.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on June 07, 2021, 03:06:24 PM
Thank you, Harlow.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 07, 2021, 03:50:52 PM
Crushed clove head under the gum can help, too, sometimes.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 08, 2021, 07:28:39 AM
Hope Larimar is recovering well.

I have a sore throat I haven't been able to shake this morning.  I don't need to get sick--there's so much to do this week!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 08, 2021, 08:04:19 AM
^ Unrelated...

The N/P transfer is STILL in limbo.

An email, a phone call, another phone call and yet another email later, I'm still trying to follow up from the phone discussion we had yesterday about a process that was only supposed to take 2 weeks...in January.

The sabotage of the USPS sorting system in the south has a lot to answer for. Everytime something is sent to or from an office in AZ or FL, it takes 2-4 weeks to get there and be worked on.

Never used to be a problem.

And we know whose paranoid fear of not being re-elected to thank for this.

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 08, 2021, 08:42:47 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 07, 2021, 03:50:52 PM
Crushed clove head under the gum can help, too, sometimes.

M.

Yep and clove oil, if you have it. Hope you feel better, Larimar.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 08, 2021, 11:24:10 AM
A coworker's Vent:

He is not teaching summer, and will officially retire at the end of July.  (IF he retires now, they will want his keys and computer access may be shut down, and he needs more time to clean his office and emails).

June 1 was his last paycheck.

This past weekend (days after the last check), he was eating nuts and broke his dental bridge.  He is negotiating with the dentist to discuss pulling one tooth and perhaps 3 implants, vs a root canal, crown, and replacing the bridge. 

He seems to think that the bridge route is only marginally less expensive, but is only a temporary fix, where as the implant route will solve the combined problems for good.

I tend to agree, but dont have any experience with bridge work. 

Lessons:
You are never too old for an emergency fund! 
Dental work is not cheap! (take care of your teeth)!

any advice to pass along on implants vs bridges?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 08, 2021, 11:30:20 AM
Don't eat nuts?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 08, 2021, 12:00:34 PM
Implants can take many months for older people whose bone matter does not regenerate very quickly. Sometimes they are not feasible at all. It can require many visits to the dental surgeon as well as the dentist. While you are waiting for the implants to take, you need to wear a temporary cosmetic piece that can be annoying and uncomfortable.

I'd say the younger you are, the more sense implants make. Implants are a serious investment of money and sacrifice of quality of life in the short term.

A bridge means doing damage to surrounding teeth. It tends not to last as long as implants. But that may not matter. If I were in my 70s or 80s I'd probably get a bridge. 50s or 60s is more of a judgment call. The big advantage of a bridge is that it gets sorted out more quickly, which is a non-trivial factor.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on June 08, 2021, 01:02:19 PM
Quote from: apl68 on June 08, 2021, 07:28:39 AM
Hope Larimar is recovering well.

I have a sore throat I haven't been able to shake this morning.  I don't need to get sick--there's so much to do this week!
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 08, 2021, 08:42:47 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 07, 2021, 03:50:52 PM
Crushed clove head under the gum can help, too, sometimes.

M.


Yep and clove oil, if you have it. Hope you feel better, Larimar.

Thanks, everyone. Never heard that about cloves before. How interesting! Hope you're feeling better too, apl68. Also best wishes to clean's colleague.





Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on June 08, 2021, 04:30:12 PM
You can always watch the movie Marathon Man for a tutorial on using clove oil for oral pain: "Life can be that simple: Relief or discomfort" sayeth the dentist.

I think I'm showing my age here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Mobius on June 08, 2021, 04:34:38 PM
Reading grad student tweets about starting an unfunded Ph.D. is depressing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 09, 2021, 06:35:21 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on June 08, 2021, 04:30:12 PM
You can always watch the movie Marathon Man for a tutorial on using clove oil for oral pain: "Life can be that simple: Relief or discomfort" sayeth the dentist.

I think I'm showing my age here.

Move over--every time something about teeth or dental problems come up, I think of that movie!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on June 09, 2021, 07:06:03 AM
Summers off, my big fat a**!!! Running a search for two faculty, reviewing internal P&T dossiers, serving as an external reviewer for another institution, being a journal editor, preparing for a virtual conference, updating two classes to accommodate a software change and new book edition, trying to get an electrical issue in my lab sorted, and on top of it all, missing my person who is away a week for work - virtual hugs just aren't the same when I'm grumpy and in need of a proper hug. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 07:32:29 AM
Well, virtual hugs, anyway,, and....hmmm, maybe...

Baby otters?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rQQDHWlf44

(backstory: The two adult otters are twin sisters. Both were bred, conceived and delivered, one lost her pup, but started feeding the other sister's pups, and sharing all other caregiving activities, like moving towels to make a new nest (a security protection in the wild, carried over into domestic settings) and cleaning and grooming them, etc.

The babies go to either sister-mom equally, but their mothers are now starting to wean them (or maybe just getting tired of being the milk table all the time!). Hence some of the oral play, I suspect.

These are all documented, legally-bred otters, they were not kidnapped in Thailand. 

They, and a couple of other otter sites (Aty is my favorite) are my go-to when frustrated, out-of-sorts, or just bored!

Enjoy, I hope!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on June 09, 2021, 07:50:40 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 07:32:29 AM
Well, virtual hugs, anyway,, and....hmmm, maybe...

Baby otters?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rQQDHWlf44

.....

Enjoy, I hope!

Awwwww!!!! How absolutely adorable are they? Thanks for the virtual hug and the smile.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 09:55:22 AM
You're welcome.

I know.

Those little faces.

And they are sooooo bright!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on June 09, 2021, 11:19:37 AM
Gah!  We all have those colleagues who are "glory hounds".  They volunteer for everything, fail to follow through, and then show up to claim their share of the accolades. 

I have a whole committee of them.  One of them routinely calls for "something concrete!"  Um...you're the committee...

They also keep trying to give other people's staff pieces of their work to do.  We do talk to each other.  It gets sent back gently, so far.

Can I vote them off the island?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 11:23:15 AM
We'll all vote you in charge of the island and then you can do whatever you wish with them.

(Any sharks living nearby?)

Sorry, that might be too mean, even for glory-hounds.

Maybe find them a fox to chase?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on June 09, 2021, 11:27:05 AM
It just got even better.

"What do you mean we have to have the project fully designed before we can send the change form to our accreditor?  Then we'll have to meet over the summer!"

How about I just vote myself off the island...?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 11:33:51 AM
But...but....you just got there, right??

(On the other hand, maybe there's your fox....)

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on June 09, 2021, 11:46:29 AM
If you can't fill out a form describing what you want to do, is that bad?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on June 09, 2021, 12:40:55 PM
My eye doctor left the practice and I was assigned to a very new eye doctor. I figure they have to get experience somewhere so I've been patient with the many (minor) mistakes they have made.

After waiting weeks to get plugs in my tear ducts to hopefully alleviate my dry eyes, I took the morning off to get them put in. They left me in the waiting room for 45 minutes before bringing me back. The doctor seemed very nervous and uncertain but against my better judgement I stayed. He had to take one out and retry but finally seemed to think it was okay and assured me that the right one would "settle in" eventually but might be uncomfortable for awhile.

I check and clearly see the plug sticking out of the tear duct and rubbing against my eye. An hour later, the plug pops out. I can't return to the doctor today and even if I could they would probably have to order new ones which takes a couple weeks and even if I waited that long I don't really have confidence in them anymore.

Not only did I waste weeks suffering, the problem has still not been fixed, and now I have to start over with a whole new practice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 01:24:29 PM
Quote from: San Joaquin on June 09, 2021, 11:46:29 AM
If you can't fill out a form describing what you want to do, is that bad?

Just a little bit, yeah.

Forget the foxes, jump the fence, and clear the island while you're at it, I think...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 09, 2021, 02:20:04 PM
Quote from: Charlotte on June 09, 2021, 12:40:55 PM
My eye doctor left the practice and I was assigned to a very new eye doctor. I figure they have to get experience somewhere so I've been patient with the many (minor) mistakes they have made.

After waiting weeks to get plugs in my tear ducts to hopefully alleviate my dry eyes, I took the morning off to get them put in. They left me in the waiting room for 45 minutes before bringing me back. The doctor seemed very nervous and uncertain but against my better judgement I stayed. He had to take one out and retry but finally seemed to think it was okay and assured me that the right one would "settle in" eventually but might be uncomfortable for awhile.

I check and clearly see the plug sticking out of the tear duct and rubbing against my eye. An hour later, the plug pops out. I can't return to the doctor today and even if I could they would probably have to order new ones which takes a couple weeks and even if I waited that long I don't really have confidence in them anymore.

Not only did I waste weeks suffering, the problem has still not been fixed, and now I have to start over with a whole new practice.

Sorry you've had such a bad experience with this procedure and practice, Charlotte.

I just got back from an eye checkup myself.  Our eye doctor is fine--and just a few minutes walk from work, which is handy.  I do wish, though, that there was some alternative to being either dilated and unable to see for a couple of hours, or paying extra to be tortured by an eye-photographing machine that works by repeatedly zapping your eyes.  I go with the expensive torture to save time.  At least usually.  I have been tortured before until they decided it wasn't going to work with me that day, and THEN dilated.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 09, 2021, 05:49:06 PM
Spent much of today dealing with a cheating student. 

On the way home from work got in a car wreck (hit from behind at a stop light). 

So it looks like I will be dealing with insurance and car repairs, in addition to the other things on my list of tasks! 

My back hurts, but hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.  I will skip exercises tonight. 

Looking forward to better days the rest of the week!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 09, 2021, 06:30:45 PM
If there's a silver lining, being rear-ended is usually an automatic insurance payout, because the other party is usually presumed guilty (per an officer who oversaw the ticket to the driver behind me who smashed in the back of my little sweet VW Beetle (whose engines, you may recall, were in the back...)

I'd also get X-rays done ASAP of your neck; whip-lash-like stuff doesn't always show up on film later, but the physical effects might be delayed enough that you'd wish you'd had the radiologist do their stuff while it might make a difference.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 11, 2021, 11:17:43 AM
My laptop's touchpad has been turning itself off for unknown reasons for a while. Usually, I just plug in an external mouse, hibernate or restart, and we're good to go. Yesterday, it just died entirely (and I couldn't find it--or its drivers--anywhere). I tried all kinds of stuff, to no avail. Restarting didn't work either. I tried re-installing the drivers, but it couldn't detect the existence of the touchpad and so refused to install. And then my external mouse decided it didn't want to work, either.

I wrestled with it for a couple more hours this morning, and finally have the touchpad working (but who knows how, why, or for how long). Ugh. My previous laptop (or maybe it was the one before?) was the best evs, but this one has really struggled with stuff. A couple months ago it was totally unexplained slowdowns (no viruses, no malware, almost nothing running), which I seem to have mostly resolved. But this mouse thing is starting to drive me nuts.

It may or may not be connected to the fact that the grey cat makes all kinds of weird things happen when she jumps onto my keyboard, including turning off the touchpad.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 11, 2021, 12:01:24 PM
Back It UP!!

Learn from MY tragedy!  Owning a back up hard drive does not protect your data!  You must USE the hard drive!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 11, 2021, 12:12:28 PM
Car problems again!
My car is 21 years old, but has only 67000 miles. 

Yesterday it would not start. I suspected the battery. (I am not certain that I know that the battery in it is the one I have a receipt for, but it probably is).  The batter was replaced 58 months ago.  That is important because it is supposed to be a 5 year battery.

Well, I thought I had a battery issue, I tried to charge it yesterday. Still the car would not start.. even the radio would not come on.  So I suspected that the battery had given up the ghost.  I was going to take it out this morning and drive it to the battery store and get a replacement.  However, I discovered that the battery connector (the wire that connects the car to the battery) had completely deteriorated.  That would explain the reason that there was no juice to start the car or run the radio.. the wire isnt connected! 

I purchased the new part, but in I would really need to cut the wires , strip them, and then crimp the wires to the connector.  I dont think that I have either the correct tools to do it for these sizes of wires OR the hand strength to make a binding crimp.  I was at the stage where it was clear that I was not going to UNCrimp the wires (meaning I would need to cut the wires) my bride came to supervise my efforts.  I explained what I needed to do, and It seems that my bride has REVOKED my Wire Cutting Authority!!  She decided that I needed to have AAA tow me to the shop and let THEM cut the wires and crimp the connections.

I am back home from the shop waiting for the repair place to call me and either tell me that it is done or that something else needs to be done. 

Hopefully this will be done today, but I m sure it will be done by Monday (hopefully inexpensively)!

The estimated damages to my other vehicle has come in at about $1500. SO I need the car working before I can take the truck to be repaired!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 12, 2021, 06:29:36 AM
Quote from: clean on June 11, 2021, 12:12:28 PM
Car problems again!
My car is 21 years old, but has only 67000 miles. 

Yesterday it would not start. I suspected the battery. (I am not certain that I know that the battery in it is the one I have a receipt for, but it probably is).  The batter was replaced 58 months ago.  That is important because it is supposed to be a 5 year battery.

Well, I thought I had a battery issue, I tried to charge it yesterday. Still the car would not start.. even the radio would not come on.  So I suspected that the battery had given up the ghost.  I was going to take it out this morning and drive it to the battery store and get a replacement.  However, I discovered that the battery connector (the wire that connects the car to the battery) had completely deteriorated.  That would explain the reason that there was no juice to start the car or run the radio.. the wire isnt connected! 

I purchased the new part, but in I would really need to cut the wires , strip them, and then crimp the wires to the connector.  I dont think that I have either the correct tools to do it for these sizes of wires OR the hand strength to make a binding crimp.  I was at the stage where it was clear that I was not going to UNCrimp the wires (meaning I would need to cut the wires) my bride came to supervise my efforts.  I explained what I needed to do, and It seems that my bride has REVOKED my Wire Cutting Authority!!  She decided that I needed to have AAA tow me to the shop and let THEM cut the wires and crimp the connections.

I am back home from the shop waiting for the repair place to call me and either tell me that it is done or that something else needs to be done. 

Hopefully this will be done today, but I m sure it will be done by Monday (hopefully inexpensively)!

The estimated damages to my other vehicle has come in at about $1500. SO I need the car working before I can take the truck to be repaired!

You could probably have handled a job like that.  But in the circumstances it's probably just as well to let the pros do it, if they can get around to it quickly.  Sorry you've had both vehicles down at the same time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on June 12, 2021, 11:14:16 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 11, 2021, 11:17:43 AM
It may or may not be connected to the fact that the grey cat makes all kinds of weird things happen when she jumps onto my keyboard, including turning off the touchpad.

Sorry to hear you are having laptop problems, Parasaurolophus.  My squirrelly tortie cat is a master of changing my laptop settings by bounding across the keyboard.  She has also turned off my touchpad (luckily, just needed to use the function key), turned off my microphone right before I was attempting to teach class, and turned my entire screen 90 degrees (why is that even a thing that anyone wants to have happen rather than just rotating a document?). Thank the goddess for the google, so I can figure out how to fix it. I learn so many things about laptops thank to her "help".

My [minor] vent for today: You are GRAD STUDENTS! GRAD STUDENTS! Why for the love of all that is holy do you not understand how to write a reference in [basketweaving] format?  Also, why do none of you know how to do basic formatting in Word documents?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on June 12, 2021, 04:26:20 PM
My vent: for the love of all that is holy, why does Amazon ever have "rental" as a default for books? Is there a way to change that? I have now mistakenly rented two books.  I realize that it is my fault, but "buy new" is usually the default (unless there is a rental, I guess). 

Just ETA that I was able to cancel the order both times, though it seemed to require chatting to do so instead of just canceling the item on my orders page.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on June 14, 2021, 03:55:01 PM
Look, I know the extreme uptick in cheating means that the conduct office is swamped with cases to investigate.  But, if you want me to submit grades by the deadline I need to know the results BEFORE the deadline.  Otherwise, it's an official entry of "delayed grade" for a LOT of students.

Can I nominate someone else to fill out the paperwork when I finally get the results (after the deadline) & have to put in their earned grades? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Mobius on June 14, 2021, 04:36:09 PM
Have GoFundMe and Cashapp changed the grad school experience? Used to have to work crappy jobs during the summer to pay for living expenses during that time.

There are a few that seem to have an allergy towards work.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 17, 2021, 12:29:23 PM
VPAA emailed us this week that the fall schedule is undergoing renovation.  (The one that's been in place since the Monday after spring break, and that students have been using to register--yes, that one, for the semester that begins in about 8 weeks.)

According to him, students are "clamoring" for F2F classes at our CC, so LVL sections with zero enrollment are being closed (as are those with "too-low" enrollment numbers) and will be replaced with on-campus sections to meet the demand.  Class caps are being returned to normal and room assignments for the originally-scheduled F2F sections will be changed to reflect the larger class sizes.  I have questions:

--In looking at the online sections in gen eds, most are already full, and those that aren't are solidly in at least the low teens in enrollment (25 is the cap).  No more online sections are being opened or even proposed.  Why not?

--Most of my department's LVLs (and several others', from a quick spot check) LVLs are at the "made" level (generally 15 students) or better.  Yet few of us have more than 5-6 students in our F2F sections.  So, where is this "clamoring" he speaks of?

--A friend in math was forced to teach an LVL last spring with ONE student in it.  (It was pre-algetbra, not some rare/high-level course.)  And I had 7 in my lit LVL.  What, exactly then, will be cancelled LVL and moved on campus for "low numbers"?

I've resigned myself to going back on campus, despite a message this week that masks are no longer required, news that the school is in one of the very anti-vax states that is among the 8 where cases are again on the rise, and the fact that I'm vaccinated but also immunocompromised. However, it'd be damned nice to know what and when and where I'll be teaching in a couple of months. 

I've taught everything in our entire sequence at least several times over, so I can be stuck into whatever classes they need.  But my idea of being prepped is to have the entire semester's schedule and assignments all set to go on Day 1.  I don't see how that happens if all of a sudden they start jiggering the damned schedule this late in the game.  (I also wonder how many of our students, who are overwhelmingly constrained by child care, job, and transportation concerns, will react when their schedules get yanked out from under them.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Mobius on June 17, 2021, 01:18:44 PM
It's funny how they claim students are clamoring for this or that when we all know classrooms won't be full past the first day (if that). I don't suggest online is an option either, since students "clamor" for this or that, and don't follow through.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on June 17, 2021, 03:25:51 PM
Students or customers?

They're cancelling classes when there are 8 weeks remaining for registration?  Where I work, much enrollment occurs just 2 weeks prior to start of semester and some customers enroll well into the second week of the semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on June 18, 2021, 08:08:04 AM
These are just annoying.  I know they are mass emails in the hope of getting...something.  But still.

"I am [Name, real or bogus?] graduated with M.Sc. degree in Medical Biotechnology from [Overseas University East]. My M.Sc. thesis title is "Development of a new solid phase for simultaneous detection of specific antibodies in human serum" in which I designed, set up, and optimized an advanced method of ELIZA by immunizing rabbits to track HIV/HCV antibodies with the help of human core antigen (recombinant) level in control samples using numerical and analytical methods.

I have submitted 2 articles (should be noticed that I am waiting for the editor's response) as well as 2 conference papers in different subjects relating to my education and other fields of my interests. Furthermore, I have worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) in a reputed pharmaceutical company (BegoniaPharmed) for two years

In addition, I am currently working on a Journal paper in collaboration with research scientists and neurosurgeons from Hulawei Hospital focuses on neurological concerns. Throughout my career, I had the honor to be part of the intelligent community of Lydian University of Medical Sciences.

Regarding your previous activities and your publications, I believe there are a number of similarities between your specialization and my research interests which would pave my path toward my goals. It would be much appreciated if you have any Ph.D./M.Sc. position for me in your research group. I wonder if you would be so kind as to read my CV (which is attached to this email in PDF format) and let me know if it could be acceptable to pursue my education towards a Master's /Ph.D. degree under your supervision in next year.

I know you are very busy, so I appreciate any time you can give me.  Thank you very much."

Um, I study fish behavior and courtship songs.  Could you be more far off in your search?  Oh, and we don't have a PhD program.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on June 18, 2021, 08:18:29 AM
Quote from: FishProf on June 18, 2021, 08:08:04 AM
These are just annoying.  I know they are mass emails in the hope of getting...something.  But still.

"I am [Name, real or bogus?] graduated with M.Sc. degree in Medical Biotechnology from [Overseas University East]. My M.Sc. thesis title is "Development of a new solid phase for simultaneous detection of specific antibodies in human serum" in which I designed, set up, and optimized an advanced method of ELIZA by immunizing rabbits to track HIV/HCV antibodies with the help of human core antigen (recombinant) level in control samples using numerical and analytical methods.

.
.
.

I know you are very busy, so I appreciate any time you can give me.  Thank you very much."

Um, I study fish behavior and courtship songs.  Could you be more far off in your search?  Oh, and we don't have a PhD program.

I can do you one better. I get those, and I
(And we don't have a PhD program either.)

This does not speak well of the writer's "research" skills.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 18, 2021, 10:24:10 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 17, 2021, 03:25:51 PM
Students or customers?

They're cancelling classes when there are 8 weeks remaining for registration?  Where I work, much enrollment occurs just 2 weeks prior to start of semester and some customers enroll well into the second week of the semester.

Exactly--and it's the same here.  Even in the boom days when I was chair, we never worried seriously about low numbers until the week before classes start (particularly at my campus. where registration is notoriously and aggravatingly slow).  And even at that, I'd end up scrambling for adjuncts, piling on OL, and searching for places to meet over the final weekend before start, even pushing some starts back a week to accommodate late adds. In more lean times of the past 5-6 years, many times I've had classes sit at 6-7 students into early August, then fill up to 25 over the week prior to start. 

I'm just annoyed because I want to know for sure what I'll be teaching, so I can get classes ready while my summer online sections are chugging along.  I have visions of getting a finalized and much-changed schedule the beginning of Service Week (the week before classes start), then having to throw everything together at the last minute while also having to attend meetings (or else be charged with sick days for not attending).

Meh.  If this current Admin would do things to actually make sense, I'd probably have a stroke in response to the shock.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 18, 2021, 10:41:35 AM
Quote from: FishProf on June 18, 2021, 08:08:04 AM

Um, I study fish behavior and courtship songs.  Could you be more far off in your search?  Oh, and we don't have a PhD program.

Your user name suddenly makes sense to me...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2021, 07:52:07 PM
I'm really getting tired of my body parts clogging. I think I have a submandibular stone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on June 30, 2021, 04:56:19 PM
"Hey, hey, hey! Guilty as $hit, but freed today!"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/bill-cosby-freed-from-prison-his-sex-conviction-overturned/ar-AALD5IP?li=BBnb7Kz (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/bill-cosby-freed-from-prison-his-sex-conviction-overturned/ar-AALD5IP?li=BBnb7Kz)

[sigh]

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 02, 2021, 07:42:05 PM
After spending several hours on campus today, (A friday on a holiday weekend)  I came home at 730 to find that my wife was in the garauge with the door to the house open, evaluating the defrosted freezer in the gaurage.  I smelled the problem as soon as I hit the front door

Just yesterday morning, I asked her about the steaks we were to bring to her parent's house. I asked her to check that they were big enough for the group coming and to move them to the refrigerator to defrost.

So tonight the freezer is defrosted and everything stinky! 
I take the blame for the power outage.  I had been working with the electric weedeater in the back yard and while I put the weedeater back in the garauge, I left the extension chord in the back yard.  Yesterday it rained and the GFR that the freezer is plugged into tripped causing the problem. 

SO i have spent the last 2 1/2 hours dealing with the contents, cleaning the freezer (the bride helped with that) and then I mopped the floor.  My back hurts. 

When I asked why the steaks were not in the fridge (at least we would have the food we promised to bring), she said "my mamma said to take them out tomorrow". 

Well shit, .. 

Im going to have to recheck those vows to see who the bride is supposed to 'Obey" 
(I joke that my brother said that vow at his wedding.... He put a ring on her finger, she put a ring in his nose!)  (I think that is funny, but my brother doesnt!... which makes it funnier!!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 03, 2021, 06:55:52 AM
Um, it's a conversation, not a competition.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 03, 2021, 09:24:31 AM
Eye well starter dodoing spilling toasts unfill theses stoogents learnt ow too ewes da spearchecker. Jeehebus ache Crystal!


grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 03, 2021, 09:56:57 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 03, 2021, 09:24:31 AM
Eye well starter dodoing spilling toasts unfill theses stoogents learnt ow too ewes da spearchecker. Jeehebus ache Crystal!


grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . .

;--》

Well done.

I had to read it out loud to figure it out...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 03, 2021, 12:19:58 PM
Can you say well done in the venting thread?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 03, 2021, 01:22:54 PM
Hmmm.....well, if the vent is well-expressed, maybe?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on July 03, 2021, 01:39:54 PM
I think a complaint that you didn't think of it first is in order.  Pull a Huxley.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.

Can the library put up a camera? Or, at least a sign that the dumpster is being monitored?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.

Can the library put up a camera? Or, at least a sign that the dumpster is being monitored?

We DO have a camera monitoring it.  However, it would take considerably more time to review security video to look for the guilty party than the clean-ups have taken.  If this problem continues that equation may change....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 02:05:59 PM
Update:  Mystery solved!  A staff member has spotted crows diving into the dumpster and carrying out sacks.  Whoever has been chucking fast food bags into the dumpster has been making it.  The crows just don't let well enough alone.  Staff members mostly eat their lunches inside the building, so I don't think it's their food bags that this has been happening to.  Anyway, I'm not going to stake out the security video just to catch some crows in the act.

Meanwhile we're wondering how much longer it will be before the hauling company either replaces the dumpster, or has to clean up our area and THEN replace it, after the rusting bottom drops out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on July 16, 2021, 02:07:38 PM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.

Can the library put up a camera? Or, at least a sign that the dumpster is being monitored?



We DO have a camera monitoring it.  However, it would take considerably more time to review security video to look for the guilty party than the clean-ups have taken.  If this problem continues that equation may change....

Your culprit may not be a human but rather a dumpster diving critter. Raccoons are notorious.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 02:44:31 PM
Quote from: Puget on July 16, 2021, 02:07:38 PM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.

Can the library put up a camera? Or, at least a sign that the dumpster is being monitored?



We DO have a camera monitoring it.  However, it would take considerably more time to review security video to look for the guilty party than the clean-ups have taken.  If this problem continues that equation may change....

Your culprit may not be a human but rather a dumpster diving critter. Raccoons are notorious.

I'm curious. Maybe you could speed through the early morning hours of the footage?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 04:02:33 PM
Quote from: Puget on July 16, 2021, 02:07:38 PM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 16, 2021, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 11:09:12 AM
Twice this week I've found the remains of a fast-food meal scattered on the ground right next to the open-topped dumpster by the service entrance to our building.  Who in the world can't toss something into a target that big?  It looks like somebody has been chucking their trash at the dumpster while driving by through the parking lot.  That moment's carelessness keeps making it necessary for me to pick all the trash up.

Can the library put up a camera? Or, at least a sign that the dumpster is being monitored?



We DO have a camera monitoring it.  However, it would take considerably more time to review security video to look for the guilty party than the clean-ups have taken.  If this problem continues that equation may change....

Your culprit may not be a human but rather a dumpster diving critter. Raccoons are notorious.

Well, as noted in my post above, it was non-human, though not a mammal.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 16, 2021, 04:39:38 PM
Quote from: apl68 on July 16, 2021, 02:05:59 PM
Update:  Mystery solved!  A staff member has spotted crows diving into the dumpster and carrying out sacks.  Whoever has been chucking fast food bags into the dumpster has been making it.  The crows just don't let well enough alone.  Staff members mostly eat their lunches inside the building, so I don't think it's their food bags that this has been happening to.  Anyway, I'm not going to stake out the security video just to catch some crows in the act.

Meanwhile we're wondering how much longer it will be before the hauling company either replaces the dumpster, or has to clean up our area and THEN replace it, after the rusting bottom drops out.

Crows are clever!  Now that they know those bags contain food they will remember it (and teach their offspring).  It's going to be part of the local crow lore. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 22, 2021, 02:42:07 PM
Long boring story, but result:  the pain in ALHS's replaced hip is NOT a problem with the replacement.  Yay, right?

Nope. As suspected when his hip hurt like this 10 years ago (pre-replacement), the problem isn't with the hip, but is actually in his spine.  So, after some obligatory PT to satisfy Cigna, it looks like part of that original back surgery needs to be extended to address new (and not completely unexpected) problems--to entail removing the rods and cage, removing a couple/three more discs higher up, and putting in newer and longer rods and cage to fuse even more of his spine.  (He had similar work done in his neck in 2013.)

Now we get to start juggling:  he's going to need a knee replacement sooner rather than later, I absolutely have to get these cataracts fixed before I go back to work next month, I need to go to this same doctor to figure out next steps for my own spinal/mobility/pain problems, and it seems that his cardio problems are worsening (despite him losing 40+ pounds and exercising).

He's bummed out, and so am I, both so much so that I'm surprised.  It's not like w didn't know this could happen. I guess we were both just hoping against hope that it wouldn't, or at least that everything wouldn't fall apart at the same time. (He just turned 62, and I'm 60.)  SIGH. 

At least I still have a job with insurance (for now......though fall enrollments truly suck).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 22, 2021, 04:08:21 PM
So sorry, AmLitHist.  It would be enough to manage just one of these.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 22, 2021, 04:42:36 PM
Thinking of you both.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 22, 2021, 04:44:17 PM
Sorry ALH. That bites hard. Enrollment sucks over here too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on July 22, 2021, 05:00:54 PM
Yipes, ALH, sorry to hear it. Wishing you the best healing possible.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 23, 2021, 07:05:17 AM
Thanks, all.  I was having a pity party and it's been a while since I've done that.  This morning I'm back to taking a deep breath, gritting my teeth, and getting on with it.  I appreciate the support, and also having this place to rant and rave and then move on.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on July 23, 2021, 07:56:04 AM
ALH, sending you and spouse healing thoughts. Pity parties are therapeutic, so indulge, wallow--whatever it takes to relieve the stress.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 23, 2021, 08:04:03 AM
Agreed.

Also, if you just need a quiet space, the quiet thread is available, too....

   https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=1878.msg60634#msg60634

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 26, 2021, 10:34:24 AM
Our expensive AV presentation system flaked out on us at the worst possible moment, when we were trying to show a video--our first movie event since before the pandemic, and one of our first special events since things opened back up.  And we had 11 kids in there, too!  The staff member responsible assures me that she had tested the system only last week.

Oh well, they liked playing with Legos as an alternative. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 26, 2021, 10:50:31 AM
Ya gotta love AV.

I used to bring my own cassette player when the automated, installed system was supposed to be "enuf."

Three layers of backup seem necessary at times!

Glad you had a popular alternative.

That reminds me, one of the Real Estate agents where I am sponsors a monthly Lego night for kids, to get them thinking about how buildings are made.

They put the completed projects in their big front window....I don't know if they ever get any homebuyers out of it or not, though...

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on July 26, 2021, 12:12:39 PM
Quote from: apl68 on July 26, 2021, 10:34:24 AM
Our expensive AV presentation system flaked out on us at the worst possible moment, when we were trying to show a video--our first movie event since before the pandemic, and one of our first special events since things opened back up.  And we had 11 kids in there, too!  The staff member responsible assures me that she had tested the system only last week.

Oh well, they liked playing with Legos as an alternative.

Stuff like this should be tested daily, but especially right before special events. This is a human failure on the part of the staff member who is responsible for keeping your systems running. Don't blame it all on the tech. On a positive note, you had a backup plan, and all tech-dependent activities need some kind of back up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 27, 2021, 11:34:24 AM
In my region of the country (US), if you even remotely know the person, you are expected to chit-chat for the first 5-10 minutes of a phone call before getting down to business. Seriously, one of my wife's family members will call, chit-chat for 5 or 10 minutes, and then segue into how your cousin just died in a horrible garlic press accident or something.

Why. can't. they. just. tell. me. why. they. called. upfront? ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 27, 2021, 12:58:33 PM
Quote from: fishbrains on July 27, 2021, 11:34:24 AM
In my region of the country (US), if you even remotely know the person, you are expected to chit-chat for the first 5-10 minutes of a phone call before getting down to business. Seriously, one of my wife's family members will call, chit-chat for 5 or 10 minutes, and then segue into how your cousin just died in a horrible garlic press accident or something.

Why. can't. they. just. tell. me. why. they. called. upfront? ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

I was raised in an area like that and live elsewhere now.

It took about 6 years to get over the buffering expectations of more banal conversation, about as long as it took me to get used to the cold, damp chill of the winters.

I wonder if there's a study to be done on the correlations?

I'm currently in touch with a friend who's only lived here a few years, and is working through a similar transition.

I remember what it was like having people cut me off and be (what seemed to me to be) rude, when I now realize they were under the same kinds of time pressure I'm now under: they needed to see things move along more quickly then, as I do, now.

But it's not only in the US. While not as long an expected buffering moment, I've described elsewhere and before what it's like being in France the first couple days....tapping one's foot waiting for a meal that WILL COME, when it's ready, and the server has finished chatting to the bartender, and the chef has finished their magazine article, and....and...and....

It will come, and it will be very good.

Likewise, entering a small store to buy a plant for a friend, I recall stepping up to the cashier and starting to describe what I wanted.

<<BON-JOUR, Mademoiselle!!!>> she said, pointedly.

I started over with the expected greeting and brief <<Ca va?>> discussion before placing my order--and I tried not to forget that lesson in a hurry, either.

In fact, now, back in the U.S.A., I try to remember to greet servers and clerks very briefly before we start our transactions, too.

It doesn't have to take long, but an affirmation of personal connection doesn't go amiss.

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 27, 2021, 01:15:57 PM
Yes, being a transplant has its frustrations. The same goes with people in this region and their lack of punctuality (except for church and doctor's appointments, of course), saying "I'm on my way" when the person hasn't even left their house yet, customers chatting with cashiers even if there is a line behind them.

And what the f*ck is sweet tea and why do they give it to their toddlers? Yech. Anyway, just venting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 27, 2021, 01:53:33 PM
Yes, I think there's a dividing line somewhere over the Adirondacks in one direction, and maybe the Ohio River in another?

And there are intensities of individual expectations, like lines on a geodetic survey map, besides that.

I had a very hard time un-learning the idea that if you're late you're giving the other person more time to prepare for the meeting (the implied idea behind the procrastination and the tardiness, both, I think) and learning that you're giving them MORE time, after your meeting, to get to the next one.

It took a friend, one time, saying, gently, "You had 10 more minutes and then I was leaving," plus several other such messages, to realize my "easy time" was seen as rude and inconsiderate.

And it's hard to manage because it's seen as rude, outlander-ish, and just plain wrong to make the point.

I wish you ease in your transitions.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 27, 2021, 03:50:53 PM
Look, if you want me to make the labs more like "other class with research project" then you have to be willing to SPEND MONEY to buy the equipment for that to happen.  I know that you have [minimal basketweaving supplies], but it's NOT enough.  It's like having 1 cake pan and thinking you can teach a class of 24 students how to bake cakes by having the instructor bake 1 cake in front of them.  I want 24 cake pans!  Just. Buy. The. Things.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 27, 2021, 04:50:13 PM
Quotees, being a transplant has its frustrations. The same goes with people in this region and their lack of punctuality (except for church and doctor's appointments, of course), saying "I'm on my way" when the person hasn't even left their house yet, customers chatting with cashiers even if there is a line behind them.

And what the f*ck is sweet tea and why do they give it to their toddlers? Yech. Anyway, just venting.

Fiddle dee dee, I think I detect a Yankee!   Bless your heart!

So, How's your mamma and them?


For what it is worth, I was born in the Sweet Tea Zone, but to this day, I dont know who "and them" is/or are!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 28, 2021, 06:29:41 AM
Small-talk expectations and such can be most frustrating when you're in a hurry, all right.  Being the impatient person by nature that I am, I get it.  But they also do a lot to humanize interactions.  Personally I wouldn't want to live in a society where all interpersonal interaction was purely instrumental and conducted with maximum efficiency and minimum humanity.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 28, 2021, 08:35:11 AM
Quote from: clean on July 27, 2021, 04:50:13 PM
Quotees, being a transplant has its frustrations. The same goes with people in this region and their lack of punctuality (except for church and doctor's appointments, of course), saying "I'm on my way" when the person hasn't even left their house yet, customers chatting with cashiers even if there is a line behind them.

And what the f*ck is sweet tea and why do they give it to their toddlers? Yech. Anyway, just venting.

Fiddle dee dee, I think I detect a Yankee!   Bless your heart!

So, How's your mamma and them?


For what it is worth, I was born in the Sweet Tea Zone, but to this day, I dont know who "and them" is/or are!

I was a military brat for my first 18 years of life, mostly in the Midwest. I've learned not to point out that same-sex marriage has been around longer than the Confederacy was. Anyway, I remember some of my first culture-shock encounters at work occurred when I would ask someone if they would complete a task and received something like, "It don't make me no nevermind" or "I don't care not to."

Not trying to be too negative. There are plenty of good things to say about this region as well. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 28, 2021, 10:07:41 AM
In Grad School, I used the "how's your mamma and them" on a professor.  He was particularly rude - at least by local custom.  I had a question and I was not about to be treated rudely another time, so I began with a double dose of pleasentries.  After a while he asked if I wanted anything in particular.  I showed him the work that I had done  so far (it was a 'math type' class), and how I was sure I had a mistake, the steps I had taken to correct the error and that I was stuck.  He helped me through the mistake, but after that, he knew that if I was coming to visit, that I had already done my homework and that I was not coming to him as the first step in the process of finding and fixing an error and he was far more polite and helpful!

Also, I want to point out that historically, the Sweet Tea Zone is reportedly an area where "he needed killin" is a defense, dueling was an appropriate response for a challenge of honor (and rudeness!) and many have the weaponry handy enough to carry it out, so being polite is a form of de-escalation.   And it is usually HOT here much of the year, so slowing down to discuss the pleasantries provides a much needed relief. Otherwise, it would be back on the hot horse to spend more time in the hot sun! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 28, 2021, 10:23:10 AM
Vent...

My current online class was required by the 'experts' to have a 'student interactive component' to be approved for online delivery. (Classes have to be approved for content by both the chair (for topic) and the online expert office for methodology and compliance with ADA or whatever.)  So I have a requirement that students write 5 original MC questions. That they submit them to their group, and then the group will evaluate the questions and eventually nominate the 'best' questions. The best questions are then compiled and used to make practice tests.  There are questions in the back of the chapter, though.  Unfortunately, these questions are NOT in the list that Safe Assign uses to check for plagiarism. 

Well, a student has been copying these questions, word for word and submitting them as his own.  The bottom Reader's Digest version is that his defense is that he ISNT PLAGAIRIZING ANY WORSE THAN ANYONE ELSE!  So WHY IS HE BEING CHARGED??

idiot. 
Part of me hopes that he fights the charge and tries to convince an Academic Integrity hearing of that. 


I am now in the process of getting the end of chapter questions copied to Word so that I can submit them to the data base. 

He came to my attention because his work was being flagged as copying a student from 2 years ago, when the new edition came out) to too high a degree.  So it seems that the student from 2 years ago did the same thing, entered the questions into the database, and that is what is being caught.  Though there are 20 questions at the end of each chapter, these 2 seemed to be picking the questions that required the least typing! 

Anyway, it takes a few hours to process an Academic Misconduct form, which is one of the reasons we went to Grad School, right?  And it will take several more hours to get those questions posted into the database!  And THEN the book is now at the age that a new edition is on the horizon, so I may have to deal with this yet again pretty soon!  (the only good news is that the end of chapter questions probably wont change much with an edition change).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 28, 2021, 11:35:50 AM
One wants a bumper sticker that says,

JUST DO THE WORK

Yeah....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: San Joaquin on July 28, 2021, 03:22:06 PM
Hey, how about we just accept the existing "work" of the committee, shower them with the public acclaim they so crave, and then take it from here? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bbmaj7b5 on July 28, 2021, 04:39:52 PM
Back from a five day hospital stay. At least the fever is gone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mahagonny on July 28, 2021, 04:42:57 PM
Sorry Bbmaj7b5. Feel better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 29, 2021, 06:20:20 AM
Hope you are feeling better today, Bbmaj7b5.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 29, 2021, 07:25:39 AM
Indeed.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 29, 2021, 08:24:11 AM
Unrelated. An expectation by one unit of the university that 10-month faculty are available on a week's notice to do something time consuming about which we were not warned. We couldn't possibly have research obligations or family needs, or even deserve time off? It got worked out but the assumption is sticking in my craw.  [need to find out what exactly a craw is]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 29, 2021, 08:41:42 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on July 29, 2021, 08:24:11 AM
[need to find out what exactly a craw is]

A bird's crop.  Colloquially, your stomach or gut.  When stuff like this happens to you, it does sometimes make you feel like there's something unsettled deep inside, doesn't it?

I grew up hearing "craw" still used in daily speech.  Not sure how common it is anymore.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 29, 2021, 09:15:55 AM
Yes, plus, maybe "hard to swallow," as well.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on July 29, 2021, 09:32:02 AM
For me, it would mostly be a pain at the other end.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 29, 2021, 09:39:59 AM
These are great.  Thanks for the laugh, Waterboy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 29, 2021, 10:12:37 AM
Admincritters dont know boundaries.  If they are working, then everyone should work!    AS you are not teaching classes, you have Plenty of time for these extra things.  Besides, they are ONLY THINKING OF YOU!  They dont want you to be bored for find your life meaningless, so To HELP Give your Life Meaning, they have shown you how valuable you are ALL YEAR! by making these tasks available for your expertise! 

One way to handle such requests is to use an Auto Reply... something like, "I am not currently contracted to be on campus before August Never, 2021. As such, I am not checking my emails.  After that date,  please resend your email as appropriate."

One of my coworkers makes it clear that she is ON VACATION until August 19 and will not be on campus, answer emails, attend meetings, or return calls.

She said she had to do that because the dean and her chair would still 'ask' her to come to campus to have meetings 'of great importance To THEM' and irrelevant to her!    By stating 'VACATION" the 'harassment stopped'
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on July 29, 2021, 12:41:19 PM
Colleague of over 30 years just retired this Summer. Went in for routine gall bladder surgery, and while in the surgeon discovered an aggressive form of cancer in a nearby organ. Stage IV.

Shit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on July 29, 2021, 01:28:45 PM
Quote from: Harlow2 on July 29, 2021, 08:24:11 AM
Unrelated. An expectation by one unit of the university that 10-month faculty are available on a week's notice to do something time consuming about which we were not warned. We couldn't possibly have research obligations or family needs, or even deserve time off? It got worked out but the assumption is sticking in my craw.  [need to find out what exactly a craw is]

I vented about this a few years ago, on this thread, I think. I got into quite an exchange with people who sympathized with the admincritters.

Some of them even used the silly argument that my health insurance, library access, and tech support are in effect over the summer, so I should be available in the summers. I countered, that with that logic, none of use should have health insurance, library access, and tech support during Xmas/NY holidays, Thanksgiving, between the hours of 5 PM and 8 AM on weekdays, and nothing at all on the weekends.

It's similar to the idiotic notion that lawyers should only be paid for their time, when in the courtroom.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on July 29, 2021, 01:30:27 PM
Quote from: clean on July 29, 2021, 10:12:37 AM
Admincritters dont know boundaries.  If they are working, then everyone should work!    AS you are not teaching classes, you have Plenty of time for these extra things.  Besides, they are ONLY THINKING OF YOU!  They dont want you to be bored for find your life meaningless, so To HELP Give your Life Meaning, they have shown you how valuable you are ALL YEAR! by making these tasks available for your expertise! 

One way to handle such requests is to use an Auto Reply... something like, "I am not currently contracted to be on campus before August Never, 2021. As such, I am not checking my emails.  After that date,  please resend your email as appropriate."

One of my coworkers makes it clear that she is ON VACATION until August 19 and will not be on campus, answer emails, attend meetings, or return calls.

She said she had to do that because the dean and her chair would still 'ask' her to come to campus to have meetings 'of great importance To THEM' and irrelevant to her!    By stating 'VACATION" the 'harassment stopped'

I don't even bother with auto-response emails, anymore. I'll get to their emails on my official first day back, if the email is actually important. My boundaries are my non-response.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 29, 2021, 02:59:37 PM
That's a bit passive-aggressive if there's truly something going on that is emergent, or if people start worrying that you're ill (which is a concern these days.)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 30, 2021, 06:03:19 AM
Quote from: clean on July 29, 2021, 10:12:37 AM
Admincritters dont know boundaries.  If they are working, then everyone should work!    AS you are not teaching classes, you have Plenty of time for these extra things.  Besides, they are ONLY THINKING OF YOU!  They dont want you to be bored for find your life meaningless, so To HELP Give your Life Meaning, they have shown you how valuable you are ALL YEAR! by making these tasks available for your expertise! 

One way to handle such requests is to use an Auto Reply... something like, "I am not currently contracted to be on campus before August Never, 2021. As such, I am not checking my emails.  After that date,  please resend your email as appropriate."

One of my coworkers makes it clear that she is ON VACATION until August 19 and will not be on campus, answer emails, attend meetings, or return calls.

She said she had to do that because the dean and her chair would still 'ask' her to come to campus to have meetings 'of great importance To THEM' and irrelevant to her!    By stating 'VACATION" the 'harassment stopped'

Oh, my.  In my case the "mandatory meeting" and demands came not from admins but from a support department (not IRT—who are wonderful—but something analogous) staffed by people who routinely make assumptions about faculty though they do not have advanced degrees and haven't ever taught.  But they do hold some power that could make things quite sticky.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 30, 2021, 07:15:23 AM
Speaking from the administrative side--though not in academia--I often find it a struggle to get time without distractions in which I can concentrate on projects that require such concentration.  Because EVERYTHING seems to need your attention as The Boss.  I was distracted continually yesterday by minor (but unignorable) emergencies and non-emergencies.  And a couple of new projects that were dumped into my lap by patrons.  I had a busy and hectic day, and yet feel like I was farther behind by the time I went home than I was when I first came in.  The next couple of weeks are shaping up to be serious crunch time for me, though probably not for the staff.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on July 30, 2021, 08:39:32 AM
My most recent school sent out a survey about summer teaching a few months ago, and one of the questions was something like, "Should faculty who perform unremunerated duties for the department during the summer months receive preference for summer teaching assignments?" I was a little startled by the question. Faculty should be paid for the work they do, not given an extra class, with all the extra work that entails, in order to receive adjunct peanuts.

In some situations, I would be tempted to reply to a request for summer work with my hourly fee--but I doubt that is actually possible for most people and at most places.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: permanent imposter on July 30, 2021, 08:55:20 AM
Quote from: jimbogumbo on July 29, 2021, 12:41:19 PM
Colleague of over 30 years just retired this Summer. Went in for routine gall bladder surgery, and while in the surgeon discovered an aggressive form of cancer in a nearby organ. Stage IV.

Shit.

I'm so sorry to hear that, jimbogumbo.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 03, 2021, 10:16:12 AM
AAAAHHHHHHH!!
My university chose TODAY to upload the new website design. It looks like they had NO faculty involvement.  The links "for faculty" are gone... Grades are due in a week! 

I went to the site today because a student's wife reported he testing positive for COVID and 'is not doing well'.  I wanted to find the CURRENT Covid policy (as it keeps changing!). 

THe SEARCH FUNCTION is inoperative! 


WHY TODAY???  CLasses end this week, so NEXT WEEK would have been a better time to TEST your system... (OR They would have had a WEEK to ACTUALLY TEST the damn thing before imposing it on the rest of us!!)

Idiots!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 03, 2021, 11:03:19 AM
This just in...

"Thank you for your feedback. The new search vendor is currently indexing the new site. Once that process is complete, the search will function properly. We are hoping by the end of the day but maybe tomorrow.

"


SO WHY would we Go LIVE in the last week of a summer term WHEN THE FUNCTIONS DONT YET WORK? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 03, 2021, 12:12:42 PM
I'm sorry for your student. I hope he recovers.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 03, 2021, 12:36:40 PM
2 1/2 hours ago I emailed my chair and associate dean for a copy of the current COVID policy.  NO reply.  Ninety minutes  ago I emailed the question to the provost's office.

NO reply.

I wonder IF they can find it without a functioning search function?


WHY go LIVE before the VENDORs have completed their work???
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on August 03, 2021, 03:19:50 PM
Quote from: clean on August 03, 2021, 12:36:40 PM
2 1/2 hours ago I emailed my chair and associate dean for a copy of the current COVID policy.  NO reply.  Ninety minutes  ago I emailed the question to the provost's office.

NO reply.

I wonder IF they can find it without a functioning search function?


WHY go LIVE before the VENDORs have completed their work???

This was a brilliant move.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on August 06, 2021, 06:07:45 PM
I'm now in the fifth month of rolling over $14k from TIAA to buy service credit in state pension plan. So far, TIAA has (1) failed to send form with check, (2) sent signed form without filling it in, (3) sent filled in form without signature, (4) sent form indicating that they sent $15k, (5) sent form indicating that the money was after-tax. I'm scared to see what happens with the form I uploaded today.

I'm giving myself the weekend to calm down, before I write TIAA a letter expressing just how unhappy I am.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 06, 2021, 06:21:48 PM
SO and I are supposed to be leaving for our first vacation in forever tomorrow.  I so, so, so need this vacation because I'm utterly burned out, so much so that I've had thoughts of quitting 3 weeks before the semester starts. SO planned an awesome vacation (he likes to plan them, and I like someone else to plan them, so it works out).  And now I'm sick. Not COVID sick (negative test result; previously had COVID; had 1st vaccine; still mask everywhere). But regular sick.  Headache, dizzy, nauseated, fatigue, want to lie in bed with covers over my head sick. So now the decision is to ruin SO's vacation by cancelling at the last minute, or potentially ruin the vacation by being sick.  So, I'm venting. This might be a first world problem. But, I'm putting it here. I realize people may say we should cancel anyway due to the delta variant. I'm still venting. Feel free to blast me on the asides thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 06, 2021, 09:15:56 PM
AAHHH

Tonight is the Final Exam!  It is an online class and I opened the exam window at NOON yesterday to allow students to schedule the exam until 8 pm tonight --- thinking that I would not be up at 11 pm dealing with exam problems! !  BUT HERE I AM!!!

Student had some issue after being in the exam for a bit more than an hour.  She claims that the tried and tried to get the proctor's attention but could not. 

I was on the phone for 21 minutes myself, mostly on hold, getting things reset.  They tried to tell me that I would have to reschedule the test for another day!  BULLSHIT I need to do that!!  They told me that the window closed at 9, I said, "stay on the phone and I will reset the EXAMITY page MYSELF and you let me know that you see it fixed! 

Then they want to tell me that the student needs to rebook the exam and pay an  'on demand fee'.  BS to THAT too!!  IF the Proctor had communicated with her, then we may not even have had tonight's drama!

Why didnt the proctor talk to her?  Damn good question.... IF the Proctor doesnt hear QUESTIONS how closely are they actually PROCTORING!??

THEN   ==== YES THERE IS MORE!===

Then I get an email from the proctor saying that the student prefers to take the exam another day! 

Well, I told BOTH The Help folks AND the student that SHE DOESNT HAVE THAT OPTION!!!  SHE chose to take it tonight in the last hour, and By God She WILL!!

I told her that IF she wants an Incomplete in the class, I will discuss that but that I wont give the exam again until classes start again in 2 weeks, and then it takes about a month for the grade change to be processed.  (I dont know if it matters to her or not but GRADUATION Is TOMORROW!!!  So if she was planning to Graduate, then she better take the test NOW! )

I have Vented about this same issue before and the helpful readers helped me see the value of cutting the test window back to 8 pm. NOW I see that I need to cut it back to 6!  A THIRTY HOUR window is MORE THAN SUFFICIENT to schedule an exam slot! 

"But Im in class at six, the last exam slot" complains a student! "Then schedule it for 4 am!"  replies I, "there shouldnt be ANY conflicts  THEN!  It is POSSIBLE to take the exam BEFORE the LAST SLOT!!"

But they seem to think that those extra few hours of cramming (which MAY be the ONLY studying they try) are the most valuable!

AAAAHHHHH.... NEXT Semester!!! (IN 2 Weeks)  To paraphrase Scarlet O'Hara,  "AS God is my witness, I wont deal with this sort of Drama at 11pm again!!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 15, 2021, 02:33:40 PM
Our city is going to hell in a handbasket. Just when you thought that public transportation couldn't get any worse, here is the latest.
https://nypost.com/2021/08/15/cops-seek-mta-motorman-who-let-gal-pal-drive-d-train-in-nyc/

According to the discussion on Reddit, there are probably going to be no or minimal consequences because of the union.

City and state officials, time to stop virtue signalling. Take concrete steps to make the city safe again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 16, 2021, 05:50:00 AM
So the reference section of the library is closing for the two weeks before the start of the semester?

I guess I won't bother trying to add anything new to my courses this semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 16, 2021, 09:31:03 AM
Day 19 since initial contact with HR regarding ADA request. Submitted my signed forms within 24 hours of getting them from HR.  NO updates/determination/response/"go to hell"/anything else since. (Some here probably remember my saga of a prior accommodation a couple of years ago taking three full months--only to then get a quick sign-off on a no-brainer request.)

Also, first day of Service Week. Health and Safety Guy was adamant about having NO meetings F2F without a direct and compelling need--all should be Zoom/Teams this fall.  Um, tell that to the idiot admins who have scheduled all campus and dept. level meetings F2F this week?

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on August 16, 2021, 01:04:36 PM
OnlyGameInTown CC has said that faculty who are teaching face-to-face classes should be prepared to move their classes online if it becomes necessary.

Um, I'll be teaching freshman comp for a compressed 7 week term. That means 3 hour class sessions twice a week in a computer lab. I  designed the course to include a lot of in-class drafting of papers and other assignments. If we suddenly lock down and go online mid-semester again, what in tarnation am I going to do with the class for 3 hour sessions over Zoom???? Normal-length classes over Zoom were already a disaster last time!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 16, 2021, 01:27:33 PM
I am officially sick and tired of MSOffice's new nannying affectations.

THOSE PICTURES ARE MY PHOTOS! I TOOK THEM! THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MACROS!

STOP DROPPING THEM FROM THE SLIDES THEY'VE BEEN ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS!!!!!!!

I've had to try three workarounds and do more searches online for options and it's taken the 4 hours I'd set aside to finish up a bunch of slides and move towards finishing this thing.

REMIND ME--DO COMPUTERS SAVE TIME OR JUST WASTE IT!!!?????

No--never mind.

I know the answer.

Thanks.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 16, 2021, 03:36:06 PM
I got stung by some mother f*cking wasps today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on August 16, 2021, 06:42:33 PM
Quote from: mamselle on August 16, 2021, 01:27:33 PM
REMIND ME--DO COMPUTERS SAVE TIME OR JUST WASTE IT!!!?????

I know the answer too!

I'm contemplating giving up my smart phone and computers and absolutely refusing to have anything to do with them. This will work very well in the current online education climate. My department chair will be delighted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 16, 2021, 08:24:08 PM
Class starts next week and I still do not know what I am teaching. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 16, 2021, 10:18:42 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 16, 2021, 08:24:08 PM
Class starts next week and I still do not know what I am teaching. :(

Yikes!

Hope they decide to let you know soonish....

Quote from: Charlotte on August 16, 2021, 06:42:33 PM
Quote from: mamselle on August 16, 2021, 01:27:33 PM
REMIND ME--DO COMPUTERS SAVE TIME OR JUST WASTE IT!!!?????

I know the answer too!

I%u2019m contemplating giving up my smart phone and computers and absolutely refusing to have anything to do with them. This will work very well in the current online education climate. My department chair will be delighted.

Don't we all wish, somedays?

I did finally get it to work, and after digging deeper into the security caverns than I've ever been before, was at least able to save all the slides from a previous, untrammeled version into a file that I will replace in the AM and then go on with the project.

At least it shouldn't happen again, now that I've told the computer who's boss for this round.

Of course, some other issue can always come up, but I'm the human.

Which (should, says I) count for something

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Caracal on August 17, 2021, 03:28:09 AM
Everyone is exhausting me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 17, 2021, 03:46:39 AM
Supervising a master's student analysing her data today. She does not now stats, so it is just a matter of making plots in Excel.

She is not very good at Excel, because she has a Mac, and usually lets the default programs operate, such as Numbers. I am not very good at Mac versions of programs, but it's similar enough to Windows Excel that I can figure out how to do things like sort by a column, or find all cells that contain a certain sequence of text.

She's Chinese. All of her Excel labels are in Chinese. Where the f is 'Data' tab? Where the f is 'find all'? where the f is 'sort'? She has no idea. She doesn't use Excel. I can't read the commands. AAAARRRGGHG

FYI: If you're trying to sort some data with a student whose version of Excel is labeled in Chinese, ask her to look for 'reorder' instead of 'sort'. Boy, that one took a while!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 17, 2021, 06:00:04 AM
Quote from: Caracal on August 17, 2021, 03:28:09 AM
Everyone is exhausting me.

^^ This. ^^
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 17, 2021, 09:28:11 AM
New grad class starts in 2 weeks. I've never seen or read the 2 texts  Despite several  reminders to person in charge books were never ordered. Should be fun that first week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 17, 2021, 10:23:22 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 17, 2021, 09:28:11 AM
New grad class starts in 2 weeks. I've never seen or read the 2 texts  Despite several  reminders to person in charge books were never ordered. Should be fun that first week.

In the 1990s our campus bookstore did that so often with course textbooks that a survey of faculty eventually found that a solid majority of classes had late books.  The university finally outsourced the textbook procurement part of the university's business.  Somebody at the bookstore did themselves right out of a job there!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 17, 2021, 10:48:38 AM
Having worked in a large campus bookstore, it's often actually the reps, who are themselves at the mercy of the publishers....

They are changed in and out very quickly (they're often on commission, are hooked in by promises of high pay, then discouraged by the amount of work needed to procure it, and the number of late orders that delay their cuts--the publishing house gets the deposits, they get theirs at the end), so there's both high turnover, a steep learning curve, and an already-full desk of back orders to step into.

And many are young, don't really even know the fields they're selling for, and are given very little training, and less IT support for online order structures. So it's not surprising there's a revolving door on their offices (Plus, they often rep for more than one publisher at a time to make up their costs).

Not saying the bookstore doesn't bear some responsibility, too, of course, but the late submissions from profs didn't help. We would start requesting book assignments in January for the September semester, and most would not come in until August...after they came back from summer research trips--thereby compressing things further.

But I realize you probably deal with similar merry-go-rounds in the library field, so none of this is probably new news.....!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 17, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
This upcoming semester is going to be a major Charlie Foxtrot. I just have no words. My schedule sucks and I'm really unhappy about it, but there isn't a damn thing I can do except deal with it or quit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 18, 2021, 07:28:51 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 17, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
This upcoming semester is going to be a major Charlie Foxtrot. I just have no words. My schedule sucks and I'm really unhappy about it, but there isn't a damn thing I can do except deal with it or quit.

So sorry.  That sounds awful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 18, 2021, 08:18:47 AM
Why the f*ck are we meeting in person for a Department meeting? Our department is HUGE and I know there are unvaccinated faculty. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 18, 2021, 08:49:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 17, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
This upcoming semester is going to be a major Charlie Foxtrot. I just have no words. My schedule sucks and I'm really unhappy about it, but there isn't a damn thing I can do except deal with it or quit.

So sorry, EPW, to hear about your schedule. For so many reasons, I agree that this semester is shaping up to a major Charlie Foxtrot.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 18, 2021, 08:18:47 AM
Why the f*ck are we meeting in person for a Department meeting? Our department is HUGE and I know there are unvaccinated faculty. Ugh.

Our full professors pushed back on our most recently scheduled in-person departmental meeting, and got it changed to hybrid (could attend either in person or virtually).  Part of the reasoning was that we have a mask mandate, and it was going to be really hard to hear across the room without mics for everyone, so Zoom was more accessible.  We are not sure if this reasoning will hold in the future.  No vaccine mandate here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 18, 2021, 09:10:50 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on August 18, 2021, 08:49:43 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 17, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
This upcoming semester is going to be a major Charlie Foxtrot. I just have no words. My schedule sucks and I'm really unhappy about it, but there isn't a damn thing I can do except deal with it or quit.

So sorry, EPW, to hear about your schedule. For so many reasons, I agree that this semester is shaping up to a major Charlie Foxtrot.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 18, 2021, 08:18:47 AM
Why the f*ck are we meeting in person for a Department meeting? Our department is HUGE and I know there are unvaccinated faculty. Ugh.

Our full professors pushed back on our most recently scheduled in-person departmental meeting, and got it changed to hybrid (could attend either in person or virtually).  Part of the reasoning was that we have a mask mandate, and it was going to be really hard to hear across the room without mics for everyone, so Zoom was more accessible.  We are not sure if this reasoning will hold in the future.  No vaccine mandate here.

Did I say this semester would be a clusterf*ck? Yes, yes, I did. I already got an email from a student who will miss the first week of class due to Covid. We have no mask mandate or vaccine requirement because our governor is a dumbass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 18, 2021, 03:34:00 PM
The Hens Are A clucking!

My bride came home and now the cleaning lady has stopped work, and they are catching up on the World News.  My cleaning lady  talks to the TV so I try to make sure that there is nothing to prompt discussion on while she is here (like public TV, or something I recorded, like Murder She Wrote!  But today, the local news is on and they had an update on Afghanistan, so now she is telling my bride all about Afghanistan, and the election conspiracy.  And no one is cleaning anything!  I can not cooks supper til she leaves! and that is being pushed back! 

Worse, ever other visit, my bride asks why we pay her (complains about something that wasnt done to her standards (though she isnt really willing to take over the tasks herself!  = and I long ago decided that I would rather pay than do those things myself!!)


vent vent vent....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 19, 2021, 07:38:36 AM
Quote from: apl68 on August 17, 2021, 10:23:22 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 17, 2021, 09:28:11 AM
New grad class starts in 2 weeks. I've never seen or read the 2 texts  Despite several  reminders to person in charge books were never ordered. Should be fun that first week.

In the 1990s our campus bookstore did that so often with course textbooks that a survey of faculty eventually found that a solid majority of classes had late books.  The university finally outsourced the textbook procurement part of the university's business.  Somebody at the bookstore did themselves right out of a job there!

I think the students can get the book, and bookstore has done what it needs to. Faculty get desk copies elsewhere and that "elsewhere" isn't always on top of things.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 19, 2021, 09:02:16 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 19, 2021, 07:38:36 AM
Quote from: apl68 on August 17, 2021, 10:23:22 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 17, 2021, 09:28:11 AM
New grad class starts in 2 weeks. I've never seen or read the 2 texts  Despite several  reminders to person in charge books were never ordered. Should be fun that first week.

In the 1990s our campus bookstore did that so often with course textbooks that a survey of faculty eventually found that a solid majority of classes had late books.  The university finally outsourced the textbook procurement part of the university's business.  Somebody at the bookstore did themselves right out of a job there!

I think the students can get the book, and bookstore has done what it needs to. Faculty get desk copies elsewhere and that "elsewhere" isn't always on top of things.

Can you use the faculty sampling from vitalsource until your desk copy arrives?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on August 19, 2021, 09:46:27 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 17, 2021, 09:28:11 AM
New grad class starts in 2 weeks. I've never seen or read the 2 texts  Despite several  reminders to person in charge books were never ordered. Should be fun that first week.

Sounds like a case where your dept chair needs to approve an invoice/order to have the texts sent to you overnight.  Perfectly reasonable course of action in these circumstances.  Be assertive.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 19, 2021, 02:09:59 PM
I guess it's my turn to get the Whammy from the Universe. Looks like my 20 year old car may need a new engine. Dumbass admins are still f*cking with my schedule. Class starts on Monday.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 19, 2021, 02:18:48 PM
everyone is required to be tested (as I mentioned above).

You must schedule to take the test.

the website FAQ says that the scheduler is not yet ready! 

I guess that I will not be scheduling my test for Monday!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 20, 2021, 07:30:39 AM
The printer that handles our printing for patrons has been out of toner since Tuesday.  We've had toner on order since the week before last.  Every day this week our supplier has told us that it is expected in tomorrow.  There has been a steady stream of patrons needing to print for work, school, etc., and all we've been able to tell them is sorry.  This snafu is giving the library two black eyes as far as the public is concerned. 

I've been on the phone repeatedly with the vendors.  They're local people that I know personally who have been trying their level best to get us what we need, but supply chain issues have made a total mess of things.  And the mass closure of bricks-and-mortar stores in favor of everybody getting everything shipped from online orders means that there are no longer any regional alternatives when those supply chains break down.

We're also having problems with internet service dropping in and out.  That service provider has been slow to respond.  They have a tech here now--a full week late, and two weeks after the problem first developed--and so far he hasn't been able to tell us anything--except that we're not getting the full service that we've paid for.

It has been a massively frustrating week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 20, 2021, 08:56:27 AM
And it's not like you can give free books away to make a dent in customer satisfaction stats....

Sorry to hear of all this.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 21, 2021, 08:33:06 AM
Very angry vent.

Picked up a muffin from one of my usual grocery store deli haunts on my way home from an appointment only to discover mold growing on it. Checked the date to find that 8/10 is the sell-by date. Didn't bother with the receipt as this was my only purchase. Now I have to call the store and also lodge a formal complaint with the health department.

Can't do that until I've had breakfast. Aaargh!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 21, 2021, 09:09:34 AM
Parallel issue: I was going to buy a less-expensive bag of hamburger buns until I noticed the torn plastic and the fact that almost a whole roll had been eaten out.

I showed it to the salesclerk, who thanked me.

I considered asking her to charge me the lower price since that was the last one and the one I ended up getting cost more, but it wasn't worth the hassle.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on August 21, 2021, 10:09:28 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on August 21, 2021, 08:33:06 AM
Very angry vent.

Picked up a muffin from one of my usual grocery store deli haunts on my way home from an appointment only to discover mold growing on it. Checked the date to find that 8/10 is the sell-by date. Didn't bother with the receipt as this was my only purchase. Now I have to call the store and also lodge a formal complaint with the health department.

Can't do that until I've had breakfast. Aaargh!

Why do you have to complain to the health department? Mistakes happen, wouldn't notifying the store be enough?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 21, 2021, 11:48:33 PM
Quote from: science.expat on August 21, 2021, 10:09:28 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on August 21, 2021, 08:33:06 AM
Very angry vent.

Picked up a muffin from one of my usual grocery store deli haunts on my way home from an appointment only to discover mold growing on it. Checked the date to find that 8/10 is the sell-by date. Didn't bother with the receipt as this was my only purchase. Now I have to call the store and also lodge a formal complaint with the health department.

Can't do that until I've had breakfast. Aaargh!

Why do you have to complain to the health department? Mistakes happen, wouldn't notifying the store be enough?

If it's a matter of small mistakes, then the health department can determine that when they investigate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on August 22, 2021, 11:28:54 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 21, 2021, 11:48:33 PM
Quote from: science.expat on August 21, 2021, 10:09:28 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on August 21, 2021, 08:33:06 AM
Very angry vent.

Picked up a muffin from one of my usual grocery store deli haunts on my way home from an appointment only to discover mold growing on it. Checked the date to find that 8/10 is the sell-by date. Didn't bother with the receipt as this was my only purchase. Now I have to call the store and also lodge a formal complaint with the health department.

Can't do that until I've had breakfast. Aaargh!

Why do you have to complain to the health department? Mistakes happen, wouldn't notifying the store be enough?

If it's a matter of small mistakes, then the health department can determine that when they investigate.

Speaking as someone who worked in restaurants for nearly 20 years before getting into this gig: Trust me, you've eaten much worse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 22, 2021, 11:43:14 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 21, 2021, 11:48:33 PM
Quote from: science.expat on August 21, 2021, 10:09:28 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on August 21, 2021, 08:33:06 AM
Very angry vent.

Picked up a muffin from one of my usual grocery store deli haunts on my way home from an appointment only to discover mold growing on it. Checked the date to find that 8/10 is the sell-by date. Didn't bother with the receipt as this was my only purchase. Now I have to call the store and also lodge a formal complaint with the health department.

Can't do that until I've had breakfast. Aaargh!

Why do you have to complain to the health department? Mistakes happen, wouldn't notifying the store be enough?

If it's a matter of small mistakes, then the health department can determine that when they investigate.

This is a place with freshly-baked goods. The muffins, croissants, and other pastries were in the usual baked goods cabinet. I had expected that the muffin would have been day-old but didn't realize that the store kept the pastries until they were sold. Pre-pandemic, the pastries would be in baskets in the cabinet, unlike now when each pastry is packed in a plastic container.

I haven't had the energy to call the store but will do so on Monday. Selling moldy pastries under the guise of freshly baked goods is an egregious violation of the health code. If I hadn't had the cataract surgeries I might not have noticed the mold, and would have eaten the muffin.

Fishbrains, I know I must have eaten worse. I'm upset because I like this store, and would make it a point to get lunch from their buffet if I'm in the area.

I doubt if complaining to the store would make any difference as there's no guarantee that they would check each container to make sure that the muffin or croissant hadn't expired. I've never checked the expiration dates of the products in this cabinet as they are sold as freshly baked. I still can't get over the fact that a product with the expiration date of 8/10 was in the cabinet on 8/21.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 22, 2021, 11:48:37 AM
This is a venting thread. People should be able to vent unscolded.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 22, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Thanks, downer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on August 22, 2021, 03:15:14 PM
Quote from: downer on August 22, 2021, 11:48:37 AM
This is a venting thread. People should be able to vent unscolded.

True that. My bad, langue_doc.


Here's a song to help the mood: https://youtu.be/lWQb_T9_nwA (https://youtu.be/lWQb_T9_nwA).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 08:13:21 AM
Holy shit- this is going to be a long semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 23, 2021, 09:22:51 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 08:13:21 AM
Holy shit- this is going to be a long semester.

Understatement of the year.

And my related vent:
My students are convinced that I have the power to do things that I in no way can control:
Waive you out of this class after your initial course waiver was denied? Sure, I'll get right on that.
Change this in-person class to virtual on the 1st day of classes? No problem.
Change the classroom the class is held in because we can't social distance in our assigned classroom? I'd love to, but TIIC in all of their wisdom have declared we are back to 100% capacity. The announcements about that went out over a month ago. There are no available classrooms. 

Long semester indeed.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on August 23, 2021, 09:34:31 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 08:13:21 AM
Holy shit- this is going to be a long semester.

Can I get this on a plaque or a needle-point wall hanging?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 23, 2021, 09:45:57 AM
What about as a T shirt? https://sprd.co/RVc5rDX
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 23, 2021, 10:09:50 AM
I dont want to go to work!  (stomps foot.  Crosses arms, pokes out lower lip).

My MBA class ended this week. I have been busy, busy grading, grading, grading, and calculating grades.  Last night I was preparing a meat loaf, cutting an onion, and I almost fell over to my right.  I thought "that was odd" then righted myself, and then listed to the left.  I decided that I should not be holding my big knife!  By the time I got to the living room chair, the room was in full spin!  (I have Meniere's Disease/ Watchmaker's Disease, and I guess that I spent too much time on the computer, especially these last few days!)

Well, classes start today, and I guess that I had better be there! 

I take my COVID test at 2, first class at 330, and then my first WebEx meeting for the online class at 7.  I plan to stay on campus for it. IF there are any issues with the computer or the internet connection, it wont be MY responsibility to cure!

Good luck to everyone on their First Day!!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 23, 2021, 01:25:59 PM
Yikes, take care of yourself, Clean!

Hope you can rest by the end of the day...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 23, 2021, 03:13:40 PM
Sorry to hear about your day, clean! Hope you are feeling better!

My vent: masks are required in the classroom. This is a good safety measure, and our students are compliant. However, I can't hear them (I'm hard of hearing, and it's accelerating).
I don't qualify to teach remotely instead of in-person, and one of my classes really, really should not be taught in person anyway (special accreditor dispensation for last year due to COVID).  I'm trying to get some additional microphones placed in the classroom. I'm streaming the class for students who can't come to class that day, so some students are putting questions in the chat and that is helping.  The benefit of teaching online was that everyone put questions/comments in the chat or they would come on video to comment/ask questions, and I could jack up my computer volume and read their lips. It was glorious.   I don't have a workable solution right now, and I'm concerned I'm not going to be able to provide good teaching for my students, and that students just won't ask questions or participate because it's too much effort.   I knew it would be problematic, but until I tried it in my afternoon courses, I don't think I appreciated just how bad it was going to be.   This just sucks. My minor vents earlier on this thread no longer reach even annoyance status.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 23, 2021, 03:27:28 PM
QuoteAnd my related vent:
My students are convinced that I have the power to do things that I in no way can control:
Waive you out of this class after your initial course waiver was denied? Sure, I'll get right on that.
Change this in-person class to virtual on the 1st day of classes? No problem.
Change the classroom the class is held in because we can't social distance in our assigned classroom? I'd love to, but TIIC in all of their wisdom have declared we are back to 100% capacity. The announcements about that went out over a month ago. There are no available classrooms.

Long semester indeed.


Add:
just 30 minutes prior to class I get a message, "I have a COVID situation.  Can you WebEx today's class?" --- umm  I dont know how to WebEx from a classroom. I Think that we can, but no one has trained us/me how. I know that there is a lapel mike somewhere in the room, but dont know how to use it. There is a camera, but i dont know how to move it.  The IT Expert is also at home with Covid.   ....  SO, though I asked 5 other faculty how, I am NOT able to webex class today, on only 30 minutes notice! 

When I replied to the student that I have not been trained to do it, and with only 30 minutes may not be able to find anyone to show me, student replied, "So odds are I will most likely miss this first class?"
Yep, Pretty good odds! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on August 23, 2021, 04:14:37 PM
Quote from: downer on August 23, 2021, 09:45:57 AM
What about as a T shirt? https://sprd.co/RVc5rDX

Ha ha!  Don't tempt me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 04:15:37 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on August 23, 2021, 09:34:31 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 08:13:21 AM
Holy shit- this is going to be a long semester.

Can I get this on a plaque or a needle-point wall hanging?

Now that would be hilarious!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 04:19:02 PM
Double post.

Sorry some of you are having a shitty time. Clean, I have vertigo issues (haven't had in a bit- fingers crossed), so I understand how horrible that can be.

My vent:

I worked in the garden today with some students. Everyone and their mother came out to visit and itt was hot as the First Circle of Hell. On the way home, I drove in rush hour traffic (which starts around 2pm here) to the store. Left the store and got stuck AGAIN in traffic due to an accident that had 3 out of 4 lanes closed. And all of this in a car with NO AC because mine is in the shop. SO says he doesn't need to fix the AC, but dammit, we're fixing it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 23, 2021, 04:20:33 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on August 23, 2021, 04:14:37 PM
Quote from: downer on August 23, 2021, 09:45:57 AM
What about as a T shirt? https://sprd.co/RVc5rDX

Ha ha!  Don't tempt me.

I LOVE this!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 24, 2021, 06:37:24 AM
Quote from: clean on August 23, 2021, 03:27:28 PM
QuoteAnd my related vent:
My students are convinced that I have the power to do things that I in no way can control:
Waive you out of this class after your initial course waiver was denied? Sure, I'll get right on that.
Change this in-person class to virtual on the 1st day of classes? No problem.
Change the classroom the class is held in because we can't social distance in our assigned classroom? I'd love to, but TIIC in all of their wisdom have declared we are back to 100% capacity. The announcements about that went out over a month ago. There are no available classrooms.

Long semester indeed.

I've asked students to phone in.  It is cumbersome but can work if there's a phone in the room you can put on speaker. Or ask someone to be a note taker. Clean, you need a break.


Add:
just 30 minutes prior to class I get a message, "I have a COVID situation.  Can you WebEx today's class?" --- umm  I dont know how to WebEx from a classroom. I Think that we can, but no one has trained us/me how. I know that there is a lapel mike somewhere in the room, but dont know how to use it. There is a camera, but i dont know how to move it.  The IT Expert is also at home with Covid.   ....  SO, though I asked 5 other faculty how, I am NOT able to webex class today, on only 30 minutes notice! 

When I replied to the student that I have not been trained to do it, and with only 30 minutes may not be able to find anyone to show me, student replied, "So odds are I will most likely miss this first class?"
Yep, Pretty good odds!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on August 24, 2021, 07:49:01 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on August 23, 2021, 03:13:40 PM
The benefit of teaching online was that everyone put questions/comments in the chat or they would come on video to comment/ask questions, and I could jack up my computer volume and read their lips. It was glorious.   I don't have a workable solution right now, and I'm concerned I'm not going to be able to provide good teaching for my students, and that students just won't ask questions or participate because it's too much effort.   

I'm so sorry. This is deeply frustrating. My in-person classrooms last year had huge noisy air conditioners and I had the exact same difficulty with masked students. I know this is the Venting thread and not a "Solutions" thread, but could you invite students in the classroom to log in to the stream (and mute themselves) and type questions there, or start a thread on your LMS for lecture questions? Most of mine had their phones accessible in class and we did a lot of typing like this.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on August 24, 2021, 08:26:59 AM
Quote from: AvidReader on August 24, 2021, 07:49:01 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on August 23, 2021, 03:13:40 PM
The benefit of teaching online was that everyone put questions/comments in the chat or they would come on video to comment/ask questions, and I could jack up my computer volume and read their lips. It was glorious.   I don't have a workable solution right now, and I'm concerned I'm not going to be able to provide good teaching for my students, and that students just won't ask questions or participate because it's too much effort.   

I'm so sorry. This is deeply frustrating. My in-person classrooms last year had huge noisy air conditioners and I had the exact same difficulty with masked students. I know this is the Venting thread and not a "Solutions" thread, but could you invite students in the classroom to log in to the stream (and mute themselves) and type questions there, or start a thread on your LMS for lecture questions? Most of mine had their phones accessible in class and we did a lot of typing like this.

AR.

Thanks, AR. Yes, I am working with that option to have students log into the stream and put questions/comments in the chat. We were getting bad feedback with the system on Monday (I could not hear it,  but the students said it was really annoying/disruptive), so it's a work in progress. I'm trying out both streaming options that are available.  Tech support said they could not give me any classroom microphones b/c I'm not teaching in a large lecture hall, so using the chat feature will be the best solution for now.   Thursday's lab class will be the real test. I'm also missing orders for lab-related materials I ordered three months ago and received extra random lab stuff I did not order, so this week is just a big vent all around, and it's only Tuesday.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 24, 2021, 09:25:42 AM
Hoping a few rays of solace slip through the clouds of all that frustration.

Bon courage--M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on August 24, 2021, 02:47:01 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on August 24, 2021, 08:26:59 AM
[. . .] this week is just a big vent all around, and it's only Tuesday.

Seconding mamselle's good thoughts for solace. I hope Thursday's lab goes better than you expect.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on August 29, 2021, 10:44:40 AM
It's only Week 3 of the semester, and I already hate people.  I usually don't hate people until at least Week 10. 
























Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: wellfleet on August 29, 2021, 03:28:25 PM
Mom bought a new printer for the house in December, an HP Office Jet Pro that came with a free 6-month Instant Ink subscription. This is a terrible service; resist the temptation, if it ever comes your way.

The printer, despite many resets, is currently locked in every possible way. I may have to wait three weeks to see if I can gain control of the printer even after cancelling the service and replacing all the (not empty) cartridges at considerable expense and at the HP tech's suggestion. I have spent nearly 3 hours today talking to no fewer than seven different HP customer service representatives.

Instant Ink sucks. So there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mahagonny on August 29, 2021, 03:33:49 PM
/
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 29, 2021, 04:18:07 PM
Quote from: wellfleet on August 29, 2021, 03:28:25 PM
Mom bought a new printer for the house in December, an HP Office Jet Pro that came with a free 6-month Instant Ink subscription. This is a terrible service; resist the temptation, if it ever comes your way.

The printer, despite many resets, is currently locked in every possible way. I may have to wait three weeks to see if I can gain control of the printer even after cancelling the service and replacing all the (not empty) cartridges at considerable expense and at the HP tech's suggestion. I have spent nearly 3 hours today talking to no fewer than seven different HP customer service representatives.

Instant Ink sucks. So there.

Hasn't there been a huge online hack announcement associated with printers recently?

I don't have one so I haven't worried about the details, but did the service rep ask what your system is and if you've downloaded any software recently?

It might just be the cartridges, as you say, but it might be worth checking that out as well.

M.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on August 30, 2021, 07:43:02 AM
Quote from: histchick on August 29, 2021, 10:44:40 AM
It's only Week 3 of the semester, and I already hate people.  I usually don't hate people until at least Week 10.

Better to get it started early. The anticipation can often be worse than the experience.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 30, 2021, 10:32:14 AM
We've been trying for quite some time now to get a certain project going that involves the library's HVAC system.  Our usual HVAC services vendor had to subcontract much of the work to another vendor that had skills they needed.  This vendor has been dragging its feet.  The week before last, I was told that we would have somebody here working on Monday.  As of Thursday we'd seen no sign of them.  I pointed this out to our contact person at the HVAC services vendor.  This morning I had an e-mail from him asking me to call him. 

Here's what he told me:  The subcontractor was indeed supposed to have two techs here last Monday.  But they don't like each other for some reason, got into an altercation, and were both fired by their boss!  Who turned out to be too embarrassed to give the main contractor--whom he's apparently done good work for in the past--a straight answer about it right away.  Now he says he will personally come to the library in the next day or two.  One of the guys he fired was the guy who came here in person to check out the situation, so this trip, if and when it happens, will be to re-do the first guy's visit. 

Maybe next week we can finally get some actual work done?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 30, 2021, 01:39:06 PM
Yee---ouch.

One of the downsides of tiny operations....

Hope it gets resolved soon.

(Maybe, like, before the next hurricane?)

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 30, 2021, 04:39:19 PM
We're away for a few days  the cat sitter was supposed to come by yesterday afternoon, and stay with them till we returned.

I just got a text saying he's ill and can't go over.


The poor loves! They'll be starving by now. Argh!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 30, 2021, 06:23:37 PM
QuoteThe poor loves! They'll be starving by now. Argh!

But they will be COVID free!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 30, 2021, 06:25:29 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 30, 2021, 04:39:19 PM
We're away for a few days  the cat sitter was supposed to come by yesterday afternoon, and stay with them till we returned.

I just got a text saying he's ill and can't go over.


The poor loves! They'll be starving by now. Argh!

And if he recovers and does go over, with them so hungry, you may only find his bones....

   《Pads away, tail twitching, and pauses to clean face and lick lips...》

Actually, if that were to happen to me when I was pet-sitting, I'd presume it was my responsibility to arrange alternate coverage, not just text you while you're away to say I couldn't come...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 01, 2021, 11:11:02 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on August 30, 2021, 07:43:02 AM
Quote from: histchick on August 29, 2021, 10:44:40 AM
It's only Week 3 of the semester, and I already hate people.  I usually don't hate people until at least Week 10.

Better to get it started early. The anticipation can often be worse than the experience.
One of the biggest silver linings of the pandemic for me was that I hated people a lot less when I didn't have to physically go and deal with them. There's something about having that red "X" in the upper corner of Firefox that made it so much easier.

(And Histchick, I'm right there with you, but it's only Week 2 here.  I've had to redo my office hours schedule four--FOUR!--times already, because the secretary, chair, and dean can't get their collective shit together.  I'm not doing them a fifth time. If they try to make me, so help me, I'm filing a grievance for a hostile/capricious work environment.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on September 01, 2021, 01:40:08 PM
Okay, people. I'm happy to help with these various concerns, but the solutions cannot involve my engaging in any kind of time travel. I do not possess that superpower.

And if I did happen to possess that superpower, I certainly wouldn't tell you goofballs about it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 01, 2021, 02:02:44 PM
Quote from: fishbrains on September 01, 2021, 01:40:08 PM
Okay, people. I'm happy to help with these various concerns, but the solutions cannot involve my engaging in any kind of time travel. I do not possess that superpower.

Okay, how about mind reading?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 01, 2021, 04:10:18 PM
QuoteOkay, how about mind reading?

sometimes just being able to Read Between the Lines is invaluable.


an update:
Provost sends an 'attention all shoppers' tome of an email that included that we CAN put a sign on the door that students entering must be masked.  We can 'sort of' enforce it!  If the student wont wear a mask, we are supposed to go to a bigger room (where the student wont have to wear a mask).

As I have said somewhere, I have months and months of sick leave... If a student wants an in person meeting and wont wear a mask, I will announce that I dont feel well and am heading to the bathroom. IF the student is still here when I return (after 'thinking things over') and still wont wear a mask, I announce I am feeling worse and Im going home.  Once home, I will submit the sick leave request form for the hours remaining in the day.  (YOU MUST DOCUMENT!!!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 03, 2021, 06:44:48 AM
During Service Week, faculty were all told--in repeated meetings, with increasing sternness--that faculty MUST ABSOLUTELY determine which students in a room are vaccinated and which are not, so that we could separate the sheep from the goats. . . er, vaxxed from non-vaxxed. . . . and assign small group work accordingly (i.e., only vaxxed work with vaxxed, etc.).  Should we not do this, and someone come up sick, the College and we individually could be liable for forcing a dangerous situation on a student.

[You can probably see this next part coming down Broadway.]

Yesterday, at the end of Week 2 of classes, we received an even MORE sternly worded email from the VCAA, with a distinct "oh, f---, we royally screwed up" undertone, admonishing all faculty that, in no situation and under no circumstances, on penalty of disciplinary action, are any of us to EVER ask any student, faculty colleague, staff member, or other employee, for any reason, about their vax status. 

I can't make this stuff up.  (BTW, this is the same a-hole who personally went out of his way to get himself and the school in a heap of hot water via a grievance and a Federal complaint I have in the works.)

Gives one a real sense of trust that things are being handled well, and the concurrent boost to morale that will light the fire of inspired teaching and faculty engagement.

Um....wait.....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 03, 2021, 06:50:15 AM
You (meaning them, not you, ALH) can't serve two masters.

Either you please the brainless idiots or you please the folks with their minds connected to their feet, hands, and mouths.

You (meaning them, again) can't do both, which is what it sounds like they're trying to do.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2021, 07:03:20 AM
Interthreaduality.

I only called the plumber THREE times and requested that the guy wear a mask. Did he show up with one? He said they didn't tell him. Luckily, I had a mask to offer that my students wouldn't take.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 03, 2021, 09:10:11 AM
QuoteInterthreaduality.

I only called the plumber THREE times and requested that the guy wear a mask. Did he show up with one? He said they didn't tell him. Luckily, I had a mask to offer that my students wouldn't take.

I reported my experience (not one student accepted a mask in the face of the numbers, including that 17% of THAT class' students were positive or quarantined after week 1).  What was your experience when you offered a free mask?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2021, 09:17:07 AM
Quote from: clean on September 03, 2021, 09:10:11 AM
QuoteInterthreaduality.

I only called the plumber THREE times and requested that the guy wear a mask. Did he show up with one? He said they didn't tell him. Luckily, I had a mask to offer that my students wouldn't take.

I reported my experience (not one student accepted a mask in the face of the numbers, including that 17% of THAT class' students were positive or quarantined after week 1).  What was your experience when you offered a free mask?

The plumber wore it with no problem. Students ignored me when I offered them. We also have extras in the lab. Maybe they're overly confident? Our state is exploding with cases, but hey... not a big deal- right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 03, 2021, 01:28:41 PM
While there are earlier sources for this, I had heard that this was the Motto of James Dean.  Perhaps we should put up a poster with an Anti Mask message:

"Why wear a mask?
Live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 03, 2021, 04:34:03 PM
People I was really hoping would be there for me just...aren't.

Phone calls aren't returned, emails aren't answered, appointments are canceled last minute or the other person just doesn't show up (no explanation).

And it's been happening for months across the board: doctor, therapist, ombud's office, accessibility office, etc...

I'm still getting bills for therapist sessions that were scheduled but never happened.

Ordinarily, when multiple phone calls and emails aren't getting responses, I would go visit the relevant office in person, but that's not currently an option as everything is still remote. All those physical spaces are currently closed.

And there are other services I can't access yet simply due to very long waitlists.

I get that everyone has a lot going on these days, especially with our university's ramp up towards in-person instruction this fall. So...I'm not feeling aggrieved so much as...eh...adrift.

But I do feel very frustrated when reading or hearing someone say "Problems X, Y, and Z aren't something you should be burdening your friends, family, or colleagues with. That's what the such-and-such office is for! Quit complaining, take responsibility for yourself, and reach out for help through the *appropriate* channels." As if it's a given that anyone feeling a need to vent or seek moral support is too lazy or immature to try to solve their own problems.

I've mostly been keeping stuff to myself lately, but after months of this I feel like I'm approaching the limits of my ability to cope.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on September 03, 2021, 04:47:29 PM
SCR - We are here! Vent to us! Use this thread or any other. You are not alone!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 03, 2021, 05:22:10 PM
Quoteor hearing someone say "Problems X, Y, and Z aren't something you should be burdening your friends, family, or colleagues with. That's what the such-and-such office is for! Quit complaining, take responsibility for yourself, and reach out for help through the *appropriate* channels.

Hopefully, this 'person' isnt your spouse.  I seem to remember that the SO was not as supportive as probably should be. 

Good luck!  We ARE here.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on September 03, 2021, 05:54:13 PM
For three classes I'm using our CMS (Moodle/OnCourse). Something I want to do is working for two classes but not the third! I'd rather it not work for any of them, because then I think I'd have a better chance of fixing whatever it is I'm doing wrong! But I'm doing something right for two classes and then weirdly doing something wrong for the third one? It's driving me crazy!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 03, 2021, 07:24:40 PM
Could it be an IT setting behind-the-scenes/software?

Sometimes if a different person sets up a class, they have some tiny quirk in how they do it that creates a code conflict or blocks something that would work otherwise.

At least, then, it wouldn't be your fault....

;--》

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 04, 2021, 04:48:57 PM
Quote from: clean on September 03, 2021, 05:22:10 PM
Quoteor hearing someone say "Problems X, Y, and Z aren't something you should be burdening your friends, family, or colleagues with. That's what the such-and-such office is for! Quit complaining, take responsibility for yourself, and reach out for help through the *appropriate* channels.

Hopefully, this 'person' isnt your spouse.  I seem to remember that the SO was not as supportive as probably should be. 

Good luck!  We ARE here.

No, not SO. Lately it's nobody speaking to me directly since I'm hardly interacting with people these days. Been turning to books/youtube/forums for help sorting out thoughts. Seeing a lot of "take care of yourself first" attitudes (with the correlating principle that you are not responsible for other adults, even if they ate close friends or family). Fair enough, especially considering the way things have been the last year and a half. But I do get the sense that a lot if people resent and feel disgust towards others who seem to need more than their "fair share" of help.

Was reading a thread in which the OP was struggling with a sister who lost her husband to suicide. Apparently, in the month or so preceding his death, he had been telling his wife he was feeling burnt out and approached her several times saying things like "Can I talk to you about something? I'm having a hard time here and I really feel a need to talk about it." Since the wife was feeling overwhelmed himself, she brushed him off every time, saying she wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone else's problems and that if he was having a hard time he needed to figure it out himself. Only with hindsight did she realize he was trying to ask for help he desperately needed. OP wanted to try to ease their sister's guilt by reassuring her there was nothing she could have done to prevent the suicide (and therefore no action or inaction on her part contributed). But OP was struggling because they thought it didn't ring 100% true.

A lot of the comments disagreed with OP and reinforced my own experiences that people just don't want to have to deal with another person's crisis (and don't think they should be expected to either). Even spouses or siblings or parents. Many were of the opinion the husband was not behaving like a responsible adult; he was too vague with his requests to talk to convey the seriousness of the situation. He should have called a therapist or a hotline or some other service (making the assumption he didn't try). He could have taken himself to the ER to be hospitalized. He failed himself; no one else failed him.

A couple of comments really stuck out: 1) a woman married to someone with chronic depression saying even if spouse explicitly said they were suicidal she would not feel responsible for making sure he gets help; he needs to be responsible for getting himself help 2) a therapist saying when a client dies by suicide the therapist is not responsible for that, the client is (commenter didn't elaborate, so I don't know if they think this holds for every case; what if the client outright tells the therapist they are suicidal and the therapist does nothing? Is even a mental health worker not the teensiest bit responsible for the welfare of their clients?)

Also seeing a lot of this attitude: "Yeah, *everybody* is depressed/anxious/lonely/struggling nowadays. There's a &@$! pandemic. You're not special, so stop burdening people who are dealing with their own issues and figure it out yourself."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2021, 04:20:39 AM
I think there are three levels to the answer.

1. Generally, yes. An in-tune spouse should be able, if not on the very first request for help, then certainly by the second, maybe the third, to take a moment, ask for more info, and if it can't be discussed in depth right that very moment, set a firm time for listening within 24 hours and stick to that, with full intention to follow up as specifically as necessary once the issue is raised.

Whatever else we ought to know by now, mental-health signaling efforts are usually sincere, deliberate, and often delayed by self-doubts and by fears about not being taken seriously to begin with.

"Busy" doesn't cut it, for me.

2. Backgrounding may mitigate the partner's response if there's been a history of "false alarms," but it shouldn't.

The "false alarms" each needed to be taken seriously, and if they were, and the presenting issues were even superficially resolved, they in themselves represent a pattern that needs follow-through. Fair enough, the partner may not be a licensed therapist, but minds move quickly, and we learned in high school health class in 1970 that it's important to know how to get help for others and then follow through on it.

3. Lack of experience if this is a recently-presenting issue may lead to tone-deafness or denial in the partner, but again, if the statements are repeated, then they need to find a tuning-fork, pull  their head out of the sand, and face up to the however unwelcome news that someone they have pledged to care for needs them to grow in directions they hadn't planned on growing in, and get on with it.

Ex:

A. I hadn't expected to have to deal with an abusive spouse when I said, " I do," but within a short time, I'd sussed out the basics and gotten on with it. (Obviously, a different kind of issue, but by asking around, even pre-internet, I found support structures to try to help us both and was working on getting them organized.)

B. A friend's wife has gone through 12 years of difficult diagnostic effort, but they finally have identified the quite rare, debilitating disease she has and he's stuck with her graciously all the way. His understanding of "for better or for worse" floors me sometimes, but he has a responible job, keeps it, and attends to her needs as well.

C. Whatever you may hear, believe, or think of the British royals, one young man took his wife's declarations of distress at face value and has moved both Hades (if that's not too fine a mis-characterization of the Palace puppeteers in their back offices who are determined to keep the machinery turning over, tickety-boo, no matter who's caught in the gears) and high (or deep) water--an Atlantic Ocean's worth of it, in fact--to help her.

An important point in 'C' might be that he'd seen it play out when people tried to deny or dismiss his mom's problems, so he knew more directly how seriously such problems needed to be taken, but the point is, he took them seriously and effected a change, and not without cost to himself, either.

TV sitcom 45-min. resolutions haven't helped, cultural memes like, "ignore it and it will go away" (my mom's favorite bit of '50s wisdom) don't help, and the continued stigmatization of mental distress doesn't help, either.

Compassion does.

But I think one needs to then offer compassion to the surviving partner as well. If you're tone-deaf, you don't always know what a tuning fork is or how to use one. If you're distressed yourself, you may not realize there's a level of stress beyond your own that's even more serious. If you've never dealt with anything remotely like mental illness, you may not know how to recognize a qualitative difference in distress-signalling, or if the individual's affect is characteristically 'flat,' or quiet, or non-demonstrative, there might not have been a discernible variation in the amplitude of the messages to sink in.

One would really think the increased frequency might have been a clue. But we each have enough to get on with in life that we truly can't take on the extra job of judging others. Any day, anytime, now, the same measuring stick could be applied to us, too.

And no-one can assure us that our own cries for help might be any better heard, either. We might want to be able to hope that they would, and trust that our safety nets will all hold, but, difficult as it is to face, there are no guarantees, either in law, or in custom, that others will be perfectly there for us all the time.

We're really all just keeping on, a step at a time, hoping (and/or praying) for grace for ourselves while meting it out to others as best we can, as well.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 05, 2021, 06:22:26 PM
I just don't know what else I'm supposed to do.

If you can't turn to friends and family and the professional services are almost completely unresponsive (not exaggerating; e.g. therapist has canceled or not shown for at least 4 out of every 5 appointments for several months), what's left?

I now know better than to believe anyone who says "Let me know if you need to talk" or "Call me if you ever need me", no matter how close the relationship. But then there's no one to turn to when the professional services won't give you the time of day.

I attended a Zoom workshop about "vulnerability in academia" or something (forget the exact title), and I mentioned the frequent difficulty of getting calls returned or messages answered from the student counseling center, and the poor quality of the therapy sessions I did manage to book. The workshop leader emailed me afterward saying it sounded as though I were struggling and they wanted to "encourage" me to seek support from...the student counseling center. *headdesk*

I'm tired of the glib "don't be afraid to ask for help" messages we get at such workshops. A person can be *screaming* for help and still not be heard.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 07, 2021, 05:10:50 PM
On 8/21 student emails that on 8/16 she tested CV positive.  Noted that she had completed the online form and will quarantine for 10 days.   (which would have ended on day 3 of classes).  Today (day 16 of classes) she replies to my email noting that she was in danger of 'penalty points' for missing 2 sets of homework.  She says that she is no longer positive and ready to start the make up work.

She wont be all that thrilled with my reply which notes that I have a no make up policy in the syllabus, that she has ignored several emails noting that she was missing work, and that quarantine does not mean that she is relieved of the ONLINE assignments in the ONLINE Class she registered to take!!

How does a 10 day quarantine stretch into a 26 day quarantine WITH a release from doing ONLINE work?


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 08, 2021, 02:39:52 AM
Quote from: clean on September 07, 2021, 05:10:50 PM
On 8/21 student emails that on 8/16 she tested CV positive.  Noted that she had completed the online form and will quarantine for 10 days.   (which would have ended on day 3 of classes).  Today (day 16 of classes) she replies to my email noting that she was in danger of 'penalty points' for missing 2 sets of homework.  She says that she is no longer positive and ready to start the make up work.

She wont be all that thrilled with my reply which notes that I have a no make up policy in the syllabus, that she has ignored several emails noting that she was missing work, and that quarantine does not mean that she is relieved of the ONLINE assignments in the ONLINE Class she registered to take!!

How does a 10 day quarantine stretch into a 26 day quarantine WITH a release from doing ONLINE work?

Maybe she got sick as well as testing positive?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 08, 2021, 09:52:18 AM
That is certainly possible.  However, I would have expected that I get some update to All of the emails that are sent.  IF she can document that between the first email of 8/21 until the email yesterday that she was unable to do online assignments, I will gladly allow the work that can be made up, be made up.  i dont have the ability to make up group work.  Besides, there are actually closer to 1100 points available to earn, but the grades are based on 1000 points, so missing these group assignments wont be harmful. 

Bottom line is that "I tested positive and have to quarantine" (all she sent) is not in and of itself a "get out of Homework Free" card!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on September 08, 2021, 11:56:44 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 04, 2021, 04:48:57 PM
...(with the correlating principle that you are not responsible for other adults, even if they ate close friends or family).

I really truly don't intend to be dismissive or flippant about the serious issues that you are going through. But I am having a difficult week and this typo gave me a much needed giggle today!

I agree, I'm not responsible for adults who eat my close friends and family.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 08, 2021, 12:09:33 PM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 08, 2021, 11:56:44 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 04, 2021, 04:48:57 PM
...(with the correlating principle that you are not responsible for other adults, even if they ate close friends or family).

I really truly don't intend to be dismissive or flippant about the serious issues that you are going through. But I am having a difficult week and this typo gave me a much needed giggle today!

I agree, I'm not responsible for adults who eat my close friends and family.

Ha! That's fair; it is a funny typo.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 10, 2021, 10:21:59 AM
Just got another bill for therapy sessions that never happened...

Trying not to be angry, because I think the therapist might be going through something serious, but it's hard not to feel abandoned.

And continuing to be asked to pay feels especially uncaring.

Have put in a request for a new therapist, but don't have high hopes of getting an answer.

Feeling pretty low.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 10, 2021, 10:45:41 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 10, 2021, 10:21:59 AM
Just got another bill for therapy sessions that never happened...

Trying not to be angry, because I think the therapist might be going through something serious, but it's hard not to feel abandoned.

And continuing to be asked to pay feels especially uncaring.

Have put in a request for a new therapist, but don't have high hopes of getting an answer.

Feeling pretty low.

A. Don't pay the bill. Send it back with a note written directly on the printed bill:
     "Session cancelled by therapist, never re-booked."
B. Write a note with a copy of the annotated bill to their overseeing office or hospital.
      List dates and times of all sessions not held.

Too bad if "They're going through something," you are, too!

And the pattern of behavior you describe could as easily be someone scamming their office.

Make it known.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on September 10, 2021, 10:51:16 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 10, 2021, 10:21:59 AM
Just got another bill for therapy sessions that never happened...

Trying not to be angry, because I think the therapist might be going through something serious, but it's hard not to feel abandoned.

And continuing to be asked to pay feels especially uncaring.

Have put in a request for a new therapist, but don't have high hopes of getting an answer.

Feeling pretty low.

Sorry SCR.  Please don't take any of these bureaucratic "mishaps" (?) and lapses in common courtesy personally.  Humans and processes sometimes don't operate as they should.

"And continuing to be asked to pay feels especially uncaring."  That's one way of putting it.  Another way would be: "...asked to pay is ridiculous, immoral, and possibly corrupt."

Sounds like the therapist does have some major issues at hand.  Good that you placed the request for a new one.  Hope you can speak with someone by phone to get a firm answer on when/whom you can expect as new therapist.

Meanwhile, be good to yourself.  I understand how you feel.  Please realize that cold, impersonal conduct is all too common.  We have to persevere and pledge never to behave like that ourselves.

ETA:  Posted at same time as M. and agree with M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 10, 2021, 10:55:17 AM
QuoteJust got another bill for therapy sessions that never happened...

There is certainly a phone number to the billing office.  Call them. 

IF there is insurance involved, they likely have a hotline for fraud, so that would be another way to make sure that this is resolved, ESPECIALLY if you have insurance, as THEY were billed TOO!!

Good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 11, 2021, 06:48:45 AM
Some children, for some reason, take great pleasure in shoving whole rows of books back on shelves or pulling them off of shelves.  This is an obvious problem at the library.  I can always tell when somebody has given a child like this free rein in the book sale room.  I don't say much about it because it does no real harm done to anybody and I don't want to discourage parents from bringing children (A single poorly-received word of admonition is enough to cause some adults never to bring children near the library again).  But it really does create needless work for staff.  It would also be a good idea if parents taught their children at an early age that etiquette when you're out in public requires keeping your hands off of stuff that doesn't belong to you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on September 11, 2021, 07:22:15 AM
Quote from: apl68 on September 11, 2021, 06:48:45 AM
Some children, for some reason, take great pleasure in shoving whole rows of books back on shelves or pulling them off of shelves.  This is an obvious problem at the library.  I can always tell when somebody has given a child like this free rein in the book sale room.  I don't say much about it because it does no real harm done to anybody and I don't want to discourage parents from bringing children (A single poorly-received word of admonition is enough to cause some adults never to bring children near the library again).  But it really does create needless work for staff.  It would also be a good idea if parents taught their children at an early age that etiquette when you're out in public requires keeping your hands off of stuff that doesn't belong to you.

My wife still fumes over an incident at the Lancome counter where she once worked. A girl dipped some of the makeup brushes (for makeovers and trials) into her soda then "painted" all over the display case. When my wife said something like "sweetie, let's not get those brushes dirty" the girl's mother called a manager. I guess nowadays such an incident would get caught on a cellphone camera.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 11, 2021, 08:46:08 AM
Some parents go through their children's lives "getting their own back" at all the authority figures who ever wronged them, or were perceived to have wronged them, when they were a child.

Makes for a backlog of an awful lot of pent-up,  vindictive children, many of whom have been older than 16 for decades.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 13, 2021, 06:48:42 AM
If you go to the trouble of making a nice image with your announcement in it, then why wouldn't you also include the text with the info in your email? Because I'm not gonna click to open your stupid image before I click delete.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 13, 2021, 08:43:42 AM
Carpets are a terrible invention. Even in their prime they attract moths and make every spill 100 times worse, and in their old age they lack the dignity of a scuffed hardwood floor and the cleanability of chipped tile or peeling linoleum.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on September 13, 2021, 09:25:38 AM
Quote from: ergative on September 13, 2021, 08:43:42 AM
Carpets are a terrible invention. Even in their prime they attract moths and make every spill 100 times worse, and in their old age they lack the dignity of a scuffed hardwood floor and the cleanability of chipped tile or peeling linoleum.

Sorry about whatever prompted the carpet vent.

On the flip side, carpeting absorbs noise.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 13, 2021, 10:03:59 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on September 13, 2021, 09:25:38 AM
Quote from: ergative on September 13, 2021, 08:43:42 AM
Carpets are a terrible invention. Even in their prime they attract moths and make every spill 100 times worse, and in their old age they lack the dignity of a scuffed hardwood floor and the cleanability of chipped tile or peeling linoleum.

Sorry about whatever prompted the carpet vent.

On the flip side, carpeting absorbs noise.

That only matters if you have neighbors. Neighbors are a terrible inventions. Even when upstairs neighbors who enjoy frequent, exuberant coitus, seem to have either moved our or else hit a dry spot in their relationship, the side neighbors have decided that they like to smoke pot in the middle of the day, and no kind RA ever taught them the wet-towel-under-the-door trick. My neighbors-who-are-in-a-band think that the appropriate place to play a harmonica is in the hallway, and my laundry-doing neighbors are constantly competing with me for prime spot in the sun on the drying line.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 13, 2021, 10:35:18 AM
Cats do appreciate the softness of carpet under their toes on cold mornings or if they need to vomit on something.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 13, 2021, 10:48:23 AM
Quote from: ergative on September 13, 2021, 08:43:42 AM
Carpets are a terrible invention. Even in their prime they attract moths and make every spill 100 times worse, and in their old age they lack the dignity of a scuffed hardwood floor and the cleanability of chipped tile or peeling linoleum.

And bloodstains are hard to get up.  Having a real problem with that right now at home.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on September 13, 2021, 01:42:30 PM
No students on the waitlist, I can't over-enroll the class because we are at the listed occupancy limit of the room. No, it doesn't matter that there are extra chairs in the room. I don't know why there are more chairs than people allowed in the room, but it does not change how many people are allowed in the room. If you don't like it you can take it up with the fire marshal. I'm sorry, I really am, but I'm not going to violate fire code for you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 13, 2021, 03:55:58 PM
Quote from: Puget on September 13, 2021, 01:42:30 PM
No students on the waitlist, I can't over-enroll the class because we are at the listed occupancy limit of the room. No, it doesn't matter that there are extra chairs in the room. I don't know why there are more chairs than people allowed in the room, but it does not change how many people are allowed in the room. If you don't like it you can take it up with the fire marshal. I'm sorry, I really am, but I'm not going to violate fire code for you.

Time to take the extra chairs out of the room!
I get this question all the time about labs.  No, we cannot have more students than spaces at benches.  No, you cannot sit in the chair at the instructor computer, that is for the instructor.  I've even had to tell the INSTRUCTORS that they can't just let one more student "sit in" if the student promises to not sit in a chair. 
I just have to keep telling myself that dealing with fire code limits for in-person teaching is so much better than teaching online.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on September 14, 2021, 11:48:46 AM
I was just in lab for two hours with my freshmen. In the lab across the hall, the entire time I was in class, was a group of half a dozen students and not a single one of them was wearing a mask. I am having the records of card access to that lab pulled and will be reporting that to the lab supervisor since we have a mask mandate on campus and none of their students see fit to follow it. If I can be in a hot lab for two hours breathing in my own hot recycled air, then they can too. I feel like I should add a "get off my lawn!" to this rant. Ugh. No, I'm not the mask police, and I'm not their supervisor, but it's just frustrating to see students flout the rules and have my freshmen ask why they have to wear masks when the people across the hall don't.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 14, 2021, 12:32:25 PM
Hell
I wouldn't mind being the mask police but my state would discipline ME for daring to bring up the topic of masks!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 14, 2021, 01:01:58 PM
Let the Ventapalooza begin!

1) Smolt is sick, and has a Doc appt. today for a Covid test.  She can't go back to school until she is negative.
2) That shot my entire day to bits b/c I could not do the field work/library research/time management I had planned.
3) She'll be out of school tomorrow, and therefore So Will I. 
4) Not physically at school?  Not a problem.  I'll meet my class remotely! We have the technology.  'What's that Dean?  No?!'  So, I am not allowed to meet with my class remotely, even though I listed the class back in April as F2F (which means <25% online at FishProfU) and one day doesn't even come close to violation that def'n.  OK, Sick day for me!
5) That means that in week 3, I've met this class 3 times.  No, we're not behind, why do you ask?

That's enough for now...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 14, 2021, 02:05:43 PM
Quote4) Not physically at school?  Not a problem.  I'll meet my class remotely! We have the technology.  'What's that Dean?  No?!'  So, I am not allowed to meet with my class remotely, even though I listed the class back in April as F2F (which means <25% online at FishProfU) and one day doesn't even come close to violation that def'n.  OK, Sick day for me!

Be sure to fill out all of the required paperwork.  Make sure that your department chair is aware of the situation and then ask them who will be substitute teaching your class so that you can deliver some guidelines/helpful information.  (Keep the replies! - build a Cover Your Anal Fins file)

As you will be using your sick days, you will certainly NOT be online or responding to email for the duration of the illness. 

(Keep the I OFFERED to teach Remotely email in the file showing that it was denied!) 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 14, 2021, 03:52:35 PM
Quote from: clean on September 14, 2021, 02:05:43 PM
Quote4) Not physically at school? 

Be sure to fill out all of the required paperwork.  Make sure that your department chair is aware of the situation and then ask them who will be substitute teaching your class so that you can deliver some guidelines/helpful information.  (Keep the replies! - build a Cover Your Anal Fins file)

As you will be using your sick days, you will certainly NOT be online or responding to email for the duration of the illness. 

(Keep the I OFFERED to teach Remotely email in the file showing that it was denied!)

All good suggestions gladly accepted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2021, 04:55:35 PM
This may belong on a lower-level thread of complaint, but here it is.

I haven't lived anywhere near my high school for several decades. I don't go to alumni stuff because, frankly, there were several bullies, rude guys, and inane idiots that just made it not-so-much-fun, and I don't have those "fond memories" we're supposed to have of "our little high-school."

The teachers were great, I'm still in touch with a couple of friends, but otherwise, I don't want to know about it!

I don't wish anyone ill, but I don't really need to hear about this person-this and that person-that, with all the reply-all's that follow.

I've had my name taken off the list several times, it keeps coming back. (no, you're not doing me a favor!)

I just had to ask again for this to be done, politely and with many thanks for all the work it (admittedly) takes to keep up with a peripatetic bunch like that.

But I don't want my email box to keep blowing up with updates, etc. all the time!

I just don't! Stop it!

Thanks, that felt better...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 15, 2021, 06:24:13 PM
I am a curmudgeon.  A faculty in Reading has hung posters in a classroom in the Business Building.   I know that the 'classrooms' are not our exclusive domain, but I m annoyed that they are there. I reported these to the Assoc. Dean and my Chair.  When I reported it, I indicated that the first time this occurred, long ago, the then chair had the posters removed, and the dean emailed the faculty and their dean that hanging posters in a classroom was not acceptable and that they could retrieve their posters from the Dean's office.

As everyone is busy, I volunteered to bring them to the Dean's office myself!  The associate dean replied right away that it would not be right to take down someone elses posters without talking to them first.  She indicated that she would discuss it with the dean.

It has been a week now.  No reply. The Posters remain. 

So are we ALL permitted to put up posters in whatever classrooms we are teaching in, and leave them up for however long we think we can get away with it? 

Can I go to the Education Building and post some FUN with FINANCE posters? 

AND why doesnt the Assoc. Dean have the Balls to Take a stand and deal with this?

(the dean is new - only on the job for 5 weeks now--, so I wonder IF they are afraid to step on the new toes?) 

I know that these SHOULD be SMall order of Small issues, and that I should not spend one second's worth of thought for it.  BUT, clearly that hasnt happened!! 

I have checked my Retirement Count Down Timer and I am at 1202 days left!!  It is not that I would quit over THIS, but it is a sign at how little respect I feel that I am getting. 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on September 15, 2021, 06:42:01 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 15, 2021, 04:55:35 PM

I've had my name taken off the list several times, it keeps coming back. (no, you're not doing me a favor!)

I just had to ask again for this to be done, politely and with many thanks for all the work it (admittedly) takes to keep up with a peripatetic bunch like that.


I have a gmail account for old hometown folks. I even log into it several times a year.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2021, 09:31:44 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on September 15, 2021, 06:42:01 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 15, 2021, 04:55:35 PM

I've had my name taken off the list several times, it keeps coming back. (no, you're not doing me a favor!)

I just had to ask again for this to be done, politely and with many thanks for all the work it (admittedly) takes to keep up with a peripatetic bunch like that.


I have a gmail account for old hometown folks. I even log into it several times a year.

Good idea.

Fortunately, it was just an error and they apologized.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on September 17, 2021, 11:22:47 AM
You people are typical elitist snobs, that plumber running his own small business is likely as smart or smarter than you (though not as "educated"), and almost certainly makes more money than you do. Why all the hatred?

(could have also gone under the "things you wish you could say" thread!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 17, 2021, 11:26:32 AM
Ummm...I've worked in service industries and retail, no-one is belittling the plumber's educational preparation, just their inconsiderate behavior.

That's not hatred, that's a wish for reasonable customer service...as I pointed out, my retail mangers' standards were higher than that.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 20, 2021, 08:42:47 AM
I have lots to do today and limited time to do it, so of course my computer chose now to update, squandering a whole hour so far and who knows how much longer. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: filologos on September 20, 2021, 09:36:08 AM
The power company shut off the power to a home I own (and am selling) in another state. I've been on hold for half an hour so far to find out why and get it turned on again before closing, which is in a few days. But that's fine; it's not as if I had anything else to do today . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 20, 2021, 09:56:50 AM
Sorry to hear that.

I hope you have something reassuring/satisfying/productive to do while you're on hold--that's the kind of time-use no-one needs!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: filologos on September 20, 2021, 10:19:19 AM
Thanks, Mamselle. I managed to get some worksheets made for class later today. After an hour and a half I gave up. I'll try again later, after lunch on the east coast.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 20, 2021, 10:32:00 AM
Venting in the most literal sense of the word:

Today we have service technicians on-site to clean our building's ducts.  A couple of months after they were originally scheduled to do the work!  They have been cleaning our vents, after blowing lots of dust, etc. out through them.  One of them was just in here cleaning both vents in my office.  I didn't know until today that those vents were removable!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on September 20, 2021, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 17, 2021, 11:26:32 AM
Ummm...I've worked in service industries and retail, no-one is belittling the plumber's educational preparation, just their inconsiderate behavior.

That's not hatred, that's a wish for reasonable customer service...as I pointed out, my retail mangers' standards were higher than that.

M.
Should have added to my original post, "not related to other posts in this thread"--mine was a vent about something else observed elsewhere in reality (looking down at those without letters after their name...)...sorry for any confusion!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 20, 2021, 11:27:14 AM
Got it. No umbrage taken.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 20, 2021, 12:47:06 PM
The school policy is that I need to be vaccinated even though I only teach online and never come to campus.

I wonder what the justification is for that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 20, 2021, 01:14:41 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 20, 2021, 08:42:47 AM
I have lots to do today and limited time to do it, so of course my computer chose now to update, squandering a whole hour so far and who knows how much longer. Ugh.

I buckled and bought a new one. It was a decent price, but the one I wanted--a little more expensive but much, much better--was entirely sold out except for a few online outline where it was $600 more expensive.

Here's hoping it's a good one! I hate buying new laptops, especially sooner than five years after the last one.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 20, 2021, 02:00:36 PM
Quote from: downer on September 20, 2021, 12:47:06 PM
The school policy is that I need to be vaccinated even though I only teach online and never come to campus.

I wonder what the justification is for that.

Hmm, perhaps some combo of:
a) To make their numbers look better?
b) Because keeping track of who can work entirely remotely & exclude those from their vaccine compliance tracking is "too complicated?"
c) Just in case you are tempted by the offer of stale cookies/bad coffee at seminar & sneak onto campus?
d) So they can require you to show up in-person for a meeting that could be on Zoom?

My university has FINALLY admitted that folks who are immunocompromised and/or live with someone who is immunocompromised ought to have the option to work remotely.  Jeez.  Someone important must have threatened a lawsuit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on September 20, 2021, 05:22:54 PM
Why do some students send such defensive, angry emails? Calm down. I'm okay with accepting your paper that you "know" you submitted on time and are not sure why it didn't go through, but I'm not okay with you coming at me so angrily. I've had a rough day. Sending emails like that makes me want to refuse to accept the assignment and I have every right to since my policy on late work is very clear. What student thinks an angry email is going to help their case?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on September 21, 2021, 05:32:09 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 20, 2021, 05:22:54 PM
Why do some students send such defensive, angry emails? Calm down. I'm okay with accepting your paper that you "know" you submitted on time and are not sure why it didn't go through, but I'm not okay with you coming at me so angrily. I've had a rough day. Sending emails like that makes me want to refuse to accept the assignment and I have every right to since my policy on late work is very clear. What student thinks an angry email is going to help their case?

Sadly, I think it's a consequence of "outrage culture". There are only victims and oppressors, so if anyone is unhappy, for whatever reason, they must be "victims" of some form of "oppression", and thus have a moral *right to be outraged.

(*Or maybe even responsibility, since "silence is violence".)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 21, 2021, 07:36:20 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on September 21, 2021, 05:32:09 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 20, 2021, 05:22:54 PM
Why do some students send such defensive, angry emails? Calm down. I'm okay with accepting your paper that you "know" you submitted on time and are not sure why it didn't go through, but I'm not okay with you coming at me so angrily. I've had a rough day. Sending emails like that makes me want to refuse to accept the assignment and I have every right to since my policy on late work is very clear. What student thinks an angry email is going to help their case?

Sadly, I think it's a consequence of "outrage culture". There are only victims and oppressors, so if anyone is unhappy, for whatever reason, they must be "victims" of some form of "oppression", and thus have a moral *right to be outraged.

(*Or maybe even responsibility, since "silence is violence".)

Well, maybe.  But most angry e-mails seem to stem from somebody who's just having a bad day.  We're still in the pandemic, and people all over are still having a high proportion of bad days.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on September 21, 2021, 09:41:06 AM
Quote from: apl68 on September 21, 2021, 07:36:20 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on September 21, 2021, 05:32:09 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 20, 2021, 05:22:54 PM
Why do some students send such defensive, angry emails? Calm down. I'm okay with accepting your paper that you "know" you submitted on time and are not sure why it didn't go through, but I'm not okay with you coming at me so angrily. I've had a rough day. Sending emails like that makes me want to refuse to accept the assignment and I have every right to since my policy on late work is very clear. What student thinks an angry email is going to help their case?

Sadly, I think it's a consequence of "outrage culture". There are only victims and oppressors, so if anyone is unhappy, for whatever reason, they must be "victims" of some form of "oppression", and thus have a moral *right to be outraged.

(*Or maybe even responsibility, since "silence is violence".)

Well, maybe.  But most angry e-mails seem to stem from somebody who's just having a bad day.  We're still in the pandemic, and people all over are still having a high proportion of bad days.

It's a combination of the outrage and entitlement cultures. I used to ignore the tone of these emails in the past but now I add a sentence reminding students to use a professional tone of voice in their emails. I've received angry emails long before the pandemic.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 21, 2021, 10:06:51 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on September 21, 2021, 09:41:06 AM
Quote from: apl68 on September 21, 2021, 07:36:20 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on September 21, 2021, 05:32:09 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 20, 2021, 05:22:54 PM
Why do some students send such defensive, angry emails? Calm down. I'm okay with accepting your paper that you "know" you submitted on time and are not sure why it didn't go through, but I'm not okay with you coming at me so angrily. I've had a rough day. Sending emails like that makes me want to refuse to accept the assignment and I have every right to since my policy on late work is very clear. What student thinks an angry email is going to help their case?

Sadly, I think it's a consequence of "outrage culture". There are only victims and oppressors, so if anyone is unhappy, for whatever reason, they must be "victims" of some form of "oppression", and thus have a moral *right to be outraged.

(*Or maybe even responsibility, since "silence is violence".)

Well, maybe.  But most angry e-mails seem to stem from somebody who's just having a bad day.  We're still in the pandemic, and people all over are still having a high proportion of bad days.

It's a combination of the outrage and entitlement cultures. I used to ignore the tone of these emails in the past but now I add a sentence reminding students to use a professional tone of voice in their emails. I've received angry emails long before the pandemic.

I think maybe we're both right.  It's been my observation that people who are prone to a mindset of outrage and entitlement tend to have more (subjective) bad days.  Still, you can have a bad day without feeling outraged or entitled.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 21, 2021, 11:20:41 AM
Quoteand entitlement cultures.

They got their trophy for attendance, they paid their tuition and Hence Our salaries, thus We work for THEM, not the state.  And we should actually apologize for even setting a deadline! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on September 21, 2021, 12:22:00 PM
Yeah, maybe. But some students have also experienced professors who are total dicks about such things, as if technology (or our use of it) works 100% of the time for all of us. By the time they realize they hadn't submitted their work, they were probably pretty upset--but not really at you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 21, 2021, 12:59:47 PM
Venting in a different way.

When magma builds up, volcanos blow.

That's happening now in La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, and has been for the past four days now.

This fellow's videos are amazingly precise, carefully worded, and engaging.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1OyzWk-4r4

Several towns have been evacuated, another cone opened recently and it sounds as if the rising magma beneath the main cone is either going to enlarge that one, or force a new one.

Just to put grades, quibbles over website use, and other more petty matters into perspective.

OK, back to the human kind of venting as intended.

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 21, 2021, 01:14:21 PM
I've been dealing with random nausea all day. I had a new brand of muesli for breakfast, and the symptoms started maybe half an hour to an hour after that. Can't imagine why it would make me sick, though. Absolutive also had it, and it caused him no problems. I had to teach with a garbage can under my desk in case I needed to throw up--fortunately I didn't--but I felt just a little bit off all day. Didn't eat lunch. Briefly felt better in the afternoon and went for a run, but by dinner time I was eating soup one spoonful at a time and letting each one settle.

Now I'm still feeling slightly off, but also starving, because half a serving of soup after no lunch is  ot much of a meal. I'm eating hobnobs with tea, one bite at a time, and feeling very frustrated with the world.

No more of that muesli for me!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on September 21, 2021, 01:24:49 PM
Hope you're feeling better, ergative.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 21, 2021, 02:06:01 PM
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

When I am "Working from Home" why do you both (MrsFishProf and Smolt) ignore the working part?  I am in my office, headphones on, clearly engaged with my computer.  Why can't you get that I am busy?

After a year of Covid remote working/learning, I'd think this would be clear(er) by now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on September 21, 2021, 06:53:51 PM
ergative, ginger ale or ginger tea might help. Did you have anything in the meuslix, like milk that could have gone bad? Aldi recently recalled their meuslix for pesticides. I hope you are feeling better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on September 21, 2021, 07:00:52 PM
Unrelated: I am cranky and depressed. So is everyone else. It is burning me out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 22, 2021, 12:06:08 AM
Thanks, Larimer, alto_stratus. Slept well last night and had no difficulty with my coffee this morning, so I'm hoping that whatever caused problems has passed. Now I'm just battling that slightly uneasy feeling that comes from wondering whether you're feeling nauseated but not quite being able to tell if it's real or just anxiety.

Y'know, like when you sniff the milk and can't tell if it's bad or not? Because you don't sniff it unless you already have suspicions, which means everything's going to smell slightly off? Even if it's fine? I remember talking about sources of knowledge and how you can trust what you know when you are already beginning to mistrust it in a college philosophy class, and the milk example has stuck with me ever since.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 22, 2021, 07:17:51 AM
I wrote down that my conference talk was the 23rd. Turns out it was the 22nd, and would have started 17 minutes ago. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on September 22, 2021, 08:26:40 AM
I reluctantly agreed to complete some medical tests to see if my doctor can pinpoint why my heart is having some issues. I already felt like I was being ridiculous because the chances of it being serious are very small.

I go to get the tests done at the hospital and get lectured by the staff in admitting because I'm probably just anxious. But don't go on any of those medications because they have too many negative side effects. Just take this herbal remedy. It helped their cousin a lot.

I feel stupid enough for having mentioned any of this to my doctor, much less having other people weigh in and think I'm overreacting. And really, people who work in admitting shouldn't be diagnosing. That was unprofessional. If they looked at my medical history, they'd see I've been on a heart medication for three years which fixed my issues until a few months ago. But sure, anxiety. Case closed, cancel the tests, order the herbal remedy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 22, 2021, 08:50:48 AM
Whoever is proffering medical advice without the proper credentials should be reported.

That's outside their remit and if allowed to continue could have serious consequences.

(I hope you didn't really cancel the appointment, etc.--that was just sarcasm, right?)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 22, 2021, 09:34:04 AM
Quote from: Charlotte on September 22, 2021, 08:26:40 AM
I reluctantly agreed to complete some medical tests to see if my doctor can pinpoint why my heart is having some issues. I already felt like I was being ridiculous because the chances of it being serious are very small.

I go to get the tests done at the hospital and get lectured by the staff in admitting because I'm probably just anxious. But don't go on any of those medications because they have too many negative side effects. Just take this herbal remedy. It helped their cousin a lot.

I feel stupid enough for having mentioned any of this to my doctor, much less having other people weigh in and think I'm overreacting. And really, people who work in admitting shouldn't be diagnosing. That was unprofessional. If they looked at my medical history, they'd see I've been on a heart medication for three years which fixed my issues until a few months ago. But sure, anxiety. Case closed, cancel the tests, order the herbal remedy.

I'd file a formal complaint.  The admitting staff are being unprofessional and honestly dangerous ("just take an herbal remedy"). 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on September 22, 2021, 07:41:28 PM
Do more with less. Do more with less. Do more with less.

No, we will not "do more with less." We are stretched too thin, with horrible morale and cutting too many corners trying to cover everything. We will Do Less With Less. I'll give you a list Friday of the things we are going to Stop Doing.

No more. All the pet projects and traditional events and initiatives not directly related to good teaching and research are being dismantled. Feel free to find another chair.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 23, 2021, 02:52:32 PM
This school I work does not provide any help facility for its LMS. All enquiries have to go through the helpdesk of the LMS.

I submitted my request for help 11 days ago, and today I finally get a response. The response says "we see you sorted out the problem." Yeah, I did.

So it will generally take about 11 days to get responses to my enquiries. Presumably if it is anything that requires actual interaction, it may take 2 or more weeks to sort out problems.

I don't give a shit. But it might be kinda hard on the students. They will be stuck whenever they encounter problems requiring help that I have not worked out how to give.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on September 23, 2021, 02:55:32 PM
Quote from: downer on September 23, 2021, 02:52:32 PM
This school I work does not provide any help facility for its LMS. All enquiries have to go through the helpdesk of the LMS.

I submitted my request for help 11 days ago, and today I finally get a response. The response says "we see you sorted out the problem." Yeah, I did.

So it will generally take about 11 days to get responses to my enquiries. Presumably if it is anything that requires actual interaction, it may take 2 or more weeks to sort out problems.

I don't give a shit. But it might be kinda hard on the students. They will be stuck whenever they encounter problems requiring help that I have not worked out how to give.

Good practice for the students' future workplaces! :-)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Charlotte on September 23, 2021, 04:00:45 PM
Quote from: mamselle on September 22, 2021, 08:50:48 AM
Whoever is proffering medical advice without the proper credentials should be reported.

That's outside their remit and if allowed to continue could have serious consequences.

(I hope you didn't really cancel the appointment, etc.--that was just sarcasm, right?)

M.

I did keep the appointment. But I felt even more ridiculous for being there when admissions dismissed me as not actually needing the tests.

As Geneticist mentioned, it could be dangerous if someone took their advice. It could interact with their medications or harm them further. So it was a double whammy for me... they confirmed my belief that I was being ridiculous for getting the tests done and also offered potentially dangerous advice. I thought about reporting it, and I probably should, but I'm not sure how much it would help or if anyone would see it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 23, 2021, 04:56:08 PM
Someone will see it.

They have to read and take those things seriously.

You could take the "I'm a bit confused, yesterday the health aide suggested phytochemicals to me as a good solution for....and I didn't remember our discussing that before...it seemed a bit unusual...." tack if you want to ease into it verbally, but in any case, someone should hand you a form to discuss it on, or take notes while you talk and write it up themselves.

But in all cases...

Report it.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 27, 2021, 03:20:04 AM
Finally got to go to my first physical therapy appointment since before the pandemic. Really need some help reducing pain and improving mobility in both legs. PT clinic was booked solid for months, so it's been a long wait. Nearly two years of painful limping and frequent falls; I'm more than ready to get some real help for this.

Well...apparently the physical therapist doesn't want to proceed until I can get my PCP to order an x-ray and an mri, because the level of immobility at the joints is beyond what would be expected without some kind of tissue injury/obstruction.

I've had multiple doctor visits for this and was repeatedly told the stiff, spasming muscles were "probably just from stress." No recommendations beyond some basic stretches and massaging the muscles. Probably should have had some type of scan ages ago. I'm really tired of not being taken seriously by medical professionals.

Charlotte, I have nothing but sympathy for the nonsense you had to go through when getting your medical tests.

I've left doctor visits sobbing, feeling utterly humiliated after being dismissed as someone taking up resources that are meant for people with real problems. I have a hard time now building up the courage to get any issue checked out because I don't want to be on the receiving end of any more rolled eyes, impatient sighs, or scoldings. I always come out of those encounters hating myself a lot.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 27, 2021, 05:19:42 AM
You now have ammo.

Take the PT opinion that the problems are beyond the usual stress-related ones and use it to push back to the MD with a request for ASAP scans based on the long wait times you've already endured.

Get the PT person on the phone and tell them you need a clinical opinion written up and emailed to the MD so you can follow up on this as soon s possible.

Your low self-esteem is lying to you about whether you "deserve" the resources you need, and so is everyone else who says, hints, or implies that.

Don't internalize your anger in hating yourself, get those folks who get paid the big bucks to do their job and stop treating you like a ping pong ball.

Become the paddle.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on September 28, 2021, 07:32:07 AM
Just got a phone call. I quickly answered it because the words, in caps, "MEDICAL ALERT" flashed on my phone screen. The call was a commercial promotion. The caller had really poor English. Normally, I am driving in heavy, briskly moving, urban traffic, at this is time of day. SO, I AM PERTURBED OFF!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 28, 2021, 07:45:05 AM
Quote from: Economizer on September 28, 2021, 07:32:07 AM
Just got a phone call. I quickly answered it because the words, in caps, "MEDICAL ALERT" flashed on my phone screen. The call was a commercial promotion. The caller had really poor English. Normally, I am driving in heavy, briskly moving, urban traffic, at this is time of day. SO, I AM PERTURBED OFF!

I'm perturbed for you.  That should be reported (to whom I do not know).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on October 03, 2021, 01:07:47 PM
Paddington U just got a new president last year and one new admin (and a new HR person) this year. And a new head admissions person this summer. Recently, another admin announced they're leaving for another school, so at some point we're going to have to go through a search for that position. (And we still have a handful of interim admins.)  And our enrollment is still in decline. This isn't a real vent, I guess. I just feel like my university is a continuously listing boat and we're all going to sink (unless it rights itself). I have some admin experience, but not enough years for most of the ads I've seen. (And it seems like a lot of admin/director jobs are posted during the beginning of the academic year and want a Nov/Dec/Jan start. Can I leave a tenured position in between fall and spring semesters?)  Bleh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 03, 2021, 01:43:02 PM
Oh, dear, oh, yuk, oh, no.

Maddening, I should imagine.

Do I remember that you directed a sub-departmental unit or small institute or something? (Is that the 'small amount of admin experience you're referring to?)

Can you find something like it in a bigger school? At least then you wouldn't be translating apples to kumquats, you'd just be working towards growing more apples.

Or maybe you just feel like making more applesauce...squish. Splat. Smash.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on October 03, 2021, 01:48:55 PM
Quote from: mamselle on October 03, 2021, 01:43:02 PM
Oh, dear, oh, yuk, oh, no.

Maddening, I should imagine.

Do I remember that you directed a sub-departmental unit or small institute or something? (Is that the 'small amount of admin experience you're referring to?)

Can you find something like it in a bigger school? At least then you wouldn't be translating apples to kumquats, you'd just be working towards growing more apples.

Or maybe you just feel like making more applesauce...squish. Splat. Smash.

M.

Good memory! Yes, that's me. My university reconfigured the position that I had held, and it didn't serve my interests (or talents), so I went back to my full-time faculty position this year.  Many schools want at least 5 years doing X and I only had 2 years. But I'm still getting job notifications and I'm still looking.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on October 03, 2021, 02:45:20 PM
Quote from: paddington_bear on October 03, 2021, 01:07:47 PM
I have some admin experience, but not enough years for most of the ads I've seen. (And it seems like a lot of admin/director jobs are posted during the beginning of the academic year and want a Nov/Dec/Jan start. Can I leave a tenured position in between fall and spring semesters?)  Bleh.

Quote from: paddington_bear on October 03, 2021, 01:48:55 PM
Many schools want at least 5 years doing X and I only had 2 years. But I'm still getting job notifications and I'm still looking.

There should be ways to negotiate a summer or fall start.  Years of experience listed in a mid-level admin job post can be a way to ensure the internal candidate gets the position.  Many (certainly not all) such admin job postings go to internal candidates.  Not all, so keep trying and good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on October 03, 2021, 03:43:37 PM
Dear Adminicritters -

I understand that you have legal obligations to track student attendance and you are concerned about student retention. Therefore, I understand my corresponding responsibility as an instructor to report non-attending students and to provide timely and relevant feedback to students in my courses. HOWEVER, you have no right to send out email to my students under my name without my knowledge of the content (using "I" and "me" in the text) when I complete a REQUIRED reporting activity. The only reason I know that this email was sent was that a student replied to me with the content included as a quote. I did not write this text. I did not knowingly send this email. It is poorly phrased and completely unlike any of my other communications with my students. It is from my University account, not from within the LMS - which I require all students to use, so getting email from my regular account is also an abridgement of my course policies. I feel violated.

Aggrieved professor
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on October 03, 2021, 08:46:08 PM
Quote from: arcturus on October 03, 2021, 03:43:37 PM
Dear Adminicritters -

I understand that you have legal obligations to track student attendance and you are concerned about student retention. Therefore, I understand my corresponding responsibility as an instructor to report non-attending students and to provide timely and relevant feedback to students in my courses. HOWEVER, you have no right to send out email to my students under my name without my knowledge of the content (using "I" and "me" in the text) when I complete a REQUIRED reporting activity. The only reason I know that this email was sent was that a student replied to me with the content included as a quote. I did not write this text. I did not knowingly send this email. It is poorly phrased and completely unlike any of my other communications with my students. It is from my University account, not from within the LMS - which I require all students to use, so getting email from my regular account is also an abridgement of my course policies. I feel violated.

Aggrieved professor

Wow.  Certainly unethical, and I would guess also illegal.  I hope there is someone to whom you can address this.  What do you want to do?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on October 04, 2021, 06:23:50 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on October 03, 2021, 08:46:08 PM
Quote from: arcturus on October 03, 2021, 03:43:37 PM
Dear Adminicritters -

I understand that you have legal obligations to track student attendance and you are concerned about student retention. Therefore, I understand my corresponding responsibility as an instructor to report non-attending students and to provide timely and relevant feedback to students in my courses. HOWEVER, you have no right to send out email to my students under my name without my knowledge of the content (using "I" and "me" in the text) when I complete a REQUIRED reporting activity. The only reason I know that this email was sent was that a student replied to me with the content included as a quote. I did not write this text. I did not knowingly send this email. It is poorly phrased and completely unlike any of my other communications with my students. It is from my University account, not from within the LMS - which I require all students to use, so getting email from my regular account is also an abridgement of my course policies. I feel violated.

Aggrieved professor

Wow.  Certainly unethical, and I would guess also illegal.  I hope there is someone to whom you can address this.  What do you want to do?

My immediate concern is to stop this practice before I need to fill out the same required forms next semester. I have contacted administrators that I think can take such action. If they are not able to resolve this, I guess I will be a non-compliant professor in the future. I cannot in good conscience have these emails sent out under my name.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on October 04, 2021, 08:02:30 AM
Quote from: arcturus on October 03, 2021, 03:43:37 PM
Dear Adminicritters -

I understand that you have legal obligations to track student attendance and you are concerned about student retention. Therefore, I understand my corresponding responsibility as an instructor to report non-attending students and to provide timely and relevant feedback to students in my courses. HOWEVER, you have no right to send out email to my students under my name without my knowledge of the content (using "I" and "me" in the text) when I complete a REQUIRED reporting activity. The only reason I know that this email was sent was that a student replied to me with the content included as a quote. I did not write this text. I did not knowingly send this email. It is poorly phrased and completely unlike any of my other communications with my students. It is from my University account, not from within the LMS - which I require all students to use, so getting email from my regular account is also an abridgement of my course policies. I feel violated.

Aggrieved professor


Contact your ombudsman, if you have one. Contact the AAUP if you have a chapter. Keep a copy of the email. You can't play nice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 04, 2021, 09:07:21 AM
Write to the students, disavowing the email was sent by you and explain it as a "computer glitch."

CC the person who sent it, and BCC their next-up-the-chain supervisor.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 04, 2021, 10:20:43 AM
To say it was a computer glitch would be a lie. I would not recommend that.

I might disavow the email in an email to the students. I would blame the evil incompetent administrators. Or maybe slightly more politic language would be more emotionally intelligent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 04, 2021, 10:37:16 AM
I think one might get in substantially less trouble blaming a computer than a higher-up.

Which is why I suggested it.

Just a thought...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sprout on October 04, 2021, 10:47:45 AM
You might try the disingenous confusion tactic, cc'ing the relevant higher-ups: "My students received this e-mail that looked like it came from me, but I never sent this. I don't know how this happened, can someone please explain?"  You could even suggest that you're worried your account was hacked.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on October 04, 2021, 10:54:32 AM
Isnt october Cyber Security month? 
I think that I would consider reporting it as an email hack. 
Report it to the cyber police on your campus.

good luck
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on October 04, 2021, 11:01:12 AM
Our campus has a mask mandate. That said, there is an ever-increasing number of students who, although they wear their masks in the classrooms when under direct supervision, do not wear masks when they are in the hallways, the common areas, or are gathered in classrooms without supervision. Our dean of students, when asked how this should be handled, said that perhaps they could put up more signs, but that there was nothing else to be done and we should be pleased that the unvaccinated students are getting regularly tested and the positive rate is less than 10%. A colleague asked why have a mandate if it is unenforceable and could they start to go maskless themself because they find masks annoying just as the students do. DoS said of course they couldn't and seemed appalled they would even ask.

I've continually found the DoS less than supportive of faculty, always wanting to be the cool dude with students, and I have to agree with my colleague, why have a mandate if there are no consequences for students not following it? This is the same guy whose office, last year, was sending us notification of students' positive results and quarantine status AFTER the students were already back in class from quarantine. I didn't particularly like having to rely on students to inform me of when they could and could not attend class. I am SO ready for this to be over with, it has been handled poorly on my campus from the get-go. As for me, I shall remain masked, and require my students to wear their masks in class, and give the ones I see in common areas without masks *the look* which usually results in them putting their mask on - but I know full well they take them back off immediately after I'm gone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 04, 2021, 11:54:42 AM
Quote from: sprout on October 04, 2021, 10:47:45 AM
You might try the disingenous confusion tactic, cc'ing the relevant higher-ups: "My students received this e-mail that looked like it came from me, but I never sent this. I don't know how this happened, can someone please explain?"  You could even suggest that you're worried your account was hacked.

Yep. That could work, too.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on October 04, 2021, 01:27:26 PM
Thanks for all the support and suggestions! Almost everyone I notified about this has been similarly horrified, so I have hope that this policy will be revisited and no further emails will be sent that appear to come from the instructor of the course when they should be from the Dean of Let's-Retain-Our-Students office (or similar).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 04, 2021, 02:28:53 PM
So my parental leave will leave me at a little more than half my salary for the year. Because the person I talked to in HR when this was all being decided gave me the wrong information. Omfg.

If I'd had accurate information, I'd have been at around 70% (still less than the 85% I was led to believe, mind)

...

Uuuuuuuuuurgh!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 04, 2021, 03:22:32 PM
Yikes! (Time to put that hatchling to work for real!)

But, really, I'm sorry, that's several ways not fair.

It almost seems as if they should honor what they first said, since you made decisions based on it and you did not generate the misinformation.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 04, 2021, 04:02:17 PM
It was probably a combination of the not being clear and my misunderstanding (not helped by the print documents being spread across five locations, and some of them are outdated). but it's quite a cock-up in the end. Especially since I did it to help steer the department through course cuts which would have impacted my salary anyway. It seemed win-win-win. Except that in the end the cuts would still have left me better off. Sigh.

It'll be ok, but it does mean a year without much to speak of by way of savings. Which would have been fine if I'd known earlier.

That does signal the end of my trust in HR, though. And it cements my desire to jump ship ASAP.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 04, 2021, 05:17:29 PM
I was thinking of asking if it were time to jump ship, but didn't want to pour more oil of troubled waters unnecessarily...

There's a CV thread a-brewin' somewhere around here....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 06, 2021, 09:26:27 PM
Update: My chair had the same understanding I did, so she escalated to the union. The union says at least two others are in the same boat, and the union has the same understanding of the policies we have. In particular, they echoed (unprompted) our sentiment that if this is how HR interprets the collective agreement then there is no meaningful parental leave for faculty at the university.

So: they will be filing a grievance.

I'm just relieved that it turns out I'm not a total (sleep-deprived) idiot, and that others who know what they're talking about share my understanding.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 06, 2021, 09:44:36 PM
Impressive.

Glad you have such good backup.

Hope it works out well.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on October 07, 2021, 07:41:38 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 06, 2021, 09:26:27 PM
Update: My chair had the same understanding I did, so she escalated to the union. The union says at least two others are in the same boat, and the union has the same understanding of the policies we have. In particular, they echoed (unprompted) our sentiment that if this is how HR interprets the collective agreement then there is no meaningful parental leave for faculty at the university.

So: they will be filing a grievance.

I'm just relieved that it turns out I'm not a total (sleep-deprived) idiot, and that others who know what they're talking about share my understanding.

Fingers crossed for you. Parental leave has been working better at My College, but was nonexistent until a few years ago, and required great effort to establish.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on October 07, 2021, 08:38:48 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on October 04, 2021, 11:01:12 AM
Our campus has a mask mandate. That said, there is an ever-increasing number of students who, although they wear their masks in the classrooms when under direct supervision, do not wear masks when they are in the hallways, the common areas, or are gathered in classrooms without supervision. Our dean of students, when asked how this should be handled, said that perhaps they could put up more signs, but that there was nothing else to be done and we should be pleased that the unvaccinated students are getting regularly tested and the positive rate is less than 10%. A colleague asked why have a mandate if it is unenforceable and could they start to go maskless themself because they find masks annoying just as the students do. DoS said of course they couldn't and seemed appalled they would even ask.

I've continually found the DoS less than supportive of faculty, always wanting to be the cool dude with students, and I have to agree with my colleague, why have a mandate if there are no consequences for students not following it? This is the same guy whose office, last year, was sending us notification of students' positive results and quarantine status AFTER the students were already back in class from quarantine. I didn't particularly like having to rely on students to inform me of when they could and could not attend class. I am SO ready for this to be over with, it has been handled poorly on my campus from the get-go. As for me, I shall remain masked, and require my students to wear their masks in class, and give the ones I see in common areas without masks *the look* which usually results in them putting their mask on - but I know full well they take them back off immediately after I'm gone.

Well, they put up more signs. They're really nice laminated signs complete with fancy graphics. Wonder how much that cost? Oh well. Students still aren't reading them or heeding them. I'll just add that to the list of things I can't do diddley about, and go on with my day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 07, 2021, 06:38:41 PM
I've had several students contact me saying they have COVID.  Ok, stay home, feel better, you're excused from the assignments.

My vent: even with all the promises about contact tracing, notifying instructors, etc. I have heard NOTHING from campus about any sick students.

I am really hoping we can stay in person for a few more weeks, but I'm getting nervous.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on October 07, 2021, 08:20:17 PM
I am working with a new system that is supposed to be great for my students. I have managed to delete about 8 hours of my work in the system, and it appears to be irretrievable. It is going to be a long night. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 07, 2021, 09:41:41 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on October 07, 2021, 08:20:17 PM
I am working with a new system that is supposed to be great for my students. I have managed to delete about 8 hours of my work in the system, and it appears to be irretrievable. It is going to be a long night.

I know that feeling....it's sickening!

But there may be a workaround to having to re-do all the work. I'd call IT immediately, AND use their chat-help line, AND email them, all three, describing the situation as you did here.

Possible scenarios:

1. Is the original software for the system is housed on your computer itself, as in, did you have to download an .exe file to your own computer to use it?

2. Or was it accessible from within your login-based school account, meaning it's the school's own proprietary system, possibly with an in-house IT drive it's backed up to?

Either way, and especially if it's supposed to support student work, IT should be told of the possibility of such a problem, and asked to see if they have a backup, either in-house or in the cloud somewhere.

And deeper-down, there should be a retrievable file on your own hard drive, and IT should know how to find that for you.

If nothing else there should be a background Auto-save if it's at all worth its cost, and you should be able to get the last saved version before the file was lost.

At least if there's any computer justice...and if anyone in your IT department knows what they're doing, it should be.....

Still, maddening...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on October 08, 2021, 07:13:28 AM
I appreciate those thoughts, mamselle. Unfortunately, it's not a system supposed by our IT department. It's a system recommended by other faculty in our college, but not hosted by us. It has some really great features, and it's my fault for doing things while extremely tired. I probably should not have attempted to use it this semester, as I'm just too burnt to be doing new things.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 08, 2021, 08:46:03 AM
Sorry to hear that.

Still, commiserations.

Computers are supposed to make our lives easier...

A-hem.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 08, 2021, 10:38:59 AM
As expected, I got renewal notices for my driver's license and state ID card in today's mail.  Not expected:  I have to take the damned written exam. GAH. I'd rather resit my oral exams right now, rather than take the written test.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on October 08, 2021, 10:48:59 AM
That would be unusual (I hope!) in My State.  When I moved here the manual was well over a hundred pages long and contained multiple conflicting rules.  Sorry, AmLitHist.  Hope yours is short and easy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on October 08, 2021, 11:35:57 AM
Yikes, ALH! I would not want to have to retake the written exam.  The only reason I passed is because I went back the day after I failed and ended up on the same computer and got the exact same questions (and my dad had gone over the ones I had missed with me).  Can't get that lucky again! I'm glad I didn't have to take it when I moved to this state.  At least now they have some apps and other ways of prepping besides just the manual.  Good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 08, 2021, 11:50:28 AM
ALH, why on earth would the DMV want you to take a written test? Presumably, the laws haven't changed since you last took it. I think I had to take an eye exam a few years ago, but that's valid for another four years.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 08, 2021, 12:02:40 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on October 08, 2021, 11:50:28 AM
ALH, why on earth would the DMV want you to take a written test? Presumably, the laws haven't changed since you last took it. I think I had to take an eye exam a few years ago, but that's valid for another four years.

Luck of the draw.  Illinois requires a written test once every 8 years if you've had a ticket (I haven't had any since one for speeding in 1984), and then once every 4 years after age 75.  Otherwise, it's random.  Yay, lucky me. 

It won't be all that hard, but it's mostly just the idea. And I can never keep straight all the distances (how far ahead you have to use the blinker, for instance).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 08, 2021, 07:55:04 PM
Look for practice tests on online.

I had to take a citizenship test here in Aus and it was full of random stuff but I knew what to memorise from the practice tests and aced it.

Also, as a professional educator you'll see that multiple choice tests from bureaucratic agencies are often poorly composed and it's not too hard to guess the correct answer. Or at least eliminate some of the wrong ones.

Good luck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 09, 2021, 10:06:42 AM
You're absolutely right, science.expat.  I'm just grumpy over the idea of having to take it.  :-)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 11, 2021, 10:03:32 AM
That effort to secure several thousand dollars worth of federal grant funding for outreach to our patrons to help them with their information needs is now over.  We were told that it would be a very simple, straightforward grant process.  Instead we were made to jump through a truly ridiculous series of hoops.  No real problem for million-dollar entities with their own federal compliance officers on staff, but for a small-town library it's just too much.  That latest ludicrous question--which the reviewer could have answered with a simple Google search, without us having to jump through yet more hoops to prove it--was only the final straw.  I know you have to take precautions to keep the Russian, Nigerian, etc. etc. hackers from stealing all the money, but this goes far above and beyond anything that's necessary.  I'm done pulling my hair out trying to make this thing work.  Obviously the agency doesn't truly want to give us the funds.  So please cancel our request and forget we ever made it.  We'll find other ways to serve our patrons.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on October 12, 2021, 05:12:10 PM
I know you mean to be all leadershippy, but calling a meeting for the express purpose of "communication" without actually having anything to communicate, just making sure we know you know we are also wondering what is going on, is kinda pointless.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on October 13, 2021, 06:14:37 AM
Quote from: apl68 on October 11, 2021, 10:03:32 AM
That effort to secure several thousand dollars worth of federal grant funding for outreach to our patrons to help them with their information needs is now over.  We were told that it would be a very simple, straightforward grant process.  Instead we were made to jump through a truly ridiculous series of hoops.  No real problem for million-dollar entities with their own federal compliance officers on staff, but for a small-town library it's just too much.  That latest ludicrous question--which the reviewer could have answered with a simple Google search, without us having to jump through yet more hoops to prove it--was only the final straw.  I know you have to take precautions to keep the Russian, Nigerian, etc. etc. hackers from stealing all the money, but this goes far above and beyond anything that's necessary.  I'm done pulling my hair out trying to make this thing work.  Obviously the agency doesn't truly want to give us the funds.  So please cancel our request and forget we ever made it.  We'll find other ways to serve our patrons.

What a shame. I hope at least some of the prep work can be useful with another grant if you decide to go that direction.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: memyself on October 13, 2021, 08:04:09 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on October 13, 2021, 06:14:37 AM
Quote from: apl68 on October 11, 2021, 10:03:32 AM
That effort to secure several thousand dollars worth of federal grant funding for outreach to our patrons to help them with their information needs is now over.  We were told that it would be a very simple, straightforward grant process.  Instead we were made to jump through a truly ridiculous series of hoops.  No real problem for million-dollar entities with their own federal compliance officers on staff, but for a small-town library it's just too much.  That latest ludicrous question--which the reviewer could have answered with a simple Google search, without us having to jump through yet more hoops to prove it--was only the final straw.  I know you have to take precautions to keep the Russian, Nigerian, etc. etc. hackers from stealing all the money, but this goes far above and beyond anything that's necessary.  I'm done pulling my hair out trying to make this thing work.  Obviously the agency doesn't truly want to give us the funds.  So please cancel our request and forget we ever made it.  We'll find other ways to serve our patrons.

What a shame. I hope at least some of the prep work can be useful with another grant if you decide to go that direction.

Worth relaying to your local congresspeople, perhaps? They might want to hear that the process is too cumbersome for smaller structures that would need the funds the most...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2021, 01:45:48 PM
I hate this state.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 13, 2021, 05:44:36 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2021, 01:45:48 PM
I hate this state.

Oops.

I think I'll mosey over to the First World Problems thread....

Sounds like my problem is nothing compared to what I suspect yours is right now....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 14, 2021, 02:45:40 PM
I used the Outlook app for Android for a long time, and I still have it on my phone. But basically on my phone I read messages and write one word replies.

Now on my laptop I have to use Outlook webbased service. I can report with several week's experience that it also sucks. I still haven't found a way to change the font size.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 14, 2021, 03:19:16 PM
Quote from: mamselle on October 13, 2021, 05:44:36 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2021, 01:45:48 PM
I hate this state.

Oops.

I think I'll mosey over to the First World Problems thread....

Sounds like my problem is nothing compared to what I suspect yours is right now....

M.

Mostly, the origin of the problem was small potatoes--to Google.

They just had to download all the photos on my phone and hold them captive, then demand ransom in the form of storage fees, which I didn't ask to have to pay to begin with.

So I've spent my whole working day (6 hrs so far; student upcoming, then a couple more hours after that) downloading photos from the phone (which, OK, I needed to do anyway) THEN going into the un-asked-for Google Photos app and deleting them there as well.

Because even though I went in and opted out of being party to any further kidnapping schemes in future, they don't drop all the ones they already took.

And I had a LOT of photos.

Because, you know, swans, and cathedrals, and manuscripts, and...good stuff like that.

So, NO, I don't want your grubby hands on my pictures!!!!

I knew there was something off when they started showing me nonsense "Themes" and "Slide Shows" (believe me, I can do my own) and so on...the nannying and the harassment are just insane.

And then to want to be paid more than I'm already paying for regular storage....

Grrrrrrrrrr........

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 15, 2021, 04:38:04 PM
If HR were correct in its interpretation of the parental leave policies, it should be possible for faculty who time the birth of their children appropriately to earn as much as a 28% increase in salary when they take parental leave. But even those whose timing is off should be able to earn a higher salary, provided they teach a full load that year (e.g. by teaching 4 in the fall and summer, or 4 in the fall and winter).

That can't be right. (Indeed, it sounds kind of borderline fraudulent to me.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 15, 2021, 05:23:05 PM
I always knew I wanted nothing to do with Facebook.

Now I know why. It just chewed up an hour of my time when, tired from teaching all week, I just wanted to watch the otters and make dinner and read.

The N/P I once worked for wants to revive the account (I think it's a stupid idea, but it's theirs to decide).

It was opened in 2014 and apart from some autofeeds from our Constant Contact account and website, we never used it after 2019.

So, of course, showing up now and wanting--the horror--to use a different computer (people DO do that, don't they?) after all this time, it has constructed an elaborate beehive of hoops through which one must jump, just to get in and re-assign the admin to the new directors.

it sends verification codes, I return them.

It asks for a picture of a photo ID to be sent to them, I procure one and then look everywhere to find out how to send it.

No info, and going back puts me in the loop of needing another round of confirmation codes.

I re-assigned the login and it took that but won't let me onto the account site.

It's a stupid, dumb system and I always knew it was a time-waster and I wanted nothing to do with it and I'm giving up.

If they answer tomorrow with a reasonable way to send the photo ID, fine. If not, I'm recommending to the new folks that they forget it.

OK, dinner and the otters now.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 16, 2021, 12:59:59 PM
To the guy at church and, hopefully, most of the restaurant owners who employed me for 20 years before I began teaching:

Of course you can't find people to work for you now. They can go bread chicken at the Chick-fil-a for better money and less hassle. Maybe you all should climb into your time machines and go back and consider the following:
It's not that people don't want to work. It's just that they now have some options, and they don't want to work for a total c*nt like YOU!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 18, 2021, 05:11:36 AM
I have to say that I'm rather surprised that the IT dept has the time to go over every online course and make a new version of it, with their suggestions for improvement built in. That could be very helpful if done thoughtfully.

Unfortunately, the new version they made of my course was full of innane and inappropriate changes, which I will ignore. Someone wasted several hours of their time on that, and also wasted my time having to look at the new version.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 18, 2021, 07:27:19 AM
Quote from: downer on October 18, 2021, 05:11:36 AM
I have to say that I'm rather surprised that the IT dept has the time to go over every online course and make a new version of it, with their suggestions for improvement built in. That could be very helpful if done thoughtfully.

Unfortunately, the new version they made of my course was full of innane and inappropriate changes, which I will ignore. Someone wasted several hours of their time on that, and also wasted my time having to look at the new version.

Our IT folks have added a bunch of "suggested templates and content" for our class websites.  I spent most of a day tracking down and deleting ALL of it.  Waste of my time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 18, 2021, 09:31:34 AM
Empathy here.

I haven't run into this but would be furious if they tinkered with my work and I couldn't just press a key to blow their "suggested" version away and get my own original work back.

I suppose one fail-safe would be to save a duplicate of 'your' version that you could just quickly re-upload, but that's still unnecessary work.

I'd be wanting to say, "Keep your pesky hands off my course plan!" or something similar...which is how I felt recently in having to get rid of all the saved version of my photos that Google first took over, then demanded I pay for since I was then over my (already-paid-for lower level) storage limits.

The nerve!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 21, 2021, 09:55:06 AM
What are the chances it is true that the accrediting agency really requires that the syllabus on the LMS be in PDF format rather than Word?

Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty low.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 21, 2021, 10:28:30 AM
Me: Who do we work with to oversee domestic overnight travel (dot) for a course?
Dean(s): International travel office.
Me: Dear ITO, how do we go about setting this up?
ITO: We don't do that.  We've never done that.
Me:  Who does oversee dot?
ITO: We've never done that. You know that from previous conversations.  The president's cabinet is on board with this position!

(Vent: Not an answer to my question.  But thanks for dragging the President into the email Chain.  Although, if you meant for that to make ME look bad, it doesn't).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: kiana on October 21, 2021, 12:16:12 PM
Quote from: downer on October 21, 2021, 09:55:06 AM
What are the chances it is true that the accrediting agency really requires that the syllabus on the LMS be in PDF format rather than Word?

Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty low.

Interestingly, we were told we had to post it as a word document for accessibility.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on October 22, 2021, 07:17:04 AM
My left ear is swollen, red, and painful. Pain behind, in front and below the ear. Diagnosis is cellulitis, which always has the chance of mastoiditis as the root cause. Antibiotics of the powerful kind (shot as well as tablets), drops with antibiotic and steroids.

Do I have things to do? Why yes I do. I am about to turn in some mediocre work.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 22, 2021, 09:57:42 AM
Owwwww!!!!

Very sorry to hear that.

Hope it clears up very soon.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on October 24, 2021, 02:13:37 AM
Quote from: jimbogumbo on October 22, 2021, 07:17:04 AM
My left ear is swollen, red, and painful. Pain behind, in front and below the ear. Diagnosis is cellulitis, which always has the chance of mastoiditis as the root cause. Antibiotics of the powerful kind (shot as well as tablets), drops with antibiotic and steroids.

Do I have things to do? Why yes I do. I am about to turn in some mediocre work.

Don't mess with cellulitis! It can kill you, and even with antibiotics the long term effects can be severe.

My left foot will be forever swollen because I refused to be admitted to hospital.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods."  Well, we live in a very dry area, and I noticed more static cling the other day.  Getting to be that time of year, so we figured we'd try it.  I am tired of getting zapped by every piece of laundry I touch.  In addition to dryer sheets, we also use the wool dryer balls for bigger and bulkier loads, and the folks that make them suggest pinning the pins right to one or two of the balls.  Great! I did so.  One ended up lodged in the lint trap, but I was able to get that out without too much trouble.  The other somehow wedged its way into some small opening in the back of the dryer.  Fortunately we were able to get that one out with pliers.  There is still a piece of that pin missing somewhere, and I hope we do not find it by becoming impaled while pulling laundry out.  So that was a massive failure, and I just wanted to warn others who might be tempted.  Maybe there is a more correct way to do it, but be careful! I read about this approach several times on several sites and never came across a warning about this.  I guess one can never read enough reviews, tips, and every other piece of information before making a move.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 26, 2021, 04:06:22 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods."  Well, we live in a very dry area, and I noticed more static cling the other day.  Getting to be that time of year, so we figured we'd try it.  I am tired of getting zapped by every piece of laundry I touch.  In addition to dryer sheets, we also use the wool dryer balls for bigger and bulkier loads, and the folks that make them suggest pinning the pins right to one or two of the balls.  Great! I did so.  One ended up lodged in the lint trap, but I was able to get that out without too much trouble.  The other somehow wedged its way into some small opening in the back of the dryer.  Fortunately we were able to get that one out with pliers.  There is still a piece of that pin missing somewhere, and I hope we do not find it by becoming impaled while pulling laundry out.  So that was a massive failure, and I just wanted to warn others who might be tempted.  Maybe there is a more correct way to do it, but be careful! I read about this approach several times on several sites and never came across a warning about this.  I guess one can never read enough reviews, tips, and every other piece of information before making a move.

During the winter static season I've been known to carry a nail around to discharge the static before touching anything that might shock me.  It's a trick I learned as a kid from my dad.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 27, 2021, 04:29:23 AM
The washing machine decided not to do its spin cycle this morning. Fortunately, when I set it to do just a spin cycle by itself it obliged, but I'm concerned that this might turn out to be the beginning of a larger pattern of noncompliance, rather than a one-off tantrum.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on October 27, 2021, 09:12:11 AM
Apl68, I have heard of attaching a safety pin to clothing while wearing it for that purpose but had not heard of carrying a nail! I am out of date on my tetanus shots so would be concerned about that.  I already managed to cut my finger tip on one of the pins, which I didn't realize until I picked up a tomato slice.  Ouch.

Ergative, I hope this is a one-off! There is definitely a feeling of dread that comes when larger patterns of noncompliance appear to be afoot. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods." 

Would an aluminum foil ball work better?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 27, 2021, 09:24:17 AM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods." 

Would an aluminum foil ball work better?

Is Al very conductive? I thought I remembered it wasn't....but I could be wrong.

It happened last year, once....

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on October 27, 2021, 09:34:16 AM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods." 

Would an aluminum foil ball work better?


That was another one of the suggestions I read about! But then I'd be worried that it would somehow become unraveled and throw bits of foil everywhere.  I was also thinking that maybe going back to the idea of pinning the safety pin more thoroughly into a bit of something fabric would work out better.  Maybe there was too much force when the pinned balls were zinging around the dryer. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:54:30 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 27, 2021, 09:24:17 AM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods." 

Would an aluminum foil ball work better?

Is Al very conductive? I thought I remembered it wasn't....but I could be wrong.


Yes, very (about 60% of copper).  Used in certain electrical wiring systems.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 27, 2021, 01:01:08 PM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:54:30 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 27, 2021, 09:24:17 AM
Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2021, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 26, 2021, 12:57:07 PM
I guess this one truly does have to do with venting.  Have you heard about the safety pin trick to help reduce static cling from the dryer? Supposedly you attach a couple safety pins to a washcloth, towel, some piece of cloth, and the metal hitting metal inside the dryer should act as "mini lightning rods." 

Would an aluminum foil ball work better?

Is Al very conductive? I thought I remembered it wasn't....but I could be wrong.


Yes, very (about 60% of copper).  Used in certain electrical wiring systems.

I learned that in National Geographic when I was a kid.  You can learn a lot in National Geographic!  I've got to make time to read our copies of it more often.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 27, 2021, 01:04:15 PM
A lot of illness in our community right now.  Our most beloved Board of Trustees member's wife is now in the hospital, and may need surgery.  And I just learned that a staff member who was off today won't be here tomorrow because her knee is causing her excruciating pain.  She was almost in tears from it.  We'll be okay without her, but I'm worried about her.  This problem seems to be getting worse for her.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 27, 2021, 03:19:01 PM
Ouch.

Besides their pain and your concerns for them, it also probably puts more weight on you.

My sister, who keeps trying to retire from her library-director's job--and did so for about 6 months, until the new person got a better position and moved on again--has just finished doing part-time coverage of her old position because they haven't been able to find someone to hire for it, again, yet.

And then a week later, they called and asked if she could cover the front desk per diem because someone's going to be out for surgery, too.

That library has a tether on her, I think...maybe they all do....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 28, 2021, 07:27:59 AM
Quote from: mamselle on October 27, 2021, 03:19:01 PM
Ouch.

Besides their pain and your concerns for them, it also probably puts more weight on you.

My sister, who keeps trying to retire from her library-director's job--and did so for about 6 months, until the new person got a better position and moved on again--has just finished doing part-time coverage of her old position because they haven't been able to find someone to hire for it, again, yet.

And then a week later, they called and asked if she could cover the front desk per diem because someone's going to be out for surgery, too.

That library has a tether on her, I think...maybe they all do....

M.

Sometimes you have periods where multiple people are out at the same time, and it's a scramble to try to cover everything.  The staff we have now is much more reliable than what we've had at times in the past.  It took long years to get such a staff in place.  One reason I know that this worker is truly in great pain is that she is very much NOT the kind of person to fail to show up at the drop of the hat.  Contrast this with a staffer we had some years back who suddenly quit with no notice to follow a boyfriend out of state.  She came back a few months later asking about her old position.  I told her there was no point in asking again after that performance.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 03, 2021, 01:06:56 PM
this morning we get an email from an MBA student trying to register, but dealing with a hold.  All faculty members got an email from this student asking for help.  Why?  Well, it seems that the director of graduate admissions sent a reply that included, and I quote, "I recommend that you reach out to the College of Business and inquire if you could be considered for full admission".  The student followed those directions and emailed the college of business - ALL OF US!! 

I sent a note to the person that sent those instructions that he/she should instead have provided the student with THE solution - contact the MBA Director, NOT the College of Business!!

Well now that asshole is annoyed at me!  Do I know HOW busy they are?  How many people that this office has dealt with this week? 

"Over past 7 days our 2 processors and a director received over 1500 emails not dissimilar to this one. Those emails come in addition to 2700+ application that we processed for Fall 2021 terms alone. We aim at optimizing our services to provide equitable service to every applicant. Our resources are not unlimited, and we need to make choices between providing good service to everyone or best service to a select group. I strive to find that golden middle and in this situation this has been achieved. We pushed back the hold within a short timeframe allowing student to register."

I am SO TIRED of assholes telling me how busy they are!  You know, if you were EFFICIENT, you may actually WORK LESS!    And the answer provided was not only inefficient, it was inaccurate!!  Contact the College of Business is WRONG!  "Contact the MBA Director" is correct and requires LESS TYPING!!!

After my last reply (that they were too busy to be sending stupid replies, admit a mistake was made and take actions to keep it from happening again!) I reread the email and IF I HAVE ANOTEHRR reply to send it will include, something like this:

, it seems that the Director of Graduate Recruitment and Administrations' goal is 'adequate' performance.  Note, "we need to make choices between providing good service to everyone or best service to a select group" .  In this case adequate (my word) or "good service" (his words), fell short!  We should be aiming to do better than "good" and take steps to improve when we fail to even meet the de minimis performance level of "good".  What do they NEED to provide the Best Service to the select group of the people APPLYING TO COME TO THIS SCHOOL?  That "Select Group" SHOULD be getting the best service!! 



what idiots!! 

I now regret even responding, but when an administrator sends students on a 'quest' to find the correct person to help by sending them to 'the college of business' ... ANSWER the damn question, dont say 'look it up'... 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 04, 2021, 09:18:38 AM
Is it just me or did the Blackboard textboxes (powered by TinyDoc) become far too large for everyone?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on November 04, 2021, 12:46:28 PM
Canvas has "updated" to include spelling suggestions in the search boxes.  This would be OK except it's automatically changing the name I type into the search field for the grade book.  I don't know if I can turn off this "feature".
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 06, 2021, 12:09:22 PM
Quote from: clean on November 03, 2021, 01:06:56 PM
I am SO TIRED of assholes telling me how busy they are!  You know, if you were EFFICIENT, you may actually WORK LESS!   

You and me, both, Clean.  For the past 5 years, our chair keeps reminding all of us faculty how incredibly important it is that we leave him and the secretary alone because they're so busy.  With what, exactly?  We barely have 2,000 students (headcount) on our campus these past years; there have been 2 voluntary separations and a RIF; online scheduling has been taken over by the OE department; and one of our two combined departments has only 3 faculty members (all of whom have to scramble every semester to make load), and the other has just 5.  Compare this to when I was chair for two years, with 7800 students bursting the seams on our campus, and with 17 FT and 40 adjunct faculty, scheduling 210-240 sections every semester, adding sections and hiring adjuncts just hours before class time (or sometimes sitting in myself for the first meeting) just to keep up with demand.  And nobody gave two good damns about whether or not I and our then-secretary were busy.

Of course, the current chair could, as my BFF puts it, "screw up a junkyard," so there you go.

The good news is, he's retiring at the end of the semester. We'll probably get another just like him, or worse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 07, 2021, 06:53:54 PM
Ugh, just send me the email already! I'd rather not entirely upend my plans for tomorrow and the rest of the week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mahagonny on November 07, 2021, 09:41:41 PM
I hate, hate this kind of thing. Imagine if it were your son or daughter.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/investigations-widen-into-deadly-stampede-houston-rap-concert-2021-11-07/

My love affair with rock concerts ended years ago when a crowd pushed me so hard I picked up my feet. I was probably 17 years old or so, weighed about 120 lbs. My feet didn't touch the floor as I was carried perhaps some 30 feet. Like the reckless fool I was, I thought 'hey this is fun.' Then I saw my friend Greg trying to use his arm to create space for a girl who was in distress. He ended up injuring his arm. It was total mayhem. Never again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 07, 2021, 10:17:45 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 07, 2021, 06:53:54 PM
Ugh, just send me the email already! I'd rather not entirely upend my plans for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Nope. Fingers crossed it's just a one-day delay.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Economizer on November 08, 2021, 06:21:16 AM
In this Covid era many of us have experienced declines in our modest incomes as the prices of menu items at restaurants have often inceased sharply. Since gratuity, "tip", amounts are   most often based on a percentage of the cost of the meal, wait staff have had, in effect, a raise. Many, though, due to hard times, expect a rise in their "tip" percentage. Often this happens. But most times, with me as patron, it does not. So, look "honey", know that if you are lookin' for more than 20% from me, there is gonna need to be sex or somethin' involved!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 08, 2021, 07:27:07 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on November 06, 2021, 12:09:22 PM

Of course, the current chair could, as my BFF puts it, "screw up a junkyard," so there you go.


In blue-collar circles the term is "could tear up an anvil."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 08, 2021, 07:28:24 AM
I observed this morning that over the weekend somebody dumped a load of junk--not just trash but junk, including an old golf bag and a water cooler--into our dumpster.  I'm concerned now that the haulers might give us trouble over that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on November 08, 2021, 08:53:00 PM
Quote from: Economizer on November 08, 2021, 06:21:16 AM
In this Covid era many of us have experienced declines in our modest incomes as the prices of menu items at restaurants have often inceased sharply. Since gratuity, "tip", amounts are   most often based on a percentage of the cost of the meal, wait staff have had, in effect, a raise. Many, though, due to hard times, expect a rise in their "tip" percentage. Often this happens. But most times, with me as patron, it does not. So, look "honey", know that if you are lookin' for more than 20% from me, there is gonna need to be sex or somethin' involved!

At a restaurant that I frequent, I noticed that the automatic tip calculations that appear at the bottom of statements are no longer 15%/18%/20%. It's now 18%/20%/25%.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 08, 2021, 10:50:59 PM
Quote from: lightning on November 08, 2021, 08:53:00 PM
Quote from: Economizer on November 08, 2021, 06:21:16 AM
In this Covid era many of us have experienced declines in our modest incomes as the prices of menu items at restaurants have often inceased sharply. Since gratuity, "tip", amounts are   most often based on a percentage of the cost of the meal, wait staff have had, in effect, a raise. Many, though, due to hard times, expect a rise in their "tip" percentage. Often this happens. But most times, with me as patron, it does not. So, look "honey", know that if you are lookin' for more than 20% from me, there is gonna need to be sex or somethin' involved!

At a restaurant that I frequent, I noticed that the automatic tip calculations that appear at the bottom of statements are no longer 15%/18%/20%. It's now 18%/20%/25%.

Well, it's good that something's keeping up with inflation, since minimum wage for tipped jobs won't.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 09, 2021, 07:02:33 AM
Unrelated.

Why in the absolute Hell have you been wasting my time trying to schedule an appointment for College stuff when I already TOLD you that the people you need to see will NOT BE THERE?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 09, 2021, 10:02:59 AM
It's discouraging to be working on getting raises for your staff for the coming year, and yet having some of them get mad at you because you tried to talk to them about something that needed to be dealt with and it hurt their feelings.  I'm not really at liberty to tell them that we're working on raises until the Powers That Be actually decide on it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 11:25:26 AM
Something about no good deed going unpunished seems to be resonating through the galaxy there...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 09, 2021, 11:31:32 AM
IRB staff, we are so freaking tired of having to explain your own procedures and forms to you, every single time. You are not new to this job, so how come you (a) ask for stuff that is different from the instructions on your very own website and forms, and from what other staff have previously emailed us, and (b) have the same problems with the training certificates not coming up the way you are searching or not reading the information on them correctly, requiring us to explain it to you every time. You are wasting my and my grad students' time because you seem to lack the basic skills to do your job. ARG!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 12:18:04 PM
I had a sort-of in to an EA job that involved IRB submission preparation, etc.

I KNEW to dodge that bullet....didn't even apply.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 09, 2021, 12:26:29 PM
Quote from: Puget on November 09, 2021, 11:31:32 AM
IRB staff, we are so freaking tired of having to explain your own procedures and forms to you, every single time. You are not new to this job, so how come you (a) ask for stuff that is different from the instructions on your very own website and forms, and from what other staff have previously emailed us, and (b) have the same problems with the training certificates not coming up the way you are searching or not reading the information on them correctly, requiring us to explain it to you every time. You are wasting my and my grad students' time because you seem to lack the basic skills to do your job. ARG!

When I was a grad student the IRB gave me a very hard time about how to enter some funding information into an application, so our brilliant admin person called them to 'clarify' exactly what it was they wanted. Apparently she was so firm with the IRB staffer on the other end of the phone that complaints were lodged against my department. I had always been slightly scared of this particular admin person, until I saw that she could use her powers for good. Or, at least, for me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 12:32:28 PM
Quote from: ergative on November 09, 2021, 12:26:29 PM
Quote from: Puget on November 09, 2021, 11:31:32 AM
IRB staff, we are so freaking tired of having to explain your own procedures and forms to you, every single time. You are not new to this job, so how come you (a) ask for stuff that is different from the instructions on your very own website and forms, and from what other staff have previously emailed us, and (b) have the same problems with the training certificates not coming up the way you are searching or not reading the information on them correctly, requiring us to explain it to you every time. You are wasting my and my grad students' time because you seem to lack the basic skills to do your job. ARG!

When I was a grad student the IRB gave me a very hard time about how to enter some funding information into an application, so our brilliant admin person called them to 'clarify' exactly what it was they wanted. Apparently she was so firm with the IRB staffer on the other end of the phone that complaints were lodged against my department. I had always been slightly scared of this particular admin person, until I saw that she could use her powers for good. Or, at least, for me.

That was exactly the situation I sought to avoid.

It's exhausting using your super-powers for good every day, all the time...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on November 09, 2021, 01:52:41 PM
The chairperson of our university's Board of Trustees made some ill-informed and inflammatory comments to our local paper about the state of our university and what he saw as solutions to our budget/enrollment/retention problems (firing some tenured faculty, for one). So now our campus, which is already angry/frustrated/etc about the position we're in and the seemingly ineffectual solutions over the past X years, is even more angry/frustrated/etc.  Our Student Affairs head is leaving, so we'll have yet another interim admin. On the positive side, it was just announced that we're doing a search for almost a dozen positions. I need to win the lottery and get up out of here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 09, 2021, 02:00:15 PM
Plagiarism!! 

Why cheat?  the assignment is so easy to do (write 5 original MC questions for each chapter), and worse, so easy to catch when you plagiarize! 

I should be doing so many other things than spending HOURS!! documenting what was copied and then filling out the form, and then preparing All of the Required supporting documentation (student emails, syllabus, ethics policy, the part of the REQUIRED ethics course that specifically addressed plagiarism, and then completing the redundant ONLINE submission form!

I so understand WHY other faculty dont do this work and am annoyed that the students therefore have a false sense that 'nothing is illegal if you dont get caught' OR worse, 'dont face any documented repercussions'.

Repeated DOCUMENTED incidents can result in actual academic suspension!  But no documentation of earlier bad deeds means that they get a warning at best! 

While this is 'part of my job', i dont think that I 'get paid to do this'!  (I get paid - bonuses even- to publish, not uphold the academic rigor of the institution! 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 03:51:02 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)

My Gmail is threatening this, and I Ssspoooooooo do not want it!!!

Nannying, that's all it is.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 09, 2021, 03:51:59 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)

How often do you have to sign in with TFA?  We now have SO many barriers to doing work.  If that gets added I'll seriously contemplate retirement.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 04:26:33 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 03:51:02 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)

My Gmail is threatening this, and I Ssspoooooooo do not want it!!!

Nannying, that's all it is.

M.

Yeah, me too. Today's the day, apparently.

Quote from: Harlow2 on November 09, 2021, 03:51:59 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)

How often do you have to sign in with TFA?  We now have SO many barriers to doing work.  If that gets added I'll seriously contemplate retirement.

Dunno yet! We'll see. IIRC, when they first introduced it at my postdoc institution it was twice a week and for every library access.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 09, 2021, 08:16:06 PM
Quote from: paddington_bear on November 09, 2021, 01:52:41 PM
The chairperson of our university's Board of Trustees made some ill-informed and inflammatory comments to our local paper about the state of our university and what he saw as solutions to our budget/enrollment/retention problems (firing some tenured faculty, for one). So now our campus, which is already angry/frustrated/etc about the position we're in and the seemingly ineffectual solutions over the past X years, is even more angry/frustrated/etc.  Our Student Affairs head is leaving, so we'll have yet another interim admin. On the positive side, it was just announced that we're doing a search for almost a dozen positions. I need to win the lottery and get up out of here.

So sorry, paddington bear.  That kind of atmosphere is really tough.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 10, 2021, 06:28:42 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on November 09, 2021, 03:51:59 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 03:04:02 PM
Nooooooooooooooooo! My university email is now protected by two-factor authentication. Sigh.

(But not when accessed by phone...)

How often do you have to sign in with TFA?  We now have SO many barriers to doing work.  If that gets added I'll seriously contemplate retirement.

It's advising week(s) here.  I checked this morning.  It now takes 13* clicks and 7 password entries to get a student advising page up on my computer.  Luckily, all 7 username/passwords are the same...

*Maybe more, but I have some of it automated.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on November 10, 2021, 10:20:13 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on November 09, 2021, 08:16:06 PM
Quote from: paddington_bear on November 09, 2021, 01:52:41 PM
The chairperson of our university's Board of Trustees made some ill-informed and inflammatory comments to our local paper about the state of our university and what he saw as solutions to our budget/enrollment/retention problems (firing some tenured faculty, for one). So now our campus, which is already angry/frustrated/etc about the position we're in and the seemingly ineffectual solutions over the past X years, is even more angry/frustrated/etc.  Our Student Affairs head is leaving, so we'll have yet another interim admin. On the positive side, it was just announced that we're doing a search for almost a dozen positions. I need to win the lottery and get up out of here.

So sorry, paddington bear.  That kind of atmosphere is really tough.

Thanks. It's exhausting. I partly wish that someone would admit that we're a sinking ship instead of every trying to figure out how to patch the holes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 10, 2021, 10:21:02 AM
For the second time in two months, Amazon has secretly cancelled an item in one of my orders (leaving me no notification, and almost entirely scrubbing it from my purchase history). Wtf?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: filologos on November 10, 2021, 10:24:31 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 10, 2021, 10:21:02 AM
For the second time in two months, Amazon has secretly cancelled an item in one of my orders (leaving me no notification, and almost entirely scrubbing it from my purchase history). Wtf?

That's bizarre. On a related note: I recently tried to purchase a book on Abebooks. The seller cancelled my order then relisted the book at a higher price. I thought, "Fine, the original price was rather low. I'll pay the higher price," and reordered it. They cancelled again and have not (yet?) relisted it. I then tried to purchase the book at an even higher price from another seller, who first confirmed my order and then cancelled it! What is going on?! Perhaps I am not meant to have this book.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2021, 10:27:50 AM
Perhaps they each only have one and it's selling out ahead of your order, which goes through on the computer before a previous day's inventory adjustment has batched?

Does seem weird, though.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: filologos on November 10, 2021, 10:33:23 AM
Right, the second one isn't all that unusual: they sold it to someone else, either online on another platform or in-person, before their inventory updated. The first seller's shenanigans are quite odd, and the second seller's cancelling just makes for a strange coincidence in conjunction with the first.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 10, 2021, 12:17:22 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 10, 2021, 10:21:02 AM
For the second time in two months, Amazon has secretly cancelled an item in one of my orders (leaving me no notification, and almost entirely scrubbing it from my purchase history). Wtf?

Customer services kept telling me that I'd never been charged. But my credit card summary showed the charge, and didn't register any refunds that month, or when Amazon cancelled the order. Which implies that I was, in fact, charged. Obviously.

I went around in circles three times with the same customer service rep who concluded, each time, that it must be an "unknown charge" and then transferred me--to himself, to start the whole process over again!


It's resolved now, but that was pretty funny in a Kafkaesque sort of way.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2021, 03:26:54 PM
My eyes would be spinning around in my head after the repeated self-transfers....

Weird!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 11, 2021, 04:35:58 AM
This was supposed to be my day off.  But here I am at work, practically at the crack of dawn, because our building's alarm system has once again gone off for absolutely no reason at all.  For 17 years I've never had more than a few months at a time when I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning to deal with this.  There's never once been any sign that anybody was nosing around the building.  It's like I'm on-call 24/7, for no reason at all except to babysit a worthless alarm system.  I wish I could tear the whole system out by the wires.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on November 11, 2021, 12:42:07 PM
It's the time of the semester for advising students for registration. Normally bright and cogent faculty are pestering me with questions like, "Can an art class be taken for a liberal arts elective," or asking what classes are being offered, despite the schedule being available for everyone. I want to shout, "This isn't difficult, everyone! Do your jobs!" — but alas, I can't.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 11, 2021, 01:11:45 PM
Quote from: apl68 on November 11, 2021, 04:35:58 AM
This was supposed to be my day off.  But here I am at work, practically at the crack of dawn, because our building's alarm system has once again gone off for absolutely no reason at all.  For 17 years I've never had more than a few months at a time when I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning to deal with this.  There's never once been any sign that anybody was nosing around the building.  It's like I'm on-call 24/7, for no reason at all except to babysit a worthless alarm system.  I wish I could tear the whole system out by the wires.

The alarm system is lonely.

It wants you to set up a cot in the building so it will never be without you.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 12, 2021, 03:16:31 PM
Here's a typically accurate extract from today's WaPo:

QuoteCritical race theory... is a subset of critical theory that began with Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. It was a response to — and rejection of — the principles of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason on which the American republic was founded.

Clearly taken from this, by another guy (I'm not linking, because this is all too stupid):

QuoteCritical race theory is a subset of critical theory, which has got long roots in Western philosophy back to Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. Kant lived at the end of a century known as the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, but he feared that experience had shown that reason was inadequate to give shape to our lives. There had to be a way of knowing things that went beyond reason, and for him that meant developing a theory of being critical of reason, hence critical theory. The problem was that critical theory got away...


My insides just died. Splat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 12, 2021, 03:32:01 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 12, 2021, 03:16:31 PM
Here's a typically accurate extract from today's WaPo:

QuoteCritical race theory... is a subset of critical theory that began with Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. It was a response to — and rejection of — the principles of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason on which the American republic was founded.

Clearly taken from this, by another guy (I'm not linking, because this is all too stupid):

QuoteCritical race theory is a subset of critical theory, which has got long roots in Western philosophy back to Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. Kant lived at the end of a century known as the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, but he feared that experience had shown that reason was inadequate to give shape to our lives. There had to be a way of knowing things that went beyond reason, and for him that meant developing a theory of being critical of reason, hence critical theory. The problem was that critical theory got away...


My insides just died. Splat.

I don't remember hardly anything about Kant, but that sounds like the sort of thing an undergrad writes in an essay exam when they also don't remember hardly anything about Kant and are just trying to BS something based on the little they remember and that the word "critical" is in there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 12, 2021, 03:36:01 PM
Quote from: Puget on November 12, 2021, 03:32:01 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 12, 2021, 03:16:31 PM
Here's a typically accurate extract from today's WaPo:

QuoteCritical race theory... is a subset of critical theory that began with Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. It was a response to — and rejection of — the principles of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason on which the American republic was founded.

Clearly taken from this, by another guy (I'm not linking, because this is all too stupid):

QuoteCritical race theory is a subset of critical theory, which has got long roots in Western philosophy back to Immanuel Kant in the 1790s. Kant lived at the end of a century known as the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, but he feared that experience had shown that reason was inadequate to give shape to our lives. There had to be a way of knowing things that went beyond reason, and for him that meant developing a theory of being critical of reason, hence critical theory. The problem was that critical theory got away...


My insides just died. Splat.

I don't remember hardly anything about Kant, but that sounds like the sort of thing an undergrad writes in an essay exam when they also don't remember hardly anything about Kant and are just trying to BS something based on the little they remember and that the word "critical" is in there.

Yeah, it's clearly Bart Simpson's book report.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 16, 2021, 05:54:20 PM
Upshot of union rep meeting: Looks like the people being screwed on parental leave are all men. Also looks like the shorter your leave, the less of your salary you take home (with a full year netting you nearly 30% more pay than your salary...).

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 16, 2021, 06:54:48 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 16, 2021, 05:54:20 PM
Upshot of union rep meeting: Looks like the people being screwed on parental leave are all men. Also looks like the shorter your leave, the less of your salary you take home (with a full year netting you nearly 30% more pay than your salary...).

Sigh.

Can you max it out by taking a (don't call it this) sabbatical year out of the whole thing?

It sounds like that's what they expect you to do....

;--]

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 16, 2021, 07:18:42 PM
Heh, I wish. There's no such thing as a sabbatical here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 17, 2021, 06:25:33 AM
Some months ago I had some memorial seedlings planted in memory of the deceased husband of somebody that I know.  She thought it was a nice gesture.  I was careful to do this through a legitimate forestry organization.  They nonetheless have apparently sold my information to every conservation and environmental activist organization under the sun!  I'm now getting multiple mailings a week from assorted groups.  Besides being annoyed, I can't help thinking about the cognitive dissonance of all these environmental organizations wasting such piles of paper products on all these spec mailings.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on November 17, 2021, 07:53:20 AM
We moved into a brand-new condo building 7 years ago. It was so new our street address wasn't up yet in the USPS databases, which made for some adventures. The unit numbers took another few months to catch up.

The result is that we often get we are getting our neighbors' catalogs. Someone on some mailing list put in random unit numbers and probably because we were the first to close, it was the first one that took.

We used to bother with dropping the catalogs off at the correct door, or leave them on the front desk in the lobby.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM
Checkbook balancing day!  Somehow I got way behind and had not balanced in 4 months!  I have spent the last hour trying to figure out the issues and looking for One Penny! 
(A deposit was misrecorded as one penny lower than it was!)
Otherwise I found one math error and then there was the check to my niece for her high school graduation that has not been cashed!

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


When did YOU last balance your checkbook?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 18, 2021, 02:06:02 PM
1989
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on November 19, 2021, 05:39:48 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM
Checkbook balancing day!  Somehow I got way behind and had not balanced in 4 months!  I have spent the last hour trying to figure out the issues and looking for One Penny! 
(A deposit was misrecorded as one penny lower than it was!)
Otherwise I found one math error and then there was the check to my niece for her high school graduation that has not been cashed!

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


When did YOU last balance your checkbook?

As long as there are six figures in the checking account, I don't bother.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 19, 2021, 05:44:50 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


Gen Z's only handle money electronically; the idea of a physical piece of paper that you literally take to the bricks-and-mortar bank seems to them like churning butter by hand.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on November 19, 2021, 06:06:48 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on November 19, 2021, 05:44:50 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


Gen Z's only handle money electronically; the idea of a physical piece of paper that you literally take to the bricks-and-mortar bank seems to them like churning butter by hand.

But you don't have to go to the bank!  All you have to do is open your bank app and deposit the check electronically by taking a photo of it.  It's laughingly easy.  Even a GenZer could do it!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 19, 2021, 06:25:44 AM
Quote from: cathwen on November 19, 2021, 06:06:48 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on November 19, 2021, 05:44:50 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


Gen Z's only handle money electronically; the idea of a physical piece of paper that you literally take to the bricks-and-mortar bank seems to them like churning butter by hand.

But you don't have to go to the bank!  All you have to do is open your bank app and deposit the check electronically by taking a photo of it.  It's laughingly easy.  Even a GenZer could do it!

Sure that's how they do it. But watch when there's one of those occasions where they have to write a check. (Exceedingly rare, admittedly.)
The idea of the paper intermediary in the process boggles their minds.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on November 19, 2021, 06:45:24 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM
Checkbook balancing day!  Somehow I got way behind and had not balanced in 4 months!  I have spent the last hour trying to figure out the issues and looking for One Penny! 
(A deposit was misrecorded as one penny lower than it was!)
Otherwise I found one math error and then there was the check to my niece for her high school graduation that has not been cashed!

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!

When did YOU last balance your checkbook?

I stopped balancing my checkbook 10–15 years ago.

Thanks for this post. Sending checks as gifts to today's younger relatives might be seen by them as more of an annoyance than a gift.

I get annoyed with gift cards (especially the physical gift cards to places where I don't frequent), but younger relatives might appreciate them more, if the sender of the gift card knows that the relative has an account with that vendor and uses that vendor regularly via the vendor's app (and the vendor's app makes it easy to credit the account from the gift card). iTunes, Amazon, and Steam come to mind.

These are a lot of "ifs." It sure would be easier if they just cash the damn check. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on November 19, 2021, 07:14:13 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on November 19, 2021, 05:44:50 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2021, 01:48:05 PM

What is it with not cashing checks?  I dont remember letting grass grow on any check sent to me!!


Gen Z's only handle money electronically; the idea of a physical piece of paper that you literally take to the bricks-and-mortar bank seems to them like churning butter by hand.

Hey, making butter by hand is fun!  And so much tastier than what you get from the store.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 19, 2021, 09:18:49 AM
My god-sister has a collection of 20 different 19th c. hand-cranked tabletop butter churns.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 19, 2021, 10:41:44 AM
QuoteBut you don't have to go to the bank!  All you have to do is open your bank app and deposit the check electronically by taking a photo of it.  It's laughingly easy.  Even a GenZer could do it!

This leads to another vent!!

I own an Iphone 6 Plus.  It seems that Apple no longer wants to provide the newest/greatest IOS for it.  I have the current version of 12.5.5 (I think).  However, my banking aps, and a few other aps have been noting something like  "your ap is out of date. please update to the newest version".  Then when I try to update, it stops. It tells me that I need IOS 14 or something!  I can not GET IOS 14!

So now even I am forced to go to the ACTUAL bank to cash my checks.  Worse, my primary banking relation is with an online only bank!  So I have to make my way to my local credit union, fight the crowds, deposit the few actual checks I collect each month and then transfer the money back out.


QuoteSending checks as gifts to today's younger relatives might be seen by them as more of an annoyance than a gift.

Well, that is the relationship I have with my niece (now a college freshman).  I taught her to bake and we have made pudding .  NO shortcuts!  We Butter the baking pan with Butter!  (No spray pam).  We (she) "Stirs Constantly" when we make pudding - no instant and no microwave! 
So IF she has to go to the bank, that is fine with me.  However, I know that IF anyone is going to go to the bank, it will be her mom!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 19, 2021, 11:47:39 AM
My phone's setup to take pictures of the checks I deposit doesn't work.

My bank accepts mailed-in deposits as long as one countersigns them on the back and includes a note clarifying whether they're to go into checking or savings.

I've been doing this since March, 2020, with no problems.

The mails here are decent, so it's usually received and deposited within the week.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 20, 2021, 05:56:40 PM
I was floored when I made one of my very infrequent visits to my bank this summer.  I had a check to deposit and wanted to put most of it in my checking, with a little cash back. 

"We can't do that," the teller told me. (I panicked, thinking, crap, was I already overdrawn?  I knew I'd been running low. . . .)

Nope.  "This is a cash-free facility." 

If I want to do anything at all with cash--depositing, withdrawing, putting only part of a check on my account with cash back--I can do it at their on-site ATMs, but not in the actual bank.

(Maybe this is old news to y'all, and it's just filtered out here to the boondocks. Still, it's a PNC branch in the major state U town between here and relatively Big City where I work.)

Anyway, I'm sure I looked like a total goober when they told me there is no cash in my bank--you know, like those goofy burrowing owls that turn their heads upside down and stare. I know I blurted out, "Are you f*&%ing kidding me?"

I guess it's a good thing that I rarely need/have any cash on me--it's my debit card for nearly everything, and checks for a few monthly bills.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 20, 2021, 09:58:25 PM
It may be for safety, if they don't keep much cash on hand, they are less likely to be robbed.

I haven't been in a bank for 2 years, just used the teller machines, because, Covid; maybe they also figured it would cut out exposure to pathogens and make fewer people likely to visit, also trimming back potential aerosol exposures.

But it's no fun when someone does something for their own reasons and doesn't tell the other people it might affact.

Like the way Microsoft just played with the formatting of the Office suite setup by reaching through my computer and messing with it electronically.

It's like they think they're being cute, and I'll be impressed, when all it does is make me irritable and feel like looking for less irruptive alternatives.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 21, 2021, 12:16:29 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 20, 2021, 09:58:25 PM

Like the way Microsoft just played with the formatting of the Office suite setup by reaching through my computer and messing with it electronically.


Oh, my goodness, yes! At first I thought something had gone wrong on my end--like, the component of the program that loads the colored menu bars had broken--and it was about to crash on me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 21, 2021, 08:50:18 AM
There is a way to go in and fix it, or nearly--the better-contrasted grey part of the bar (against which one can actually see the color of the yellow highlighting app) seems to be gone, but I also had the feeling that, I often have to toggle between, say, Word and Ppt, that the colors are essential to keeping that straight.

I did a search and found that if you go to the bottom of the opening screen,

1) First go to 'feedback,' send them a blistering message about nannying, reaching past the user to effect the changes their engineers think are cute, etc.,

then

2) just below that, under "Options," go to "General" (the default), in the center is a "Personalize" section; choose "Colorful" and "Circles and Stripes" and you can get the previous design back.

But WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO THIS IF I DIDN'T WANT THE CHANGE TO BEGIN WITH???

Oh, yeah, because.

MSOffice knows better than anybody...

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 21, 2021, 09:23:32 AM
Word has quit working on my old computer. Was directed by our support folks to update to new os, but not enough disk space. There's not much left on the drive to delete.  Trying to figure out if reinstalling will work. Annoying because time of year but I do have another computer that works.

However, that means I have to carry the computer around and I have a back injury just bad enough to be really irritated by carrying extra weight.

Venting here to as an avoidance of the inevitable  as I hate reinstalling stuff from our college site
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 21, 2021, 09:30:42 AM
For fairly simple docs, you can put Word files in Google docs and work on them there.

Office 365 sometimes works too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on November 21, 2021, 10:23:11 AM
Regarding AmLitHist's and Mamselle's posts about banks and ATMs.  First, I've never heard of a brick-and-mortar bank not providing cash, thanks for this enlightenment, AmLitHist.  That's crazy.  Second, don't ATMs dispense only 20s?  If I want 1s, 5s, and/or 10s, I have to visit bank/credit union.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: saffie on November 21, 2021, 11:30:52 AM
The ATM I use regularly offers $20 and $5 bills. I don't know if that's just this bank though.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 21, 2021, 12:02:33 PM
Mine does 20s plus one duo of tens, or a single ten if that makes up an amount like 30s, 50s, 70s, or 90s.

I saw one machine where you can specify denominations, but I haven't seen any others.

The 20s drive merchants crazy because of all the 'change' (i.e., 1s, 5s, etc.) one has to keep on hand.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: traductio on November 21, 2021, 01:44:16 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 21, 2021, 12:02:33 PM
Mine does 20s plus one duo of tens, or a single ten if that makes up an amount like 30s, 50s, 70s, or 90s.

I saw one machine where you can specify denominations, but I haven't seen any others.

The 20s drive merchants crazy because of all the 'change' (i.e., 1s, 5s, etc.) one has to keep on hand.

M.

Most of the ATMs from RBC in Canada have begun letting you specify denominations, at least in my neck of the woods. It's really great, since I'm usually getting cash for the farmer's market where 5s are more welcome than 20s.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 22, 2021, 06:00:11 AM
Quote from: traductio on November 21, 2021, 01:44:16 PM
Quote from: mamselle on November 21, 2021, 12:02:33 PM
Mine does 20s plus one duo of tens, or a single ten if that makes up an amount like 30s, 50s, 70s, or 90s.

I saw one machine where you can specify denominations, but I haven't seen any others.

The 20s drive merchants crazy because of all the 'change' (i.e., 1s, 5s, etc.) one has to keep on hand.

M.

Most of the ATMs from RBC in Canada have begun letting you specify denominations, at least in my neck of the woods. It's really great, since I'm usually getting cash for the farmer's market where 5s are more welcome than 20s.

Same for the TD. I think because we have the 5 major banks, instead of oodles of smaller ones in the US, some of our technology is more up-to-date. I remember a few years back when my wife's regional manager from the US came here they went out to eat. When the server brought the credit card machine to the table he had never seen one before.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 22, 2021, 08:59:07 AM
Yes, they had those in France long before we did here, and I remember being befuddled by them at first (also embarrassed, the first time, because it was also when the 'puce' (= flea = little microchip thingy) was becoming a requirement.

At the time, US credit cards only did them for the upper echelons of rich-ness, which I, a poor student, did not inhabit.

I draw the line at the cutesy, 'new' US thing of ordering with a table-side computer, though. I insist on a server with whom I can have a personal interaction, ask about the dishes, and put a face to a signature when it comes time to tip.

Those machines will do more servers out of their jobs, and depersonalize dining until it becomes unrecognizably mechanized, de-personalized, and transactional.

I both resent them and will not use them (and France will, I hope and expect, never use them, too).

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 22, 2021, 09:17:07 AM
Quote from: clean on November 19, 2021, 10:41:44 AM
QuoteBut you don't have to go to the bank!  All you have to do is open your bank app and deposit the check electronically by taking a photo of it.  It's laughingly easy.  Even a GenZer could do it!

This leads to another vent!!

I own an Iphone 6 Plus.  It seems that Apple no longer wants to provide the newest/greatest IOS for it.  I have the current version of 12.5.5 (I think).  However, my banking aps, and a few other aps have been noting something like  "your ap is out of date. please update to the newest version".  Then when I try to update, it stops. It tells me that I need IOS 14 or something!  I can not GET IOS 14!


???

I have an iphone 6 Plus and have been using iOS14. I think iOS 15 is the one that stopped supporting the 6 plus...

Maybe if you haven't updated since 12.something it won't let you update to iOS 14 anymore?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 22, 2021, 11:07:56 AM
QuoteI have an iphone 6 Plus and have been using iOS14.

Are you sure is it a 6 plus and not a 6S plus?  My wife has a 6S plus and it works.

But, as it is possible that it is my phone, I will make an effort next week (no way I can get to the store before then) to visit Verizon and check
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 22, 2021, 11:10:43 AM
Just googled it:

Name and information link   Available for   Release date
iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2   iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)   05 Nov 2020
iOS 12.4.9   iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2 and 3, iPod touch (6th generation)   05 Nov 2020
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 22, 2021, 11:20:41 AM
Apparently, within the next three years 100% of courses at my university will involve "studio-learning".

OK. That's weird and seems unrealistic, but it could be cool, especially with financial support (there is none). But...

"Studio-learning" apparently includes things like having class discussions. =/
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Morden on November 22, 2021, 12:33:07 PM
QuoteApparently, within the next three years 100% of courses at my university will involve "studio-learning".
Oh. It sounds like someone in admin went to Georgetown for a visit--where they do have financial support.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 22, 2021, 01:21:24 PM
Quote from: Morden on November 22, 2021, 12:33:07 PM
QuoteApparently, within the next three years 100% of courses at my university will involve "studio-learning".
Oh. It sounds like someone in admin went to Georgetown for a visit--where they do have financial support.

Oh! Is that what happened?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on November 22, 2021, 02:13:07 PM
What is studio learning? I've not heard that phrase (yet?).


Larimar
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 22, 2021, 02:16:15 PM
Quote from: Larimar on November 22, 2021, 02:13:07 PM
What is studio learning? I've not heard that phrase (yet?).


Larimar

From the web:

https://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/studio/what.html

https://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/studio/what.html

These are Canadian and Australian universities; I hadn't heard of studio learning until I saw the posts below.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 22, 2021, 02:36:05 PM
Yeah. And there's a serious sticking point here:

Quote
What are the characteristics of a studio classroom?

  • There are few lectures.

[...]


What are the keys to success?


  • Students must be prepared when they come to class (they must do appropriate reading, master appropriate skills, gather needed information, etc.)



Given our institutional culture and our recruitment pools, I don't think we can successfully pull that off.


On the other hand, as far as I can tell we'll be able to claim our classes are "studio-learning" classes as long as there are in-class discussions, so.



In other news, apparently we're planning to start offering graduate degrees by 2030? No word yet on whether we'll offer more than the current handful of undergraduate degrees or associate's certificates.

I don't think we're gonna win the future.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 22, 2021, 08:18:51 PM
Quote from: clean on November 22, 2021, 11:07:56 AM
QuoteI have an iphone 6 Plus and have been using iOS14.

Are you sure is it a 6 plus and not a 6S plus?  My wife has a 6S plus and it works.

But, as it is possible that it is my phone, I will make an effort next week (no way I can get to the store before then) to visit Verizon and check

Ah, I guess that explains the difference.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on November 23, 2021, 02:29:25 PM
Thanks for the links. Sounds like it's in with the big push for "active learning".

I can understand why so many people think that "active learning" is a good thing. Learning by doing can be very effective for memorability and for fine tuning skills. Theoretically it's not a bad idea.

The problem, however, Parasaurolophus has put very well:

Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 22, 2021, 02:36:05 PM
Yeah. And there's a serious sticking point here:

Quote
What are the characteristics of a studio classroom?

  • There are few lectures.

[...]


What are the keys to success?


  • Students must be prepared when they come to class (they must do appropriate reading, master appropriate skills, gather needed information, etc.)



Given our institutional culture and our recruitment pools, I don't think we can successfully pull that off.



My students this quarter are so quiet and docile it's hard to get them to do anything or say even one word in class, and I don't think they do the readings unless and until they have a graded assignment on them. Trying to get these students to do a group project, like the studio learning web site was talking about, I suspect would be like trying to get a mule to budge when it is quite happy where it is, thank you very much. Today my students didn't even want to pair up to do a short writing assignment. I really had to prod them. It was perplexing. I guess that's my vent today.

Larimar
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 24, 2021, 09:19:34 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).

Ugh, that's heinous.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: traductio on November 24, 2021, 09:54:47 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).

Having just spent twenty minutes fighting a recommendation system, I just want to say, hear, hear! This one made me choose a password, except that apparently I submitted a rec letter there sometime in the last six years, so I already had a password. And when I uploaded a letter (as requested) but did not enter the words "Please see attachment" in the box where I could not paste the contents of my rec letter because it had too many characters, the entire page reset, and I got to enter all the evaluations again!

Seriously, I write letters that will tell you all the things you could wish to know. Entering them again by ranking the student, but still uploading the letter? Come on.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on November 24, 2021, 10:34:34 AM
Quote from: traductio on November 24, 2021, 09:54:47 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).

Having just spent twenty minutes fighting a recommendation system, I just want to say, hear, hear! This one made me choose a password, except that apparently I submitted a rec letter there sometime in the last six years, so I already had a password. And when I uploaded a letter (as requested) but did not enter the words "Please see attachment" in the box where I could not paste the contents of my rec letter because it had too many characters, the entire page reset, and I got to enter all the evaluations again!

Seriously, I write letters that will tell you all the things you could wish to know. Entering them again by ranking the student, but still uploading the letter? Come on.

Ugh, yes, I should have included requiring passwords on my list. Why would I want an account? Useless and completely unnecessary.
OK, back into the trenches-- next student is applying to 14 programs. . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 24, 2021, 10:44:54 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 10:34:34 AM
Quote from: traductio on November 24, 2021, 09:54:47 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).

Having just spent twenty minutes fighting a recommendation system, I just want to say, hear, hear! This one made me choose a password, except that apparently I submitted a rec letter there sometime in the last six years, so I already had a password. And when I uploaded a letter (as requested) but did not enter the words "Please see attachment" in the box where I could not paste the contents of my rec letter because it had too many characters, the entire page reset, and I got to enter all the evaluations again!

Seriously, I write letters that will tell you all the things you could wish to know. Entering them again by ranking the student, but still uploading the letter? Come on.

Ugh, yes, I should have included requiring passwords on my list. Why would I want an account? Useless and completely unnecessary.
OK, back into the trenches-- next student is applying to 14 programs. . .

Oy vey! I had to set up an account last week, just for this reason. Major pain in the butt.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on November 24, 2021, 12:05:20 PM
^unrelated

I tried to do some simple bank errands, today.

Both the teller and personal banker overstepped the boundaries of the task I was asking them to do, and tried to give me financial advice and to take care of my transactions in a different manner. First off, it's not their job to give me advice that I do not ask for. Second, I know what the hell I'm doing. Thirdly, just because you are a bank teller and a glorified bank teller (assistant branch manager), doesn't make you a finance genius.

Why can't banking employees just do what I ask them to do, instead of trying to make it a financial consultation.

I would have taken care of the bank errand on their app, but it wouldn't let me, so I had to actually go into a branch.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: traductio on November 24, 2021, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 24, 2021, 10:44:54 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 10:34:34 AM
Quote from: traductio on November 24, 2021, 09:54:47 AM
Quote from: Puget on November 24, 2021, 08:52:06 AM
Tis the season. And by season I mean grad school recommendation season. I have six students I'm submitting recommendations for this year, each applying multiple places of course, so I've been doing battle with various university submission systems. I dearly love the ones that just let you upload your letter and be on your way (our own is one of these, thankfully). Sadly, these are in the minority.

Best: Just upload the letter
Worse: Asking questions with text boxes that are already answered in the letter (I bet the letter will tell you how long I've known the applicant and in what capacity, don't you think?)
What the F?!:Asking questions with text boxes that try to force you write to something just for them (aren't you special, that a standard letter isn't sufficient for your program). One wanted me to describe my own research program and include a link to my CV and lab website-- are you kidding me? I AM NOT THE APPLICANT HERE. Also, Google exists if you really want to vet your recommenders.

Best: No ratings
Worse: making me do meaningless ratings (either everyone is "exceptional" or you are hurting your applicant, so there is NO VALID DATA here!)
What the F?!: systems that *scramble* the rating options so you have to go hunting (like, "below average, exceptional, good, average", and the order is different for every menu. WHY???)

Best: No additional contact info entry required
Worse: Requiring a mailing address (really, you are going to correspond by mail with me about my recommendation?)
What the F?!: Requesting a fax number (the 90's called, and would like their website back).

Having just spent twenty minutes fighting a recommendation system, I just want to say, hear, hear! This one made me choose a password, except that apparently I submitted a rec letter there sometime in the last six years, so I already had a password. And when I uploaded a letter (as requested) but did not enter the words "Please see attachment" in the box where I could not paste the contents of my rec letter because it had too many characters, the entire page reset, and I got to enter all the evaluations again!

Seriously, I write letters that will tell you all the things you could wish to know. Entering them again by ranking the student, but still uploading the letter? Come on.

Ugh, yes, I should have included requiring passwords on my list. Why would I want an account? Useless and completely unnecessary.
OK, back into the trenches-- next student is applying to 14 programs. . .

Oy vey! I had to set up an account last week, just for this reason. Major pain in the butt.

My other gripe -- requests for letters that don't specify -- until I've logged into their stupid system -- the name of the student. I want to write my letters beforehand, and if I haven't written one yet, I don't want to log in and then have to write one on the spot.

(Plus, now that I finally had the system send me a replacement password, I tried to log in, only to learn that the system is currently undergoing its two-hour daily maintenance, because where it's located, it's between 3 and 5 in the morning. I can't log in. Seriously, a two-hour daily maintenance?)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 24, 2021, 12:39:16 PM
Maybe I really did get off easy, the time I had to enter 60 addresses and related info into a mail merge for a grad student's job search when I was covering his prof's EA for that week (Without advance warning, a-hem)...

At least, I suppose, I didn't have to create passwords, just had to do the merge, correct the mismatches, and stuff and frank the envelopes....

Long ago....and oh, so far away...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 27, 2021, 01:16:26 PM
Unrelated.

Fuck YOU, Universe!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 27, 2021, 01:29:34 PM
QuoteUnrelated.

Fuck YOU, Universe

You posted in the RIP thread, so I understand your issues and sorry to hear of your situation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 27, 2021, 05:14:38 PM
Quote from: clean on November 27, 2021, 01:29:34 PM
QuoteUnrelated.

Fuck YOU, Universe

You posted in the RIP thread, so I understand your issues and sorry to hear of your situation.

Yes.

All good thoughts.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 29, 2021, 08:57:07 AM
So sorry, EPW
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 29, 2021, 09:00:45 AM
Graduate student dissertation proposal written as part of a class contains multiple examples of plagiarism.  Student works in university setting (thankfully not this one). We have a clearly laid out policy, but there went an entire day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 29, 2021, 10:14:40 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on November 29, 2021, 09:00:45 AM
Graduate student dissertation proposal written as part of a class contains multiple examples of plagiarism.  Student works in university setting (thankfully not this one). We have a clearly laid out policy, but there went an entire day.

The next Quentin Rowan?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on November 29, 2021, 10:59:58 AM
I'd forgotten about that guy. Yikes! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 30, 2021, 02:34:13 PM
You're scaring me. I don't want to have to buy a new phone, or deal with all the change-over stuff (last time I did, they lost all my data...) But that's a vent for another day.

Today's vent:

I love you, dear, sweet, goofy middle-school music student. And I realize it's not your fault your dear, misguided, half-in-this-world-half-in-922-CE-Norway folks (who make wonderful costumes and swing a great hauberk) decided to re-do the WHOLE HOUSE with people here and keyboards there and construction gangs everywhere all day, every day, making noise and moving stuff around.

And it's certainly not (entirely) their fault that the construction guys had hold-ups and now need to spend extra time to get the roof on now that the bump-outs are all done, before winter really hits.

I get it. They started last March, and it really should be done by now.

Nor is it your fault that your new school is harder and you're tired-er, and you come home feeling less like doing a lesson and not at all like finding a place to do it in...the basement's fine with me, I'm on Zoom....but maybe it's cold down there now....

But when I email you all three, before your lessons on Sunday night and on the morning of each lesson, to confirm--giving you all ample chance to let me know "not today" before it's time--and then I get set up, and get things out, and do the Zoom call, and no-one shows up, and THEN you tell me you're not up to a lesson today after all, I get more than a little ticked!!!!

There are lots of weak points in the pipeline here--mostly with parents who let the construction guys take their time and didn't push until now, and with one parent in particular being very lax and letting the other one (who's the breadwinner, working mostly at home) take up the slack for hard decisions and all--and that one can't answer an email when they're on a cross-country call with their CEO--I do get that.

But I've tried several times to bring this to everyone's attention and you keep telling me it's going to be fine next week--and now, once again, it's not.

So I'm going to have to do something unilateral, like declare no lessons until after the construction is done, or something--because, dear student, you're a good kid and you try hard but no-one's giving you any shape or framework-of-life-structures to work from and you're going to have to learn it from somewhere, so I guess it's going to be me.

I thought when they announced this plan that it was crazed, but I didn't expect to become part of the collateral damage.

And I won't let myself be (and I will charge for the lesson), but I hope the kids don't, either.

What were they thinking????

(Thanks).

M.

ETA: We talked, it's sort-of sorted out, so that's to the good.

   It just never should have come to this--I'll have to trim back on the being-too-nice-stuff.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on November 30, 2021, 02:54:41 PM
Dear Chair- I told you so!
   I've been very vocal the last three years about the need to offer Biochem lab more often and have more people to teach it. You kept blowing me off so we could hire more people in your favorite subspecialty that not many students want to study. Now the Biochem lab has a waitlist larger than the entire enrollment of available sections.

So you want ME to take an overload so the other instructor can teach the extra section of Biochem. I don't even want to consider the idea until you admit that I was right and come up with a plan to hire someone long term!

Say it. . .  I WAS RIGHT!

I actually like my chair, but it's just galling to be the Cassandra who has to remind people that the teaching needs ARE legit reasons to hire people. And in the long run, having the right teaching people would mean we all have more time for research.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 30, 2021, 11:56:24 PM
We had a very small gathering on Saturday for Thanksgiving (non-US country, no Thanksgiving off, must make do on the weekend). We did everything right: everyone double-vaxxed, everyone tested in the morning before they came.

All that worked great. No Covid as far as we can tell. We had a lovely dinner.

The problem is that there are other viruses besides Covid. Like cold viruses. Like cold viruses that my body has forgotten how to fight because I've done nothing social for the last 20 months and I've lost all immunity.

Absolutive is fine. He goes to school to teach every day. His immune system was A+ ready to deal with colds. I'm knocked flat. Argh.

(No, it's really just a cold, and not covid. All of the cold symptoms; none of the covid symptoms, negative lateral flow test after I started feeling sick. Just a cold. Just a cold. I hate colds.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 06:29:16 AM
Car keys--both fobs--stopped working all of a sudden yesterday. I looked up the information about dead key fobs on the web, but the youtube videos wouldn't play so I had to restart the computer. Now I know what to do in theory but haven't had the energy to try to get the car to start, which involves removing the key from the fob, opening the car door, replacing the key in the fob, and then placing the fob on the start button. I'm teaching online, so I didn't have to worry about getting to work but need to get to the grocery store and also take the car to the shop later this week. Technology! Aargh!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 01, 2021, 07:36:21 AM
Computers make our lives easier...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 08:03:03 AM
Waiting for AAA to either jump start the car or install a new battery.

I had to call AAA on Thanksgiving morning because the car was stuck in the mud--the area I was in had had heavy rains all through summer and fall and was thus a quagmire of sorts. The AAA guy came properly equipped, pulled the car out of the mud, advised me to park only on one narrow car-long section which had stones underneath, and told me to call if the car got stuck again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 01, 2021, 09:27:24 AM
Yikes!

Buy snowshoes?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 12:12:18 PM
mamselle, snowshoes wouldn't help as the quagmire was due to repeated flooding. I think one would just sink into the muck the way one gets sucked into quicksand. The AAA guy had suggestions for draining this particular area where visitors usually park. It snowed the next couple of days, but I think a good freeze would take care of the problem as long as the temps are below freezing. I made sure to park a long distance away so that I didn't have to ask AAA to pull the car out a second time.

With all the excitement this morning, including the incident when the AAA guy honked but left before I could get to the front door, I just realized that I hadn't eaten all day. The AAA guy had the wrong phone number hence the honking and my having to call AAA again. That was sorted out, got the battery, got groceries, and now am well-fed. On with the neglected grading.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 01, 2021, 01:04:35 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 12:12:18 PM
mamselle, snowshoes wouldn't help as the quagmire was due to repeated flooding. I think one would just sink into the muck the way one gets sucked into quicksand. The AAA guy had suggestions for draining this particular area where visitors usually park. It snowed the next couple of days, but I think a good freeze would take care of the problem as long as the temps are below freezing. I made sure to park a long distance away so that I didn't have to ask AAA to pull the car out a second time.

With all the excitement this morning, including the incident when the AAA guy honked but left before I could get to the front door, I just realized that I hadn't eaten all day. The AAA guy had the wrong phone number hence the honking and my having to call AAA again. That was sorted out, got the battery, got groceries, and now am well-fed. On with the neglected grading.

Glad to hear that the crisis has been resolved.  And that AAA was able to come through.

Sounds like that parking area is problematic.  The worst parking area I know of is one at Alma Mater that is located in the bottom of a ravine.  It's a proper paved, striped area--and it flash-floods at least once per decade.  I've heard of people quite literally having to swim to their cars.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 01, 2021, 01:10:55 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 12:12:18 PM
mamselle, snowshoes wouldn't help as the quagmire was due to repeated flooding. I think one would just sink into the muck the way one gets sucked into quicksand. The AAA guy had suggestions for draining this particular area where visitors usually park. It snowed the next couple of days, but I think a good freeze would take care of the problem as long as the temps are below freezing. I made sure to park a long distance away so that I didn't have to ask AAA to pull the car out a second time.

With all the excitement this morning, including the incident when the AAA guy honked but left before I could get to the front door, I just realized that I hadn't eaten all day. The AAA guy had the wrong phone number hence the honking and my having to call AAA again. That was sorted out, got the battery, got groceries, and now am well-fed. On with the neglected grading.

Ah. Got it.

I was picturing ice floes and snow-swamps....

Glad you're out!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 01, 2021, 02:05:30 PM
Quote
Sounds like that parking area is problematic.

It was the ginormous front yard of a house. I don't envy them as they were beginning to get concerned about their long driveway. This year's rains appear to have wreaked a lot of havoc on a lot of properties. The hosts at the Thanksgiving dinner were showing me where after heavy rains the rivulets would make their way alongside their house and then across the street on their way downhill on the other side of the street.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 06:47:07 AM
Last night I was having the best night's sleep I had had all week long.  Then, a little after four a.m., I was awakened by the neighbors' dogs.  These are the same dogs that make it impossible for me to enjoy a quiet afternoon in mild weather reading in my back yard, as they object loudly to my presence every time they see me.  We have many other noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but these are the worst I've ever seen.  It would be an exaggeration to say that they bark ALL the time, because it's physically impossible for animals to make noise 24/7.  But there is no time day or night when they are not liable to disturb the peace.

I gave up trying to sleep for the final hour and a half of my sleep time, got up, and went for my long morning walk in the dark just to get away from the noise.  All the neighborhood's other noisy dogs were still asleep.  Then I went in to work early.  I hope that by taking a longer lunch than normal and getting a nap then (if they dogs can manage to be quiet enough around that time) I can get through the whole work day and have enough energy to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  Meanwhile I've spent this whole not-very-restful-or-productive week thinking about the fact that Saturday we have a special event that will require a long, long day, after a five-day work week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on December 03, 2021, 09:38:14 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 06:47:07 AM
Last night I was having the best night's sleep I had had all week long.  Then, a little after four a.m., I was awakened by the neighbors' dogs.  These are the same dogs that make it impossible for me to enjoy a quiet afternoon in mild weather reading in my back yard, as they object loudly to my presence every time they see me.  We have many other noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but these are the worst I've ever seen.  It would be an exaggeration to say that they bark ALL the time, because it's physically impossible for animals to make noise 24/7.  But there is no time day or night when they are not liable to disturb the peace.

I gave up trying to sleep for the final hour and a half of my sleep time, got up, and went for my long morning walk in the dark just to get away from the noise.  All the neighborhood's other noisy dogs were still asleep.  Then I went in to work early.  I hope that by taking a longer lunch than normal and getting a nap then (if they dogs can manage to be quiet enough around that time) I can get through the whole work day and have enough energy to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  Meanwhile I've spent this whole not-very-restful-or-productive week thinking about the fact that Saturday we have a special event that will require a long, long day, after a five-day work week.

I finally broke down and got good noise-canceling headphones.  They are miraculous.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 03, 2021, 10:28:42 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on December 03, 2021, 09:38:14 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 06:47:07 AM
Last night I was having the best night's sleep I had had all week long.  Then, a little after four a.m., I was awakened by the neighbors' dogs.  These are the same dogs that make it impossible for me to enjoy a quiet afternoon in mild weather reading in my back yard, as they object loudly to my presence every time they see me.  We have many other noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but these are the worst I've ever seen.  It would be an exaggeration to say that they bark ALL the time, because it's physically impossible for animals to make noise 24/7.  But there is no time day or night when they are not liable to disturb the peace.

I gave up trying to sleep for the final hour and a half of my sleep time, got up, and went for my long morning walk in the dark just to get away from the noise.  All the neighborhood's other noisy dogs were still asleep.  Then I went in to work early.  I hope that by taking a longer lunch than normal and getting a nap then (if they dogs can manage to be quiet enough around that time) I can get through the whole work day and have enough energy to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  Meanwhile I've spent this whole not-very-restful-or-productive week thinking about the fact that Saturday we have a special event that will require a long, long day, after a five-day work week.

I finally broke down and got good noise-canceling headphones.  They are miraculous.

I use bluetooth headphones that are in a soft headband, and they are a live saver.  I have a white noise track on repeat that I listen to.  And I also wear industrial-strength ear plugs!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 03, 2021, 11:17:41 AM
QuoteLast night I was having the best night's sleep I had had all week long.  Then, a little after four a.m., I was awakened by the neighbors' dogs.  These are the same dogs that make it impossible for me to enjoy a quiet afternoon in mild weather reading in my back yard, as they object loudly to my presence every time they see me.  We have many other noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but these are the worst I've ever seen.  It would be an exaggeration to say that they bark ALL the time, because it's physically impossible for animals to make noise 24/7.  But there is no time day or night when they are not liable to disturb the peace.

I gave up trying to sleep for the final hour and a half of my sleep time, got up, and went for my long morning walk in the dark just to get away from the noise.  All the neighborhood's other noisy dogs were still asleep.  Then I went in to work early.  I hope that by taking a longer lunch than normal and getting a nap then (if they dogs can manage to be quiet enough around that time) I can get through the whole work day and have enough energy to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  Meanwhile I've spent this whole not-very-restful-or-productive week thinking about the fact that Saturday we have a special event that will require a long, long day, after a five-day work week.

I discussed the issue with my neighbor.  After he replied, "Its a dog.  They bark" I sent a complaint to Code Enforcement.  They got a certified letter from the county and the noise calmed down a lot, but the neighbor has been even more of an ass ever since.

(IF you remember Green Acres, Lisa Douglas is holding a similar dog in the opening theme song.  The dog used to belong to one of the neighbor's mothers, and wanted to be INSIDE.  The dog would sit at the back door and bark and bark and bark.  It was louder than my TV and  I can only imagine how THEY could ignore it!)

Anyway, IF you have a similar code enforcement department, you may be able to submit a complaint online. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 01:12:44 PM
Quote from: clean on December 03, 2021, 11:17:41 AM
QuoteLast night I was having the best night's sleep I had had all week long.  Then, a little after four a.m., I was awakened by the neighbors' dogs.  These are the same dogs that make it impossible for me to enjoy a quiet afternoon in mild weather reading in my back yard, as they object loudly to my presence every time they see me.  We have many other noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but these are the worst I've ever seen.  It would be an exaggeration to say that they bark ALL the time, because it's physically impossible for animals to make noise 24/7.  But there is no time day or night when they are not liable to disturb the peace.

I gave up trying to sleep for the final hour and a half of my sleep time, got up, and went for my long morning walk in the dark just to get away from the noise.  All the neighborhood's other noisy dogs were still asleep.  Then I went in to work early.  I hope that by taking a longer lunch than normal and getting a nap then (if they dogs can manage to be quiet enough around that time) I can get through the whole work day and have enough energy to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  Meanwhile I've spent this whole not-very-restful-or-productive week thinking about the fact that Saturday we have a special event that will require a long, long day, after a five-day work week.

I discussed the issue with my neighbor.  After he replied, "Its a dog.  They bark" I sent a complaint to Code Enforcement.  They got a certified letter from the county and the noise calmed down a lot, but the neighbor has been even more of an ass ever since.

(IF you remember Green Acres, Lisa Douglas is holding a similar dog in the opening theme song.  The dog used to belong to one of the neighbor's mothers, and wanted to be INSIDE.  The dog would sit at the back door and bark and bark and bark.  It was louder than my TV and  I can only imagine how THEY could ignore it!)

Anyway, IF you have a similar code enforcement department, you may be able to submit a complaint online.

I could report this as a nuisance, but I'm deeply reluctant to do so for fear of damaging relations with the neighbors.  He's a disabled man who lives with his son.  The humans are as quiet as you could wish.  I've met them and had a nice chat with them.  Haven't had much contact in a long time because they've been keeping very much to themselves, likely because he has reason to take all possible precautions against COVID, and I've tried to respect that by not imposing myself on them.  I did try to pay a neighborly visit the other day, but could not get them to answer the door.  I'd hate for our next interaction to be me complaining about the dogs.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 03, 2021, 03:40:09 PM
Do you have his phone number? 

IF dogs are barking in the middle of the night, you could be a concerned neighbor and call him to ask if all is ok, ... did his 'guard dogs' alert to some problem you should know about or help with?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 03, 2021, 05:11:33 PM
Apparently you're also in good company...

   https://www.newsweek.com/barking-dogs-complaint-family-response-infuriates-internet-reddit-1655709

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on December 03, 2021, 05:31:29 PM
Oh, hell, this is all about property rights. They may be well or badly regulated by your local government:

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/dog-book/chapter7-4.html (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/dog-book/chapter7-4.html)

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 08, 2021, 11:49:06 AM
Walking into work yesterday--just walking down the hall, no stumble, no rolled ankle, just a normal step on the carpeted level floor--my foot went, "POP!" like a gunshot.  I immediately stopped and looked to see what I'd stepped on. There was nothing in sight, except a guy sitting in a chair studying, who asked me, "Are you OK, ma'am?" with a panicked look. I said, "I think so," and proceeded toward my office with a sharp pain in my heel and along the left side of my foot.

In the afternoon, I mentioned it to my internist in an already-scheduled check-in visit, and he said, "You ruptured your plantar fascia" (which matched all the Dr. Google searches I'd done as soon as I'd hobbled to my office earlier in the day).  Apparently I've finally lived up to what I've always suspected: I really can injure myself just walking across the floor.

I'm so aggravated, I could scream.  At least it seems that the treatment is rest and booting the foot, plus maybe a custom orthotic (i.e., surgery is only rarely needed). For now I'm staying off it and icing; I'm going to commandeer the hard ortho boot ALHS just got out of, following his most recent foot surgery, so I can go to work one last time tomorrow (and hope I don't do anything else to hurt myself in the process). So it could be a lot worse, but. . . SIGH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 08, 2021, 11:57:45 AM
Not fun.

It does go away, I've had it twice; diet and exercise and weight loss help, there's also a nifty kind of little elasticized sock that CVS has that helps support the foot and has open toes and heels so circulation isn't affected.

Thinking of you...at least you're not trying to do galliards (jumped Renaissance dance steps) as I was the second time....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on December 08, 2021, 12:36:53 PM
I sympathize with random injuries. I sprained my back just rolling over in bed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 09, 2021, 08:44:50 AM
Venting-in-advance....

Was anyone affected by this?

    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/how-the-aws-outage-wreaked-havoc-across-the-us.html

I recall somewhere, on some thread or other, someone's students were kicked off their exams peremptorily...wondering if this was the issue...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 09, 2021, 09:13:18 AM
Mamselle, my daughter also had issues taking one of her finals due to that outage.  It was a bit up in the air for a while, but she finally got it done after the scheduled window, though not all the questions rendered correctly.  I know it caused quite a lot of problems for profs and students alike.  Not great timing!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on December 09, 2021, 09:35:03 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 09, 2021, 08:44:50 AM
Venting-in-advance....

Was anyone affected by this?

    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/how-the-aws-outage-wreaked-havoc-across-the-us.html

I recall somewhere, on some thread or other, someone's students were kicked off their exams peremptorily...wondering if this was the issue...

M.

That was me commenting on an experience last year-- not related, it was a local server failure.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on December 09, 2021, 10:25:39 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on December 08, 2021, 11:49:06 AM
Walking into work yesterday--just walking down the hall, no stumble, no rolled ankle, just a normal step on the carpeted level floor--my foot went, "POP!" like a gunshot.  I immediately stopped and looked to see what I'd stepped on. There was nothing in sight, except a guy sitting in a chair studying, who asked me, "Are you OK, ma'am?" with a panicked look. I said, "I think so," and proceeded toward my office with a sharp pain in my heel and along the left side of my foot.

In the afternoon, I mentioned it to my internist in an already-scheduled check-in visit, and he said, "You ruptured your plantar fascia" (which matched all the Dr. Google searches I'd done as soon as I'd hobbled to my office earlier in the day).  Apparently I've finally lived up to what I've always suspected: I really can injure myself just walking across the floor.

I'm so aggravated, I could scream.  At least it seems that the treatment is rest and booting the foot, plus maybe a custom orthotic (i.e., surgery is only rarely needed). For now I'm staying off it and icing; I'm going to commandeer the hard ortho boot ALHS just got out of, following his most recent foot surgery, so I can go to work one last time tomorrow (and hope I don't do anything else to hurt myself in the process). So it could be a lot worse, but. . . SIGH.

So sorry, ALH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 10, 2021, 01:34:39 PM
Thanks for the good wishes, all.  It still just amazes me.  My internist said, "The podiatrist will boot it and put you on crutches," and I just gave him The Look.  Are you freakin' kidding me?  I hurt myself taking a normal step on a flat floor with no obstacles; I'm such a cow to start with, I'd likely half-kill myself on crutches! 

At least I can still laugh at myself. Ow.

Mamselle, about the AWS outage:  our students had a lot of problems with accessing our libraries' various databases (and of course, the course of record Comp I classes all had mandated research for the final essay be drawn from only a small selection of databases, none of which worked).  The problem got resolved, but it seems to have started up again yesterday/this morning, per our librarians;  not sure if it's the same issue or a new one. It would be way too easy to have a semester end without any tech hiccups.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 14, 2021, 04:21:20 PM
wrapping things up so that I can travel to visit my parents (first time in a year!!).

Mowed the back yard today and found that some critter has decided that I am a toilet. 
Fortunately, I am on my way out of town, so no need to set up the game cameras to figure out what is shitting all over my back yard, so that I can decide the best bait for the game trap.  (Have a Heart brand).  But no time to do the preliminary work, or deal wih taking the critter to the Humane society. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on December 15, 2021, 12:06:18 AM
Quote from: clean on December 14, 2021, 04:21:20 PM
wrapping things up so that I can travel to visit my parents (first time in a year!!).

Mowed the back yard today and found that some critter has decided that I am a toilet. 
Fortunately, I am on my way out of town, so no need to set up the game cameras to figure out what is shitting all over my back yard, so that I can decide the best bait for the game trap.  (Have a Heart brand).  But no time to do the preliminary work, or deal wih taking the critter to the Humane society.

Here's hoping it's something fun, like a Florida panther, and not something boring, like a stray cat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 15, 2021, 08:51:15 AM
QuoteHere's hoping it's something fun, like a Florida panther, and not something boring, like a stray cat.

I hope it is a panther too!  That would be too big for my trap, and that would save me a lot of time!
I suspect cat, but there is no attempt to bury any of it.  But it seems to be a well fed cat! 

I have set up a game camera, so when I get back I hope to have it identified with a picture of it 'in the act!"

But I dont have a lot of hope for that.  My game cameras are old and I dont know that they are working anymore.  It took quite a while to get one set up again, and I dont know that it was operating, but I didnt have the patience to check, and I still have to pack the car and get on the road. (bride is showering... but as the car isnt packed, she may want another one after for fear of being sweaty on the trip!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 15, 2021, 10:27:12 AM
Coyote?

Wolf?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on December 16, 2021, 02:56:05 AM
Zebras (https://www.npr.org/2021/12/14/1064264486/two-zebras-who-escaped-from-a-maryland-farm-are-back-after-months-on-the-run)? If so, they won't be bothering you anymore.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 16, 2021, 11:01:30 AM
Just found an obscene text on my phone. Eww! I wish someone whacks that person's you-know-what. Gross!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 16, 2021, 12:56:23 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 16, 2021, 11:01:30 AM
Just found an obscene text on my phone. Eww! I wish someone whacks that person's you-know-what. Gross!

All good thoughts to take away the bad ones.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 17, 2021, 08:18:22 AM
Quote from: mamselle on December 16, 2021, 12:56:23 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 16, 2021, 11:01:30 AM
Just found an obscene text on my phone. Eww! I wish someone whacks that person's you-know-what. Gross!

All good thoughts to take away the bad ones.

M.

Thanks, mamselle. Now, if you have a magic wand to make the increasing numbers of cases just go down, that would make my day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 17, 2021, 12:00:22 PM
I"m out of magic wands, sorry....I think that might be Dr. Fauci's department...

;--}

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 17, 2021, 01:50:07 PM
Damn IRB

I have expected a reminder email so that I will have instructions to continue my research, which I had hoped to be accepted for publication, but was rejected.  Instead of a reminder with instructions to extend, I get notification that it is now closed and that I have to resubmit the work before I can do anything more on the research!

Others have complained about the IRB lately, and frankly I agree!  There are so many issues now that they are not making sure  that research is conducted appropriately, but rather that to make Damn Sure that no violations are made, they just make it impossible to do even survey work! 


I guess that my retirement date will be sooner than later!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 18, 2021, 02:48:10 PM
I need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

She also wants me to quit my job teaching here (this topic has come up a lot over the past 10+ years) and teach out where she is (which is in the middle of Nowhere). One- my subject area isn't even offered out there at the tiny college they have. Two- SO said the country folk would burn me at the stake for professing my belief in Science and not the all-knowing Sky God (no offense to Sky God followers). Three- I am not giving up my life for her. Four- I would probably no longer exist on the material plane if I had to live any where near her (not a threat).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 18, 2021, 03:12:22 PM
QuoteI need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

oh no!  The car was packed, and you were about to get started and the Check Engine light came on!!  Too late to get it checked!  Too late to rent a car!  What a tragedy! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 18, 2021, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: clean on December 18, 2021, 03:12:22 PM
QuoteI need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

oh no!  The car was packed, and you were about to get started and the Check Engine light came on!!  Too late to get it checked!  Too late to rent a car!  What a tragedy!

Great idea. Unfortunately, they'd come get me. So I think maybe I'll be volunteering at a soup kitchen this year (which I probably should do anyway).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on December 18, 2021, 03:40:53 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 18, 2021, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: clean on December 18, 2021, 03:12:22 PM
QuoteI need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

oh no!  The car was packed, and you were about to get started and the Check Engine light came on!!  Too late to get it checked!  Too late to rent a car!  What a tragedy!

Great idea. Unfortunately, they'd come get me. So I think maybe I'll be volunteering at a soup kitchen this year (which I probably should do anyway).

Or you come down with the sniffles and don't want to risk exposing them, since they are unvaccinated and all. But the soup kitchen is a win-win!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on December 18, 2021, 03:53:59 PM
Say you come down with Norovirus. Aka the Cruise virus. No one ever argues over GI symptoms.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 18, 2021, 04:12:22 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on December 18, 2021, 03:53:59 PM
Say you come down with Norovirus. Aka the Cruise virus. No one ever argues over GI symptoms.

Oh man. I still remember catching it from a visiting hockey team in university. I was one of the first to come down with it, and spent a whole night just simultaneously expelling matter from the front and back. Over and over.

*shudders*
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 19, 2021, 06:59:33 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 18, 2021, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: clean on December 18, 2021, 03:12:22 PM
QuoteI need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

oh no!  The car was packed, and you were about to get started and the Check Engine light came on!!  Too late to get it checked!  Too late to rent a car!  What a tragedy!

Great idea. Unfortunately, they'd come get me. So I think maybe I'll be volunteering at a soup kitchen this year (which I probably should do anyway).

You can come up with countless excuses. The norovirus (see above) is an excellent one. If they do come and get you, you can't open the door because you're in the bathroom dealing with the stomach fu or something similar (use your phone to text or call the person outside) or you can't open the door because you've been mandated to quarantine, or because you've been prescribed bed rest. If you do open the door, do it in your jammies, and tell the person to be careful as you don't want them to catch whatever you have (invoke a mythical doctor). Do not let yourself be blackmailed or guilt-tripped into doing something you absolutely do not want to do.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on December 22, 2021, 10:15:19 AM
I just popped to a specialty food store a couple towns away to grab ingredients for the holidays and while there got a parking ticket, despite having paid for my parking space. The overzealous meter person wasn't taking the time to ask the people standing in line at the payment kiosks if the cars she was flagging were theirs. My receipt was printed a minute before she printed my ticket, but I've had to file an appeal and wait for a response. Happy holidays, indeed!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 22, 2021, 10:38:59 AM
My ears are acting up again with the extremely variable weather.  It's giving me a terrible headache. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 22, 2021, 11:23:31 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on December 22, 2021, 10:15:19 AM
I just popped to a specialty food store a couple towns away to grab ingredients for the holidays and while there got a parking ticket, despite having paid for my parking space. The overzealous meter person wasn't taking the time to ask the people standing in line at the payment kiosks if the cars she was flagging were theirs. My receipt was printed a minute before she printed my ticket, but I've had to file an appeal and wait for a response. Happy holidays, indeed!

That's just mean.

They're probably on a quota system and time's running out before the end of the holiday shopping period cuts back on the notches in their scanners...

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on December 22, 2021, 03:42:04 PM
How to deal with a colleague's grating trait?

Today, some recent-to-antique retirees/sem-retirees (all men--yes, yes) gathered at a venue much favored by some (shellfish in red sauce), not-so-strangely near empty in the Omicron surge hereabouts.  The usual at-tables, seven or more; today only five, and of the five, the last was nearly an hour late.  That was a plus.  This colleague, most amiable, most friendly--has a loud, braying laugh that shakes the glassware and punctuates nearly every other thing he says.  After five minutes I begin to cringe, internally.  Nothing to be done--save eschew the mollusks (mussels) and the company of old farts (average age, mid-seventies, one [not here today; Covid fear] pushing ninety).

One of today's group, a more quiet one, with about eight decades of practice, flirted with the servers.  Our tip was very generous.

We tottered to our cars.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 23, 2021, 03:18:05 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 19, 2021, 06:59:33 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 18, 2021, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: clean on December 18, 2021, 03:12:22 PM
QuoteI need to find a really good lie to get out of Xmas this year in order to preserve what little sanity and emotional health that I have left. My mother, who isn't right in the head and hasn't been for awhile [most of my life], wants me to go to Xmas with my unvaccinated family. Interthreaduality.

oh no!  The car was packed, and you were about to get started and the Check Engine light came on!!  Too late to get it checked!  Too late to rent a car!  What a tragedy!

Great idea. Unfortunately, they'd come get me. So I think maybe I'll be volunteering at a soup kitchen this year (which I probably should do anyway).

You can come up with countless excuses. The norovirus (see above) is an excellent one. If they do come and get you, you can't open the door because you're in the bathroom dealing with the stomach fu or something similar (use your phone to text or call the person outside) or you can't open the door because you've been mandated to quarantine, or because you've been prescribed bed rest. If you do open the door, do it in your jammies, and tell the person to be careful as you don't want them to catch whatever you have (invoke a mythical doctor). Do not let yourself be blackmailed or guilt-tripped into doing something you absolutely do not want to do.

A few problems with this. There's a medical professional in my family, who unfortunately subscribes to hydroxychloroquine therapy (and has some).

The only 'plus' from all of this is that I actually think I am sick now with mild symptoms of whatever I have. I'm hoping it's enough to keep me home on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on December 23, 2021, 03:25:06 PM
Explosive diarrhea.  No one will question your excuse because, really, who wants to share space with that fun if they don't have to.  And yes, as a mother of 3, I've had lots of experience with that illness and using the excuse.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 28, 2021, 01:39:38 PM
Do not--I repeat--DO NOT go out on the ice on lakes and ponds. I know it's exciting that it's chilly and snowy, but it hasn't been cold enough for long enough. This is not a winter place; unfortunately, that means you can't safely perform all of the winter activities. Like skating.

For fuck's sake, what's wrong with you?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 28, 2021, 03:29:48 PM
Someone's read 'Little Women' and wants to be Laurie rescuing...who is it, Amy? or Jo?

Only explanation for not listening to people telling you the ice isn't 'ready' yet...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 29, 2021, 08:40:02 PM
Quote from: mamselle on December 28, 2021, 03:29:48 PM
Someone's read 'Little Women' and wants to be Laurie rescuing...who is it, Amy? or Jo?

Only explanation for not listening to people telling you the ice isn't 'ready' yet...

M.

Hehe, could be.

Some people apparently fell through today. Someone did some measuring, and found two inches of ice on the lake. Three in one spot.

Totally. Not. Safe. OMFG.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 30, 2021, 07:31:46 AM
Where I live ice thick enough to walk on is barely even a living memory now.  I've only ever encountered it on large puddles, and then only as a kid 40 years or more ago.  I've seen a very thin crust of ice form over most of the big pond at the city park two or three times in the past 17 years.  Once I saw a heron standing on the ice, probably trying to figure out how it was going to do any fishing in all that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on December 30, 2021, 09:37:34 AM
Just saw two herons (in the water, not on ice) on my walk just now.

This film took the "the ice is thick enough to travel on" meme to the max, within my recent memory....

   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_River

The final scene had me on the edge of my seat...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 02, 2022, 10:08:40 AM
Robot from the doctor's office (affiliated with a major hospital chain) decided to call today, Sunday, to remind me of Wednesday's appointment. "Name Unavailable" according to Caller ID; did they think I would press 1 to keep the appointment or 2 to cancel? It's Sunday! Aaargh!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 02, 2022, 04:55:14 PM
I got one of those calls today too!!  At 9:02 AM!!!  ON Sunday!! 

I got another reminder on Friday that I "stay(ed) on the line" for and then "Press(ed) one to confirm!"  So WHY am I getting called!!

I have regular allergy shots.  I switched that phone number to my office phone so that I dont have to hear their reminders!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 02, 2022, 06:48:14 PM
I know from experience that I'm going to get another call tomorrow and probably one the day after in addition to an email and/or a message on the patient portal. The call was from a state other than NY or NJ. I like my doctors, so I guess I have to put up with the overeager scheduling robots.

ETA: They sent me an email about the appointment! On a Sunday!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 03, 2022, 07:35:15 AM
On Friday I went for a hike in a state park an hour and a half from here that has a great trail that loops all the way around the park.  It's five or six hours' worth of hiking that includes miles of hiking along the levee of the lake (where you can view flocks of wintering waterfowl) and passing through rugged woods full of steep, but not very high, hills.  I try to do it once a year in the winter.  Unfortunately they appear to have done absolutely no trail maintenance over the past couple of years.  There were no longer any visible blazes between the half-mile markers, and in many sections the trail is so covered with leaf litter, fallen trees, etc. that it's hard to find.  I had to concentrate hard to find the route.  Finally, about two-thirds of the way along, I reached a place where I lost it entirely.  If I'd kept moving forward, blundering around trying to find it again, I'd likely have gotten well and truly lost.

I was able to backtrack to an access road, which led to a dirt road, where I was able to hitch a ride back to the park.  The guy who gave me the ride was part of the team that built the trail some years ago.  He indicated that I wasn't the first to lose the trail like that.  When I got back to the park I lodged a complaint.  I plan to follow it up with higher-ups in the state park system, and with state legislators.  They should not be handing out maps and brochures publicizing that trail if parts of it can no longer safely be found.  It needs to be cleared and re-blazed.  That will take some work, but not nearly as much as they'd be abandoning if they gave up on the trail and let all the still perfectly good footbridges and other infrastructure on it go to waste.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 03, 2022, 07:54:20 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 03, 2022, 07:35:15 AM
On Friday I went for a hike in a state park an hour and a half from here that has a great trail that loops all the way around the park.  It's five or six hours' worth of hiking that includes miles of hiking along the levee of the lake (where you can view flocks of wintering waterfowl) and passing through rugged woods full of steep, but not very high, hills.  I try to do it once a year in the winter.  Unfortunately they appear to have done absolutely no trail maintenance over the past couple of years.  There were no longer any visible blazes between the half-mile markers, and in many sections the trail is so covered with leaf litter, fallen trees, etc. that it's hard to find.  I had to concentrate hard to find the route.  Finally, about two-thirds of the way along, I reached a place where I lost it entirely.  If I'd kept moving forward, blundering around trying to find it again, I'd likely have gotten well and truly lost.

I was able to backtrack to an access road, which led to a dirt road, where I was able to hitch a ride back to the park.  The guy who gave me the ride was part of the team that built the trail some years ago.  He indicated that I wasn't the first to lose the trail like that.  When I got back to the park I lodged a complaint.  I plan to follow it up with higher-ups in the state park system, and with state legislators.  They should not be handing out maps and brochures publicizing that trail if parts of it can no longer safely be found.  It needs to be cleared and re-blazed.  That will take some work, but not nearly as much as they'd be abandoning if they gave up on the trail and let all the still perfectly good footbridges and other infrastructure on it go to waste.

Glad you made it out without too much difficulty.

Here, there are a million billion trails, but few are maintained (it's an entirely volunteer effort). One of the main ones, which goes up the local mountain, is just as you describe. Tourists take it all the time, but...

There's another one up the back side of the mountain that's really nice, but then it appears to just... end. I've done some serious bushwhacking all around, but can't find where it goes. There is a deer trail nearby that you might think is it for a kilometre or so, until you're stuck in a pretty dangerous area.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 03, 2022, 09:25:04 AM
Not only would useful trails be lost, but if someone actually did get lost there, it might be dangerous for searchers trying to find them as well.

Might be a useful point to raise in your letter, which I agree should be written.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 03, 2022, 10:34:44 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 03, 2022, 07:54:20 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 03, 2022, 07:35:15 AM
On Friday I went for a hike in a state park an hour and a half from here that has a great trail that loops all the way around the park.  It's five or six hours' worth of hiking that includes miles of hiking along the levee of the lake (where you can view flocks of wintering waterfowl) and passing through rugged woods full of steep, but not very high, hills.  I try to do it once a year in the winter.  Unfortunately they appear to have done absolutely no trail maintenance over the past couple of years.  There were no longer any visible blazes between the half-mile markers, and in many sections the trail is so covered with leaf litter, fallen trees, etc. that it's hard to find.  I had to concentrate hard to find the route.  Finally, about two-thirds of the way along, I reached a place where I lost it entirely.  If I'd kept moving forward, blundering around trying to find it again, I'd likely have gotten well and truly lost.

I was able to backtrack to an access road, which led to a dirt road, where I was able to hitch a ride back to the park.  The guy who gave me the ride was part of the team that built the trail some years ago.  He indicated that I wasn't the first to lose the trail like that.  When I got back to the park I lodged a complaint.  I plan to follow it up with higher-ups in the state park system, and with state legislators.  They should not be handing out maps and brochures publicizing that trail if parts of it can no longer safely be found.  It needs to be cleared and re-blazed.  That will take some work, but not nearly as much as they'd be abandoning if they gave up on the trail and let all the still perfectly good footbridges and other infrastructure on it go to waste.

Glad you made it out without too much difficulty.

Here, there are a million billion trails, but few are maintained (it's an entirely volunteer effort). One of the main ones, which goes up the local mountain, is just as you describe. Tourists take it all the time, but...

There's another one up the back side of the mountain that's really nice, but then it appears to just... end. I've done some serious bushwhacking all around, but can't find where it goes. There is a deer trail nearby that you might think is it for a kilometre or so, until you're stuck in a pretty dangerous area.

Glad you're safe too! I do think, as an experienced hiker all my life, that it is critical to realize that hiking inherently requires you to take responsibility for your own way-finding. I say this not to criticize, but as important safety information. Never assume that there will be signs or that trails will be well-maintained-- this is how people get lost and in trouble. Consider using a GPS (which could be your phone for less-remote and shorter hikes). Carry the 10-essentials, including map and compass, and know how to use them (i.e., don't be reliant on your phone/GPS). Pay attention to landmarks and turns so you can re-trace your steps if necessary. Tell someone where you are going and when you are expected back. If there is a hiking group or REI in your area, that would be a good source of hiker safety and navigation training.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 03, 2022, 02:30:03 PM
apl68, glad to hear that you made it out safely.

+1 to Puget's comments. Trails in many of the state parks are maintained by volunteers. Some of my outdoors/hiking groups organize outings in early spring where the participants are asked to bring the appropriate tools and gloves for bushwhacking, repainting blazes, and otherwise maintaining the trails which tend to get overrun by vegetation and fallen rocks/stones. You might also see if any of the local parks or similar organizations offer half-day workshops on orienteering. While solo hiking is fun, hikers are expected to know what to do if they run into problems. Many of the trails have fallen into disrepair these past couple of years because of the park closings and furloughs. Even experienced hikers scout familiar trails before leading hikes, usually with a companion.

Stay safe!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2022, 10:17:46 AM
You turn INTO a skid on ice, not out of it. The person telling you all otherwise is wrong.

Also, don't go out on the ice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts? I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 07, 2022, 09:18:54 PM
I'll open the quiet room thread first thing tomorrow AM....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 08, 2022, 06:11:37 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts? I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?

Move over, EPW.  I'm comin' in.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on January 08, 2022, 06:22:34 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts?

Yes. I'm there with you. I'm not sure it's been this bad before.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?

That sounds like a totally workable plan to me. Where's that validation thread?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on January 08, 2022, 09:00:15 AM
I get that


But saying that "these three different classes add up to the enrollment of one regular class, so all three together count as one class towards your FTE" is kinda garbage. Especially since you want me to take on extra classes "to balance out my FTE" a week before the new term begins.

And when I say "just cancel the low enrollment classes and give me the fully enrolled class," telling me that I'm "not being very collegial" sounds like a threat. It sounds like you want me to teach 6 classes, two of which I've never taught before, or else.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 08, 2022, 09:16:41 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on January 08, 2022, 09:00:15 AM
I get that


  • these three classes are underenrolled
  • without them a few students won't graduate in the spring

But saying that "these three different classes add up to the enrollment of one regular class, so all three together count as one class towards your FTE" is kinda garbage. Especially since you want me to take on extra classes "to balance out my FTE" a week before the new term begins.

And when I say "just cancel the low enrollment classes and give me the fully enrolled class," telling me that I'm "not being very collegial" sounds like a threat. It sounds like you want me to teach 6 classes, two of which I've never taught before, or else.

0_o
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 08, 2022, 01:34:29 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 08, 2022, 06:11:37 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts? I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?

Move over, EPW.  I'm comin' in.

Lol. I guess I'm not alone in this (though it feels that way sometimes).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 08, 2022, 03:43:04 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on January 08, 2022, 09:00:15 AM
I get that


  • these three classes are underenrolled
  • without them a few students won't graduate in the spring

But saying that "these three different classes add up to the enrollment of one regular class, so all three together count as one class towards your FTE" is kinda garbage. Especially since you want me to take on extra classes "to balance out my FTE" a week before the new term begins.

And when I say "just cancel the low enrollment classes and give me the fully enrolled class," telling me that I'm "not being very collegial" sounds like a threat. It sounds like you want me to teach 6 classes, two of which I've never taught before, or else.

When I was chair, we used to pull that crap on our ESL and Spanish language classes every semester--so I'd have my Spanish prof with a TR 9 a.m. "class" made up of 4 who needed SPN II, 3 for SPN III, 4 for SPN IV, and pay her as if it were one class.  Same with our ESL classes--I had an adjunct teach 23 students in one section (for one section's pay) but cover the skills of 4 separate classes.  Complete BS.

(I use "we" loosely:  I always went to bat for my faculty, but the dean would make the final determination, after being leaned on by the VCAA.  We finally lost our ESL program by the end of my term as chair, and we should have:  there just wasn't the demand at our campus to keep it running.)

And RuralGuy, where's seniority here? You should get the pick of the class offerings/be able to say "shut down the low enrollments," right?  Then again, I'm uncollegial like you.  ;-)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 09, 2022, 07:39:21 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on January 08, 2022, 06:22:34 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts?

Yes. I'm there with you. I'm not sure it's been this bad before.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?

That sounds like a totally workable plan to me. Where's that validation thread?
Budge up, I'm joining you.   We are one week in and I'm just done.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on January 09, 2022, 07:48:32 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on January 09, 2022, 07:39:21 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on January 08, 2022, 06:22:34 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
Minor vent.

Is it possible to be burned out before the semester even starts?

Yes. I'm there with you. I'm not sure it's been this bad before.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 07, 2022, 08:22:57 PM
I'm not sure I'm ready for this... Can I just hide in my cave?

That sounds like a totally workable plan to me. Where's that validation thread?
Budge up, I'm joining you.   We are one week in and I'm just done.
Me, too.  Tomorrow will arrive way too soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on January 09, 2022, 08:49:43 AM
My Christmas break sucked. It was plague ridden. I feel the need to whine to someone at least once about how bad it was.
We travelled across the country even though we didn't want to. There was a lot of family guilt tripping involved. The day we arrived my SIL tested positive for Corvid with mild symptoms. Eventually, my brothers entire family tested positive so we never saw them the entire trip. SIL was the only one with so much as sniffle.
   However, I came down with a whopper of cold (not-COVID) on Christmas Eve. My mother kept trying to offer her used inhaler as treatment (ew!!). After travelling back home it progressed into a bacterial sinus infection. Mr. Buster then came down with the same cold on New Years Eve. We both got antibiotics and 6 days in I break out in a whole body rash. However, since this is not full blown anaphylaxis, my doctor will not flag me as allergic. I'm too tired right now to argue with him over the possible complications of a Type 2 hypersensitive response. Since I teach Immunology for a living, I have a feeling I would win that argument.

And classes start back tomorrow in a state with no mandates for anything. Oh and I forgot to mention that I lost my voice during the cold and now sound like bad chain smoker.  So the first day will be lots of fun. Maybe my voice will scare a few into wearing a mask.

I feel better now having vented.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 09, 2022, 09:08:20 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on January 09, 2022, 08:49:43 AM
My Christmas break sucked. It was plague ridden. I feel the need to whine to someone at least once about how bad it was.
We travelled across the country even though we didn't want to. There was a lot of family guilt tripping involved. The day we arrived my SIL tested positive for Corvid with mild symptoms. Eventually, my brothers entire family tested positive so we never saw them the entire trip. SIL was the only one with so much as sniffle.
   However, I came down with a whopper of cold (not-COVID) on Christmas Eve. My mother kept trying to offer her used inhaler as treatment (ew!!). After travelling back home it progressed into a bacterial sinus infection. Mr. Buster then came down with the same cold on New Years Eve. We both got antibiotics and 6 days in I break out in a whole body rash. However, since this is not full blown anaphylaxis, my doctor will not flag me as allergic. I'm too tired right now to argue with him over the possible complications of a Type 2 hypersensitive response. Since I teach Immunology for a living, I have a feeling I would win that argument.

And classes start back tomorrow in a state with no mandates for anything. Oh and I forgot to mention that I lost my voice during the cold and now sound like bad chain smoker.  So the first day will be lots of fun. Maybe my voice will scare a few into wearing a mask.

I feel better now having vented.

Yee-ow!!!

I'd say they're lucky you're willing to go back to teaching after all that.

(And that your SIL is lucky you're still speaking to her....if you are...).

Someone just quoted a cartoon apparently making the rounds now, of a person drilling a hole in the bottom of a boat.

   "What do you think you're doing???," everyone else asks, fumbling for their life vests.

   "Why is it any business of yours? I'm only drilling under my seat!" the clueless one replies.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on January 09, 2022, 09:29:59 AM
Mamselle thanks. MY SIL is actually pretty blameless here. She lost her dad this year and has really been very quiet/ down this year as a result. I wish I could have seen here to give her a hug. I actually really like her. 
     The guilt tripping was really from my mother, my uncle, and my brother in a very passive aggressive way. Since he has kids and we don't, we have to travel to them if we want to see them. Since we don't have kids- we are expected to travel so see everyone! It's exhausting and has gotten to the point where I don't enjoy the holidays anymore. Once everyone is healthy again I might try and communicate that. Not sure it will go over well though. There is a lot of family resentment that I "moved away".
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on January 09, 2022, 02:42:34 PM
Dude, if you are going to put tattoos on your face (again, kind of a dumb idea, but whatever), people are going to try to read/discern them. It's really, really weird for you to "express yourself" with tattoos and then get bent out of shape when people look at them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 09, 2022, 03:24:54 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on January 09, 2022, 09:29:59 AM
Mamselle thanks. MY SIL is actually pretty blameless here. She lost her dad this year and has really been very quiet/ down this year as a result. I wish I could have seen here to give her a hug. I actually really like her. 
     The guilt tripping was really from my mother, my uncle, and my brother in a very passive aggressive way. Since he has kids and we don't, we have to travel to them if we want to see them. Since we don't have kids- we are expected to travel so see everyone! It's exhausting and has gotten to the point where I don't enjoy the holidays anymore. Once everyone is healthy again I might try and communicate that. Not sure it will go over well though. There is a lot of family resentment that I "moved away".

Ah, OK, sorry for the misunderstanding.

I do know about the "moved away" thing, I've lived where I am (c. 900 miles from where I grew up) for just over 40 years now, and the question still comes up, "When do you think you might be moving back?"

Um....why, exactly, would I do that??

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 10, 2022, 11:48:30 AM
Sending good wishes, mythbuster. And take it easy for the first week or two--remember, students aren't going to know if you're taking it slow. Lots of rest and fluids--sinus infections and their aftermath are the worst.

My puny vent: I'm still wearing this aggravating knee-high boot/brace. The podiatrist said to wear it for 4 weeks, but my foot still hurts without (and with) it on. Meh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 10, 2022, 12:15:52 PM
When going without, you might get some support/comfort from wrapping it with an Ace bandage, or using a plantar support sock.

I recall that feeling, often at night when I was in my in-between phase, with a walking cast by day that I was supposed to take off at night (sometimes, I 'forgot,' too...)

If the muscles/ligaments/tendons/nerves/blood vessels are still all re-adjusting themselves, an intermediary form of support could be helpful while they negotiate things out among themselves.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 07:37:32 AM
Sorry for the delayed double...

Don't wanna.

Not gonna.

Hafta....phooey.

Driver's license renewals are due, and doing battle with online 'paperwork' does not constitute 'fun' in my book.

I'd much rather sort out a tangled liturgical direction in scrambled Batard....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 11, 2022, 07:59:56 AM
If you've never read anything good by someone not affiliated with a top-ranked department as either a former grad student or an instructor, grad student, then you need to re-examine your reading habits, such as they are.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 08:39:37 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 11, 2022, 07:59:56 AM
If you've never read anything good by someone not affiliated with a top-ranked department as either a former grad student or an instructor, grad student, then you need to re-examine your reading habits, such as they are.
]]

Oh, my.

Yes.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on January 11, 2022, 08:54:21 AM
Quote from: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 07:37:32 AM
in scrambled Batard....

M.

Batarde is the prettiest script, anyway.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 09:27:57 AM
When done by a calligrapher with a lot of time to do it right, yes.

When done by a rushed governmental trying to get down all the notes on a court event, or clerical figure trying to fit in all the directional instructions for an internal procession--where the group goes from chapel to chapel to nave to choir--and they're squeezing it into the margins around the original carolingian miniscule rubrics--no.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on January 11, 2022, 12:14:45 PM
I intensely dislike our university's bookstore staff.  That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 12:23:34 PM
Oh, dear.

They may well deserve it; but I will plead that, I were one, once...it's not easy being on the wrong side of the counter in some cases.

Reps make promises, then disappear the next month when they don't make their quotas and a new person is put in their place--often with several different printing houses to work with, get up to speed with, and yell at, all at once.

The bookstore staff are sort of the meat in the sandwich.

Some can be delicate prosciutto. Some are greasy salami.

I guess we can tell which you're dealing with...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 03:46:46 PM
Why do I always have one dingleberry in the class who insists on sitting in the FRONT row, doesn't wear a mask, coughs openly and constantly adds commentary during class?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 11, 2022, 04:24:31 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 03:46:46 PM
Why do I always have one dingleberry in the class who insists on sitting in the FRONT row, doesn't wear a mask, coughs openly and constantly adds commentary during class?

Can you ask them to mask up or leave?
Put them in a HEPA-filtered box?
Stick a bucket on their d@mn head?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 05:40:28 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on January 11, 2022, 04:24:31 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 03:46:46 PM
Why do I always have one dingleberry in the class who insists on sitting in the FRONT row, doesn't wear a mask, coughs openly and constantly adds commentary during class?

Can you ask them to mask up or leave?
Put them in a HEPA-filtered box?
Stick a bucket on their d@mn head?

We are not allowed to require masks, they are only 'strongly recommended.' We're in the Wild West! I did mention during class that I have masks for them (2 kinds!!!). I may try to catch stu before class and ask if stu would consider wearing it. All I can do is ask...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on January 11, 2022, 11:20:13 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 11, 2022, 09:27:57 AM
When done by a calligrapher with a lot of time to do it right, yes.

When done by a rushed governmental trying to get down all the notes on a court event, or clerical figure trying to fit in all the directional instructions for an internal procession--where the group goes from chapel to chapel to nave to choir--and they're squeezing it into the margins around the original carolingian miniscule rubrics--no.

M.

oh dear. Yes, ok.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: histchick on January 14, 2022, 04:47:05 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 05:40:28 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on January 11, 2022, 04:24:31 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 11, 2022, 03:46:46 PM
Why do I always have one dingleberry in the class who insists on sitting in the FRONT row, doesn't wear a mask, coughs openly and constantly adds commentary during class?

Can you ask them to mask up or leave?
Put them in a HEPA-filtered box?
Stick a bucket on their d@mn head?

We are not allowed to require masks, they are only 'strongly recommended.' We're in the Wild West! I did mention during class that I have masks for them (2 kinds!!!). I may try to catch stu before class and ask if stu would consider wearing it. All I can do is ask...
Sounds much like our place.  My vent is that is that only one of my 30+ students wore a mask in class.  We can only require them in our offices.  There is no social distancing. 

Yep.  Front row student started coughing.  Could be nothing.  I hope so. I'm fully vaccinated, but I still don't want that mess.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 15, 2022, 04:18:40 PM
I'm mad.

Just found out a kid with a shiny new degree from MY school got a thesis award, when I heard his paper based on it last spring and it was, truly, rubbish.

Think--English department student writing in an art history field about which they clearly know NOTHING!

I know, life's unfair.

But I found out while looking up the title of the paper to cite it, because the conference abstract I'm writing (due tonight) is in large part in rebuttal of his paper from last spring--and some other, similar pieces that do the same thing, and have been, for awhile now.....

Ggggggrrrrrrrrrr......

RRRouwf!!!

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on January 15, 2022, 06:38:27 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 15, 2022, 04:18:40 PM
Think--English department student writing in an art history field about which they clearly know NOTHING!

Was the award from the "English" department, or from the larger university? It has been my experience that scholars who make grand discoveries in other fields are often celebrated by their primary fields, whose scholars sometimes lack the knowledge to evaluate those other fields appropriately. (This doesn't even have to be interdisciplinary--think a medieval scholar writing about modern TV dramas but only being evaluated by medieval scholars).

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 16, 2022, 08:44:32 AM
That's pretty much it, with a twist.

The award is from an institution in the broader historical field, overall, one of whose members I know.

When I asked about it, they noted that one of the judges was, as you describe, someone without any specific knowledge at all (pop culture type) whose credibility should have been questioned to begin with.

My friend urged me to publish my work, since that's the only thing left to do--"so they'll HAVE to cite you!" as they put it.

So that's next.

    (wanders off, muttering.....<<I'm gonna cream the little twerp>>....)

Sorry, I'm usually better-mannered than this...but I do get mad...and this IS the venting thread....

Thanks for listening.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on January 16, 2022, 09:58:22 AM
Gah.

My new boss sent out an email to some key people.

Instead of waiting for one of them to respond, I wasn't thinking and just followed up myself.

So now they will see my email first, not his or one of their colleagues.

Venting at myself for being so quick on the reply.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on January 16, 2022, 03:07:08 PM
Quote from: mamselle on January 16, 2022, 08:44:32 AM
My friend urged me to publish my work, since that's the only thing left to do--"so they'll HAVE to cite you!" as they put it.

Ugh--frustrating indeed! But happy publishing! And yes, of course, vent away!

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on January 17, 2022, 02:34:38 PM
Well, my husband just headed out to pick up covid tests from CVS.  Enough said, I guess.  It's 5:00 somewhere, as they say.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on January 21, 2022, 06:02:28 AM
What do you mean, "You have the minimum three applications, do we still need to do paid advertising for the position?"

The position was posted on university website in late December. The search committee has diligently posted to free mailing lists and job boards, plus tweeted on appropriate channels. They've made personal contacts. And you want to save $350 advertising expense for a job that pays $90k minimum?

Our efforts to do free advertising via social media (which policy says should supplement standard advertising) has provoked comments about "blatant inside candidate searches" because we don't have any ads in standard places a month after the posting opened.

Spend the advertising money and get us some qualified candidates, if any are willing to apply at this point!

(Three years to retirement. Just. Three. Years.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 21, 2022, 07:35:26 AM
Quote from: Vkw10 on January 21, 2022, 06:02:28 AM
What do you mean, "You have the minimum three applications, do we still need to do paid advertising for the position?"

The position was posted on university website in late December. The search committee has diligently posted to free mailing lists and job boards, plus tweeted on appropriate channels. They've made personal contacts. And you want to save $350 advertising expense for a job that pays $90k minimum?

Our efforts to do free advertising via social media (which policy says should supplement standard advertising) has provoked comments about "blatant inside candidate searches" because we don't have any ads in standard places a month after the posting opened.

Spend the advertising money and get us some qualified candidates, if any are willing to apply at this point!

(Three years to retirement. Just. Three. Years.)

Institutions have to show that they've crossed all Ts and dotted all Is in matters like that.  I can't fill a full-time job at the library without putting a paid ad in the local paper.  Got kind of annoying for a few years there, when we had a revolving door of staff members.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2022, 07:37:05 AM
It sounds like you've got an HR person fresh from Wal-mart...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 21, 2022, 07:47:26 AM
Last night I was just about to pleasantly conclude the day by helping myself to some of that beef stew I'd had all day in the slow cooker when I got phone calls informing me that we had a fire alarm going off at work.  I rushed there and found the place swarming with police and firemen, and earsplitting alarms going off.  I let them in, and they checked around to make sure there was no fire while I tried to get the alarms silenced.  I couldn't.

I frantically called and got hold of a technician--who lives an hour and a half away.  He helped me diagnose the system and get the alarm put to sleep.  By now I could tell that the dry sprinkler system had pressurized.  We can't just leave it like that.  The sprinkler technician was already on his way.  He only lived half an hour away, so I had just enough time to thank the police and firemen for coming, run home and gulp down a meal I'd hoped to savor, and rush back out in the cold to meet the sprinkler tech.

He diagnosed the problem and conferred by phone with the alarm tech.  Then he conferred with me.  Did we want to leave the sprinklers pressurized so they'd be ready in the event of a fire--and take a chance on the pipes freezing and bursting--or drain the sprinklers and hope we didn't have a fire overnight?  Given that the building has gone 20 years with no fire, and that we were supposed to have rare overnight temperatures in the teens, I decided we need to be more afraid of ice than of fire.  So we stayed until the sprinkler tech had the system draining safely.

Today they're coming to try to get the system rigged so that it will be more or less functional by this evening.  Full repairs will have to await the arrival of parts.  I spent part of yesterday evening feeling in a very ugly mood over having the evening ruined.  Then I reminded myself to be thankful that there was no actual fire, the sprinklers did not discharge on our books and computers, and the whole thing did not happen at midnight or three in the morning.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2022, 08:07:55 AM
Yikes, just the thought of the potential for fire--and or ice-- in a library is scary stuff.

Glad it was able to be worked out, but I do know the regret of a much-anticipated meal having to be downed quickly,  too.

The things we have to do to 'adult.'

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 21, 2022, 08:25:53 AM
When you have sophisticated systems in your building, like our alarm/sprinkler system or our HVAC system, that nobody who lives near your small town can fix, it can be a real mess sometimes.  The burglar alarms have called me out for false alarms in the middle of the night at least a couple of times a year for seventeen years now.  We have false fire alarms that pressurize the sprinkler system once every several years.  Its supposed to be a dry system, but some of the pipes weren't installed so that they'd drain properly after a false alarm.  Some years ago, on New Year's Day, I was called out early in the morning when pipes full of stagnant water from a previous alarm burst in our ceilings. 

Amazingly enough, no book stacks or computer systems were damaged.  But we had to have thousands of dollars' worth of repairs done to our ceilings in two places, and had to have the sprinkler lines redone so that they'd drain properly in the future.  A library in a neighboring county had to shut down for weeks due to pipes freezing and bursting on that same New Year.  So really, we were fortunate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 21, 2022, 08:32:38 AM
I don't know if this is really a vent- maybe a grump?

I've been struggling with early morning meetings (got into a bad habit of staying up until 2am). Eyes are goopy, I'm physically tired and grumpy- the weather doesn't help and the heating dries out the air in the house. Maybe this is a 1st world problem?

The semester is flying past me 10 times the speed of light and I feel like I'm constantly trying to catch up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 21, 2022, 09:20:38 AM
The useless university emailed me at 23h00 last night to say I had to send them confirmation of my parental leave application by 10h00 this morning or I wouldn't be paid until February. I sent this information over a month ago, but either they ignored it or it's the wrong page.

The useless POFS government two-factor authentication app has decided it needs to reset, which could take a few hours while someone verifies my identity. That means I can't check to see if there's some other page of which I have to take a screenshot. UUUUURGH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 21, 2022, 09:48:09 AM
Ah, I see. There are two screenshots I have to send. Good job giving me that information. This whole process has been super transparent.

And all this hassle for crumbs, since they aren't paying me what my contract says they should.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on January 21, 2022, 01:22:31 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 21, 2022, 07:47:26 AM
Last night I was just about to pleasantly conclude the day by helping myself to some of that beef stew I'd had all day in the slow cooker when I got phone calls informing me that we had a fire alarm going off at work.  I rushed there and found the place swarming with police and firemen, and earsplitting alarms going off.  I let them in, and they checked around to make sure there was no fire while I tried to get the alarms silenced.  I couldn't.

I frantically called and got hold of a technician--who lives an hour and a half away.  He helped me diagnose the system and get the alarm put to sleep.  By now I could tell that the dry sprinkler system had pressurized.  We can't just leave it like that.  The sprinkler technician was already on his way.  He only lived half an hour away, so I had just enough time to thank the police and firemen for coming, run home and gulp down a meal I'd hoped to savor, and rush back out in the cold to meet the sprinkler tech.

He diagnosed the problem and conferred by phone with the alarm tech.  Then he conferred with me.  Did we want to leave the sprinklers pressurized so they'd be ready in the event of a fire--and take a chance on the pipes freezing and bursting--or drain the sprinklers and hope we didn't have a fire overnight?  Given that the building has gone 20 years with no fire, and that we were supposed to have rare overnight temperatures in the teens, I decided we need to be more afraid of ice than of fire.  So we stayed until the sprinkler tech had the system draining safely.

Today they're coming to try to get the system rigged so that it will be more or less functional by this evening.  Full repairs will have to await the arrival of parts.  I spent part of yesterday evening feeling in a very ugly mood over having the evening ruined.  Then I reminded myself to be thankful that there was no actual fire, the sprinklers did not discharge on our books and computers, and the whole thing did not happen at midnight or three in the morning.

:warning - interthreaduality: This and the newest apl68 post on the coronavirus thread are further evidence that librarians are true superheroes.

(meant sincerely, not at all sarcastically)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 21, 2022, 02:01:41 PM
Unrelated.

HR majorly fucked up and now I'm losing a student employee. Nobody is being held accountable for it (even though I have a paper trail from them showing their mistake) and the student is the one who lost out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 21, 2022, 03:00:12 PM
Also, I caught a runny nose from the hatchling and it's been days and I'm tired of blowing it, and of the post-nasal drip.

Could be omicron, but there's no way of knowing given test shortages and the difficulty of going into town in the first place. But we see nobody, ever, so.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2022, 04:19:19 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 21, 2022, 08:32:38 AM
I don't know if this is really a vent- maybe a grump?

I've been struggling with early morning meetings (got into a bad habit of staying up until 2am). Eyes are goopy, I'm physically tired and grumpy- the weather doesn't help and the heating dries out the air in the house. Maybe this is a 1st world problem?

The semester is flying past me 10 times the speed of light and I feel like I'm constantly trying to catch up.

I've had to work on the 'balance your rewards with your responsibilities thing in a time-frame sort of way like that....

One of my 'rewards' is watching old British films or BBC TV series online after I'm done teaching at the end of the day.

But one thing leads to another, and...oops, it's indeed 1, or 2, or (a couple times) 3, or 4, (and once or twice) 5 AM.

Since most of my students are in the afternoons and evenings, it doesn't directly affect my teaching (she tells herself) but I am working on a few research tasks, doing prep for their lessons and classes, and meeting with a couple of friends and doing a couple of other meetings in the AMs.

In addition, that's the time when I a) plan the day; b) run errands; c) do shopping chores; d) finish up stuff not finished the night before.

So I can't really burn the candle at both ends very often.

Mostly, I can stop myself with a reminder of what's up for the next day and HOW SOON that will be arriving.

And I'm 'allowed' to go overtime on Fridays and Saturdays if I wish (but that sometimes re-sets the clock, making it hard to get to sleep the next night.

...so, sometimes....yeah. I hear you.

I hope your sleep gets sorted out.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 21, 2022, 04:41:56 PM
This is not really a vent for ME, but it may be a vent from my bride...

We had bad weather here last night (a probability of an ice storm) and she stayed with her parents because they have a gas fireplace and IF they lost power, she would be able to help them and stay cozy with the fireplace.

As I was alone, I went to the closet to find one of the games I used to play that is located in a foot locker type box in the closet.  It seems that she has piled A SHIT TON of stuff  (I believe that is a metric unit) on top and she now claims that I was "being mischievous" and in the process of accessing MY box, I triggered an avalanche of HER stuff that rained down and piled up knee high about me! 

I texted her that before she comes home from her parents' house that she should stop at walmart to get some totes as her avalanche clearly indicates that she needs to better organize her stuff. 

Starting MY VENT!
NOW she has started taking things out of the closet and she is now creating piles of stuff in the living room.  She has already filled the 'guest' lazy boy chair with things, and another 'tote bag' of DVDs is on the couch!  She thinks that the DVDs now BELONG in the living room!  However, We DONT HAVE a DVD PLAYER in the living room!!  (I now fear that she will add one to her shopping list to justify keeping her DVD treasures in the living room!!)

So let that be a warning to you newly weds out there!  Dont leave your new spouse alone in the house over night and give (especially HIM)  the opportunity to be "mischievous!"

And for the grooms... IF you dont INSPECT the closet periodically, you run the risk of being buried in the AVALANCHE of purses, shoes, sweaters, and assorted whatnot's in tote bags!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 21, 2022, 05:07:00 PM
Ummm....it's called being married and living with other people.....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 21, 2022, 05:19:17 PM
Update...

As I mentioned, she piled a lot of things on the chair in the living room. Then she sat on the edge and the pile of blankets and things she created from the closet and it all rained down on her!! 

Tactlessly, I laughed and said "That is what happened to me yesterday!!"

Fortunately, she has forgiven me for my 'mischief!"

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 22, 2022, 08:33:59 PM
The hatchling had a small accident amd wrenched a tooth somewhat out of alignment, as far as I can tell. I know it's not my fault, but man, do I ever feel bad about it. The poor love.

Hopefully it's not bad and sets itself aright. And hopefully tomorrow I can get a better look at it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 22, 2022, 09:04:25 PM
Hope its tiny fangs stay aligned!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on January 22, 2022, 11:32:52 PM
Goodness, I remember you announcing when the egg was laid. And it's got teeth already!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 23, 2022, 08:46:40 AM
Quote from: ergative on January 22, 2022, 11:32:52 PM
Goodness, I remember you announcing when the egg was laid. And it's got teeth already!

Six, although two are still just at the poking through stage. 0_o

The fang is now much further out than it was, and still somewhat misaligned. We did what we could to put it back in place, but there's only so much you can do. The wobble doesn't seem too strong, so I think it should shore up. Hopefully it won't be too snaggly, though, since it's a central incisor. Poor love.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 23, 2022, 10:02:13 AM
The good news:  I'm out of the knee-high hard plastic boot!

Unfortunately, rather than being told it's just going to take awhile, and to continue to take it easy, the podiatrist ordered an MRI and thinks that I'll need surgery.  The plantar fascia still has a wide gap, but there's nothing to be done for that (i.e., he can't go in and sew to repair it); however, the fifth metatarsal has something going on, as I suspected because it's hurt like the devil since the PF tear. The MRI will show if the force from that injury damaged or detached the ligaments from the bone, damaged the bone, and/or something else.

To replace the boot, I was given an ankle brace that puts me in the mind of Mammy having Miss Scarlett hang onto the bedpost while tightening up the lacing of her corset.  I'm supposed to wear this under a shoe--like I have anything other than a shoebox that would fit over my swollen fat foot, even without this layer of torture. I might actually have to wear ALHS's shorter ortho boot to go to work on Tuesday. 

I'm not hugely upset, because I kind of figured (i.e., worried) that this would happen. I'm more aggravated than anything, esp. because the whole thing just happened without anything to really cause it. Plus, looking at various reputable Dr. Google sites says that recovery from the injury and surgery can take from 6-12 months for diabetics like me. Sigh. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 23, 2022, 11:50:55 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 23, 2022, 08:46:40 AM
Quote from: ergative on January 22, 2022, 11:32:52 PM
Goodness, I remember you announcing when the egg was laid. And it's got teeth already!

Six, although two are still just at the poking through stage. 0_o

The fang is now much further out than it was, and still somewhat misaligned. We did what we could to put it back in place, but there's only so much you can do. The wobble doesn't seem too strong, so I think it should shore up. Hopefully it won't be too snaggly, though, since it's a central incisor. Poor love.

I was thinking the same about the speed of dentition!

Did it bleed when it was knocked about? (If it's not re-attaching it might be worth a call to a pediatric dentist if you haven't already.)

Hope all's well!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 23, 2022, 11:59:06 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 23, 2022, 10:02:13 AM
The good news:  I'm out of the knee-high hard plastic boot!

Unfortunately, rather than being told it's just going to take awhile, and to continue to take it easy, the podiatrist ordered an MRI and thinks that I'll need surgery.  The plantar fascia still has a wide gap, but there's nothing to be done for that (i.e., he can't go in and sew to repair it); however, the fifth metatarsal has something going on, as I suspected because it's hurt like the devil since the PF tear. The MRI will show if the force from that injury damaged or detached the ligaments from the bone, damaged the bone, and/or something else.

To replace the boot, I was given an ankle brace that puts me in the mind of Mammy having Miss Scarlett hang onto the bedpost while tightening up the lacing of her corset.  I'm supposed to wear this under a shoe--like I have anything other than a shoebox that would fit over my swollen fat foot, even without this layer of torture. I might actually have to wear ALHS's shorter ortho boot to go to work on Tuesday. 

I'm not hugely upset, because I kind of figured (i.e., worried) that this would happen. I'm more aggravated than anything, esp. because the whole thing just happened without anything to really cause it. Plus, looking at various reputable Dr. Google sites says that recovery from the injury and surgery can take from 6-12 months for diabetics like me. Sigh.

Ugh, I'm sorry.

Quote from: mamselle on January 23, 2022, 11:50:55 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 23, 2022, 08:46:40 AM
Quote from: ergative on January 22, 2022, 11:32:52 PM
Goodness, I remember you announcing when the egg was laid. And it's got teeth already!

Six, although two are still just at the poking through stage. 0_o

The fang is now much further out than it was, and still somewhat misaligned. We did what we could to put it back in place, but there's only so much you can do. The wobble doesn't seem too strong, so I think it should shore up. Hopefully it won't be too snaggly, though, since it's a central incisor. Poor love.

I was thinking the same about the speed of dentition!

Did it bleed when it was knocked about? (If it's not re-attaching it might be worth a call to a pediatric dentist if you haven't already.)

Hope all's well!

M.

Yeah, it bled a decent bit, as mouth things do. I think it's re-attaching, although it's angled a bit further outward than one might like. But it might sort itself out over time. The dentist says he's too little to do anything but wait and see.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 23, 2022, 01:49:18 PM
ALH, sorry to hear about your podiatric problems.

As for the ankle, is this a Ritchie brace? If so, wearing it with sneakers would help. The sneaker in question would stretch so you wouldn't be able to use that pair once you're out of the brace. Do ignore the pictures of smiling women jogging while wearing the brace, apparently without a care in the world--ain't happening--you'd still need to be walking slowly.

Sending you good thoughts for good doctors, physical therapists, and a speedy recovery.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 24, 2022, 11:07:44 AM
Thanks for the good wishes, everybody. It will all be fine, I'm sure. I'm just impatient, and irritated beyond belief that all this happened to begin with. (Proof that I actually can injure myself simply walking across a floor. Just call me "grace"!)

Langue_doc, I started out in one of these (https://www.amazon.com/BraceAbility-Fracture-Recovery-Protection-Injuries/dp/B00YKEK5ZM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2Y6UKAJJY3M80&keywords=walking+boot+for+broken+foot&qid=1643050933&s=hpc&sprefix=walking+boot%2Chpc%2C127&sr=1-6) (borrowed from ALHS after his foot surgeries) before I could get in to see the podiatrist.

Then the doc moved me into this one (https://www.amazon.com/United-Ortho-Walker-Standard-Fracture/dp/B07GT1FF8D/ref=sr_1_23?crid=2Y6UKAJJY3M80&keywords=walking+boot+for+broken+foot&qid=1643051021&s=hpc&sprefix=walking+boot%2Chpc%2C127&sr=1-23).

Now I'm in this medieval torture device, um, ankle stabilizer. (https://www.amazon.com/Med-Spec-Ankle-Stabilizer-3X-Large/dp/B00TZTO42W/ref=zg_bs_5006362011_1/147-2376864-6119219?pd_rd_i=B00XP3YB6I&psc=1)  It has to be tight to work, but it feels like my foot is going to fall off at the top of the brace; my swelling, pudgy ankle doesn't help.

I'm just being whiny: at least it's nothing more serious (for now), and I have a good doctor, and I have insurance to pay for it all.  I should just suck it up and get over it. . . . but where's the fun in that?  :-)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on January 24, 2022, 12:03:03 PM
ALH, I have sympathy. Good that you are healing. Hopefully you know enough to wear a solid supportive shoe on your good foot. Seeing these reminds me of my past student with a full ankle cast and crutches trying to maneuver down the steep aisle of the lecture hall. Her good foot had a flip flop on, which she lost on about step 3!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 24, 2022, 02:02:17 PM
Yes, my supporting R foot got quite workout 2 yrs ago when my broken L ankle segue to covid between late Jan and early April of 2020.

I had the middle boot you show after the cast was off.

Such fun!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 24, 2022, 05:02:14 PM
ALH, I had to wear something similar to your second one. A year later, the issue was still unresolved thanks to an MRI report that stated that everything was normal which contradicted the actual film showing numerous issues. I then was prescribed the Ritchie brace --the doc takes a cast of your foot, and then the brace gets shipped to you.
https://richiebrace.com/physicians/products/richie-brace-dynamic-assist

Whine away all you want--foot problems are by far the worst as you have to walk around on contraptions that limit your ability to stand or walk normally.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 25, 2022, 02:30:56 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on January 24, 2022, 05:02:14 PM
Whine away all you want--foot problems are by far the worst as you have to walk around on contraptions that limit your ability to stand or walk normally.

Thanks for the permission to whine.  While there are far more critical problems and things that other people have to deal with--and I truly DO feel for them--mine is an aggravation, and it's wearying.  I'm exhausted every evening from having to drag myself about, watch every step I take, and so on. Plus, I've tended toward being a klutz since I was a kid, even without the added adventure of having a big old foot to manage.

Flip flops and crutches?  I could hurt myself just thinking about it, let alone trying it!  LOL!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 25, 2022, 03:05:12 PM
One of my students had to have some foot surgery recently, and said, "The most tiring thing is having to think every time I take a step how I'm going to put that foot down and what I can do so it might not hurt as much. In fact, it's tiring just thinking about where to put my feet, every single step of the way."

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 28, 2022, 10:44:01 PM
It has been a pretty expensive day!

In the morning I went to Verizon to upgrade my phones.  One is a flip phone that is my 'home phone number' on all my accounts, but is 3 G.  I recently got a note that 3G was not much longer for this world.

My Iphone 6 Plus is now old enough that it no longer gets updates.  Same with my Ipad Mini.

So I decided that the day had arrived to upgrade to a new iphone and ipad.  I opted for a used Iphone 11 pro, and a new (backordered) Ipad Mini 6. 

All fine and dandy, but after all of the paperwork and all, and then lunch, I got an email that my credit card thought it was a fraudulent charge and denied it!  I had to use another card.  However, I m not sure that everything went through correctly.  The online receipt is showing the LARGE payment, but also shows that the phone had a $0. price.  I suppose I will have to go to the store and have them print me an actual receipt with the actual values!  I dont want to get billed for this thing after paying for it up front!

THEN!!!  The day was not over!  I was trying to confirm travel plans when my computer said something like ":)  We have encountered an error and need to restart" 
It shut down, but would not restart!! 

After waiting and waiting, I tried Cntrl ALT DEL (nothing), and I held the power button a few times.  Still nothing.

After an hour with Costco Support (as the computer was just at 1 year old), we diagnosed a hard disk failure!! 


So I am without my laptop, for who knows how long???

What a day!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 31, 2022, 10:52:28 AM
The Saga of the Foot continues. It still hurts like the devil, and the torturous new brace has only made it even worse, not better. And now:

I can't bear to review the details (and nobody cares anyway), but after a week of the doctor's office arguing with Cigna, the woman at the doc's office told me this morning that the insurance has flatly denied my pre-cert request for an MRI, with "no appeals available." Or rather, they might OK it, if it's medically necessary after six months under treatment.  (For those playing along at home, that would be June 7, at the earliest.)

Of course, appropriate treatment would involve surgery to re-attach and/or repair damage to the tendon and/or bone, but the need and nature of the surgery needs to be determined by. . . an MRI. 

Cigna says they'd pay for PT [but in the past, they also dispute this tx; and I'm not wild about paying a PT to make things hurt worse, particularly since the doc said PT isn't appropriate for what's going on inside my foot].

Cigna will also pay for opioids for pain, which I've been avoiding since I have that nasty habit of, you know, working (and having to be un-loopy enough to drive there).

So essentially Cigna is telling me to keep hobbling around and hurting like hell and doing hell-only-knows what further damage for six months, and maybe (if I haven't committed harakiri with a butter knife before then) they might pay for. . . . something.  Or not.

Of course, they have no qualms about collecting the $600 out of my check (or the nearly $1000 my employer pays) in premiums every month--no six-month waiting for that.

I'm only half-joking when trying to convince ALHS to give me a couple of his Vicodins and then slam a cinder block on my foot so I can go through the ER and get the g-ddamned MRI.

I've really been doing much better with curbing my use of profanity during the pandemic.  That shit just went out the f-ing window today, though. Through most of our various dramas over the years, I've been able to laugh at the absurdity, at least to some degree. Maybe it's all caught up to me, or maybe it's because I'm hurting, but I can't laugh this off.

Sorry for the long vent, and thanks for the chance to get it out of my system. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on January 31, 2022, 10:55:53 AM
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 31, 2022, 12:11:04 PM
here, we have a staff/faculty rep to the state level HR group. The system VP heads the committee.  SEBAC (system employee benefits advisory committee).  This would be something that you would report to your university level SEBAC rep (being sure to CC the local HR folks), and ask that the VP discuss with the CIGNA rep.  As you said, it is the university that is paying for this, CIGNA only handles the paperwork and writes the checks. 

At least here, that is how it works. We are self insured, with BCBS administering the account details.

So do not be afraid to 'take this to a higher authority' and see if you can move the ball that way.

(works best in the months before the RFP (request for proposals) is sent out where there is bidding by the competing compaines)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on January 31, 2022, 12:15:21 PM
Much sympathy to AmLitHist. Such an extremely frustrating situation to be in.

Having to wait months for treatment (or even an evaluative procedure like an MRI) and being left to grapple with the question of how to stick it out until then. And the fact that this is considered business as usual and that the doctors/insurance companies are seemingly indifferent to the impact your injury is having on your life just makes it even more infuriating.

I'm really sorry you're having to deal with this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 01, 2022, 05:07:37 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 31, 2022, 10:52:28 AM
The Saga of the Foot continues. It still hurts like the devil, and the torturous new brace has only made it even worse, not better. And now:

I can't bear to review the details (and nobody cares anyway), but after a week of the doctor's office arguing with Cigna, the woman at the doc's office told me this morning that the insurance has flatly denied my pre-cert request for an MRI, with "no appeals available." Or rather, they might OK it, if it's medically necessary after six months under treatment.  (For those playing along at home, that would be June 7, at the earliest.)

Of course, appropriate treatment would involve surgery to re-attach and/or repair damage to the tendon and/or bone, but the need and nature of the surgery needs to be determined by. . . an MRI. 

Cigna says they'd pay for PT [but in the past, they also dispute this tx; and I'm not wild about paying a PT to make things hurt worse, particularly since the doc said PT isn't appropriate for what's going on inside my foot].

Cigna will also pay for opioids for pain, which I've been avoiding since I have that nasty habit of, you know, working (and having to be un-loopy enough to drive there).

So essentially Cigna is telling me to keep hobbling around and hurting like hell and doing hell-only-knows what further damage for six months, and maybe (if I haven't committed harakiri with a butter knife before then) they might pay for. . . . something.  Or not.

Of course, they have no qualms about collecting the $600 out of my check (or the nearly $1000 my employer pays) in premiums every month--no six-month waiting for that.

I'm only half-joking when trying to convince ALHS to give me a couple of his Vicodins and then slam a cinder block on my foot so I can go through the ER and get the g-ddamned MRI.

I've really been doing much better with curbing my use of profanity during the pandemic.  That shit just went out the f-ing window today, though. Through most of our various dramas over the years, I've been able to laugh at the absurdity, at least to some degree. Maybe it's all caught up to me, or maybe it's because I'm hurting, but I can't laugh this off.

Sorry for the long vent, and thanks for the chance to get it out of my system.

This is outrageous. Contact your elected representatives, state and federal, throw a hissy fit (in writing), and remind them that they cannot take your vote for granted.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 01, 2022, 08:08:18 AM
Coming back to ask, "Where is your PCP in this?"

As in, you said your doctor's office has submitted the requests, been turned down, etc., but does that just mean the desk assistants have continued to submit the request until the 'final answer' was received, or has your MD actually written a strongly-enough-worded letter to blister the wires and get them to see the essential nature of this request?

I agree your coverage experts should also be on the case, but your MD has to push back, call in some favors, or do something--this is your long-term care and ambulatory capacity they're playing with.

This is probably also another case where 'capacitance' or 'caps' come into play.

The underlying issue could well be that the hospital/clinic/office/whatever has 'used up' the number of MRIs their payments 'cover' for the year, and this is as likely being denied because they'd have to go up to the next level of coverage to get it covered. This is the dread 'capacitance' that became so popular in the 1990s as a way of giving insurers deniability without offering much superficial recourse (and thus saving them money, of course).

At some point, someone has to either threaten the possibility of a suit to the insurance company for poor quality of care/negligence, etc., or point out that their good reputation will be at stake once people start talking about their lack of humane attention to patients' health needs--i.e., start threatening to sort-of blackmail them--because their denial is outrageous.

As much as your PCP probably already has to do, this is in part on them. You know enough about your own care and needs you could possibly draft a letter suggesting some of the potential for damage, worry about ongoing loss of mobility, etc.--those of us who write or teach writing for a living can be quite persuasive when we get started, you know?

If you then used those phrases in an email to your PCP they might catch on and pick them up (saving them time...and getting your points across).

An "I'm concerned about..." letter might start things moving, in other words.... 

Just mes deux centimes.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 01, 2022, 11:06:25 AM
mamselle has a good point about getting your PCP (or the podiatrist) involved. I would suggest asking the physician who prescribed the MRI to resubmit the prescription with a note to the effect that it is urgent and that delays would result in ramifications not just for the patient but also for the insurer as there would be consequential injuries or other problems that would need to be treated. Remind the insurer (or the doctor) that you absolutely need to know what the problem is (with your foot) and the treatment required for addressing this problem, hence the urgency for the MRI.

ETA Treatments are coded, so your physician should know the code or codes to use to indicate a medically urgent diagnostic test.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 01, 2022, 04:29:04 PM
+1,000

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on February 02, 2022, 10:20:00 AM
I am teaching a study abroad class this summer. The company that facilitates the logistics of the trip, especially the travel and lodging schedules, has informed me that the deadline to make those reservations is fast approaching. They've also informed me that the contract with them hasn't been signed. None of my emails to my contact in the university's study abroad program has gotten a response. Indeed, some of the questions about crosslisting and registration have also gone unanswered. Students are concerned their trip will be cancelled, parents are concerned that we're not handling this properly, and the logistics company has issued a deadline. I go over to the Study Abroad office, and the admin's repsonse to me is "yeah, I saw those emails. I decide who and what to answer. Your emails aren't on my list." When I tell her that I'm being told that if the contract isn't signed by Feb 11, then the other folks withdraw (by then it's too late to schedule) and that the class will be cancelled. For what it's worth, the cost of travel, room, and board has already increased due to this delay. As in, increased by more than a thousand over the initial quote. The admin says, "Then I'll sign it on Feb 11. And in the future, you'll get an email from me when I want you to get an email from me."

So flabbergasted. Won't be going through this process again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on February 02, 2022, 10:27:50 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on February 02, 2022, 10:20:00 AM
I am teaching a study abroad class this summer. The company that facilitates the logistics of the trip, especially the travel and lodging schedules, has informed me that the deadline to make those reservations is fast approaching. They've also informed me that the contract with them hasn't been signed. None of my emails to my contact in the university's study abroad program has gotten a response. Indeed, some of the questions about crosslisting and registration have also gone unanswered. Students are concerned their trip will be cancelled, parents are concerned that we're not handling this properly, and the logistics company has issued a deadline. I go over to the Study Abroad office, and the admin's repsonse to me is "yeah, I saw those emails. I decide who and what to answer. Your emails aren't on my list." When I tell her that I'm being told that if the contract isn't signed by Feb 11, then the other folks withdraw (by then it's too late to schedule) and that the class will be cancelled. For what it's worth, the cost of travel, room, and board has already increased due to this delay. As in, increased by more than a thousand over the initial quote. The admin says, "Then I'll sign it on Feb 11. And in the future, you'll get an email from me when I want you to get an email from me."

So flabbergasted. Won't be going through this process again.

Wow, who is this person's boss? I'd be looping in my chair and having them go to up the chain of command with this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 02, 2022, 10:28:27 AM
Wow, RatGuy. Just infuriating, I'm sure.

Thanks for the various advice on my insurance problems, everyone.  I've done all those already (i.e., doctor has written, provided all records electronically, personally called by phone, etc. to the insurer). I've put in a request to my HR, where my usual go-to people have all quit, and am waiting to hear back from whoever has now taken that job.  And my union is getting me a contact with a lawyer to start with a nasty phone call to Cigna.

Of course, everything and everybody in the region is shut down today, and likely the rest of the week, for the ice/sleet/snow event.

Plus, our power was out for about 3 hours this morning (due to the ice and wind). At least it's back on now.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 02, 2022, 10:35:14 AM
I host my slides and audio material on my own site, to those with the right URLs. When I teach online I provide links to it.

One school I teach at seems to want me to not only to teach their students, but also to use my online courses as a template for other people to teach the same course. Not only that, but they want me to develop the template myself.

Unfortunately for them, I'm not prepared for my own work to be used that way unless they pay me extra money. It's very easy for me to cut off access to the materials I have developed.

I guess we may be parting ways soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on February 02, 2022, 10:45:06 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 02, 2022, 10:28:27 AM
Wow, RatGuy. Just infuriating, I'm sure.

Thanks for the various advice on my insurance problems, everyone.  I've done all those already (i.e., doctor has written, provided all records electronically, personally called by phone, etc. to the insurer). I've put in a request to my HR, where my usual go-to people have all quit, and am waiting to hear back from whoever has now taken that job.  And my union is getting me a contact with a lawyer to start with a nasty phone call to Cigna.

Of course, everything and everybody in the region is shut down today, and likely the rest of the week, for the ice/sleet/snow event.

Plus, our power was out for about 3 hours this morning (due to the ice and wind). At least it's back on now.


This is terrible. Could your state insurance commissioner be helpful? Opiods instead of diagnosis!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 02, 2022, 10:46:00 AM
Quote from: Puget on February 02, 2022, 10:27:50 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on February 02, 2022, 10:20:00 AM
I am teaching a study abroad class this summer. The company that facilitates the logistics of the trip, especially the travel and lodging schedules, has informed me that the deadline to make those reservations is fast approaching. They've also informed me that the contract with them hasn't been signed. None of my emails to my contact in the university's study abroad program has gotten a response. Indeed, some of the questions about crosslisting and registration have also gone unanswered. Students are concerned their trip will be cancelled, parents are concerned that we're not handling this properly, and the logistics company has issued a deadline. I go over to the Study Abroad office, and the admin's repsonse to me is "yeah, I saw those emails. I decide who and what to answer. Your emails aren't on my list." When I tell her that I'm being told that if the contract isn't signed by Feb 11, then the other folks withdraw (by then it's too late to schedule) and that the class will be cancelled. For what it's worth, the cost of travel, room, and board has already increased due to this delay. As in, increased by more than a thousand over the initial quote. The admin says, "Then I'll sign it on Feb 11. And in the future, you'll get an email from me when I want you to get an email from me."

So flabbergasted. Won't be going through this process again.

Wow, who is this person's boss? I'd be looping in my chair and having them go to up the chain of command with this.

Agree. Study-abroad programs can be either great or mooshy-dicey.

If it's not great, AND if your in-house office isn't great, it's a pain to manage.

At some levels, it can be hard for an in-hiuse group to handle the language, currency, accounting, and transportation details--especially now, and, probably especially, with reduced in-house staff to field all the communications.

But that's not quite an excuse--at best, just a reason--for the rudeness you encountered.

It's usually a silo-type office, and can be the kind of set-up that responds best to lots of EA schmoozing and hand-holding, if you can identify who in that group actually gets things done and responds to respectful efforts to keep them "sweet" and on-track.

But if they're risking a whole cancelation/return-funds/have-upset-parrents-and-kids-sending-emails scenario, I'd think their boss, and quite possibly a Registrar, or someone like that, might want to know, too...and of course, you'd want to let Mr/s. "Don't-call-me" know that before you let them know, too...

Yuck.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 03, 2022, 08:53:14 AM
Quote from: downer on February 02, 2022, 10:35:14 AM

Unfortunately for them, I'm not prepared for my own work to be used that way unless they pay me extra money. It's very easy for me to cut off access to the materials I have developed.

I guess we may be parting ways soon.

I feel for you, Downer.  My place always wants us to do things like this for free.  But let one of us miss 30 minutes of on-campus office hours, and it hits the fan--never mind all the free labor all of us do when grading at home, evenings and weekends.....

No wonder the CHE has been running articles lately about faculty burnout and/or leaving.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 03, 2022, 10:30:18 AM
QuoteI am teaching a study abroad class this summer. The company that facilitates the logistics of the trip, especially the travel and lodging schedules, has informed me that the deadline to make those reservations is fast approaching. They've also informed me that the contract with them hasn't been signed. None of my emails to my contact in the university's study abroad program has gotten a response. Indeed, some of the questions about crosslisting and registration have also gone unanswered. Students are concerned their trip will be cancelled, parents are concerned that we're not handling this properly, and the logistics company has issued a deadline. I go over to the Study Abroad office, and the admin's repsonse to me is "yeah, I saw those emails. I decide who and what to answer. Your emails aren't on my list." When I tell her that I'm being told that if the contract isn't signed by Feb 11, then the other folks withdraw (by then it's too late to schedule) and that the class will be cancelled. For what it's worth, the cost of travel, room, and board has already increased due to this delay. As in, increased by more than a thousand over the initial quote. The admin says, "Then I'll sign it on Feb 11. And in the future, you'll get an email from me when I want you to get an email from me."

It may be too late, but it is time to send an email to the Admincritter (with a CC to your dean) outlining the conversation you had.  You can even be as frank with that email as you were here.  Make sure that YOUR dean knows.  Frankly, in as much as this is a BUDGET issue ... as reduced tuition from these cancelled classes will have a negative impact on the campus, a CC to the provost might tempt me IF I was really pissed!

As the prices have gone up because of the admincritter's delay I would make sure that I would document that their handling of this matter has increased the burden on the students.  IF the costs had already been shared with the students, ask what the university's plans are to absorb those added costs are?

Finally, Do YOU really want to do this?  Perhaps this is the time to send the dean an additional note that you are not willing to handle this added responsibility and added stress resulting from this admincritter's inactions and unanswered emails and that the dean should begin to send out feelers to find another victim volunteer more willing to put up with such bullshit/inaction. 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 03, 2022, 01:15:49 PM
I am sad to report that my adminvertebrate missed our deposit deadline, so my Spring Break trip is now up in the air, as it is unclear if our spots are still reserved.  Our plane tickets are purchased, however.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 01:23:14 PM
Is that the kind of invertebrate you can put in a big jar with formalin, and pickle them?

M.*

   * thinking up other terrible fates for such folk....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 05:13:48 PM
I'm probably spending way too much time here, and probably not always making a lot of sense.

I think I've been desperate for something to distract away from chronic pain. It's been bad for months and keeps me awake most of the night. Hard to eat, losing weight and losing energy.

Definitely not at my best, and feeling pretty down.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2022, 07:25:35 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 05:13:48 PM
I'm probably spending way too much time here, and probably not always making a lot of sense.

I think I've been desperate for something to distract away from chronic pain. It's been bad for months and keeps me awake most of the night. Hard to eat, losing weight and losing energy.

Definitely not at my best, and feeling pretty down.

Consider us support, and I'm sorry you're dealing with all this.

What would be the best thing for you right now? A different care team leader? Different meds? Just to have the pain STOP!?

All good thoughts...I hope you find help that really helps.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 04, 2022, 11:52:49 AM
QuoteI think I've been desperate for something to distract away from chronic pain

I seem to recall an article that reported the study of burn victims.  They were better able to tolerate usually excruciating treatments if they played a video game while it was going on.  So you may find that  WE are distracting you from the pain. 
While I would not want to distract you from your studies and work, perhaps this is an excuse to buy or break out some old game system to distract you further!  (But dont let your hubby take it over from you!!) 

I dont know if this would help or not, but both my brother and niece got some sort of 3 d or virtual experience headpiece and something that they held in their hands or went on their wrists.  ( I was not allowed to play with them because they were always in use!!  )

Now that I mention them, I think that my aunt (mid 60s) has one too and claims that she can work up a sweat playing something with it!
(She is undergoing cancer treatments, but I dont know if it is used to distract her from the treatment issues, or just something to keep her busy given Covid travel restrictions imposed by her hubby and son).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 04, 2022, 12:17:06 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 05:13:48 PM
I'm probably spending way too much time here, and probably not always making a lot of sense.

I think I've been desperate for something to distract away from chronic pain. It's been bad for months and keeps me awake most of the night. Hard to eat, losing weight and losing energy.

Definitely not at my best, and feeling pretty down.

I'm sorry to hear this, smallcleanrat. As mamselle said, this forum can be supportive. Sending good vibes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on February 04, 2022, 12:19:36 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 04, 2022, 12:17:06 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 05:13:48 PM
I'm probably spending way too much time here, and probably not always making a lot of sense.

I think I've been desperate for something to distract away from chronic pain. It's been bad for months and keeps me awake most of the night. Hard to eat, losing weight and losing energy.

Definitely not at my best, and feeling pretty down.

I'm sorry to hear this, smallcleanrat. As mamselle said, this forum can be supportive. Sending good vibes.


+1 to this. Fingers crossed for you, smallcleanrat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on February 04, 2022, 01:54:47 PM
Gentle soothing thoughts to smallcleanrat. Things that help me when I need to NOT focus on a physical sensation include music listened though headphones, simple repetitive video games (Fruit ninja, Tetris etc.), and my cats. Just focusing on stroking the fur and listening/feeling the purring.

If laughing helps, maybe we need to dig up some of the old classic threads- Oseph and her MIL (I'll never see sheep the same way again!) the baby shower incident (can't remember the handle of that contributor), etc.. They really were comedic masterpieces.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 04, 2022, 02:04:55 PM
The front door fell off its hinge (singular!). The apartment is now venting atmosphere into the world.

The door weighs, like, 200lbs, so it's weird that it was balanced on a single pin hinge but whatever. It's chilly now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2022, 02:52:41 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on February 04, 2022, 01:54:47 PM
Gentle soothing thoughts to smallcleanrat. Things that help me when I need to NOT focus on a physical sensation include music listened though headphones, simple repetitive video games (Fruit ninja, Tetris etc.), and my cats. Just focusing on stroking the fur and listening/feeling the purring.

If laughing helps, maybe we need to dig up some of the old classic threads- Oseph and her MIL (I'll never see sheep the same way again!) the baby shower incident (can't remember the handle of that contributor), etc.. They really were comedic masterpieces.

Unless someone saved those threads, they're sadly gone. CHE discontinued the whole shebang, and several requests to re-open or make the files available have been denied.

I agree about the sheep, Oseph's MIL, etc. The play-by-play in real time was truly something to behold.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on February 05, 2022, 10:55:18 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 04, 2022, 02:04:55 PM
The front door fell off its hinge (singular!). The apartment is now venting atmosphere into the world.

The door weighs, like, 200lbs, so it's weird that it was balanced on a single pin hinge but whatever. It's chilly now.

I hope you solve the problem ASAP!

My vent is on the "first world problems" thread, but here's another one, much less important: The showerhead broke off its pipe, causing a watery mess in the bathroom this evening.

(Huh. Maybe I should've put that in the "first world problems" thread and the hacker issue here.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on February 09, 2022, 01:45:34 AM
Now that I'm back on campus a few days a week, I'm in that awkward situation where my phone and wallet, which used to live on my desk, now don't always make it to my bag. Yesterday I forgot my phone at home--which is normally no big deal, except I need it for two-factor authentication to get into my email, onedrive, teams, etc. Today I forgot my wallet--which is slightly more of a big deal. I have errands to run after work, and now I'll need to go home first to fetch the wallet before I can get my errands done. Somehow the inefficiency of retracing my steps is far more galling than an equal number of steps to a destination equally far away that does not require doubling back.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 09, 2022, 04:50:34 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 09, 2022, 01:45:34 AM
Now that I'm back on campus a few days a week, I'm in that awkward situation where my phone and wallet, which used to live on my desk, now don't always make it to my bag. Yesterday I forgot my phone at home--which is normally no big deal, except I need it for two-factor authentication to get into my email, onedrive, teams, etc. Today I forgot my wallet--which is slightly more of a big deal. I have errands to run after work, and now I'll need to go home first to fetch the wallet before I can get my errands done. Somehow the inefficiency of retracing my steps is far more galling than an equal number of steps to a destination equally far away that does not require doubling back.

I hear you. My two-factor fob is on my work keychain, so I sometimes set it on my desk in my office when logging in. If I forget to put it in my pocket after, I can lock myself out of my office. AND since there are so few people on campus, there may not be anyone who can let me back in. This limbo is bizarre.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on February 09, 2022, 06:21:36 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 09, 2022, 01:45:34 AM
Now that I'm back on campus a few days a week, I'm in that awkward situation where my phone and wallet, which used to live on my desk, now don't always make it to my bag. Yesterday I forgot my phone at home--which is normally no big deal, except I need it for two-factor authentication to get into my email, onedrive, teams, etc. Today I forgot my wallet--which is slightly more of a big deal. I have errands to run after work, and now I'll need to go home first to fetch the wallet before I can get my errands done. Somehow the inefficiency of retracing my steps is far more galling than an equal number of steps to a destination equally far away that does not require doubling back.

I use a phone card holder pocket as my wallet, so there is only one thing to remember-- you might improve your chances of not having to backtrack by keeping at least a few essential cards with your phone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 09, 2022, 12:16:50 PM
How frequent is it that a dean sends out an email to everyone possible, and then some other admin finds it necessary to then forward the same email to everyone in their domain too? These jokers should get an electric shock for every unnecessary email they send.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on February 09, 2022, 01:57:07 PM
Quote from: downer on February 09, 2022, 12:16:50 PM
How frequent is it that a dean sends out an email to everyone possible, and then some other admin finds it necessary to then forward the same email to everyone in their domain too? These jokers should get an electric shock for every unnecessary email they send.

Our department admin does that, too, and it is very annoying.  I wonder why they think it is necessary?  I second the electric shock idea.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 09, 2022, 04:45:05 PM
Student reached out for help at 11:30 this morning via email.  By 5pm, I had emails from my chair, the department secretary, and the Dean wanting to know why I wasn't responding to the student.

And this student is 61 years old, no wet behind the ears whippersnapper!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 09, 2022, 07:48:06 PM
Quote from: FishProf on February 09, 2022, 04:45:05 PM
Student reached out for help at 11:30 this morning via email.  By 5pm, I had emails from my chair, the department secretary, and the Dean wanting to know why I wasn't responding to the student.

And this student is 61 years old, no wet behind the ears whippersnapper!

Second-career CEO used to rapid response staff replies?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 10, 2022, 04:37:39 AM
Unlikely.  Student was unable to read the gradebook and didn't realize (despite the announcements and the syllabus BOTH stating this) that the gradebook treats unfinished assignments as Zeros.  So, despite averaging an 81.5% on the quizzes she has so far taken,  she was convinced she had a 12% in the class.

How do you get to one class short of graduating and not figure out how to read, understand, or properly ask about this stuff?

A first time freshpeep I understand (but don't excuse), but a graduating senior?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on February 10, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.

I confess I'm a bit wobbly on the difference myself. Is it really the case that 'insure' can only be used for money? I always thought that the money-insurance meaning was a specific application of a more general meaning that is the same as 'ensure'.

Quote from: FishProf on February 09, 2022, 04:45:05 PM
Student reached out for help at 11:30 this morning via email.  By 5pm, I had emails from my chair, the department secretary, and the Dean wanting to know why I wasn't responding to the student.

And this student is 61 years old, no wet behind the ears whippersnapper!

I'm not so much surprised by the student (even the youngsters sometimes do that), as impressed by the fact that your chair, dep't secretary, and Dean do in fact respond so quickly!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on February 10, 2022, 05:40:30 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 10, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.

I confess I'm a bit wobbly on the difference myself. Is it really the case that 'insure' can only be used for money? I always thought that the money-insurance meaning was a specific application of a more general meaning that is the same as 'ensure'.


My understanding was that "insure" was about providing for the contingency of something happening, whereas "ensure" was guaranteeing that the thing would happen.

I can agree to do something if your house burns down ("insurance"), but there's no way I can "ensure" that your house will never burn.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 10, 2022, 06:07:35 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 10, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.
I confess I'm a bit wobbly on the difference myself. Is it really the case that 'insure' can only be used for money? I always thought that the money-insurance meaning was a specific application of a more general meaning that is the same as 'ensure'.

To quote Chris Rock: "They shouldn't even call it insurance, they should just call it, IN CASE S*&^. "
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on February 10, 2022, 08:03:39 AM
My prescription plan has worked fine for years, even into retirement.  But the county, in a cost-saving move (it couldn't have been a cost-increasing plan, could it?), changed the rules and the pharmacy I'd used for decades was no longer on the list.  So, when I had a script to fill, went to one of the new alternative pharms (I'm looking at you, CVS) and was told on proferring my card, new for this year that, "This expired in December."  Despite it coming to me in January.

Now, afternoon plans changed, I had to go to campus, look up HR, to get the number of the "helpful" people at the plan.  I was sure I'd get voice mail (and did, 2X).  But then I thought, well, maybe the person who handled the card was a jerk.  Let me go to the (p)harm's "Consultation" area.  Did so, and after much keyboarding, they admitted that, "Yes, it's valid."  So got fifty dollars back on the script, but nothing much for the annoyances of the afternoon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on February 10, 2022, 08:07:04 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 10, 2022, 05:40:30 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 10, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.

I confess I'm a bit wobbly on the difference myself. Is it really the case that 'insure' can only be used for money? I always thought that the money-insurance meaning was a specific application of a more general meaning that is the same as 'ensure'.


My understanding was that "insure" was about providing for the contingency of something happening, whereas "ensure" was guaranteeing that the thing would happen.

I can agree to do something if your house burns down ("insurance"), but there's no way I can "ensure" that your house will never burn.

Huh. That makes an enormous amount of sense. Thanks!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 10, 2022, 09:42:32 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 10, 2022, 05:40:30 AM
Quote from: ergative on February 10, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 09, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
That's three articles in a row where 'insure' was used for 'ensure'.

I confess I'm a bit wobbly on the difference myself. Is it really the case that 'insure' can only be used for money? I always thought that the money-insurance meaning was a specific application of a more general meaning that is the same as 'ensure'.


My understanding was that "insure" was about providing for the contingency of something happening, whereas "ensure" was guaranteeing that the thing would happen.

I can agree to do something if your house burns down ("insurance"), but there's no way I can "ensure" that your house will never burn.

This reminds me of the middle-school English teacher who was trying to teach us the difference between "sit" and "set."  She said that you might not mind your dog sitting on the floor, but would not want him setting things on the floor.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 10, 2022, 02:36:34 PM
Not to divert the Venting...
I always have issues with effect and affect...


to ENSURE you dont keep making payments on a wrecked car, you INSURE it!

Ensure - guarantee
Insure - protect from financial loss
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on February 10, 2022, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: clean on February 10, 2022, 02:36:34 PM
Not to divert the Venting...
I always have issues with effect and affect...


to ENSURE you dont keep making payments on a wrecked car, you INSURE it!

Ensure - guarantee
Insure - protect from financial loss
Yes.  Two noun versions, two verb versions.  Just try to effect proper usage.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: science.expat on February 11, 2022, 01:40:08 AM
Quote from: Juvenal on February 10, 2022, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: clean on February 10, 2022, 02:36:34 PM
Not to divert the Venting...
I always have issues with effect and affect...


to ENSURE you dont keep making payments on a wrecked car, you INSURE it!

Ensure - guarantee
Insure - protect from financial loss
Yes.  Two noun versions, two verb versions.  Just try to effect proper usage.

😊
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on February 11, 2022, 04:28:39 AM
Quote from: science.expat on February 11, 2022, 01:40:08 AM
Quote from: Juvenal on February 10, 2022, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: clean on February 10, 2022, 02:36:34 PM
Not to divert the Venting...
I always have issues with effect and affect...


to ENSURE you dont keep making payments on a wrecked car, you INSURE it!

Ensure - guarantee
Insure - protect from financial loss
Yes.  Two noun versions, two verb versions.  Just try to effect proper usage.

😊

That's the happy affect I like to see!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 11, 2022, 08:48:21 AM
Schools seem to suppose that if they make faculty have a pull down menu for each student when doing enrollment verification, that will make professors less likely to just put "yes" for everyone.

But in fact it's the other way around. If you make my life harder in filling out the online form, I will be less likely to check on who is actually in class.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on February 11, 2022, 10:23:00 AM
The people at the Testing Center stapled the scantron to the exam hardcopy. They're supposed to use paper clips, and they've always used paper clips. Heck, they paper-clipped another one of my student's exam just fine today. But this other exam got The Staple.

Even after carefully removing the staple, the scantron machine wouldn't feed the damaged scantron. So I wasted 10 minutes manually grading someone's exam.

One lousy staple did this. But I feel better now after complaining about it here.

Nice thread.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on February 11, 2022, 12:48:30 PM
One of the administrators I work with is obsessive about holding meetings — to the point that our calendars get so filled, we don't have time for our work. He reached out to a few of us recently about scheduling a meeting with various departments, and the admin tasked with scheduling it circled back today with a few times that could work. The meeting-obsessed administrator then asked what this meeting was about and who initiated it. I wanted to scream, YOU, YOU IDIOT!!

Boy was I was happy to leave campus early and come home to pour myself an adult beverage.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on February 11, 2022, 01:58:36 PM
Before one of my mentors retired, she had the most lovely saying about the college administration.

"All Meetings, All the Time."

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 11, 2022, 03:57:35 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on February 11, 2022, 12:48:30 PM
One of the administrators I work with is obsessive about holding meetings — to the point that our calendars get so filled, we don't have time for our work. He reached out to a few of us recently about scheduling a meeting with various departments, and the admin tasked with scheduling it circled back today with a few times that could work. The meeting-obsessed administrator then asked what this meeting was about and who initiated it. I wanted to scream, YOU, YOU IDIOT!!

Boy was I was happy to leave campus early and come home to pour myself an adult beverage.

I'm at the other extreme. My chair is so meeting adverse that we almost NEVER have meetings, even when there are things like, oh, a sudden switch to online teaching due to a pandemic.
I'd like a happy medium.  Regular meetings when there is something important to discuss.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on February 12, 2022, 05:48:10 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 11, 2022, 03:57:35 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on February 11, 2022, 12:48:30 PM
One of the administrators I work with is obsessive about holding meetings — to the point that our calendars get so filled, we don't have time for our work. He reached out to a few of us recently about scheduling a meeting with various departments, and the admin tasked with scheduling it circled back today with a few times that could work. The meeting-obsessed administrator then asked what this meeting was about and who initiated it. I wanted to scream, YOU, YOU IDIOT!!

Boy was I was happy to leave campus early and come home to pour myself an adult beverage.

I'm at the other extreme. My chair is so meeting adverse that we almost NEVER have meetings, even when there are things like, oh, a sudden switch to online teaching due to a pandemic.
I'd like a happy medium.  Regular meetings when there is something important to discuss.
+1.
People who hold meetings all the time = people choosing to not do the work themselves
People not holding meetings ever = people choosing to not do the work themselves

Both of these categories of people suck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 12, 2022, 08:44:15 AM
I got passed over for an internal promotion. NBD, on paper, the new guy was more qualified. I took a lateral and looked forward to learning a lot.

New guy was a bit quirky but whatever. It is now official that he is a complete nutcase. He hasn't stopped me from doing my own job but he disrupted a meeting when we were discussing our quarterly report asking why some reports are labeled "Q" and some are labelled "A."

He went on to ask why when we pull the report for our second quarter report we selected "Fiscal Period 6." Because it's the second quarter report, so why don't we pull Period 2? And why is Period 6 December, shouldn't that be Period 12?

Finally he went on a rant about how IT is so stupid, then asked the accountant who was recording the meeting to go back and erase that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 14, 2022, 03:54:08 PM
Why do we have to do this today? I have just lost 2 hours of my life.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 15, 2022, 07:39:26 AM
WTF? I just found out that my prescription is on back order (and has been for about 3 months). Of course I'm running out in a few days. Didn't anticipate this...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 15, 2022, 08:40:52 AM
If you want to know why instructors don't enforce the Academic Integrity Policy more rigorously, the likely answer should be obvious: although we technically aren't adjuncts, we're paid by the course, our course loads aren't guaranteed, and courses are capped at 35 and get cancelled when they dip below 27. Under those circumstances, nobody can afford to drive students away by having a reputation as a stickler.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on February 18, 2022, 06:19:41 AM
Super anxious doctoral student just asked me to "bump up" up her grade on a take-home open book  quiz she won't take until next week.
All semester I've been reassuring her that she is doing fine, but this is wearying.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 18, 2022, 10:40:34 AM
I'd tell her she has more power over her grade going in than you do....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 18, 2022, 10:53:59 AM
Perhaps this should be in first world problems, but the local Amazon delivery drivers need to stop leaving packages in my freakin' driveway! There's a nice clear sidewalk to my covered front porch. I know it's snowing, but there's less than half an inch of new snow since we cleaned the drive and walkways this AM when I went to work. Yes, I filed yet another complaint and also filled out the "how was my delivery" form. AND this time, not only is it on security camera video that the package was left in the drive (had the video the last time too) but the guy was on his phone telling whoever he was talking to "Nah, not doing anything important. Wassup?" as he tossed the package down.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 18, 2022, 03:16:10 PM
We have a leak in the roof. The roofing company can't come out until NEXT Friday. And it's supposed to rain all next week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 18, 2022, 04:17:53 PM
Student email to dean (reported from chair)

"Dr. Clean has been by far the most degrading, condescending Professor that I've had in college. My classmates and I have made GroupMe chats in an effort figure out how to complete his assignments due to his vague instructions, but he constantly rejects them. We are all intimidated to ask him questions because he practically screams at us through e-mail. "

Im unable to find the meaning in these phrases, so if you can help... "I have made GroupMe chats in an effort figure out how to complete his assignments due to his vague instructions, but he constantly rejects them"   What does this mean in 'Merican?  they have a Group me... ok.... What exactly have I constantly rejected??  I wasnt invited to this event or asked any questions!

AND
" because he practically screams at us through e-mail."   
I dont scream in person, so I dont know how I could scream through email.  Any thoughts at how this might happen?  (No one has emailed questions to answer through email.  Only announcements have been emailed.  )


(and for the record, this is an Intermediate class, so we are still in the review stage of the prerequisite class... there is nothing new here, so I dont know what they are unable to do.  They have had this material before... and even Passed it! 

Thoughts?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on February 18, 2022, 04:38:19 PM
Dear Clean

Are you me? I just learned about the GroupMe chats that my students are all enrolled in, where they share the answers to my assignments with everyone else in the class. My rate-my-professor comments also say that I am the worst professor at my university and that I am degrading and disrespectful. During an academic misconduct meeting this week (clear cut copy-paste plagiarism case), the student accused me of being biased and trying to cause trouble for them.

My take-away: I provide a rigorous class that challenges students to think. I am also firm about deadlines and class policies (including reporting plagiarism and cheating). This makes my class haaard. And it makes me appear (apparently) as unsympathetic since I hold them to standards.

Keep doing what you're doing!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 18, 2022, 07:47:14 PM
I agree with you arcturus. Some students just are not emotionally mature enough to be in a college course. It's easier for them to blame the professor and say that the prof is 'mean' instead of realizing the time commitment that is needed to succeed in a course.

My other vent. I am burned OUT. We're not even at the midpoint yet and I feel like I've been through the wringer. I have two students who are driving me crazy. One thinks that our Algebra-based Physics course should be at NIST and NASA standards and that I need to take air resistance into account for projectile motion. Um, no, I don't. Oh, and our lab equipment is just crap! Sorry, we're not a research institution bud. We have what we have. The other student is very, VERY emotionally immature and whines about there being too many tests and other stupid shit. They both also butt heads with each other which can be amusing, but they both tire me the hell out (in addition to all of the other crap going on in the world). I don't know if the quiet room thread is enough for me. I need a vacation in another universe.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 18, 2022, 08:04:25 PM
Assign Mr. Smarty-Pants to tutor Mr. Whiney?

Sounds like a match made in heaven...or elsewhere...

Do you have a vacation week coming up soon (it's seasonal and regional, I know).

In all cases, I could indeed open the quiet thread.

Doing that now.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 18, 2022, 08:22:50 PM
Quote from: mamselle on February 18, 2022, 08:04:25 PM
Assign Mr. Smarty-Pants to tutor Mr. Whiney?

Sounds like a match made in heaven...or elsewhere...

Do you have a vacation week coming up soon (it's seasonal and regional, I know).

In all cases, I could indeed open the quiet thread.

Doing that now.

M.

Oh, you have no idea. They are polar opposites. Just a big ole personality clash. Spring Break is coming up fast.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 19, 2022, 11:28:39 AM
Clean, Arturus, and EPW, move over--it must be something in the water, or just that time of year.

A Comp II student ripped me a new one via email last night:  I am meeeeaaannn!

I share your burn-out, EPW.  I guess the bright side is, even though it irks me to have to take the time to deal with this kind of BS, I'm not invested enough to get too worked up about it like I used to. I am enjoying working with most of my students--many are pretty good, and a fair number of the ones who are struggling are at least pleasant and ask for help and really seem to be trying (even if they don't have a prayer in hell of passing). 

Did I mention:  the nasty e-mailer is taking Comp II for the fourth time. Gee, I wonder why?  Lucky me--she's graced me with her presence and her evaluation of all my faults!  Pfft.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on February 19, 2022, 12:32:58 PM
I was adjuncting one course once or twice a year since retirement--until the plague came.  Then I skipped a year when everything was on-line (old-dog-ism), and came back last fall for an F2F masked lecture session.  I then found that ill-health irruptions (gallstones in Oct/hematuria in Nov) told me: "Time to wholly retire."  Indeed, I bailed in early Nov, the hospital more important than the classroom.  The course was successfully taken over--no train wreck.

Now, there is a new mandatory program for DEI that MUST be done for all FT and any adjunct with an assignment.  Well!  We had such a program just before I took retirement, and I have nicely printed certificates of accomplishment, but there's no grandfathering-in (different platform now).  Sorry, admin!  Don't need a booster here.

So, it came to me just recently, that for a complete retiree, "Every day is Saturday."  Something in that.  And, frankly, I have become more and more certain that, at seventy-seven, it is time to hang up my jock.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 19, 2022, 02:54:08 PM
Quote from: clean on February 18, 2022, 04:17:53 PM
Student email to dean (reported from chair)

"Dr. Clean has been by far the most degrading, condescending Professor that I've had in college. My classmates and I have made GroupMe chats in an effort figure out how to complete his assignments due to his vague instructions, but he constantly rejects them. We are all intimidated to ask him questions because he practically screams at us through e-mail. "

Im unable to find the meaning in these phrases, so if you can help... "I have made GroupMe chats in an effort figure out how to complete his assignments due to his vague instructions, but he constantly rejects them"   What does this mean in 'Merican?  they have a Group me... ok.... What exactly have I constantly rejected??  I wasnt invited to this event or asked any questions!

AND
" because he practically screams at us through e-mail."   
I dont scream in person, so I dont know how I could scream through email.  Any thoughts at how this might happen?  (No one has emailed questions to answer through email.  Only announcements have been emailed.  )


(and for the record, this is an Intermediate class, so we are still in the review stage of the prerequisite class... there is nothing new here, so I dont know what they are unable to do.  They have had this material before... and even Passed it! 

Thoughts?

So, the student basically admits to using GroupMe chat for "unauthorized collaboration" at best "copy and paste plagiarism" at worst and is wondering why they aren't doing well?  And the "constant rejection" is student-speak for "my assignments are scored lower than I want".
The student is also claiming to speak for the class when it's more likely that only this student is failing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2022, 04:52:31 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 19, 2022, 11:28:39 AM
Clean, Arturus, and EPW, move over--it must be something in the water, or just that time of year.

A Comp II student ripped me a new one via email last night:  I am meeeeaaannn!

  • I should have "given" her more than 50% on her paper [which had nothing to do with answering the question, using outside sources, or creating a formal argument--all clearly required in the instructions] because she worked hard on it. I happily remind her that faculty don't "give" anybody any grades; I even sent her the completed grading rubric, which amounted to a grade of 46.2%. Feeling generous, I cheerfully offered to revert to that rubric score, if she'd like.
  • I "hide behind the screen" and "don't help anybody" in her class--you know, the online class she signed up for, that specified in the description that there would be no synchronous instruction. And I pointed out that her bitchy email was her first contact to me, and that, no, it's truly not a faculty member's responsibility to do scheduled check-ins with every student to see if they need help. Ever seeking to be helpful, I included a link to our school's academic integrity policy.
  • She also said that I'm only here for the fat paycheck without doing any work for it. Well, it is the paycheck (and crappy insurance) keeping me here for a few more years, Sweetie, but neither are as "fat" as you think they are, and since a week ago Thursday, I've logged my time, and I've put in 63.5 hours grading crap like your paper and answering stupid emails like yours. (I didn't say that last part that way, but even with nicer language, she should get the drift.)

I share your burn-out, EPW.  I guess the bright side is, even though it irks me to have to take the time to deal with this kind of BS, I'm not invested enough to get too worked up about it like I used to. I am enjoying working with most of my students--many are pretty good, and a fair number of the ones who are struggling are at least pleasant and ask for help and really seem to be trying (even if they don't have a prayer in hell of passing). 

Did I mention:  the nasty e-mailer is taking Comp II for the fourth time. Gee, I wonder why?  Lucky me--she's graced me with her presence and her evaluation of all my faults!  Pfft.

Daaayyum! Some students really need to take a step back and think about what they're saying, especially if it's so scathing, before they say it. Sorry you got that email.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 21, 2022, 10:22:56 AM
Thanks, EPW, and good thoughts to you too. Like I said, that email (and a similar one from another student overnight) have been more of an aggravation than an all-out indignation to me lately; I just don't care enough about this kind of student to get angry or hurt anymore.  I do care about most of my students, though, more than I think I've realized; I'm more conscious of actively trying to look out for them and help them than I probably did pre-pandemic.

My own kid, on the other hand. . . . I'll just say she'd have to have been a whole lot nicer in recent weeks to even come close to being nominated for the Serpent's Tooth Award. I get that she has mental health problems, and I always give her a wide berth and try to walk away out of her line of verbal fire, but yesterday I got a couple of good a*%-chewings over absolutely nothing, out of the blue. Normally I'd be keyed-up for a bit, then forget about it, but the objectively false and outlandish (and hurtful) accusations and beyond-the-pale name-calling and criticisms got to me (probably not least because of the burnout, the grind of the pandemic, those student emails, chronic pain from the SIJD, the unresolved foot injury and pain...). I've been a mess all yesterday evening and this morning.

My vent here isn't to gain sympathy--I'm really just pissed off at myself for not being to say "f&$% it" and move on.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on February 21, 2022, 10:50:47 AM
Boy did I pick the wrong week to really dive into my sabbatical research!  School vacation.   Smolt is home.  MrsFishProf is home.  I can't get anything going.  I have been struggling with time management and task management, but this week is shaping up to be a disaster.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 21, 2022, 11:20:56 AM
I thought that the goal was to have 90% of sabbatical research finished BEFORE it started so that these issues would not have a chance to interrupt it?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on February 21, 2022, 11:51:44 AM
Quote from: FishProf on February 21, 2022, 10:50:47 AM
Boy did I pick the wrong week to really dive into my sabbatical research!  School vacation.   Smolt is home.  MrsFishProf is home.  I can't get anything going.  I have been struggling with time management and task management, but this week is shaping up to be a disaster.

Are there any nearby libraries you need to visit to find the resources you need to do your work? (hint--hint)

Libraries can be very quiet places....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 09, 2022, 10:06:08 AM
Well, having received word that our library's federal E-Rate reimbursement will not come through because the vendor we used failed to keep up with the paperwork on their end, this morning we received our official reimbursement for $0.00.  That's the fruit of about a year and a half of paperwork, documentation, and other jumping through hoops, on my part and that of our state's E-Rate coordinator (Without whom this would have been a far greater nightmare than it was).  In the coming fiscal year we'll try to collect our reimbursement for some equipment funding that we've put in for, and then I'm done with E-Rate.  It's just too much of a bureaucratic hassle for a small institution to deal with.

On the positive side, I was preparing our monthly state Use Tax report this morning and learned that we didn't make any eligible purchases last month.  This meant that we owed $0.00 on our Use Tax.  So our federal E-Rate reimbursement was at least enough to cover that.  I guess you could say it all balanced out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 10, 2022, 07:09:39 AM
Quotebecause the vendor we used failed to keep up with the paperwork on their end

Have you expressed your disappointment with the vendor, and that you will expect them to a). improve,  b).  make up for your failings with appropriate discounts and c). begin a search for a new vendor?

Choices have consequences. Their choice to 'save time and money' to not complete this paperwork should have consequences for them, whether that is a discount for you, or you can make all of their dreams come true! You can relieve them of ALL of the paperwork associated with your library by finding another vendor more willing to provide the services YOU PAID FOR (including the associated paperwork).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 10, 2022, 07:46:54 AM
+1,000

DON'T BE A VICTIM!

Or as Eleanor R., I believe it was, put it, "Never become the instrument of your own oppression."

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2022, 08:02:15 AM
Students!  The quizzes are OPEN NOTE.  If you just took a quiz and couldn't answer the question because YOU didn't put it in your notes, that isn't a flaw in the quiz.  It's a flaw in your notes.

Also, given what is going on in the world today, how did you conclude that Oil was not a major (in fact, primary) source of energy in First World countries?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on March 10, 2022, 10:51:48 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 10, 2022, 08:02:15 AM


Also, given what is going on in the world today, how did you conclude that Oil was not a major (in fact, primary) source of energy in First World countries?

There's something going on?  You mean a new album from Taylor Swift or <insert any fav singer here>?  Besides, Oil isn't a major source of energy - I mean, you do have to get it changed occasionally, but not nearly as often as you have to put gas in the car.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 10, 2022, 11:57:57 AM
As soon as I got on the parkway, on my way back from getting my car serviced, the tire pressure light came on along with a series of beeps. I had a similar experience when coming home from the same service place, so kept driving. The last time it happened, I took the car to the tire guy in my neighborhood who told me that it was a malfunction of the light and turned it off. I'm waiting for the service place to respond to my text. Aargh! I have a trip coming up and the last thing I need is to drive 26+ miles one way to have the car looked at.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 10, 2022, 12:49:20 PM
Your brakes worked ok, and there was no evidence the service place had damaged the brake fluid line, yes? (I.e., no puddles on the garage floor, etc.)

I had these idiots replace my worn-out brakes, who FORGOT TO BLEED THE LINE, which I discovered a short while after driving out of their service area...when I owned a car in the 1970s...

Read 'em the riot act and never went back there.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 10, 2022, 04:05:19 PM
mamselle, I don't think they damaged anything, it's just that they have not responded to my text (they communicated with me through texting when I was waiting for the car, and even texted me a video of the innards of the car), and when I called, I was on hold, first for 6-7 minutes, and then for 24 minutes. The email they sent me has a "no reply" return address!

I didn't worry about it as much as I should have because the problem with the tire pressure light happened a few years ago when I was driving home from this service place. I got the runaround when I called, but then took the car to my local tire shop where they checked the tires and told me that the light needed to be reset. I'm taking the car to the tire shop first thing tomorrow morning and then will try to contact the main service person (who sent me an email when I bought the car three years ago about a complimentary oil change). I hope the email still works; I tracked it down and noted that the sender was "servicesomethingsomething" and not the name of a person.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 10, 2022, 04:56:24 PM
Their communication structures sound a bit...um...worrisome? Irregular?

Hope it gets worked out!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 11, 2022, 09:02:25 AM
Tyres are good, but I'm quite unhappy with the service place which still hasn't responded to my text.

I took the car to the local tire guy who checked the tires (perfect) and showed me the tire pressure reset button on the dashboard, below the steering wheel. The service place forgot to reset it; all they had to do was to respond to my text advising me about the location of the reset button.

I hope they send me the survey.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 12, 2022, 04:31:22 PM
Unrelated to the above.

Our city is seeing shootings, stabbings, carjackings, getting shoved in front of trains, and now a stabbing in a museum, of all places.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/12/nyregion/moma-stabbing.html

He's probably going to be out on bail because of our no-bail laws.

What next? Elected officials, do something.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 13, 2022, 06:23:21 AM
Britain outlawed knives a long time ago.

But we can guess how that would go down here.

I can't recall if the MOMA has security frisking at the entrance, but I suspect they will, soon.

The underlying assumption--that if one is denied something and is angry about it, then, one is justified in becoming violent and taking out ones anger on the officials who instituted the denial--is the part it's hard to legislate against.

"No more entitled violence" would be a good idea, overall....but then, there's Russia....

People just need to grow up, but they seem to be regressing.

Not sure how one legislates that out of existence....but it sure would be nice....

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 14, 2022, 11:21:28 AM
My student workers told me today that they decided to work on 'y' instead of 'x', which was assigned to them. I'm pretty pissed off that they're not listening to me and seem to think they can do whatever the hell they want.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 14, 2022, 11:31:57 AM
Normally, the consequences of not following orders in a job are a reprimand or a write-up.

The consequences for getting research steps out of order "in real life" can range from greater delays in esearch progress--and the attendant need to work unpaid overtime to meet the projected manager's goals--to a failed experiment.

I wouldn't fail to let them know about any of these potential consequences, and I wouldn't shield them from whichever and as many as may be appropriate in such a case.

I know that's obvious, but I mean it supportive, as in, "you'd be fully justified to read 'em the riot act and penalize them as needs be."

If they don't learn now, they won't last two days in a real-life job ...I've seen folks in pharma wet labs get fired on the spot for such shenanigans.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 14, 2022, 12:40:06 PM
Quote from: mamselle on March 14, 2022, 11:31:57 AM
Normally, the consequences of not following orders in a job are a reprimand or a write-up.

The consequences for getting research steps out of order "in real life" can range from greater delays in esearch progress--and the attendant need to work unpaid overtime to meet the projected manager's goals--to a failed experiment.

I wouldn't fail to let them know about any of these potential consequences, and I wouldn't shield them from whichever and as many as may be appropriate in such a case.

I know that's obvious, but I mean it supportive, as in, "you'd be fully justified to read 'em the riot act and penalize them as needs be."

If they don't learn now, they won't last two days in a real-life job ...I've seen folks in pharma wet labs get fired on the spot for such shenanigans.

M.

I was and still am livid. We're going to have a come to Jesus talk tomorrow since I was not there today. It appears that I cannot trust them to be unsupervised.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 14, 2022, 12:58:05 PM
Sorry it has to come to that--and with everything else that's going on.

But yeah, you have to.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on March 15, 2022, 06:53:23 AM
When I reject a paper, I expect the journal editor to exercise their authority not to forward an author's response for further review. I also expect the authors to do more than just add a single sentence to their original draft! My initial review indicated a complete re-write was necessary (including new analysis of the data and re-framing of their results) and that the resulting revisions would make the paper not appropriate for this particular journal (as is, the paper is not appropriate for this particular journal since the data have not been analyzed correctly...). Instead, it appears that I am expected to provide another review. If the editor did not trust my first evalution, why should I waste more time on this process for a crappy paper that should never see the light of day?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 15, 2022, 08:14:45 AM
You shoudn't.

A one-sentence, "No appreciable changes, the previous review stands" should do it, from what you've said...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 22, 2022, 06:04:50 AM
So the two factor authentication isn't working for the site I want to log into. I can't log in.
In order to get customer service, you need to log in.
I see a problem here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 22, 2022, 08:15:54 AM
Quote from: downer on March 22, 2022, 06:04:50 AM
So the two factor authentication isn't working for the site I want to log into. I can't log in.
In order to get customer service, you need to log in.
I see a problem here.

That, and the kind of emailed 'help desk" for an online service whose broken online service means my email ISN'T WORKING drive me nuts...

Commiserations.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on March 22, 2022, 08:21:16 AM
Quote from: mamselle on March 22, 2022, 08:15:54 AM
Quote from: downer on March 22, 2022, 06:04:50 AM
So the two factor authentication isn't working for the site I want to log into. I can't log in.
In order to get customer service, you need to log in.
I see a problem here.

That, and the kind of emailed 'help desk" for an online service whose broken online service means my email ISN'T WORKING drive me nuts...

Commiserations.

M.

I'm sure there was at least one Dilbert comic about a system like that designed by Dogbert. And of course they have the Preventer of Information Services.......
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 24, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
I'm tired, bitchified and grumpy. I'm tired of admins wanting me to do more without any incentives and tired of students not knowing how to calculate their f*cking grades! How the hell do you function if you can't do basic Math? Addition and subtraction, people! That's it. That's how you calculate your grade.

I had a 13 hour day yesterday because, well, just because. Should I be thankful that I have a full-time job with benefits? Yes. BUT, the workload is not proportional to the pay, commute and all the crap that I tolerate. I also found out that some people in the department are being rewarded in a way that seems excessive. I can't go into details, but it really pissed me off.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on March 24, 2022, 11:37:04 AM
I guess the city is doing some sort of road work or infrastructure project nearby, because they shut off my water. If they'd called ahead they would have learned its my laundry day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 24, 2022, 11:57:14 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 24, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
I'm tired, bitchified and grumpy. I'm tired of admins wanting me to do more without any incentives and tired of students not knowing how to calculate their f*cking grades! How the hell do you function if you can't do basic Math? Addition and subtraction, people! That's it. That's how you calculate your grade.

I had a 13 hour day yesterday because, well, just because. Should I be thankful that I have a full-time job with benefits? Yes. BUT, the workload is not proportional to the pay, commute and all the crap that I tolerate. I also found out that some people in the department are being rewarded in a way that seems excessive. I can't go into details, but it really pissed me off.

+1 to the bolded, EPW. Right there with you.

Also, we all got a survey yesterday so we can tell Admin how absolutely wonderful they are, as a way of validating their decision to apply for a Malcolm Baldridge Award (https://asq.org/quality-resources/malcolm-baldrige-national-quality-award) to reward their own excellence.  Are you f*&%ing serious? The irony of the tone-deafness would be absolutely hilarious if it weren't so infuriating.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 24, 2022, 12:28:27 PM
Probably more of a First-World problem, but I'll put it here--we have tar being spread down the road right in front of the library today (And probably for the next couple of days).  Getting across the road when I leave work will be a challenge that will probably require detouring well out of my way.

On top of that, there's an alternate route that's currently obstructed by efforts to dig up and fix a leaking water main.

Really, I'm not complaining--it's good that we're getting this infrastructure work done.  It will be a real feather in the Mayor's cap when it's all over.  At the moment, though, it's quite an inconvenience for everybody who has to pass through here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: alto_stratus on March 24, 2022, 07:16:03 PM
Sheesh, what have I been away a year or so, and I land on that topic first? What a bunch of morons.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on March 26, 2022, 03:55:54 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 24, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
I'm tired, bitchified and grumpy. I'm tired of admins wanting me to do more without any incentives and tired of students not knowing how to calculate their f*cking grades! How the hell do you function if you can't do basic Math? Addition and subtraction, people! That's it. That's how you calculate your grade.

I had a 13 hour day yesterday because, well, just because. Should I be thankful that I have a full-time job with benefits? Yes. BUT, the workload is not proportional to the pay, commute and all the crap that I tolerate. I also found out that some people in the department are being rewarded in a way that seems excessive. I can't go into details, but it really pissed me off.

+1 to the bolded EPW.

This week, I've had more than one student in a basketweaving statistics class complaining that the cumulative grade was not shown in the LMS and how were they supposed to know how they were doing?  If you cannot calculate your grades using the information provided in the syllabus you don't deserve to pass this course. It's straight points, people! The only slightly complicated thing is that some of your lowest grades are dropped, and that is even shown in the LMS!

Also, all of you students who are expecting me to hyflex everything in perpetuity? It's not happening. This summer, all of my classes are designated as in-person* Come to class. Or don't. You are adults, and you can make that choice. I'm not going to double-plan my course because you don't feel like coming to class.

I'm done. And since May term will be the end of things for me, I'm really, really done. I've worked more than 8 hours today, and the only redeeming part of today is that my saint of an SO brought home my favorite adult beverage and really good chocolate.   EPW and AmLitHist, I hope you got to relax in the manner of your choosings this weekend.

*my classes this Spring are also in-person, but we were "strongly encouraged" to continue being flexible
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 26, 2022, 03:58:59 PM
Ooooh, ooh, what good chocolate?

(Asked while sipping a teacup of cocoa as my permitted late-afternoon snack with a single Pirondelle baton to go with it...)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on March 26, 2022, 04:18:20 PM
Quote from: mamselle on March 26, 2022, 03:58:59 PM
Ooooh, ooh, what good chocolate?

(Asked while sipping a teacup of cocoa as my permitted late-afternoon snack with a single Pirondelle baton to go with it...)

M.

I love salty and sweet, so I enjoy the Aldi's Chocuer salted pretzel. It is not high-end chocolate (sorry, mamselle), but it's one of my favorites and always a treat when it makes it into the grocery basket.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on March 28, 2022, 07:59:22 AM
One side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on March 28, 2022, 08:36:35 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on March 28, 2022, 07:59:22 AM
One side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

   <<Paul runs down the road, yelling "aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhHHHHHHH"!>>

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 28, 2022, 08:56:43 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on March 28, 2022, 07:59:22 AM
One side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

Does the grass grow that quickly, or are they just bored?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 28, 2022, 09:43:30 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 24, 2022, 11:57:14 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 24, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
I'm tired, bitchified and grumpy. I'm tired of admins wanting me to do more without any incentives and tired of students not knowing how to calculate their f*cking grades! How the hell do you function if you can't do basic Math? Addition and subtraction, people! That's it. That's how you calculate your grade.

I had a 13 hour day yesterday because, well, just because. Should I be thankful that I have a full-time job with benefits? Yes. BUT, the workload is not proportional to the pay, commute and all the crap that I tolerate. I also found out that some people in the department are being rewarded in a way that seems excessive. I can't go into details, but it really pissed me off.

+1 to the bolded, EPW. Right there with you.

Also, we all got a survey yesterday so we can tell Admin how absolutely wonderful they are, as a way of validating their decision to apply for a Malcolm Baldridge Award (https://asq.org/quality-resources/malcolm-baldrige-national-quality-award) to reward their own excellence.  Are you f*&%ing serious? The irony of the tone-deafness would be absolutely hilarious if it weren't so infuriating.

Yep. Mondays are grumpy, bitchified, ass-kicking days. It's not even 1pm and I'm already pissed to the nth degree. Student workers aren't listening or following directions. Students cannot calculate their grades. Really? How did you get here if you cannot do basic Math? Admins, who said they would help me with a project, forgot and said they'd do it later.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 28, 2022, 12:21:08 PM
QuoteOne side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

Does the grass grow that quickly, or are they just bored?

My guess is that it rained, or they were otherwise prevented to mow it earlier, so that have to 'make up' the missed mow.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 01, 2022, 06:43:37 AM
Now two places I work at have stopped making available plagiarism detection such as Turnitin for papers. Does it cost as much as a dean? I know which I'd rather have.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on April 01, 2022, 07:39:39 AM
I've been using a CPAP machine for a few weeks, and now my nightmares have become terrifying. Is this causation or correlation?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 01, 2022, 08:20:23 AM
Quote from: clean on March 28, 2022, 12:21:08 PM
QuoteOne side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

Does the grass grow that quickly, or are they just bored?

My guess is that it rained, or they were otherwise prevented to mow it earlier, so that have to 'make up' the missed mow.

It's rained five days in the past two weeks, so that might be it.

However, since the beginning of the pandemic, the grass in the park has been mowed every 2 weeks, whether it needs it or not, even during the winter. I suspect that's connected to the city's wish to keep their workers employed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 01, 2022, 10:24:18 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on April 01, 2022, 07:39:39 AM
I've been using a CPAP machine for a few weeks, and now my nightmares have become terrifying. Is this causation or correlation?

There seem to be studies that show that a bad case of apnea can make it hard to remember dreams.  And that some CPAP users report more dreams until they get used to their new sleep cycle.  The nightmares may just be something that will fade once you've gotten through the transition.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 01, 2022, 10:56:08 AM
QuoteI've been using a CPAP machine for a few weeks, and now my nightmares have become terrifying. Is this causation or correlation?

My CPAP nightmare is that mine was recalled and I have been trying since June to get a replacement!  IF I dont get answers from the medical device company Monday, I am cancelling it from them and going with another company. This company has been completely ineffective since 2/1!!!  They claim that they need things.  The doctor's office faxes the records. Then they need ANOTHER record, or claim that they didnt get the ones that they need.  I have called after the doctor faxes to ask, and they say, "yes, we now have what we need"  ONly to find out 2 weeks later that they did NOT get what they need! 

To quote The Great Pumpkin, "You're Fired"!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 04, 2022, 10:20:04 AM
I've spent the morning dealing with two entirely separate web sites that aren't working.  Getting the one sorted out is necessary to try to get our new web site launched.  It has been hung up with this business for about two weeks now, with no end in sight.  I've followed the steps I'm supposed to follow on resolving the current snag, and it has stubbornly refused to work.  Currently waiting to hear back from the latest of three tech support people who've e-mailed me in connection with it.

The other is a government web site that I tried using last year as part of a grant application.  The site was such a nightmare of Catch-22 lunacy that I finally gave up after days of struggling with it and forgot all about the grant application.  I've now learned of a federal mandate that we MUST use that site to receive any and all forms of government support, including the state aid to libraries that we're getting now.  I don't understand why a simple DUNS number can't continue to serve.  That site stubbornly refuses to work as well.  Imposing this sort of bureaucratic burden on a small institution over a few thousand dollars' worth of aid is just senseless.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 04, 2022, 10:53:41 AM
All good thoughts as you hack your way through the thicket.

Sorry that's such a bear....it's truly not fair.

The only thing could be, did the coronal ejections make a mess of it, possibly?

It doesn't seem like the kind of thing hackers would target, but just trying to think outside the box.

(Any computer-savvy patrons whose fines you could forgive if they'd come in and do a bit of computer consulting for you?)

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 04, 2022, 11:48:26 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on March 28, 2022, 07:59:22 AM
One side of the house: City workers mowing the park lawns for the third time in two weeks.

On the other side of the house: Landscapers using a miniature combination backhoe/bulldozer to tear down the retaining wall beside the driveway in preparation for building another.

UPDATE: The backhoe (Bobcat?) operator hit a natural gas line earlier this morning. Suddenly there was a VERY loud hissing sound and a very handsome firefighter was banging his hand HARD against my side door (he was straight out of central casting/Models-R-Us). He asked me if I could smell anything; irritable at being pulled away from my work 15 minutes before a Zoom meeting, and taken quite by surprise at his Christopher Reeve -type square-jawed face, I swung toward "crotchety old guy" in my sarcastic response: "I couldn't smell anything until I opened the door." Wisely, he cut the conversation short and closed the damn door so the natural gas wouldn't get inside the house.

After another 30 minutes, the police cars, fire trucks, and gas company truck all left the scene, and the backhoe operator continued--having embarrassed himself enough for today, I hope.

Why yes, it's a Monday. Why do you ask?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 04, 2022, 01:00:16 PM
Someone peed in my classroom.

Twice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 04, 2022, 02:40:50 PM
I was outside a few minutes ago and saw somebody riding a four-wheel ATV by the library.  Since sometime during the weekend I've seen four-wheelers and dune buggies running up and down the streets.  People have long turned a blind eye to ATV riders passing through alleys on their way to the edge of town to ride in the woods.  Suddenly it has gotten very brazen.  The guy running past the library especially concerns me, because he was on a main street that is also a busy state highway.  And he didn't appear to be going just a couple of blocks, either.  All this is both illegal and highly dangerous.  I'm starting to worry that somebody is going to get hurt before the authorities crack down on this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 13, 2022, 06:51:40 AM
I know that there has been a major turnover with staff lately and some people are scrambling to cover multiple positions, but it has been over a month and my purchases have not been approved yet! How am I supposed to complete this project? *slowly pulls hair out*
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 13, 2022, 07:58:38 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 04, 2022, 02:40:50 PM
I was outside a few minutes ago and saw somebody riding a four-wheel ATV by the library.  Since sometime during the weekend I've seen four-wheelers and dune buggies running up and down the streets.  People have long turned a blind eye to ATV riders passing through alleys on their way to the edge of town to ride in the woods.  Suddenly it has gotten very brazen.  The guy running past the library especially concerns me, because he was on a main street that is also a busy state highway.  And he didn't appear to be going just a couple of blocks, either.  All this is both illegal and highly dangerous.  I'm starting to worry that somebody is going to get hurt before the authorities crack down on this.

What happens when it's reported? (Or do the local police all own their own dune buggies, too...?)

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on April 13, 2022, 08:13:57 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 13, 2022, 06:51:40 AM
I know that there has been a major turnover with staff lately and some people are scrambling to cover multiple positions, but it has been over a month and my purchases have not been approved yet! How am I supposed to complete this project? *slowly pulls hair out*

Be kind to your scalp. This is probably rooted in one of a few possible (reversible) causes.

1. If there have been any changes in the pricing between the time the items were ordered and the time they were shipped, there could be a hold-up on the buyers' end.

Such changes usually mean the P.O. has to be re-cut for the new price, and those can snow buyers, since it really means doing the whole purchase over from the start.

(Having worked in a hospital AP/Purchasing unit where a 0.01 change in the cost of a lab chemical or drug meant we had holds on all our PO's and payment efforts, since the held-up PO means the bill never goes for payment, and if those pile up, the vendor starts withholding shipments until some amount is covered.)

Solution: Get some higher-up to issue a "gotta do it now" email that overrides the computer-gagging price-point issue (programs are often set for very little price-range tolerance when money is tight, another silent way of slowing down outflow).

2. Also, if there's a mis-match between payment expectations (in a financially precarious situation, many institutions may start silently extending "days-to-pay" from, say, a 30-day cycle to a 60-day cycle, which upsets vendors, making them inclined to be sluggish in shipping as well.

We had one Finance Manager who thought this was a cute trick until the Lab Manager called him on it--they were getting behind or certain basic tests because the FM didn't see the need for c.diff. specimens to be tested within a certain time frame, and applied his payment-slow-down tactics on the test kit supplier.

The doors were closed, so we couldn't hear, from across the hall, exactly what was said, but it was loud and brief.

Solution: See if there's a time-to-pay frame on the vendor's website (like, look for something that says, say, "net 30 days," in the "terms" section) and see if more recent payments on your accounts to them have exceeded it. Then show someone who can override that decision for your item(s) with good reason why you need them sooner-rather-than-later-rather-than-never, and ask for a liberating email to be sent.

It's just as maddening for the workers, who sometimes are not TOLD about the FM's decisions until they run smack up against the problems those decisions have generated, and then are caught behind the 8-ball trying to fix things.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 08:44:12 AM
A regional food chain that had a location on my campus, as well as two smaller eating places on campus, will be closed this fall due to a lack of patrons. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 13, 2022, 09:52:16 AM
Quote from: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 08:44:12 AM
A regional food chain that had a location on my campus, as well as two smaller eating places on campus, will be closed this fall due to a lack of patrons. Sigh.

Will this lead to a major decline in campus eating options?  At Alma Mater we never had as many as three dining options to start with.  At the R1 where I used to work, three dining closures would hardly be missed, unless one happened to be a real fan of one of them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 10:27:10 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 13, 2022, 09:52:16 AM
Quote from: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 08:44:12 AM
A regional food chain that had a location on my campus, as well as two smaller eating places on campus, will be closed this fall due to a lack of patrons. Sigh.

Will this lead to a major decline in campus eating options?  At Alma Mater we never had as many as three dining options to start with.  At the R1 where I used to work, three dining closures would hardly be missed, unless one happened to be a real fan of one of them.

Our main "cafeteria" is staying open. And we have a Starbucks still. It's the places in our student union that will be closing. One place, a chain doughnut place, is busy when it's busy - maybe two or three times during the day -  but otherwise, apparently, it's dead. (And it seems the students, and some faculty/staff, aren't buying things that actually generate a profit. And there aren't enough patrons over all to keep it running, I guess.)  The organization that runs some of our eating places says that this will mean that the existing places will be offering different food types to make up for the closings. But we'll see.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on April 13, 2022, 01:41:24 PM
Quote from: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 10:27:10 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 13, 2022, 09:52:16 AM
Quote from: paddington_bear on April 13, 2022, 08:44:12 AM
A regional food chain that had a location on my campus, as well as two smaller eating places on campus, will be closed this fall due to a lack of patrons. Sigh.

Will this lead to a major decline in campus eating options?  At Alma Mater we never had as many as three dining options to start with.  At the R1 where I used to work, three dining closures would hardly be missed, unless one happened to be a real fan of one of them.

Our main "cafeteria" is staying open. And we have a Starbucks still. It's the places in our student union that will be closing. One place, a chain doughnut place, is busy when it's busy - maybe two or three times during the day -  but otherwise, apparently, it's dead. (And it seems the students, and some faculty/staff, aren't buying things that actually generate a profit. And there aren't enough patrons over all to keep it running, I guess.)  The organization that runs some of our eating places says that this will mean that the existing places will be offering different food types to make up for the closings. But we'll see.

We have a regional fast-food place in one of our dorms, and its managed via Aramark. It might shut down. But the big difference recently has been the addition of local food trucks. Our dining program posts the schedule (the trucks rotate position throughout the week) and for some reason that's been a lot more popular than the Subway/Wendy's combo in the Union.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 13, 2022, 04:24:30 PM
for the past several days in a row (and off and on over the last 2 years!) the handicapped entrance door is turned off.  It is not broken, just turned off. 
I sent an email asking who was in charge of such things as the problem has been reported to maintenance many times (and since the door is not broken, just in the "O F F" position it is not their problem.  The email trial ballooned to 11 people!  I asked "Please let me know who on campus is responsible for ensuring that this publicly funded building is fully accessible to all members of society (which I believe is a federal requirement) during our full 8am to 9:30 pm hours of operation."

The guy in charge of compliance with many things (Director, Employee Development & Compliance Services, Title IX Coordinator, ADA/504 Coordinator, Affirmative Action Representative...) replied, "The building has two other entrances that provide access doors that were working fine as of yesterday.  So, the building is fully accessible to persons just temporarily not thru the entrance facing the parking lots."

No, there is no sign on the door to direct someone needing access to the correct door.  Actually there are THREE doors, but one actually IS broken, but no sign on that one either!!  So it must be that 'sixth sense' that people gain when another sense or ability goes bad that lets them know what way to go to get into the building!

Certainly, EVERYONE knows what doors WORK if you need to use the handicapped entrance!  Even the parents or students that are touring the campus who are directed to THIS building First!  Certainly, that would be the first part of the official tour!  Find the working door!! 

what an asshole! 

He has not replied to my last email asking why there is no SIGN on the door IF it is not working directing VISITORS to Campus to the closest (hell, even the WORKING doors!) 

Oh... and the solution that was finally suggested?  They are going to move the switch to the top of the box or inside the box so that no one can change the settings (unless they are really tall, or have access to the inside of the box).   Im actually ok with that for now.  Let them worry about keeping the door closed when we evacuate for the next hurricane!! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 15, 2022, 10:54:04 AM
The handicapped door by which I routinely park is often out of order, too.  I've repeated this to our maintenance crew more times than I can count since I started working here in 2004.  I've been particularly snotty about it over the past few years since I've been using a cane/walker myself. It's not that I can't juggle things and get the (surprisingly heavy) door open to get in to work, but rather just the idea that nobody should have to wear themselves out just to get in the damned building.

Of course, also since I've worked here, the elevator in the library doesn't work when it rains. (I am not joking.) Also, in the early years, you'd just walk in and punch the button for the 2d floor of the building, which is the 1st floor/circulation/reference area in the library. Now, you have to call upstairs to get "keyed up" and be escorted by a librarian.  (I call discrimination:  if I could walk, I'd be able to enter and leave with abandon--maybe we handicapped folk are born thieves?)  I used to always take my Comp I & II classes over for work days and database training several times every semester, but since I can't do stairs anymore, we don't go during class time, since I can't rely on being able to join my students upstairs. (And we're not talking about a modest staircase--this one is steep and vertigo-inducing even for young, healthy, fit students.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Anon1787 on April 15, 2022, 03:09:39 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 15, 2022, 10:54:04 AM


Of course, also since I've worked here, the elevator in the library doesn't work when it rains. (I am not joking.)

Several years back at my university a staff member was killed when an elevator broke down. The elevator got stuck between floors and she got tired of waiting and was crawling out when the elevator started up again and crushed her to death. Adminicritters take elevator maintenance much more seriously now.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 16, 2022, 10:26:01 AM
^^ Yikes! ^^
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on April 16, 2022, 11:49:40 AM
NewDean is horrible at communication. After six months of dealing with the fall out from his egregious failures to communicate, I've decided life is too short to deal with the chaos he's causing by not talking to people before announcing major changes that impact them. Friday's email to all college staff was the last straw.

I've spent the morning letting my contacts in private industry know that I'm interested in new challenges. I'm spending the afternoon applying for federal jobs. I will not be reporting to NewDean as of August 30, even if that means retiring three years earlier than planned.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on April 17, 2022, 07:38:10 AM
My tax preparer of the last 4 years has not finished work on my taxes. I turned everything in well in advance of the deadline; I did get a response to my concerned email this week. They promised that the taxes would be finished yesterday; but so far nothing. No response to the email I sent an hour ago.  Needless to say I am frantically checking email and their online "drop box". This is infuriating and not how I had planned to spend the day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 17, 2022, 07:50:25 AM
Fortunately, taxes are due tomorrow. 
The worst case is that an extension will be filed.


This is our first year as a married couple.  We were married last year, but that tax filing was mostly as singles, so I had more taxes deducted.

Also, in December, my bride and I forgot that she had unemployment checks at the start of the year.  And not a vent, but together, we had a great year on the investment front, so this year was the largest gain I have ever declared.  (Because last year, I harvested most all of the losses that I could have taken to reduce my gains... with no offsetting losses, all gains are recognized.)

The bottom line is that we didnt know the gains, and forgot the unemployment, and combined, we overcontributed to the Roth IRAs.  Before taxes can be filed, we have to take out some of the contributions.  So I m not sure if it can be done tomorrow, or if we will file an extension (for the first time in my life!!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on April 17, 2022, 10:14:40 AM
We turned all our materials in by the 3/15 due date and had not heard anything, so my husband called on Friday and was told that our accountant is filing an extension.  We have never had an extension filed, either, and I am not sure why that had to happen.  But, at least I don't have to be ready to download the returns on Monday and check and sign them super fast.  Ugh.  Harlow2, sounds like you are in a similar boat.  I hope you at least get an update soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 17, 2022, 04:36:27 PM
Sometimes I wonder whether am sure that the rich people (the 1%) who make our laws control our government simply don't care when we more normally walleted people are inconvenienced by their constant tweaking of tax laws to (further) benefit themselves and their families/heirs.

:rolls eyes:

____

My own vent: The (stone, rather than brick) retaining wall (which, by the way, matches nothing else on this property) at the side of our driveway is now "finished" (or at least it appears so) after no fewer than three full weeks of work, minus days off for rain and attempts not to inconvenience me during truly important Zoom presentations/webinars to large audiences . . . but the BLEEP-ing mini-bulldozer ("Bobcat") is still here, and the driveway and parking area is still not available. I'm getting tired of the daily noise, excessive dirt (= red mud), piles of different sizes of gravel, and general inconvenience.

Maybe I should have posted this on the "First World Problems" thread . . . . <grin>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Anon1787 on April 17, 2022, 07:10:56 PM
Quote from: paultuttle on April 17, 2022, 04:36:27 PM
Sometimes I wonder whether am sure that the rich people (the 1%) who make our laws control our government simply don't care when we more normally walleted people are inconvenienced by their constant tweaking of tax laws to (further) benefit themselves and their families/heirs.

:rolls eyes:

____


It's more the members of the upper-middle class (like tenured college professors) who benefit from the complexities of the federal income tax code that gives favorable tax treatment (and are among the largest "tax expenditures") to: mortgage interest, health insurance, retirement accounts, charitable donations, state and local taxes, etc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on April 17, 2022, 07:27:46 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on April 17, 2022, 10:14:40 AM
We turned all our materials in by the 3/15 due date and had not heard anything, so my husband called on Friday and was told that our accountant is filing an extension.  We have never had an extension filed, either, and I am not sure why that had to happen.  But, at least I don't have to be ready to download the returns on Monday and check and sign them super fast.  Ugh.  Harlow2, sounds like you are in a similar boat.  I hope you at least get an update soon.

I did get the update that an extension was filed 4 hours after the principal in the firm apologized twice and assured me  the forms would be completed today.  Annoying as I had to spend mental energy worrying whether they had lost things and it's still unclear when they will get to it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 18, 2022, 07:27:15 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 15, 2022, 10:54:04 AM
The handicapped door by which I routinely park is often out of order, too.  I've repeated this to our maintenance crew more times than I can count since I started working here in 2004.  I've been particularly snotty about it over the past few years since I've been using a cane/walker myself. It's not that I can't juggle things and get the (surprisingly heavy) door open to get in to work, but rather just the idea that nobody should have to wear themselves out just to get in the damned building.

Of course, also since I've worked here, the elevator in the library doesn't work when it rains. (I am not joking.) Also, in the early years, you'd just walk in and punch the button for the 2d floor of the building, which is the 1st floor/circulation/reference area in the library. Now, you have to call upstairs to get "keyed up" and be escorted by a librarian.  (I call discrimination:  if I could walk, I'd be able to enter and leave with abandon--maybe we handicapped folk are born thieves?)  I used to always take my Comp I & II classes over for work days and database training several times every semester, but since I can't do stairs anymore, we don't go during class time, since I can't rely on being able to join my students upstairs. (And we're not talking about a modest staircase--this one is steep and vertigo-inducing even for young, healthy, fit students.)

The research library where I used to work had two floors that required keyed elevator access of that sort.  But that's because they were staff-only areas.  Everything else, except for one odd corner of the stacks, was elevator-accessible by the public.  However, the building had such an odd layout due to many years of expansions and re-modelings that certain elevators (and stairways) only went to certain floors.  It could take a while to learn your way around.  I worked there as first a student and later a staff member for 14 years, and never saw some parts of the place!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 18, 2022, 07:31:37 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on April 17, 2022, 04:36:27 PM
My own vent: The (stone, rather than brick) retaining wall (which, by the way, matches nothing else on this property) at the side of our driveway is now "finished" (or at least it appears so) after no fewer than three full weeks of work, minus days off for rain and attempts not to inconvenience me during truly important Zoom presentations/webinars to large audiences . . . but the BLEEP-ing mini-bulldozer ("Bobcat") is still here, and the driveway and parking area is still not available. I'm getting tired of the daily noise, excessive dirt (= red mud), piles of different sizes of gravel, and general inconvenience.

Maybe I should have posted this on the "First World Problems" thread . . . . <grin>

Brick and stone walls--especially stone--can absorb an incredible amount of labor.  When you've got to work around the weather and other considerations it's that much tougher.  I grew up doing masonry work with my dad in the summers.  We'd try not to inconvenience people too much if the site was very close to a place where others were trying to go about their business, but we just had to kind of accept that we were going to make a bunch of mess and some noise.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 18, 2022, 08:10:46 AM
I'm not sure where to place the blame, but I'm always surprised by the number of students who, when they register for an online course, don't know if it is synchronous or asynchronous. Then they email me to ask.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 18, 2022, 09:04:40 AM
Quote from: apl68 on April 18, 2022, 07:31:37 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on April 17, 2022, 04:36:27 PM
My own vent: The (stone, rather than brick) retaining wall (which, by the way, matches nothing else on this property) at the side of our driveway is now "finished" (or at least it appears so) after no fewer than three full weeks of work, minus days off for rain and attempts not to inconvenience me during truly important Zoom presentations/webinars to large audiences . . . but the BLEEP-ing mini-bulldozer ("Bobcat") is still here, and the driveway and parking area is still not available. I'm getting tired of the daily noise, excessive dirt (= red mud), piles of different sizes of gravel, and general inconvenience.

Maybe I should have posted this on the "First World Problems" thread . . . . <grin>

Brick and stone walls--especially stone--can absorb an incredible amount of labor.  When you've got to work around the weather and other considerations it's that much tougher.  I grew up doing masonry work with my dad in the summers.  We'd try not to inconvenience people too much if the site was very close to a place where others were trying to go about their business, but we just had to kind of accept that we were going to make a bunch of mess and some noise.

What I didn't mention, but should've, is that (1) it was my landlady's decision when to put in the new wall and (2) the landscapers promised to be finished in two weeks, but Good Friday was the end of the third week, so I've been dealing with this 50% longer than expected.

But you're right, apl68--I need to practice patience and forbearance. After all, the landscaping team couldn't control the weather!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on April 19, 2022, 10:04:08 AM
Quote from: downer on April 18, 2022, 08:10:46 AM
I'm not sure where to place the blame, but I'm always surprised by the number of students who, when they register for an online course, don't know if it is synchronous or asynchronous. Then they email me to ask.

It's a valid question.  If it's not in the course catalog then they should ask.  If it's in the course catalog, then copy and paste "Dear student, see the description in [course listing]".
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on April 19, 2022, 10:12:41 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on April 19, 2022, 10:04:08 AM
Quote from: downer on April 18, 2022, 08:10:46 AM
I'm not sure where to place the blame, but I'm always surprised by the number of students who, when they register for an online course, don't know if it is synchronous or asynchronous. Then they email me to ask.

It's a valid question.  If it's not in the course catalog then they should ask.  If it's in the course catalog, then copy and paste "Dear student, see the description in [course listing]".

If it were a synchonous class then there would be a day and time assigned to it. Since there is no day and time assigned, students can conclude it is asynchronous. But they don't know that, and it seems that no one tells them.

One answer is to send out an announcement to the enrolled students telling them. But then some drop, and others enroll, and ask the same question.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on April 22, 2022, 09:35:22 AM
I asked a technician on Monday if he could [repair very necessary thing] by Wednesday, even put in a work order that he accepted with the "need by" dates filled in. Wednesday he told me it would be done by Friday morning, and that he was "way behind on his work." This morning (Friday), it still wasn't done. When I stopped by his office, he was making sports bets on his work PC, not fixing my equipment. I used my polite but firm voice and said I needed it fixed by the time I was finished with lab this afternoon, he looked offended and again said he was very busy and behind in his work. I need the equipment repaired (it's a simple repair and the parts are in his office) to finish work over the weekend to be ready for class next Monday. I can't do the repair myself because of union rules - have gotten fussed at before for fixing things myself.

I looked at his computer screen with his betting website on it, gave him the eyebrow of doom look I give students, and walked out. If it's not done this afternoon, and I can't work over the weekend, and my students can't do the work they need to do next week, I will report him to his union boss for not fulfilling accepted work orders. He's a nice guy, but he's lazy. Do your freakin job, dude, so I can do mine!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on April 27, 2022, 12:15:44 PM
My school uses a self evaluation form for faculty that is 7 pages long. I just opened one that had ballooned to 90 pages thanks to the faculty member's obsessive pasting in of EVERYTHING he's done over the last year. To echo another poster in another thread, this is why I drink, folks!

Wandering into the kitchen to mix a drink before an end of the day mandatory PD webinar...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on April 29, 2022, 03:58:38 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on April 27, 2022, 12:15:44 PM
My school uses a self evaluation form for faculty that is 7 pages long. I just opened one that had ballooned to 90 pages thanks to the faculty member's obsessive pasting in of EVERYTHING he's done over the last year. To echo another poster in another thread, this is why I drink, folks!

Wandering into the kitchen to mix a drink before an end of the day mandatory PD webinar...

Sorry!  The dog ate it.  Labradors can handle dozens of pages.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 30, 2022, 10:18:05 AM
Some people in the !@#$%^&*I&^$%#@! office didn't do their jobs and now I have to WAIT until they do.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 02, 2022, 02:24:39 PM
Had a long chat with Verizon wireless. I've had this account for almost 20 years; I called to see why my online bill which gets sent around the 20th of the month was missing this month. The poor tech person couldn't resolve this because whenever I log into my wireless account, I get automatically directed to the Verizon Fios account!

I finally got him to tell me what my bill was. Phew! Now I have to go to a physical store to see if they can sort this out.

Took me hours to get a live person, and that was a Fios representative who then transferred me to his counterpart in the wireless division. I had to beg to be transferred to a live person, and not a phone number.

Turns out that everything is done through the new app; phone calls, emails, or logging into your account appear to be passée.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 02, 2022, 03:41:07 PM
It's maddening, I agree.

I've given up trying to get a data account transferred over from a previous support setup (when I was doing part time EA work for a N/P they were covering my data, and when the Exec. Dir. retired last year, I paid them to cover it for the next year so I didn't have to disentangle that along with everything else.

But after three calls, they hung up on me as I was about to give them the code they'd requested and I realized I'd had enough.

I'm not out enough to need it; my phone works from my home wifi when at home and that's all I really need, so they basically lost a customer in their quest to be super-efficient from their side.

I'm always struck how the phrase "for greater efficiency" is included in the apologetic wording for these changes--but it's not really the customer's efficiency they're aiming for....

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 04, 2022, 06:49:51 AM
When a student writes that an issue "garnered national attention" I'm left trying to work out where they copied and pasted the sentence from.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 04, 2022, 06:51:33 AM
NYT? Washington Post?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 04, 2022, 07:09:01 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on May 04, 2022, 06:51:33 AM
NYT? Washington Post?

More like ABC News.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bacardiandlime on May 04, 2022, 10:20:09 AM
FFS. I just got an email from a SCC saying that the search I applied to two weeks ago will be deferred to fall because "summer is approaching". Like it's some unexpected occurrence.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 04, 2022, 10:45:29 AM
Both my printers stopped working a couple of days ago. One dropped dead as soon as I installed a new ink cartridge. The other one suddenly developed paper feed problems (paper doesn't feed despite all the sound and fury) which appears to be fixable, according to several youtube videos. I just put the latter out on the curb with a note to the effect that google can help solve the paper feed problem. It's trash pick-up day tomorrow so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the printer (which is neither trash nor recyclable) to get picked up by someone tonight.

The new one arrives tomorrow, so that's a relief.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on May 04, 2022, 02:51:05 PM
NewDean has decided to revise the outcomes assessment process, including changing the goals and action plans for 2021-22. He's also decided to change questions and instructions on the reporting forms. Several chairs explained that it's is a university process, with university forms and goals/action plans approved last year by multiple administrative levels. NewDean scolded them for unwillingness to innovate and obstructiveness, again.

I'm filling out NewDean's forms with NewDean's goals and action plans, plus the university-approved forms with university-approved goals and action plans. Waste of time, but at least I'm getting nibbles from the applications I started submitting after I decided that I either move or retire in August.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on May 06, 2022, 12:01:10 PM
This vent is in the wake of my actual vent that occurred yesterday--or rather, it was a fit of rage like I haven't felt in a very, very long time. 

The semester-long story, short: after completely inappropriately handling three complaints from students in my classes (i.e., long conversations with each student, never notifying me until after the fact, promising students to intervene on their behalf--all in direct contravention of both BoT and union protocols) AND also losing her shit in a very public way about me because I hadn't given her an hour by hour report on my whereabouts on a non-teaching day, I'd had enough and read my new chair the riot act in a lengthy and detailed email cc'd to our dean and my union president.

Her response was a list of attempted rationalizations and her insistence that her attempts to micromanage me (and colleagues) isn't micromanagement at all--all of which, of course, served as admissions that she actually DID all the things she did.  Whatever; I have no interest in a kumbayah moment and made very clear that I want neither accommodations, praise, nor friendship from her, but that I demand she either explain what I've done wrong to make her not trust me or, alternatively, get the hell off my back and leave me alone to do the job I'm hired to do. 

The residual vent isn't because I'm still outraged (I'm not, but I definitely AM done playing her little chicken-sh%t games), but more because it happened at all, and because I wasted an entire day building a paper trail about it.  The good news, though, is that the next time she so much as looks at me sideways, I'm going straight to file a grievance. I am done with her sorry self.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 06, 2022, 12:20:49 PM
Thinking of you.

Those stupid situations are so draining, the more so because you're the one pointing out the stupid, the stupid one just sits back and lets you...and then tries to rebut with more stupid.

Find your star.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on May 07, 2022, 05:22:12 PM
At the end of last semester,  I needed a new toner for the printer in my office. I told our dept secretary about it. All good. But then at the beginning of this semester, our campus - part of the state system - got word that the system wants to eliminate faculty members' printers and to have campuses go to shared printers. So no new printers or printer supplies would be purchased. My printer was then networked to the printer/copier in the main department office. But, my dept chair said that there was an unused printer that could be moved to my office. Great! So at the end of January that printer was moved into my office. But somehow it wasn't hooked up to my computer. So for the rest of the semester, I've been sending emails through our automated service-request system asking when they're going to connect my printer. Sometimes I got an email back saying that they've forwarded the request to some other person. Once I got an email back asking if the printer was working. No, it wasn't.  Now there's one more week left in the semester and I wouldn't be surprised if IT sends me a message this week letting me know that the printer works. Just in time for summer.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 08, 2022, 07:57:33 AM
3 students have become ill meaning they won't be able to take the final exam tomorrow.

I have to decide what to do as a make up. I'd do an oral exam, but 3 oral exams is about as much work as creating an online test. Either way, it's a pain in the neck. I could just calculate their final grade from the work done so far. That's looking tempting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 08, 2022, 08:37:22 AM
If they are really sick, they made need a few weeks to recover.  I suggest that an Incomplete is in order and they can take a make up exam as late as the first week of Fall.  IF they are sick, they are not able to study.  They will need time to recover and then time to study once they do recover.  Dont rush them or you!.  IF you want to give an oral exam, ok, but a similar exam to what you give now would be better, I think.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 08, 2022, 08:44:32 AM
These are 19 year olds who had boosters. I'd be very surprised if they are ill more than a couple of days. But grades will be due very soon.

This school does not have incompletes. That makes it more difficult to sort out the problem. I may need to get advice from the dept chair.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 08, 2022, 09:29:05 AM
I dunno what IT did or when, but now it's impossible to view our class lists. The button is still there, but clicking it takes you to a page listing your courses, not the students enrolled in them. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 08, 2022, 10:56:19 AM
I am so angry and I am now committed to lying to my very, very disturbed family members. So fucking crazy. I had the phone on speaker and SO was just shaking his head. I do not need this toxicity and vitriolic destructive mess in my life. I now have to work it out through hard manual labor outside.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 08, 2022, 12:52:13 PM
EPW, you gotta do what you gotta do. I don't engage with at least one cousin who tried to convince me that Mr. T is the paragon of virtue, unlike his Dem counterparts. This was just before Nov 2016. I was dying to ask "Now how many wives has he had?", but bit my tongue and quickly changed the topic. Cousin thinks that divorce = immorality. I learned a long time ago to disengage, and excuse myself if the conversation veers into dangerous territory.

Do not engage! Stay strong! Gasp mid-sentence and come up with any excuse to end the conversation. You're having a sneezing fit. A skunk just got in through the cat or dog door. There's a deer on your property eating your newly planted vegetables.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 08, 2022, 01:18:09 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on May 08, 2022, 12:52:13 PM
EPW, you gotta do what you gotta do. I don't engage with at least one cousin who tried to convince me that Mr. T is the paragon of virtue, unlike his Dem counterparts. This was just before Nov 2016. I was dying to ask "Now how many wives has he had?", but bit my tongue and quickly changed the topic. Cousin thinks that divorce = immorality. I learned a long time ago to disengage, and excuse myself if the conversation veers into dangerous territory.

Do not engage! Stay strong! Gasp mid-sentence and come up with any excuse to end the conversation. You're having a sneezing fit. A skunk just got in through the cat or dog door. There's a deer on your property eating your newly planted vegetables.

Thanks L_D.

Yes, I lied. My soul will probably burn in Hell considering the number of times I've had to lie to this person, but it sure beats feeling the way I feel after talking to her (she has lots of Narcissistic traits, etc. and she sees me as the 'fuel.') SO said it's like we had our hit points reduced to 4 from her psychic blast/energy drain. Yes, we are giant D&D nerds. :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 08, 2022, 08:27:28 PM
We had a job candidate fly in today.  (Yes on Mother's Day!).  Only Thursday did I realize that we would be taking the candidate to dinner on Mother's Day!  I tried to make reservations at a few places. Some were already sold out, others didnt make reservations.  I did make one though.  I had to confirm it twice since then.

THEN, just 90 minutes before the appointed hour, I got a text that the restaurant had cancelled the reservation!  I called and they said that even though I was able to MAKE the reservation online, that they do not take reservations on Mother's Day or other holidays! 

I am very tempted to post a nasty Yelp Review (if my bride can show me how to do it!). 

We ended up at a Dennys!  NOT what we planned to do!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 09, 2022, 07:28:05 AM
That was some most unfortunate timing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 09, 2022, 07:33:59 AM
Quote from: clean on May 08, 2022, 08:27:28 PM
We had a job candidate fly in today.  (Yes on Mother's Day!).  Only Thursday did I realize that we would be taking the candidate to dinner on Mother's Day! 

Who planned this schedule so that:

Seems like really poor planning by someone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on May 09, 2022, 08:21:32 AM
The promotion and tenure list was just sent out to the entire school. I'm on the P&T committee. There was one person the committee unanimously rejected for promotion. This person was promoted. How? How the &*^% did that happen? Did ANYONE up the chain of command read the letter we wrote that explained in detail the reasons for not promoting this person? We did not take this decision lightly, which is why we explained it in excruciating detail. This person did NOT deserve to be promoted by any stretch of the imagination, they did not meet basic requirements in two of the three categories for evaluation. How did this happen? Oh, because they threatened to sue if they weren't promoted because they are a [category] and have felt persecuted for the past five years. I have officially lost faith in the process that promoted me. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 09, 2022, 09:08:44 AM
QuoteWho planned this schedule so that:
the candidate would have to be entertained on a Sunday;
the Sunday in question was actually a holiday?

Seems like really poor planning by someone.

First,
Mother's Day is not a holiday.
Second, the Dean's schedule dictates when we can bring people in for an interview. 
third, after the Dean's Schedule, HR takes its own sweet time to approve things before we can even begin to think about arrangements! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 09, 2022, 10:27:20 AM
Quote from: clean on May 09, 2022, 09:08:44 AM
QuoteWho planned this schedule so that:
the candidate would have to be entertained on a Sunday;
the Sunday in question was actually a holiday?

Seems like really poor planning by someone.

First,
Mother's Day is not a holiday.


As far as I know, Mardi Gras isn't a *statutory holiday in lots of places, but planning events on that day would be a bad idea. (Depending on the event and location, Valentine's Day, Hallowe'en, St. Patrick's Day, and Remembrance Day ("Veteran's Day" in the U.S.) would also cause issues.  December 24th isn't a holiday, but most people would seriously avoid planning events on it. There are probably local celebrations as well.)


*Just because people don't get the day off work doesn't mean it doesn't seriously affect peoples' habits like socializing, dining, etc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on May 09, 2022, 10:32:47 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on May 09, 2022, 08:21:32 AM

...

I have officially lost faith in the process that promoted me.


We can't prevent all good things from happening! :-)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on May 09, 2022, 02:15:07 PM
It's the last day of classes today and all grades are due by noon tomorrow. It's insane, I know, but the majority of our students transfer to a four-year and they need their transcripts. Plus all 9 month full-time faculty are off contract after tomorrow. Missing grades and attendance reports start going out at 8am tomorrow so everyone is trying to get grades in now.
The issue is our system, which we are all required to enter final grades into, slows down to a just-short-of-being-completely-unusable state every semester at this time. Normally I have my classes completed by mid afternoon but I have a night class this semester and I am trying to give my students as much time as possible to turn in projects.
It took from 4:31pm to 5:12pm to enter three grades...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on May 09, 2022, 02:19:38 PM
Oh yes unicorn- I know all about the end of semester computer system failure. Here, having Canvas crap out on us during the last week of class is such a regular occurrence that even the STUDENTS make jokes about it!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 09, 2022, 02:53:57 PM
QuoteAs far as I know, Mardi Gras isn't a *statutory holiday in lots of places, but planning events on that day would be a bad idea. (Depending on the event and location, Valentine's Day, Hallowe'en, St. Patrick's Day, and Remembrance Day ("Veteran's Day" in the U.S.) would also cause issues.  December 24th isn't a holiday, but most people would seriously avoid planning events on it. There are probably local celebrations as well.)


*Just because people don't get the day off work doesn't mean it doesn't seriously affect peoples' habits like socializing, dining, etc.

BUT KNOWING it is a busy restaurant day, and making sure to MAKE a reservation several days in advance, and then to have it cancelled 80 minutes before the arrival time.  Why is the committee to blame for that?  Why is that poor planning on the committee's part? 
Wouldnt the RESTAURANT be the one to KNOW the holidays that are too busy to accept reservations EARLIER than 80 minutes before arrival time? 
AFter all, they required that I confirm by email on Friday AND by Text on Saturday! 
IF they were not going to accept reservations, then WHY did THEY allow them to be made?  And once made, why not honor them? 

The Blame the Committee crap is misplaced! 
I assure you that IF we had the choice to avoid bringing candidates in on Sunday and eating up OUR time to pick them up and entertain them on an Exam Weekend, we would not have picked that !  however, the constraints were imposed by the administration!  The committee had to make the best Within those constraints!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 09, 2022, 04:18:17 PM
Quote from: clean on May 09, 2022, 02:53:57 PM
QuoteAs far as I know, Mardi Gras isn't a *statutory holiday in lots of places, but planning events on that day would be a bad idea. (Depending on the event and location, Valentine's Day, Hallowe'en, St. Patrick's Day, and Remembrance Day ("Veteran's Day" in the U.S.) would also cause issues.  December 24th isn't a holiday, but most people would seriously avoid planning events on it. There are probably local celebrations as well.)


*Just because people don't get the day off work doesn't mean it doesn't seriously affect peoples' habits like socializing, dining, etc.

BUT KNOWING it is a busy restaurant day, and making sure to MAKE a reservation several days in advance, and then to have it cancelled 80 minutes before the arrival time.  Why is the committee to blame for that?  Why is that poor planning on the committee's part? 
Wouldnt the RESTAURANT be the one to KNOW the holidays that are too busy to accept reservations EARLIER than 80 minutes before arrival time? 
AFter all, they required that I confirm by email on Friday AND by Text on Saturday! 
IF they were not going to accept reservations, then WHY did THEY allow them to be made?  And once made, why not honor them? 

The Blame the Committee crap is misplaced! 
I assure you that IF we had the choice to avoid bringing candidates in on Sunday and eating up OUR time to pick them up and entertain them on an Exam Weekend, we would not have picked that ! however, the constraints were imposed by the administration!  The committee had to make the best Within those constraints!!

That's what I figured. It's not the committee's fault and I sympathize. The administrators who were responsible should have been responsible for the weekend's activities as well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 09, 2022, 08:21:52 PM
To the restaurant that allowed reservations, only to cancel them 80 minutes before arrival, and anyone that thinks that the restaurant is right, I leave these links

https://www.google.com/search?q=i+fart+in+your+general+direction+gif&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsYz3duv_PNSf6At_UmtiEl53yueUw:1652152617395&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=xwxOJu8PO0xcaM%252Cwyyan0p9I6UxaM%252C_%253B7RNOyoWLSJhvyM%252CWhPVOzlBE8CkqM%252C_%253Bntw5IcQ2QpYgXM%252CWhPVOzlBE8CkqM%252C_%253B4ejuRHvhWnovNM%252C9v9Zh3TAFpbMLM%252C_%253BqAciPLp3k4yiwM%252CWhPVOzlBE8CkqM%252C_%253BKUfusc1_FJ8fFM%252C5A_fTNr0KNzIaM%252C_%253B7lfrsuE8q8ROHM%252CXoWwHYlznFD6uM%252C_%253BNfXOVENAl8suKM%252CsU0f2flsqOv-EM%252C_%253BbMNuqM3MjLdCEM%252Co4f_KU08ZPd0ZM%252C_%253BQ_7_mVlGj1BrcM%252CWhPVOzlBE8CkqM%252C_%253BVMnUh9pbkYvKnM%252CsSzbR5H5hFB-wM%252C_%253BG_mWRNSJWP4AyM%252CWhPVOzlBE8CkqM%252C_%253BAEYPzHmVJ8hQ1M%252CJ0ag0FtmI1v-qM%252C_%253BgSMdMEUaOWbhbM%252CRjG7w4lU59ySeM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQMZmWsMGDNPMGUPOBELCVwm2q1RA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiNnv-O_NP3AhUvkGoFHT3TAHQQ9QF6BAgEEAE#imgrc=gSMdMEUaOWbhbM&imgdii=D7qqh8g8Cn9mfM
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on May 10, 2022, 06:05:13 AM
Is it now no longer possible to add someone to your WhatsApp contacts via a phone number?  I only see the option of sending a QR code to someone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on May 10, 2022, 12:33:23 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 08, 2022, 01:18:09 PM

Yes, I lied. My soul will probably burn in Hell considering the number of times I've had to lie to this person, but it sure beats feeling the way I feel after talking to her


Look me up when you get there, EPW.  I've done this so many times for so long, I should have a great seat on the bus going there.  And as to the physical labor:  you've just learned the secret to why my yard and garden always look so nice every year.  I am not joking.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 10, 2022, 03:24:50 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on May 10, 2022, 12:33:23 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 08, 2022, 01:18:09 PM

Yes, I lied. My soul will probably burn in Hell considering the number of times I've had to lie to this person, but it sure beats feeling the way I feel after talking to her


Look me up when you get there, EPW.  I've done this so many times for so long, I should have a great seat on the bus going there.  And as to the physical labor:  you've just learned the secret to why my yard and garden always look so nice every year.  I am not joking.

Hee hee. Yep. I can relate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 12, 2022, 08:33:23 AM
The frontrunner for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada said, in the debate last night, that he's reading Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life and that it's full of wisdom.

I just can't even. And don't get me started on his crypto-boosting. Uuuuuuuugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 12, 2022, 12:04:56 PM
Hmm, 'crypto-boasting'...is that on a continuum with 'humble-bragging' ?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 12, 2022, 06:28:40 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 12, 2022, 12:04:56 PM
Hmm, 'crypto-boasting'...is that on a continuum with 'humble-bragging' ?

M.

If only. He's cheerleading crypto-currencies, selling them to the population as a safe, inflation-proof investment (rather than the transparent scam they are). Note that he was the finance critic, and he learned all about crypto from YouTube videos produced by a guy who's an actual, honest-to-goodness neo-Nazi.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 13, 2022, 03:48:11 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 12, 2022, 06:28:40 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 12, 2022, 12:04:56 PM
Hmm, 'crypto-boasting'...is that on a continuum with 'humble-bragging' ?

M.

If only. He's cheerleading crypto-currencies, selling them to the population as a safe, inflation-proof investment (rather than the transparent scam they are). Note that he was the finance critic, and he learned all about crypto from YouTube videos produced by a guy who's an actual, honest-to-goodness neo-Nazi.

Pollievre isn't electable; Jean Charest is their best choice for that reason. If the party chooses Pollievre, that's an early Christmas present for Trudeau.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 13, 2022, 06:59:12 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on May 13, 2022, 03:48:11 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 12, 2022, 06:28:40 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 12, 2022, 12:04:56 PM
Hmm, 'crypto-boasting'...is that on a continuum with 'humble-bragging' ?

M.

If only. He's cheerleading crypto-currencies, selling them to the population as a safe, inflation-proof investment (rather than the transparent scam they are). Note that he was the finance critic, and he learned all about crypto from YouTube videos produced by a guy who's an actual, honest-to-goodness neo-Nazi.

Pollievre isn't electable; Jean Charest is their best choice for that reason. If the party chooses Pollievre, that's an early Christmas present for Trudeau.

One can hope. But I suspect he's enough of a whacko to pull the Bernier peeps mostly back into the fold, and enough of suburban Ontario is dedicated to the party no matter what (to say nothing of Alberta, of course) that it would still be a credible threat.

But this guy is such a catastrophic idiot (he's at least as stupid as Scheer, probably more so) that the possibility of giving him the PM's power is really disturbing.

Charest is a perfectly fine choice, and I'd be happy for him to helm them. But I suspect the Reform wing is too strong, and the party too radical, for him. They'd stand a good chance of winning with him, but he's not very exciting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 13, 2022, 07:18:13 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 13, 2022, 06:59:12 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on May 13, 2022, 03:48:11 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 12, 2022, 06:28:40 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 12, 2022, 12:04:56 PM
Hmm, 'crypto-boasting'...is that on a continuum with 'humble-bragging' ?

M.

If only. He's cheerleading crypto-currencies, selling them to the population as a safe, inflation-proof investment (rather than the transparent scam they are). Note that he was the finance critic, and he learned all about crypto from YouTube videos produced by a guy who's an actual, honest-to-goodness neo-Nazi.

Pollievre isn't electable; Jean Charest is their best choice for that reason. If the party chooses Pollievre, that's an early Christmas present for Trudeau.

One can hope. But I suspect he's enough of a whacko to pull the Bernier peeps mostly back into the fold, and enough of suburban Ontario is dedicated to the party no matter what (to say nothing of Alberta, of course) that it would still be a credible threat.

He's totally off-base regarding the public sentiment about mandates, the trucker convoy, and now his cryptophilia is not looking good either. And the extremists on both ends of the spectrum won't really accept a centrist party anyway, so courting the PPC crowd isn't going to work; if they're willing to vote for a party that can't get a seat, they don't care about voting for a less extreme party who may be able to get elected.



Quote
But this guy is such a catastrophic idiot (he's at least as stupid as Scheer, probably more so) that the possibility of giving him the PM's power is really disturbing.


I'm not worried. If they choose him as party leader, he's got no choice in an election. Trudeau is not hard to find fault with, but compared to Pollievre he's a statesman.

Quote
Charest is a perfectly fine choice, and I'd be happy for him to helm them. But I suspect the Reform wing is too strong, and the party too radical, for him. They'd stand a good chance of winning with him, but he's not very exciting.

I really hope they decide they'd rather stand a chance of governing than just standing on the sidelines and ranting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 17, 2022, 06:46:03 AM
Someone, I know who, still hasn't approved items from THREE months ago. So, I can't move forward until you approve them. Why haven't you approved them yet???
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on May 17, 2022, 07:13:39 AM
I'm sitting in a mandatory meeting where the pricey outside speaker is talking about how important it is to learn history, while spouting tons of misinformation (as fact) that is actually drawn from social media. Stunning.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on May 17, 2022, 12:30:25 PM
Debated whether to post here or in "First World Problems"; this thread was easier to find. 

I can't find a toilet with good flushing capacity + a round bowl + a standard (i.e., shorter than ADA-compliant/"right"/"comfort"/"universal"/"chair") height to replace my old, broken, scungy beige toilet.  Relatedly, the filters on search interfaces at major national big box stores and local home plumbing supply places and Amazon stink.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on May 19, 2022, 11:18:31 AM
Posting from home because my work computer presented me with a Blue Screen of Death this morning. I've submitted a work order to IT, but I've yet to hear anything -- and advice from my office manager has been "just go home, they won't get to you anytime soon."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 19, 2022, 12:27:09 PM
Quote from: namazu on May 17, 2022, 12:30:25 PM
Debated whether to post here or in "First World Problems"; this thread was easier to find. 

I can't find a toilet with good flushing capacity + a round bowl + a standard (i.e., shorter than ADA-compliant/"right"/"comfort"/"universal"/"chair") height to replace my old, broken, scungy beige toilet.  Relatedly, the filters on search interfaces at major national big box stores and local home plumbing supply places and Amazon stink.

Not even Crane's in Chicago? They used to be a go-to for specific plumbing items like that...

Or maybe they don't exist anymore.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 20, 2022, 06:34:50 AM
Difficult colleagues:  Nobody takes me seriously and just ignores my suggestions.  I think it is because I am [insert identity* here].

Also Difficult colleagues: Doesn't come to Departmental Retreat (even on Zoom) for three years running.

* at least 3 people, with non-overlapping identity grievances

1) Not doing what you say isn't the same as not listening to you.  We considered and debated your suggestions (they were found wanting).
2) The other department members who also share in the identity you identified, don't report mistreatment.   Maybe the problem is just you....
3) Taking you ball and going home means we don't have to listen to your suggestions, or your whining....so, win-win?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on May 20, 2022, 06:57:21 AM
I came into my office this morning and everything that had been on the floor was placed either on chairs or on my desk (including several heavy, oily, machine parts that were sitting on cardboard on the floor. Maintenance had been in to clean the floors, with no advance notice, or I would have moved things myself. Now there are scratches on my desk and a suspicious stain on one of my chairs. Ugh. Not to mention they unplugged my laser printer which sits on the floor and I had to crawl under my desk to plug it back in. They also moved one of my filing cabinets and did not put it back. Things were so much better when they did not subcontract this out. Several of us, myself included, have already banned the cleaners from our labs because they unplug and move things they shouldn't. I can empty the (non-industrial waste) bins myself, the other waste we have protocols for, and the floor definitely does not need polished in a machine lab. Maybe I'll have to extend the 'do not clean' rule to my office, but then again, perhaps that's what they want? Less work for them?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on May 20, 2022, 07:42:04 AM
My landlord is giving us notice to move out, and when I called my mother to vent about it my father got on the call and told me that the reason I was feeling down was because I needed to have my thyroid checked, and so my mood wasn't actually real.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 20, 2022, 07:45:18 AM
Sheesh!!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 20, 2022, 09:31:34 AM
Quote from: ergative on May 20, 2022, 07:42:04 AM
My landlord is giving us notice to move out, and when I called my mother to vent about it my father got on the call and told me that the reason I was feeling down was because I needed to have my thyroid checked, and so my mood wasn't actually real.

Damn. Sorry you're dealing with this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on May 20, 2022, 05:32:57 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 20, 2022, 09:31:34 AM
Quote from: ergative on May 20, 2022, 07:42:04 AM
My landlord is giving us notice to move out, and when I called my mother to vent about it my father got on the call and told me that the reason I was feeling down was because I needed to have my thyroid checked, and so my mood wasn't actually real.

Damn. Sorry you're dealing with this.

If my parents weren't decades in the grave, I'd call my siblings to offer assistance. 

Damn.  That sucks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on May 20, 2022, 05:46:34 PM
Quote from: ergative on May 20, 2022, 07:42:04 AM
My landlord is giving us notice to move out, and when I called my mother to vent about it my father got on the call and told me that the reason I was feeling down was because I needed to have my thyroid checked, and so my mood wasn't actually real.

Wow, ergative! That is some championship-level invalidation right there. Not only do you not know why you are feeling upset, but you aren't actually upset at all!
Sending you a virtual beverage-of-choice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 21, 2022, 06:11:00 AM
Had to pick up more soiled diapers from the parking lot of the library first thing this morning.  Lately I've been seeing  a rash (so to speak) of them here and at the city park.  These abandonments usually take place within sight of a dumpster or other receptacle where the diapers could have been placed with a few more moments of effort.  I actually feel sorry for children with such slovenly parents.  It's small wonder we see so much litter of all kinds everywhere in our community.  Dropping stuff all over creation is evidently what many of our citizens have been taught since infancy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 21, 2022, 06:35:03 AM
No chance they were properly placed in the dumpster and dragged out by an animal overnight, I suppose?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 23, 2022, 07:37:56 AM
Quote from: mamselle on May 21, 2022, 06:35:03 AM
No chance they were properly placed in the dumpster and dragged out by an animal overnight, I suppose?

M.

Unlikely the animal would have chosen that one particular item to drag across the parking lot.

I've also had to dispose of one that I found in my own yard!  Maybe that one was dragged around by an animal?  It might have fallen onto the street from a garbage truck.  Our trash collectors have a tendency to leave trails of fallen trash in their wake.  The city keeps having to use open trailers and trucks that aren't meant for hauling garbage as a stop gap when the old, worn-out garbage trucks go down.  They say they have proper replacement garbage trucks on order.  Meanwhile, I noticed once again this morning that they've been reduced to improvising.  No telling what we'll see lying around the streets by this afternoon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 23, 2022, 08:51:41 AM
We have mother f@#$@#$ing BEES in a wall of the house.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 23, 2022, 09:43:49 AM
QuoteWe have mother f@#$@#$ing BEES in a wall of the house.

Try to find a beekeeper to get the hive out.
IF you get an exterminator, make sure that they open the wall and take out the comb.  IF you kill the hive, but dont remove the hive, eventually, the comb will leak and then you will have more bugs to eat the leaked honey and imagine what a mess leaked honey will cause you inside a wall! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 23, 2022, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: clean on May 23, 2022, 09:43:49 AM
QuoteWe have mother f@#$@#$ing BEES in a wall of the house.

Try to find a beekeeper to get the hive out.
IF you get an exterminator, make sure that they open the wall and take out the comb.  IF you kill the hive, but dont remove the hive, eventually, the comb will leak and then you will have more bugs to eat the leaked honey and imagine what a mess leaked honey will cause you inside a wall!

Yep. I've been calling them. Apparently it's very pricey to remove bees.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 23, 2022, 10:20:18 AM
Quote
Yep. I've been calling them. Apparently it's very pricey to remove bees.

Yes, I have heard that it can be expensive. The problem is that NOT removing the hive can be More Expensive!  It is not a simple matter of killing the insects alone. 

I suspect that it is even more expensive these days with the price of lumber! 

You can not really know ahead of time where they are and how big the hive may be.  So getting an idea of how extensive the repair will be ahead of time can be a problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 23, 2022, 11:31:45 AM
A friend of mine is an apist; there are local apirary clubs in many regions as well.

I somehow ran across a few of these at one point as well: people documenting how they took out hives and what some of the fun and not-so-fun elements were in the process--in Texas, Australia, and Louisiana:

   https://youtu.be/rdRl6FN0nK4

and

   https://youtu.be/blHLr5JGRMw

and

   https://youtu.be/YgrTEKs47zA

Might be useful/offer some ideas/caveats, etc...

M.

   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 23, 2022, 12:05:00 PM
Quote from: clean on May 23, 2022, 10:20:18 AM
Quote
Yep. I've been calling them. Apparently it's very pricey to remove bees.

Yes, I have heard that it can be expensive. The problem is that NOT removing the hive can be More Expensive!  It is not a simple matter of killing the insects alone. 

I suspect that it is even more expensive these days with the price of lumber! 

You can not really know ahead of time where they are and how big the hive may be.  So getting an idea of how extensive the repair will be ahead of time can be a problem.

Honestly, I'm not worried about aesthetics at this point (assuming it's just fixing the siding)- they could slap some concrete on it to fill the hole for all I care. I'm concerned with functionality, structural integrity and keeping foreign animals/insects out of my home. :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 23, 2022, 12:44:38 PM
Right, but they'll come back if you don't get them all...and clear the space fully.

Concrete won't be enough.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 23, 2022, 12:54:32 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 23, 2022, 12:44:38 PM
Right, but they'll come back if you don't get them all...and clear the space fully.

Concrete won't be enough.

M.

I know. The company has a 5 year warranty.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on May 23, 2022, 06:13:54 PM
What a pain. 

We had wax bees in the decorative lintels on our porch.  They made a huge mess.  The exterminator killed 'em then we entombed the the remains with spray foam.  I have no idea whether our repair stuck since we sold that house 3 weeks later. 

Good luck.  Fora and fauna are insidious, destructive little boogers.  At least it isn't termites. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 24, 2022, 03:22:16 AM
Quote from: Antiphon1 on May 23, 2022, 06:13:54 PM
Good luck.  Fora and fauna are insidious, destructive little boogers.  At least it isn't termites.

Funniest typo of the day!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 24, 2022, 03:28:56 AM
I saw that, too!

Beware of wood-chewing forumites!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on May 24, 2022, 10:50:45 AM
Quote from: mamselle on May 24, 2022, 03:28:56 AM
I saw that, too!

Beware of wood scenery-chewing forumites!

M.

There, I fixed that for ya.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 24, 2022, 12:31:28 PM
Excellent!

Agreed.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 24, 2022, 01:27:25 PM
I'm so aggravated. We changed out the fan switch on my car (plug and play) and the damn thing is about a millimeter too long, so it will not snap into the electrical connector. I went back and looked at reviews for this part and some people reported the same problem. Argh. Should I shave it down?- go to a different store for another part? This was supposed to be easy!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 24, 2022, 03:03:24 PM
I spent most of the day traveling to a city an hour away to take care of some work for the library.  I thought I had it taken care of, but got back to work and found that it was a bust.  Now I'm back to the drawing board.  While in the city I picked up some items that we were needing here, so the trip wasn't a total waste of time.  But it's not much to show for the day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 24, 2022, 03:23:47 PM
Sorry, EPW and apl!

No fun at all.

Is it a full moon or something??

Between yesterday and today, two different people have bugged out of online meetings or lessons rather suddenly, leaving me startled!

Not a biggie, but these are an adult and an older teen who should know it's at least polite to say, "Good-bye!" or give some advance warning!

Grumble....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 24, 2022, 04:19:30 PM
Quote from: mamselle on May 24, 2022, 03:23:47 PM
Sorry, EPW and apl!

No fun at all.

Is it a full moon or something??

Between yesterday and today, two different people have bugged out of online meetings or lessons rather suddenly, leaving me startled!

Not a biggie, but these are an adult and an older teen who should know it's at least polite to say, "Good-bye!" or give some advance warning!

Grumble....

M.

Nope. Waning crescent. I plan to return the parts I bought and just drop my car off at my local mechanic. I don't want to chase down parts and I'm so aggravated by it that I just don't want to deal with it now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 07:01:59 AM
So, one of the bee removal companies that I spoke with said that my property has been treated. Um... I never got a quote, estimate or a contract and you just came on to my property and did something without my permission???!!!! Apparently this happened at 5am this morning? WTF?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 25, 2022, 07:05:06 AM
Can you ask them to detail where they were and what they did so you don't "disturb" anything....?

Sounds weird/scammy...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 07:36:04 AM
Quote from: mamselle on May 25, 2022, 07:05:06 AM
Can you ask them to detail where they were and what they did so you don't "disturb" anything....?

Sounds weird/scammy...

M.

Definitely. Apparently, they offer a 'free' service. We'll see.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
If you have bees IN the walls, then how did they 'take care of it'?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on May 25, 2022, 09:10:21 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2022, 03:22:16 AM
Quote from: Antiphon1 on May 23, 2022, 06:13:54 PM
Good luck.  Fora and fauna are insidious, destructive little boogers.  At least it isn't termites.

Funniest typo of the day!

Who said it was a typo?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:12:41 AM
spent a week with my parents.  It was a good trip. My mom had surgery on her hand, so the bride and I went over to minimize her opportunity to violate doctor's orders to not use it. 

Flying back today.

My bride changed her name and got a new passport.  While she has a brand new passport to support her new name, her old Trusted Traveler Number was not updated.  So she had to go through the LONG line for security.  I left her behind and went through Pre Check.  My bag was packed with 2 computers, assorted electronics, a CPAP machine, and batteries.  I could have joined her in the Long line but I would have spent much longer unpacking and then repacking after scanning.  She had only a purse and a small bag/bigger purse. 


There was a teen behind us on the plane.  He had ear buds but I kept hearing something.  I asked if he was playing something, but he claimed to not understand me. 
The flight was really bumpy so the flight attendants were seated much of the time, so I could not ask them to find the source of the noise.

Then on landing, we had to wait for the gate to clear, and I suppose that waiting is difficult for teeny boys and he was banging on the lap tray.  Then when we got to the gate, he jumped up  and stood next to me, jumping in front of me in the line.  He was traveling with grandparents we think, and they jumped in early too! He claimed not to understand English.   Unfortunately, for him, my bride speaks Spanish! 

Long layover at second airport.  My last leg is only 45 minutes flight time, but doesnt start to board til after 1 (2 more hours away).

On the positive news, my stocks seem to have recovered something this morning.  Im still down A LOT for May, but unless there is a negative rebound this afternoon, I have recovered most of what was lost yesterday.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 10:59:35 AM
Quote from: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
If you have bees IN the walls, then how did they 'take care of it'?

This group sprayed a pheromone somewhere (I didn't see them do it. 5am is kind of early for me and it was 'free'). It's supposed to keep the bees away. I have a different company coming out tomorrow to assess the situation and give me a formal estimate on removal.

On another note, I have been dealing with assholes and people who do not want to do their jobs (for whatever reason) ALL DAY.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on May 25, 2022, 11:34:43 AM
I'm almost out of my econo-sized supply of Gotdamitol (tm) pills, which are intended to keep me from having to say the brand name over and over in public.

Sadly, they appear to be in short supply in all markets.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 25, 2022, 02:24:14 PM
Just got home

I had asked that the inlaws pay particular attention the seedlings near the sink.  I even tried to ensure that they (particularly my brother i law, who drives them most places) by placing oreos and chips next to them hoping he or they would pay attention.  Lets just say that they were definitely ignored! 

It's not that important, but these were seeds from a coworker that were some sort of heirloom plant tracing back to the 1920s.  I already lost 1/2 the seeds that were planted by the birds plucking them when they got just above ground.... not the entire part, just the leaves!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on May 25, 2022, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 10:59:35 AM
Quote from: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
If you have bees IN the walls, then how did they 'take care of it'?

This group sprayed a pheromone somewhere (I didn't see them do it. 5am is kind of early for me and it was 'free'). It's supposed to keep the bees away. I have a different company coming out tomorrow to assess the situation and give me a formal estimate on removal.

On another note, I have been dealing with assholes and people who do not want to do their jobs (for whatever reason) ALL DAY.

Have you been affirmed that it was "bees"?  I have had wasps move into my walls, but bees seem, well, less committed to restricted venues.  Bees give honey; wasps give allergic consequences.  Bees are kind of "nice;" wasps are ICBMs.  Well, in-wall, or not, I guess you would rather/strongly feel they were elsewhere or dead.  To bee or not to bee...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on May 25, 2022, 02:56:13 PM
Dear clueless department members. When we are given the opportunity to "vote" on the spouse of the new head adminicritter joining our department, there is only one way this can go. No, there cannot be a "probationary period". Do you not understand how this game is played?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 03:52:28 PM
Quote from: Juvenal on May 25, 2022, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 10:59:35 AM
Quote from: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
If you have bees IN the walls, then how did they 'take care of it'?

This group sprayed a pheromone somewhere (I didn't see them do it. 5am is kind of early for me and it was 'free'). It's supposed to keep the bees away. I have a different company coming out tomorrow to assess the situation and give me a formal estimate on removal.

On another note, I have been dealing with assholes and people who do not want to do their jobs (for whatever reason) ALL DAY.

Have you been affirmed that it was "bees"?  I have had wasps move into my walls, but bees seem, well, less committed to restricted venues.  Bees give honey; wasps give allergic consequences.  Bees are kind of "nice;" wasps are ICBMs.  Well, in-wall, or not, I guess you would rather/strongly feel they were elsewhere or dead.  To bee or not to bee...

Not yet. Hopefully we'll find out tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on May 25, 2022, 08:46:15 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 25, 2022, 02:56:13 PM
Dear clueless department members. When we are given the opportunity to "vote" on the spouse of the new head adminicritter joining our department, there is only one way this can go. No, there cannot be a "probationary period". Do you not understand how this game is played?

Clueless is an understatement. Hope your new faculty member is useful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on May 26, 2022, 11:25:42 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 25, 2022, 02:56:13 PM
Dear clueless department members. When we are given the opportunity to "vote" on the spouse of the new head adminicritter joining our department, there is only one way this can go. No, there cannot be a "probationary period". Do you not understand how this game is played?

"Probationary period."  Hahahahaha!

And no, you won't be authorized to search for a new faculty member of your choice anytime in the near future.  This person is it.  Be grateful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 26, 2022, 11:36:25 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 03:52:28 PM
Quote from: Juvenal on May 25, 2022, 02:25:20 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 25, 2022, 10:59:35 AM
Quote from: clean on May 25, 2022, 09:02:23 AM
If you have bees IN the walls, then how did they 'take care of it'?

This group sprayed a pheromone somewhere (I didn't see them do it. 5am is kind of early for me and it was 'free'). It's supposed to keep the bees away. I have a different company coming out tomorrow to assess the situation and give me a formal estimate on removal.

On another note, I have been dealing with assholes and people who do not want to do their jobs (for whatever reason) ALL DAY.

Have you been affirmed that it was "bees"?  I have had wasps move into my walls, but bees seem, well, less committed to restricted venues.  Bees give honey; wasps give allergic consequences.  Bees are kind of "nice;" wasps are ICBMs.  Well, in-wall, or not, I guess you would rather/strongly feel they were elsewhere or dead.  To bee or not to bee...

Not yet. Hopefully we'll find out tomorrow.

Yes. They are honeybees. Good to have, just not in my house.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on May 26, 2022, 02:21:13 PM
Quote from: Cheerful on May 26, 2022, 11:25:42 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 25, 2022, 02:56:13 PM
Dear clueless department members. When we are given the opportunity to "vote" on the spouse of the new head adminicritter joining our department, there is only one way this can go. No, there cannot be a "probationary period". Do you not understand how this game is played?

"Probationary period."  Hahahahaha!

And no, you won't be authorized to search for a new faculty member of your choice anytime in the near future.  This person is it.  Be grateful.

Exactly.  And if the spouse decides to NOT take the offer or leaves for a position elsewhere it will be your department's fault for not retaining them.
Do get it in writing that the spousal hire is contingent on the head admin being hired (seriously).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on May 27, 2022, 09:59:25 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 25, 2022, 02:56:13 PM
Dear clueless department members. When we are given the opportunity to "vote" on the spouse of the new head adminicritter joining our department, there is only one way this can go. No, there cannot be a "probationary period". Do you not understand how this game is played?

The lines for spousal hires, at my university, come from outside of the unit, so they are like gifts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 28, 2022, 08:21:01 AM
any updates on the Bees??
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 28, 2022, 08:28:58 AM
Quote from: clean on May 28, 2022, 08:21:01 AM
any updates on the Bees??

A company is coming out in a week to remove the hive and relocate the honeybees. They will also repair the holes and give a 5 year warranty. Fingers crossed about all of this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on May 28, 2022, 09:34:32 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 28, 2022, 08:28:58 AM
Quote from: clean on May 28, 2022, 08:21:01 AM
any updates on the Bees??

A company is coming out in a week to remove the hive and relocate the honeybees. They will also repair the holes and give a 5 year warranty. Fingers crossed about all of this.

So the pheromones folks were faux?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 28, 2022, 09:47:06 AM
Quote from: mamselle on May 28, 2022, 09:34:32 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 28, 2022, 08:28:58 AM
Quote from: clean on May 28, 2022, 08:21:01 AM
any updates on the Bees??

A company is coming out in a week to remove the hive and relocate the honeybees. They will also repair the holes and give a 5 year warranty. Fingers crossed about all of this.

So the pheromones folks were faux?

M.

No, I don't think so. Now I didn't see them spray the area, but the number of bees entering the cavity dropped a lot. The beekeepers only spray the area, they don't remove the hive. So, I still need a company to remove the hive which will hopefully occur in a week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on May 29, 2022, 10:41:10 AM
Is it supply chain issues or what?  What has happened to the brand of coffee I have favored for a long time?  Problems in the coffee orchards?  I'm looking at you, Folgers.  I like the red canister--a wise way to choose a food item--and that they have a variety of different types.  Anyway, two canisters of two of their apparently different types, produce coffee nearly indistinguishable from black hot water.

It came to me they might be buying used coffee grounds from some instant coffee maker, drying them out and packaging them for me...

It's enough to make me start in again on lapsang souchong and live dangerously with something outlawed in the EU.  At least there will the scent of creosote to convince me I'm drinking something besides hot water.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 10, 2022, 11:04:20 AM
Family member may have Covid, but refuses to get tested. This person is a medial professional (well, retired now). What in the ever loving hell???
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 10, 2022, 11:14:05 AM
QuoteFamily member may have Covid, but refuses to get tested. This person is a medial professional (well, retired now). What in the ever loving hell???

If the test is positive what would they do differently than they are now?
If negative, then what?

in other words, does knowing change anything that they are doing now anyway? 

OF course, I D rather know!  I d report the positive result if I had it so that the community data is correct. 

Even medical people, though, can be 'educated beyond their abilities'!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 10, 2022, 11:41:14 AM
Quote from: clean on June 10, 2022, 11:14:05 AM
If the test is positive what would they do differently than they are now?

Paxlovid
https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/process.aspx
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 10, 2022, 03:17:13 PM
Quote from: clean on June 10, 2022, 11:14:05 AM
QuoteFamily member may have Covid, but refuses to get tested. This person is a (medical- oops!) medial professional (well, retired now). What in the ever loving hell???

If the test is positive what would they do differently than they are now?
If negative, then what?

in other words, does knowing change anything that they are doing now anyway? 

OF course, I D rather know!  I d report the positive result if I had it so that the community data is correct. 

Even medical people, though, can be 'educated beyond their abilities'!

I know. It's just frustrating. This person has a 'do as I say, not as I do' mentality and also tries to 'tough it out.' It would also add to the community numbers which may or may not be helpful. They're in a very rural area with a low population and low # of cases.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 10, 2022, 04:03:20 PM
"May 9, 2022 — Based on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success"

So if they have had symptoms for more than a few days, then knowing or not wont make much of a difference!

Fortunately, while the virus has still been running rampant, the dire side effects seem to have subsided.  In my area, there are now only a dozen in the hospital, with only 3 of those in the ICU.  At the peak, there were over 400 in the hospital and over 125 in the ICU! 

Personally, IF I thought I had it, I would test, if only to know for myself that I might now have the antibodies. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 10, 2022, 04:27:02 PM
Quote from: clean on June 10, 2022, 04:03:20 PM

Personally, IF I thought I had it, I would test, if only to know for myself that I might now have the antibodies.

I would test so as to be able to warn anybody that I might have inadvertently exposed to it.  Just seems like simple decency to me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on June 10, 2022, 11:29:03 PM
Quote from: apl68 on June 10, 2022, 04:27:02 PM
Quote from: clean on June 10, 2022, 04:03:20 PM

Personally, IF I thought I had it, I would test, if only to know for myself that I might now have the antibodies.

I would test so as to be able to warn anybody that I might have inadvertently exposed to it.  Just seems like simple decency to me.

Right--and to know if you should isolate. It's one thing to duck out for a carton of milk if you've got a cold, but you shouldn't be doing that if you've got covid.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 11, 2022, 12:14:47 AM
QuoteRight--and to know if you should isolate. It's one thing to duck out for a carton of milk if you've got a cold, but you shouldn't be doing that if you've got covid.

I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, there are many that do not believe that they SHOULD do anything that they dont want to do!

I was reading some posts on the Cruise Critic site, and there were several who indicated that if they found that they were positive on a cruise, they wouldnt say anything or change anything because they didnt want to have to quarantine, or disrupt their flight plans home!!!

And now the CDC is dropping the requirement to test in bound air passengers!

Fortunately I have had 4 vaccinations now.  I dont know if it will prevent me from catching this illness, but as I wear a mask anytime I go inside a store, and I have not eaten in a restaurant (except while traveling - which was infrequent, and not for a 'vacation')  I hope that I am safe.  But NOT because infected people bother to find our, and even if the news is thrust upon them, take what we would hope to be appropriate precautions (because it would inconvenience them 'and violate their RIGHT to infect others!)

Remember what I have said often on related topics:  "IF YOU are not looking out for YOU, then NO ONE IS!!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 13, 2022, 03:44:49 PM
I'm really losing hope about my car. It pisses me off and depresses me at the same time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 13, 2022, 04:15:48 PM
NBD, but wow all the same:

Quote

We acknowledge receipt of your manuscript titled "Article."

You should expect a reply within six months of today. Please note that comments are sent with rejection letters only when our review takes longer.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 13, 2022, 04:21:59 PM
Humanities can take a year or more.

I once waited two years for a rejection, after it turned out they'd never sent it out for review.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 13, 2022, 07:54:57 PM
When it rains, it pours. We have a leak in the basement...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 13, 2022, 08:30:49 PM
OooooooooO.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 14, 2022, 12:16:16 AM
Im back at my parents' house again!  My dad has been in the hospital since Friday, but should be discharged tomorrow.

I flew to Orlando, rented a car.  I RENTED a full size car.  I got a Dodge Charger.  Which would be fine, but the  seats have these FiretrUCKING wings that I have discovered can not be adjusted! 

3 weeks ago I was here for my mom's surgery. I RENTED a full size car, but was given an "upgrade" to an SUV... which didnt hold our luggage (we had to put bag in the back seat!)  My bride and I bumped elbows the entire trip! 

It's 3 AM.  My parents are in the hospital, I will try to get the car changed out at a local place because I m not sure that I can drive the FiretrUCKING car back to Orlando! 


Anyone got experience with Avis?  Any ideas how to best handle such lunacy?

(Oh, and as I was dealing with the GATE (the one with the tire spikes) where they confirm that you are the one who is supposed to have the car, I asked, "Are the lights on?"  "Oh, yes" was the lie  reply.  As soon as I got out of the garage lights I could tell they were NOT!  The car behind me flashing their lights supported my guess that the guy lied! 


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 14, 2022, 05:15:07 AM
Quote from: clean on June 14, 2022, 12:16:16 AM

Anyone got experience with Avis?  Any ideas how to best handle such lunacy?


I would keep calling, or stopping by another location to see if they could exchange the car. I would also suggest that you advise them that you are not comfortable driving this particular car because of the configurations.

Disclaimer: I rent from Enterprise, and have never had any problems with them. They once swapped a car for me because they gave me a larger car than the one I had requested, and which was difficult for me to drive because of the location of the controls.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 14, 2022, 06:41:19 AM
Good luck clean! In my youth, my family once arrived at the airport late at night and were informed that we had been "upgraded" to an F-150 pickup! When my parents tried to decline the "upgrade" they were informed it was the last vehicle in the lot. They were able to exchange it the next day, but it is still a running joke in the family every time we travel, to guess what "upgrade" may await us.

I think this vent is mostly to myself, for taking on too much in an effort to fix things for other people. We are hosting undergrads from another institution for a summer research program. I already took two, because not enough people from my department agreed to do this. We are a week in, and the coordinator emailed me yesterday evening saying another student is desperately unhappy with her match (for some reason they put her in Business when she wanted Psychology). She did NOT ask me to take her, just if she could be included in department events and lab meetings. It was me who suggested I could probably take her. So that's on me. BUT, these are URM students who are supposed to be getting a positive research experience this summer and potentially coming back here for grad school. I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

(It will be fine, I can catch her up, they can do a group project).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on June 14, 2022, 07:23:00 AM
Quote from: Puget on June 14, 2022, 06:41:19 AM
I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 14, 2022, 07:45:13 AM
Sorry you're dealing with this, clean. I would definitely call and B&M about it. Hope it works out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 14, 2022, 08:07:53 AM
I have called.  There are no adjustments for that part of the seat. I went through the help guy, and then he told me where they hide the owner's manual (in the trunk in the spare tire well).  I went through the manual and there are no adjustments to be made.

They are expecting a shipment of cars this afternoon, so I am 'on hold'.  If they dont call me back, I will see if Costco (where I  made the reservation) can exert some more pressure. 

Ive tried to get some yard work done, and I successfully pruned the big thorny bush near the front walk, and moved the hoses, but I could not get any mowers to start and I could not find gas.  I dont want to just grab any ole can as some are set for 2 cycle engines (and have a type of oil in the gas which would not be good for the other mowers!)

It is already after 11 am, and that means that it is probably too hot to do anything for five or six hours now.  Hopefully my dad will be home by then and can tell me where everything is hidden.

The bad news is that once he comes home, he may insist on using the grass catcher!  As the rain has been good here, and he hasnt been able to mow (hence the hospital) Id be emptying the grass catcher A LOT!  (he uses the grass for mulch!)

IF I can mow without the grass catcher I will be faster and wont bother my back as much! 

Hopefully the car gets exchanged soon, and I expect my dad to be home this afternoon.  Then my mom can finally sleep in a bed (for a full night) and not in a chair or on a hospital couch for a few hours tops at a time!

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 14, 2022, 08:16:56 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 14, 2022, 07:23:00 AM
Quote from: Puget on June 14, 2022, 06:41:19 AM
I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?

No, it, like all undergrad mentoring, is considered part of our service duties. A foundation grant funds the students, but there isn't any budget for stipends for mentors. That's the same as for our own undergrads who have summer funding from the university to do research in labs, so I don't think anyone would expect a stipend really. Some people just shirk most service.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on June 14, 2022, 08:48:44 AM
Quote from: Puget on June 14, 2022, 08:16:56 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on June 14, 2022, 07:23:00 AM
Quote from: Puget on June 14, 2022, 06:41:19 AM
I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?

No, it, like all undergrad mentoring, is considered part of our service duties. A foundation grant funds the students, but there isn't any budget for stipends for mentors. That's the same as for our own undergrads who have summer funding from the university to do research in labs, so I don't think anyone would expect a stipend really. Some people just shirk most service.
Same here. Mentoring undergraduate research students is an expected part of our service duties. When the students are good, it can be very rewarding. But summer research students coming from other universities tend to be hit and miss. Sometimes they have the potential, but not the skills (these are often the individuals who benefit most from the experience!). Sometimes they are just not interested in the project and so do not put in much effort. And sometimes, as is the case for my REU student this summer, they are a good match to the project and have the basic skills which can be the basis for a productive summer.

Given that mentoring undergraduate research students is more service than research, it is not unexpected that some faculty avoid it.  Often, those are also faculty who should not be mentoring such students, so it is somewhat of a win-win, even if the burden falls more heavily on other faculty. @Puget - make certain that you are documenting your efforts in your tenure/promotion files as part of your service to your field (not just your department).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on June 14, 2022, 09:15:24 AM
Our University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 14, 2022, 09:22:58 AM
QuoteOur University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!

Admin critters seem to forget that incentives work... and the lack of an incentive is just a negative incentive!!

Sometimes they look at everything is a COST problem, but when faculty cut back (as they are incentivized to do), the admin critters get introduced to the REVENUE PROBLEM!   

(Summer school 'loses money' so admin critters says 'cut summer wages'.  Faculty say "McDonalds pays better" or "for that I will make NO MOney and enjoy my life" and then the Admin Critter finds out that to REALLY lose money, cut off the summer tuition dollars!  No teachers = no classes = no students = no tuition!   (and as wages were only a fraction of tuition, they discover THE REAL problem!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on June 14, 2022, 09:40:09 AM
Quote from: clean on June 14, 2022, 08:07:53 AM
I have called.  There are no adjustments for that part of the seat. I went through the help guy, and then he told me where they hide the owner's manual (in the trunk in the spare tire well).  I went through the manual and there are no adjustments to be made.

They are expecting a shipment of cars this afternoon, so I am 'on hold'.  If they dont call me back, I will see if Costco (where I  made the reservation) can exert some more pressure. 

Ive tried to get some yard work done, and I successfully pruned the big thorny bush near the front walk, and moved the hoses, but I could not get any mowers to start and I could not find gas.  I dont want to just grab any ole can as some are set for 2 cycle engines (and have a type of oil in the gas which would not be good for the other mowers!)

It is already after 11 am, and that means that it is probably too hot to do anything for five or six hours now.  Hopefully my dad will be home by then and can tell me where everything is hidden.

The bad news is that once he comes home, he may insist on using the grass catcher!  As the rain has been good here, and he hasnt been able to mow (hence the hospital) Id be emptying the grass catcher A LOT!  (he uses the grass for mulch!)

IF I can mow without the grass catcher I will be faster and wont bother my back as much! 

Hopefully the car gets exchanged soon, and I expect my dad to be home this afternoon.  Then my mom can finally sleep in a bed (for a full night) and not in a chair or on a hospital couch for a few hours tops at a time!


So sorry, Clean. Hope your folks are able to settle back in easily and that you can have a less frustrating day.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 14, 2022, 09:58:27 AM
Our AC unit dumped water in the basement. It's, hopefully, just a clog in the drain line. It could also be the drain pain or just a leak. We hooked up our air compressor and blew out the line. The AC pump worked and pumped water that had accumulated. Fingers crossed that this is it. We have someone coming just in case and I don't mind paying just for an inspection (trying to help the local economy). I don't know anything about changing out an evaporator coil or a drainpan. I suppose I could learn, but I'm just fricking overwhelmed at the moment.

Edit: We also have a car mass airflow sensor and thermostat to change today. And we also plan to take off the front end to check a few other things. We'll see how that goes. Ask me if I have time to grade anything.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on June 14, 2022, 12:16:32 PM
Quote from: clean on June 14, 2022, 09:22:58 AM
QuoteOur University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!

Admin critters seem to forget that incentives work... and the lack of an incentive is just a negative incentive!!

Sometimes they look at everything is a COST problem, but when faculty cut back (as they are incentivized to do), the admin critters get introduced to the REVENUE PROBLEM!   

(Summer school 'loses money' so admin critters says 'cut summer wages'.  Faculty say "McDonalds pays better" or "for that I will make NO MOney and enjoy my life" and then the Admin Critter finds out that to REALLY lose money, cut off the summer tuition dollars!  No teachers = no classes = no students = no tuition!   (and as wages were only a fraction of tuition, they discover THE REAL problem!)

Do you work at my school?

Our admins decided that if 1 faculty member was getting paid to teach a course in Costa Rica, adding a second section did not require a 2nd faculty member also getting paid.  I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.  Yes, the expenses would be covered, but I would not get a dime for the labor (and since my area of expertise was both different and relevant) we could've done additional interesting work with the students while there.

The Provost agreed with them, saying it was the principle. 

Ahem, If 22 students cost $X in professor salary and generates $Y profit (~$12k), then TWO faculty cost $2X and Generate $2Y.  $2Y > Y.   

So, I declined.  22 students did NOT get to go on the trip, and $Y was lost. 

I'm not sure which principle that is, but UPHELD!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 14, 2022, 01:19:35 PM
Penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Again.

Very sorry, that has to be both frustrating and disappointing....my cousin taught in C. Rica for a few years and says he would still go back in a heartbeat.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on June 14, 2022, 01:40:12 PM
Quote from: FishProf on June 14, 2022, 12:16:32 PM
I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.

LOL!

Quote from: FishProf on June 14, 2022, 12:16:32 PM
So, I declined.  22 students did NOT get to go on the trip, and $Y was lost.

Provost's and students' loss.  Your dignity retained.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 14, 2022, 02:32:38 PM
[quote]Do you work at my school?

Our admins decided that if 1 faculty member was getting paid to teach a course in Costa Rica, adding a second section did not require a 2nd faculty member also getting paid.  I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.  Yes, the expenses would be covered, but I would not get a dime for the labor (and since my area of expertise was both different and relevant) we could've done additional interesting work with the students while there.[/quote]

I hope not!!


For 2 of my early years, I helped escort some students to New York.  I wasnt paid, though the other faculty member was!  I was reimbursed my expenses.... except for one, and that ended my participation!

I said that I dont eat breakfast, but I do have a diet coke early in the morning, and I wanted to buy a 2 liter bottle from a drug store and be reimbursed. The  department secretary said that the university would not reimburse for that, so I didnt go again! 

(and the prof in charge liked to go out drinking sake with some of the MBA students one of the nights and was 'ill' the next day.  Bullshit!  Im not paid AT ALL to take over!  Just to be the wing man in case a student needed to be taken to the ER or some other emergency!  Getting drunk (on more than one trip) is not an accident!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2022, 03:04:13 PM
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2022, 03:05:38 PM
I am so fucking tired of dealing with crazy. Why am I even trying?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Vkw10 on June 18, 2022, 02:22:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2022, 03:05:38 PM
I am so fucking tired of dealing with crazy. Why am I even trying?

Because you need a paycheck?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 18, 2022, 03:43:03 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on June 18, 2022, 02:22:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2022, 03:05:38 PM
I am so fucking tired of dealing with crazy. Why am I even trying?

Because you need a paycheck?

There is that, but the crazy I was referring to is my biological family.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on June 18, 2022, 04:42:59 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 18, 2022, 03:43:03 PM
Quote from: Vkw10 on June 18, 2022, 02:22:28 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 17, 2022, 03:05:38 PM
I am so fucking tired of dealing with crazy. Why am I even trying?

Because you need a paycheck?

There is that, but the crazy I was referring to is my biological family.

Welcome to the club!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on June 20, 2022, 03:09:21 PM
Could go on the aging parents thread, but not much more I can do. Both my Mother (93) and wife's (90) are seriously fading. Neither would move to a community when they had the chance. Mom has been alone since my Dad died nine years ago; MIL's husband is 92 but still very sharp and with it. Mom has been hospitalized recently, and things are so bad with vision my sister confiscated her car keys with the approval of my other sister and me. Could move to a great place five minutes from sister, but refuses. The other two of us live out of state, so the burden of day to day checking is with the one 45 minutes away. Spouse's mom is in just as bad a shape except for being able to walk without a walker.

Pretty much a nightmare.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 20, 2022, 03:37:06 PM
Who has power of attorney in each case?

Glad the car keys were taken away.

Someone should have grabbed my dad's before they did.

Thankfully no-one was injured but his last accident would have been avoidable.

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on June 20, 2022, 04:56:14 PM
I had to go grocery shopping in a different town that is two hours away from my normal place where I normally shop for groceries.

Since I shop at a chain grocery store, I went with familiarity and decided to shop at the same chain store in the different town. Item in my town's chain grocery store: $6.99. Exact same item in the cookie-cutter chain grocery store that is two hours away--similar region, similar economy, similar demographic: $4.99. Another item in my hometown's store: $5.99. Same exact item in chain store two hours away: $3.49. My jaws dropped and stayed dropped as I continued to shop. The list of price variances goes on and on.

I call bullshit with the supply chain/labor shortage/COVID-related excuses that my town's chain uses. This example of inflation is fueled by plain and simple greed. I'm sure there are more examples like this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 20, 2022, 05:34:28 PM
Base cost is not the only element to be considered in final cost.

Transportation to your area could be more expensive.

Warehouse and retail spaces could cost more.

Workers may be paid more.

The difference could easily be made up by those differences.

I wouldn't call 'foul' just yet.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on June 20, 2022, 07:02:15 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 20, 2022, 05:34:28 PM
Base cost is not the only element to be considered in final cost.

Transportation to your area could be more expensive.

Warehouse and retail spaces could cost more.

Workers may be paid more.

The difference could easily be made up by those differences.

I wouldn't call 'foul' just yet.

M.

I'm not calling foul. I'm shopping somewhere else, at a Big Box Super Store, from now on.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 21, 2022, 07:34:03 AM
There is something to be said for 'stocking up'.

I live a thousand miles from where I grew up. There are several items that I got used to that I can not get in my new area.  However, the opposite is also true. There are several items that are here that are unavailable or unaffordable where I grew up.

(I was with my parents last week because my dad was in the hospital for 5 days and then my uncle died).
IN the first category, I like grits... REAL grits... not 'Quick Grits"  (I like shrimp and grits and you need the full 20 minutes to get the flavors)
I like a kind of Yellow Rice (Dixie Lilly). It is not available here at all.  I would go home and buy out all that they had in the large and small bags (then store them in the fridge or freezer so that the beetles that all rice has, dont hatch.  (Unfortunately, many of the stores that used to carry it, are now closed, and Winn Dixie stopped carrying it!.... The good news is that Dixie Lilly ships!  It is not all that expensive when you buy in bulk once every 18 months or so!

ON the other hand, banannas are $.48 a pound (or was before the Inflation bug bit) here, but closer to $.78 or $.88 a pound there.
Avocados here are less than a dollar for the smaller ones and about $1.25 for the larger ones (at least before the inflation bug bit). 
Corn is now 4 or 5 for $1 here, it was 3 for a $1 there. 

It makes another point in favor of driving home VS flying. ... You can bring back a lot more stuff, or take a lot of goodies with you. 

I keep both a Costco account, Sams Club, and Amazon Prime account.  I have only been to Costco a time or 2, but I use them as a travel agent and save a chunk of money using their services each year to justify the cost.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on June 21, 2022, 08:18:48 AM
A nice-looking little elderly church lady with--in retrospect--no morals, upbringing, or fundamental decency opened her door into my 2019 Honda Accord at a nearby Walmart on Mother's Day and then pretended she didn't do it, so I didn't notice that there was a bump the size of a golf ball in the front passenger door quite a while later, when I put together the "huh--she parked, then moved her car and parked again and walked past me without looking at me, wonder why" and "damn, that's a huge bump in my car door."

My car's now in the shop after I waited a month for the appointment. Between $500 and $1500 later, depending on whether the dent removal is truly "paintless," it'll look like no fool ever did that to my nice new(ish) car. Wish me luck on that one, right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on June 21, 2022, 08:48:29 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on June 21, 2022, 08:18:48 AM
A nice-looking little elderly church lady with--in retrospect--no morals, upbringing, or fundamental decency opened her door into my 2019 Honda Accord at a nearby Walmart on Mother's Day and then pretended she didn't do it, so I didn't notice that there was a bump the size of a golf ball in the front passenger door quite a while later, when I put together the "huh--she parked, then moved her car and parked again and walked past me without looking at me, wonder why" and "damn, that's a huge bump in my car door."

My car's now in the shop after I waited a month for the appointment. Between $500 and $1500 later, depending on whether the dent removal is truly "paintless," it'll look like no fool ever did that to my nice new(ish) car. Wish me luck on that one, right?

There are cameras in store parking lots. Ask the cops to look at the video.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 21, 2022, 11:21:47 AM
I had to fill out countless online forms before my visit to the doctor. Physician/surgeon, the forms clearly note that my appointment is for a diagnosis of the left hand and that I am right-handed! I caught him just in time as he was dictating "patient is left-handed".
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 21, 2022, 12:01:37 PM
Good thing it wasn't a kidney for donation.

Which happens....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 21, 2022, 02:55:12 PM
Our HVAC unit at the library has in recent days been shutting down multiple times an afternoon.  I have to reset the air handler unit on it each time this happens to get it turned back on.  It will almost certainly go out again before closing time.  Every morning I have to reboot it first thing in the morning to cool the building down.  Sunday and on the Juneteenth holiday yesterday I had to come in by myself to take care of it.

We've spent thousands of dollars with our HVAC technicians, and all they've been able to tell us is that power surges seem to be causing the problem.  We've been trying to get the power company to address that problem.  They have yet to admit it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Istiblennius on June 22, 2022, 08:15:22 AM
Summer vacation is off to a bad start thanks to some neighborhood mean girls.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 22, 2022, 12:50:28 PM
As I had suspected, my camera is as dead as can be. I took it to two camera repair places today because I couldn't open the battery slot (the batteries must have corroded a long time ago). They did spend some time trying to see if they could open the slot, so now I know at least two places that repair cameras. I was told to treat myself to a new camera.

I liked this camera as it was relatively uncomplicated and took good pictures.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on June 22, 2022, 02:08:28 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on June 22, 2022, 12:50:28 PM
As I had suspected, my camera is as dead as can be. I took it to two camera repair places today because I couldn't open the battery slot (the batteries must have corroded a long time ago). They did spend some time trying to see if they could open the slot, so now I know at least two places that repair cameras. I was told to treat myself to a new camera.

I liked this camera as it was relatively uncomplicated and took good pictures.

Lack of complication and ease of use and production of good pictures?  Come on, few of us are Ansel Adams.  Actually, I read that that he took great care and had a cumbersome view camera and was ruthless in discarding the less worthy images.  Still, my take is that it's not the camera but the eye selecting what's to be immortalized.  Get a nice new camera; encourage your eye.  I have thousands of trashy pictures and my eye remains seemingly hopeless.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on June 22, 2022, 03:37:58 PM
But learning new tech is such a pain! And there's the decision fatigue from sifting through options and prices and learning what the jargons are even before you buy it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 22, 2022, 04:16:45 PM
Quote from: ergative on June 22, 2022, 03:37:58 PM
But learning new tech is such a pain! And there's the decision fatigue from sifting through options and prices and learning what the jargons are even before you buy it.

Yeehaw! I just found a used one for half the price of my old camera on Amazon.

Quote
Posted by: Juvenal
« on: Today at 02:08:28 PM »

Lack of complication and ease of use and production of good pictures?  Come on, few of us are Ansel Adams.  Actually, I read that that he took great care and had a cumbersome view camera and was ruthless in discarding the less worthy images.  Still, my take is that it's not the camera but the eye selecting what's to be immortalized.  Get a nice new camera; encourage your eye.  I have thousands of trashy pictures and my eye remains seemingly hopeless.

I ain't no Ansel Adams, and I am most definitely not, repeat, not going to learn new technology. I have the accessories and a brand new card, so all I have to do is to remember to remove the batteries promptly.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 22, 2022, 04:31:09 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.

I didn't see one, but I can check again. The furnace has a switch on it and the blower definitely works. I think the issue is that something isn't communicating to the outside ac unit. The parts work individually, but not as a team.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on June 24, 2022, 08:59:54 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 22, 2022, 04:31:09 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.

I didn't see one, but I can check again. The furnace has a switch on it and the blower definitely works. I think the issue is that something isn't communicating to the outside ac unit. The parts work individually, but not as a team.

Hmmmm - look for a loose piece of light-duty wire - like doorbell wire.  Years ago one of my dogs squeezed through the space between the house & the unit & detached the wire that communicated to the unit that it should turn on.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 24, 2022, 09:31:21 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 24, 2022, 08:59:54 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 22, 2022, 04:31:09 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.

I didn't see one, but I can check again. The furnace has a switch on it and the blower definitely works. I think the issue is that something isn't communicating to the outside ac unit. The parts work individually, but not as a team.

Hmmmm - look for a loose piece of light-duty wire - like doorbell wire
.  Years ago one of my dogs squeezed through the space between the house & the unit & detached the wire that communicated to the unit that it should turn on.

I checked the voltage of the line all the way to the outside unit and it's fine. I'm stumped. I've got an AC guy coming out today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 24, 2022, 12:02:11 PM
Hope you get the AC up and running soon, EPW.  The older I get, the easier I can suffer without heat for a few days, as opposed to being able to bear the summer heat and humidity--I NEED my AC!  :-)  (And yes, I marvel that I survived growing up in deep So. IL with all its creeks, lakes, and wooded "bottoms" and related subtropical humidity--without AC at home, EVER. Besides being tight as bark on a tree, Mom hated AC and was convinced it was good for us and was a sign of character to sit and sweat. She finally had central air in the last house she bought, but refused to turn it on.)

My vent:  5 weeks out from the long-delayed foot surgery (and with the stitches taken out 2 weeks ago yesterday), the incision has nicely healed into a truly gruesome 9-inch scar, except for about 1.5 inches, which Will. Not. Heal.  Likewise for the half-dollar-sized blister on the back of my heel, rubbed by the hard-as-granite splint I was in for 3 weeks (under a ton of bandages and dressings).  Of course, the surgeon is out this week, so I had my GP look at it during my regular diabetes/PV/high BP follow-up this morning.  As expected, she put me on antibiotics, ordered me to sit around and stay off it (just started weight bearing a week ago), and has me going to the wound care doctor at 11 on Monday.

Dammit. I've been as careful as can be, since I'm diabetic (i.e., slow healing) and have PV (i.e., risk of clots) and am a MRSA carrier. Poor ALHS has run himself into the ground taking care of me, fetching and carrying and doing chores while I hobbled around; he's been religious about changing dressings and keeping an eye on the wounds. It's not like we haven't been careful. Damn, damn, damn.

SIGH.  Sorry.  Back to grading.

ETA:  We just had our 40th wedding anniversary. If we've made it through all our various surgeries and medical problems and still take care of each other without complaining, I guess that's something!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 24, 2022, 12:13:17 PM
Wow. 40 years of mutually caring behavior is indeed something lovely to celebrate.

Glad.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 24, 2022, 12:36:43 PM
It's a wonderful thing for people to be able to take care of each other over the long term like that. 

Very sorry to hear that you're experiencing this latest problem.  The wound specialist ought to be able to help.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 24, 2022, 01:20:32 PM
Sorry you're dealing with a wound problem ALH. It's good that you have your hubs to help. Congrats on 40 years!!! Sending positive vibes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 24, 2022, 04:48:29 PM
ALH, sorry to hear about the slow healing. Hope the wound doctor knows what to suggest/prescribe.

Yay for ALH spouse. Happy anniversary!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 24, 2022, 06:09:01 PM
AFter 40 years, I hope that you have trained your spouse to take care of your needs when you are impaired! 

Good luck at wound care, hopefully it is resolved quickly!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 25, 2022, 08:01:21 AM
Thanks for the good wishes, everyone.  I'm a lousy patient, or at least an impatient patient: this all started when I injured my foot on December 7, so I'm really ready to move on.

Clean, it's taken awhile, but ALHS has gotten better over the years, and he's really come through this time.  We had a couple of rough patches ~20 years ago (over relatively minor things, looking back). I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to storm out and leave back then.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Thursday's_Child on June 25, 2022, 09:51:26 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 24, 2022, 09:31:21 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 24, 2022, 08:59:54 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 22, 2022, 04:31:09 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.

I didn't see one, but I can check again. The furnace has a switch on it and the blower definitely works. I think the issue is that something isn't communicating to the outside ac unit. The parts work individually, but not as a team.

Hmmmm - look for a loose piece of light-duty wire - like doorbell wire
.  Years ago one of my dogs squeezed through the space between the house & the unit & detached the wire that communicated to the unit that it should turn on.

I checked the voltage of the line all the way to the outside unit and it's fine. I'm stumped. I've got an AC guy coming out today.

I hope it gets fixed!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 25, 2022, 10:18:41 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 25, 2022, 09:51:26 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 24, 2022, 09:31:21 AM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 24, 2022, 08:59:54 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 22, 2022, 04:31:09 PM
Quote from: Thursday's_Child on June 22, 2022, 07:38:47 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 21, 2022, 01:49:06 PM
I am so ticked off at this ac unit. We replaced the capacitor, contactor, thermostat (previous one was 20 years old, so...) and it STILL won't turn on...

We're baking down here...

EPW, is there an odd light switch in your house?  One that doesn't seem to do anything?  Mine has one, way higher than normal on a wall, that prevents the A/C from turning on.  I think it's so you can set the climate controls to "auto" in the winter and only use the heater.

I didn't see one, but I can check again. The furnace has a switch on it and the blower definitely works. I think the issue is that something isn't communicating to the outside ac unit. The parts work individually, but not as a team.

Hmmmm - look for a loose piece of light-duty wire - like doorbell wire
.  Years ago one of my dogs squeezed through the space between the house & the unit & detached the wire that communicated to the unit that it should turn on.

I checked the voltage of the line all the way to the outside unit and it's fine. I'm stumped. I've got an AC guy coming out today.

I hope it gets fixed!

Posted about it in the 'What Do You Fix?' thread. I need a new circuit board. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 26, 2022, 04:54:59 PM
I just had an ocular migraine (no pain, just big zig zag blurry crap for 25 minutes) and I haven't had one in years. I guess I'm stressed. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on June 27, 2022, 06:12:41 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 26, 2022, 04:54:59 PM
I just had an ocular migraine (no pain, just big zig zag blurry crap for 25 minutes) and I haven't had one in years. I guess I'm stressed. :(

Feel better soon!

____

My own vent: I'm sick at heart and can't express the depth of my disgust and horror at the asininity of six fundam(n)entalist Christians pushing their religious views onto (at a minimum) 51% of the voting population. This is a gigantic "screw you" to women's equality, bodily autonomy, and political representation. (And of course to that of non-women who love women and want women to have equality, bodily autonomy, and political representation.)

Hell, if this is "originalism," let's do the whole damn thing and stop all food and water safety regulations, ignore everything we've learned about the germ theory of disease (and the vaccines that came from that), return to crapping in outhouses, return to heating with wood fires, return to letting horses crap everywhere, bathe about once a week, pull teeth without anesthetics, return to when all travel was extraordinarily long and dangerous, return to life in the South with no air conditioning, and go back to the times when only white (European) landowning men could vote. Oh, and we'd only have 13 states on the Eastern Seaboard, plus some "territories" east of the Mississippi. Yee-hah, back to 1789!

--Paul, who thinks it's curious that the only recently discovered constitutional right based on the 14th amendment that Clarence Thomas DOESN'T want to repeal is the one based on Loving vs. Virginia
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on June 27, 2022, 07:37:25 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 26, 2022, 04:54:59 PM
I just had an ocular migraine (no pain, just big zig zag blurry crap for 25 minutes) and I haven't had one in years. I guess I'm stressed. :(

Sorry to hear you've had that problem again. 

I had one a couple of years ago without knowing what it was.  It scared me into thinking that I might be getting a detached retina or something (I'm considered at elevated risk for that).  It alarmed me enough that I managed to get a quick work-in appointment with the eye doctor later that day.  Finding out that it was only an ocular migraine was a great relief in that case.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on June 27, 2022, 10:02:25 AM
This is very much a 1st world problem vent. I have a very lightweight bathrobe that I wear at home and take when travelling. It's a cotton waffle weave spa style robe. At a conference about a week ago, the maid took my robe! She likely mistook it for one of theirs. If she looked closely, she would have seen how old and worn it was! Trust me, no one else would want this item.

So I need a new bathrobe- do you know who hard it is to find a lightweight bathrobe? I live in a semitropical clime so all that thick terrycloth is of no use here! I ordered one on line. It was heavier than I like but ok. Then I washed it and it shank to the point of the sleeves being too tight! 

So I'm venting about the overzealous maid and the lack of warm weather robe options. I'm headed to the mall later today- wish me luck in finding an appropriate replacement.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on June 27, 2022, 10:09:44 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on June 27, 2022, 06:12:41 AM
--Paul, who thinks it's curious that the only recently discovered constitutional right based on the 14th amendment that Clarence Thomas DOESN'T want to repeal is the one based on Loving vs. Virginia

Agreed.

The argument made was that Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Ammendment did not apply to interracial marriage because all races were inconvenienced by this... therefore, it was, in fact, Equal Protection.

Of a sort.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 27, 2022, 02:24:18 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on June 27, 2022, 10:09:44 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on June 27, 2022, 06:12:41 AM
--Paul, who thinks it's curious that the only recently discovered constitutional right based on the 14th amendment that Clarence Thomas DOESN'T want to repeal is the one based on Loving vs. Virginia

Agreed.

The argument made was that Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Ammendment did not apply to interracial marriage because all races were inconvenienced by this... therefore, it was, in fact, Equal Protection.

Of a sort.

^^  +1,000 to all and related above  ^^

I'm also still waiting on someone to give me a sound logical explanation of how/why it's OK for the government to tell me and my daughters and other women what we can and cannot do with our bodies, and why in fact they SHOULD tell us this--yet why those same proponents of ending Roe v. Wade proclaimed the end of Western civilization, human rights, free will, and all that is holy, when various government officials/entities dared to insist that we wear masks to at least try to avoid spreading an often-deadly/debilitating contagious disease for the past couple of years. I don't really ever expect to get that explanation.

I'm worried about what this clusterf$&k court is going to try to pull next in regard to gay marriage/LGBTQ protections.

For now, I'm encouraging those who craft to crochet, sew, knit, or otherwise craft soft warm blankets to take to your local Planned Parenthood or other clinic for those who do still avail themselves of abortion services. (IMHE, those places are always freezing cold, and the stress of the entire situation can make it feel even worse. A warm snuggly to use and take home is the least of the kindnesses I can offer, along with some notes of affirmation and encouragement.)  I'll be taking some to mine, and once I get back on my feet, I also plan to donate some time serving as an escort at the clinic on a regular basis.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2022, 03:46:10 PM
Quote from: apl68 on June 27, 2022, 07:37:25 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 26, 2022, 04:54:59 PM
I just had an ocular migraine (no pain, just big zig zag blurry crap for 25 minutes) and I haven't had one in years. I guess I'm stressed. :(

Sorry to hear you've had that problem again. 

I had one a couple of years ago without knowing what it was.  It scared me into thinking that I might be getting a detached retina or something (I'm considered at elevated risk for that).  It alarmed me enough that I managed to get a quick work-in appointment with the eye doctor later that day.  Finding out that it was only an ocular migraine was a great relief in that case.

Thanks apl68. Sorry you had to go through it too. It wigged me out pretty good. At first I didn't know what was happening, then I remembered, looked it up and got my internet confirmation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2022, 03:48:34 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on June 27, 2022, 02:24:18 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on June 27, 2022, 10:09:44 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on June 27, 2022, 06:12:41 AM
--Paul, who thinks it's curious that the only recently discovered constitutional right based on the 14th amendment that Clarence Thomas DOESN'T want to repeal is the one based on Loving vs. Virginia

Agreed.

The argument made was that Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Ammendment did not apply to interracial marriage because all races were inconvenienced by this... therefore, it was, in fact, Equal Protection.

Of a sort.

^^  +1,000 to all and related above  ^^

I'm also still waiting on someone to give me a sound logical explanation of how/why it's OK for the government to tell me and my daughters and other women what we can and cannot do with our bodies, and why in fact they SHOULD tell us this--yet why those same proponents of ending Roe v. Wade proclaimed the end of Western civilization, human rights, free will, and all that is holy, when various government officials/entities dared to insist that we wear masks to at least try to avoid spreading an often-deadly/debilitating contagious disease for the past couple of years. I don't really ever expect to get that explanation.

I'm worried about what this clusterf$&k court is going to try to pull next in regard to gay marriage/LGBTQ protections.

For now, I'm encouraging those who craft to crochet, sew, knit, or otherwise craft soft warm blankets to take to your local Planned Parenthood or other clinic for those who do still avail themselves of abortion services. (IMHE, those places are always freezing cold, and the stress of the entire situation can make it feel even worse. A warm snuggly to use and take home is the least of the kindnesses I can offer, along with some notes of affirmation and encouragement.)  I'll be taking some to mine, and once I get back on my feet, I also plan to donate some time serving as an escort at the clinic on a regular basis.

Yep. The thing I don't understand is how all of the responsibility for a pregnancy is placed on women. I think men had something to do with it too...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2022, 05:17:04 PM
Double post.

The AC guy is late...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 27, 2022, 05:40:18 PM
Sheesh!!

For your second home, you guys need an igloo....

Very sorry this just keeps dragging on and on....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2022, 05:54:39 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 27, 2022, 05:40:18 PM
Sheesh!!

For your second home, you guys need an igloo....

Very sorry this just keeps dragging on and on....

M.

He had a long day. I'm torn between being irritated and feeling bad for the guy. He was only 15 minutes late. I guess I'm irritable. :P
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 27, 2022, 09:28:11 PM
OK, so, that is better.

Dare one ask--was he able to fix it?

ETA: Just saw the other thread.

Good news.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on June 28, 2022, 05:36:54 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on June 27, 2022, 10:09:44 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on June 27, 2022, 06:12:41 AM
--Paul, who thinks it's curious that the only recently discovered constitutional right based on the 14th amendment that Clarence Thomas DOESN'T want to repeal is the one based on Loving vs. Virginia

Agreed.

The argument made was that Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Ammendment did not apply to interracial marriage because all races were inconvenienced by this... therefore, it was, in fact, Equal Protection.

Of a sort.

My neighbor -- a retired, single graduate of Ole Miss's PhD program in public relations -- has placed a sign in her front yard. It reads "Repeal the 14th Amendment!" and it sits alongside of signs reading "Trump Won! Take Back America!" and "Impeach Biden!" She's the only person in the neighborhood with yard signs (though someone else has a "we support Amazon workers" in a window).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 28, 2022, 07:10:47 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 27, 2022, 09:28:11 PM
OK, so, that is better.

Dare one ask--was he able to fix it?

ETA: Just saw the other thread.

Good news.

M.

Yes. I posted in the vinhale thread. We need to buy a new pump and thermostat. We can replace them. We've done both of those things in the past. Kind of ticked that the new thermostat is a piece of crap.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 29, 2022, 07:44:46 AM
Canvas people: if I am creating a grading rubric, shouldn't the default assumption be that I'm using it for grading? Why do I need to opt in to that?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on June 29, 2022, 08:01:50 AM
Downer- the reason why is that the grades with the rubric all then to cluster since the points categories are all or nothing. If your rubric has 4 categories for a criteria- there is not the ability to adjust for those a range within that category. So it's the difference between straight letter grades and using a +/- system. If you opt out of using it for grading, it's still there but then you can assign the grade yourself at the end. This allows for a more holistic evaluation of the paper.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on June 29, 2022, 08:10:16 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on June 29, 2022, 08:01:50 AM
Downer- the reason why is that the grades with the rubric all then to cluster since the points categories are all or nothing. If your rubric has 4 categories for a criteria- there is not the ability to adjust for those a range within that category. So it's the difference between straight letter grades and using a +/- system. If you opt out of using it for grading, it's still there but then you can assign the grade yourself at the end. This allows for a more holistic evaluation of the paper.

Ah thanks. Makes sense. Their labelling could be more explanatory. I guess I can change it if I feel it is too rigid.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on June 29, 2022, 10:43:03 AM
I got up obscenely early this morning to get to campus for a meeting; it's a gorgeous day and, being on a flexible summer work schedule, I'd much prefer to stay home and work from the patio, but it was a really important meeting. Two of the four people who insisted on holding it didn't show up, so the meeting fizzled out. Pretty annoyed to have upended my day for that!

[Stomping off to the patio with a soothing beverage...]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: little bongo on June 29, 2022, 12:06:13 PM
To paraphrase William Carlos Williams: "So much depends upon a soothing beverage on the patio after the fizzled meeting."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on June 29, 2022, 01:22:52 PM
Quote from: little bongo on June 29, 2022, 12:06:13 PM
To paraphrase William Carlos Williams: "So much depends upon a soothing beverage on the patio after the fizzled meeting."

I love it!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: little bongo on June 30, 2022, 06:31:30 AM
Thanks! I'm glad my 250th post could be useful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ohnoes on June 30, 2022, 06:50:34 AM
Quote from: little bongo on June 29, 2022, 12:06:13 PM
To paraphrase William Carlos Williams: "So much depends upon a soothing beverage on the patio after the fizzled meeting."

The meeting organizers probably also paraphrased* WCM

We have forgotten
the meeting
that was on
our campus

and which
you were probably
dreading
for days

Forgive us
our patios were delightful
so relaxing
and so shaded


*but without the "forgive us" part
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on June 30, 2022, 08:10:00 AM
Another winner!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Bbmaj7b5 on June 30, 2022, 01:55:21 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 27, 2022, 05:54:39 PM
Quote from: mamselle on June 27, 2022, 05:40:18 PM
Sheesh!!

For your second home, you guys need an igloo....

Very sorry this just keeps dragging on and on....

M.

He had a long day. I'm torn between being irritated and feeling bad for the guy. He was only 15 minutes late. I guess I'm irritable. :P

That sucks. One of my only karmic victories (other than buying flood insurance two months before a major hurricane) was replacing our A/C unit (some weird boutique unit with a low-speed fan lubricated with Tibetan yak tears) with a bog-standard unit that I made sure was so common that every A/C tech in town has replacement parts in stock. That worked out this summer, where we are closing out June with the highest average temperature in this area since the late 1800s.

My vent: the promised rain from a low pressure system parked offshore of Texas is expected to do a Neo-from-the-Matrix bullet dodge around this town.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 30, 2022, 08:03:06 PM
Im sick.  (covid positive)  I am dealing with a very young kitty that wont take the bottle.

I got my positive status at 11. I called my family doctor (because my mom and my bride insisted that I do it RIGHT NOW!)
So I called. The receptionist said that I would get a televisit later today.  by 430 no call back to schedule.  SO I called and i was left with the impression that someone forgot to take action on this.

I was happy that the nurse practitioner wold call back in 25 minutes.  That was not the call.  Instead, I got a call from the office manager.  The nurse Practitioner asked the doc, and he relayed through the office manager that I should go to a 'stand alone emergency room'  - not the hospital ER, but a stand alone one because I have a history of pulmonary embolisms.

SO Off I go.  It was not a long wait, or a bad visit.  I was prescribed 2 drugs, but CVS has only one and wont get the other til MONDAY!! 

SO I went back to the office and asked that the Rx be sent somewhere else.  I hope that it was, but Ive not heard anything (as it was after 830 when I got to talk to the doc).

THEN the second guessing starts!  My coworker calls to check on me (really the kitty), and then tells me I should call the doctor back to have her prescribe something else!  Thanks, but I ve already talked to her and I am happy with my treatment plan and YOU DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT these drugs!!

Then my bride asks what specifically was prescribed!  WHY?  She doesnt know about them either!  (and I had a screaming kitty in my lap and I had dropped the paper to an unreachable spot!)

OH, and my cleaning lady (who we waived off because I am positive) suggested Ivermectin!   

I know Ivermectin (though I dont know how to spell it).  I have actually used it!  Not on me mind you, but we used to have hunting dogs and we used it to worm the dogs! 

oh,  and kitty  was sleeping on my arm and just pooped on me!  also getting some on its newly washed tail!  (it hates to have its tail touched.  I wonder if it has hurt its tail

So the Vent:
IF you dont know about drugs, why are you advising me to second guess the actual MD that DOES? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on June 30, 2022, 08:30:04 PM
Oh, golly, yes.

Stand your ground there.

Healthcare second-guessers without a license are indeed dangerous.

Ivermectin is not an approved med for humans.

Good grief!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 01, 2022, 07:54:26 AM
I'm sorry, clean, it sounds like you've got quite a lot in your lap (and other places).   I hope you get your prescription soon and that those who are unqualified keep their noses out of it. 

Quote from: mamselle on June 30, 2022, 08:30:04 PM
Ivermectin is not an approved med for humans.

Just to clarify here, the FDA does list ivermectin as an approved med for humans, but not for COVID.  A family member just had it prescribed this past week.

From https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19:
Quote
The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 01, 2022, 09:08:12 AM
Right, thanks, my bad.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 02, 2022, 02:42:16 AM
I just spent 12 hours in the ER. I don't wish that kind of hell on anyone. Thank God I'm ok.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 02, 2022, 06:44:27 AM
Yikes, but glad you are ok.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on July 02, 2022, 09:05:05 AM
EPW, sorry to hear about your ER visit. They are places of hell. I remember a student telling me about her waiting for hours in an ER so that she could get treatment for her child, only to realize that she (who was feeling quite well at the beginning of the visit) and the child were getting sicker by the minute. She decided that given the lack of efficiency and professionalism she had experienced so far, the child would be better off at home.

Glad to hear that you are OK, but sending good wishes for a speedy recovery all the same.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 02, 2022, 11:58:09 AM
Thanks everyone. I thought it was a cardiac issue, but it was something very minor. Again, thank God. It was sad and eye opening to see how many people were packed in there (kids, people with obvious bloody accidents)- and they just kept coming! The ER was short-staffed, had some emergency gun shot victims and then they only had one doctor after 2am!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on July 02, 2022, 12:23:01 PM
So glad you are okay, EPW, and that you got checked out, even if the ER was a complete mess.  You can certainly see some stark realities there. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dinomom on July 05, 2022, 02:23:29 PM
First, this is nothing health-related and I am thankful that I and my family are all okay. Merely work drama but trying to manage so I don't end up with the stress-related illness I got the last time I chaired.

Today is day five of my term is department chair. yesterday I learned via our website that the past chair (who the dean told had to work with all TT and tenured faculty to make hires) had made an appointment I was unaware of. This is to cover for a resignation a year ago, but in the wrong rank (person in new appointment can't do academic advising or senior theses; it is a lecturer position, multi-year). So thus begins the second year of covering for all this work (I am in the closest subfield as the resignation).

Meanwhile there is also still an open adjunct position for this fall, and the chair botched the negotiations with a high profile person we could have offered a lectureship (dean was amenable) and didn't want to offer enough so now here I am looking for someone to cover a very specialized course less than two months before term starts and a day before my research trip starts.

Needless to say, I am not excited to begin this term.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 05, 2022, 03:21:54 PM
Quote from: dinomom on July 05, 2022, 02:23:29 PM
First, this is nothing health-related and I am thankful that I and my family are all okay. Merely work drama but trying to manage so I don't end up with the stress-related illness I got the last time I chaired.

Today is day five of my term is department chair. yesterday I learned via our website that the past chair (who the dean told had to work with all TT and tenured faculty to make hires) had made an appointment I was unaware of. This is to cover for a resignation a year ago, but in the wrong rank (person in new appointment can't do academic advising or senior theses; it is a lecturer position, multi-year). So thus begins the second year of covering for all this work (I am in the closest subfield as the resignation).

Meanwhile there is also still an open adjunct position for this fall, and the chair botched the negotiations with a high profile person we could have offered a lectureship (dean was amenable) and didn't want to offer enough so now here I am looking for someone to cover a very specialized course less than two months before term starts and a day before my research trip starts.

Needless to say, I am not excited to begin this term.

Yuck!

Is signing the hiring paperwork something someone else can do, if you quick-locate the person?

That would seem to be your tightest bottleneck.

People first, paper after that, as one of my bosses used to say.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 06, 2022, 06:33:15 AM
In recent days I've been developing ear aches that turn into headaches.  They're bad enough that I can't think straight.  I've always had trouble with my ears off and on, but this is exceptionally bad.   It's not affecting my hearing.  I've also been feeling more fatigued than I really should.  Maybe I just can't handle our extreme summer heat and humidity like I used to.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on July 06, 2022, 07:01:30 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 06, 2022, 06:33:15 AM
In recent days I've been developing ear aches that turn into headaches.  They're bad enough that I can't think straight.  I've always had trouble with my ears off and on, but this is exceptionally bad.   It's not affecting my hearing.  I've also been feeling more fatigued than I really should.  Maybe I just can't handle our extreme summer heat and humidity like I used to.

Go now and make an appointment with your primary care physician (or GP, if you're in the UK) and ask for a referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and a headache specialist. Please. Now.

(said in a tone of urgent concern)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 06, 2022, 08:14:34 AM
Agree.

An ear infection is just one possibility, you need to be on it as soon as possible.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 06, 2022, 11:00:32 AM
QuoteIn recent days I've been developing ear aches that turn into headaches.  They're bad enough that I can't think straight.  I've always had trouble with my ears off and on, but this is exceptionally bad.   It's not affecting my hearing.  I've also been feeling more fatigued than I really should.  Maybe I just can't handle our extreme summer heat and humidity like I used to.

Get a COVID test!
I have it now (positive diagnosis on Thursday), and it started with just a minor sore throat and a little congestion (which included ear pressure in one ear). 

IF it is not COVID, at least you will not worry about it, and IF it is, the sooner you can start the antiviral (which is FREE to patients... Uncle Sam is paying), then the less you will be discomforted! 

Stay Healthy!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 08, 2022, 07:34:25 AM
I've now been to the doctor.  No signs of infection or blockage.  My symptoms are consistent with maxillary joint problems.  Which I've had a history of.  I've been gritting my teeth ever since I had teeth to grit.  I guess the wear and tear on my jaw joints is now catching up with me.  I may finally have to break down and let my dentist fit me with a mouth guard to sleep in.  In the meantime, whenever I have this problem the doctor suggests taking ibuprofen before it gets so bad, and eating soft food.  It only lasts a few days at a time.  I didn't even have trouble with it yesterday.

Thank you everybody for the expressed concerns.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 08, 2022, 08:21:16 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 08, 2022, 07:34:25 AM
I've now been to the doctor.  No signs of infection or blockage.  My symptoms are consistent with maxillary joint problems.  Which I've had a history of.  I've been gritting my teeth ever since I had teeth to grit.  I guess the wear and tear on my jaw joints is now catching up with me.  I may finally have to break down and let my dentist fit me with a mouth guard to sleep in.  In the meantime, whenever I have this problem the doctor suggests taking ibuprofen before it gets so bad, and eating soft food.  It only lasts a few days at a time.  I didn't even have trouble with it yesterday.

Thank you everybody for the expressed concerns.

Good that it's not an infection. Sorry to hear that it's a chronic condition. SO has sleep bruxism and night terrors. He uses a mouth guard (purchased from a big box store) and it has helped him immensely. Hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 08, 2022, 09:05:05 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 08, 2022, 07:34:25 AM
I've now been to the doctor.  No signs of infection or blockage.  My symptoms are consistent with maxillary joint problems.  Which I've had a history of.  I've been gritting my teeth ever since I had teeth to grit.  I guess the wear and tear on my jaw joints is now catching up with me.  I may finally have to break down and let my dentist fit me with a mouth guard to sleep in.  In the meantime, whenever I have this problem the doctor suggests taking ibuprofen before it gets so bad, and eating soft food.  It only lasts a few days at a time.  I didn't even have trouble with it yesterday.

Thank you everybody for the expressed concerns.

TMJ has so many different manifestations, good that your MD figured it out so quickly.

Why resist the mouth guard? I'd go for it, it's not an intrusive intervention, or anything.

Hope you find relief soon, in all events.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 08, 2022, 10:59:43 AM
QuoteI may finally have to break down and let my dentist fit me with a mouth guard to sleep in

I use a bite guard because I am a night chewer/grinder! 
Ive already chewed through one and will soon need another.
At this point, I can not even sleep without it! 
It can take about a week to get used to it, but once you do, it is wonderful.

And I suggest that you get it from the dentist as it will be form fitted and made from the proper, high quality materials.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 08, 2022, 02:06:43 PM
Today someone I liked explained that they were breaking off connections with me. They had good reasons that made sense. I don't hold it against them. More about them than about me.

It's happened a few times in my life. It's OK, and better an explanation than being ghosted. Still, it's a strange and sad experience, and not particularly easy to talk about with other friends. In this case, there was something about my (ex) friend that I really connected with, which is why it feels like a particular loss.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 08, 2022, 04:12:50 PM
I'm sorry for your loss.

That sounds like a condolence for a death, but in a sense, the loss of a friendship is a kind of death.

C.S. Lewis, in "The Four Loves," says that the loss of someone in your life represents, not only your loss of them, but the loss of what they specifically knew about you that no-one else did....so, a loss of a part of your own identity, in a way.

It will take time, but I'll hope for your healing.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 08, 2022, 05:22:39 PM
Somewhere I noted that my Father in Law {FIL} (and Mother in law) were scheduled to return to the Cancer Center Hospital City on Saturday so FIL could begin radiation treatment.  Went to a 'stand alone ER' yesterday.  Both initially test COVID negative.  Minor treatment for symptoms.  Later he felt worse and fever spiked to 102 so they returned.  Several other tests were conducted, but a subsequent COVID test comes back Positive!

Those following events elsewhere on the boards know that My Bride has been with her parents since June 26 when we diverted to the Cancer Center Hospital City from our first short vacation activity in 7 months (3 days at a Better Investing conference, which required everyone prove that they were fully vaccinated to attend).  Instead of returning directly home we traveled to Cancer Center Hospital City and I left My Bride with her parents to help them during their visit, and I returned home.

Subsequently I tested COVID Positive, so My Bride (who has NOT ONE single COVID Symptom) of has been with her parents ever since. She has dropped me a few items at the door, and we talked regularly.

Well, NOW that my FIL has tested positive, my sister in law (Bride's youngest sister) is claiming that MY BRIDE INFECTED Daddy!  My Bride is fully vaccinated and tested negative (with a rapid test) just last week with the rest of the family to be sure that they didnt catch anything, particularly from me/her.  She was negative!  She retested today with a REAL test and will get results tomorrow afternoon.

I told her to Tell Her Sister to PROVE IT, or Shut the FiretrUCK up!  She is the only one to suggest that My Bride is the vector of infection.  I added that she could add, "There is just as big a chance he got it from (Sister in law's toddler) who has been neither tested nor Vaccinated as from MY BRIDE!  Finally, IF she is worried that My Bride is the Typhoid Mary of this disease, then she will just have to find another baby sitter when Inlaws go to Cancer Hospital City and are unable to use FIL and MIL to help babysit!  (Add that HER MIL (hubby's mother) has herself tested positive AFTER spending the day with them.... after a trip to Vegas!!  -- so What Happens in Vegas may no longer Stay in Vegas!!)

Anyway, I have not been permitted to discuss the situation with Sister In Law.  (There is a fear that I will revert to my native language of Profanity and otherwise end up hurting Baby Sister's Feelings because no one has challenged her Batshit Crazy ideas in the past, and MIL doesnt want me to start now!)

So Summary:
I retested for COVID today, will know results tomorrow.
My Bride (though completely free of any symptoms) tested again for COVID and will know results tomorrow.
FIL has tested COVID positive, and will need to reschedule radiation treatment by at least 2 weeks.
SIL blames MY Bride for infecting FIL with no evidence! 

Plans for now are that My Bride will remain with parents until at least Saturday, depending on outcomes of COVID tests.  We are discussing the possibilities of her remaining until early next week because the MANY drugs, and COVID itself might cause 'Digestion area issues..... in my experience, IF you THINK that you need to go, You may Already Be TOO Late!... and FIL already has a hard time getting up).  SO we will see how he is responding to see when she can (guilt-free) return home.   

Glad we have a venting thread, so that I can VENT.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on July 09, 2022, 06:18:13 AM
Vent away, clean. If I were you, I would be sorely tempted to bop them on their head.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 09, 2022, 07:13:50 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on July 09, 2022, 06:18:13 AM
Vent away, clean. If I were you, I would be sorely tempted to bop them on their head.

+1, Clean.  And at this point, who knows where one picks up COVID?  It's everywhere, and according to various reports I've read, you've either had it, or will get it--not to make light of it, but come on.  Wishing you and all the best.

Vent here:  ALHS, whose primary gardening activity over the decades is and has always been hauling dirt and doing other heavy work, and NOT touching anything green without direct adult supervision (mine), seems to have likely killed my gorgeous, lush bed of zucchini and yellow squash.  By his own description, he "got a wild hair" and went out, before I was even up and around this morning, and decided to "trim back some of the leaves on the squash."  When I looked, I saw about half of the bed consists of huge gorgeous blossoms, and the hollow stems of the leaves where they come out from the roots--the leaves are in the garden cart next to the bed. 

Yes, I DO prune back some of the leaves every year, to open up some space so air and rain can get into the bed and prevent rot etc., but never have I removed everything so that only just about an inch of stems (and blooms) remain!  At least he didn't do the whole bed. It's rained and cooled off a little today, but we're right back into the heat for the coming week. What little is left will probably fry to a crisp when the sun comes out.

What I want to say:  If you don't know what the F--- you're doing, leave it alone!  If you want to help me, don't help me--or maybe go after that crabgrass that's taken hold in the mulch between the raised beds.  You know, the stuff that's the size of a Buick? I'm trying really hard to not say anything. He's been very good about fetching and carrying and trying to help while I've been off my feet. But......damn. I could just cry.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2022, 09:30:34 AM
Shit, that sucks ALH. Good intentions and all that. At least you still have some of the row left. Maybe you could ask him to put shade cloth over it to protect it from the Sun?

Also, please vent, clean. I would have lost my mind dealing with that situation. Kudos to you for keeping your cool (mostly :) ).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 09, 2022, 10:35:49 AM
Agree.

Help is only help when it helps.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 09, 2022, 11:06:35 AM
Results are in for me.
I remain Positive (and therefore brideless).  I will retest on tuesday or Wednesday, most likely.  That will be 2 weeks after initial test.  (I am feeling much better than initially, but I admit that I still have an occasional cough and sniffles - though my allergies bring me sniffles anyway. 

Still awaiting Bride's test results, but FIL is feeling better, though I hear him coughing.
(HE is wearing a mask, so I hope that is sufficient)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on July 12, 2022, 02:59:29 PM
I think I might have had COVID in late May or June and didn't know it.  Beginning in late May I was having some issues related to my autoimmune disease and also had about three days of chills and then a week of exhaustion during the day so that I could barely stay awake for two hours at a time. I already had an appointment with my doctor for my autoimmune issue and brought up the weird chills and he (and a med student that was shadowing him) said it was probably COVID. By then I was better so he said there was nothing to do. I had just attributed those issues to my autoimmune issues, so it never occurred to me to test myself for COVID or isolate or anything (but I live in a small town and don't really go anywhere anyway).

Relatedly, my autoimmune issue is worse and my specialist is referring me to another specialist in another city. It's the same specialty, so I'm curious what this new guy will be able to do that my current one can't. Don't all doctors have the same access to meds, etc.?  The new guy is part of a "center," so maybe that's the difference. I have a follow-up appt with my old specialist in two weeks, so I'll be asking for more clarification about the move.

Because of my illnesses, most of my summer so far has been pointless. I've been crabby and depressed. I'm jealous of people who've been on trips and done fun things. I've been sick and am having a new garage built. (So I'm also broke.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 12, 2022, 04:48:59 PM
INLAWS!!!
My wife (last tested negative Friday) is with them and all 3 of them are now positive (mother, father, and brother). 
We were talking and she said that she and her POSITIVE brother are going to the post office to restart their mail (which was stopped because they expected to be in Cancer City Hospital for FIL's radiation treatment).  I told her NO!  He is Positive.  He Stays home!  She said that her dad insists that they go and get the mail resumed.  I said NO, my bride said that she can not refuse and offered to let ME argue with her dad.  I accepted.  He was on the phone, so she left alone.  Fine.

I called back later to find that she did go to the post office alone, but then returned to Take Her POSITIVE Brother to Walmart!!  (to pick up medication in drive through).  I am now ANGRY!  and she has the nerve to be mad at ME!

IF she gets sick, she isnt coming home!  She claims to want to come home, but is not taking care of herself!  Being in a closed car with a POSITIVE person is NO WAY IN HELL keeping 6 feet distance! 

So I am fighting hard to resist the temptation to call my FIL and explain that HE Is ENDANGERING HIS DAUGHTER'S HEALTH for NO REASON, except his own selfishness!  He has NO NEED for mail!  SHE can get the prescriptions BY HERSELF!  She does not need to risk contamination by being in a closed car! 

She then claims "we had the windows rolled down", which I call BULLSHIT!  IT is 96 Degrees here today!  No way she is driving with the windows down and staying in the car in the Walmart Pharmacy Drive through with the windows down herself, much less with her sick brother in the car... and IF they are, they are NUTS.... Take a Covid POSITIVE person who had a 101 fever less than 24 hours ago and put him in an unairconditioned car in 96 degree (106 heat index) temperatures?? 

She has been there for nearly 3 weeks helping them with the cancer preparations, and taking care of them before I became sick with COVID so she stayed there, and I was OK with that.  My last test was POSITIVE and now all but her have tested positive there (so far anyway)!  WHEN she catches it BECAUSE OF THEIR STUPIDITY AND SELFISHNESS, who is going to take care of them then?  OR will they just endanger the rest of the town by going to the store KNOWING that they are POSITIVE???

She has scheduled another test for tomorrow.  AS I am familiar with some of the COVID side effects, particularly Grumpiness, I have a strong suspicion that she has succumbed to the virus herself now. 

You have to take care of YOURSELF First so that You CAN help others!  ("Put Your Own Mask on First" ... which has more meaning now than ever!)

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.  (Primal Scream). 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 13, 2022, 04:00:21 AM
@Paddington, I'm so sorry...that's very hard.

Will this help?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Ji3OaFyCc

Or this?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKWGB-0yUso

And then, you did get to meet the Queen, remember?

   https://youtu.be/7UfiCa244XE

Maybe last year's post from the British Library can help....all good thoughts.

   https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/5JXV-A5ZC-C0B9A3B24156DF9E13LM50029CBBC879F39141/cr.aspx


@Clean: does your wife have someplace else to stay? Is she masking? (Are they?)

It's indeed worrisome not to be together with someone you care for, and believe to be in danger.

But I'm missing something, maybe, if she's staying in the same house with them, and making food or staying in the same rooms with them, how does going out in the car with one of them constitute any greater danger?

Maybe I'm unclear about the scenario, but her exposure risks are the same in either case, it seems to me.

Here's hoping it can get worked out...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on July 13, 2022, 05:14:46 AM
Quote from: mamselle on July 13, 2022, 04:00:21 AM
@Paddington, I'm so sorry...that's very hard.

Will this help?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Ji3OaFyCc

Or this?

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKWGB-0yUso

And then, you did get to meet the Queen, remember?

   https://youtu.be/7UfiCa244XE

Maybe last year's post from the British Library can help....all good thoughts.

   https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/5JXV-A5ZC-C0B9A3B24156DF9E13LM50029CBBC879F39141/cr.aspx

Man, maybe I'm really crushing it??  LOL!! Thank you!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 13, 2022, 07:50:04 AM
QuoteBut I'm missing something, maybe, if she's staying in the same house with them, and making food or staying in the same rooms with them, how does going out in the car with one of them constitute any greater danger?

Revolving stories...
When it was only her father that was sick (diagnosed only last Thursday) I was told that he was wearing a mask when not in bed.  That may not be true, (or true any longer) as last night I reminded her that she said that, and the story changed to 'he puts his mask on when he needs help standing up, but we sit six feet away.  (Except that her concepts of measurement are always questionable... an ounce can be a quart, a inch can be a foot, two feet can be six feet, and the units are not consistent.... like when my Indian friend says "10 minutes" which is actually closer to 30 American minutes - her measurements keep changing, and must always be verified). 

She claims that she is wearing her mask when near him.  (What "near" means, I m no longer certain).

It is a big house, so there is room to separate (much more so than she would have been separated from me had she been here).  (Besides...  She was there in the first place because i dropped her to be with them in the Cancer Center Hospital City (CCHC), and she was unable to return because i was Positive.   She spent her time there helping them prepare for their return to CCHC so that her father could begin radiation treatment.  She has been quite helpful to them, and they have said so, therefore I am glad that she was there as I expected she was more useful to them, safer than home as she was not exposed to either my COVID OR my grumpiness and irritability (which I would have to PAY for LATER and for a LONG TIME!!)   So there is room at that house to be six feet apart, and her bedroom is upstairs and all of them sleep downstairs, and she goes there a lot to decompress.... they call each other on the phone from different rooms!  (I dont know where they would be without unlimited calling!!)

IN the car, it is impossible to be six feet away.  And now we KNOW that at least 3 of them are confirmed positive - there is no doubt!  Her car is small, and there is no way to sufficiently separate.  The volume of a car (windows closed, recycled air from the cabin AC) would almost guarantee exposure. 

After our 'conversation' last night, where I threatened to Call Her Dad! and suggest that he is being selfish and not considering the health of his CAREGIVER daughter  She said that the told her dad that she 'got in trouble' and stood her ground to say that she wasnt taking any of them in the car until they test negative.  That worked for now  (or so she says!)! 

We discussed on planning for her (assuming we are both negative) to come home Saturday, so that she is not disappointed if she isnt able to come home sooner.  Her mom is not reacting well to the antiviral, and she wont finish the treatment until Friday night.  She can be more useful there.  ( I would not be good company to her if she came back sooner anyway.  I am catching up from being sick, and teaching 2 compressed online classes where students seem to expect that I will answer questions at 4 am and are annoyed to wait (and then more annoyed when I reply with the answer that the answer to their question was already discussed on the Zoom Meeting (recordings available) and in the examples in the text, and THEN AGAIN in the Students Helping Students Discussion Board, and IF they had checked those places as I suggested many times, that they would not have needed to wait for me to respond - unless that is just an excuse to NOT work! -- and it IS!). 

But I rant... 
Off to be tested again!  (I will be more surprised to still be positive, but I still cough, so Im not convinced yet, that I am not longer positive).  We will know tomorrow


Final thing to know... My wife is Very, Very nice.  That is her greatest strength and weakness.  While she can be exceedingly stubborn  (downright defiant) with me, she is not so with her father (perhaps the culture from 'the old country', though she was brought to the US as a toddler). Even when he makes stupid, selfish, illogical demands, she is unable to disobey.  (Somehow all of the defiance toward the parents was saved for the youngest , batshit crazy (even rude) daughter!) 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 13, 2022, 08:20:09 AM
Aha. A lot going on.

If it's any use, while doing colonial gravestones research, I ran across this study on epidemic transmissions in close quarters...in 17th/18th c. England ...

   https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Medical/epichamp.html

It might not convince the rest of them, but at least it confirms your position....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 13, 2022, 12:02:38 PM
Apparently driving in a car is relatively safe for COVID with windows open or opened regularly and masks on. There is a whole science to it.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58202468
On the other hand, car fatalities were at a 16 year high in 2021. Seems iike people are driving more. So it's a win if you survive a car journey.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 13, 2022, 12:41:36 PM
QuoteApparently driving in a car is relatively safe for COVID with windows open or opened regularly and masks on. There is a whole science to it.

IF the temperature is 96 with a 106 heat index, and the AC is keeping the car comfortable, then the windows are not open enough to  ventilate the car ESPECIALLY if you are parked on asphalt waiting to get close to the  the drive through 'teller tube' for your meds.

Im unconvinced. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on July 13, 2022, 01:00:56 PM
It's a venting thread, so vent away.

I guess the problem is there's no good venting in closed stationary cars.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 13, 2022, 01:08:51 PM
Well done!

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on July 13, 2022, 02:16:57 PM
Quote
I am catching up from being sick, and teaching 2 compressed online classes where students seem to expect that I will answer questions at 4 am and are annoyed to wait (and then more annoyed when I reply with the answer that the answer to their question was already discussed on the Zoom Meeting

That's rough, clean. I didn't realize that you were coping with Covid and unreasonable relatives while teaching. Get well soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on July 13, 2022, 06:50:11 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 13, 2022, 08:20:09 AM
Aha. A lot going on.

If it's any use, while doing colonial gravestones research, I ran across this study on epidemic transmissions in close quarters...in 17th/18th c. England ...

   https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Medical/epichamp.html

It might not convince the rest of them, but at least it confirms your position....

M.

I'll be sure to avoid those centuries.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 14, 2022, 10:26:20 AM
Results from yesterday's COVID Test are Still Positive! 
My Bride sounds worse, but may not even wait for her results, and just go to the walk in clinic this afternoon.

My cough continues and my nose still drips.  My cough seems to be transitioning away from productive to non productive and my chest was burning some yesterday.  I resumed the cough suppressant yesterday afternoon and my chest is better. IF this new symptom continues I will head to the walk in clinic myself. 
I have a televisit with my PCP's office, but not til Monday. I wont be able to take a new COVID test until Monday, but I do have the rapid test that I can try at home before that visit. 

I told my wife that I think that the chances of me still being positve were 60 40 (against).  It has been 2 weeks since my first test and I expected that the cough would linger.  I did not expect a positive result to continue.  (and as much as my nose drips anything in my nose is recent... it is not picking up the corpses of 5 day old viruses!)

Will Joe Biden's office send me more test kits?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 14, 2022, 10:32:19 AM
Just answered my own question...

https://www.covid.gov/tests

everyone is eligible for a free 3rd round of tests (8 of the tests)

Just ordered some for my house.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 14, 2022, 11:40:39 AM
Another reason why efforts to turn public libraries into test kit distribution sites seems to have foundered amid disinterest.  Oh well, the kits we've had no demand for didn't cost us anything.  Makes me less inclined to want to be part of the next bright idea for a new service that comes our way, though.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 14, 2022, 04:56:20 PM
The past few days have SUCKED. That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on July 15, 2022, 02:04:24 AM
I applied for a promotion and didn't get it. Blah.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 15, 2022, 03:19:40 AM
My Bride has now tested POSITIVE!
FIL on Thursday
MIL on Sunday night
BIL on Monday afternoon
Bride on Wednesday (results returned on Thursday).

I think that I will take a rapid test on Saturday if I continue to feel that I am improving.  I have an appointment (virtual) with Primary Doc's office on Monday afternoon (made when I started getting a burning in my chest after coughing Wednesday afternoon).  I will retest at work on Monday morning and take a rapid test early monday afternoon before the virtual visit so that I can give the an update and see how long I can continue to test positive, have the cough and runny nose, and 'covid brain'.
I think that the cough is subsiding and my sinuses dont seem as bad just now, so I may be at the end of it. IF I feel that I am slipping back into it or some of the symptoms that I was feeling I was developing yesterday return, I will visit the neighborhood walk in clinic to make sure that I havent developed some other complication (like bronchitis). 

STAY HEALTHY and dont let my FIL talk you into taking one of the Positive people anywhere that they have NO immediate NEED to go! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on July 15, 2022, 06:10:48 AM
Quote from: clean on July 15, 2022, 03:19:40 AM
My Bride has now tested POSITIVE!
FIL on Thursday
MIL on Sunday night
BIL on Monday afternoon
Bride on Wednesday (results returned on Thursday).

I think that I will take a rapid test on Saturday if I continue to feel that I am improving.  I have an appointment (virtual) with Primary Doc's office on Monday afternoon (made when I started getting a burning in my chest after coughing Wednesday afternoon).  I will retest at work on Monday morning and take a rapid test early monday afternoon before the virtual visit so that I can give the an update and see how long I can continue to test positive, have the cough and runny nose, and 'covid brain'.
I think that the cough is subsiding and my sinuses dont seem as bad just now, so I may be at the end of it. IF I feel that I am slipping back into it or some of the symptoms that I was feeling I was developing yesterday return, I will visit the neighborhood walk in clinic to make sure that I havent developed some other complication (like bronchitis). 

STAY HEALTHY and dont let my FIL talk you into taking one of the Positive people anywhere that they have NO immediate NEED to go!

Hope you feel better soon! Are the tests you are taking on campus PCR tests? If so, those can continue to be positive for weeks after you are no longer infectious, because they pick up on even small bits of viral RNA, which it can take the body a long time to clear even when there are no live viruses left. Rapid tests are the way to go to determine when you are no longer infectious and can leave isolation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on July 15, 2022, 07:53:14 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 14, 2022, 04:56:20 PM
The past few days months have SUCKED. That is all.

That's how it's been here.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2022, 09:31:51 AM
Quote from: clean on July 15, 2022, 03:19:40 AM
My Bride has now tested POSITIVE!
FIL on Thursday
MIL on Sunday night
BIL on Monday afternoon
Bride on Wednesday (results returned on Thursday).

I think that I will take a rapid test on Saturday if I continue to feel that I am improving.  I have an appointment (virtual) with Primary Doc's office on Monday afternoon (made when I started getting a burning in my chest after coughing Wednesday afternoon).  I will retest at work on Monday morning and take a rapid test early monday afternoon before the virtual visit so that I can give the an update and see how long I can continue to test positive, have the cough and runny nose, and 'covid brain'.
I think that the cough is subsiding and my sinuses dont seem as bad just now, so I may be at the end of it. IF I feel that I am slipping back into it or some of the symptoms that I was feeling I was developing yesterday return, I will visit the neighborhood walk in clinic to make sure that I havent developed some other complication (like bronchitis). 

STAY HEALTHY and dont let my FIL talk you into taking one of the Positive people anywhere that they have NO immediate NEED to go!

Sorry to hear it clean. I hope you and your family feel better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 15, 2022, 09:32:49 AM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on July 15, 2022, 07:53:14 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 14, 2022, 04:56:20 PM
The past few days months have SUCKED. That is all.

That's how it's been here.

Sorry to hear it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 18, 2022, 04:16:19 PM
I'm so done with Zoom meetings, trainings, webinars, conferences, you-name-it.  If I wanted to be surrounded by inattentive, multitasking people, I'd go to the DMV.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 24, 2022, 04:27:01 PM
I think it has been 9 days since my last update.
In that time, I have tested and retested, and was finally Covid Free last Tuesday.
My Bride was also negative, but stayed with her parents and brother another few days to help them pack and get ready for her dad's radiation therapy.
They left Saturday but she returned home lat Friday.
Saturday (yesterday,) she said that she had a headache. 
I noticed that I was coughing more as well. 
This morning, she sounded like President Biden!
We talked over the options and she took one of the last at home tests we have, and she is again Positive!  So she packed up again and returned to her now empty parents' house.

I get another set of at home tests on Tuesday (says the tracking email).  Im not sure when or how to retest myself.  IF she was sick on Friday (or had a false negative result on Wednesday), and I was not sick on Friday, how long should I wait to test?  Test too early and get a false sense of security and burn a test when no result is possible.  I dont have any problems staying home another 3 or 4 days, but IF I have this again, I want to try to treat it, though I dont know what to do if I was treated with an antiviral just over 3 weeks ago. 


any thoughts are welcome, but I suspect that we will wait until Tuesday, maybe Wednesday to get the lab test, and know by Thursday. 

And I m not sure if it is the heat, not sleeping all that well last night, the return/increase of the cough, or if Im "mental" but now I think that I have a headache too!   (maybe this should be in the Hypochondriacs thread)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on July 24, 2022, 06:40:50 PM
Quote from: clean on July 24, 2022, 04:27:01 PM
I think it has been 9 days since my last update.
In that time, I have tested and retested, and was finally Covid Free last Tuesday.
My Bride was also negative, but stayed with her parents and brother another few days to help them pack and get ready for her dad's radiation therapy.
They left Saturday but she returned home lat Friday.
Saturday (yesterday,) she said that she had a headache. 
I noticed that I was coughing more as well. 
This morning, she sounded like President Biden!
We talked over the options and she took one of the last at home tests we have, and she is again Positive!  So she packed up again and returned to her now empty parents' house.

I get another set of at home tests on Tuesday (says the tracking email).  Im not sure when or how to retest myself.  IF she was sick on Friday (or had a false negative result on Wednesday), and I was not sick on Friday, how long should I wait to test?  Test too early and get a false sense of security and burn a test when no result is possible.  I dont have any problems staying home another 3 or 4 days, but IF I have this again, I want to try to treat it, though I dont know what to do if I was treated with an antiviral just over 3 weeks ago. 


any thoughts are welcome, but I suspect that we will wait until Tuesday, maybe Wednesday to get the lab test, and know by Thursday. 

And I m not sure if it is the heat, not sleeping all that well last night, the return/increase of the cough, or if Im "mental" but now I think that I have a headache too!   (maybe this should be in the Hypochondriacs thread)

It is exceedingly unlikely for someone to be re-infected so quickly. Much more likely is that her viral load simply dropped into the undetectable (by home test range) and then she had a bit of a relapse for whatever reason (probably packing rather than resting!) and it went back up to detectable (and symptomatic). Hope you're both completely recovered soon!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 24, 2022, 06:57:25 PM
Her negative test on Wednesday was a PCR test (from CVS).  The positive test today was an at home one. 

Certainly there could be a false negative last Wednesday or a false positive here today. 
I have more faith in the PCR test than the at home one, BUT when your wife sounds like President Biden has been sounding the last few days, THAT is not a good sign of health! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 24, 2022, 08:39:39 PM
Sorry, Clean.  How frustrating!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 24, 2022, 08:45:25 PM
This is comparatively small but really vexing, and I hope quickly remedied. 2:45 AM the smoke alarm nearest (but not in) the bedroom begins to scream, but after 4 seconds quiets. 2 minutes elapses, and off it goes again. Then a few more minutes, and another scream.  Finally, just as I can begin to drift off again an hour later, it goes off one more time.  This happened once a year ago, also in the middle of the night, and on several subsequent nights. and I promised myself I'd call the electrician to replace these now 29-year-old alarms.  Tomorrow I will do that.  fingers crossed for quiet tonight.

But what happens in the middle of the night to set it off? Dust? Errant bug?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 25, 2022, 12:15:03 AM
Is it unusually hot where you are?

Super-heated dust which has risen near the ceiling (if that's where your alarm is) might do it.

Or is it due for a battery change?

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on July 25, 2022, 03:48:36 AM
I've had smoke detectors go off from high humidity or a dramatic change in barometric pressure.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on July 25, 2022, 06:18:45 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on July 24, 2022, 08:45:25 PM
This is comparatively small but really vexing, and I hope quickly remedied. 2:45 AM the smoke alarm nearest (but not in) the bedroom begins to scream, but after 4 seconds quiets. 2 minutes elapses, and off it goes again. Then a few more minutes, and another scream.  Finally, just as I can begin to drift off again an hour later, it goes off one more time.  This happened once a year ago, also in the middle of the night, and on several subsequent nights. and I promised myself I'd call the electrician to replace these now 29-year-old alarms.  Tomorrow I will do that.  fingers crossed for quiet tonight.

But what happens in the middle of the night to set it off? Dust? Errant bug?

I've had baby spiders hatch in an alarm and set it off.
I would suggest just getting the sealed battery operated alarms (they last 10 years, no need to change the battery during that time). You don't need an electrician for that, which will save $$$. I'm not sure they even still make the hard wired ones, except for commercial use. When removing the old hard wired ones, just be sure to turn the power OFF at the breaker box.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 25, 2022, 10:32:45 AM
My right foot gets sore every time I sit at my desk for more than a few minutes.  I hobble around painfully enough to be noticeable until that foot limbers back up.  I don't know why this has started being the case in recent months.  Yet I can still walk for a couple of hours in the morning without any problem.  It's being still that creates the problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 25, 2022, 11:58:24 AM
Does it feel glue-y or cotton-y inside? Or does it just hurt?

Do you/have you had any suggestions of diabetes in your family or yourself?

Any past injuries? New shoes? Change in exercise routines?

Can you massage out any tenderness or stiffness, or does it stay uncomfortable whether you do that or not?

Differential options exist.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 25, 2022, 01:40:18 PM
QuoteThis is comparatively small but really vexing, and I hope quickly remedied. 2:45 AM the smoke alarm nearest (but not in) the bedroom begins to scream, but after 4 seconds quiets. 2 minutes elapses, and off it goes again. Then a few more minutes, and another scream.  Finally, just as I can begin to drift off again an hour later, it goes off one more time.  This happened once a year ago, also in the middle of the night, and on several subsequent nights. and I promised myself I'd call the electrician to replace these now 29-year-old alarms.  Tomorrow I will do that.  fingers crossed for quiet tonight.

But what happens in the middle of the night to set it off? Dust? Errant bug?

Change the batteries.  Change ALL the batteries. IF the alarms are connected by the house wiring when one sends a signal they should all go off, so if one has a weak battery, change them all.

However, if they are 30 years old, then it is probably safest to just replace them all.  You may need a long ladder to get up there and be ready to play with the wires. 
I suggest that you get one down, and take it to the store to be sure that the wires will match. They should, but IF you dont do it this way, you may get the wrong one in error!  (some are entirely battery powered, others, as indicated, are wired together).

Good luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 25, 2022, 03:03:01 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 25, 2022, 11:58:24 AM
Does it feel glue-y or cotton-y inside? Or does it just hurt?

Do you/have you had any suggestions of diabetes in your family or yourself?

Any past injuries? New shoes? Change in exercise routines?

Can you massage out any tenderness or stiffness, or does it stay uncomfortable whether you do that or not?

Differential options exist.

M.

It works out fairly quickly when I get up on it.  I've hurt it a couple of times, but the last time was probably 13 years ago.  It hadn't given much trouble since healing from that.  We have little family history of diabetes, and that that was linked to obesity, which I am not.

It does seem like it could be correlated with a change in shoes.  Although I don't see why, since these fit well and the left foot has been okay.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 25, 2022, 03:26:21 PM
Interesting... I first though Plantar Fasciatis (spelling) , but that would feel like an ice pick in the bottom of your foot first thing in the morning.
The cure would be orthotics (real ones, not off the shelf, but the ones molded to your feet by a podiatrist).
They are not cheap, but they are transferred between shoes and your feel will thank you!  (I buy New Balance shoes as the inserts that come with them are easily removed to accept the orthotics. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 25, 2022, 05:19:31 PM
PF is a possibility, too, yes.

But that is most often exacerbated by a weight gain, although the imbalances in shoes can also cause it.

Have you checked the soles of your feet for plantar warts?

Might or might not have the effect you're describing, but sometimes they're weird.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 26, 2022, 07:19:52 AM
The soles look normal, and I'm still my usual skinny self.  The foot usually feels okay in the morning.  Most of the pain occurs when standing up after sitting for a while at my desk.  It is concentrated mostly in the instep.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on July 26, 2022, 07:43:54 AM
Then, how old are the shoes you're wearing?

Insteps, heels and other external and internal parts wear at different rates/in different ways.

Sounds like an imbalance there, indeed.

Can you try either wearing a different pair of shoes entirely, or look at the wear patterns on the outer soles and insoles of your shoes, comparing R and L and looking at any other pairs that are more comfortable.

I go through a pair of Reebok or other walking shoes in about 6 mo. in a normal year. Lately, staying in more, it's gone for about a year, but once the external L heel on mine wear down, I know they're not long for this world (everyone has a different sensitivity--that's my (sorry in advance) Achilles heel, there).

And the place it hurts might not be the place the greatest wear is located. Our skeletons adapt to angular displacement along the trajectory of weight-bearing movement, so, for example, your neck can hurt because your lumbar area's out of alignment: the spinalis muscles pass the responsibility along reflectively, up and down the spine, trying to spread it out, until someone along the line says, "Ouch!"

The part that complains may be on the opposite side and the far end of the spine from where the imbalance is; same with your foot. The heel, if made to angle out too far, could be creating stress along the instep, either straining tendons/ligaments/muscles, or actually causing some kind of slight bone wear (even, in extended or extreme stress moments, tiny bone chips can be knocked off if they're continually bumping up against each other, and there are 14, I think, bones in that area of the foot, so there are a lot of spots for wear and tear, literally.)

So, look at the soles of your shoes, as clean suggested, or look closely at an old pair and compare the wear patterns with the new pair.

Sorry. Ask a dancer...

ETA: It's also possible there's something wrong in the construction of that one new shoe, or even in how they're now made--I had a new pair of shoes, of a type that I'd been getting for years, and it turned out they'd changed the last (basic form on which shoes are made) to accommodate those whose feet are now longer in my size range, and I had to start all over finding a different maker because the alignment just didn't work any more for my feet.

It might be good to do some movement work on both feet as well, just to strengthen them. Instep muscles can always use a bit of stretching and strengthening.

Either a good modern class or a beginning ballet class might be useful. Dance instructors understand feet and good ones help without hurting.

M.

P.S. Oh, and I came here to fuss about a stupid little 10.00 cord I got that apparently won't take the 'strain' of multiple photo transfers from my phone to my computer. I'm cat-sitting and now I'll have to stop back home to get the one I usually use, which works just fine for many, many more than this one does. I got enough off the phone to allow for what I needed to do on it, but I'll have to do a longer session later, when I can be more efficient.

It's always more fun solving other peoples' problems...

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 28, 2022, 06:21:30 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 25, 2022, 12:15:03 AM
Is it unusually hot where you are?

Super-heated dust which has risen near the ceiling (if that's where your alarm is) might do it.

Or is it due for a battery change?

M.

Makes sense.  These are hard wired and no battery chirps.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 28, 2022, 06:22:50 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on July 25, 2022, 03:48:36 AM
I've had smoke detectors go off from high humidity or a dramatic change in barometric pressure.

Wow.  I had no idea a pressure change could do that
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on July 28, 2022, 06:24:32 PM
Quote from: Puget on July 25, 2022, 06:18:45 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on July 24, 2022, 08:45:25 PM
This is comparatively small but really vexing, and I hope quickly remedied. 2:45 AM the smoke alarm nearest (but not in) the bedroom begins to scream, but after 4 seconds quiets. 2 minutes elapses, and off it goes again. Then a few more minutes, and another scream.  Finally, just as I can begin to drift off again an hour later, it goes off one more time.  This happened once a year ago, also in the middle of the night, and on several subsequent nights. and I promised myself I'd call the electrician to replace these now 29-year-old alarms.  Tomorrow I will do that.  fingers crossed for quiet tonight.

But what happens in the middle of the night to set it off? Dust? Errant bug?

That's a great idea. However,  I think the HOA requires hard wiring so electrician comes next week.

I've had baby spiders hatch in an alarm and set it off.
I would suggest just getting the sealed battery operated alarms (they last 10 years, no need to change the battery during that time). You don't need an electrician for that, which will save $$$. I'm not sure they even still make the hard wired ones, except for commercial use. When removing the old hard wired ones, just be sure to turn the power OFF at the breaker box.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 01, 2022, 07:16:17 AM
I'm currently going through a process of putting an online course into a format that pleases people in the online education department. It means spelling out everything in precisely the format they want. I guess I can see that doing this helps to check that everyone is doing what they should be doing. But putting things into a restricted format also means that it all gets simplified and just makes me exclude elements that enriched the course. Maybe the overall effect is positive for the school, but I doubt they have any evidence for that. I suspect ultimately the goal is to go for a U Phoenix model where all classes for a course are done according to the same prescribed format and the faculty don't have much control over what is taught or how it is taught.

I guess the reason universities don't do similar surveillance of classroom teaching is that it is just too difficult to scrutinize what goes on in the classroom.

It is starting to make me feel far less interested in teaching online.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 01, 2022, 07:38:57 AM
Downer, we went to mandatory Courses of Record (CORs) a few years ago for a lot of the online classes at my CC.  Back then, I was still engaged enough to rail about academic freedom.  Nowadays, though, I've adapted to the mindset of, "If you want to pay me $80K+ to be a grader, I'm OK with that." That's not something I'm particularly proud to admit, but with retirement coming up in the next 5-10 years, it's pragmatic.

I've also adopted those COR materials and classes for my F2F and virtual classes, with some modifications.  I think it's stupid on the college's part--it makes me an awfully expensive grader/babysitter--but if they're going to pay somebody to do it, it might as well be me, even though the courses are far less rigorous than what I used to teach.  And it certainly frees me up to pursue other things and stress a whole lot less.

Of course, I complain about having to go into each COR to customize the little that I can each semester (deadlines, my own syllabus and intro/contact information, and such), but that's kind of third-world problems stuff. An added bonus:  it cuts down dramatically on student complaints that I'm such a meanie:  I just point to the COR rubrics and such and say, "I'm sorry, but that's what the college's Course of Record requires."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 01, 2022, 07:49:48 AM
AmLitHist, once you retire, will they have any need to replace you with a full time person? Soon they will be able to use AI to do the grading. In the meantime, a part time person will do I expect.

Once it is all automated, the administrators overseeing the faculty will be out of a job too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 01, 2022, 08:03:54 AM
Quote from: downer on August 01, 2022, 07:49:48 AM
AmLitHist, once you retire, will they have any need to replace you with a full time person? Soon they will be able to use AI to do the grading. In the meantime, a part time person will do I expect.

Once it is all automated, the administrators overseeing the faculty will be out of a job too.

Good point, of course. They're already not replacing lines of many who took the recent voluntary retirement offer, and adjuncts are increasingly being used for online/virtual courses, which used to be the purview of FT people when we designed our own.

I teach English Comp I and II (also the occasional lit class, far less frequently than I used to), so AI/machine grading is less of an option than for my friend who teaches Gen Psych--all those COR sections are online open-book/-note multiple choice tests, with no interaction beyond very basic discussion boards, and no video lectures or other "instructor required" components. 

Of course, the ranks of admin continue to flourish, like mushrooms after the rain....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 01, 2022, 08:33:47 AM
At some point, I suspect that with pressure of funding cuts, higher-level admins will start outsourcing the lower-level admin jobs to AI or cheaper people in other countries. And if the education is fully or mostly automated, students will no longer need to go to college. They can take the courses from home.

Maybe we will go back to just 10% of people actually going to university, like the old days.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on August 03, 2022, 04:31:14 AM
Had another dental surgery yesterday. Will be on a liquid/mush diet for 2 weeks. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 03, 2022, 05:39:00 AM
Ouch, Larimar. Sending good thoughts.  (When I had to have all my teeth pulled a few years ago, I more or less lived on cottage cheese and scrambled eggs for about a month.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 03, 2022, 06:54:06 AM
This is so maddening, I need to do bullet points.
1) MrsFishProf (MFP) had ankle fusion surgery a year ago, but has since developed bone spurs and needs an arthroscopy.
2) Surgery scheduled for 8Aug22, with just enough recovery time to start teaching (middle school) in September.
3) I scheduled our vacation/research travel for 3July-6Aug.
4) She gets everything arranged, and makes sure anything she needs for the surgery is done (except one form to fill electronically 10d out)
5) Our flight gets canceled so I have to reschedule flights and hotels and rental cars (annoying, but tangential)
6) Her surgeon decides to go on vacation on the 6th, so surgery moved to the 3rd.
7) I reschedule flights and hotels and rental cars
8) About 10d before surgery, she is informed she needs a physical from her PCP to get cleared for surgery.
9) PCP has no available appointments and no one else can approve.
10) PCP agrees to do a video consult and MFP is cleared for surgery.
11) Nope, MFP needs a hematology consult because of a genetic factor (that they KNOW about b/c they did her surgery last year)
12) MFP's PCP and the surgery admin work for 4d to get a hematologist to agree to clear her.  Just need it in writing,
13) So we are a go (and MFP has gone off her very needed prescription NSAID)
14) Travel home
15) On the 1st, checks to see that yes, the hematologist said she was OK, just waiting on the written confirmation
16) yesterday, at 3pm - NO EMAIL RECIEVED - Surgery cancelled.

So, because a hematologist couldn't be bothered to write a damn email, surgery is postponed until the 22nd, and at least 2-weeks leave of absence is required.

I could spit bullets.

And MFP is still in pain and walking in a boot (so much fun in Hawaii and at Seaworld...)

I am putting this on my office wall as a reminder about timeliness in writing Letters of Recommendation, because this is the same sort of negligence I would commit if I were to delay in doing so.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on August 03, 2022, 07:08:02 AM
Whether the inattention is because the physician is overworked or the office is disorganized, it is a worrisome commentary on medical practice.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 03, 2022, 07:43:34 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on August 03, 2022, 07:08:02 AM
Whether the inattention is because the physician is overworked or the office is disorganized, it is a worrisome commentary on medical practice.

I agree. I'm so sorry to hear that you and Mrs. FP are dealing with this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 03, 2022, 08:04:36 AM
That's awful, Fishprof. My sympathies.

I'd say that the behavior of the hematologist was the straw that broke the camel's back. Lots of other problems there too!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 03, 2022, 08:49:08 AM
Quote from: downer on August 03, 2022, 08:04:36 AM
That's awful, Fishprof. My sympathies.

I'd say that the behavior of the hematologist was the straw that broke the camel's back. Lots of other problems there too!

Definitely.  A perfect storm of incompetence, indifference, and/or inattention.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 03, 2022, 10:05:27 AM
Report the hematologist.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 03, 2022, 10:28:54 AM
Sorry you had that experience, FishProf.  Sometimes things just go wrong in a cascade like that.  It's happening a lot more with nearly every kind of office or business being behind or understaffed right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on August 03, 2022, 05:10:43 PM
Sorry to hear it, Fishprof. What a mess. Sympathies and well-wishing to Mrs. Fishprof.

Quote from: AmLitHist on August 03, 2022, 05:39:00 AM
Ouch, Larimar. Sending good thoughts.  (When I had to have all my teeth pulled a few years ago, I more or less lived on cottage cheese and scrambled eggs for about a month.)

Thanks, AmLitHist.

The dental surgery apparently went well. I don't remember much from that morning because of the anesthesia. Now I just have to wait until I get my stitches out.

Larimar
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 03, 2022, 05:56:49 PM
Quote from: Larimar on August 03, 2022, 04:31:14 AM
Had another dental surgery yesterday. Will be on a liquid/mush diet for 2 weeks. Ugh.

Sorry to hear it. SO is having one this week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 04, 2022, 06:56:33 AM
FishProf, sorry to hear that your wife couldn't get the scheduled surgery. I would complain in writing to the hematologist's office, the insurance carrier, and also the state agencies that oversee medical practices.

Larimar, oh dear. Sending you good thoughts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 04, 2022, 07:01:13 AM
Larimar, not remembering is good.  Toward the end of my full-mouth extraction, I remember feeling them pulling a tooth and the nurse saying, "Hang on, sweetheart, we're almost done. Your BP is up and we can't give you any more ketamine."  <<shudder>>

FishProf, I'm so sorry you and your wife have had to deal with all that.  Sounds like stuff ALHS and I have gone through in various procedures, only yours hit all at once. I hope she heals well and that the worst is past.

Speaking of. . . some good news and bad (though not unexpected) from here:

--The good news:  After a couple years of increasing bruising and skin tears that have been getting worse, ALHS finally went to a dermatologist (mainly after I kept harping about his mom having had skin cancers in recent years). As expected, it's actinal purpurea, i.e., thin skin and resulting bruising and skin tears, from way too many years of landscaping, mowing, and other outdoor work without sunscreen. It can't be cured or completely reversed, but it can be lessened--and it's not cancer.

--The not so good (but not unexpected)--feel free to skip:  it's time to get his right knee replaced. The cortisone shots are only good for about 6-8 weeks before the debilitating pain returns. We were hoping to make it until at least next year, but nope. Yesterday were his last shots (in both knees*), and the hip-and-knee doc said the next time he sees ALHS will be in surgery.  Dammit. This will be his sixth major surgery over 12 years, (plus two foot surgeries and 6 months of daily IV and hyperbaric 02 in 2020-21).

It's not that I don't want him to get his knee fixed; I know it needs to be done. It's just lousy timing, as I'm still not over my foot surgery (and am starting to think this might be as good as it gets--the incision still isn't closed; I'm still in the surgical shoe; my foot still swells like a football, to the point the skin hurts; and it hurts like mad across the top of the foot in front of my instep and on the bottom of my heel), and I still haven't been able to get to a new ortho to see if there's anything he can do for my SI joint dysfunction or if he's going to finally start me on pain management.  (That's been going on since 2019 and has gotten worse with time and with this past year of the bum foot.) 

Oh, well.  It will all be fine, until it isn't, right?  Our past 12 years have been spent bouncing from one health issue to the next.  I should be grateful that things aren't worse, and that I have insurance, I know. And I know lots of people have it lots worse than we do. But I'm weepy this morning (which makes me that much more aggravated, at myself), and I have classes to get ready and I don't feel well after two days spent running to ALHS's appointments and I'm not getting anything done.  In other words, it's just one of those days.  Sorry for spewing it all here; I'm not asking for sympathy, just need to get it out of my system.  I really do try to keep a decent attitude, but sometimes it breaks down.

OK, enough; courage, Camille, and all that. 

-----
*Dr. Hip-and-Knee (who did ALHS's hip replacement in 2014) won't do both knees at once because of other medical concerns--high BP, a congenital heart issue, sleep apnea, et al. Apparently bilateral replacements are often done, but not for him.  Dammit.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 07:23:06 AM
"It just makes ya tired," my grandma used to say....

For now, focus on the class, since that's something positive you can do something about directly, and resolve to put all the other issues aside 'til you're finished teaching for the day.

I know my few students aren't on the same level, but I get that, drag-your-feet-I-don't wanna-open-Zoom feeling every now and again, and my prayer is just, "Help us enjoy this time together."

Day at a time, step at a time (with or without the ankle boot and knee pads.

Thinking of you both.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 04, 2022, 07:57:08 AM
I told you a MONTH ago that these documents would be complicated because of the international source of funds. I asked you a MONTH ago to confirm that we'd sent you the documents you needed. It is now ONE week until we are supposed to pick up the keys, and TODAY you tell me that you need more documents and the compliance team isn't happy? And that you want the documents TODAY? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS LAST MONTH?

Also, all these other things you brought up today--do you have any concerns about the title deeds, do you have any questions about these statements---suppose I did? Suppose I actually did want to request a further electrical inspection? Because, remember, your timeline for closing on the property is---um---tomorrow. Sure would have been good to have a chance to ask those questions back in June. Oh, wait--I did. You just never responded.

You are appallingly bad at your job. I can't fathom how bad you are at your job. You are wildly bad at your job, and I am beyond furious that I am stuck with you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 09:14:28 AM
Aright!

Yes, people with little global experience just assume that everyone else does things "like we do," and that warnings to the contrary are either unnecessarily hypervigilant or a form of showing off, or both.

Maddening.

I hope the docs can get sorted ASAP.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 04, 2022, 12:26:51 PM
Dear Grad Student,
  The evening before I depart on vacation is NOT the time to barrage me with a series of texts of all the items we need to order in the lab. One item per text. Especially since you end it all by telling me that you plan to take the week off as well. Make a %$&king list and email it to me when I get back.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 01:33:59 PM
Quote from: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 09:14:28 AM
Aright!

Yes, people with little global experience just assume that everyone else does things "like we do," and that warnings to the contrary are either unnecessarily hypervigilant or a form of showing off, or both.

Maddening.

I hope the docs can get sorted ASAP.

M.

That was supposed to read "Arrgh."

I'm sick and tired of auto-corrupt's pretensions and presumptions.

Many condolences.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 05, 2022, 04:51:23 AM
Update: My aunt, and my aunt's lawyer, are now involved. I'm old enough that I should be past the age when I breathe a little more freely once grown-ups get involved, but my aunt is a very, very grown-up grownup, with a legal degree and everything.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 05, 2022, 06:57:33 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 05, 2022, 04:51:23 AM
Update: My aunt, and my aunt's lawyer, are now involved. I'm old enough that I should be past the age when I breathe a little more freely once grown-ups get involved, but my aunt is a very, very grown-up grownup, with a legal degree and everything.

Sounds like the shit's hitting the fan. Good luck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on August 05, 2022, 07:21:18 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 05, 2022, 04:51:23 AM
Update: My aunt, and my aunt's lawyer, are now involved. I'm old enough that I should be past the age when I breathe a little more freely once grown-ups get involved, but my aunt is a very, very grown-up grownup, with a legal degree and everything.

That's good-- "My attorney" tends to be a magic phrase when it comes to getting people to do their f-ing jobs.

Best of luck! Closings are stressful in the best of times, and I also got to experience the joys of my mortgage bank royally screwing things up in a variety of highly incompetent and lazy ways, so I sympathize. The good news is no one actually wants a sale to fall through-- not the lender ($) and not the seller ($$). So things have a way of working out in the end, even if you feel like you are losing months off your life in the process.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 05, 2022, 07:26:02 AM
Quote from: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 01:33:59 PM
Quote from: mamselle on August 04, 2022, 09:14:28 AM
Aright!

Yes, people with little global experience just assume that everyone else does things "like we do," and that warnings to the contrary are either unnecessarily hypervigilant or a form of showing off, or both.

Maddening.

I hope the docs can get sorted ASAP.

M.

That was supposed to read "Arrgh."

I'm sick and tired of auto-corrupt's pretensions and presumptions.

Many condolences.

M.


You could always give an unambiguous Charles Schulz-style "AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!"


Anyway, sorry you've run into this snag, ergative.  Hope it can be resolved soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on August 05, 2022, 08:46:59 AM
I have no idea how a class could show up in the system but not exist in blackboard, how on earth did that happen? Students are registering for it so figure that one out for me IT. The instructor reached out this morning in a slight panic because they were staffed a week ago and the course had not shown up for them yet...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 07, 2022, 12:44:10 PM
My (extremely compromised, 70+) sister tested positive for Covid on Thursday afternoon.  Her dimwitted son called the doctor, who "couldn't get her in until after he was done with patients on Monday," and who wouldn't prescribe Paxlovid before seeing her.  Um, no.  I explained to my nephew that he could either call back and get the Rx (and not give up until he'd done so, even if he had to get it from a doc-in-a-box), or he could give me the doctor's number so I could let him know that I would drive up myself (from StL to Chicago) overnight and bring my sister to sit in the waiting room, unmasked, until she could be seen.

I've been checking in daily, and amazingly, she'd taken the first antiviral dose before I texted her Friday morning.

Arguing with doctors is bad enough.  I'm not playing with idiot family on top of it.  SMDH.

(She seems to be doing relatively OK, though the cough has developed. No fever or breathing problems, though--fingers crossed.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 07, 2022, 04:58:05 PM
Quoteand who wouldn't prescribe Paxlovid before seeing her.

Paxlovid is not the only antiviral choice. It also has some bad side effects for some.  Personally, i was given a different antiviral because of another health issue.  Paxlovid would have potentially caused liver issues and interfered with other drugs that I need to take.

So a doctor that doesnt phone in a drug without checking that it is right for you isnt a bad thing! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on August 08, 2022, 02:47:23 AM
Stop it, please. It's a really long meeting. It's not a retreat.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 08, 2022, 03:49:54 AM
Paperwork has been sent to the compliance team to review. If they get back by 2pm this afternoon, we can transfer the funds on the original schedule. But I'm not hopeful.

Absolutive and I are researching the processes for drafting formal complaints against the law firm.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 08, 2022, 09:51:06 AM
Quote from: lightning on August 08, 2022, 02:47:23 AM
Stop it, please. It's a really long meeting. It's not a retreat.

That's a good description of the professional meeting I attended the week before last.  But it was far enough away to involve an overnight trip from home.  For those of us who spend all our time with no professional colleagues face-to-face, that feels like a retreat!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 08, 2022, 09:54:32 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 08, 2022, 03:49:54 AM
Paperwork has been sent to the compliance team to review. If they get back by 2pm this afternoon, we can transfer the funds on the original schedule. But I'm not hopeful.

Absolutive and I are researching the processes for drafting formal complaints against the law firm.

Compliance team wants more documents which they could easily have asked for on Thursday, when we first started wrangling with them. (Or, y'know, back in June, when we first asked what documents we needed to send.) We have sent the more documents, but now the workday is over so we won't know until tomorrow whether we can transfer the funds and pick up keys as scheduled on Wednesday.

I have updated the formal complain document.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 08, 2022, 12:54:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on August 03, 2022, 08:49:08 AM
Quote from: downer on August 03, 2022, 08:04:36 AM
That's awful, Fishprof. My sympathies.

I'd say that the behavior of the hematologist was the straw that broke the camel's back. Lots of other problems there too!

Definitely.  A perfect storm of incompetence, indifference, and/or inattention.

The Hematologist just approved the surgery - today.  Of course, the approval was for LAST Wednesday, so not so helpful.  Still needs to approve for the 22nd.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 08, 2022, 12:58:39 PM
Quote from: FishProf on August 08, 2022, 12:54:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on August 03, 2022, 08:49:08 AM
Quote from: downer on August 03, 2022, 08:04:36 AM
That's awful, Fishprof. My sympathies.

I'd say that the behavior of the hematologist was the straw that broke the camel's back. Lots of other problems there too!

Definitely.  A perfect storm of incompetence, indifference, and/or inattention.

The Hematologist just approved the surgery - today.  Of course, the approval was for LAST Wednesday, so not so helpful.  Still needs to approve for the 22nd.

Don't you wish you had something handy to use on their heads?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 08, 2022, 01:24:57 PM
It's good MFP is handling this and not me...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 08, 2022, 01:27:05 PM
Wonder what would happen if you dropped off a couple of octopuses in their office in the dead of night...

Sorry, unworthy thought...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 08, 2022, 01:28:39 PM
I'd prefer Cuttlefish (https://xkcd.com/520/).

Also, excellent proper pluralization there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 08, 2022, 01:29:40 PM
Quote from: FishProf on August 08, 2022, 01:28:39 PM
I'd prefer Cuttlefish (https://xkcd.com/520/).

Also, excellent proper pluralization there.

Merci bien.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 08, 2022, 01:41:40 PM
The expectations of the administration for the "regular and substantive interaction" in virtual classes are great. Or they would be if I were only teaching 20 students per semester. Unfortunately, it just created an expectation of lying about what one will do in one's class, because it would be impossible to do what they are expecting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Funastrum on August 09, 2022, 10:27:07 AM
I have the idea that lots of admin processes are attempts to train you to lie.  If only you would say what they want to hear, then all would be right in their world.  Just because their world and the real one have no overlap is not their fault, right?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on August 09, 2022, 01:15:03 PM
Quote from: downer on August 08, 2022, 01:41:40 PM
The expectations of the administration for the "regular and substantive interaction" in virtual classes are great. Or they would be if I were only teaching 20 students per semester. Unfortunately, it just created an expectation of lying about what one will do in one's class, because it would be impossible to do what they are expecting.

Not a lie. It's theater. Put on a show of "regular and substantive interaction."

Don't try to do real "regular and substantive interaction" for all the students because, as you say, it's impossible, but more importantly, most of the students don't want it, either. Only a few do--save it for those that count. Students will be willing and complicit actors in your theater of "regular and substantive interaction." Go for a Tony award!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 11:44:03 AM
So, the bills from my THIRTEEN HOUR ER visit last month (turned out to be nothing) have been trickling in. After a $250 copay at the ER, I have received 3 more bills and will receive a bill for the facility use for another $240. What the hell is the point of the fucking health insurance?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 11, 2022, 04:27:56 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!
[/quote

I feel like I've read somewhere that people paying out-of-pocket actually can get substantially better deals than what insurance gets charged, just because the providers know that insurance can pay more than individuals. Sometimes the deals are so much better that, if you ask, you might find that paying out of pocket costs less than what your copay + deductible would total.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on August 11, 2022, 05:35:04 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!

People without insurance are considered "indigent" and therefore don't have to pay the rates billed to insurance companies. I learned about this when the insurance company billed me for the full amount for an ER visit, despite showing my insurance card as soon as I entered the ER. I would call every month as soon as I got the bill and tell the hospital that I had insurance, wasn't "indigent", and that they should send me the bill for the co-pay. It took over six months for them to resolve this bill. Interestingly, each month the amount I had to pay kept shrinking, presumably because they decided that I couldn't afford the amount originally billed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on August 11, 2022, 05:47:01 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 11:44:03 AM
So, the bills from my THIRTEEN HOUR ER visit last month (turned out to be nothing) have been trickling in. After a $250 copay at the ER, I have received 3 more bills and will receive a bill for the facility use for another $240. What the hell is the point of the fucking health insurance?

If you live in a country with universal public health insurance, then it works exactly as you would expect. The government is kind of stuck with all of their "customers", so short of bumping them off, they can't try to get them to leave and go elsewhere.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 11, 2022, 06:00:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!

There's a fuller answer to the question here:
https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost
It's complicated.
Hospitals generally use people with insurance to subsidize the costs of patients without insurance.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 11, 2022, 06:37:21 AM
Quote from: downer on August 11, 2022, 06:00:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!

There's a fuller answer to the question here:
https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost
It's complicated.
Hospitals generally use people with insurance to subsidize the costs of patients without insurance.

I know. I was just so frustrated by the process. Still am.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on August 11, 2022, 07:06:17 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 11, 2022, 06:37:21 AM
Quote from: downer on August 11, 2022, 06:00:36 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 10, 2022, 12:06:41 PM
I must be horribly naive because I called my insurance company to double check my claims and the rep told me the ER billed the insurance company $10,000 just for me walking in the door (which they're denying most of since they're double billing). Apparently that's a standard ER fee for insurance companies. What do people without health insurance do? Shit!!!

There's a fuller answer to the question here:
https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost
It's complicated.
Hospitals generally use people with insurance to subsidize the costs of patients without insurance.

I know. I was just so frustrated by the process. Still am.

US health care works well for some, but on the whole is both ineffective and exploitative. It's a shit show.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 11, 2022, 09:06:21 AM
But it's essentially a market-based structure, isn't it?

Doesn't the market work in this case?

M. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on August 11, 2022, 09:39:15 AM
Quote from: mamselle on August 11, 2022, 09:06:21 AM
But it's essentially a market-based structure, isn't it?

Doesn't the market work in this case?

M.

There is no neutral 'market' for health care (or wealth care as it's better described) in the U.S. There is no marketplace of vendors with transparent prices and no way for people to shop around and find what they prefer and can afford.

Among other distortions in the market:
- there are people with and without health insurance. Those with health insurance are charged more (or their insurance companies are charged highly inflated prices) and they are charged co-pays. Those without insurance have to go through a process of negotiating their payments down and showing they are indigent, and their costs are passed on to people with insurance.
- the hospital administration is interested in being as opaque as possible on prices. Prices for the same procedures vary wildly across regions of the country based on what the admins think people will pay, no other choice available, etc.
- people don't have the option of shopping for care providers or emergency care to find favourable rates (as they might if 'market conditions' prevailed). Maybe they can ask around for routine care but everything is based on who is in network for insurance. Emergency care - patients are in no position to figure anything out, they go to the nearest ER, and almost always get hit with surprise billing.
- hospital admins are now aggressively upcoding as much as they can. Did you just walk through the ER lobby on your way to labor and delivery - bam! you are charged for an ER visit. Is your primary care outpatient visit classified as a hospital visit even though the facility is on the other side of town, just because the doctors are affiliated? Yes, because they can. 
- plus unnecessary tests, scans, treatments because of the perverse incentives in the fee-for-service model. Plus marking up prices to keep cash flow coming in - e.g. the legendary $400 bag of saline/glucose IV, or $325 ibuprofen, etc.
- you stay in the hospital overnight. Is your status 'observation' or 'admitted'?  You will be billed very differently either way.
- don't get me started on what ambulances can charge, often because counties are recouping their expenses. Avoid going by ambulance if at all possible.

And so on .... 



Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on August 11, 2022, 10:15:14 AM
Quote from: mamselle on August 11, 2022, 09:06:21 AM
But it's essentially a market-based structure, isn't it?

Doesn't the market work in this case?

M.

The problem with insurance (of any sort) is that if the company could tell who was going to cost them money, and how much, it would be in their interest to not have those people as customers. (And those are the people who most need the service.)  In how many industries is the best move to avoid customers who will use the product or service?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on August 11, 2022, 10:36:32 AM
Just to compare...
When I tested Covid Positive I called my PCP.  I expected that I would have a televisit and be prescribed whatever was on the top of this week's charts of best practices.
Instead, because i have other issues, I was told to go to a stand alone emergency room (not the hospital emeregency room) becuase if the covid had caused a problem with the other issues, that they could detect it faster and start treatment faster, and I would not be surrounded by sicker people.
I did not check (then) if the one nearest me was IN NETWORK.  (They are not!).  and after the insurance has paid what it feels it is contractually obligated to pay, BCBS says I may owe this stand alone ER over $800.  I wasnt there 80 minutes... so $100 a minute!  I didnt have any tests (with machines).  The doctor did confirm that the issues that i have were not aggrevated by COVID and I dont need an MRI, or CT scan (fortunately!) but that is the bill!

While Im not thrilled with it, I will say that My Bride is not objecting to the bill as she would prefer that we pay the bill than me not go to the doctor, or get stuck in the ER for 1/2 a day to find out the same thing.  We have(well had!) the money, and while the money is gone, I m still here!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on August 12, 2022, 10:53:50 AM
Sorry you had that experience, clean. Glad it wasn't worse.

It's another terrible feature of the US system that a patient who is ill enough to require urgent care has to spend time and energy figuring out who is in network before seeking care, and has to do this at every step it seems.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 12, 2022, 11:59:04 AM
No!

   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/aug/12/salman-rushdie-attack-stabbed-onstage-new-york-latest-updates

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 24, 2022, 03:30:45 AM
Filling out my yearly performance review. I hate this so much. I'm putting in every box, 'No, I didn't do as much this year as you would have liked, because your health and safety guidelines were based on politically motivated government regulations that wanted to pretend the pandemic was over when it wasn't, so I ignored university guidelines because I wanted to actually keep myself safe. That's why I wasn't at conferences and wasn't in my lab. Suck it up. Also, I didn't get sick, while I know for a fact that you, pr reviewer, did. So nyah.'
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 24, 2022, 03:40:52 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 24, 2022, 03:30:45 AM
Filling out my yearly performance review. I hate this so much. I'm putting in every box, 'No, I didn't do as much this year as you would have liked, because your health and safety guidelines were based on politically motivated government regulations that wanted to pretend the pandemic was over when it wasn't, so I ignored university guidelines because I wanted to actually keep myself safe. That's why I wasn't at conferences and wasn't in my lab. Suck it up. Also, I didn't get sick, while I know for a fact that you, pr reviewer, did. So nyah.'

One surmises you're tenured...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on August 24, 2022, 07:14:34 AM
Quote from: mamselle on August 24, 2022, 03:40:52 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 24, 2022, 03:30:45 AM
Filling out my yearly performance review. I hate this so much. I'm putting in every box, 'No, I didn't do as much this year as you would have liked, because your health and safety guidelines were based on politically motivated government regulations that wanted to pretend the pandemic was over when it wasn't, so I ignored university guidelines because I wanted to actually keep myself safe. That's why I wasn't at conferences and wasn't in my lab. Suck it up. Also, I didn't get sick, while I know for a fact that you, pr reviewer, did. So nyah.'

One surmises you're tenured...

M.

No, actually--but my system doesn't do tenure, and my department is extremely supportive. Or maybe I'm just living dangerously.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 24, 2022, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 24, 2022, 07:14:34 AM
Quote from: ergative on August 24, 2022, 03:30:45 AM
Filling out my yearly performance review. I hate this so much. I'm putting in every box, 'No, I didn't do as much this year as you would have liked, because your health and safety guidelines were based on politically motivated government regulations that wanted to pretend the pandemic was over when it wasn't, so I ignored university guidelines because I wanted to actually keep myself safe. . . . '

No, actually--but my system doesn't do tenure, and my department is extremely supportive. Or maybe I'm just living dangerously.

Right there with you, Ergative:  I have tenure, and though the specifics are different, I'm up for my 3-year eval this year and will also report that I haven't done much in the way of service beyond the general "attended department meetings" type of stuff.  I used to be on committees, attend and host campus events, and so on, but between my ADA disability and COVID, they're lucky I show up to teach, let alone do a lot more.

My dean is pretty good about such things, so I hope she continues that for this eval cycle.

(I should add that the best we can score is "satisfactory," which generally only requires not publicly assaulting or killing a student or admin, so the review is a big joke/waste of time at best. I'm never going up for full--too much faculty/inter-department politics for years, with the added bonus of a bat-sh&t crazy admin in recent times, so. . . . nope.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 24, 2022, 10:39:23 AM
We'd been complaining to the city for some time about the dumpster at the library having a rusted-out bottom that let some of the trash leak out.  They just delivered a replacement.  It looks about as battle-worn as the one we had.  It does seem to have a bottom in it that you can't see pavement through, at least for the time being.  However, it stinks pretty badly.  I guess it's not so much I who am venting here as the dumpster....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 25, 2022, 11:49:55 AM
The staff members are all complaining about the stink as they go in and out of the staff entrance beside the dumpster.  Actually it doesn't smell any worse than an ordinary dumpster.  But our dumpster, which had always had little food waste thrown in it, smelled a good deal better than the average dumpster.  It just had holes in it that kept letting the trash leak out.  I guess the moral is, be careful what you complain about, because you might not like the alternative.

If they would have just hosed the old dog food and other mess out of it before dropping it off by our building!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 25, 2022, 02:28:24 PM
Yuk.

I see lots of cans of Febreeze in your future....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on August 25, 2022, 02:38:36 PM
I would suggest a bucket of diluted bleach tossed/sprayed in on a day when you know rain is coming. That way it won't corrode the dumpster itself too badly. 10-20% bleach kills a LOT of the nasty germs and the smells that go with them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on August 26, 2022, 12:40:12 PM
Our smelly dumpster was just taken away and replaced with one that doesn't stink AND appears in much sounder condition.  Somebody on the staff has evidently complained over my head to somebody.  Or perhaps the nasty dumpster was only meant as a temporary fill-in?  Anyway, if this one stays here, we should be good.  Once the lingering funk from the last one has finished dissipating.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on August 27, 2022, 05:43:00 AM
I am so aggravated about news stories decrying the outrageous cost of higher education.  I watch these interviews and it's a BU student (~80K/ year) or Harvard (about the same) complaining that people just can't afford to go to college.

In the meantime, you could do the entire 4-year degree at my school for $30k.  Total.  Including housing.

It's maddening.  Yes, college is expensive.  Some colleges are too expensive.  Don't go to those.

[/rant]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on August 28, 2022, 12:38:17 PM
Quote from: FishProf on August 27, 2022, 05:43:00 AM
I am so aggravated about news stories decrying the outrageous cost of higher education.  I watch these interviews and it's a BU student (~80K/ year) or Harvard (about the same) complaining that people just can't afford to go to college.

In the meantime, you could do the entire 4-year degree at my school for $30k.  Total.  Including housing.

It's maddening.  Yes, college is expensive.  Some colleges are too expensive.  Don't go to those.

[/rant]
Yes. I am in a state where students can go to community college tuition-free if they go straight out of high school. It's amazing how many parents still send their kids to a four-year school and then complain about the cost.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 31, 2022, 03:41:53 PM
The car's transmission died last week (picking it up today), and I have a cracked inlay that will require a crown, and the dental insurance is still maxed out from the crown for another cracked inlay early this year.

So, yeah. That's all of my disposable income spoken for for a while. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on August 31, 2022, 04:05:36 PM
I looked through the formatting instructions for this article several times, but kept not seeing any directions for a bibliography. I meant to email the editor but kept thinking I'd just not missed it, and kept putting it off figuring it was in a different section (I know...).

Turns out they don't want a bib., it has to be subsumed into the notes. The online article they asked me to adapt from had a full bib. and they never mentioned it wouldn't be the same in the journal, which was also why I kept thinking it would have one, somewhere.

(Not an excuse, but the reason, of course...)

Guess who's swiftly transforming bib. ref's to note ref's in real time, here.

Arrrrgh!!!

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 31, 2022, 04:16:10 PM
Ugh, that sucks. I hate having to do that for other people!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on September 01, 2022, 01:09:36 PM
I don't know what's wrong with me this semester, but I am just failing at everything. I have a family event all of this weekend, and it should be an amazing time of celebration, but I am so behind and so stressed that I'm not looking forward to traveling. I am exhausted and overwhelmed and even things I am normally pretty good at are just not going well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 03, 2022, 02:29:06 PM
Dear Blackboard,
It's great that you setup your system to allow extended time on quizzes and assignments for individual students.  After all, ADA requires that we do so.

Why, however, haven't you set it up so that I can select the student and extend ALL their quizzes in one screen rather than forcing me to do it individually for each quiz.

No love.

FishProf
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 03, 2022, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on September 03, 2022, 02:29:06 PM
Dear Blackboard,
It's great that you setup your system to allow extended time on quizzes and assignments for individual students.  After all, ADA requires that we do so.

Why, however, haven't you set it up so that I can select the student and extend ALL their quizzes in one screen rather than forcing me to do it individually for each quiz.

No love.

FishProf

Yes, this is a major and obvious failing. I don't think Canvas is any better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2022, 03:36:06 PM
Quote from: downer on September 03, 2022, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on September 03, 2022, 02:29:06 PM
Dear Blackboard,
It's great that you setup your system to allow extended time on quizzes and assignments for individual students.  After all, ADA requires that we do so.

Why, however, haven't you set it up so that I can select the student and extend ALL their quizzes in one screen rather than forcing me to do it individually for each quiz.

No love.

FishProf

Yes, this is a major and obvious failing. I don't think Canvas is any better.

Yep. This is a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2022, 03:59:05 PM
Double post.

Am I expecting too much in that I expect my students to be able to calculate an average? These are Astronomy students who take the class because they think there's no 'Math' in it. Are most people Math illiterate?

SMDH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 04, 2022, 03:46:53 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2022, 03:36:06 PM
Quote from: downer on September 03, 2022, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on September 03, 2022, 02:29:06 PM
Dear Blackboard,
It's great that you setup your system to allow extended time on quizzes and assignments for individual students.  After all, ADA requires that we do so.

Why, however, haven't you set it up so that I can select the student and extend ALL their quizzes in one screen rather than forcing me to do it individually for each quiz.

No love.

FishProf

Yes, this is a major and obvious failing. I don't think Canvas is any better.

Yep. This is a pain in the ass.

It is such a pain this year b/c I KNOW I have at least 3 students, each with a different accommodation time.  The class in question has 78 items I need to open, adjust for each student and close.  My above complain about ADA exacerbates this because I don't want to do it AGAIN when someone delivers their late accommodation letter.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 04, 2022, 09:37:52 PM

Well, after 2.5 years of safety, myself, my 89 year old mother, and her health aide all have COVID. We are all vaxxed, boosted, and masked though the aide was inconsistent at masking and likely brought in the infection.

Last week was really rough in terms of symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties for mom). This week we are all recovering though feeling very weak and lethargic, with a lingering cough. 

Feeling fortunate that no one needed to go to the hospital.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 04, 2022, 10:51:57 PM
Quote from: poiuy on September 04, 2022, 09:37:52 PM

Well, after 2.5 years of safety, myself, my 89 year old mother, and her health aide all have COVID. We are all vaxxed, boosted, and masked though the aide was inconsistent at masking and likely brought in the infection.

Last week was really rough in terms of symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties for mom). This week we are all recovering though feeling very weak and lethargic, with a lingering cough. 

Feeling fortunate that no one needed to go to the hospital.

Oh, no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm glad that things are getting better, especially for your mother. Fingers crossed for full recovery.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 04, 2022, 11:45:15 PM
Quote from: ergative on September 04, 2022, 10:51:57 PM
Quote from: poiuy on September 04, 2022, 09:37:52 PM

Well, after 2.5 years of safety, myself, my 89 year old mother, and her health aide all have COVID. We are all vaxxed, boosted, and masked though the aide was inconsistent at masking and likely brought in the infection.

Last week was really rough in terms of symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties for mom). This week we are all recovering though feeling very weak and lethargic, with a lingering cough. 

Feeling fortunate that no one needed to go to the hospital.

Oh, no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm glad that things are getting better, especially for your mother. Fingers crossed for full recovery.

Thank you ergative!  Things are slowly getting better, and we are hoping they stay on the upward trajectory.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 03:41:45 AM
I'd fire the aide.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 04:24:07 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 03:41:45 AM
I'd fire the aide.

M.

Not my employee, not my decision.

Aide has many other good qualities, been with my mother for years, cannot easily or quickly replace her.  Yes, no one is irreplaceable, but some come close. I did show my fury, but ultimately, I can do little. Even if I quit my job and moved in permanently with my mother she prefers the aide's assistance for her ADLs.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 06:13:22 AM
Report them, then.

Iatrogenic infection is not without consequences and is actionable.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on September 05, 2022, 06:22:24 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 06:13:22 AM
Report them, then.

Iatrogenic infection is not without consequences and is actionable.

M.

I think the point is here:
Quote from: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 04:24:07 AM
Aide has many other good qualities, been with my mother for years, cannot easily or quickly replace her.

If bringing down consequences on the worker makes her leave, then you're potentially left with an even bigger problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 05, 2022, 08:22:49 AM
Quote from: FishProf on September 04, 2022, 03:46:53 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 03, 2022, 03:36:06 PM
Quote from: downer on September 03, 2022, 02:48:22 PM
Quote from: FishProf on September 03, 2022, 02:29:06 PM
Dear Blackboard,
It's great that you setup your system to allow extended time on quizzes and assignments for individual students.  After all, ADA requires that we do so.

Why, however, haven't you set it up so that I can select the student and extend ALL their quizzes in one screen rather than forcing me to do it individually for each quiz.

No love.

FishProf

Yes, this is a major and obvious failing. I don't think Canvas is any better.

Yep. This is a pain in the ass.

It is such a pain this year b/c I KNOW I have at least 3 students, each with a different accommodation time.  The class in question has 78 items I need to open, adjust for each student and close.  My above complain about ADA exacerbates this because I don't want to do it AGAIN when someone delivers their late accommodation letter.
Can you get someone from the accommodations office to do this for you? 
Add them as a "course builder" or whatever it's called.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 08:31:46 AM
Quote from: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 06:13:22 AM
Report them, then.

Iatrogenic infection is not without consequences and is actionable.

M.

There is no reporting mechanism. Privately hired, not through any agency. 


Quote from: marshwiggle on September 05, 2022, 06:22:24 AM

I think the point is here:
Quote from: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 04:24:07 AM
Aide has many other good qualities, been with my mother for years, cannot easily or quickly replace her.

If bringing down consequences on the worker makes her leave, then you're potentially left with an even bigger problem.

Yes, this is very true. This person's myriad good qualities, including kindness and gentleness, honesty, reliability, long familiarity, many caregiving skills, etc. plus deep mutual attachment, are set against this one very serious incident, and cannot be replicated.  This woman is like a member of the family - something often said in cliche but true in this case.

I also blame myself for not stomping my foot down hard, right at aide's first sniffle, to isolate herself, test, and consistently mask. I did make requests that were delayed or very inconsistently followed. 

My power to stomp foot is limited - not my employee -  as long as my mother was wishy washy. We should all have done better. My mother is herself a scientist FCOL! But age and poor health have taken their toll.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 05, 2022, 09:46:35 AM
Sending good wishes, Poiuy. We went through some similar issues with Mom years ago (re: who she liked/wanted to use vs. my opinions).  I hope all are well soon!

My vent:  I had a car wreck Saturday evening. I could kick myself:  my 2012 Malibu looked like brand new, seriously.  We kept up the maintenance faithfully, it ran like a champ, and now--probably totaled. I made a left turn onto the country road to Kid #1's house; had to cross an oncoming lane of a state highway. I looked and saw nothing, then glanced at a Hummer coming out of the country road I was going to enter.  The Hummer was rolling at the stop sign, so I guess I gave him a second look to be sure he wasn't going to take off and hit me in the door; I looked again to the front, saw nothing, and almost made it across the lane.  Then, brakes squealed, and bam.  There's just enough of a rise on that curve, that I guess I didn't see him when I looked. I ended up spun around 180 degrees, with all sorts of people around asking if I was OK.

Luckily, the young guy who hit me was nice about it and didn't go into road rage. He wasn't hurt. His right front bumper and headlight got trashed, but otherwise the car looked OK. He caught me in the back right tire and a bit of the door.  The axle and rear end are trashed--non-driveable, and again, they'll probably total it, since my car has 212,000 miles on it.

I filed an online claim, so it'll take til tomorrow (what with the Labor Day weekend) to get an adjuster and a rental.  I'm so mad at myself I could scream. It's not like I wasn't paying attention or I tried to beat him across the lane; I just honestly didn't see him. At least I didn't get a ticket, which I probably deserved. It's known as a bad intersection, so that's probably why I didn't.

I didn't go to the ER (I hate the local hospital and wouldn't take a dog to them). Somehow I scuffed my knee on something, but that seat belt held me. In the process, I got a huge Technicolor bruise and a lot of trauma across my chest and side.  I'm going to the doctor tomorrow just so she can see and get x-rays if she wants. Mainly I'm just "stove up good," as my grandpa used to call it--achy and sore. 

TL; DR:  trashed my car, but no major injuries for anyone.  That's why they call it "an accident," I know.  Still...

Also:  I've driven 100 miles round-trip to grad school and work since 1997, and the only two wrecks I've ever had have been here in Podunk.  Figures.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 11:56:01 AM
Glad to hear you're not more severely injured, but if I recall aright, you drive a LOT for school--or maybe not, if you're teaching online, now, anymore?

But will the insurance cover a new car given the age, mileage, etc. on the totaled one?

That also seems worrisome....blue book values dip a good deal over time as well.

I hope it get works out....seriously upsetting, in all cases.

All good thoughts.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 05, 2022, 03:36:07 PM
ALH:

Damn, sorry to hear about your car. That sucks. I'm glad that you and the other person were not seriously injured.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 07:08:01 PM
ALH:  So sorry about your accident, and the end of the road for a loved and reliable car.  Glad no one was seriously injured and hope that your bumps and bruises are superficial and go away quickly without lingering ill effects.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 06, 2022, 01:35:08 PM
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurgh.

That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 06, 2022, 01:45:31 PM
Sending three friendly pterodactyls to help you with your dilemma.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on September 07, 2022, 10:33:34 AM
Quote from: poiuy on September 05, 2022, 07:08:01 PM
ALH:  So sorry about your accident, and the end of the road for a loved and reliable car.  Glad no one was seriously injured and hope that your bumps and bruises are superficial and go away quickly without lingering ill effects.

Ditto. And make sure you have doctors check your neck and back for whiplash-related injuries.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 08, 2022, 08:55:27 AM
Thanks for the good wishes, everyone.  My GP was right:  things will hurt worse before they feel better. (The night-of and day-after weren't bad; here, on Day 5. . .  OW!)

I got checked by the doctor late Tuesday, and got x-rayed yesterday. No breaks or fractures, but there is curvature in the mid- and upper spine that wasn't there in a recent film taken for a different reason. There may be PT in my future, but things need to settle down and heal a bit before we do that. 

I'm reminded of Steven Wright saying they should build airplanes out of the material they use for the black boxes.  Chevy should build their cars out of the stuff they make the seat belts out of:  I'm proof that that material doesn't have any "give" to it (which is a good thing, I know, but OW).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 08, 2022, 09:37:32 AM
Now experiencing daily trouble with what appears to be plantar fasciitis in my right foot.  I can still walk or ride a bicycle for hours, but when I stand up after sitting at my desk for a good while I find myself limping for a bit before the foot feels okay to go again.  I've tried different shoes.  What seems to help best is slipping out of my shoes as much as possible while at work.

I've also just begun wearing a mouth guard that I got from the dentist to try to keep me from grinding my teeth all night long.  Last night I slept fine with it.  I hope it helps with the jaw trouble.  They've been offering to make a mouth appliance for me for years.  I finally decided that the jaw trouble was serious enough to try it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 08, 2022, 10:03:49 AM
Quote from: apl68 on September 08, 2022, 09:37:32 AM
Now experiencing daily trouble with what appears to be plantar fasciitis in my right foot.  I can still walk or ride a bicycle for hours, but when I stand up after sitting at my desk for a good while I find myself limping for a bit before the foot feels okay to go again.  I've tried different shoes.  What seems to help best is slipping out of my shoes as much as possible while at work.


I know people with plantar fasciitis and they don't have that symptom.
I have that symptom and I'm not sure what it is. It occurs mostly after running for me. I think it is inflamed tendons. I find an occasional ibuprofen helps, not just with the pain but with the inflammation. I also take turmeric regularly now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 08, 2022, 10:10:33 AM
I can not sleep without a mouth guard!  I hope that you get used to it soon.  They do help.  Not that you will stop grinding, you wont.  But it gives you something to chew on without grinding down your teeth.

I also have had the foot issues and I highly recommend seeing a visit to a podiatrist.  I have worn orthotics for years now, and they have solved the problem

Getting old!  Lets doctors have something to practice on!


As for drugs... Aleve /Naproxen (2) work best for me (at least before they put me on eliquis - a blood thinner).  In the olden days when I suffered from Back Spasms, 2 Aleve worked about as well as 2.5 (1/2) a Hydrocodone and didnt have the side effects of making me stupid. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on September 08, 2022, 10:08:45 PM
Quote from: apl68 on September 08, 2022, 09:37:32 AM
Now experiencing daily trouble with what appears to be plantar fasciitis in my right foot.  I can still walk or ride a bicycle for hours, but when I stand up after sitting at my desk for a good while I find myself limping for a bit before the foot feels okay to go again.  I've tried different shoes.  What seems to help best is slipping out of my shoes as much as possible while at work.

I've also just begun wearing a mouth guard that I got from the dentist to try to keep me from grinding my teeth all night long.  Last night I slept fine with it.  I hope it helps with the jaw trouble.  They've been offering to make a mouth appliance for me for years.  I finally decided that the jaw trouble was serious enough to try it.

I think you are me. 

I have had the same foot trouble. It gave me trouble for several months and still flares up occasionally.  One suggestion I benefited from is to roll something like a tennis ball or golf ball or pingpong ball, heck even a dog toy, under your foot a few times a day. I found this soothing and helpful and pleasant to do.  If you can consult a physical therapist, that might be very helpful too. There is a technique called myofascial release massage that you may find efficacious.

I also had great TMJ pain, life is stressful and I was grinding my teeth day and night. The guard is annoying to wear, but it has cured the pain and staved off surgery for the foreseeable future.  I had to get a custom-made guard that was $$$ especially in comparison to the drugstore ones. I wore it every night for about a year and now I am down to 2 or 3 times a week.  That seems enough for maintenance. I am glad this device exists.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on September 09, 2022, 04:51:03 AM
For foot troubles upthread, I second the suggestions to see a podiatrist and then get physical therapy. A good therapist should be able to tailor exercises that would help with your foot problems.

My vents: (1) While sitting in the subway the other day, I noticed that my knees were sopping wet. It turned out that the water that was in the water bottle was now in my backpack, and had thoroughly soaked a 30-page pdf. I got paper towels from the restroom in the doctor's office, but had to remember not to place the backpack on my knees during the subway rides and also while in the waiting room. (2) I had a bill for the CPAP supplies which was surprising because the insurance has covered all related supplies for more than a decade. The insurance company advised me that they had paid the supplier and that the supplier should be contacting the insurance carrier and not me. I still had to argue with the supplier, tell them that I would be reporting them to the AG's office for fraud before I was connected with a supervisor. It turned out that they had the wrong insurance information. The supervisor, unlike the representative I talked to twice, was quite apologetic, but I had to spend a good half hour talking with the supplier twice, and the insurance provider in between. (3) My back and foot problems have been aggravated, but the physical therapists are fully booked, so the earliest appointment they have is on next Friday.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 09, 2022, 05:47:08 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on September 09, 2022, 04:51:03 AM
(2) I had a bill for the CPAP supplies which was surprising because the insurance has covered all related supplies for more than a decade. The insurance company advised me that they had paid the supplier and that the supplier should be contacting the insurance carrier and not me. I still had to argue with the supplier, tell them that I would be reporting them to the AG's office for fraud before I was connected with a supervisor. It turned out that they had the wrong insurance information. The supervisor, unlike the representative I talked to twice, was quite apologetic, but I had to spend a good half hour talking with the supplier twice, and the insurance provider in between.

Something like this happened to my mother. (Warning: very very fuzzy details follow) Something about the supplier of CPAP filters switching, but the old supplier was still billing her for replacement filters and her insurance would only pay for the new supplier's filters. She tried to cancel the old supplier subscription, but they wouldn't let her, so she just refused to pay. They sent her to collections. I expressed concern about her credit rating, and she said that she owned her house, didn't need any more credit cards than the ones she already had, and didn't expect to need to apply for any line of credit ever again in her lifetime, so she was done worrying about it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 10, 2022, 08:56:23 PM

Early Saturday I sent an announcement that the grades were posted and that if anyone had a failing average on the 4 quizzes taken so far and a failing grade on the homework, that they should plan to come to my office so that we could discuss how to improve their grades before the complexity of the course increased and they found themselves far behind. 


Shortly after a student emails, "Hi professor Clean, can you explain why I got a 0 on the Online (TVM) Quiz ? "

I replied , "Please plan to come to my office on Monday between 2 and 330 or after class on Monday to discuss how you missed every question on that quiz, and why your scores on MindTap are below 60.
Dr. Clean"

EVERY QUESTION! 

This is Intermediate Finance, but the questions are right out of the first/core finance class that all of them have already had. 


Sometimes I wonder why I am still in this business, and how much longer I can make it. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 10, 2022, 10:45:33 PM
Speaking of finance, the former finance critic and crypto-loon-in-chief won the leadership race and is now head of the Conservative Party (with 68% of the vote on the first ballot!).

So that sucks. Told you so, marshwiggle. I just hope you're right and that he's such a loon that everyone else country-wide decides he's unelectable. But I doubt it. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on September 11, 2022, 06:37:15 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 10, 2022, 10:45:33 PM
Speaking of finance, the former finance critic and crypto-loon-in-chief won the leadership race and is now head of the Conservative Party (with 68% of the vote on the first ballot!).

So that sucks. Told you so, marshwiggle. I just hope you're right and that he's such a loon that everyone else country-wide decides he's unelectable. But I doubt it. Ugh.

Best gift Trudeau got before the next election. It'll be interesting to see how PP and Mad Max try to compete for the same fringe.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 11, 2022, 09:13:28 AM
Not to throw cold water on your hopes for a better government, but sometimes people (Im one!) vote Against someone rather than For someone.... So IF plenty of people are fed up with the current one, they may vote against him/her and be stuck with the next idiot. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on September 13, 2022, 04:21:58 AM
Pharmacy and bank branches keep closing, causing much inconvenience. Last Thursday, I picked up my prescription from the drugstore. Parking in this area is quite difficult, so I had to get there about half an hour before the start of street cleaning which would get me a parking spot, give me enough time to cross a couple of busy streets, get the prescription, and get back before having to move the car. Yesterday, at the doctor's office when asked to update the pharmacy name and address, I discovered that the drugstore was "temporarily closed". The pharmacy I used to go to earlier, although a few miles away, had a parking lot, but closed and is now a liquor store. My bank, which used to have a branch at this location, also closed earlier this year. This was the last of about three branches to close in our area, so now I have to go to another borough for banking because of the parking problems.

ETA: woke up to see a tornado alert on my phone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on September 13, 2022, 11:21:25 AM
Quote from: clean on September 11, 2022, 09:13:28 AM
Not to throw cold water on your hopes for a better government, but sometimes people (Im one!) vote Against someone rather than For someone.... So IF plenty of people are fed up with the current one, they may vote against him/her and be stuck with the next idiot.

Voting against is pretty common. And probably what's virtually universal is voting for the lesser of 2 (or more) evils. I've certainly never had a perfect candidate to vote for in my entire adult life.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 14, 2022, 11:24:34 AM
From TPTB today:

Professional Development Day - Fall 2022 - Full-Time Staff and Faculty - Tuesday, October 4, 8:30am.- 4:30pm. All virtual sessions.  All full-time employees will be asked to* spend Professional Development Day at one of the main campus locations.

So, not only do I lose a day of teaching for what are historically useless meetings, but I have to come to campus to watch them on my computer?  Um....no.

*In local parlance, "asked to" is read, "REQUIRED, or else have a damned good excuse and burn a sick day if you don't do it." I'll burn the sick day, but my excuse is my own and won't be shared, because they won't like it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 14, 2022, 11:28:07 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on September 14, 2022, 11:24:34 AM
From TPTB today:

Professional Development Day - Fall 2022 - Full-Time Staff and Faculty - Tuesday, October 4, 8:30am.- 4:30pm. All virtual sessions.  All full-time employees will be asked to* spend Professional Development Day at one of the main campus locations.

So, not only do I lose a day of teaching for what are historically useless meetings, but I have to come to campus to watch them on my computer?  Um....no.

*In local parlance, "asked to" is read, "REQUIRED, or else have a damned good excuse and burn a sick day if you don't do it." I'll burn the sick day, but my excuse is my own and won't be shared, because they won't like it.

Are you meant to be in your office? How would they know where you are? Is security going around and taking names?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 14, 2022, 12:41:42 PM
QuoteAre you meant to be in your office? How would they know where you are? Is security going around and taking names?

They dont need security to do it!  We had our own 3 days of 'required (useless, time sucking) meetings' in the days before school started.  The administration may or may not have kept attendance, but by God, the Faculty did!!   Where are X? Y? and Z??? 
And take a sick day??
Bullshit!  DOCK THEIR PAY is the refrain from faculty!  we have tons of sick days. They mean nothing!  Hell, if you are REALLY sick, you can not even take them!  After you take a minimum number in a semester, they ship you to disability! 
Dock their Pay!  THEN see who misses stupid meetings!  And THEN when we start complaining about the STUPID meetings, we hang the admincritter that called it! 
IF you call a meeting, and require attendance, it better BY GOD be damned important! 

(Fortunately, this is the Venting Thread!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 15, 2022, 07:28:21 AM
Deans (and their minions) take attendance for such events here. I missed a division midterm "pizza party" (what, are we in junior high?) noon meeting a couple of semesters ago, and I got a nasty email from the dean's secretary before 1:30 that day, asking if I had filled out my medical leave paperwork. (Uh, yeah, I sent it to you two weeks ahead of the meeting. Pull your head out of your backside and do your job, instead of hassling me.)

In other news, I went to a virtual meeting on sabbaticals yesterday; they've been reinstated after having been shut down for 8 years due to budget concerns. Having seen or heard nothing except that sabbaticals have returned (and that, only a short bullet point during August's service week), I waited til the end of the presentation and then asked what the schedule is for submission of proposals, reviews, and such. Final applications are due 10/3--two and a half weeks from now.  A heads-up would have been damned nice.  I'm going to put something together quickly and hope it gets approved because everyone else is similarly caught off-guard.  Still. . . it's going to be a cluster---.  Most of the questions yesterday were answered with, "I don't know," or, "I think they used to do it this way," largely because NONE of these admins running the show were in their current lofty positions the last time there were sabbaticals--and at least half of them weren't even working here back then.

There's a ton of institutional memory among the faculty, but virtually none among admin.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2022, 09:27:20 AM
Although it shouldn't be so rushed, I hope you can enjoy the sabbatical imagining that will go with the application.

Glad you have the opportunity at last.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 15, 2022, 09:29:51 AM
I don't envy the admins.  They're placing themselves in a no-win situation.  Eight years' worth of pent-up demand for sabbaticals is going to be dropped on them all at once because of this, and no matter which proposals they grant and how they make their decisions, all the disappointed applicants will come away furiously convinced that the admins' bungling did them out of what was rightfully theirs.  If they'd handled things better, at least some of the disappointment might go down easier.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 18, 2022, 09:04:21 AM
Once again, I post to remind people to back up your computers! 

Yesterday, I was working on my personal laptop and it died.  I spent the rest of the day dealing with what tested to be a hard disk failure.  My laptop is less than 2 years old.  In January, the hard drive was replaced under warranty.  It is now, Seven Months Later, needing to being replaced AGAIN!  (This is the 3rd hard disk failure in 2 years! from 2 different laptops).
Fortunately, I had backed up the computer 11 days ago.  More fortunately, late last night, I attempted to restart the computer again, and it did start, so I was able to copy the files again, and I also backed up bookmarks and passwords files. 

I purchased this HP from Costco.  Because Costco backs things for an additional year from purchase, I am able to get the hard disk replaced again.  Unfortunately, it has less than 120 days left on that warranty.  As I no longer have a lot of confidence in that machine, I am considering purchasing yet another computer.  Probably best to have a spare, I guess.  I have a portable hard drive, (and cd/dvd external drive).  I will probably 'update' to the solid state drives for memory, so that whatever is killing hard disks in my house, will no longer have anything to kill... and I am beginning to explore the option of some sort of Cloud Storage, so that I reduce the risk of losing even 11 days worth of computer work. 

I see that i can get Microsoft 365 (which Im not a fan of) which includes cloud storage sufficient to keep me happy.  (There is a free one, but I dont know if that is large enough... not sure yet).  As I noted, I prefer that Excel and Word be available on the computer. I dont like having to 'ask permission' to open files or log in or go through Teams (which I also do not care for)... I dont want to be REQUIRED to have internet access to work on my programs, but I would like the option to have the files updated more often, more automatically. 

Anyway! 
DO IT NOW!  BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 18, 2022, 10:36:06 AM
Oof, glad you could recover your work!

I've always stored everything either in Dropbox (which syncs to another computer at home) or OneDrive (which syncs to my work computer), so everything is always in three places at once (counting the cloud).  I find MS 365 very irritating--especially how it disabled aAutosave except to OneDrive, so I have to remember to keep manually saving anything I write that's not for work--but I do quite like how it integrates with Teams, so we can edit files on the app and then save them directly to a shared Teams folder, rather than constantly having to manually upload new versions. I'm still not sure, though, whether that kind of seamless integration across platforms is worth becoming shackled to a yearly subscription fee model, instead of buying software and owning it. I'm leaning towards not. At least the university pays for my MS365.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on September 18, 2022, 02:49:50 PM
Been using Dropbox for years and it's generally very dependable...except for that one time when it randomly deleted stuff (which I could then retrieve because, well, Dropbox).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 19, 2022, 04:51:55 AM
I felt that Dropbox was slowing down my machines and I also moved to Chromebooks. Now I work out of Google Drive.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on September 25, 2022, 09:56:27 AM
I've been a part of a coordinated effort by members of staff and NTT faculty to increase salaries. Some staff members have seen a slight increase, and there's been a decision to raise the starting salaries for NTT faculty. But when it comes to increasing salaries for current faculty, the answer from HR is "that's impossible to do with our system" and "we don't know how."

You mean to tell me that I can't get a raise -- that I'll essentially be paid less than someone who just started -- because you don't know how to pay me more?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on September 26, 2022, 02:53:34 AM
I was jolted out of bed at 2:00 this morning when a smoke/CO detector at the house where I'm caretaking decided it needed new batteries. It has two modes — silent and blaring — and if you just pull out the batteries, it screams "BATTERIES!" I put in new ones, but then couldn't get back to sleep, knowing that the alarm was set for 4:00. I have a full day of classes and meetings ahead of me, and I'm sure I'll be staggering around like a zombie. Grrr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 26, 2022, 07:32:05 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 26, 2022, 02:53:34 AM
I have a full day of classes and meetings ahead of me, and I'm sure I'll be staggering around like a zombie. Grrr.

Growling zombies are scary....

But seriously, sorry for the interruption of your sleep.  It has happened to me many times when alarms go off at the library in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, and I have to get up and get dressed and put my contacts in and go meet with the police.  A night like that does make the next day less unpleasant.  The good thing is you were able to get the problem fixed the first time!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on September 26, 2022, 07:41:29 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on September 25, 2022, 09:56:27 AM
I've been a part of a coordinated effort by members of staff and NTT faculty to increase salaries. Some staff members have seen a slight increase, and there's been a decision to raise the starting salaries for NTT faculty. But when it comes to increasing salaries for current faculty, the answer from HR is "that's impossible to do with our system" and "we don't know how."

You mean to tell me that I can't get a raise -- that I'll essentially be paid less than someone who just started -- because you don't know how to pay me more?

I smell BS. Just sayin'.

____

My own vent: Work computer access problems, for the second business day in a row, while my personal 2015 HP laptop continues to soldier along quite well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 27, 2022, 09:55:48 AM
As my Foot Fiasco has finally gotten resolved (still some soreness and middle of the night cramps, but overall, pretty much done), ALHS seems to have torn a tendon in his foot.  After a cortisone shot and brace and boot, our podiatrist ordered an MRI.

I was aggravated beyond words when the order was placed on a Thursday and ALHS got his test scheduled the next morning, to be done yesterday at 8 a.m.  (after it took me literally 4 months before Cigna would approve my MRI). He even asked the woman in scheduling if Cigna approved it--yes, they had, that same day it was scheduled.

You can probably see where this is going . . . .

In Monday's mail, ALHS received a letter from Cigna, saying they had reviewed the case and would NOT, in fact, pay for the MRI.

Good thing he got the letter in time to cancel the test, lest we be on the hook for the cost.  Now he's working with the doctor's office to battle Cigna. . . . just like I had to do all spring.

And I'm paying nearly $500/month out of pocket for my Cigna premiums (and the college is paying over $900 for both of us) WHY, again?

SIGH. I'm glad to have insurance, but I'm so tired of having to fight them for every blessed penny they pay out. And people wonder why people go into bankruptcy from medical bills, even when they have insurance?  I'm happy to answer that one.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 27, 2022, 05:46:40 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on September 27, 2022, 09:55:48 AM
As my Foot Fiasco has finally gotten resolved (still some soreness and middle of the night cramps, but overall, pretty much done), ALHS seems to have torn a tendon in his foot.  After a cortisone shot and brace and boot, our podiatrist ordered an MRI.

I was aggravated beyond words when the order was placed on a Thursday and ALHS got his test scheduled the next morning, to be done yesterday at 8 a.m.  (after it took me literally 4 months before Cigna would approve my MRI). He even asked the woman in scheduling if Cigna approved it--yes, they had, that same day it was scheduled.

You can probably see where this is going . . . .

In Monday's mail, ALHS received a letter from Cigna, saying they had reviewed the case and would NOT, in fact, pay for the MRI.

Good thing he got the letter in time to cancel the test, lest we be on the hook for the cost.  Now he's working with the doctor's office to battle Cigna. . . . just like I had to do all spring.

And I'm paying nearly $500/month out of pocket for my Cigna premiums (and the college is paying over $900 for both of us) WHY, again?

SIGH. I'm glad to have insurance, but I'm so tired of having to fight them for every blessed penny they pay out. And people wonder why people go into bankruptcy from medical bills, even when they have insurance?  I'm happy to answer that one.

Damn. So, they approved it and then changed their minds? Health insurance is such a scam. It's ridiculous that some people have to worry about whether they can afford to be sick.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 27, 2022, 06:44:42 PM
The child does not wish to interact with you. Leave him alone, already. You are not getting him ready to play with other kids.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on September 28, 2022, 10:07:52 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 27, 2022, 05:46:40 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on September 27, 2022, 09:55:48 AM
As my Foot Fiasco has finally gotten resolved (still some soreness and middle of the night cramps, but overall, pretty much done), ALHS seems to have torn a tendon in his foot.  After a cortisone shot and brace and boot, our podiatrist ordered an MRI.

I was aggravated beyond words when the order was placed on a Thursday and ALHS got his test scheduled the next morning, to be done yesterday at 8 a.m.  (after it took me literally 4 months before Cigna would approve my MRI). He even asked the woman in scheduling if Cigna approved it--yes, they had, that same day it was scheduled.

You can probably see where this is going . . . .

In Monday's mail, ALHS received a letter from Cigna, saying they had reviewed the case and would NOT, in fact, pay for the MRI.

Good thing he got the letter in time to cancel the test, lest we be on the hook for the cost.  Now he's working with the doctor's office to battle Cigna. . . . just like I had to do all spring.

And I'm paying nearly $500/month out of pocket for my Cigna premiums (and the college is paying over $900 for both of us) WHY, again?

SIGH. I'm glad to have insurance, but I'm so tired of having to fight them for every blessed penny they pay out. And people wonder why people go into bankruptcy from medical bills, even when they have insurance?  I'm happy to answer that one.

Damn. So, they approved it and then changed their minds? Health insurance is such a scam. It's ridiculous that some people have to worry about whether they can afford to be sick.

Universal. Healthcare. Now.

My vent: I want to test the idea that a large group of politicians all talking at once could blow typhoons and hurricanes off course. Unfortunately, it might cost too much to be viable, given some people's inflated (you see what I did there?) conceptualization of their labor's value. :sad trombone:
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on September 28, 2022, 10:54:08 AM
We have a new crop of HR staff at my school, most of them straight out of college, so they're encountering the divide between theory and practice. They've just sent out a campus-wide directive for all employees to fill out a work grid saying in what locations we work and what we do every hour of the week. Faculty are irate, deans are rolling their eyes, and the provost is gobsmacked. Morale has already been low, and short-sighted, draconian decrees and wastes of time like this are not helping!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on September 28, 2022, 11:11:42 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 28, 2022, 10:54:08 AM
We have a new crop of HR staff at my school, most of them straight out of college, so they're encountering the divide between theory and practice. They've just sent out a campus-wide directive for all employees to fill out a work grid saying in what locations we work and what we do every hour of the week. Faculty are irate, deans are rolling their eyes, and the provost is gobsmacked. Morale has already been low, and short-sighted, draconian decrees and wastes of time like this are not helping!

Isn't there some more experienced boss in your HR?
It would be fun to fill out a work grid for each other. You could say what the deans are really doing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 28, 2022, 11:20:48 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 28, 2022, 10:54:08 AM
We have a new crop of HR staff at my school, most of them straight out of college, so they're encountering the divide between theory and practice. They've just sent out a campus-wide directive for all employees to fill out a work grid saying in what locations we work and what we do every hour of the week. Faculty are irate, deans are rolling their eyes, and the provost is gobsmacked. Morale has already been low, and short-sighted, draconian decrees and wastes of time like this are not helping!

Wow.

My vent: I filled out the forms to renew my passport today. It took like five tries. First I used the wrong color ink. Then I put my first name in the box for my last name. Then I accidentally printed out the fourth form double-sided, when it needed to be single-sided. Then I got a digit of my post code wrong. By the last time, I realized I could have written my phone number more neatly, but I was DONE. Paid the fees, mailed it off. Let's hope it works.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on September 28, 2022, 01:21:45 PM
Just so I won't screw up, is black the correct color ink?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on September 28, 2022, 01:41:54 PM
Quote from: ergative on September 28, 2022, 11:20:48 AM
My vent: I filled out the forms to renew my passport today. It took like five tries. First I used the wrong color ink. Then I put my first name in the box for my last name. Then I accidentally printed out the fourth form double-sided, when it needed to be single-sided. Then I got a digit of my post code wrong. By the last time, I realized I could have written my phone number more neatly, but I was DONE. Paid the fees, mailed it off. Let's hope it works.

When I lived in Canada, I was disappointed to learn that I needed to mail my (USA) passport renewal material to the same USA Post Office Box as I would if I were in the States. No consulate office for me. Rather, I had to find a photographer that could translate the US requirements for photo size (listed in inches, of course) for the photographs and then trust Canada Post not to lose the outbound and inbound mailings.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on September 28, 2022, 02:19:54 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 28, 2022, 10:54:08 AM
We have a new crop of HR staff at my school, most of them straight out of college, so they're encountering the divide between theory and practice. They've just sent out a campus-wide directive for all employees to fill out a work grid saying in what locations we work and what we do every hour of the week. Faculty are irate, deans are rolling their eyes, and the provost is gobsmacked. Morale has already been low, and short-sighted, draconian decrees and wastes of time like this are not helping!

Yikes! 

I'd be tempted to:
1) ignore this nonsense
2) if required, put in big boxes that say things like "research time", "teaching preparation", "meetings", etc.
3) if required by hour, I'd sneak in obviously snarky weird things like "hiding in office", "missing", "doing pointless tasks for HR", etc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on September 28, 2022, 02:56:04 PM
Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 28, 2022, 01:21:45 PM
Just so I won't screw up, is black the correct color ink?

In my case, yes. It's funny--five or ten years ago it was always blue OR black ink for official documents, and I got into some trouble with someone telling me I needed to send an original document, not a photocopy, when I had sent an original document filled out in black, so I guess it looked like a photocopy. So I've since then gotten in the habit of using blue ink for official documents, and that led me astray today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on September 29, 2022, 05:59:35 PM
I need a pair of comfy work shoes so that my legs and feet are hurting at the end of the day. I think I've settled for athletic shoes (Kurus), but I miss wearing "dressier" shoes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 29, 2022, 07:04:51 PM
I'm looking for something at my mother's house. I know for a fact it's there (not thrown out, etc.), yet it eludes me. Grrr.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on September 30, 2022, 04:01:35 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 29, 2022, 07:04:51 PM
I'm looking for something at my mother's house. I know for a fact it's there (not thrown out, etc.), yet it eludes me. Grrr.


I recommend starting to search for something else. Then you'll be tripping over the first item. Subsection G of Murphy's Law.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 30, 2022, 02:58:35 PM
QuoteI'm looking for something at my mother's house. I know for a fact it's there (not thrown out, etc.), yet it eludes me. Grrr.


I recommend starting to search for something else. Then you'll be tripping over the first item. Subsection G of Murphy's Law.

Buy another one on EBay and as soon as you pay for it, you will find the one you are looking for!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 30, 2022, 08:10:09 PM
Hehe.

I found it by tossing out a pile of old papers and junk. Whew! Replacing it would have been... well, extremely costly. (Not that it's of use as anything but a collectible.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 01, 2022, 08:58:57 AM
People! You cannot merge onto a busy interstate going 30 miles an hour. You're going to get us all killed one of these days.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 07, 2022, 05:35:07 AM
Whelp. Now an even bigger whackjob is in charge of Alberta. Uuuuugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 07, 2022, 10:14:32 AM
This makes nine straight days that we haven't received anything on our paid-for daily New York Times print subscription.  Wall Street Journal is never more than a day or two out.  It really makes it look like NYT's journalists hold those of us in flyover country in disdain.  Not a good way to treat people who are at least open-minded enough to read what you have to say.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on October 08, 2022, 03:38:32 PM
Quote from: apl68 on October 07, 2022, 10:14:32 AM
This makes nine straight days that we haven't received anything on our paid-for daily New York Times print subscription.  Wall Street Journal is never more than a day or two out.  It really makes it look like NYT's journalists hold those of us in flyover country in disdain.  Not a good way to treat people who are at least open-minded enough to read what you have to say.

We are 85 miles from NY on a major interstate. The delivery person here has always been unreliable, and now I get just the Sunday paper—on Sunday afternoon. Saturday apparently is not the weekend. I complained a year ago to customer service, then set the delivery to "away," and hoped when it resumed 6 months later things would improve. Nope, now they are worse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: glowdart on October 08, 2022, 07:49:42 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 28, 2022, 10:54:08 AM
We have a new crop of HR staff at my school, most of them straight out of college, so they're encountering the divide between theory and practice. They've just sent out a campus-wide directive for all employees to fill out a work grid saying in what locations we work and what we do every hour of the week. Faculty are irate, deans are rolling their eyes, and the provost is gobsmacked. Morale has already been low, and short-sighted, draconian decrees and wastes of time like this are not helping!

Well bless their hearts.

I'd be so tempted to fill it out accurately at 60+ hours per week to see if they accidentally up my salaried pay at the hourly "rate" they currently use for my supposedly 35 hour week.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 09, 2022, 08:57:34 AM
A little "malicious compliance," hunh?

;--}

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 09, 2022, 10:02:42 AM
Quote from: Harlow2 on October 08, 2022, 03:38:32 PM
Quote from: apl68 on October 07, 2022, 10:14:32 AM
This makes nine straight days that we haven't received anything on our paid-for daily New York Times print subscription.  Wall Street Journal is never more than a day or two out.  It really makes it look like NYT's journalists hold those of us in flyover country in disdain.  Not a good way to treat people who are at least open-minded enough to read what you have to say.

We are 85 miles from NY on a major interstate. The delivery person here has always been unreliable, and now I get just the Sunday paper—on Sunday afternoon. Saturday apparently is not the weekend. I complained a year ago to customer service, then set the delivery to "away," and hoped when it resumed 6 months later things would improve. Nope, now they are worse.

Ha! Long story, read only if you've had problems with NYT subscriptions/home delivery.

I have the weekend subscription and used to get the paper, especially on Fridays before 7, because the neighbor who shares the front door to the house would bring it in as she was leaving for school. A few years later the Friday paper would arrive much later than 7, but before 8. Then two or three years before the pandemic, the paper would be late on all three days. I would complain sporadically, pointing out that an increase in the subscription price automatically resulted in further delays with the delivery time. I let things ride during the pandemic, but last year, after another rate increase, started reporting the paper as missing or late, and also calling Customer Service. The paper would also be delivered on weekends when I had suspended the delivery. After repeated deliveries when I was away--Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break come to mind--I once again called Customer Service to point out that delivering papers during suspension periods was a safety issue and needed to be addressed. I was then assigned a Customer Service Representative all to myself, whose job it was to take care of the late deliveries (well after noon) and also to make sure that the paper was not delivered when I was away. To make matters worse, the delivery person confronted my neighbor (husband of the neighbor who would bring the paper in on her way to school) thinking he was me, and asked him why he was complaining about the time the paper was delivered because he, the customer, got the paper. I immediately contacted Customer Service, and also told them that I was suspending delivery until after Labor Day so that they could address the problems of late delivery, delivery during suspensions, and what was worse, the delivery person confronting the customer instead of their supervisor. This was in April.

Now, the paper is delivered before 7 (neighbor brings it in and leaves it outside my front door) on Fridays, and before 8 during the weekend. This morning, when I left around 7:35, the paper had already been brought in.

Here comes the hilarious part. During weekends, I get an email from the NY Times advising me that the paper might be late, but no later than 9:30 or 10. On every single occasion, the paper has been delivered before 7:30 or 8 AM. Today for instance I saw the paper around 7:35, only to read the email sent around 8:15 advising me that the paper could be delayed after getting back home.

My advice to you both--complain, complain, complain! Keep meticulous records. The NYT is a business and needs to uphold its end of the contract with the customer, which is to deliver the newspaper by a certain time.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on October 09, 2022, 03:32:20 PM
I have a stack of library cards for libraries that I don't visit very often, but I do visit, even if years between visits. For these libraries, every time, I have to renew my card because I've been away for so long, and that's when I have to produce my government-issued ID like a drivers license or passport. This leads me to ask, why don't they just let me check out books using my government-issued ID, so I don't have to go renew the damn card every time. For some university libraries that I visit, where I have a guest account, I have to go to a whole separate building across campus to renew my library card, then come back to the library. I mean seriously. It's 2022.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 09, 2022, 04:40:04 PM
Quote from: lightning on October 09, 2022, 03:32:20 PM
I have a stack of library cards for libraries that I don't visit very often, but I do visit, even if years between visits. For these libraries, every time, I have to renew my card because I've been away for so long, and that's when I have to produce my government-issued ID like a drivers license or passport. This leads me to ask, why don't they just let me check out books using my government-issued ID, so I don't have to go renew the damn card every time. For some university libraries that I visit, where I have a guest account, I have to go to a whole separate building across campus to renew my library card, then come back to the library. I mean seriously. It's 2022.

At least they just want ID.

Sixteen of the 35 cards I have require letters of recommendation, proof of scholastic activity, and the proper visa-stamped passport entries.

Assembling all those for a trip means getting letterhead support letters, pre-filled online applications, filled out before arrival, and an email to the chief librarian stating the books you'll want to see and the dates you'll be there.

French train strikes, government workers' work slow-downs, and other fun things can also play havoc with your schedule,  meaning you have to try to reach them en route to re-book.

One library here has a setting like yours, though; registration is in the main library building,  half-a-block away from the archives, and lines are often long.

But at least some of the overseas places do have a 'memory' of one's past visits, and will scan and keep your previous documents on file, to prove you're you, even though you still have to supply updated ones.

One has to plan 1-2 hours' administrative stuff before seeing the books you came to see...and woe betide you if you get there just before the 2-hour lunch break....

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: MarathonRunner on October 10, 2022, 12:16:14 PM
Co-author, please, please send me your ORCID and sign the publishing rights form, otherwise this paper we've been working on for over a year, that has now been accepted, will never get published. Please, please sign the form and send me your ORCID!

(Honestly, what do people do when a co-author stops responding to any emails?)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 10, 2022, 01:09:07 PM
It's a little disconcerting to hear the same dance-history misinformation time after time, even among those who are supposed to be dance professionals...

Just sat through an otherwise interesting international Zoom program for researchers, teachers, etc; some very worthwhile stuff and some just...ummm....maddening.

Onwards and upwards.

M.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on October 10, 2022, 04:11:11 PM
Quote from: MarathonRunner on October 10, 2022, 12:16:14 PM
Co-author, please, please send me your ORCID and sign the publishing rights form, otherwise this paper we've been working on for over a year, that has now been accepted, will never get published. Please, please sign the form and send me your ORCID!

(Honestly, what do people do when a co-author stops responding to any emails?)

Have you tried calling? A lot of faculty's email inboxes are complete horror shows thousands of emails deep.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on October 11, 2022, 07:20:22 AM
My grad student has a really bad habit of wanting to tell you how long anything she did took for her to complete. That experiment took 8 hours! It's really annoying an immature. And she has ignored my polite statements in the past to not make these type of comments.
   Honey, no one cares. Or rather, yes the experiments take a long time, but so do everyone else's. That's the way science research works. You just keep going until you have a result to report.  The folks who make it are the ones willing to do the work without all the extra commentary about how haaard it is!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on October 11, 2022, 07:59:57 AM
My left knee has had arthritis related issues all since December of last year.  Surgery is not recommended. Several rounds of steroid treatment (oral, shot only one time) later, I found a super physiotherapist who brought me great improvement in functionality and less pain.
Now the other knee that had been just fine is acting up instead! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: MarathonRunner on October 11, 2022, 11:45:20 AM
Quote from: Puget on October 10, 2022, 04:11:11 PM
Quote from: MarathonRunner on October 10, 2022, 12:16:14 PM
Co-author, please, please send me your ORCID and sign the publishing rights form, otherwise this paper we've been working on for over a year, that has now been accepted, will never get published. Please, please sign the form and send me your ORCID!

(Honestly, what do people do when a co-author stops responding to any emails?)

Have you tried calling? A lot of faculty's email inboxes are complete horror shows thousands of emails deep.

Sadly don't have a phone number for this person and can't find one. I've reached out to others who have previously worked with them, in hopes of getting some kind of contact info beyond email.

I understand the full mailboxes, as my supervisor has one!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 11, 2022, 01:48:23 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on October 11, 2022, 07:20:22 AM
My grad student has a really bad habit of wanting to tell you how long anything she did took for her to complete. That experiment took 8 hours! It's really annoying an immature. And she has ignored my polite statements in the past to not make these type of comments.
   Honey, no one cares. Or rather, yes the experiments take a long time, but so do everyone else's. That's the way science research works. You just keep going until you have a result to report.  The folks who make it are the ones willing to do the work without all the extra commentary about how haaard it is!

Might be time to have a chat about time management and expectations.  Yes, some experiments will take you 8+ hours to complete.  That's why you should start them earlier in the day or be prepared to stay late or to leave and come back.  Or plan out so that you can set up one day and continue the next.  Lots of protocols have built-in "stopping points" where you can freeze/incubate/refrigerate overnight and start again the next day.
Or you could just wax eloquent about how in the "bad old days" ligation reactions were overnight, there was no such thing as "heat-inactivated phosphatase enzyme, PCR reaction needed 1:00 per kb minimum, etc. etc.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 11, 2022, 03:23:34 PM
Poor babies....times are so tough.

I'm picturing labs in the 70s with beanbag chairs for people to nap in in the offices....they didn't want to go back to their dorms at midnight or 3:30 AM, since they'd just have to come back a few hours later to feed their cells again....

I also know of at least one lab worker who was coming into feed cells in a pharma lab into the 90s like that...

So, it takes all kinds, apparently.

M.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on October 11, 2022, 05:24:11 PM
Forget the olden days. I was doing tritium proliferation time course assays that involved overnight sampling every 2-3 hours in 2005! And most all my experiments as a postdoc required me to start the cultures at midnight to be ready for harvest at 9am.
Radioactivity at 3am is so much fun.
   If she were only complaining about the lab experiments, it would be one thing. But today she really wanted me to know that she spent 8 hours working on her poster for a conference! This was before I gave her two pages+ worth of editorial notes of things to fix. It will need likely another 8 hours of work before it's ready for public viewing.

The entire color scheme was Barbie pink! Shudder.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on October 12, 2022, 05:49:52 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on October 11, 2022, 05:24:11 PM

The entire color scheme was Barbie pink! Shudder.

Ugh.  Jigglypuff (https://www.deviantart.com/coach-justice/art/Angry-Jigglypuff-198480357) pink is much more appropriate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 12, 2022, 07:14:50 AM
Meh, color themes are an easy change.  I'd be more worried that they spent 8 hours on a poster and it's not close to acceptable.
Did you give them a template and a few examples to consider? Draft out the key figures and sections together?  Might need to tell them to write out the important information in just a text file or slide deck, then worry about making it into a visual display (aka poster)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on October 12, 2022, 01:03:17 PM
Oh yes, Geneticist, she's been provided with all that and more. And she has been putting together good lab presentation PowerPoints for over 2 years. It really should not be that hard to then move the data into a poster format.  I think she's looking for gold stars every time she reports how long things take to do.

I think a big part of this is a deep realization that research science is not a good fit for her. But I'm not sure that she has consciously accepted that yet. If she could, then we could really talk about alternatives that better serve her strengths.

As for the color- she seemed offended that I said I had a hard time reading the poster given the eye searing pink.  Maybe she doesn't want anyone to read her poster? And you are not allowed to change the color scheme on the university logo!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on October 12, 2022, 06:06:04 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on October 12, 2022, 01:03:17 PM
Oh yes, Geneticist, she's been provided with all that and more. And she has been putting together good lab presentation PowerPoints for over 2 years. It really should not be that hard to then move the data into a poster format.  I think she's looking for gold stars every time she reports how long things take to do.

I think a big part of this is a deep realization that research science is not a good fit for her. But I'm not sure that she has consciously accepted that yet. If she could, then we could really talk about alternatives that better serve her strengths.

As for the color- she seemed offended that I said I had a hard time reading the poster given the eye searing pink.  Maybe she doesn't want anyone to read her poster? And you are not allowed to change the color scheme on the university logo!

Yep to the bolder part. I know this is the venting thread and you may not need/want advice, but for anyone playing along at home who ends up with such a student, I have found it helpful to get them to reflect on what they have discovered they like and don't like about what they've been doing in grad school, and use that to start a conversation about what kinds of jobs might have more of the stuff they like and less of the stuff they don't like. I try to make sure they hear from day 1 that an academic career not being a good fit is not a failure, and I support them to the best of my ability in whatever path they decide to take.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on October 13, 2022, 05:02:03 AM
Quote from: Puget on October 12, 2022, 06:06:04 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on October 12, 2022, 01:03:17 PM
Oh yes, Geneticist, she's been provided with all that and more. And she has been putting together good lab presentation PowerPoints for over 2 years. It really should not be that hard to then move the data into a poster format.  I think she's looking for gold stars every time she reports how long things take to do.

I think a big part of this is a deep realization that research science is not a good fit for her. But I'm not sure that she has consciously accepted that yet. If she could, then we could really talk about alternatives that better serve her strengths.

As for the color- she seemed offended that I said I had a hard time reading the poster given the eye searing pink.  Maybe she doesn't want anyone to read her poster? And you are not allowed to change the color scheme on the university logo!

Yep to the bolder part. I know this is the venting thread and you may not need/want advice, but for anyone playing along at home who ends up with such a student, I have found it helpful to get them to reflect on what they have discovered they like and don't like about what they've been doing in grad school, and use that to start a conversation about what kinds of jobs might have more of the stuff they like and less of the stuff they don't like. I try to make sure they hear from day 1 that an academic career not being a good fit is not a failure, and I support them to the best of my ability in whatever path they decide to take.

I was one of those who realized while doing a Master's that I didn't eat, sleep, and breathe research, so I didn't go on to a PhD. I've never regretted my choice, and now that I am responsible for labs, I am working in academia, all teaching, with no research. A very good fit for me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on October 13, 2022, 06:58:28 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on October 12, 2022, 01:03:17 PM
Oh yes, Geneticist, she's been provided with all that and more. And she has been putting together good lab presentation PowerPoints for over 2 years. It really should not be that hard to then move the data into a poster format.  I think she's looking for gold stars every time she reports how long things take to do.

I think a big part of this is a deep realization that research science is not a good fit for her. But I'm not sure that she has consciously accepted that yet. If she could, then we could really talk about alternatives that better serve her strengths.

As for the color- she seemed offended that I said I had a hard time reading the poster given the eye searing pink.  Maybe she doesn't want anyone to read her poster? And you are not allowed to change the color scheme on the university logo!

Your student sounds very vent-worthy.

It's a shock to some students that it's the results that matter now.  Saying "this took me X hours" doesn't mean anything if the product isn't acceptable.

Ironically, she's probably get a LOT of folks coming over to see the eye-searing pink poster. As in "Who approved that dreadful color choice? Did the printshop screw it up?"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on October 13, 2022, 07:30:36 AM
I vetoed the Pink. I'll keep you all posted on what new color scheme she selects. She's a Master's student so now is a great time to realize that a research career is not for her. My previous grad student now works in diagnostics at the department of health. She was hired to help with the Covid tests and now has moved on more interesting things. Something like that, with defined shifts, and the comfort of only doing a few types of tests would be a much better fit.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 13, 2022, 12:15:55 PM
And now, for something completely different from the pink poster (the object, not an individual).

So I'm at the vaccine site at one of the branches of the hospital conglomerate. The receptionist verifies that I have an appointment, I check in on the screen and sit down in the main waiting area. A family comes in with a child, the child unmasked, exhibiting visible flu-like symptoms of sneezing and coughing (continuous, not intermittent), and sits down in the same small reception area, waiting to be tested for Covid. My stress levels are through the roof as I had not expected to be exposed to what could have been Covid while waiting for a booster. The receptionist to whom I complain assures me that they would be called in soon, so I don't have to worry. Not only is this a facility that requires masks, but also asks patients to cancel appointments if they are exhibiting symptoms of Covid.

Part II (in the very small waiting area for the vaccine)
There were 6 occupied chairs for people waiting for their shots. The spacing wouldn't have been a problem for a short waiting period, but we had to wait for more than half an hour to be seen because there was only a single nurse instead of at least three who were in adjoining cubicles during my first booster appointment. People were tired of waiting--one of them was here on her break and needed to get back--so they walked into the cubicle as soon as the previous occupant left without waiting to be called. I did the same because the facility didn't seem to observe the most basic Covid protocols, so it seemed to be in my best interests to minimize the time I spent in the waiting area. The only nurse who was administering the shots hadn't been able to use the restroom for at least 6 hours, so I told her to take as much time as she wanted and also pointed out that the facility should have more nurses to take care of the people who had made appointments for their shots.


Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2022, 01:18:14 PM
Langue_doc:

That is disconcerting!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on October 13, 2022, 02:18:34 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2022, 01:18:14 PM
Langue_doc:

That is disconcerting!

Yes.  Holy cow! I am really surprised that this level of disorganization is going on this far into things.  Is there some difference now (other than laxer attitudes)? Hopefully they didn't ask the usual question about whether you had recently been exposed to covid.  What a $hitshow.  I feel for that nurse as well.  Seems like some changes need to be made, like right now. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on October 13, 2022, 02:32:12 PM
After prepping all AM for what turned out to be a worthwhile but wacky online conference, and listening to about half of the J-6 committee presentations, I'm tired.

Guess who is now transcribing a German patter song for a voice student because apparently the sheet music exists nowhere in the universe?

At least he will appreciate it. He's a good kid, hence the extra bit of work for him.

I can sleep after.

M.

ETA: Transcription done. Time for a quick bite pre-lesson. I might survive...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 13, 2022, 02:39:51 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on October 13, 2022, 02:18:34 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2022, 01:18:14 PM
Langue_doc:

That is disconcerting!

Yes.  Holy cow! I am really surprised that this level of disorganization is going on this far into things.  Is there some difference now (other than laxer attitudes)? Hopefully they didn't ask the usual question about whether you had recently been exposed to covid.  What a $hitshow.  I feel for that nurse as well.  Seems like some changes need to be made, like right now.

Thanks, EPW and ab_grp. I will be writing to my PCP, who is affiliated with this conglomerate, and asking him to forward my letter to the appropriate people. Most of their hospitals and clinics are quite efficient. I chose this one because there were no convenient slots at the location where I got the first two shots nor at the one where I got the second booster. I'm just waiting for my mind to clear before composing the letter.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on October 13, 2022, 04:10:17 PM
Unrelated.

You son of a bitch bean counter. I hope karma bites you in the ass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 27, 2022, 05:58:10 AM
This goes beyond a vent--I just voted; not only did I have to hold my nose, but also suppress my gag reflex.

On the bright side, I didn't have to stand in line at a polling site.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 27, 2022, 08:18:52 AM
I have a metric shit-ton-and-a-half of grading to do. 

Yet I've spent this morning, NOT grading, but instead, filing a student behavior complaint against an asshat in an online class whose response to my notification that his rough draft was fully plagiarized verbatim was to send me an incoherent, angry, and threatening email to me.  The opening phrase was, "You better not talk to me that way. . ." and went off the rails from there.

This, in St. Louis, where the cops and FBI are crawling all over every K-college institution, chasing down random threats against schools, and screaming from the rooftops that if you see something, you need to say something. And seriously--you're going to send something like that?

Oh, please. This guy picked the wrong one (on the wrong day) to pull this crap with.  I guess the good news is, I'll have a campus cop and a county cop outside my door when I teach at 11 (since my campus and this area have a record of high crime and gun violence, not to mention that the whole blessed region is still one giant raw nerve). 

And my grading didn't do itself in the meantime.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on October 27, 2022, 09:23:39 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on October 27, 2022, 08:18:52 AM
I have a metric shit-ton-and-a-half of grading to do. 

Yet I've spent this morning, NOT grading, but instead, filing a student behavior complaint against an asshat in an online class whose response to my notification that his rough draft was fully plagiarized verbatim was to send me an incoherent, angry, and threatening email to me.  The opening phrase was, "You better not talk to me that way. . ." and went off the rails from there.

This, in St. Louis, where the cops and FBI are crawling all over every K-college institution, chasing down random threats against schools, and screaming from the rooftops that if you see something, you need to say something. And seriously--you're going to send something like that?

Oh, please. This guy picked the wrong one (on the wrong day) to pull this crap with.  I guess the good news is, I'll have a campus cop and a county cop outside my door when I teach at 11 (since my campus and this area have a record of high crime and gun violence, not to mention that the whole blessed region is still one giant raw nerve). 

And my grading didn't do itself in the meantime.

Goodness, AmLitHist! 
That sounds scary and unnerving.  I hate to think that there is a right day and right person for anyone to vent these threats at.
I am glad you will have a campus and county cop response, though it's awful that the situation needs such.
Hope it all turns out that this student, having blown off steam, leaves it at that, though the mental violence is done.
Grading can really take a back seat for now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on October 27, 2022, 10:04:41 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on October 27, 2022, 05:58:10 AM
This goes beyond a vent--I just voted; not only did I have to hold my nose, but also suppress my gag reflex.

On the bright side, I didn't have to stand in line at a polling site.

Now you have me wondering which way you went.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on October 27, 2022, 03:54:31 PM
Quoteet I've spent this morning, NOT grading, but instead, filing a student behavior complaint against an asshat in an online class whose response to my notification that his rough draft was fully plagiarized verbatim was to send me an incoherent, angry, and threatening email to me.  The opening phrase was, "You better not talk to me that way. . ." and went off the rails from there.

Good for you!  Here, we can make a recommendation that includes Expulsion. That would be extreme, but threats would certainly make that resolution less so, and it may have included a ban from campus... if the student  steps foot on campus they are arrested. 

So I hope that this is taken seriously by your university Dean of Student's office. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on October 27, 2022, 06:25:44 PM
Quote from: downer on October 27, 2022, 10:04:41 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on October 27, 2022, 05:58:10 AM
This goes beyond a vent--I just voted; not only did I have to hold my nose, but also suppress my gag reflex.

On the bright side, I didn't have to stand in line at a polling site.

Now you have me wondering which way you went.

Ha! I knew who I was voting for as well as against even before I got the absentee ballot. Of the major players, at both the state and federal levels, there was only one who was corruption/scandal free, so there wasn't much of a choice.

If you live in the city, you're probably aware of the issues and also the articles and editorials in the NYT and the Daily News.

Here's the latest from NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/nyregion/hochul-governor-zeldin-democratic.html

The Daily News appears to remain non-committal: https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-hochul-zeldin-debate-20221027-qsrtfmmrcvhs3luaw6i67q7umy-story.html
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 30, 2022, 07:50:47 AM
People! Halloween is not a federal holiday! We will have class! WTF?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on October 30, 2022, 01:20:50 PM
I read something online with the headline "What is open on Halloween" and laughed out loud. I kid you not.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hmaria1609 on October 30, 2022, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: jimbogumbo on October 30, 2022, 01:20:50 PM
I read something online with the headline "What is open on Halloween" and laughed out loud. I kid you not.
Here are some food related deals and discounts:
https://wtop.com/food-restaurant/2022/10/halloween-giveaways-and-discounts-around-the-dc-area/ (https://wtop.com/food-restaurant/2022/10/halloween-giveaways-and-discounts-around-the-dc-area/)
*Grins*
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on October 31, 2022, 12:29:26 AM
Various misaligned clock changes across international boundaries meant that I missed a scheduled weekly zoom with my Grandma.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on November 01, 2022, 09:03:37 AM
First, My alarm clock decided that last night was the end of DST. So I overslept and was almost late for my morning meeting.
      Now I have spent the last 30+ minutes trying and failing to get a batch of photos moved off my phone and my google photos account and transferred into the google drive folder for the event organizers. There seems to be no easy way to do this, and when I download them them onto by computer than then upload them into the drive, they no longer open. GRRR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 01, 2022, 10:33:27 AM
There's a workaround for that . Can't recall it now, but search for "Google photos stuck" and follow the instructions.

Google wants to rule your life.

After you're clear, there's a way to disconnect them from Google in your phone's Settings menu.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on November 03, 2022, 03:06:12 PM
Sat with phone beside me for over four hours today waiting for a telehealth visit. Call after 45 minutes, told they are probably running late. Just called again, told I was listed as a no show. Said I should have received multiple calls/texts. I said but nay, while trying to hold my temper. Was told "I really don't know what to say" by receptionist. I say please connect me to someone who CAN say, still under control. Get the we'll call you back within 48 business hours message.

Not a happy camper.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 05, 2022, 11:17:12 AM
Amazon Music can bite me.  (Yes, yes, I know about the evils of Amazon.  When I can afford my ethics, I'll stop using Amazon.)

They added millions of "free" songs to Prime Music, but now you can't choose which song you want to hear--everything is on shuffle.  I changed over to Jango yesterday.

My main use of music, outside of Sirius XM in my car, is to play in Teams starting at 15 minutes before the class meeting begins.

I should cross-reference this with First World Problems.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 05, 2022, 02:47:09 PM
A new arrival asked, online, about winter here. I said it was mild.

Someone else responded thusly:

QuoteNot particularly cold or snowy? Lol...you haven't lived here long have you. [We have] several microclimates all over the [area]. I've had over a foot of snow on my deck nearly every single year since we moved here 13 years ago. I've lost power for close 48 hours and a countless other times at over 12 hours. Multiple years we ran out of places to pile the snow we cleared


I've bolded the funny bits.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dr_evil on November 08, 2022, 12:30:29 PM
Really, cats! My teaching/work headphones?! The ones with the nice microphone so students can hear me on Zoom? Those are what you choose to chew on. I was gone for maybe five minutes. Clearly you hate me, or the universe hates me, or something...there's definitely some hate going on. Like my hate of cats, it's back.

As if things haven't driven me nuts enough this semester - hospital visits, complaining students, doctor visits, people bugging me for all kinds of information, students failing.  Stop the earth! I'm ready to get off.


I have a serious yoga/meditation session planned for later today. I just hope it helps.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 08, 2022, 08:53:37 PM
I work with idiots and assholes. 

How much longer can I tolerate this?

My preliminary retirement date is in 783 days. That is not a promise; I could envision that I would work an additional 18 months or so after that.  Beyond that, though, I can fathom it, but it is not (as I sit here today) really something I can seriously consider.  I qualify for health care in retirement in 529 days!  After the week Ive had with these people, I wonder IF I can make it even that many days!
(AS I did NOT win the Big Draw last night - interthread alert- it makes it easier to make it that many days, though!  )

IF this week's lunacy continues, though, it will be easier to leave!
(and Im sure that they wont miss me either!!) 

It has been a while since I checked my count down timers and really asked, "can I make it?"  This is one of those weeks, though. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ergative on November 08, 2022, 11:43:44 PM
Quote from: clean on November 08, 2022, 08:53:37 PM
I work with idiots and assholes. 

How much longer can I tolerate this?

My preliminary retirement date is in 783 days. That is not a promise; I could envision that I would work an additional 18 months or so after that.  Beyond that, though, I can fathom it, but it is not (as I sit here today) really something I can seriously consider.  I qualify for health care in retirement in 529 days!  After the week Ive had with these people, I wonder IF I can make it even that many days!
(AS I did NOT win the Big Draw last night - interthread alert- it makes it easier to make it that many days, though!  )

IF this week's lunacy continues, though, it will be easier to leave!
(and Im sure that they wont miss me either!!) 

It has been a while since I checked my count down timers and really asked, "can I make it?"  This is one of those weeks, though.

Sympathy, clean. But be careful about counting down days to retirement where anyone can here you. Nothing good comes of that. (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Retirony)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 09, 2022, 03:23:59 AM
QuoteBut be careful about counting down days to retirement where anyone can here you.

You are right.
Not because I might die in the days before, but because I want it to be a surprise, to some extent, but also because I may get screwed otherwise.
"He applied for 'development leave'?  Dont waste it on him, he is counting down the days to retirement, and is looking for a paid year off to practice retirement" (which would be true). "Give it to the newer gal who might be here longer" (though she is looking to have the time off so that she can find out what part of the country would be better for her to move to).
"Let HIM teach this one off class while X is on sick leave.  Better get all you can from him while he is here!"
"Go ahead and screw his schedule with both morning and night classes, and encourage him to retire.... Besides, we can only screw with him so much longer anyway". 
"Dont spend money upgrading his software/computer, we will just have to buy a new one for his replacement, and the replacement will want a brand new one"
"Put him on ALL the time sucking committees that meet weekly at 8 am..."

So I agree that I should count down on my phone, but maybe triple the number of days, or change it to "65 is closer every day!"  (Im only 58, by the way).


But It is 5 am, and I am up on the computer in the The Fora.  I have just served on a T&P committee that is going to tenure someone that is clearly shirking on part of their job.  And for the second time (as there was also a department committee) parts of the majority are pushing to remove ENTIRELY the thoughts of the minority on the committee from the letter. 
The department got away with it because the dean miscommunicated a policy which removed the ability of the minority to argue their position (which is too long to explain).
So this time elements of the majority are using the point that as it wasnt in the department letter it neednt be in the college letter.  (They are aware of the dean's error because it was brought up at the start of the committee process with the dean in the room)

So, there you go.  My morals are not shared by my coworkers. I dont know how long I can hold my nose and pretend that this "only do the absolute minimum you can get away with" or only what you want to do, and to hell with the rest attitude.  (What is in it for ME, to hell with the students). 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 09, 2022, 10:42:52 AM
I just got Visa statements for both my own personal account and the company Visa card at the library.  In both cases they charged for last month's credit card bill, and added a late fee.  We DID pay last month's bill on the company account, on time!  As for my personal card, apparently they failed to send me a statement last month, making it effectively impossible to pay.  This is dirty dealing!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 09, 2022, 11:25:23 AM
Quote from: apl68 on November 09, 2022, 10:42:52 AM
I just got Visa statements for both my own personal account and the company Visa card at the library.  In both cases they charged for last month's credit card bill, and added a late fee.  We DID pay last month's bill on the company account, on time!  As for my personal card, apparently they failed to send me a statement last month, making it effectively impossible to pay.  This is dirty dealing!

I signed up for online billing, so I get an email as soon as my statement is ready, and also subsequent emails reminding me that my payment is due on such-and-such date.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2022, 01:00:03 PM
Uuuuuuuurrrrrrrrgggghhhh!

There, that helps.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 10, 2022, 03:02:26 PM
Sort of a vent because of the hassle involved in getting to chat with a live person, but with a resolution at the end.

I've been getting some of my groceries through Amazon, including an almost foot-tall glass bottle of olive oil. The first shipment was packed in bubble wrap, the second one was just thrown into a carton resulting in a bent cap, and oozing olive oil. The third shipment was once again securely wrapped in bubble wrap before placing it in the carton. The fourth shipment, which arrived today, was rattling as I was bringing it inside, so I knew that the bottle had been placed in the carton without any protective wrapping. The person who packed it probably crossed his or her fingers, thinking that a glass bottle containing oil, of all things, would arrive intact. The bottle did arrive intact, but I contacted Amazon to let them know that such packing defied common sense, and that they should advise the warehouse or shipping site to pack all glass bottles securely. It took me quite some time to get a live person--Amazon thinks that all you have to do is click on one of the choices the Customer Service website throws out, but I kept typing that I needed a representative. The representative offered me a "returnless refund", which I promptly accepted. I wasn't looking for a refund but merely wanted to express my outrage at the sloppy packing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 10, 2022, 03:12:47 PM
Alas, it has now fallen to me to put together syllabi for two new courses in a new degree program. The task had been delegated to our actual expert on those topics, but some bad things are happening on her end, and so I've gone from helping to doing outright.

It's okay. It's not all that onerous, really, and I owe her a favour. But the timing isn't ideal for me, and I'm no kind of expert on the subject of these courses. I like to be indispensable, but man...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 10, 2022, 03:17:17 PM
This is as much a vent as a question.
Im on a committee whose output will eventually go to the Board of Regents. 
When a draft of the letter was distributed, I said that I approved of the content, but that it should not be on letter head EACH Page.
Then I get the document to electronically sign.  It was not fixed. I said that we should fix it before everyone signs.  Committee Chair does not know really how to deal with Docusign, so the dean's assistant was going to do the processing. 
Shortly after my email the committee chair said that he didnt think it was a problem and we should sign. 
Then I get an email that the Dean is OK with it being on letterhead for each page.

I replied to the email and added the dean to Confirm that the dean is OK that a document to be reviewed by the Board of Regents is on letter head for every page?  (The deadline for submitting the letter to the dean is in 5 days, and it should only take 5 minutes to fix this error, and would have taken less time if the committee chair had fixed the document yesterday BEFORE attempting to go to Docusign!).

But the dean replied, "confirm"

So there you go!  The Half Ass work ethic comes from the top! 
I dont know how much longer I can deal with this!

So the question is, How common/acceptable is it to have a formal letter on letterhead for each page (rather than the letter head on the first page)?

That reminds me.... I need to go buy some lottery tickets!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2022, 03:24:22 PM
The issue is with the EA who formatted the letter before creating the .pdf.

They need to "suppress header" for all pages after p. 1.

As you say, that's the usual format, and it takes a minute to fix.

I'm guessing they're new.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 10, 2022, 03:37:28 PM
The EA is not new.  However the committee chair is inexperienced chairing committees. 

Even the EA, though, could likely have fixed the document with ease before she dealt with putting it in Docusign (which the chair should learn to do!).

But for the DEAN to not care that such a document is going to the Board of Regents? 

Does he tuck his shirt in his underwear?  I am afraid to look!  I m surprised a marketing professor (by training) would not care about how things look!   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 14, 2022, 03:34:33 PM
Today I had a student lie and gaslight me to my face about coming in to lab an hour late. What the absolute fuck???!!! Accept that you screwed up and stop wasting my time!

We also have a hole in the roof and have to wait until the weekend for someone to fix it since it's about 3 stories up (above ground basement) and I don't want to fall off the roof. If it were the garage roof, I would have fixed it. So, for now, we have a bucket under the hole (about 3 in. in diameter with a branch stuck in it) since it is supposed to rain tomorrow. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on November 16, 2022, 10:13:27 AM
I miss the days when this community (mainly at Chronicle forums) had meaningful, informative, discussions of current issues in higher ed governance, leadership, and policy -- instead of redundant, personal, political squabbling among a few.

Polly, for example, used to post current issues and news items -- and not always steeped in the usual politics that lead to the usual people saying the usual things.

I don't learn anything much here anymore.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Istiblennius on November 17, 2022, 09:11:58 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on November 16, 2022, 10:13:27 AM
I miss the days when this community (mainly at Chronicle forums) had meaningful, informative, discussions of current issues in higher ed governance, leadership, and policy -- instead of redundant, personal, political squabbling among a few.

Polly, for example, used to post current issues and news items -- and not always steeped in the usual politics that lead to the usual people saying the usual things.

I don't learn anything much here anymore.

Sadly, I think we've mostly learned that all it takes is dedication to a general lack of decency on the part of one person to ruin a community. I'm with lightening.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on November 17, 2022, 12:30:06 PM
Yet, all one needs do is ignore and move on. No need to respond to anyone else's post. I've stopped myself numerous times from taking the bait - and I'm only an occasional commentator anyway.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 17, 2022, 12:33:02 PM
There's always the 'ignore' feature...

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 17, 2022, 12:44:10 PM
Quote from: Istiblennius on November 17, 2022, 09:11:58 AM
Quote from: Cheerful on November 16, 2022, 10:13:27 AM
I miss the days when this community (mainly at Chronicle forums) had meaningful, informative, discussions of current issues in higher ed governance, leadership, and policy -- instead of redundant, personal, political squabbling among a few.

Polly, for example, used to post current issues and news items -- and not always steeped in the usual politics that lead to the usual people saying the usual things.

I don't learn anything much here anymore.

Sadly, I think we've mostly learned that all it takes is dedication to a general lack of decency on the part of one person to ruin a community. I'm with lightening.

Do the actions of one person ruin the community? As Mamselle said, there's always the "ignore" feature. I can't imagine anything, short of direct, sustained, personal attacks on me, that would make one person able to spoil a community for me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 17, 2022, 01:26:03 PM
In the Olden Days (and I may not remember correctly), but Didn't Fiona use to post something like "Dont Feed the Trolls"?

I have posted a time or 2 that I tend to skip over the replies by the very few on the fora that I know will bother me, and any reply that quotes that person. IF it looks like a particular thread is filled with troll excrement, I dont enter the troll cave! 

If no one replies, then the trolls will either find their goats somewhere else, or make increasingly provocative or hostile posts in an effort to get a reply that will result in them being banned. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on November 17, 2022, 02:43:40 PM
Is it, thus, life in "bland land"?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 17, 2022, 03:07:15 PM
There's bland, and then, there's sane.

Yes. It was the late Fiona, a.k.a. "The Thread-Killer."

I tried a few times to emulate her, but I apparently lack her thread-killer-fu.

Tips I observe:

A. There's a Rectangular Firing Squad (RFS) that can't leave each other alone. If I see a thread started by one of them, I ignore it, let it drop to my "unanswered list" (takes a couple days) and let it go.

Nothing to see there, move on.

B. A couple of the RFS are fine on their own, so I only (functionally) ignore their posts when they have lots of nested quotes and end in a rant.

Single-liners by those folks are usually ok.

C. I abide by the mantra, "You can't change others, you can't change situations--you can only change yourself and the way you respond to those others and those situations."

Makes for more peaceful navigation.

D. I DO report egregious stuff to the mods. Lately, apparently, there's been some backup due to a shift in how those reports show up for them, but if you don't report it, they don't know. (Lower right in all screens).

Use the tools you have at hand.

I'm also distressed at, what, now, four members suggesting they plan to leave.

We need sane ballast, not an echo-chamber.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 18, 2022, 05:12:48 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 17, 2022, 03:07:15 PM

A. There's a Rectangular Firing Squad (RFS) that can't leave each other alone. If I see a thread started by one of them, I ignore it, let it drop to my "unanswered list" (takes a couple days) and let it go.

Nothing to see there, move on.

B. A couple of the RFS are fine on their own, so I only (functionally) ignore their posts when they have lots of nested quotes and end in a rant.

Single-liners by those folks are usually ok.


This fascinates me. Do they ("we?") have opposing views on topics, so that any one in isolation might have a meaningful point but once they get arguing, they get repetitive?

If so, that suggests perhaps there's a way to try to have discussions which still have the same divergence of viewpoints, but are more insightful.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 18, 2022, 05:15:09 AM
Bingo.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 18, 2022, 05:20:46 AM
Quote from: mamselle on November 18, 2022, 05:15:09 AM
Bingo.

M.

Seriously, I'd like to hear you elaborate on this. Can you give an example of a discussion that showed polite, insightful discussion with very wide-ranging views? (I realize that giving a "bad example" essentially outs the members of the RFS, or at least some of them.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 18, 2022, 07:37:36 PM
I drive to nearby bigger city to fly.  It is about 150  miles, but from that airport, I can get direct flights where I need to go.  Tomorrow that is LAX... and the flight leaves at 6 am , boarding at 530

Long ago I was Elite with LaQuinta (before they were bought out by Wyndham).  I stayed here because they were close to the airport and because they had a shuttle. 

Today, as I checked in, I asked about  the list for the airport.  They said that the airport shuttle NOW runs from 9 am to 9 pm!! 

What the FiretrUCK is that?  I have checked the hotel site and it says "airport shuttle".  It doesnt say "from 9 to 9!".

I then called the Wyndham line.  They confirmed that the shuttle is now from 9 to 9 and only the Day's Inn has better hours 6 to 11. 

So that is useless to me too.

THEN... NOT DONE YET!   

THEN they had the gall to try to transfer me to the line that offers Wyndham Time Share/Vacation Clubs!!!

My reply was,
"Are you seriously trying to transfer me to a time share when I just called you to tell you how annoyed I am that the shuttle hours have changed?  As far as I am concerned at this moment, Wyndham is dead to me as a company!  I have no intention of talking to a time share person!"

We ended the call on 'good terms', but I am done with THIS hotel! 

I will spend down my points and not worry about staying here again. I know that there are at least six other hotels in the area, and I am sure that I can find one that has a usable shuttle, OR is at least a step up in the room quality!.

Vent over.  I have to get up in the morning and DRIVE the rest of the way to the airport!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on November 21, 2022, 11:17:11 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2022, 07:37:36 PM
I drive to nearby bigger city to fly.  It is about 150  miles, but from that airport, I can get direct flights where I need to go.  Tomorrow that is LAX... and the flight leaves at 6 am , boarding at 530

Long ago I was Elite with LaQuinta (before they were bought out by Wyndham).  I stayed here because they were close to the airport and because they had a shuttle. 

Today, as I checked in, I asked about  the list for the airport.  They said that the airport shuttle NOW runs from 9 am to 9 pm!! 

What the FiretrUCK is that?  I have checked the hotel site and it says "airport shuttle".  It doesnt say "from 9 to 9!".

I then called the Wyndham line.  They confirmed that the shuttle is now from 9 to 9 and only the Day's Inn has better hours 6 to 11. 

So that is useless to me too.

THEN... NOT DONE YET!   

THEN they had the gall to try to transfer me to the line that offers Wyndham Time Share/Vacation Clubs!!!

My reply was,
"Are you seriously trying to transfer me to a time share when I just called you to tell you how annoyed I am that the shuttle hours have changed?  As far as I am concerned at this moment, Wyndham is dead to me as a company!  I have no intention of talking to a time share person!"

We ended the call on 'good terms', but I am done with THIS hotel! 

I will spend down my points and not worry about staying here again. I know that there are at least six other hotels in the area, and I am sure that I can find one that has a usable shuttle, OR is at least a step up in the room quality!.

Vent over.  I have to get up in the morning and DRIVE the rest of the way to the airport!!

Ugh!  Can you take a taxi?  That way you don't have to pay to park at LAX.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 21, 2022, 02:50:21 PM
I am running a course in the Spring that takes a trip over Spring break to somewhere warm.  We have been recruiting students, and I am now getting deluged with questions from students who don't read (they get a link to all the posted announcements and information), but I also get some that are just....weird.  As in the what are you thinking, or why would that be a question for me, categories,

Such as:
"I'm a veteran, do I get a discount on travel costs?"  (No); or
"Can I use financial aid on this trip?"  (I don't know.  Ask the financial aid folks); or
"Can I drive (3d) and just meet the class there?" (No).

I have limited tolerance at this point in the semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on November 22, 2022, 03:39:06 AM
Quote from: clean on November 18, 2022, 07:37:36 PM
I drive to nearby bigger city to fly.  It is about 150  miles, but from that airport, I can get direct flights where I need to go.  Tomorrow that is LAX... and the flight leaves at 6 am , boarding at 530

Long ago I was Elite with LaQuinta (before they were bought out by Wyndham).  I stayed here because they were close to the airport and because they had a shuttle. 

Today, as I checked in, I asked about  the list for the airport.  They said that the airport shuttle NOW runs from 9 am to 9 pm!! 

What the FiretrUCK is that?  I have checked the hotel site and it says "airport shuttle".  It doesnt say "from 9 to 9!".

I then called the Wyndham line.  They confirmed that the shuttle is now from 9 to 9 and only the Day's Inn has better hours 6 to 11. 

So that is useless to me too.

THEN... NOT DONE YET!   

THEN they had the gall to try to transfer me to the line that offers Wyndham Time Share/Vacation Clubs!!!

My reply was,
"Are you seriously trying to transfer me to a time share when I just called you to tell you how annoyed I am that the shuttle hours have changed?  As far as I am concerned at this moment, Wyndham is dead to me as a company!  I have no intention of talking to a time share person!"

We ended the call on 'good terms', but I am done with THIS hotel! 

I will spend down my points and not worry about staying here again. I know that there are at least six other hotels in the area, and I am sure that I can find one that has a usable shuttle, OR is at least a step up in the room quality!.

Vent over.  I have to get up in the morning and DRIVE the rest of the way to the airport!!
Tru hotels are dead to me because of this. I had to walk from the airport to the hotel or pay $30 for an Uber (airport is a ways from the medium-sized city, so no quick rides and no taxis available). You would think airport shuttles would run when the planes do . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on November 22, 2022, 09:18:15 AM
Clean, does the hotel you were staying advertise one of those "leave your car with us" setups? If so then I would be triply mad. If not, or it has changed, you may want to move the car to long term parking anyway. Otherwise it may not be there when you return.

I also live about 150 miles from the "big airport" (it might be same one you use). Anytime we decide to travel international, we fly out of there. Although our local small airport is now getting bigger, so more options are hopefully on the way. It's hard to decide which is the better deal in terms of cost, time, and gas. Small airport has fewer options if something gets cancelled, but then I can just go back home. But the flights are more expensive because it's a smaller airport, and I have to connect to get to the west coast.

Hope your travels are smooth once at the airport.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 08:15:11 AM
So, uh... how is it, exactly, that the typesetters inserted my tables at random points in the text?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Morden on November 23, 2022, 08:54:06 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 08:15:11 AM
So, uh... how is it, exactly, that the typesetters inserted my tables at random points in the text?

Once someone else's paragraph showed up in the middle of my proofs. I hope you are also talking about proofs and not the final version.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on November 23, 2022, 08:57:02 AM
Quote from: Morden on November 23, 2022, 08:54:06 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 08:15:11 AM
So, uh... how is it, exactly, that the typesetters inserted my tables at random points in the text?

Ha! Once someone else's paragraph showed up in the middle of my proofs. I hope in your case, you are also talking about proofs and not the final version.

In a course I teach, the e-text version has one table that is completely different (and wrong) from the printed text version. Same text, same (i.e. current) edition. (The two tables don't even have the same number of rows.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 12:51:54 PM
I paid for access to the World Cup yesterday, so's I could watch today's match (and others). Today, I discovered that I'm being sent on an infinite login loop and, thus, cannot watch the match. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on November 23, 2022, 12:59:23 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 12:51:54 PM
I paid for access to the World Cup yesterday, so's I could watch today's match (and others). Today, I discovered that I'm being sent on an infinite login loop and, thus, cannot watch the match. Ugh.
Canada played well, but lost concentration for a few minutes at the end of the first half. Thus...they are still searching for their first points in World Cup play.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 02:23:35 PM
Quote from: arcturus on November 23, 2022, 12:59:23 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 12:51:54 PM
I paid for access to the World Cup yesterday, so's I could watch today's match (and others). Today, I discovered that I'm being sent on an infinite login loop and, thus, cannot watch the match. Ugh.
Canada played well, but lost concentration for a few minutes at the end of the first half. Thus...they are still searching for their first points in World Cup play.

Thanks for the recap. I'm not surprised. I expected a thashing, even from Belgium's B-team.

I'm still angry about the infinite login loop though.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on November 23, 2022, 02:40:30 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 02:23:35 PM
Quote from: arcturus on November 23, 2022, 12:59:23 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 12:51:54 PM
I paid for access to the World Cup yesterday, so's I could watch today's match (and others). Today, I discovered that I'm being sent on an infinite login loop and, thus, cannot watch the match. Ugh.
Canada played well, but lost concentration for a few minutes at the end of the first half. Thus...they are still searching for their first points in World Cup play.

Thanks for the recap. I'm not surprised. I expected a thashing, even from Belgium's B-team.

I'm still angry about the infinite login loop though.
I understand the frustration. I actually recommend watching the full game if you can get access to it. Canada played very well, except for those few minutes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 23, 2022, 03:12:56 PM
And I accidentally smashed my phone. Ugh. I'm not winning today. I give up until tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 23, 2022, 03:17:27 PM
Yikes!

I suppose a dinosaur's footprint will do that...

Hope it's replaceable without too much trouble.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on November 24, 2022, 08:05:36 AM
While waiting for the casseroles (dressing, scalloped corn, sweet potatoes) made yesterday to bake for dinner, we're doing DIY washer repair.  Not "sitting and doing nothing" that I'd planned for the day.  Still, we've gotten a lot of use out of it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 24, 2022, 09:07:06 AM
Today's first item:

I sent a document for discussion (which I was asked to draw up at the last minute, mind you). Yes, it's not copy/pasted into the proper final format. That doesn't preclude discussing its contents (which are well-organized, incidentally, and actually easier to see and discuss than they will be in the final formatted document). Why do you want the final, formatted document? It's just a question of cutting and pasting what I did into the relevant sections. There's literally nothing else to be done.

Ugh. I mean, I just did it for you. It only took a few minutes. But now it's harder to find the information we're supposed to discuss.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 24, 2022, 06:23:24 PM
QuoteClean, does the hotel you were staying advertise one of those "leave your car with us" setups? If so then I would be triply mad. If not, or it has changed, you may want to move the car to long term parking anyway. Otherwise it may not be there when you return.

I also live about 150 miles from the "big airport" (it might be same one you use). Anytime we decide to travel international, we fly out of there. Although our local small airport is now getting bigger, so more options are hopefully on the way. It's hard to decide which is the better deal in terms of cost, time, and gas. Small airport has fewer options if something gets cancelled, but then I can just go back home. But the flights are more expensive because it's a smaller airport, and I have to connect to get to the west coast.

I went to this particular hotel because in the past, I had used that option to park and fly several times.  However, the first trip to the airport is now 9am and that does not help if the flight leaves a 6am! 

The primary reason to use this airport is that the flights that I get from it are direct, and usually a bit cheaper than from my local ariport, which seems to always include at least a 1 or 2 hour layover. 

Im on the trip. It is almost over.  It promised unlimited internet access, but until today, (well now, earlier was the same as before), it was 'unlimited, but useless'.   It would take 4 or 5 minutes to load my personal email, and then another few minutes to delete even 10 junk mail posts. If I tried to delete more, it would just stop. 

I cruise in the summer, but in Alaska, and I am in US ports most of the time, so I just connect via my smartphone as a hotspot.  That is fast enough to get work done, but not fast to get email, but not fast enough for zoom or anything.  Besides, on vacation, I m not going to Zoom!  Nothing good comes in emails or zoom, so why get mad on vacation?

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on November 26, 2022, 02:38:35 PM
Super Bowl?  World Series?  Test Match?  World Cup?  I was always passed over for team selections as a kid at school (I was [am] a fattie) and so, as a septuagenarian now long since, have cocked a snook at all team sports.  They manage without my interest; I manage without theirs.  Win-win.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on November 26, 2022, 03:25:11 PM
I guess this is a vent, more of a something's-annoying-me-but-not-that-much kind of thing.

Students are already asking to take the final exam early due to impending funerals, etc. I just don't want to deal with it. I just don't have the emotional/mental reserves to deal with the whining and gnashing of teeth.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mamselle on November 26, 2022, 03:39:10 PM
Just.Say.No.

M.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 26, 2022, 03:39:24 PM
For funerals now, I would give an incomplete.  The students can not study if the relative was close, and I dont want to have to administer a separate exam at the end of the term when so many other things need to be done.   
Let them recover and take it when there is less stress for all of us after the start of the next term. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: onehappyunicorn on November 28, 2022, 02:26:15 PM
We need part-time people to teach in the spring, I realize it's late in the season but we had two of our adjuncts get full-time jobs just a few weeks ago. I sent out a link to the job posting with all the details, including minimum requirements. It's great that people have shared it, we definitely need instructors, but I am not going to call everyone to discuss the position before you apply. It takes all of maybe fifteen minutes to complete the application, I can see if you meet the qualifications and then we can talk. I seriously had seven people leave me voice messages or send me an email with their numbers to call them.

I already know that at least a couple of you don't actually meet the minimum requirements. Yes, you need at least a Master's degree in the field we are asking you to teach. No, having a Bachelor's in that field and your Master's on some other field won't work. Yes, you do actually have to completed your degree, we cannot hire you after you completed a year of your graduate program. Yes, the job description states that we need people for in-person instruction. No, we cannot just move the class online.

When you do apply and you don't meet the minimum requirements please don't call me to plead your case. I don't care that you taught the subject for fifteen years in public school, you don't have the advanced degree. My office phone is readily available, no one from the accrediting body has called to ask my opinion. I can make sympathetic noises at you, that's the best I can do.

I certainly don't need my supervisor telling me multiple times a week that we need to hire. The problem is crap pay in a hot job market, that's why we lost our other adjuncts. I know we have three full classes with no instructor but there is no one in the applicant pool that I haven't already interviewed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 30, 2022, 04:31:07 AM
Yesterday was "giving Tuesday", which meant that I've been inundated with emails starting last week, some of them from the same outfit, requesting, begging, and often trying to shame me into donating. The Central Park Conservancy sent me more than six emails just yesterday, the last one with the subject line
QuoteReally surprised not to have heard from you today.

Organizations, money doesn't grow on trees, at least not the ones in my neighborhood.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on November 30, 2022, 08:39:45 AM
Langue_doc, that is so rude! I cannot imagine who thinks this kind of tactic works.  I have also been deluged, but nothing that extreme.  The other day, I got a kind of funny one that said:

Quote
You are why I love my job. I sincerely appreciate you taking my call today and making a pledge of $0.00.

I would have been taken more aback if I actually had taken their call, but this was apparently a form email that went off the rails.  Still, you're welcome! Glad to make your job so enjoyable.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: secundem_artem on November 30, 2022, 08:53:47 AM
Giving Tuesday should be followed up with "Leave me the fvck alone Wednesday."  Every organization I belong to, my employer, various web sites I visit, news outlets - every last one of these yoyos has been begging for cash.  As always, we've taken a reasonable idea and run it into the ground.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Istiblennius on November 30, 2022, 09:09:40 AM
I have a monthly donation set up to a particular organization whose work I feel strongly about and there is evidence that they are doing good work in that area and using the donations effectively. But... they keep sending me push notifications asking for more. Every month I opt out of the push notifications. Then my monthly donation goes through and they put me back on the notification list. You would think they would have a way to fix this!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: cathwen on November 30, 2022, 10:07:13 AM
Count me in as one more person who finds the deluge of emails begging for donations extremely annoying.  I don't even read them—I just delete them automatically.  I do contribute to specific organizations, but on my own time.  I will not be bullied into "giving Tuesday" or any other imaginary deadline.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on November 30, 2022, 10:13:37 AM
The only one of these I get that really annoys me is a forestry conservation group that I dealt with a couple of years ago to have some seedlings planted in memory of a member of a family I'm acquainted with.  Ever since I've gotten endless mailers from them.  What annoys me most is the irony of their wasting so much paper.  And this is a legit organization, too.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on November 30, 2022, 10:56:55 AM
Alabama should not play in the College Football Playoffs and listening to the all the arguments in favor of them is exhausting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 30, 2022, 03:27:12 PM
Wow. Samsung's texting app sucks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 30, 2022, 07:47:39 PM
I have had it with Examity!

what other proctoring services have you used, and would you recommend them?


(The old adage that 10% of the people take 90% of the time is true.   And Murphy is right, and I try to tell students, that IF they wait until the last hour in the window to take the test, they will have problems! 
IF I could convince myself that the STUDENT should take responsibility for their time choice and IF they insist on picking the last 2 hours AND encounter a Problem, that a zero on the exam is what they are accepting!)

For this student , I have been online with her for almost 2 hours, and I was on the phone with examity for the last 35 minutes.  She has not YET started her exam, so I am on hold hoping I dont have to call back!)

MY classes alone generate nearly $10,000 in revenue for them in a year, easily!  And I can not get anyone to call me to help resolve the problems!! Some/many of which are EXAMITY's own problems!   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on December 01, 2022, 09:47:55 AM
My "friend", who I had recommended for a position in another department here on campus, flaked out and just quit without notice to go to industry--by email. UNBELIEVABLE--can't be bothered to even fill out a resignation letter or go through the proper HR channels! This isn't like quitting a fast food job... Uggggg!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 01, 2022, 09:59:05 PM


Industry is different.  When they want you, they want you NOW, not at the end of the term, not at the end of the month.  IF they can get you NOW, then now is the time. 
My job here now, is a result of someone that was offered an industry job. The other factor was that his significant other had taken a job with the same company and was transferred and this job opened up and it was his IF he could start right away, not in 3 months when the term ended.  So to be with his SO (and because it was a better offer to boot), he let them know that they would need to find a replacement for the rest of the term.  (He left in Mid/late September!)


With ALL that I have dealt with today with students and idiot faculty members saying that they would do one thing 2 weeks ago and NOW when the docusign letter hits their desk not only does not sign, but clicks the button so that docusign wont finish processing .... requiring me to remove this idiot asshole from the signing list, and then have everyone ReDo it!     He claims that it is a conflict!  Why invent conflicts that do not exist?  But I am trying to get over being angry by remembering Dale Carnegie's statement " A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still".  So I will not argue with an idiot asshole, I will simply spend the time to redo the work that should not need to be redone.

I will simply say this... He is Off My Christmas Card List!  (assuming I had one!) 

For what it is worth, my preliminary, target retirement date is 760 days away!  ... But who is counting???


and not to get too far off the topic, that date is 12/31/2024.  I can imagine waiting until May 2025 to retire, but to loop back to the top of the post, WHEN I give them notice, especially if it is in the Summer, it will be August 1 at the earliest!  (State law requires that IF teacher or faculty note that they will not return in the Fall, then the state does not pay their health insurance premiums for the summer.  While that wont matter for me as I will retire with health coverage, MY Bride will not, and that means I will have to pay for her policy an extra 3 months.  NOPE!  As my deductions are over 9 months, Im not going to have deductions AND then pay the added premium for 3 months!  I didnt set the rules, I just live under them!..

So to wrap up, I am sorry your coworker left with no notice, especially if that is a hardship for you, BUT I am happy for them that they escaped to something that is clearly a better situation for them.  Remember that the state will ALWAYS do what is in its best interest, and IF you are not looking out for YOU, then NO ONE IS!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 08, 2022, 08:47:31 AM
No, there isn't a way to do an extension or schedule a makeup when you are out of quarantine FOR A LAB PRACTICAL.

Take your incomplete, and we'll revisit this in January when the semester resumes.

Oh goody, you've appealed to a higher authority....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 08, 2022, 09:38:00 AM
Just got an email from TPTB that they're SO proud we've been nominated as one of The Best Places to Work in our city. 

Say WHAT????

To be fair, if you're one of the admins making six figures, driving your company car to the shiny new building, never setting foot on our falling-apart, crime-ridden campuses, and never having to deal with the student body or us peon faculty, it probably is pretty sweet. 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 08, 2022, 10:54:01 AM
Was somehow roped into righting and redecorating the Christmas trees in the village square that blew over last night.

Not a big deal, but definitely not how I was planning to use that hour of freedom.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 08, 2022, 11:47:24 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on December 08, 2022, 10:54:01 AM
Was somehow roped into righting and redecorating the Christmas trees in the village square that blew over last night.

Not a big deal, but definitely not how I was planning to use that hour of freedom.

Last Saturday we set up a "story walk" of story book pages on stands up and down Main Street as part of the library's presence at the annual local Christmas festival.  We had over 20 of them.  If you made the whole round of the festival area, you could get the whole story.  It was well-received last year.  This year, we kept having the story page stands blown over by gusts of wind.  I made several rounds of the festival area to keep setting them up.  I also had to tape a set of story pages back onto their stand.  Others tell me that they kept setting stands up again when I wasn't nearby.  The wind made a real mess out of our attempted story walk.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 14, 2022, 10:02:06 AM
If you want to schedule a 30-minute meeting, and you tell me 11h30-12h00, and I confirm, then don't be surprised when scheduling me for 12h00-13h00 doesn't work.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on December 15, 2022, 04:23:52 PM
All the good people leave this world too soon! And all the bad people stay in this world too damned long.






That is all.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 16, 2022, 04:04:12 AM
Washed a load of dark-colored garments--triple checked the pockets to make sure that they were empty. Lo and behold, every single garment is flecked with teeny tiny pieces of a kleenex. I'm now down to several lint sheets, with only partial success on just one of the cardigans, both of which have pockets as do the two pairs of pants.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on December 22, 2022, 05:16:15 AM
This is the last day campus is open before the winter break — many folks have left already — and there's a major storm on our doorstep. So why do I have a strategic planning meeting this afternoon? How strategic does the meeting organizer think people will be??
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on December 23, 2022, 07:57:00 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on December 22, 2022, 05:16:15 AM
This is the last day campus is open before the winter break — many folks have left already — and there's a major storm on our doorstep. So why do I have a strategic planning meeting this afternoon? How strategic does the meeting organizer think people will be??

Hope you were able to exit strategically before the storm hit.  Yikes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 23, 2022, 09:02:10 AM
Kid #1 spent last night in her farmhouse without heat--nimrod landlord never put heat tape around the propane lines, so the regulators froze up.  She and the GSD spent the night in the bathroom with a space heater; it was cold enough that the water in the dog dish in the kitchen was frozen this morning. (The roads were a solid sheet of ice, covered by drifted snow, by 4 yesterday afternoon already.) 

The electrician/heating guys left about an hour ago, after thawing the lines, adding heat tape, and making sure the furnace was working OK. She said it's starting to warm up some. There's another sub-zero night, with -35 wind chills, ahead yet tonight; it's supposed to moderate to the 20s by tomorrow, and 30s on Monday, with 50s by Thursday.  It's just getting from here to there that's the problem--and her anxiety has been in overdrive for about 24 hours. 

I wish I could get out to her, but ALHS had foot surgery Monday and is immobile and can't be left alone; besides, I don't need to be out on those roads, either. Not to mention that there's not a lot I could do if I were there.

So much for a restful month off. FML. Sigh. It will all be fine. It just sucks at the moment.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 28, 2022, 04:19:01 PM
I need some help from someone who can Fox-splain something for me?

How is it the Biden Administration's fault that Southwest airlines has cancelled so many flights?
It seems that Southwest used the Covid Money to pay their employees during the Covid Shutdown Days and NOW they have old computer software that is considerably contributing to the flight cancellations.

Somehow I have not been able to get my head around how this is connected to the Biden Administration OR the Covid funds.  Clearly I am missing something obvious because the fox friendly family members seem to think that the connection is clear!   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 29, 2022, 09:22:26 AM
Quote from: clean on December 28, 2022, 04:19:01 PM
I need some help from someone who can Fox-splain something for me?

How is it the Biden Administration's fault that Southwest airlines has cancelled so many flights?
It seems that Southwest used the Covid Money to pay their employees during the Covid Shutdown Days and NOW they have old computer software that is considerably contributing to the flight cancellations.

Somehow I have not been able to get my head around how this is connected to the Biden Administration OR the Covid funds.  Clearly I am missing something obvious because the fox friendly family members seem to think that the connection is clear!

Clean:

If I had an answer, and understood some of it myself, I would tell you! My family was pretty well behaved for Xmas and didn't dive down the rabbit hole (except for the occasional slap on Biden for being 'old' and 'on drugs.'). Color me surprised.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 29, 2022, 12:16:44 PM
If we had a Republican President currently in office, I can pretty much guarantee that there would be people blaming him for the airline mess.  Anything that's sufficiently disruptive and annoying on a large scale in this country will be blamed in some way on the incumbent President.  How exactly the connection will be made will vary according to circumstances, but those of a mind to blame a President for something can always find a way.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 29, 2022, 12:31:56 PM
My own vent for today:  There's evidently a certain amount of year-end housecleaning going on around town.  Today we've received two quite substantial used book donations.  We accept all comers, since we want to encourage people to keep donating.  Some of it is sold in our ongoing Friends of the Library book sale.  Some goes out on the free table outside.  Now and then we have something that we can pass on to schoolteachers or others who might be able to use them. 

Most of it goes (discreetly) into the trash.  It's just too old, worn, outdated, or otherwise of no real use to anybody.  And there's nowhere locally that we can take it to be recycled, although we do recycle not-ancient library discards through our main book wholesaler where possible.  There's just not much we can do with ancient sets of encyclopedias--many of them in any case missing volumes; it's amazing how many have exactly one missing--heaps of old fad diet and money-making books, piles of jacket-less or mutilated popular fiction by authors that few people now living would recognize, outdated news magazines and Sunday school lesson quarterlies, ancient text and reference books, and Readers' Digest Condensed Books. 

So we're used to sorting through lots of chaff to find the occasional grains of wheat.  Now and then, though, we get something that's just incredibly awful.  Today's two big donations included two sets of fifty-year-old encyclopedias, complete with decades' worth of yearbooks, and four boxes filled mostly with forty-year-old magazines.  The boxes were musty and damp and smelly, and the encyclopedias were mostly covered with what I hope was only decades' worth of dust.  Donations that junky feel almost like insults.  I've spent a substantial part of the morning sorting through the junk to see if there was anything in there worth salvaging--there was a tiny bit--and conveying the rest out to the dumpster in between bouts of rainfall.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 29, 2022, 12:52:10 PM
Well if that doesn't beat everything!  Another book donation just arrived!  It was only a small and manageable batch.  More dirty (in a literal sense), useless old books.  They ran heavily to Tom Clancy books so old they were actually written by him.  Also a couple of quacky-looking books on health, a couple of bits of badly worn nonfiction, and a couple of items that look like we might actually be able to sell them in the book sale.  Still a poor donation overall, but not spectacularly so like the wheelbarrow-loads of junk we got this morning.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on December 29, 2022, 05:25:00 PM
Looks like our furnace is broken. We were without heat for most of the day, thought we had fixed it with minor repair, only for it to shut off again a couple hours later. I feel lucky that it is relatively warm winter weather here (highs in the lower 50s) for the next week, but it's going to be a bit nippy in here, even with a space heater. Really hope the entire furnace does not need to be replaced. Cats have clearly noticed the change in temperature--one has decided it's clearly lap-sitting time, for which I am grateful. The squirrelly one is wondering around the house pitifully in an apparent search for warmer digs. This old house never gets all that warm in the winter (or cool in the summer) but it's gonna be worse for a bit. Not a problem I'm looking forward to as I'm trying to prep for an overload class. Could be worse I realize--could have happened last week during the blizzard.

AmLitHist, I hope Kid #1 got her heat fixed fully and she and the animals are warm now. Shame on their idiot landlord for skipping the basics.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 30, 2022, 07:20:59 AM
Thanks, OneMoreYear--they did get the heat back on, after more drama (the heat went out AGAIN, shortly after I posted, but she threw a fit sufficient that the landlord actually came himself and fixed it, finally).  Hope yours is a relatively quick and easy fix.

It was a pretty warm fall here, and with costs, I avoided turning on the furnace as long as possible, but like your Squirrelly, Little Cat took up residence in the kitchen alongside the register already back in September!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on December 30, 2022, 08:27:55 AM
Hope the furnace gets fixed soon OneMoreYear, and glad for you that the weather is not too cold where you are.
Also glad that AmLitHist's daughter was able to (ahem) effectively self-advocate so the landlord fixed the heat.

apl1: I am sorry you got so much junk books donation, lends a new meaning to the idea of dirty books. But I am astonished that paper recycling (isn't that the easiest kind?) is unavailable in your area. I wish there was a small business that would come with a truck, load up donated tons of the old paper, and cart it off for actual shredding, pulping, recycling.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 30, 2022, 12:24:53 PM
Quote from: poiuy on December 30, 2022, 08:27:55 AM
Hope the furnace gets fixed soon OneMoreYear, and glad for you that the weather is not too cold where you are.
Also glad that AmLitHist's daughter was able to (ahem) effectively self-advocate so the landlord fixed the heat.

apl1: I am sorry you got so much junk books donation, lends a new meaning to the idea of dirty books. But I am astonished that paper recycling (isn't that the easiest kind?) is unavailable in your area. I wish there was a small business that would come with a truck, load up donated tons of the old paper, and cart it off for actual shredding, pulping, recycling.

We can get newspapers and cardboard recycled locally, and that's about it for paper products.  Interestingly enough, our local economy is based on the manufacture of paper products.  But it's mostly tissue paper, which is not typically recycled.

Believe it or not, in 2020 even with a toilet paper factory in town we had supply chain issues with that particular commodity.  It was being made, but not landing on local store shelves.  I think that households in dire need could get some for personal use, if they knew the right people to call.  Then supply caught up with demand, and normalcy returned.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on January 03, 2023, 12:55:03 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on December 29, 2022, 05:25:00 PM
Looks like our furnace is broken. We were without heat for most of the day, thought we had fixed it with minor repair, only for it to shut off again a couple hours later. I feel lucky that it is relatively warm winter weather here (highs in the lower 50s) for the next week, but it's going to be a bit nippy in here, even with a space heater. Really hope the entire furnace does not need to be replaced. Cats have clearly noticed the change in temperature--one has decided it's clearly lap-sitting time, for which I am grateful. The squirrelly one is wondering around the house pitifully in an apparent search for warmer digs. This old house never gets all that warm in the winter (or cool in the summer) but it's gonna be worse for a bit. Not a problem I'm looking forward to as I'm trying to prep for an overload class. Could be worse I realize--could have happened last week during the blizzard.

AmLitHist, I hope Kid #1 got her heat fixed fully and she and the animals are warm now. Shame on their idiot landlord for skipping the basics.

The sentence I bolded above reminds me of the protagonist's cat "Pete" (a.k.a. "Petronius the Arbiter") in Robert Heinlein's novel The Door Into Summer, who thought the protagonist should be in charge of the weather and refused to go outside to use the bathroom whenever it was really cold/snowy. Wikipedia has a rather good summary at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Door_into_Summer.

____

My own vent: It seems as though I've been away from my desk for months, not just a week and a half. What's a computer? What's my password? What am I supposed to be doing? What's the rhythm of my work day supposed to be?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2023, 10:39:49 AM
Wow, an internal funding competition that aims to promote research by offering... a maximum of one section release! (Our load is 8 a year, although July/August courses count for half, so sometimes it's a fair bit more than that.)

I'm definitely going to write up a detailed application that includes plans for securing external funds. Because teaching a mere 7 courses will definitely allow me to boost my productivity sufficiently to allow me to meet whatever additional research outputs will be required by the external funding agency (whose funds we apparently can't use to fund further releases).

:rolleyes:


This is right up there with internally advertising work-intensive jobs that come with a fraction of a section's release (e.g. they recently advertised for two Indigenous people to put together plans for an Indigenous Studies department and program--in return for .5 of a section release each!). Get with the program. WTF?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 05, 2023, 12:13:55 PM
How would a .5 section release even work?  You teach the class only an hour and a half a week?  You give (or grade) only half as many assignments?  You teach the class for only half the semester?  Maybe it's usually a lab course, but this time you don't do the labs?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2023, 01:34:16 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 05, 2023, 12:13:55 PM
How would a .5 section release even work?  You teach the class only an hour and a half a week?  You give (or grade) only half as many assignments?  You teach the class for only half the semester?  Maybe it's usually a lab course, but this time you don't do the labs?

It means you don't teach a class--so unless you find another admin task worth .5 (or two at .25, which is more common), you've accepted a salary reduction to 7.5 (we're all paid by thte course...). You're also not allowed to overload except in emergencies...

In practice, it means you teach 7 from September-June, then teach one in July-Aust (since, inexplicably, those count as half a section). So, in tthe end, you just end up not having actually been released from anything.


Incidentally, any honours student you supervise (which is rare, since we offer virttually no majors) counts for 0.025 of a section. But again, you can't overload. So even a single student means a pay cut of between one and half a section, depending on your July/August assignments.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 05, 2023, 03:49:42 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2023, 01:34:16 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 05, 2023, 12:13:55 PM
How would a .5 section release even work?  You teach the class only an hour and a half a week?  You give (or grade) only half as many assignments?  You teach the class for only half the semester?  Maybe it's usually a lab course, but this time you don't do the labs?

It means you don't teach a class--so unless you find another admin task worth .5 (or two at .25, which is more common), you've accepted a salary reduction to 7.5 (we're all paid by thte course...). You're also not allowed to overload except in emergencies...

In practice, it means you teach 7 from September-June, then teach one in July-Aust (since, inexplicably, those count as half a section). So, in tthe end, you just end up not having actually been released from anything.


Incidentally, any honours student you supervise (which is rare, since we offer virttually no majors) counts for 0.025 of a section. But again, you can't overload. So even a single student means a pay cut of between one and half a section, depending on your July/August assignments.

This is. . .insane. They should at least let you bank them until they add up to a full course release.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on January 06, 2023, 08:11:48 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 29, 2022, 12:31:56 PM
My own vent for today:  There's evidently a certain amount of year-end housecleaning going on around town.  Today we've received two quite substantial used book donations.  We accept all comers, since we want to encourage people to keep donating.  Some of it is sold in our ongoing Friends of the Library book sale.  Some goes out on the free table outside.  Now and then we have something that we can pass on to schoolteachers or others who might be able to use them. 

Most of it goes (discreetly) into the trash.  It's just too old, worn, outdated, or otherwise of no real use to anybody.  And there's nowhere locally that we can take it to be recycled, although we do recycle not-ancient library discards through our main book wholesaler where possible.  There's just not much we can do with ancient sets of encyclopedias--many of them in any case missing volumes; it's amazing how many have exactly one missing--heaps of old fad diet and money-making books, piles of jacket-less or mutilated popular fiction by authors that few people now living would recognize, outdated news magazines and Sunday school lesson quarterlies, ancient text and reference books, and Readers' Digest Condensed Books. 

So we're used to sorting through lots of chaff to find the occasional grains of wheat.  Now and then, though, we get something that's just incredibly awful.  Today's two big donations included two sets of fifty-year-old encyclopedias, complete with decades' worth of yearbooks, and four boxes filled mostly with forty-year-old magazines.  The boxes were musty and damp and smelly, and the encyclopedias were mostly covered with what I hope was only decades' worth of dust.  Donations that junky feel almost like insults.  I've spent a substantial part of the morning sorting through the junk to see if there was anything in there worth salvaging--there was a tiny bit--and conveying the rest out to the dumpster in between bouts of rainfall.

I appreciate the librarians' effort, expertise, and time that is involved with sorting through donations. My campus library routinely receives donations of books and the ones that make it through the sort-and-purge end up at the book sale, and some of these books are just golden to me (in addition to being really really low-cost). I order books from eBay, too, and I noticed that a lot of the sellers are libraries (and I'm assuming that the books on sale on eBay that are sold by libraries, were donations?).

So, although it is a PITA, Thank YOU!!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 06, 2023, 09:04:12 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 05, 2023, 03:49:42 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2023, 01:34:16 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 05, 2023, 12:13:55 PM
How would a .5 section release even work?  You teach the class only an hour and a half a week?  You give (or grade) only half as many assignments?  You teach the class for only half the semester?  Maybe it's usually a lab course, but this time you don't do the labs?

It means you don't teach a class--so unless you find another admin task worth .5 (or two at .25, which is more common), you've accepted a salary reduction to 7.5 (we're all paid by thte course...). You're also not allowed to overload except in emergencies...

In practice, it means you teach 7 from September-June, then teach one in July-Aust (since, inexplicably, those count as half a section). So, in tthe end, you just end up not having actually been released from anything.


Incidentally, any honours student you supervise (which is rare, since we offer virttually no majors) counts for 0.025 of a section. But again, you can't overload. So even a single student means a pay cut of between one and half a section, depending on your July/August assignments.

This is. . .insane. They should at least let you bank them until they add up to a full course release.

Yeah... I don't understand what's going on, unless it's a series of efforts to cheat us. Which is possible, given how they treated me over my parental leave.

Banked credit would be nice, save that it would almost certainly amount to no remuneration, ever--we offer so few majors that I doubt you could get fifty supervisions over the entirety of your career.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 06, 2023, 10:30:54 AM
Quote from: lightning on January 06, 2023, 08:11:48 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 29, 2022, 12:31:56 PM
My own vent for today:  There's evidently a certain amount of year-end housecleaning going on around town.  Today we've received two quite substantial used book donations.  We accept all comers, since we want to encourage people to keep donating.  Some of it is sold in our ongoing Friends of the Library book sale.  Some goes out on the free table outside.  Now and then we have something that we can pass on to schoolteachers or others who might be able to use them. 

Most of it goes (discreetly) into the trash.  It's just too old, worn, outdated, or otherwise of no real use to anybody.  And there's nowhere locally that we can take it to be recycled, although we do recycle not-ancient library discards through our main book wholesaler where possible.  There's just not much we can do with ancient sets of encyclopedias--many of them in any case missing volumes; it's amazing how many have exactly one missing--heaps of old fad diet and money-making books, piles of jacket-less or mutilated popular fiction by authors that few people now living would recognize, outdated news magazines and Sunday school lesson quarterlies, ancient text and reference books, and Readers' Digest Condensed Books. 

So we're used to sorting through lots of chaff to find the occasional grains of wheat.  Now and then, though, we get something that's just incredibly awful.  Today's two big donations included two sets of fifty-year-old encyclopedias, complete with decades' worth of yearbooks, and four boxes filled mostly with forty-year-old magazines.  The boxes were musty and damp and smelly, and the encyclopedias were mostly covered with what I hope was only decades' worth of dust.  Donations that junky feel almost like insults.  I've spent a substantial part of the morning sorting through the junk to see if there was anything in there worth salvaging--there was a tiny bit--and conveying the rest out to the dumpster in between bouts of rainfall.

I appreciate the librarians' effort, expertise, and time that is involved with sorting through donations. My campus library routinely receives donations of books and the ones that make it through the sort-and-purge end up at the book sale, and some of these books are just golden to me (in addition to being really really low-cost). I order books from eBay, too, and I noticed that a lot of the sellers are libraries (and I'm assuming that the books on sale on eBay that are sold by libraries, were donations?).

So, although it is a PITA, Thank YOU!!!!!

Thanks for the appreciation!  We think of it as a public service.  Our Friends sale room is the only book store within an hour's radius of here.  Those donations keep it supplied.  We want to keep them coming.  Last year a former book vendor rep who used to work with us gave us a massive donation of like-new material for younger readers.  We couldn't add all that much to our collection, so we've been encouraging local schoolteachers and librarians to come take what they want.  We still have a good bit left that I'd like to find good homes for.

Just got back a valuation list for a batch of ISBN numbers for weeded materials that we uploaded to our book jobber earlier this week.  Some we can send in for credit in exchange for letting the vendor re-sell them.  Others they'll simply recycle.  Looking forward to having them sorted out and boxed up, so we can get them out of here.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 06, 2023, 11:37:31 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 06, 2023, 09:04:12 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 05, 2023, 03:49:42 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on January 05, 2023, 01:34:16 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 05, 2023, 12:13:55 PM
How would a .5 section release even work?  You teach the class only an hour and a half a week?  You give (or grade) only half as many assignments?  You teach the class for only half the semester?  Maybe it's usually a lab course, but this time you don't do the labs?

It means you don't teach a class--so unless you find another admin task worth .5 (or two at .25, which is more common), you've accepted a salary reduction to 7.5 (we're all paid by thte course...). You're also not allowed to overload except in emergencies...

In practice, it means you teach 7 from September-June, then teach one in July-Aust (since, inexplicably, those count as half a section). So, in tthe end, you just end up not having actually been released from anything.


Incidentally, any honours student you supervise (which is rare, since we offer virttually no majors) counts for 0.025 of a section. But again, you can't overload. So even a single student means a pay cut of between one and half a section, depending on your July/August assignments.

This is. . .insane. They should at least let you bank them until they add up to a full course release.

Yeah... I don't understand what's going on, unless it's a series of efforts to cheat us. Which is possible, given how they treated me over my parental leave.

Banked credit would be nice, save that it would almost certainly amount to no remuneration, ever--we offer so few majors that I doubt you could get fifty supervisions over the entirety of your career.

I mean, when someone [university] shows you who they are, believe them. I won't say "look for another job" because I'm sure you either have or have good reasons for not doing so, but your university sure seems to screw you around a lot.

(We get no releases or extra compensation for mentoring (grads or undergrads), but at an R1 that is just considered a major component our jobs, and in the sciences those students are also doing important work for us in the lab,  so that's OK.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 12, 2023, 12:30:07 PM
Aaarrrgh!

I've been trying to talk to someone at Verizon Wireless since around 2:45 (it's now 3:23). After several minutes of runaround I got to chat with someone at Verizon Fios, who then transferred me to a wireless representative. It took quite some time to explain that my verizon wireless account automatically brought me to the Fios account and that trying to get someone live was a fruitless endeavor. After several attempts the representative suggested that I go to a wireless store. Well, I went to a store a week ago, and was told that I had to call customer support. Around 3 PM she managed to get things sorted out, with a new password, but then got cut off. I tried the new password, changed the password and the answer to the secret question, and lo and behold,it turned out that I had changed the password and secret question to my Verizon Fios account.

I am now waiting for a representative to call me back. I hope I can stay calm.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on January 12, 2023, 12:43:26 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on January 12, 2023, 12:30:07 PM
Aaarrrgh!

I've been trying to talk to someone at Verizon Wireless since around 2:45 (it's now 3:23). After several minutes of runaround I got to chat with someone at Verizon Fios, who then transferred me to a wireless representative. It took quite some time to explain that my verizon wireless account automatically brought me to the Fios account and that trying to get someone live was a fruitless endeavor. After several attempts the representative suggested that I go to a wireless store. Well, I went to a store a week ago, and was told that I had to call customer support. Around 3 PM she managed to get things sorted out, with a new password, but then got cut off. I tried the new password, changed the password and the answer to the secret question, and lo and behold,it turned out that I had changed the password and secret question to my Verizon Fios account.

I am now waiting for a representative to call me back. I hope I can stay calm.

I was an executor for an estate in early 2020. I returned the (Verizon) phone of the deceased to a physical Verizon store, with a copy of the death certificate, and cancelled the account right before all the stores closed for COVID for 10 months. They refused to give me a receipt for the phone as per "company policy." After the return, they lost the phone, re-instated the account, sent a series of ever-crazier bills to the surviving spouse, and eventually sent the whole outstanding amount to a predatory sort-of collection service that hits up the families and friends of deceased people and tries to collect money from them "so as not to dishonor your loved one in death." Amid this deluge of paperwork, I spent over 40 hours on the phone with Verizon representatives, one of whom was eventually able to find the package tracking number for the "lost" phone only AFTER we had been sent to the death collection service. I did track time spent with representatives and am happily confident that I cost Verizon more than twice the value of the phone they lost, even if they pay their representatives only minimum wage (as I assume they do), but neither I nor anyone in my immediate family will ever use Verizon again. I feel your pain and am so sorry.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 12, 2023, 01:24:33 PM
Update on Verizon--the representative who called was, once again, from Verizon Fios, who before connecting me to a wireless representative told me that the reason for my wireless account getting transferred to the Fios one was that my username was an acceptable one for the latter, but not for the former which needed me to use my cell number as the username. Not so, as I discovered when talking with the wireless representative, who was exceptionally helpful. In the middle of the phone call (on my landline) in addition to the texts from Verizon during the call I got another text asking me to complete a survey which I thought was surprising. It turned out the survey was for the previous representative--we had a good laugh at the idea of providing feedback on someone who was in the middle of helping me.

AR, that's quite a story. I hope you reported them to whoever is in charge of communications.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 17, 2023, 10:13:54 AM
Things that have gone wrong in our building's systems at work in the past five days:

HVAC system malfunctions

Unreliable local telephone lines

Burglar alarms going off in the middle of the day for no apparent reason

Fire alarm going off in the middle of the day for no apparent reason (The fire trucks came and everything)

Security camera system screen acting like it's about to go out

Toilet stopped up in the public men's restroom


I fixed that last problem myself with a plumber's helper plunger and some elbow grease.  Now trying to get relevant technicians to fix the other problems.  Most of these problems manifested themselves in a single day!  Today has been pretty quiet so far.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 18, 2023, 01:25:44 PM
I had 22 students in my class due to start on Monday. Then the registrar removed the students who were not eligible to be taking the class, which left 9 students.

I'm quite pleased, though I will be annoyed if they now cancel the class. I am struck that this culling indicates a failure of advisement or enrollment planning of epic proportions. I'm always a bit surprised that this school hasn't closed down.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 18, 2023, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?

Good question. And this seems to happen every year. One might begin to suspect that someone in charge is not very competent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 18, 2023, 07:11:12 PM
Quote from: downer on January 18, 2023, 01:25:44 PM
I had 22 students in my class due to start on Monday. Then the registrar removed the students who were not eligible to be taking the class, which left 9 students.

I'm quite pleased, though I will be annoyed if they now cancel the class. I am struck that this culling indicates a failure of advisement or enrollment planning of epic proportions. I'm always a bit surprised that this school hasn't closed down.

Do we work in the same place?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 05:18:44 AM
Quote from: downer on January 18, 2023, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?

Good question. And this seems to happen every year. One might begin to suspect that someone in charge is not very competent.

Many years ago I had the same question. It turned out that, (at that time anyway), Marsh U only checked when students applied to graduate  to see that all for of their courses they had the required prerequisites.

Yes, it is as stupid as it sounds.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 19, 2023, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 05:18:44 AM
Quote from: downer on January 18, 2023, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?

Good question. And this seems to happen every year. One might begin to suspect that someone in charge is not very competent.

Many years ago I had the same question. It turned out that, (at that time anyway), Marsh U only checked when students applied to graduate  to see that all for of their courses they had the required prerequisites.

Yes, it is as stupid as it sounds.

Wow, as much as I hate Workday Student, at least it won't let them enroll if they don't have the prerequisites.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 06:25:31 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 19, 2023, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 05:18:44 AM
Quote from: downer on January 18, 2023, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?

Good question. And this seems to happen every year. One might begin to suspect that someone in charge is not very competent.

Many years ago I had the same question. It turned out that, (at that time anyway), Marsh U only checked when students applied to graduate  to see that all for of their courses they had the required prerequisites.

Yes, it is as stupid as it sounds.

Wow, as much as I hate Workday Student, at least it won't let them enroll if they don't have the prerequisites.

If an individual faculty member checked, then they could get a student removed from their course if they didn't have the prereq. (This happened to me, since I taught both and they were not large, so when a student showed up on my list for Basketweaving II, I went "Wait- did they take BW I?" and sure enough, they hadn't. So I got the student removed. But in a big course, no-one would remotely be able to check all of those.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 19, 2023, 07:41:28 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 06:25:31 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 19, 2023, 06:08:55 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 19, 2023, 05:18:44 AM
Quote from: downer on January 18, 2023, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2023, 01:56:29 PM
How in the world did 13 ineligible students end up signing on for one class?

Good question. And this seems to happen every year. One might begin to suspect that someone in charge is not very competent.

Many years ago I had the same question. It turned out that, (at that time anyway), Marsh U only checked when students applied to graduate  to see that all for of their courses they had the required prerequisites.

Yes, it is as stupid as it sounds.

Wow, as much as I hate Workday Student, at least it won't let them enroll if they don't have the prerequisites.

If an individual faculty member checked, then they could get a student removed from their course if they didn't have the prereq. (This happened to me, since I taught both and they were not large, so when a student showed up on my list for Basketweaving II, I went "Wait- did they take BW I?" and sure enough, they hadn't. So I got the student removed. But in a big course, no-one would remotely be able to check all of those.)

"But I took Feltmaking 101 in high school!  Isn't that practically the same thing as Basketweaving?"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Istiblennius on January 19, 2023, 08:19:16 AM
Similar issue - I advise students who take a prereq in Fall for a Winter class. They register for the class, but then when their prereq grades are entered over Winter break, those grades are too low to move into the next class so the registrar removes them and notifies them. But of course none of them read their email over break and on the first day of Winter term are stunned to discover that a class suddenly disappeared from their schedule and now want an emergency advising appointment right! now! (even though they are reminded in their regular advising appointments that this could happen if they aren't honest with me about their grades in the prereq and that they need to keep an eye on things over Winter break if they are on the bubble). 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 23, 2023, 02:07:53 PM
I didnt sleep all that well last night. I have a CPAP.  My Bride is gone for a few more days helping her family while one undergoes cancer treatment.

I snored so loudly, that I incorporated the snoring into my dreams!  It literally rattled my teeth! 
I dont usually snore so loudly, especially with the CPAP.  I was even using the chin strap last night (an regularly for about 6 weeks now). 


I guess that breathing loudly is better than some of the other alternatives! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 23, 2023, 08:49:00 PM
Today I filled out our 'employee engagement survey's. It had been farmed out to a third party. It was garbage that didn't differentiate between faculty and staff, and was full of irrelevancies. It's clearly just a boilerplate survey they copy/paste for all their corporate clients. It didn't even solicit any comments. I've seen better surveys designed and submitted by students to our research ethics board. Surely some faculty member could have done it instead (for 0.025 of a section release, no doubt).

Within hours, we got an email from the faculty association warning us to be careful answering certain questions, and decrying the entire affair, and explaining they were not consulted.

Who the hell in HR gets paid to come up with this crap? Seriously. The last survey of this kind was similarly inappropriate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 24, 2023, 12:07:29 PM
Quote from: Istiblennius on January 19, 2023, 08:19:16 AM
Similar issue - I advise students who take a prereq in Fall for a Winter class. They register for the class, but then when their prereq grades are entered over Winter break, those grades are too low to move into the next class so the registrar removes them and notifies them. But of course none of them read their email over break and on the first day of Winter term are stunned to discover that a class suddenly disappeared from their schedule and now want an emergency advising appointment right! now! (even though they are reminded in their regular advising appointments that this could happen if they aren't honest with me about their grades in the prereq and that they need to keep an eye on things over Winter break if they are on the bubble).

We have the same issue here.
"Why did you remove me from your Baskets 102 class?!?!?" Not me, it was the Registrar.  And not her personally, but an algorithm from that office.
"But I TOOK Baskets 101!!" And you have to pass it.

It was really a mess during COVID shut-down when about 1/3 of the students in [baskets 101] were failed due to cheating.  But the investigation took so long that the students were already midway through the next quarter.  They decided to let them finish [baskets 102] and then repeat [baskets 101].

And that is why the "how to report a student for possible misconduct" is now a very, very much more streamlined process.  You used to have to fill out a really long, complicated form that would time-out after about 10 minutes for EACH student.  When a cohort of >100 cheats, it's not practical to use that approach.  Now, it's a simple form and you can list all suspected students at once.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 25, 2023, 07:18:31 AM
The predicted end-of-the-world snowfall caused pretty much all K-12 and colleges/universities in the area to close today.

As I look out my window at 9 a.m., the streets and sidewalks are completely clear (just wet), and the grass is still showing through.  It's still snowing flakes the size of grains of kosher salt.

I like a day off as well as the next person, but they really blew it on this one--and I really needed today's class time, as I've already packed each day's schedule in this shorter 15-week spring semester.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on January 25, 2023, 09:14:30 AM
@Amlithist:  Do you have the option to pivot to an online class in case of bad weather?  The last 2-3 years have made doing that much easier and more normative. Since you already have a time slot with students, can you teach the material online?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on January 25, 2023, 10:11:20 AM
Our predicted snowstorm also turned into basically nothing, but the university also "closed."  We were instructed to pivot all in-person classes to remote delivery. This message was almost immediately followed by a message from the faculty union clarifying that remote delivery of in-person classes was not mandated in the contract, and faculty had full ability to make decisions regarding how they would handle the physical closure that was most appropriate for their specific courses. Fun times.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 25, 2023, 12:16:09 PM
Were 'make up days' part of the contract?
Sometimes people can be so shortsighted! 

My university is located in an area that could be devastated by the right hurricane, in the right conditions.  Our administrators, long ago, learned the lessons from Katrina and New Orleans. 
In addition to a reserve fund, (not big enough, but better than before), we are mandated to have a LMS and sufficient assignments ready to host at least a week. If we go beyond that, then we can add more.

The warning was essentially, IF you want to get Paid for more than a few weeks after the storm, Be Prepared to TEACH your classes ONLINE until the buildings are safe to run again! 

The Alternative, as we learned so well from Tulane, and other New Orleans schools is Layoffs/ tuition Refunds/ CATCH UP DAYS!! --  Extending the term until we make up the contact hours we lost!!!  By having the LMS ready, we do not lose contact hours that would need to be replaced to meet STATE Requirements! 

SO I hope that your faculty isnt surprised to learn that the university WILL comply with the Union Contract, AND state LAW and just extend the term into the Christmas break!  And if the administration is forced into that corner, expect that each class will be monitored for the now mandatory attendance and appropriate use of time!  (Enforcing All Rules to the Letter works for Admincritters too!) 

short-sighted bastards (both sides, probably!)! 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 27, 2023, 07:43:06 AM
Quote from: poiuy on January 25, 2023, 09:14:30 AM
@Amlithist:  Do you have the option to pivot to an online class in case of bad weather?  The last 2-3 years have made doing that much easier and more normative. Since you already have a time slot with students, can you teach the material online?
Unfortunately, no:  when we're closed for weather, we're specifically forbidden to go online/live virtual lecture. (This class is already an LVL, so it would have been just fine, had I been allowed to teach that day.)

Most local schools--K-12 and colleges/universities--did go virtual on Wednesday. Not us, though. Probably part of the thinking was that students at two of our four CC campuses are poor, so they wouldn't have internet/computer access--which isn't borne out by the number of F2F students I have who use laptops and phones during class that are far nicer than mine.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on January 27, 2023, 08:11:20 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 27, 2023, 07:43:06 AM
Quote from: poiuy on January 25, 2023, 09:14:30 AM
@Amlithist:  Do you have the option to pivot to an online class in case of bad weather?  The last 2-3 years have made doing that much easier and more normative. Since you already have a time slot with students, can you teach the material online?
Unfortunately, no:  when we're closed for weather, we're specifically forbidden to go online/live virtual lecture. (This class is already an LVL, so it would have been just fine, had I been allowed to teach that day.)

Most local schools--K-12 and colleges/universities--did go virtual on Wednesday. Not us, though. Probably part of the thinking was that students at two of our four CC campuses are poor, so they wouldn't have internet/computer access--which isn't borne out by the number of F2F students I have who use laptops and phones during class that are far nicer than mine.

Interesting. Pre-pandemic this might have made sense. However, due to COVID our community has cranked up its wifi/broadband access and our college has made laptops pretty readily available.

We don't have weather-related closures but this has made it a lot easier for faculty to teach 100% online if they want to.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on January 27, 2023, 11:25:48 AM
I was enjoying a lovely Friday until I got an email from HR, saying that a colleague has filed a complaint against me (not clue what it's about), and now I'm waiting for the college's attorney to set up a meeting. This is not what I want dangling over my head for the weekend. Feels like I'm in a Kafka novel.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 27, 2023, 03:04:40 PM
Nothing Good ever comes through emails. 
Never read emails between Thursday afternoon and Monday morning!!

If something is REALLY important, someone will call you!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 28, 2023, 05:51:06 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on January 27, 2023, 11:25:48 AM
I was enjoying a lovely Friday until I got an email from HR, saying that a colleague has filed a complaint against me (not clue what it's about), and now I'm waiting for the college's attorney to set up a meeting. This is not what I want dangling over my head for the weekend. Feels like I'm in a Kafka novel.
Oh, sinenomine, I'm so sorry. This has to be nerve-wracking! I hope you have a union to go with you--and don't attend any meetings (even supposedly "informal" or "friendly" ones) without a union rep alongside.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on January 28, 2023, 06:05:29 AM
Sadly, no unions at my institution.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 28, 2023, 08:39:57 AM
This vent is directed at myself:  get your butt in gear and GRADE, already.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on January 28, 2023, 12:13:29 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 28, 2023, 05:51:06 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on January 27, 2023, 11:25:48 AM
I was enjoying a lovely Friday until I got an email from HR, saying that a colleague has filed a complaint against me (not clue what it's about), and now I'm waiting for the college's attorney to set up a meeting. This is not what I want dangling over my head for the weekend. Feels like I'm in a Kafka novel.
Oh, sinenomine, I'm so sorry. This has to be nerve-wracking! I hope you have a union to go with you--and don't attend any meetings (even supposedly "informal" or "friendly" ones) without a union rep alongside.

Could you take a trusted colleague along? If attorneys are involved, you need someone to watch your back and document what was said at the meeting.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Cheerful on January 28, 2023, 02:09:37 PM
If attorneys are involved, I'd probably get my own hiqhly-qualified attorney and make sure that person is present during any meetings and oversees any communications.

This situation sounds awful.  The way you were "informed" without any details on a Friday and more.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on January 28, 2023, 02:26:10 PM
Absolutely, Cheerful.

I was once the target of a student's legal attack. Had to deal with the university lawyers right away. It was clear they didn't like me. [:-)] At the first meeting, I even asked if I had to hire my own lawyer. The response was "no", but of such disdain that I was seriously worried. Nevertheless, I resolved to tough them out.

It took about half a year, longer, with lots of complications along the way, to resolve everything, with the university lawyers [a whole bloody department full] eventually coming round to my side.

In retrospect, I should have hired a lawyer right away to witness all proceedings, and to advise on how the proceedings could have been shortened.

Talk softly and carry a big stick. Nowadays in America, lawyers are the big sticks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 30, 2023, 07:57:59 AM
If there's a subsidiary curriculum committee meeting I must attend, you have to tell me about it. It's not great when I find out third-hand that it's in two days, exactly on the day I'm travelling, exactly at the time that I'm travelling.

Especially when I arranged things months ago so that I would definitely be around for the senate curriculum committee meeting, which I must attend. Also, why are there two different curriculum committees, and why is the subsidiary one secret (as in, there are no details anywhere on any website, and you don't find out about it until and unless they contact you)?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Wahoo Redux on January 30, 2023, 08:56:07 AM
Six months later, the editor returns my email.  She is very nice, and she has a "curation project"----would I be interested?  Okay, I say, let's talk.  I have to sign a nondisclosure agreement...on a nursing textbook.

She is nice.  She sends me samples.  No real instruction.  She wants a couple of "screens" so they can critique how I edited text for the web.  She sent a "style guide"----for people who want clear, jargon-free text they sure write a lot of convoluted, jargon-heavy text.

I spent all morning trying to figure our what she wants.  She sent raw text...and she sent the formats of the raw text with no real instruction.  What does she want me to do??  Format the stuff that is already formatted?

She couldn't tell me how long the edits might take, so the money sounds good...except maybe the money ain't so great if it takes all month just to do one chapter.  In fact, the money might be bad considering the amount of time it's gonna take.  I feel like a dumb freshman who can't figure out what the professor wants.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on January 31, 2023, 05:37:59 AM
Interthreaduality. I posted in the 1st world problems thread that our water was out. The county turned it back on. Fine. However, we noticed that we now have a leak in the crawlspace. I am not a plumber. So, we called a plumber and couldn't get one to come out until this morning. So much for 24 hour plumbing services. So many of them just didn't even answer the phone!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 31, 2023, 07:29:44 AM
This vent involves what's coming through the vents.  Namely, air that's not warm enough.  We're burning vast amounts of gas to heat the building, and yet most spaces in it have been running four to six degrees below the set temperature.  We're trying to get our service techs from the state capital down to check the system out, but no luck so far.   And probably not in the next few days, since we have winter storm conditions that will make travel difficult across much of the state.

When our building was built two decades ago, the architects sold the Board of Trustees a bill of goods in the form of a high-tech, computer-controlled HVAC system that was supposed to be able to fine-tune temperatures all over the building.  The building is divided into multiple zones, each of which has its own variable air volume box.  The air handler unit supplies the whole building with air at a given temperature.  The VAV boxes each have chilled water and hot water lines so that they can warm up or cool down the air going into that section to fine-tune the temperature.  It's a grotesquely inefficient system--we have to run the boiler all summer long to warm up sections of the building that keep getting over-cooled by the chiller!  And in recent "winters" we've had multiple periods where we needed the chiller on to COOL the building, and it usually won't kick on. 

Anyway, this system has never worked very well.  Most people feel too cool winter and summer alike, except when the chiller is on the blink, which happens multiple times a year.  The expensive computerized system gets on the blink now and then as well.  When it does work, I've found that tinkering with the settings seldom helps much.  Things have generally gotten worse in the past year or so.  We've spent a fortune in service call-outs, and nothing seems to stay fixed.

Yesterday I checked the VAV settings for the circulation desk area, where the staff sits shivering in temps well below the set point.  It said that the hot water valve was at 100%, and yet the air coming through the VAV box was not warming up.  So evidently that valve has gone bad.  I suspect there are probably others around the building.  When we can eventually get service techs here to look at it, we'll probably have to have them go over the whole system with a fine-tooth comb to see whether all the parts and sensors are actually working.  That'll cost a fortune.  And I hate to think what fixing all the busted valves and sensors will cost. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 01, 2023, 06:59:58 AM
That is literally a vent, apl68!  The situation sounds really uncomfortable, and mentally as well as physically irritating.  Can people use small space heaters until the issue gets better - though that's not likely to happen soon by the sound of it.  I just hate being too cold in a workplace, I cannot concentrate plus I keep running to the restroom.

My vent: at my advanced age I have developed a terrible zit on my cheek that swelled up with a lot of redness far around it, and long story short, I went to the doc and was immediately put on heavy antibiotics for cellulite, and have been warned to go to the ER if I get worse or develop a fever.  Google told me that the middle triangle of the face is called 'the zone of death' (yikes!) because an infection here can get into the eyes, sinuses, teeth, brain, etc. Who knew!  I guess the docs knew. I am glad to have the benefit of modern medicine, I just have to cope with the nausea and yucky feeling that comes with having to take a large dose of antibiotics on an empty stomach. Oh well, this too shall pass. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 01, 2023, 12:24:41 PM
In my spam folder--
Sender's name: Lower Blood Pressure
Subject: Before you have a heart attack...

At least this and the numerous messages from various senders informing me that my username has been compromised go into the spam folder...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 01, 2023, 12:38:09 PM
Quote from: poiuy on February 01, 2023, 06:59:58 AM
That is literally a vent, apl68!  The situation sounds really uncomfortable, and mentally as well as physically irritating.  Can people use small space heaters until the issue gets better - though that's not likely to happen soon by the sound of it.  I just hate being too cold in a workplace, I cannot concentrate plus I keep running to the restroom.

My vent: at my advanced age I have developed a terrible zit on my cheek that swelled up with a lot of redness far around it, and long story short, I went to the doc and was immediately put on heavy antibiotics for cellulite, and have been warned to go to the ER if I get worse or develop a fever.  Google told me that the middle triangle of the face is called 'the zone of death' (yikes!) because an infection here can get into the eyes, sinuses, teeth, brain, etc. Who knew!  I guess the docs knew. I am glad to have the benefit of modern medicine, I just have to cope with the nausea and yucky feeling that comes with having to take a large dose of antibiotics on an empty stomach. Oh well, this too shall pass.


Hoping that you can knock that out quickly, poiuy!  The good news is that it sounds like a treatable infection.

We have a couple of space heaters available in some staff areas, but not for everybody.  I've just been layering up while in my office.  I'm concerned about discomfort to patrons.  We've had many complaints from groups feeling cold in our meeting room.  Including the Mayor and City Council, which is embarrassing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 01, 2023, 01:20:37 PM
I'm doing some mandatory training regarding lab safety. My vent isn't with having to do the training, it's important, especially for students and new faculty. But I went directly to the test and earned 100% then found out that now all the videos have to be watched before our learning system will mark the training as being completed. Ugh. The training has not been changed in eons, and the test is exactly the same as it was last year, but what has changed is the need to actually have the tediously voiced-over PowerPoints play all the way through. I have them running in the background on mute whilst I am grading because yeah, I already passed the test.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 01, 2023, 04:10:39 PM
Quote from: apl68 on February 01, 2023, 12:38:09 PM
Quote from: poiuy on February 01, 2023, 06:59:58 AM
That is literally a vent, apl68!  The situation sounds really uncomfortable, and mentally as well as physically irritating.  Can people use small space heaters until the issue gets better - though that's not likely to happen soon by the sound of it.  I just hate being too cold in a workplace, I cannot concentrate plus I keep running to the restroom.

My vent: at my advanced age I have developed a terrible zit on my cheek that swelled up with a lot of redness far around it, and long story short, I went to the doc and was immediately put on heavy antibiotics for cellulite, and have been warned to go to the ER if I get worse or develop a fever.  Google told me that the middle triangle of the face is called 'the zone of death' (yikes!) because an infection here can get into the eyes, sinuses, teeth, brain, etc. Who knew!  I guess the docs knew. I am glad to have the benefit of modern medicine, I just have to cope with the nausea and yucky feeling that comes with having to take a large dose of antibiotics on an empty stomach. Oh well, this too shall pass.


Hoping that you can knock that out quickly, poiuy!  The good news is that it sounds like a treatable infection.

We have a couple of space heaters available in some staff areas, but not for everybody.  I've just been layering up while in my office.  I'm concerned about discomfort to patrons.  We've had many complaints from groups feeling cold in our meeting room.  Including the Mayor and City Council, which is embarrassing.

Thank you apl68.  Maybe it's time to get some more space heaters for staff.  That is ridiculous about the Mayor and City Council.  Whoever built that heating system should be reported to any and every appropriate professional and business body.

(and Gah! Typos!  What I have is cellulitis, not cellulite. You can't actually die of the latter I think).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on February 01, 2023, 05:21:10 PM
Quote from: poiuy on February 01, 2023, 06:59:58 AM
That is literally a vent, apl68!  The situation sounds really uncomfortable, and mentally as well as physically irritating.  Can people use small space heaters until the issue gets better - though that's not likely to happen soon by the sound of it.  I just hate being too cold in a workplace, I cannot concentrate plus I keep running to the restroom.

My vent: at my advanced age I have developed a terrible zit on my cheek that swelled up with a lot of redness far around it, and long story short, I went to the doc and was immediately put on heavy antibiotics for cellulite, and have been warned to go to the ER if I get worse or develop a fever.  Google told me that the middle triangle of the face is called 'the zone of death' (yikes!) because an infection here can get into the eyes, sinuses, teeth, brain, etc. Who knew!  I guess the docs knew. I am glad to have the benefit of modern medicine, I just have to cope with the nausea and yucky feeling that comes with having to take a large dose of antibiotics on an empty stomach. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Had it last year on my face! No fun at all, and you have my sympathy!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on February 01, 2023, 05:33:00 PM
I think I need one of those "no" punch cards. I failed to track just how many things I was saying yes to and now  I've committed to the following, all due within the next 6 weeks:
1 grant review panel (2 full days on zoom, plus all the time before then to review and score my assigned grants)
2 grant submissions (not as PI, but still)
1 conference talk (far away)
1 support letter for a former mentor for a Distinguished Professorship
1 panel discussion for a national org (which I'm a bit nervous about)
5 journal reviews

Plus all the usual work. It's all stuff I'm genuinely excited about and want to do (well maybe except the journal reviews), but damn, I did not think through the time commitments as much as I should have.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 02, 2023, 05:21:40 AM
Quote from: Puget on February 01, 2023, 05:33:00 PM
I think I need one of those "no" punch cards. I failed to track just how many things I was saying yes to and now  I've committed to the following, all due within the next 6 weeks:
1 grant review panel (2 full days on zoom, plus all the time before then to review and score my assigned grants)
2 grant submissions (not as PI, but still)
1 conference talk (far away)
1 support letter for a former mentor for a Distinguished Professorship
1 panel discussion for a national org (which I'm a bit nervous about)
5 journal reviews

Plus all the usual work. It's all stuff I'm genuinely excited about and want to do (well maybe except the journal reviews), but damn, I did not think through the time commitments as much as I should have.

Which of these did you wish you had said 'no' to?  Genuinely curious. So many items on this list seem like 'must-do' things for academics?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on February 02, 2023, 06:07:50 AM
Quote from: poiuy on February 02, 2023, 05:21:40 AM
Quote from: Puget on February 01, 2023, 05:33:00 PM
I think I need one of those "no" punch cards. I failed to track just how many things I was saying yes to and now  I've committed to the following, all due within the next 6 weeks:
1 grant review panel (2 full days on zoom, plus all the time before then to review and score my assigned grants)
2 grant submissions (not as PI, but still)
1 conference talk (far away)
1 support letter for a former mentor for a Distinguished Professorship
1 panel discussion for a national org (which I'm a bit nervous about)
5 journal reviews

Plus all the usual work. It's all stuff I'm genuinely excited about and want to do (well maybe except the journal reviews), but damn, I did not think through the time commitments as much as I should have.

Which of these did you wish you had said 'no' to?  Genuinely curious. So many items on this list seem like 'must-do' things for academics?

That's the problem-- these are mostly things I should and want to do, there are just too many of them at once, and at some point you have to start saying no to more, however worthy and important, or you won't be able to successfully complete everything you've already said yes to.

Well, I should have said "no" to 3 of the reviews, following my usual rule of only having 2 reviews on deck a a time -- but two of the asks were from editors I know and like (and I know how hard it is to find reviewers these days), and 1 was a revision and I never say no to those, so here we are.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 02, 2023, 08:27:40 AM
The Crud is making the rounds here.  I stayed home Tuesday (could have gone in if I'd had to, but had a rotten sinus headache, plus sick days that go away if we don't use them).  One of my colleagues came in that day, sick as a dog, according to the secretary; he doesn't sound much better today. Another is sick and stayed home.

We keep veering between the 50s and 60s, and the teens and 20s, over the past few weeks.  I know there's probably no clinical proof of a connection, but the changes do set off my sinuses and the achy joints.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 02, 2023, 12:02:33 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 02, 2023, 08:27:40 AM
The Crud is making the rounds here.  I stayed home Tuesday (could have gone in if I'd had to, but had a rotten sinus headache, plus sick days that go away if we don't use them).  One of my colleagues came in that day, sick as a dog, according to the secretary; he doesn't sound much better today. Another is sick and stayed home.

We keep veering between the 50s and 60s, and the teens and 20s, over the past few weeks.  I know there's probably no clinical proof of a connection, but the changes do set off my sinuses and the achy joints.

The wild fluctuations in temperatures here have been having the same effects.  It really is hard on a person's body to keep having to readjust like that.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on February 02, 2023, 04:25:03 PM
Quote from: Puget on February 01, 2023, 05:33:00 PM
I think I need one of those "no" punch cards. I failed to track just how many things I was saying yes to and now  I've committed to the following, all due within the next 6 weeks:
1 grant review panel (2 full days on zoom, plus all the time before then to review and score my assigned grants)
2 grant submissions (not as PI, but still)
1 conference talk (far away)
1 support letter for a former mentor for a Distinguished Professorship
1 panel discussion for a national org (which I'm a bit nervous about)
5 journal reviews

Plus all the usual work. It's all stuff I'm genuinely excited about and want to do (well maybe except the journal reviews), but damn, I did not think through the time commitments as much as I should have.

For the wholly retired?  Let me see: Sleep in tomorrow until about nine a.m., or sleep in until noon?  That's a toughie.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 04, 2023, 02:32:20 PM
I've got COVID.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on February 04, 2023, 04:13:06 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 04, 2023, 02:32:20 PM
I've got COVID.

So sorry!! Rest plenty, even if you don't feel really sick.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 04, 2023, 05:00:09 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 04, 2023, 02:32:20 PM
I've got COVID.

Feel better soon! Feel free to vent about it! :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 04, 2023, 06:25:11 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 04, 2023, 02:32:20 PM
I've got COVID.

Oh no!  I hope you have the mildest possible case, over as soon as possible.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 05, 2023, 08:35:31 AM
Get well soon, SCR!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2023, 08:05:37 PM
Thanks, everybody.

I don't seem to have a severe case, but it's not been a great week either.

Was nauseated most of today. SO, in a sincere attempt to help settle my stomach, offered me SPAM.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on February 06, 2023, 06:29:46 AM
Get well soon, Smallcleanrat!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on February 07, 2023, 11:53:00 AM
Vent: I am spending more time documenting the student's plagiarism than the student spent doing the copy/paste plagiarism for this assignment.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 07, 2023, 12:52:46 PM
More building HVAC problems today.  It's having trouble keeping the air on--in February!  I've just had to submit a proposal to our Board of Trustees to spend over $12,000 to try to fix the current problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 07, 2023, 02:29:07 PM
Quote from: arcturus on February 07, 2023, 11:53:00 AM
Vent: I am spending more time documenting the student's plagiarism than the student spent doing the copy/paste plagiarism for this assignment.

This is always the way of it, which is why I hate plagiarized work with a passion.  (What can I say?  I'm lazy, at heart.) And all the time is usually a sunk cost:  yes, it creates/adds to an institutional record for the student, but in nearly every case I've ever had, the student drops the class pretty quickly after the event.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on February 07, 2023, 02:45:28 PM
For us, once a plagiarism case is filed, the student is not allowed to drop the class.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on February 07, 2023, 03:00:14 PM
Quote from: waterboy on February 07, 2023, 02:45:28 PM
For us, once a plagiarism case is filed, the student is not allowed to drop the class.

That's the official policy here too.  But, in reality, a student who is quick enough can fill out the Drop form before the Honor Board folks contact the Registrar to block the action.  I've had to contact the Registrar to get a student re-added back into the class.  Stu was VERY upset when they found out.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on February 07, 2023, 03:07:01 PM
AmLit, Aqua and Genes: I had a job with much academic authority for many years. The university, of course had rules about dealing with suspected plagiarism. Over the ca. one dozen years or more that I had this job about half a dozen faculty asked me once each what to do, as they suspected plagiarism. I suggested they take off points from each exam commensurate with what they thought the extent of the plagiarism was, and e-mail the student what had been done and what the recourse was -- to go the bureaucratic route. This policy was wildly successful: No accused ever went before the whatever ordered by official policy!

I can't recommend this course of action to you in good conscience, for I don't know what bad things could happen.  I'm sure I was less risk averse than most faculty. But in these cases, the gambling was fun for me. :-)



Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 08, 2023, 06:45:21 PM
Where do I begin?

Dragged myself to the ER to see why I haven't been able to stand, sit, or lie down for any length of time since Sunday. This is the most dysfunctional ER in the city, so despite my concerns I decided that I needed an Xray/diagnosis.

A patient who had tested positive for Covid was seated with us in the small reception area, and was also escorted with three of us to the examination area. There was no distancing whatsoever, and this person continued sitting very near the other patients for at least a couple of hours with her mask below her nose. That was the first red flag. Then, after much waiting, I was addressed by the physician who was not only unprofessional in demeanor and language, but also dressed as though she had just got out of bed. After being Xrayed by a very professional technician, I came back to the waiting area, where after another long wait, a nurse remembered that she was supposed to have given me the pain pill almost an hour ago. Finally the physician got the Xray report and she very contemptuously told me that it was due to my age. My request for a CD of the x-ray was dismissed. I do have the Xray report, but often there are inconsistencies between the report and what is visible on the x-ray. It was three hours of agony and frustration. This is supposed to be the first world--physicians in the third world are often much more professional than the one I had today. NYC did away with dress codes and professionalism in an attempt to be inclusive. Gaargh!

I should be relieved that I don't have hip problems, but still, this was a hospital, and physicians, especially those from other countries should be given some instruction on how to talk to patients.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on February 08, 2023, 08:49:27 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on February 07, 2023, 03:00:14 PM
Quote from: waterboy on February 07, 2023, 02:45:28 PM
For us, once a plagiarism case is filed, the student is not allowed to drop the class.

That's the official policy here too.  But, in reality, a student who is quick enough can fill out the Drop form before the Honor Board folks contact the Registrar to block the action.  I've had to contact the Registrar to get a student re-added back into the class.  Stu was VERY upset when they found out.
We have a wide range of options in terms of the consequences for academic misconduct in our classes. If we decide the student should earn an F for misconduct, it does not matter if they drop before/after the misconduct has been reported. The F will be on their transcript forever (will be included in their GPA even if they take the class again, for example). If they are given a lesser penalty, then they can withdraw as normal if they choose. I had an instance where the penalty applied corresponded to a very very minor deduction in points. I was surprised when the student dropped the course, because it was really not going to impact their grade in the class. However, I learned latter that this was a second infraction, at which point the school takes more significant action (expel, require a leave of absence, etc). Apparently he thought that dropping the class would make the misconduct report go away. The funny part is that the only reason I know that he was in this more serious circumstance is that he wrote me shortly before his school-level misconduct hearing (where they would decide about the serious consequences) to see if I would speak on his behalf. I declined, of course.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 09, 2023, 09:51:52 AM
Sending good thoughts, Langue_Doc.  I hope you're feeling better.

I get it about the ER, too:  here in BFE/East Jeebus, I wouldn't take my worst enemy's cat to our hospital.  I had my car wreck a half-mile away from it last fall, and while the cops kept offering to take me, I refused, and went to my own GP a couple of days later. (This ER nearly killed ALHS a number of years ago, giving him a 50 mg dose of a med to lower his BP--the correct dose should have been 5 mg. Nope. If anything serious ever happens to one of us, I'll demand an airlift to Big City ER before these jokers touch us.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 09, 2023, 01:03:55 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on February 08, 2023, 06:45:21 PM
Where do I begin?

Dragged myself to the ER to see why I haven't been able to stand, sit, or lie down for any length of time since Sunday. This is the most dysfunctional ER in the city, so despite my concerns I decided that I needed an Xray/diagnosis.


Do you have an urgent care center near you?  You would likely get swifter and better treatment there.  You may want a second opinion anyways if you are not feeling better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 09, 2023, 02:18:16 PM
Thanks, ALH and poiuy. The issue in this area is parking, coupled with urgent care centers that are staffed by the most unprofessional individuals. I just scheduled an appointment with my orthopedist who can prescribe an MRI  and will also see if my PCP can persuade the ER to send him photos of the Xrays. A couple of years ago, I drove all the way across town on a Sunday morning to go to an ER that had good reviews. I could park on the street, and because the body part was my mouth, could walk the few blocks to the ER. The urgent care centers I go to are all in Manhattan. The only reason for going to this particular one despite its reputation and my experience there, was because I didn't think I could take the subway or do the long drive to my back doctor. On Sunday and Monday I was convinced that I'd never be able to walk again, so getting the Xray that showed no fracture was quite a relief. There's another one that I could have driven to, but that too has a bad reputation--I remember one of my ESL students telling me years ago about how she spent over an hour in the ER waiting for the doctor to see her child, and then left because both she and the child were getting sicker and stressed out just waiting to be seen.

ALH, that reminds me of the time I let an allergist sweet-talk me into getting allergy shots. The nurse who administered the first dose gave me 5 mg instead of .05 mg (not sure of the mg, but do remember the missing decimal). Fortunatley I had just left the facility so they tracked me down and gave me an antidote which led to my sleeping for 12 hours and more every night the next couple of months. They proceeded to blame me for not waiting the suggested half an hour--I think I left after about 20 minutes.

Even the pharmacies here are deplorable. I have to go to the current one which requires me to find parking because the branch that had a parking lot closed. There was a long line of people and just one pharmacist when I went to pick up the medications. I think they found another employee who very clearly didn't want to pick up the slack, so he (the most work-ethic challenged individual I've encountered) literally dragged his feet before entering the pharmacy area, and then proceeded to take several sips of water from his water bottle and only after that very reluctantly opened the register.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 09, 2023, 08:06:34 PM
Quotehat's the official policy here too.  But, in reality, a student who is quick enough can fill out the Drop form before the Honor Board folks contact the Registrar to block the action.  I've had to contact the Registrar to get a student re-added back into the class.  Stu was VERY upset when they found out.

I had a student cheat and drop.  They were found guilty. The drop was undone and the F instated. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 10, 2023, 06:33:24 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 09, 2023, 09:51:52 AM
Sending good thoughts, Langue_Doc.  I hope you're feeling better.

I get it about the ER, too:  here in BFE/East Jeebus, I wouldn't take my worst enemy's cat to our hospital.  I had my car wreck a half-mile away from it last fall, and while the cops kept offering to take me, I refused, and went to my own GP a couple of days later. (This ER nearly killed ALHS a number of years ago, giving him a 50 mg dose of a med to lower his BP--the correct dose should have been 5 mg. Nope. If anything serious ever happens to one of us, I'll demand an airlift to Big City ER before these jokers touch us.)

Piggybacking on this. Sorry to hear about everyone's issues with health care. Awhile ago we had to wait 13 hours at our local ER which sucked so hard. People were complaining loudly and for good reason! I wish health care in this country were a priority to the dumbasses in charge and not just a way to make money for them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 11, 2023, 06:32:19 AM
Some years ago our local emergency room and hospital service were terrible.  It was pretty much guaranteed that unless you were clearly in immanent danger of death you would be waiting for hours before anybody saw you.  Over the past decade or so that has changed dramatically.  It's much, much better than it used to be.  The biggest single factor has been the presence of a dedicated hospital CEO who has made service a priority.  He has also over the years brought a number of medical specialists to our region that we didn't previously have.  Most medical specialists think that rural areas are beneath them, but our CEO has a way of convincing them otherwise.

Our local pharmacies are pretty good too.  The only times I've ever had really unreasonable waits were during the COVID lockdowns, when everything was interrupted by lockdown protocols.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on February 13, 2023, 05:32:51 PM
I went to the doctor's, ER reports in hand. Doctor wanted to know what possessed me to go that ER, but no harm done, let's send you for an MRI. Quite helpfully, he printed out my last MRI report so that I could call them right away to schedule the MRI. Surprise, surprise, the recording says "Welcome to Major Medical Conglomerate (MMC)" instead of the name of the facility on the report. After punching the required numbers, I wait for more than 10 minutes for a live person. I give up, get home, and this time am on hold for 20 minutes, but no live person at the other end. Look up the information for another MRI facility that I was not happy with, and this one too has been taken over by MMC. The website for MMC shows MRI locations in all five boroughs, which is probably the result of major takeovers. Tomorrow I'll have to go through my medical records to see if I can track down yet another provider. The MMC wants patients to schedule online, despite the recording asking you to press a certain number to schedule or change appointments or even to let them know if you are running late for an appointment. Things have certainly changed since the pandemic!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 13, 2023, 11:00:11 PM
My sister-in-law is a real monster, and I loathe her. So much. I only hope one day she ends up in the same position she's putting her mother (and, by extension, us).

Not that it will ever happen. And not that, if it did, we would do to her what she's doing, because that would be monstrous, and we are not that bad.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on February 16, 2023, 03:40:51 PM
I don't fly enough to have internalize just how terrible air travel is ... until today. Mrs. Rat trying to fly from midwest city to southeast city, with a layover in Atlanta. She's been in the midwest city since, I dunno, 8am central. Between an "IT glitch" that meant that no one checking a bag could board the initial flight, to being bumped from midday flight, to evening flight being delayed by a whole slew of things, it now looks like she will have to pray that she'll take the final flight out of Atlanta (11pm eastern). She's gonna have a migraine tomorrow for sure.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 17, 2023, 02:04:02 PM
There's a situation at my university that could be bordering on illegal (it's unethical to say the least). I spoke to my Chair about it and basically got the, 'Well, I can't do anything about it, you need to talk to someone else.' I'm really upset about this and am vacillating between extreme rage and hopelessness.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 17, 2023, 03:26:12 PM
Is there an Ombuds?
Is there a fraud/ethics hotline? (many state funded places have one!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 17, 2023, 07:02:54 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 17, 2023, 02:04:02 PM
There's a situation at my university that could be bordering on illegal (it's unethical to say the least). I spoke to my Chair about it and basically got the, 'Well, I can't do anything about it, you need to talk to someone else.' I'm really upset about this and am vacillating between extreme rage and hopelessness.

Why can't your chair do anything? Do you agree?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 18, 2023, 09:04:10 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on February 17, 2023, 07:02:54 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 17, 2023, 02:04:02 PM
There's a situation at my university that could be bordering on illegal (it's unethical to say the least). I spoke to my Chair about it and basically got the, 'Well, I can't do anything about it, you need to talk to someone else.' I'm really upset about this and am vacillating between extreme rage and hopelessness.

Why can't your chair do anything? Do you agree?

I'm currently exploring other avenues. There is little transparency and some toxic people in the mix.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 18, 2023, 09:04:52 AM
Quote from: clean on February 17, 2023, 03:26:12 PM
Is there an Ombuds?
Is there a fraud/ethics hotline? (many state funded places have one!)

Yes. Considering it after exploring other avenues. Trying to be intentionally vague. Could be newsworthy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 08:34:36 AM
My body hates me. I think it's stress-related. I've been self-soothing with fatty foods and chocolate and well- it caught up with me. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 09:42:58 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 08:34:36 AM
My body hates me. I think it's stress-related. I've been self-soothing with fatty foods and chocolate and well- it caught up with me. :(

Just relocate to a different planet. It won't affect your mass, but it can do wonders for your weight!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 09:42:58 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 08:34:36 AM
My body hates me. I think it's stress-related. I've been self-soothing with fatty foods and chocolate and well- it caught up with me. :(

Just relocate to a different planet. It won't affect your mass, but it can do wonders for your weight!

Ha! I tell my students this all the time. Hmm. might help me stretch better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 09:42:58 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 08:34:36 AM
My body hates me. I think it's stress-related. I've been self-soothing with fatty foods and chocolate and well- it caught up with me. :(

Just relocate to a different planet. It won't affect your mass, but it can do wonders for your weight!

Ha! I tell my students this all the time. Hmm. might help me stretch better.

For a good stretch, place yourself in the vicinity of a friendly black hole.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 19, 2023, 01:56:48 PM
The monstrous SIL decided that keeping her mother at the poverty level was too good, and that she can have an adequate quality of life 40% below the poverty level. (She is trustee of a giant pile of money left to her mother--like, high six figures--so that she could live her last years in some comfort, for the first time in her life. Grossly, she inherited more than her mother, so it's not even primarily about greed, but rather having the power to control and punish her mother.)

The situation has been untenable for some years now, but that's the final straw. We are suing for her removal. Sigh. This is really not what anyone wanted. And really not what we (my partner and I) needed added to our plate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Juvenal on February 20, 2023, 11:52:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 19, 2023, 01:56:48 PM
The monstrous SIL decided that keeping her mother at the poverty level was too good, and that she can have an adequate quality of life 40% below the poverty level. (She is trustee of a giant pile of money left to her mother--like, high six figures--so that she could live her last years in some comfort, for the first time in her life. Grossly, she inherited more than her mother, so it's not even primarily about greed, but rather having the power to control and punish her mother.)

The situation has been untenable for some years now, but that's the final straw. We are suing for her removal. Sigh. This is really not what anyone wanted. And really not what we (my partner and I) needed added to our plate.

Worthless person.  Too bad "a contract" is too sub rosa, eh?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 20, 2023, 02:13:13 PM
Quote from: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: arcturus on February 19, 2023, 09:42:58 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 19, 2023, 08:34:36 AM
My body hates me. I think it's stress-related. I've been self-soothing with fatty foods and chocolate and well- it caught up with me. :(

Just relocate to a different planet. It won't affect your mass, but it can do wonders for your weight!

Ha! I tell my students this all the time. Hmm. might help me stretch better.

For a good stretch, place yourself in the vicinity of a friendly black hole.

Neil DeG. T. describes spaghettification well. I like spaghetti, but I don't relish the idea of being it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1iJXOUMJpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1iJXOUMJpg)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 20, 2023, 03:24:33 PM
Exam was last week.  Today student emails to ask if they can make it up?  This is the first time I have heard from them!  The student includes that they tested positive for covid.
The email has reports to be a copy paste of the information.
Sample Collected 2/6 (2 weeks ago!)
Report emailed 1:32 PM CDT 2/20/2023.  Except that they sent the email this morning at 6:56 AM CDT on 2/20/2023.....
So the exam was 2/16, positive result was 2/20, but test was 10 days prior to exam?  "Result" emailed over 5 hours AFTER the email reporting the result was sent this morning??

Lets just say that the Dean of Student's office is involved. They would have to deal with the health problem, and perhaps can explain the time stamp deviation.  OR the other end of the Dean of Student's office can deal with the potential misconduct issue.

Is this how everyone spends their time these days.... giving make up exams  for students that realized that they missed the exam five days after the fact?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: poiuy on February 21, 2023, 06:54:18 AM
Quote from: clean on February 20, 2023, 03:24:33 PM


Is this how everyone spends their time these days.... giving make up exams  for students that realized that they missed the exam five days after the fact?

Such reasons are why I have switched to having multiple exams and assessments scattered over the course with a policy of dropping one or two of the lowest. No big 'make or break' midterms and finals.
Of course, students will still mess up and/or fall ill and miss deadlines, but the switch has cut down greatly on the kind of nonsense you experienced. The cases that do go to the Dean of Students require more proof from the students, and it's not my job to evaluate that. I just refer the students on, and they either get accommodations or drop.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 21, 2023, 08:25:06 AM
The answer to my own problem is to use the policy I already use elsewhere.

I dont give make up exams. I use the final exam to serve as the final and the missed exam. 
In this case, however, it is an online class and another student had a computer failure that I wasnt able to adjust for so I had already created all of the work for Examity to proctor it.  This was a simple matter of adding one more student to work already done, so the marginal cost should have been zero!  (it wasnt!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2023, 11:30:30 AM
Of the 30 active grievances against my university which are in/headed to arbitration from the last two years, fully 5 concern parental leave.

One concerns the fact that our pay stubs do not show the information they are legally required to show, meaning that we cannot tell whether we are being under-paid (or over-paid, not that we would be).

So.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 24, 2023, 10:29:07 AM
Couldn't start the car today, meaning I couldn't get to the Friday morning activity I run. And it's chilly, and I have no way of contacting whoever shows up (it's drop-in).

So now everyone is angry with me. Including my partner, because she got an angry call from the admin person I report to (whom I called and emailed, incidentally). Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on March 01, 2023, 08:14:28 PM
Our graduate-level department wants all the faculty to personally select alums and email them individually requesting donations.  I never agreed to do this, and would much prefer if a single email with all our names went to all alums.  I think I' m going to refuse to do this; it feels creepy and awkward.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 03, 2023, 06:53:26 AM
All three of us (me, spouse, and Kid #2) have COVID.  Dammit.

ALHS went to the doctor yesterday for what was sounding like bronchitis.  Nope:  COVID.  Daughter and I have been sick this week, me with a rotten sinus infection since last week, and her with a cold, so we both tested.  Yep:  COVID. He started on Paxlovid last night. She and I are both feeling much better this morning, so we're foregoing the office visit and meds.

This is Week 8 upcoming, so I'm going to ask my chair how to handle my F2F classes and plan to just stay home on T/R, as my GP suggested. The following week is Spring Break, so at least there's that.

I'm glad none of us are dreadfully sick.  It's more just the idea that we finally caught it. Sigh.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on March 03, 2023, 07:41:30 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 03, 2023, 06:53:26 AM
All three of us (me, spouse, and Kid #2) have COVID.  Dammit.

ALHS went to the doctor yesterday for what was sounding like bronchitis.  Nope:  COVID.  Daughter and I have been sick this week, me with a rotten sinus infection since last week, and her with a cold, so we both tested.  Yep:  COVID. He started on Paxlovid last night. She and I are both feeling much better this morning, so we're foregoing the office visit and meds.

This is Week 8 upcoming, so I'm going to ask my chair how to handle my F2F classes and plan to just stay home on T/R, as my GP suggested. The following week is Spring Break, so at least there's that.

I'm glad none of us are dreadfully sick.  It's more just the idea that we finally caught it. Sigh.

Oh, no. Sorry that the virus has got you all.

Hope you and the family have swift recoveries.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 03, 2023, 08:02:56 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 03, 2023, 06:53:26 AM
All three of us (me, spouse, and Kid #2) have COVID.  Dammit.

ALHS went to the doctor yesterday for what was sounding like bronchitis.  Nope:  COVID.  Daughter and I have been sick this week, me with a rotten sinus infection since last week, and her with a cold, so we both tested.  Yep:  COVID. He started on Paxlovid last night. She and I are both feeling much better this morning, so we're foregoing the office visit and meds.

This is Week 8 upcoming, so I'm going to ask my chair how to handle my F2F classes and plan to just stay home on T/R, as my GP suggested. The following week is Spring Break, so at least there's that.

I'm glad none of us are dreadfully sick.  It's more just the idea that we finally caught it. Sigh.

That sounds quite depressing, ALH. Hope you all get better soon. I heard from a friend that Paxlovid tastes terrible or leaves a bad taste in the mouth, so sending especially strong healing thoughts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on March 03, 2023, 08:45:15 AM
But least you could still taste! That is very preferable to what I have heard from friends who lost taste for months. Healing thoughts for the AmLitHist household.

My vent to day is that my new credit card arrived, but Mr. Buster had to activate it for me since I'm the secondary card holder. What is this, 1952? They really need to learn that spouses are people too- with our own cell phone numbers to boot!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on March 03, 2023, 11:41:49 AM
Get Well Soon to you and your family, ALH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 03, 2023, 04:20:30 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 03, 2023, 06:53:26 AM
All three of us (me, spouse, and Kid #2) have COVID.  Dammit.

ALHS went to the doctor yesterday for what was sounding like bronchitis.  Nope:  COVID.  Daughter and I have been sick this week, me with a rotten sinus infection since last week, and her with a cold, so we both tested.  Yep:  COVID. He started on Paxlovid last night. She and I are both feeling much better this morning, so we're foregoing the office visit and meds.

This is Week 8 upcoming, so I'm going to ask my chair how to handle my F2F classes and plan to just stay home on T/R, as my GP suggested. The following week is Spring Break, so at least there's that.

I'm glad none of us are dreadfully sick.  It's more just the idea that we finally caught it. Sigh.

That sucks, ALH. I hope you and your family feel better soon!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Harlow2 on March 03, 2023, 09:14:22 PM
So sorry, ALH. Hope it will pass soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 04, 2023, 06:31:00 AM
Thanks for the good thoughts, everybody!  So far, we all feel like we're in some stage of getting over bad colds. The main difference for all of us is feeling really tired from mid- to late afternoon onward. ALHS is the only one on Paxlovid, and his cough has stopped after the first dose, but he's noticed the metallic taste since shortly after taking that first dose. 

We've all had 4 doses of the vaccine, so presumably that's helped.  Stay well, everyone!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 14, 2023, 10:29:16 AM
Our HVAC trials continue.  The new hot water pump for the system that we had on order for two months turned into a four-month wait.  In the meantime, the patched-up old pump blew out and had to be re-patched, after wasting thousands of gallons of water.  Then the new pump arrived the week before last.  Then a case of butterfingers busted something and led to a postponement of the re-installation.  Today it was supposed to be installed again--and started leaking immediately.  Now the installation has been postponed again until tomorrow, while the techs make a five- or six-hour round trip for parts.

Meanwhile, the week before last we also had technicians checking out our hot water lines over the ceiling.  They cleared some gunk and got the water flowing more freely.  And then the water started leaking around several failing valves.  This, plus the installation of the new hot water pump, made it necessary to drain our hot water lines so that we've had no heat whatsoever in the building for well over a week now.  We've left the air handler unit shut off for most of that time so that we at least don't have cold air blasting through the building.  So, no circulating air, and everybody has been wearing jackets at work.  At least the weather has generally been mild.  Now we're running into a spell of colder weather.

Still hoping we can finally have the heat back on soon, and that the air handler unit doesn't flake out when we try to turn it back on after several days of inactivity.  Its motor is on its last legs, and we've got a replacement for that on order as well.  Will the old unit last that long? 

Yesterday I saw a quote for a comprehensive overhaul of the system.  It's well above the cost threshold that requires us to put a project out for bid.  Even though we know that for all practical purposes there's nobody else in the region who could do the job.  This process will take weeks.  I've asked them just to do the minimum patching up needed to get the system running, to buy time to address the more comprehensive overhaul.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 14, 2023, 03:33:22 PM
I thought this was week 11 of my courses, but apparently it's week 10.

When the hell did I get a week ahead?!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 15, 2023, 10:55:27 PM
The new "vice president" of HR just broke the bargaining conditions imposed by the university itself to inform us of the great new raises the university is offering us--which turns out to just be the money the provincial government has already given to all employers in our sector for that purpose. So, money we are already owed, irrespective of the new contract.

So, so many of the people in charge here are such clueless goofs, it's unreal. (It's not that I know better--I don't. It's that they're particularly incompetent at their own jobs. Don't even get me started on the crisis the registrar just set off for the second time in as many years.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on March 20, 2023, 06:03:49 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on March 04, 2023, 06:31:00 AM
Thanks for the good thoughts, everybody!  So far, we all feel like we're in some stage of getting over bad colds. The main difference for all of us is feeling really tired from mid- to late afternoon onward. ALHS is the only one on Paxlovid, and his cough has stopped after the first dose, but he's noticed the metallic taste since shortly after taking that first dose. 

We've all had 4 doses of the vaccine, so presumably that's helped.  Stay well, everyone!

Hope y'all all get better soon!

My own vent: I'm tired of the constantly varying temps--60s-70s in the afternoons and below freezing overnight and in the early mornings. Dammit, Mother Nature, decide that it's spring already! And stop killing the flowers with this below-freezing crap.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 20, 2023, 07:40:47 AM
Late last week we finally got an admission from our HVAC service providers that they've messed up bad, and an apology.  And a promise to get the system back up and running early this week.  They did a bypass that kept some level of heat in the building over the weekend, which we certainly needed with the unusually late frosts.  The technicians are here today working on the air handler unit.  The company has even promised to eat part of the costs to help make amends.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 21, 2023, 07:19:07 AM
The technicians are still working on things today.  Yesterday we had an out-of-town group using a meeting room.  They were impressed by how nice the building looked.  But they complained about the room being cold (the heat was of course out while being worked on), and at one point a bunch of stirred-up dust got blown out onto them through the building's vents.  I learned this morning that they've decided to go elsewhere for their meeting today.  Even while they're actually working on the HVAC system, they're hurting our reputation with patrons.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on March 21, 2023, 12:36:18 PM
I'm on a search committee for a senior administrative position and we just had a finalist candidate back out, saying he thought the job was remote. The ad very clearly says it's on campus. I guess on the positive side, we weeded out someone who may not pay attention to details.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: lightning on March 21, 2023, 09:18:26 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 21, 2023, 07:19:07 AM
The technicians are still working on things today.  Yesterday we had an out-of-town group using a meeting room.  They were impressed by how nice the building looked.  But they complained about the room being cold (the heat was of course out while being worked on), and at one point a bunch of stirred-up dust got blown out onto them through the building's vents.  I learned this morning that they've decided to go elsewhere for their meeting today.  Even while they're actually working on the HVAC system, they're hurting our reputation with patrons.

At least where I live, I have found it impossible to find anybody that does competent HVAC work. I keep cycling through different people, and I've never been able to find anybody that I want to hire again. It's as if when all these HVAC systems became computerized, the systems became too complex for anyone to understand and fix. It's enough to make me want to abandon forced air and move into an old house that was built before air conditioning and uses radiated heat. Of course, then I would have to deal with old house plumbing problems and old house electrical problems and old house insulation problems and sinking foundations . . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on March 22, 2023, 03:34:14 PM
We got an email from one of the participants of the latest bird walk informing us that he had tested positive for Covid and that he had mild symptoms of what he thought was a cold or allergies the day of the walk. All I can say is that I am so relieved that I am still refusing to carpool for these trips and that I didn't make it to the second leg of the walk in another location where we would be sitting together having lunch because I got lost and decided to go home (I did inform the organizer who was willing to guide me to the location).

Covid is still with us. This person has had all five shots.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on March 24, 2023, 09:55:48 AM
I volunteer as the treasurer for a local non-profit and file their taxes every year. The final step is a quick, online filing of one document with the IRS. It's always been very easy — until this year:

1. I logged in and was prompted to crate a new, dual authentication log in. Did that.

2. I accessed the new, "improved" platform, which booted me out with an error message and provided a phone number to call to report problems. I called it and got a message saying the number was no longer in use.

3. I dug through the IRS site for another phone number. Called that one, went through eight layers of automated menus, got to the one I needed. The automated system told me that service was no longer in use and disconnected the call.

4. I dug around more on the IRS site and found an instruction manual for the new, "improved" platform that had screenshots. They showed that the screen that booted me out had a missing drop-down icon. I clicked where it should have been and the heretofore hidden drop-down appeared, allowing me to file successfully.

Despite not getting my academic work done this morning, I still feel like I accomplished something, having successfully done battle with bureaucracy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 24, 2023, 11:04:25 AM
Oh, the bullshittery is running hot today! Some of our admins make me want to beat my head against a wall. They say 'A', but then want us to do 'B.' Just be transparent please!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on March 27, 2023, 05:14:11 PM
I'm walking down the hallway today, exchanging trivial pleasantries.

Another tenure track Professor, talking in a whining complainey voice: "Ugh. I have to be here all day on Tuesday."

Me thinking to myself: "WTF are you talking about? Did I just hear you right? We're all supposed to be here on Tuesday. Tuesday is a regular work day. You are a full professor. Are you telling me that you don't normally work full work days?"

Maybe she means more than 8 hours?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on March 28, 2023, 03:58:42 AM
Why would LMS creators set up email notifications so a student email goes to your email in-box but you can't reply to it, and it tells you to log into the LMS to reply to the student? Did they think "What would be really annoying? Let's do that!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on March 28, 2023, 05:07:08 AM
Quote from: downer on March 28, 2023, 03:58:42 AM
Why would LMS creators set up email notifications so a student email goes to your email in-box but you can't reply to it, and it tells you to log into the LMS to reply to the student? Did they think "What would be really annoying? Let's do that!"

Exactly! It's not like two-way mail forwarding would be any more technically complex, since the system needs all of the same information for one-way as it would for two-way.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on March 28, 2023, 11:55:55 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on March 28, 2023, 05:07:08 AM
Quote from: downer on March 28, 2023, 03:58:42 AM
Why would LMS creators set up email notifications so a student email goes to your email in-box but you can't reply to it, and it tells you to log into the LMS to reply to the student? Did they think "What would be really annoying? Let's do that!"

Exactly! It's not like two-way mail forwarding would be any more technically complex, since the system needs all of the same information for one-way as it would for two-way.

Oh!  I know!  Add in a warning message about "External Sender - are you sure you want to reply?" every time a student uses the LMS to email you and it's forwarded to your in-box.

'Cause we have that added feature.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on April 04, 2023, 01:56:31 PM
I was called by a helicopter mom who was upset that her wee precious son lost points when he did not attend lab one day and instead chose to attend and take part in a not-university-affiliated basketweaving competition. She informed me that she was on the board for the basketweaving competition (not relevant) and it wasn't fair that her son was not earning credit for the work he missed (don't do the work, don't earn the points). I explained FERPA, she wouldn't listen, demanded a copy of my syllabus, of the institution's attendance policy, said I did not have the right to 'make up rules,' I kept telling her that it was not up for discussion but her son could supply her the info she needed as far as class and institutional policies. She kept raising her voice and then said "I'm going to call your boss!" I said she was welcome to call anyone she wished and hung up the phone. Then I told my dept chair who takes even less sh*t than I do.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bacardiandlime on April 04, 2023, 02:27:36 PM
I hope your dept chair tells her to step off, EdnaMode.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on April 04, 2023, 03:33:48 PM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on April 04, 2023, 02:27:36 PM
I hope your dept chair tells her to step off, EdnaMode.

Oh, he will. Wish I could be a fly on the wall. He's retired military and is amazingly good at standing his ground and getting his point across without ever raising his voice. One of my advisees said about him, "He's great with the dad jokes, but also just a little bit terrifying," and that was a pretty apt description.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 13, 2023, 12:01:57 PM
I stopped and got groceries at WalMart last Thursday after work.  As I walked out, my left foot went "pop."  The same thing happened a couple of years ago at work--a torn plantar fascia and torn tendon, just walking down the hall. I thought, "Oh, surely not again."

ALHS already had an appointment with our podiatrist this morning, so I called, and they said for me to come along.

I was right: NOT a torn PF or tendon again.  This time I broke my fifth metatarsal, clean through, and it's a bit displaced from continuing to walk on it. It won't heal on its own if I bandage or boot it.

So, for the first time in my 62+ years, I'm now in a hard cast, toes to knee, and non-weight bearing for at least 6 weeks, plus who knows how long afterward in a hard tall boot.

Of course, after years of putting off knee replacement surgery (doing the right first, then the left about 10 weeks later), ALHS has done all of his pre-op certifications this week.  I have NO Idea how all this is going to work, if we're both down at the same time, but he's getting those knees done.

It started out to be a s&*% week, and it's just gone steadily downhill. I nearly cried in the doctor's office when he showed me the x-rays. And I think I've made up a few new curse words this morning. I just want to sit by myself and cry. 

I have grading to do, so . . . enough of the pity party.  But. . . damn it all to hell. (It's been a long time since I've had a stretch like this; I'm out of practice.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on April 13, 2023, 12:42:46 PM
ALH, sorry to hear about your metatarsal fracture. Could you get sick leave? I fractured mine some years ago and remember that even taking a shower was an ordeal.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on April 13, 2023, 01:25:06 PM
I'm so sorry ALH, it looks like the Shit Fairy has been making a lot of deliveries this year.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on April 14, 2023, 11:19:37 AM
I'm sorry to hear ALH; I hope things start looking up for you and ALHS, and that ALHS's surgery goes well.

My vent: I'm sick and my body is basically rebelling against me. I feel like crap so my attention is blown, and I'm now a week behind in basically everything. Since we're barreling through to the end of the semester, this is not a good thing to be behind as there's limited time to get things done. And, to top it all off, it's hubby's birthday this weekend, and all I want to do is crawl into bed in a dark, cool room and sleep for a week. I feel like I'm letting everyone down at this point, and all attempts to power through have not worked.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on April 14, 2023, 11:45:40 AM
I'm so sorry, ALH and OneMoreYear (and everyone else who's having tremendous difficulties right now).

I hope things get better for you very soon!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 14, 2023, 02:28:36 PM
I love that characterization, EPW!  She's been here too often, and it sounds like she's been hitting other forumites, too.

At least today I'm less angry and more resigned to the situation.  Looks like I'm going to be off the final 3 weeks of the semester, one way or the other; my chair is going to try to sell "work days and conferences" to the dean and not even dock me for the sick days.  (Even that's not a problem--I have a semester's worth built up.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on April 15, 2023, 01:40:29 PM
Yet another branch of the drugstore bites the dust. Just got a letter from the pharmacy that owns the chain that they are closing the branch which is a pain to get to, but which I can still get to, at the end of next month. They closed the one with the parking lot a few years ago, so now I'll have to look at the map and choose one that might be even farther away, but which I could still get to/find parking nearby.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 15, 2023, 03:10:59 PM
The other day I got a crown, which maxed out my yearly dental insurance.

Today I dropped my mouthguard, stepped on it, and broke it in two.

Aaaaaaargh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on April 17, 2023, 08:08:37 AM
Is it really so hard for GRADUATING SENIORS!!! (maybe) to put there name on a paper, and use a prescribed file format and naming convention?!?

Apparently, it is, b/c 1/3 of my class can't do it.  And then, when they get zeros until they do it correctly, they go to the chair to complain instead of just fixing their own mistake.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 18, 2023, 09:33:51 AM
Getting Admin approval for covering the remaining 5 meetings of my F2F classes is, as expected, a clusterf&ck. My chair and I agreed on a simple, sensible plan (essentially independent work days and availability on Teams if students need me--they're already scheduled for 3 of those days to be independent work days anyway).  But NO, Dean and/or VPAA are insistent that the modality can't change once a class is scheduled, even in an emergency like this. There are NO adjuncts or other FT people who can cover for me--all are teaching at those same times. 

I don't much care; my butt is not leaving this house, period.  I did talk to a new woman in HR, who was surprisingly nice and competent, and she advised I take intermittent FMLA to protect myself; she also agreed with our proposed plan to actually cover the classes and said it sounded great to her.  I don't mind taking the 6 days' leave; I have over a semester of sick days built up, so no big deal. Of course, in theory, if I'm making up the remote lectures and being available for consultation during those F2F class times, I shouldn't have to use the sick days, but it's not a battle I feel up to fighting.

I'm reminded once again that the smaller the academic pond, the larger each duck wants to be.

Mainly I'm just aggravated because I notified my chair and dean last Friday morning of what's going on, provided the doctor's note, and proposed a plan--yet here it is, Tuesday morning, and I still don't have an answer.  I posted lectures and class cancellation announcements myself, since no one had gotten back to me before class time--and I fully anticipate getting chewed out for doing so.  Jerks.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 19, 2023, 07:14:19 PM
"A further signature is required."

So... I should sign it twice, then? Fine.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 20, 2023, 09:50:51 AM
Good news about the previous vents: I honestly gave up caring around 2 p.m. yesterday.  That was after the plans that had been finalized were then UN-finalized when the campus president got her fingers in it, then those new plans got changed again, and finally changed yet two more times.  Whatever. No longer my monkeys, not my circus.

And since I got roundly slapped around in that process and rudely told that I absolutely cannot do a single thing related to either of the two F2F classes in question (among other rude and unkind swipes), I'm taking that to heart.  Let them (chair, dean, president) deal with a couple of shit-storm situations with clueless/entitled/probably mentally ill students that I've worked with closely all spring. Y'all want me completely out, I'm out. They're all yours now. Nope, I can't share notes or assignments or anything else:  you've taken my Canvas access for both classes, do WTF you will. The schedules and syllabi and assignments are all there.

I do feel better, after having my feelings a little hurt (mainly because of the way things were handled).
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on April 20, 2023, 11:23:47 AM
In Sympathy to AmLitHist:  Sometimes, the best* thing to do is give people what they say they want, especially after you've calculated the blast radius and made the necessary steps to evacuate it yourself.  Malicious compliance at its best.


*best can also mean pettiest, which might be the same thing
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 21, 2023, 10:29:36 AM
I like the way you think, Fish Prof!

I'm feeling much better about it today. My secretary let me know that one of the PitA students came in to see me yesterday and, when Chair and Dean were already gone for the day (at 1 p.m.), student headed for the President's office.

Now I'm just waiting for the panicked,"Wait, what can you tell me about this student?" emails from Chair and Dean.  Who, me? I don't know nuthin'. I tried to share background and documentation with them about these problems earlier this week and got told, "You know, you're not the only person who's ever worked with students. We really can run this department without you for a few weeks."  So, run it, a$$holes; knock yourselves out. And don't expect me to answer any questions: I got told I can't do anything whatsoever in connection with those two classes involved with my FMLA time. Far be it from me to "disobey an Admin directive and get a letter of insubordination" in my personnel file. 

Being petty is really kind of fun, especially when Admins have brought it on themselves.  Karma be a bitch, as they say. <<evil grin>>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on April 21, 2023, 11:05:57 AM
Please tell me you have that in an email.....
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on April 21, 2023, 12:18:18 PM
Really, admincritters — you sent an email at 3:15 on Friday asking us to record and upload promotional videos before Monday? Ain't gonna happen. Perhaps you should be more proactive and less reactive, and then you wouldn't put faculty up against untenable deadlines.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on April 21, 2023, 12:20:25 PM
AmLitHist. If you need a bag of popcorn, I'm happy to pop one for you. Please keep us posted as your admins learn about what you really do in your job.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on April 21, 2023, 12:37:11 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on April 21, 2023, 12:18:18 PM
Really, admincritters — you sent an email at 3:15 on Friday asking us to record and upload promotional videos before Monday? Ain't gonna happen. Perhaps you should be more proactive and less reactive, and then you wouldn't put faculty up against untenable deadlines.

Maybe they figured you could somehow use ChatGPT to do it quickly?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 21, 2023, 12:46:33 PM
Well, it's COVID. At least the hatchling is doing better than yesterday.

I, however, am getting exponentially more tired and weak as the day drags on. My partner is in better shape, but has a weird perma headache.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 22, 2023, 11:19:18 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on April 21, 2023, 12:46:33 PM
Well, it's COVID. At least the hatchling is doing better than yesterday.

I, however, am getting exponentially more tired and weak as the day drags on. My partner is in better shape, but has a weird perma headache.

So sorry to hear this!  That was my experience too when we all finally got it right before midterm--kind of like slowly letting the air out of a balloon. Hope you all feel better soon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 22, 2023, 09:04:10 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 22, 2023, 11:19:18 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on April 21, 2023, 12:46:33 PM
Well, it's COVID. At least the hatchling is doing better than yesterday.

I, however, am getting exponentially more tired and weak as the day drags on. My partner is in better shape, but has a weird perma headache.

So sorry to hear this!  That was my experience too when we all finally got it right before midterm--kind of like slowly letting the air out of a balloon. Hope you all feel better soon.

Thanks! I'm just about back to normal today. The hatchling is slightly worse (after being much better yesterday), and the Maiasaur is also slightly worse.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 26, 2023, 07:19:48 AM
Groan. My higher ups at the newsletter had me pull an article at the last minute. Since it's not an independent publication, I did so (though grudgingly). Now, of course, the author is (understandably) upset, and is trying to stir up a whole tempest. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 26, 2023, 11:35:09 PM
Why is FMLA the best answer for the broken foot situation?
Wouldnt sick leave (as you have plenty of it) not be the correct answer?
Is FMLA paid or not?
At this point, the term is nearly over, so sick leave should be more than sufficient to cover the days that are missed through the end of your contractually obligated period. 
Here, if you are to teach summer school, but get sick before it starts, they dont continue with the class (no sick leave for you!)   But if you get sick AFTER the classes start, then you can use sick leave.  The point is that IF you are sick in the end of the term, there is no real reason (that I can think of) to take (especially) unpaid family medical leave.  You wont be able to start teaching summer until Summer 2 at the earliest.

Anyway, I hope that you feel better soon.  Enjoy the administrators!

One last thing I will add.... and I will not go into the long version of the story.  Suffice it to say that the Dean sent  one of his minions to ask me when my coworker went to the hospital, even though he was still doing most of the work for the class while in the hospital so he should not have had to use sick leave.  I mentioned this to the minion and was later told that the Dean's response was "If you are in the hospital you are sick and your job is to get better, not cover your class".  Similarly, you have only days ago broken a bone that will not be better if you do something you shouldnt!  You have documented your sick leave.  (I dont know why that alone was not sufficient).  The last days of the term are in the hands of the administrators to cover! 
(They may have grade change forms awaiting you upon your return as they will not likely be able to issue anything other than an Incomplete!)

Enjoy a stress free, relaxing, recuperation!  Best Wishes!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 27, 2023, 09:42:23 AM
Thanks, Clean.  I'm taking only intermittent FMLA for the 6 days I haven't been/can't be on campus. I was advised by my union and union lawyer to go ahead and take the FMLA to protect myself in case of any problems in the future. If we miss more than 2 consecutive days of scheduled teaching, we have to get a doctor's note; for 3+, we need the note and FMLA (board policy, for whatever reason). 

I am getting paid, via my built-up sick leave, so that's fine, and my chair took over one class and a colleague took the other.  I think it stinks for the students, but the campus president got her fingers in it and vetoed the plan that my chair and I had made, and the dean had approved:  she insisted that doing PPt lectures in Canvas for 3 days (the other 3 days I'd be missing were already scheduled as independent work days) would amount to a change in delivery modality, and she and the VCAA had a sh*t fit over it.

I'm still teaching my online and LVL (synchronous remote) sections anyway, as you say.  Whatever they want. . .not my problem at this point, though I do feel bad for feeling like I've bailed on my students.  And I do understand why the lawyer insisted I take the FMLA for protection:  our current admins are capricious at best and backstabbers more realistically, so I want that Federal protection behind me, particularly after I had such a hell of a time getting my no-brainer ADA accommodations three years ago.  Not that I don't trust anybody, but, I don't trust anybody.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on April 27, 2023, 11:34:26 AM
Wait....
IF you are taking sick leave AND FMLA, then how are you teaching ANYTHING? 
Are you taking sick leave ONLY for the few hours of face to face time you are missing?
Isnt FMLA sort of like being pregnant, in that you Are or Are Not... not hit and miss, for this and that?

See your union folk again.  IF they are going to play hard ball and be insist that you can not change the delivery style and you MUST take FMLA, then play hardball and have them replace you for all of your classes!

Is there a limit to how much FMLA one can take in a time period?  I know that there is a limit to sick leave (in that you have a limited amount, and even then, they can put you on disability after some point is reached - at least here they can!)  [and when you retire, is the policy there that you can get some of your sick leave paid out, or is it all lost-- in the olden days, you could get about 1/2 paid out, but now it is all lost.... what is your plan?  Are they hurting your retirement by these policies???  SOmething that the Union may want to consider]

IF, as you said above, you can not even have access to Canvas, how are you running the other classes?  Seems very inconsistent to me!  (But maybe I only know enough to be dangerous!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on April 27, 2023, 02:08:47 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 27, 2023, 09:42:23 AM
Thanks, Clean.  I'm taking only intermittent FMLA for the 6 days I haven't been/can't be on campus. I was advised by my union and union lawyer to go ahead and take the FMLA to protect myself in case of any problems in the future. If we miss more than 2 consecutive days of scheduled teaching, we have to get a doctor's note; for 3+, we need the note and FMLA (board policy, for whatever reason). 

I am getting paid, via my built-up sick leave, so that's fine, and my chair took over one class and a colleague took the other.  I think it stinks for the students, but the campus president got her fingers in it and vetoed the plan that my chair and I had made, and the dean had approved:  she insisted that doing PPt lectures in Canvas for 3 days (the other 3 days I'd be missing were already scheduled as independent work days) would amount to a change in delivery modality, and she and the VCAA had a sh*t fit over it.

I'm still teaching my online and LVL (synchronous remote) sections anyway, as you say.  Whatever they want. . .not my problem at this point, though I do feel bad for feeling like I've bailed on my students.  And I do understand why the lawyer insisted I take the FMLA for protection:  our current admins are capricious at best and backstabbers more realistically, so I want that Federal protection behind me, particularly after I had such a hell of a time getting my no-brainer ADA accommodations three years ago.  Not that I don't trust anybody, but, I don't trust anybody.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it is just so bizarre to me-- here, I would just tell the class we were moving to zoom for the last few classes and no one else would expect to know or would care about that, not even my chair, let alone anyone higher up.  The idea that the president would be at all aware of or involved just boggles the mind, but I'm guessing you are at a very different type of institution.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on April 28, 2023, 07:54:24 AM
There is intermittent FMLA, and total FMLA; I'm taking the intermittent version, covering only those 7 days, rather than using the full 4 weeks (3 weeks of classes, plus finals week).  There's no medical reason I can't teach my online classes, so I am.

Federal law says an employee can take 12 full weeks FMLA (unpaid) per calendar year.  ALHS is having at least two major surgeries upcoming, and while I expect those and his recoveries to all be concluded during the summer and maybe the first week or two of Fall semester, one never knows. By doing intermittent FMLA now, that leaves me 10 weeks and 5 days intact through next April 17, should I need them.

It's all fine. I'm glad to have off-loaded the work of those two F2F sections (though not the students; I actually miss them). All other things being equal, a broken foot would just be an annoyance, but added to a couple of other chronic health problems, it's been nice to be able to stay home and slow down.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 05, 2023, 07:07:44 AM
Yet another semester, yet another student unilaterally deciding that they don't need to take the final.

In the Syllabus (and the video about the syllabus, and the syllabus quiz) it is made VERY clear that if you do not PASS the final, you do not pass the course.  Full stop.

And yet, here I have a student who wants to fight me b/c "I have a 60.21% without the final exam, and I'm taking it Pass/Fail, why isn't that good enough?"

A: See the syllabus
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on May 05, 2023, 12:49:48 PM
Quote from: FishProf on May 05, 2023, 07:07:44 AM
Yet another semester, yet another student unilaterally deciding that they don't need to take the final.

In the Syllabus (and the video about the syllabus, and the syllabus quiz) it is made VERY clear that if you do not PASS the final, you do not pass the course.  Full stop.

And yet, here I have a student who wants to fight me b/c "I have a 60.21% without the final exam, and I'm taking it Pass/Fail, why isn't that good enough?"

A: See the syllabus

[Yoda voice] The maths are weak in this one.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on May 05, 2023, 12:54:07 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on April 28, 2023, 07:54:24 AM
There is intermittent FMLA, and total FMLA; I'm taking the intermittent version, covering only those 7 days, rather than using the full 4 weeks (3 weeks of classes, plus finals week).  There's no medical reason I can't teach my online classes, so I am.

Federal law says an employee can take 12 full weeks FMLA (unpaid) per calendar year.  ALHS is having at least two major surgeries upcoming, and while I expect those and his recoveries to all be concluded during the summer and maybe the first week or two of Fall semester, one never knows. By doing intermittent FMLA now, that leaves me 10 weeks and 5 days intact through next April 17, should I need them.

It's all fine. I'm glad to have off-loaded the work of those two F2F sections (though not the students; I actually miss them). All other things being equal, a broken foot would just be an annoyance, but added to a couple of other chronic health problems, it's been nice to be able to stay home and slow down.

ALH, I hope you and ALHS have an opportunity to rest, relax, recuperate, and rejuvenate.

And congratulations on sticking it to the jackasses.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 13, 2023, 10:06:40 AM
Since having a body part removed, my body can't process certain foods too well. I learned to cut them out of my diet. Unfortunately, I am discovering new foods that my body gets pissed at me for eating (could be unrelated to severed body parts- maybe aging?). So now, it looks like either black beans or dairy may not be my friends. :(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on May 13, 2023, 11:28:40 AM
Sorry to hear it, epw. My system decided about 5 years ago not to tolerate dairy, specifically milkfat, anymore too due to Crohn's disease. Nonfat cheese and non-dairy coffee creamer have been my friends. Maybe they can be your friends too. Vegan cheese and non-dairy ice cream made with almond or oat milk can be good too.

ALH, hope you and ALHS are healing well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on May 13, 2023, 02:10:15 PM
Quote from: Larimar on May 13, 2023, 11:28:40 AM
Sorry to hear it, epw. My system decided about 5 years ago not to tolerate dairy, specifically milkfat, anymore too due to Crohn's disease. Nonfat cheese and non-dairy coffee creamer have been my friends. Maybe they can be your friends too. Vegan cheese and non-dairy ice cream made with almond or oat milk can be good too.

ALH, hope you and ALHS are healing well.

Thanks Larimar. Happy healing to everyone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on May 17, 2023, 10:59:36 AM
I am very mad--vent coming: FedEx screwed up my shipment of precious cell lines. It was supposed to be here first this morning, but they said they cannot find the apartment/suite (apt #/suite # incorrect according to them)--the address was the correct university shipping address of my lab (no apt/suite involved), and have now rescheduled delivery for before 10:30 AM tomorrow. FedEx delivers to our building and floor everyday, and to my lab often. The cells are on dry ice and will be dead by later today.

Three calls to a call center and over an hour total on the phone has so far resulted in zero help. There is no way to contact a human from the area, or even in the country, to help me fix this problem--call center says, "we have made a note and someone will call you". I should have insured the cells for $50K (but of course they would find out a way to get out of paying anyway).

I feel like screaming obscenities! @@@#$$%%%^^#^&*()(_+@#$!

UGGGGGG! Now, I have a headache.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on May 17, 2023, 11:38:26 AM
Perhaps a call to the people you purchased them from? They may have better luck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 01:56:07 PM
Bio-nonymous- my sympathies. Few things stress me more than shipping or receiving live specimens. I'm just hoping as you said they were a cell line and that more can be sent. Mr. Buster works in the world of patient derived primary culture- where the cells are NOT replaceable. It's a whole other level of nightmare.

For my vent- it's literally about HVAC. Both of our HVAC systems are in a rapid death spiral. Both are 20+ years old, so not a surprise but did they both have to go down at the same time? We have now had a parade of companies quoting us for replacement options. No two are even remotely alike in terms of set up. It feels very 80's used car dealer. And it all costs as much as a brand new car. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on May 17, 2023, 02:07:07 PM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 01:56:07 PM
Bio-nonymous- my sympathies. Few things stress me more than shipping or receiving live specimens. I'm just hoping as you said they were a cell line and that more can be sent. Mr. Buster works in the world of patient derived primary culture- where the cells are NOT replaceable. It's a whole other level of nightmare.

For my vent- it's literally about HVAC. Both of our HVAC systems are in a rapid death spiral. Both are 20+ years old, so not a surprise but did they both have to go down at the same time? We have now had a parade of companies quoting us for replacement options. No two are even remotely alike in terms of set up. It feels very 80's used car dealer. And it all costs as much as a brand new car. Ugh.

My sympathies to you both!
Mythbuster, your HVAC systems dying is the perfect opportunity to replace at least one of them with heat pumps. Heating and cooling both, at a fraction of the energy/fuel usage of any other HVAC system, and there are good tax incentives.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 03:28:03 PM
Puget, we currently have 2 heat pumps- those are what are dying. One 20 years+ and the other 30 years+.  I just use the HVAC term broadly, since I grew up in an area with only a furnace that Mom would insist we turn OFF at night! This issue is that replacing them both right may be $30,000! The efficiency savings will help, but not with the initial sticker shock.

As for the Federal tax incentives- we have discovered that we generally don't owe enough on our taxes for them to apply to us.  :-(
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on May 18, 2023, 06:50:54 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 03:28:03 PM
Puget, we currently have 2 heat pumps- those are what are dying. One 20 years+ and the other 30 years+.  I just use the HVAC term broadly, since I grew up in an area with only a furnace that Mom would insist we turn OFF at night! This issue is that replacing them both right may be $30,000! The efficiency savings will help, but not with the initial sticker shock.

As for the Federal tax incentives- we have discovered that we generally don't owe enough on our taxes for them to apply to us.  :-(

Ah, I see! The new ones will certainly be more efficient than the old ones, especially if you are in a colder climate, but they are indeed not cheap. Still, $30k seems really high! I paid half that for a 2-zone system.

The new federal tax credit is not a deduction for itemizing, but rather 30% of the project cost or $2000, whichever is smallest, which is is a credit against your tax liability, so as long as you owe at least $2000 in federal taxes (total, including what has already been withheld, not owe at the time you file), you can take the full deduction.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on May 18, 2023, 07:20:40 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 01:56:07 PM
Bio-nonymous- my sympathies. Few things stress me more than shipping or receiving live specimens. I'm just hoping as you said they were a cell line and that more can be sent. Mr. Buster works in the world of patient derived primary culture- where the cells are NOT replaceable. It's a whole other level of nightmare.

For my vent- it's literally about HVAC. Both of our HVAC systems are in a rapid death spiral. Both are 20+ years old, so not a surprise but did they both have to go down at the same time? We have now had a parade of companies quoting us for replacement options. No two are even remotely alike in terms of set up. It feels very 80's used car dealer. And it all costs as much as a brand new car. Ugh.

These were human primary cells! So they were not replaceable (I was being shipped first and second passage vials, but there were others so my collaborator could have sent me more, maybe?).

However, UPDATE: FedEx finally brought the cells late in the afternoon and thank goodness they were still frozen with some dry ice left in the cooler. High blood pressure and irritation resolved--stress damage done though! At least now I know that the dry ice, packed as it was, lasted given the higher ambient temperature where we are and where they were being shipped from--less reason to flip out next time!!!

:)

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 18, 2023, 08:06:04 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on May 17, 2023, 01:56:07 PM
For my vent- it's literally about HVAC. Both of our HVAC systems are in a rapid death spiral. Both are 20+ years old, so not a surprise but did they both have to go down at the same time? We have now had a parade of companies quoting us for replacement options. No two are even remotely alike in terms of set up. It feels very 80's used car dealer. And it all costs as much as a brand new car. Ugh.

Also venting about the HVAC.  We went well over a month with nothing more done on our suspended-in-the-middle HVAC repair project.  This has left us with air conditioning but not heat in the building.  Which means that much of the building is chronically over-cooled, with howling blasts of 55-degree air drafting through.  Having to have the heat on all summer long to fine-tune space temperatures is a terribly inefficient way to do things, but it's the system we have.  And it's not working!  Everybody at work spends much of the day shivering.

After I contacted them to jack somebody up about it--once again--we got a promise of action.  We now have technicians actually working on things here in the building.  They're about to invade my office!  Here's hoping all goes well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on May 21, 2023, 12:02:13 PM
Let me merge onto the interstate, you a$$holes. And when I'm driving my kid's rusted-out, beat-to-near-death 1997 minivan held together with zip ties and bubble gum, I'm not negotiating there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on May 21, 2023, 11:32:29 PM
Quote from: bio-nonymous on May 17, 2023, 10:59:36 AM
I am very mad--vent coming: FedEx screwed up my shipment of precious cell lines. It was supposed to be here first this morning, but they said they cannot find the apartment/suite (apt #/suite # incorrect according to them)--the address was the correct university shipping address of my lab (no apt/suite involved), and have now rescheduled delivery for before 10:30 AM tomorrow. FedEx delivers to our building and floor everyday, and to my lab often. The cells are on dry ice and will be dead by later today.

Three calls to a call center and over an hour total on the phone has so far resulted in zero help. There is no way to contact a human from the area, or even in the country, to help me fix this problem--call center says, "we have made a note and someone will call you". I should have insured the cells for $50K (but of course they would find out a way to get out of paying anyway).

I feel like screaming obscenities! @@@#$$%%%^^#^&*()(_+@#$!

UGGGGGG! Now, I have a headache.
Oof.  I feel for you.

When I managed a small lab for my scattered advisor in my grad student days dealing with precious bio samples (unofficial title: Smuggler Baron -- though I tried valiantly and usually fruitlessly to get my colleagues in other countries to warn me in advance if they were planning to ship specimens requiring CITES or USDA or CDC paperwork, fancy customs handling, etc.), this was my greatest nightmare.  Well, that and the freezers failing, which they did with some regularity on the non-air-conditioned (!) 8th floor (!) of a building.

It's an act of faith releasing samples to a shipper (or having them shipped to you) and a nerve-wracking one when the specimens are irreplaceable. 

I'm sorry your cell lines were lost.  :( EDIT: Just saw update.  Glad they finally arrived and were still frozen.  Whew!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 22, 2023, 07:36:39 AM
Fly-by-night online job advertising sites are apparently advertising non-existent openings at our library again.  We keep getting applications from (very, very poorly-qualified) candidates who say they've seen "us" advertising for help wanted.

We will be advertising a position at some point this summer, but not on those fly-by-night sites.  We have a staff member retiring in a couple of months.  Judging from the recent applicants' poor qualifications, she's going to be hard to replace.  Wish I could say that's unexpected.  Most good hires we've made over the years were the outcome of a trial-and-error process that had us cycling through two or three duds to get to one good worker.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on May 23, 2023, 02:47:30 PM
My latest car insurance policy comes with a note to the effect that "Pursuant to New York Insurance Circular Letter No 7, the following change to your policies is effective on your next renewal. The phrase "his or her" is changed to "their" wherever it may be found in the policy contract."

Is this why they raised my rates? Aaargh to the unexplained rate increase and determining that I am gender neutral.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 23, 2023, 05:04:05 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on May 23, 2023, 02:47:30 PM
Aaargh to the unexplained rate increase and determining that I am gender neutral.

It's OK.  Today I had to use a non-gender bathroom at a public library.  I hope no one noticed me smuggling my gender in with me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on May 24, 2023, 06:46:58 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 23, 2023, 05:04:05 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on May 23, 2023, 02:47:30 PM
Aaargh to the unexplained rate increase and determining that I am gender neutral.

It's OK.  Today I had to use a non-gender bathroom at a public library.  I hope no one noticed me smuggling my gender in with me.

Although it won't happen anytime soon, I expect that within my lifetime gender-separated restroom facilities will be declared unconstitutional. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on May 24, 2023, 07:20:12 AM
Quote from: apl68 on May 24, 2023, 06:46:58 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 23, 2023, 05:04:05 PM
Quote from: Langue_doc on May 23, 2023, 02:47:30 PM
Aaargh to the unexplained rate increase and determining that I am gender neutral.

It's OK.  Today I had to use a non-gender bathroom at a public library.  I hope no one noticed me smuggling my gender in with me.

Although it won't happen anytime soon, I expect that within my lifetime gender-separated restroom facilities will be declared unconstitutional.

If places go to single stall restrooms, like in private residences, it will solve the problem. (But will take up a lot more space.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on May 24, 2023, 08:34:05 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.

Great minds...! (?)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on May 24, 2023, 08:34:05 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.

Great minds...! (?)

:)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 25, 2023, 03:35:54 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on May 24, 2023, 08:34:05 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.

Great minds...! (?)

:)

It's right there in our names - drunk like us.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on May 25, 2023, 07:32:47 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 25, 2023, 03:35:54 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on May 24, 2023, 08:34:05 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.

Great minds...! (?)

:)

It's right there in our names - drunk like us.

I guess my only in is that I'm a Pisces.  ;-)

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on May 26, 2023, 04:03:44 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on May 25, 2023, 07:32:47 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 25, 2023, 03:35:54 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 12:04:33 PM
Quote from: ab_grp on May 24, 2023, 08:34:05 AM
Quote from: FishProf on May 24, 2023, 08:16:33 AM
Quote from: fishbrains on May 24, 2023, 07:43:18 AM
1/2 days for students in elementary through high school just suck. Once you drop them off, you can't even get through your fourth beer before you have to go pick them up again. [Insert angry poop emoji]

Switch to shots.

Great minds...! (?)

:)

It's right there in our names - drunk like us.

I guess my only in is that I'm a Pisces.  ;-)

That'll do.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 01, 2023, 06:09:06 AM
ALHS's long-awaited knee replacement scheduled for today has been cancelled. While at wound care yesterday for a skin tear on the arm (healing nicely, and Knee Surgeon was OK with it as it's nearly completely healed), the doc looked at a toe that had been hurting and bleeding for a couple of days.  Removed a callus, opened and treated a wound to assure it doesn't get worse.* Wound Care doc said to be sure to let Knee Surgeon know ASAP--some surgeons would go ahead, but others are picky and would cancel. Ours is one of the latter.

Now we have to get the toe completely healed, then let Knee Surgeon know, then see if all the pre-op testing can be re-used or has to be redone (it's supposed to be good for 30 days only), then reschedule, which will probably take another 2 months, as this one took.

Obviously, we'd rather postpone, rather than take the chance at picking up an infection while in the hospital, but . . . . <insert string of profanities of choice here>.

Of course, the toe looks much better already this morning. (Of course it does.) Had we not said anything, though, Murphy says ALHS would have awoken with a massive infection and high fever.  And a week from today I get my x-ray to see if my broken foot is healing (the increasing pain and swelling says, "no"), so I totally expect to need my own surgery for that. That's just how things seem to work around here.

So, there's a reason for those anxiety attacks.
----
* A toe doesn't sound like much, but several years ago ALHS had a similar "minor" issue with another toe that turned into a nasty infection requiring ~6 months of daily IV antibiotic therapy plus hyperbaric oxygen treatments to clear up. Better safe than sorry, etc.


ETA:  Lest I do absolutely nothing but bitch every time I come on the fora:  it looks like my third online class for summer (which has been holding with very low enrollment all this time) might actually make. It won't be all that much extra work, and I can always use the extra money and boost to my earnings for pension purposes.  So there's that, at least--fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 01, 2023, 07:58:57 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on June 01, 2023, 06:09:06 AM
ALHS's long-awaited knee replacement scheduled for today has been cancelled. While at wound care yesterday for a skin tear on the arm (healing nicely, and Knee Surgeon was OK with it as it's nearly completely healed), the doc looked at a toe that had been hurting and bleeding for a couple of days.  Removed a callus, opened and treated a wound to assure it doesn't get worse.* Wound Care doc said to be sure to let Knee Surgeon know ASAP--some surgeons would go ahead, but others are picky and would cancel. Ours is one of the latter.

Now we have to get the toe completely healed, then let Knee Surgeon know, then see if all the pre-op testing can be re-used or has to be redone (it's supposed to be good for 30 days only), then reschedule, which will probably take another 2 months, as this one took.

Obviously, we'd rather postpone, rather than take the chance at picking up an infection while in the hospital, but . . . . <insert string of profanities of choice here>.

Of course, the toe looks much better already this morning. (Of course it does.) Had we not said anything, though, Murphy says ALHS would have awoken with a massive infection and high fever.  And a week from today I get my x-ray to see if my broken foot is healing (the increasing pain and swelling says, "no"), so I totally expect to need my own surgery for that. That's just how things seem to work around here.

So, there's a reason for those anxiety attacks.
----
* A toe doesn't sound like much, but several years ago ALHS had a similar "minor" issue with another toe that turned into a nasty infection requiring ~6 months of daily IV antibiotic therapy plus hyperbaric oxygen treatments to clear up. Better safe than sorry, etc.


ETA:  Lest I do absolutely nothing but bitch every time I come on the fora:  it looks like my third online class for summer (which has been holding with very low enrollment all this time) might actually make. It won't be all that much extra work, and I can always use the extra money and boost to my earnings for pension purposes.  So there's that, at least--fingers crossed.

Sorry to hear it ALH. Anxiety is not fun. I've had panic attacks and they suck the big one. I hope you and ALHS are on the mend soon! Well, a third class is some extra $........
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on June 03, 2023, 06:07:57 PM
Sending you good thoughts, ALH.

My vents: I've been sick, mainly because of an allergic reaction to the sandblasting of a small driveway across the street by the new neighbor who bought the property. The blasting and dumping have been happening for over a week now so the street and cars are covered with a layer of dirt. To paraphrase Lady Macbeth, who would have thought that such a small driveway could spew so much dirt for so many days in a row?

Just a week ago, I noticed that someone had keyed my car all along the passenger side. I hope perdition rains on the person who did so.

I've also been dealing with billing issues from an ER visit in February. Despite the bill having been paid in full by the insurance carriers and by me, I keep getting bills. I bumped this up to our elected representative whose office is now handling the bill.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 03:31:20 PM
I have been informed that I must remove my things from my office to make room for new faculty. The office assistant sent me pictures of my stuff, telling me to move it 'soon' in preparation for the fall or they'd bin it.

As far as I know, I have not been fired. My contract was just renewed at a higher grade. I am slated to teach in the fall and winter, including in person. And no mention has been made of sending me to some other office.

So...?


EDIT: Nope, I just got bumped and no longer have an office. It was already a shared office, and several people have their own solo offices. Sigh. I'll certainly enjoy finding space somewhere to store all those books. <grumble>
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 06:14:38 PM
Second of the day: the non-faculty union is on the verge of striking. Apparently we (faculty) won't get paid for work already completed unless we "cross" a picket line every day, even though we aren't actually working at the moment.

This seems like a pretty shit deal. Had I known I'd be forgoing my prorated salary for the next month or two, I'd have liked not to complete the work I won't be paid for.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 05, 2023, 06:50:56 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 06:14:38 PM
Second of the day: the non-faculty union is on the verge of striking. Apparently we (faculty) won't get paid for work already completed unless we "cross" a picket line every day, even though we aren't actually working at the moment.

This seems like a pretty shit deal. Had I known I'd be forgoing my prorated salary for the next month or two, I'd have liked not to complete the work I won't be paid for.

Wait, how is this legal? Withholding pay you've already earned sounds like wage theft.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 08:27:41 PM
Quote from: Puget on June 05, 2023, 06:50:56 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 06:14:38 PM
Second of the day: the non-faculty union is on the verge of striking. Apparently we (faculty) won't get paid for work already completed unless we "cross" a picket line every day, even though we aren't actually working at the moment.

This seems like a pretty shit deal. Had I known I'd be forgoing my prorated salary for the next month or two, I'd have liked not to complete the work I won't be paid for.

Wait, how is this legal? Withholding pay you've already earned sounds like wage theft.

That's my thinking as well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 10:54:33 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 08:27:41 PM
Quote from: Puget on June 05, 2023, 06:50:56 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 06:14:38 PM
Second of the day: the non-faculty union is on the verge of striking. Apparently we (faculty) won't get paid for work already completed unless we "cross" a picket line every day, even though we aren't actually working at the moment.

This seems like a pretty shit deal. Had I known I'd be forgoing my prorated salary for the next month or two, I'd have liked not to complete the work I won't be paid for.

Wait, how is this legal? Withholding pay you've already earned sounds like wage theft.

That's my thinking as well.

Interesting addition: since my pay is prorated monthly, and since I'm between teaching semesters, I'm also having my future pay docked, even though if the strike is resolved before I teach again, then I'm presumably expected to do everything. Between that and not paying me my full parental leave, I have to say, it's a pretty shitty university to work at.

Our employer has refused to return to the bargaining table with the staff union for weeks, so they've just walked out (as of minutes ago). Since faculty are also re-negotiating our contracts, and since that's not been going well, I imagine we'll soon be walking out, too. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on June 06, 2023, 06:15:04 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 10:54:33 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 08:27:41 PM
Quote from: Puget on June 05, 2023, 06:50:56 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 05, 2023, 06:14:38 PM
Second of the day: the non-faculty union is on the verge of striking. Apparently we (faculty) won't get paid for work already completed unless we "cross" a picket line every day, even though we aren't actually working at the moment.

This seems like a pretty shit deal. Had I known I'd be forgoing my prorated salary for the next month or two, I'd have liked not to complete the work I won't be paid for.

Wait, how is this legal? Withholding pay you've already earned sounds like wage theft.

That's my thinking as well.

Interesting addition: since my pay is prorated monthly, and since I'm between teaching semesters, I'm also having my future pay docked, even though if the strike is resolved before I teach again, then I'm presumably expected to do everything. Between that and not paying me my full parental leave, I have to say, it's a pretty shitty university to work at.

Our employer has refused to return to the bargaining table with the staff union for weeks, so they've just walked out (as of minutes ago). Since faculty are also re-negotiating our contracts, and since that's not been going well, I imagine we'll soon be walking out, too.

I don't know how the Canadian system worked, but here I'd suggest trying to get the state department of labor and attorney general involved. I don't see how it can possibly be legal to not pay for work that is done, or to require you to do anything during the summer if you are on a 9 month contract.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 06, 2023, 07:37:48 AM
Holy crap, Parasaurolophus.  I'd be furious.

(We're union here--for all the good it does us, with the union leaders of the past couple of years.  And state law forbids us to strike. Which leads to the question:  what good is my union, actually? They're pretty good at filing lawsuits, but small comfort in the moment when we really need them.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 08, 2023, 10:21:33 AM
I just had a knock-down, drag-out with my podiatrist before we even addressed my foot problem.  I signed in, paid my copay, and the receptionist asked if I wanted to pay the ~$130 bill for a couple of balances from small bills this spring.  I reminded her that I'm waiting for a payoff from my accident insurance policy, money is tight til the end of the month (when my first huge summer OL check posts), and I'll take care of it then, as I'd already arranged with the billing dept.  OK, no problem.

As I'm sitting in the waiting room, the poor sweet young girl came out and said that she was sorry, but the billing clerk in the main office (with whom I'd made the earlier agreement) said if I didn't pay today, the doctor wouldn't see me today.  I f-ing lost it:  between ALHS and me, we've spent upwards of $30K of our and Cigna's money with this guy over the past couple of years, and they're going to not only refuse services today over a $100 balance, AND you're going to dun me in front of a waiting room full of people? Like I don't feel bad enough already about living on a shoestring until summer OL money comes in, plus feeling like hell because my foot is still broken and I'm walking on it? Oh, hell no. I made ALHS whip out the emergency debit card and pay it.

I was then punished by not getting called back until everyone else who came in after me had been called into exam rooms. The doc finally came in (over an hour past my scheduled appointment time) and started to take off my boot, but I told him, "You are NOT touching me until we have this out."  I proceeded to read him chapter and verse, including that he might be the only game in this little cow town, but we drive to St. Louis for every other one of ALHS's doctors, and I'd have no problem hobbling out and doing the same, as I don't spend money with people who don't respect me and seem to be accusing me of trying to make off with $130 worth of services, yet being just tickled to bill Cigna all those thousands over the years. 

He was taken aback and tried to explain that he has expenses, has to make sure people don't leave him hanging with bills, etc.--so I asked, "Have WE ever done that?  Have you ever lost one damned dime on us? Because I just paid that $100 bill, but that doesn't mean you're getting another red cent from either one of us." After some major ass-kissing on his part--which I was not asking for--I tentatively accepted his apology, and he's refunding the money we paid today.

As to the foot problem:  it's a goddamned mess, and right now I'm in "hurry up and wait" mode.  Another 2 months in the Boot of Doom, trying to get Cigna to pay for a bone stimulator, and maybe still needing surgery at the end of all that.  Today's x-ray looked as bad as/worse than the one from a month ago. He doesn't have high hopes for the surgery, either, with my slow healing, arthritis, and diabetes.

So. . . . yeah.  I really wish I'd have stayed in bed this morning.

OH--he also ordered a doppler study of my leg, because he's concerned that I have a DVT, based on how ungodly swollen my foot and leg are, even early in the morning.  It just gets better and better, doesn't it.

Sorry. I'll shut up and get off-line now.  I just needed to get it out of my system.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on June 08, 2023, 11:47:33 AM
Damn, ALH. I'd be !@$#%^%$#@! livid too. I hope things get better for you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 08, 2023, 04:26:03 PM
Thanks, EPW.  I'm calmed down somewhat; apologies for losing my s&%t here on the fora about it. 

Parasaurolophus, I think you and I should establish a Fora A%&-Kicking Force and put it into motion.  Others are welcome to join in as needed! I'm not sure exactly what we'd do, but we could make it up as we go along.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 08, 2023, 04:35:12 PM
Ugh, that's awful, AmLitHist. I'm so sorry.

On the topic of insurance, my piddling peeve of the day is that my dental insurer "paid" a claim in March by depositing it directly into a TD bank account.

...

I do not have a TD bank account.



Quote from: AmLitHist on June 08, 2023, 04:26:03 PM

Parasaurolophus, I think you and I should establish a Fora A%&-Kicking Force and put it into motion.  Others are welcome to join in as needed! I'm not sure exactly what we'd do, but we could make it up as we go along.

Sure! But I'll kick the asses, on account of my foot not being broken.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on June 09, 2023, 08:13:25 AM
^ You're always looking out for me, my friend!  (I'll loan you one of my reinforced fiberglass boots for those particularly worthy of it!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 13, 2023, 06:44:17 PM
Our administration, in its wisdom, has decided that faculty with scheduled vacation commencing after the staff strike began, if they don't cross picket lines every day until that vacation time starts, will not be paid for their scheduled vacation.

This is transparently illegal.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on June 18, 2023, 01:45:35 PM
Reading the last several posts makes my vent seem so minor.

We have been gone for the last 2 weeks for our long delayed trip to Alaska (originally scheduled for Covid year).  We got home late Friday.  Had dinner and spent time with INlaws yesterday.  Got the mail from In laws yesterday.  Found the water bill and though, that seems high.
Today went outside to the back yard to prepare to mow and see what other things need done.  Though, 'damn the grass damp', then stepped in a puddle.  (It has not rained much at all while we were gone.).  I now see that there is water dripping from the house under the outside water faucet.  (It is Father's Day Sunday, and MOnday is a federal holiday)> I will try to call a plumber, but for the moment, I have turned off the water to the house.

IN looking around I see that there are water stains all along the drywall on that back wall. 
I suspect that the leak was from the mower hitting the outside faucet, the water getting the insulation wet and now the water is soaking through the drywall.  It is otherwise dry inside.


Oh, and while I was outside, I found a window that was cracked, is now officially broken.  It wasnt anything on the fast track repair requirement, as I was waiting until July to replace it.  I probably still will wait the next few weeks.

So, I guess that I will see if I can get a plumber to come over tomorrow (Monday) and fix the leaking pipe.  I dont know from that what I will have to do next regarding the damage done to access the leaking pipe OR the wet drywall. 

We are scheduled to visit my parents in 10 days, until July 4.  I dont think that any of this will delay that trip. 

Welcome Home I guess!!

(and as with other people paid over 9 months, I wont be paid again until August 1 (when I expect to be paid for summer school, though it is possible it will be September 1, and my regular paycheck returns in October 1.  Fortunately, I have enough to hold me over. I dont expect that I will have to spend - or WILL spend a lot before then. Hopefully I wont have to replace a lot of drywall or hardy plank because of the damaged pipe, and IF I DO, I hope that Insurance will pay something, though I have a high deductible AND it is questionable whether I d be covered for the slow leakage damage - from what I remember from my days as a student in Principles of Insurance.

What can you do?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on June 30, 2023, 07:04:22 PM
I went to my local cable company "store" to get a replacement for a piece of non-working equipment. Employee made the exchange and said, helpfully, "if you have any problems installing, just give us a call." So, I had problems installing. I call ... and cannot get anyone real on the phone. The "helpful" voice assistant tells me that there are outages in my area. Technicians cannot help with my "technical problems" until weather conditions improve and the outages are fixed.  I try 3 separate times, but they "check my account" and immediately transition to "there are outages in your area. We are working to repair, etc." I then try the chat bot. Same deal. My problem is not that there are "outages in my area." I am certain there are (we had bad storms and I did have a power outage for 8 hours yesterday). But that is completely unrelated to my problem, which is that the replacement equipment they gave me does not appear to mesh with the existing equipment in my house. The thingy-majob that they gave me blinks green, then red/green/red. I assume that means that the instructions they provided do not work for these two pieces of equipment. But it would be nice if someone could answer the phone/internet chat to confirm that I will have to disconnect the bigger piece of equipment and bring both new and old into the "store" tomorrow. Running me around in circles and telling me that there are outages in my area is not helpful customer service.

Oh, and did I mention that the only possibly useful thing the chatbot told me to do was to check to see if there were batteries in the remote control. Yes. Really. (and, for the record, of course there were brand new batteries in the remote control!)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on July 06, 2023, 01:56:55 PM
Had paramedics called on me for a non-epileptic seizure. Again.

Ended up being taken to hospital, so will be hit with a huge ambulance bill. Again.

In the ER waiting room feeling out of it, exhausted, and humiliated. Again.

SO had to take off work to be with me at the hospital. Again.

Hating myself right now for still not having these episodes under control.

In despair over thoughts of the future if things continue as they are.

Why can't I just be normal?

I feel like I'm being excluded from the club of competent, functional adults, when I desperately want membership.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 08, 2023, 12:31:40 PM
It has been an expensive summer, and it is not getting cheaper!
1. Car door part needs replaced.  Part should be at least $100 each then labor.  Also my power points (cigarette lighters) are all out.  not a fuse (that I can find), so something could be expensive. 
2.  My Bride's phone died.  Purchased a new iphone for her and it was delivered today.  Add to that an otter box.
3.  A pipe broke in the wall a few weeks ago. It is dried out, but it needs to be repaired and repainted.  Im out the deductible and then whatever else I need to get done on top of that above the insurance coverage. 
4. With the cabinets missing (from the leak), I discovered another leak in the kitchen sink.  That will need to be replaced as well.
5.  The shut off valves seem to be having problems too.  IF I have to have the plumbers come in, I may as well make a big process out of it and have them replace the valve shut offs, and the sink. 
6. My computer hard drive blew up last night.  FOR THE THIRD TIME!!  I purchased an extended warrantee and Ill send it off, but as the hard drives have been lasting only 6 to 8 months, and the warrantee is nearly out, I m going to just buy another computer now and not be dependent on something just waiting to die for a fourth time!!

Other items to deal with...   
My Bride's car has some warrantee problem to be fixed on Monday.
I have a broken window in the house (expected a call back last week to replace that window).
There are 2 places (that I know of) that have dry rot  that need replaced.

Classes start on Monday, so I will get paid for a summer class in September (or August) Im sure that Ive already gone through that money!!

So what about your budget?  Still in tact?  Any big repairs in your future? 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on July 08, 2023, 03:16:44 PM
Hi clean!

My "to do" list sounds similar to yours.
1. remove tree that has started to lean over the house.
2. replace water heater.
3. fix plumbing problem.
4. replace broken windows.

For (4), I had difficulty finding a place in town that would replace just the window pane, not replace the whole window!

Based on estimates and work already done, I have blown through my summer salary for the year. Fortunately, I have sufficient funds saved up for these expenses. Next on my list is to paint the entire house (which will probably require replacing some of the siding) and redo the roof. Houses are are expensive! And having trees around the house is really expensive!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2023, 07:47:27 PM
Do you ever just get tired of teaching? Maybe we need a teaching fatigue thread? I'm tired of dealing with cheaters and online students who want to do a month's worth of work in a day. It's just not fun anymore.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on July 10, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
I don't know about getting tired of teaching, but I'm getting tired of all the stupidness that comes with it. As in sitting there listening to someone and thinking, "What this person is saying is so bat$hit crazy stupid, I don't want to respond in any way because they'll think I'm taking them seriously. But if I don't respond, they'll think they won some kind of argument . . ."

I haven't gotten that much smarter over the years to suddenly start thinking like this, so I'm guessing it's not something about me. Could be wrong there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 12, 2023, 12:51:08 PM
Once again, my vent has to do with the ventilation.  We've been having some more HVAC work done.  Now our already excessively-chill running air conditioning has gotten even worse.  Today the temperatures in the staff areas of the building have been running seven and eight degrees below set point.  My office has been the worst.  I've got howling drafts of 55-degree air blasting through.  I'm wearing a jacket and cap as I type this, and still shivering. 

Meanwhile I just paid last month's electricity bill for the library, and our electricity use was way up over the same time last year.  My home's electricity usage was actually down, so it's not because this summer was hotter.  So we're burning crazy amounts of electricity to keep the building shivering cold in the summer.

The HVAC system is supposed to fine-tune temperatures in specific spaces by using hot water in the system to warm up the air where needed.  The variable air volume boxes say that the hot water valve is 100% open, yet the air exiting the boxes is the same 55-degree air coming into them.  It's as if we have no heat in the building at all.  This is not long after we thought we'd finished a months-long battle to get heat back into the building.  Yet I've checked in the boiler room, and the boiler is running.  It's burning who knows how many dollars' worth of gas, and we're getting absolutely nothing for it.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on July 12, 2023, 02:22:56 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2023, 07:47:27 PMDo you ever just get tired of teaching? Maybe we need a teaching fatigue thread? I'm tired of dealing with cheaters and online students who want to do a month's worth of work in a day. It's just not fun anymore.

I'm getting burned out on the absurd demands/requests from students who want the "flexibility" to do work any time, not be required to attend class, leave early or show up late with no penalties. 

And I teach LABS.  Colleagues who record their lectures and allow students 24 hours to turn in what were supposed to be "in class assignments" are NOT HELPING.

Them: "Welcome to [Baskets 101]!  This lecture is supposed to be in-person, but it's OK to not be here.  You can watch the video later!"

Students: "Yay!"

Me: "Welcome to [Baskets 101 lab]!  This lab is in-person, so please show up on time with your lab coat & pre-lab assignment."

Students: "Boo!  Dr. Geneticist is a meany-pants!"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: OneMoreYear on July 12, 2023, 03:53:42 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on July 12, 2023, 02:22:56 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2023, 07:47:27 PMDo you ever just get tired of teaching? Maybe we need a teaching fatigue thread? I'm tired of dealing with cheaters and online students who want to do a month's worth of work in a day. It's just not fun anymore.

I'm getting burned out on the absurd demands/requests from students who want the "flexibility" to do work any time, not be required to attend class, leave early or show up late with no penalties. 

And I teach LABS.  Colleagues who record their lectures and allow students 24 hours to turn in what were supposed to be "in class assignments" are NOT HELPING.

Them: "Welcome to [Baskets 101]!  This lecture is supposed to be in-person, but it's OK to not be here.  You can watch the video later!"

Students: "Yay!"

Me: "Welcome to [Baskets 101 lab]!  This lab is in-person, so please show up on time with your lab coat & pre-lab assignment."

Students: "Boo!  Dr. Geneticist is a meany-pants!"

+ 1 quintillion. My colleagues in lecture courses do not understand that is is just not remotely good pedagogy to flip my lab to virtual. They continue to "advocate" for students in the name of "equity" that we need to be "flexible" and continue to hyflex (which here means basically to allow students to attend online anytime they want to). I will die on this hill next year. Basketweaving lab is in-person. Show up in class or be absent.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 12, 2023, 05:00:59 PM
Quote from: OneMoreYear on July 12, 2023, 03:53:42 PM
Quote from: the_geneticist on July 12, 2023, 02:22:56 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2023, 07:47:27 PMDo you ever just get tired of teaching? Maybe we need a teaching fatigue thread? I'm tired of dealing with cheaters and online students who want to do a month's worth of work in a day. It's just not fun anymore.

I'm getting burned out on the absurd demands/requests from students who want the "flexibility" to do work any time, not be required to attend class, leave early or show up late with no penalties. 

And I teach LABS.  Colleagues who record their lectures and allow students 24 hours to turn in what were supposed to be "in class assignments" are NOT HELPING.

Them: "Welcome to [Baskets 101]!  This lecture is supposed to be in-person, but it's OK to not be here.  You can watch the video later!"

Students: "Yay!"

Me: "Welcome to [Baskets 101 lab]!  This lab is in-person, so please show up on time with your lab coat & pre-lab assignment."

Students: "Boo!  Dr. Geneticist is a meany-pants!"

+ 1 quintillion. My colleagues in lecture courses do not understand that is is just not remotely good pedagogy to flip my lab to virtual. They continue to "advocate" for students in the name of "equity" that we need to be "flexible" and continue to hyflex (which here means basically to allow students to attend online anytime they want to). I will die on this hill next year. Basketweaving lab is in-person. Show up in class or be absent.


Yep. Our College is trying to rein in people who are giving extra flexibility, but I've learned long ago that most admins don't really care that much about it (and so some profs get away with letting students slack off). So it goes.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 13, 2023, 02:36:01 PM
Our brilliant revolving-door HR dept. strikes again:  six-week classes end tomorrow, with the payroll for the final 2 weeks also due tomorrow (the previous 4 weeks were paid the end of June). But, nope. A couple of hours ago we got an email from HR saying, essentially, "We screwed up. You'll get paid the end of July."

I'm OK, but there have been many, many times when getting that paycheck late--2 whole weeks late, in this case--would have been the difference between feeding the kids, paying for church camp, and such, or not.  And a lot of adjuncts teach our summer classes, so they're definitely paycheck to paycheck.

Of course, I'm sure if I'd fail to show up for two weeks of teaching, or neglect to submit final grades, because of a similar "processing error" (their excuse), it would be no big deal either. //dripping sarcasm//

This kind of shit just gets So. F*&ing. OLD. (And for what it's worth, during my 2 decades working as an accountant in industry, I cut checks every day of the week, and esp. if there was something screwed up with someone's paycheck, I'd come in and fix it ASAP on my own time.)

ETA: for what it's worth, my late check is about $1400, so not an inconsequential amount--at least, not to me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 13, 2023, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on July 13, 2023, 02:36:01 PMOur brilliant revolving-door HR dept. strikes again:  six-week classes end tomorrow, with the payroll for the final 2 weeks also due tomorrow (the previous 4 weeks were paid the end of June). But, nope. A couple of hours ago we got an email from HR saying, essentially, "We screwed up. You'll get paid the end of July."

I'm OK, but there have been many, many times when getting that paycheck late--2 whole weeks late, in this case--would have been the difference between feeding the kids, paying for church camp, and such, or not.  And a lot of adjuncts teach our summer classes, so they're definitely paycheck to paycheck.

Of course, I'm sure if I'd fail to show up for two weeks of teaching, or neglect to submit final grades, because of a similar "processing error" (their excuse), it would be no big deal either. //dripping sarcasm//

This kind of shit just gets So. F*&ing. OLD. (And for what it's worth, during my 2 decades working as an accountant in industry, I cut checks every day of the week, and esp. if there was something screwed up with someone's paycheck, I'd come in and fix it ASAP on my own time.)

ETA: for what it's worth, my late check is about $1400, so not an inconsequential amount--at least, not to me.

That would piss me off something fierce. Do they not have a 'plan B' in place for emergency payments? I can see how some people would have problems, especially if they are paycheck-to-paycheck. Is this issue just affecting faculty, or all College/University employees?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on July 13, 2023, 04:50:10 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 09, 2023, 07:47:27 PMDo you ever just get tired of teaching? Maybe we need a teaching fatigue thread? I'm tired of dealing with cheaters and online students who want to do a month's worth of work in a day. It's just not fun anymore.

It occurred to me the other day that I don't think I have the energy to "help" students anymore. It might just be the summer break version of me talking, but I'm tired of trying to "help" students do things they have shown they're not interested in doing. Our chair had sent an email around about including a statement about OpenAI/etc in our syllabus and talking to them about its uses, etc. No. I don't want to do that. I'll include it in my plagiarism statement but I'm not interested in talking to them about how they feel about it, how we can use it, etc. I'm not interested in encouraging students to sign up for advising or registering for the next semester when they haven't done so yet. I don't want to "incentive" them to do the work. Do it. Don't do it. I don't care. I'm tired of adapting to things. A new LMS. A new Gen Ed. ChatGPT. I'm over it all.  Either my summer has been too long or not long enough!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on July 13, 2023, 07:03:29 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 13, 2023, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on July 13, 2023, 02:36:01 PMOur brilliant revolving-door HR dept. strikes again:  six-week classes end tomorrow, with the payroll for the final 2 weeks also due tomorrow (the previous 4 weeks were paid the end of June). But, nope. A couple of hours ago we got an email from HR saying, essentially, "We screwed up. You'll get paid the end of July."

I'm OK, but there have been many, many times when getting that paycheck late--2 whole weeks late, in this case--would have been the difference between feeding the kids, paying for church camp, and such, or not.  And a lot of adjuncts teach our summer classes, so they're definitely paycheck to paycheck.

Of course, I'm sure if I'd fail to show up for two weeks of teaching, or neglect to submit final grades, because of a similar "processing error" (their excuse), it would be no big deal either. //dripping sarcasm//

This kind of shit just gets So. F*&ing. OLD. (And for what it's worth, during my 2 decades working as an accountant in industry, I cut checks every day of the week, and esp. if there was something screwed up with someone's paycheck, I'd come in and fix it ASAP on my own time.)

ETA: for what it's worth, my late check is about $1400, so not an inconsequential amount--at least, not to me.

That would piss me off something fierce. Do they not have a 'plan B' in place for emergency payments? I can see how some people would have problems, especially if they are paycheck-to-paycheck. Is this issue just affecting faculty, or all College/University employees?

This is illegal. File a complaint with your state/local labor board.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 14, 2023, 06:53:13 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 13, 2023, 07:03:29 PM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on July 13, 2023, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on July 13, 2023, 02:36:01 PMOur brilliant revolving-door HR dept. strikes again:  six-week classes end tomorrow, with the payroll for the final 2 weeks also due tomorrow (the previous 4 weeks were paid the end of June). But, nope. A couple of hours ago we got an email from HR saying, essentially, "We screwed up. You'll get paid the end of July."

I'm OK, but there have been many, many times when getting that paycheck late--2 whole weeks late, in this case--would have been the difference between feeding the kids, paying for church camp, and such, or not.  And a lot of adjuncts teach our summer classes, so they're definitely paycheck to paycheck.

Of course, I'm sure if I'd fail to show up for two weeks of teaching, or neglect to submit final grades, because of a similar "processing error" (their excuse), it would be no big deal either. //dripping sarcasm//

This kind of shit just gets So. F*&ing. OLD. (And for what it's worth, during my 2 decades working as an accountant in industry, I cut checks every day of the week, and esp. if there was something screwed up with someone's paycheck, I'd come in and fix it ASAP on my own time.)

ETA: for what it's worth, my late check is about $1400, so not an inconsequential amount--at least, not to me.

That would piss me off something fierce. Do they not have a 'plan B' in place for emergency payments? I can see how some people would have problems, especially if they are paycheck-to-paycheck. Is this issue just affecting faculty, or all College/University employees?

This is illegal. File a complaint with your state/local labor board.

So far as I know, it's only summer faculty.  Of course, the Evil Overlords administrators never have to worry about their paychecks being on time.

I've already been online looking into the labor board this morning. It's Missouri, though, so not much help for workers; the state leg. wants to be a right-to-work fiefdom.

I sent a scathing email to the HR toady who sent the message yesterday, and cc'd my union leadership and my dean.  The dean has the best odds of getting something done. We'll see.

Also:  Paddington, I'm right there with you:  "Do it. Don't do it. I don't care."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 14, 2023, 07:21:08 AM
I've come in to work with broken bones and a collapsed lung after an accident to make sure the payroll was taken care of here.  You never, ever, but never fail to pay your employees.  Scripture warns employers who fail to pay their people with Hell.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on July 14, 2023, 12:36:50 PM
apl68, do you know which book and verse that is? I may need to keep that scripture citation in my back pocket in case of similar issues.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on July 14, 2023, 05:12:09 PM
We ordered pizza tonight — pesto chicken with bacon added. If arrived without any pesto. You'd think the first step to making a pizza would be "add sauce."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on July 15, 2023, 06:05:21 AM
Update:  after enough hell being raised by me and my union leadership, the money was deposited in my bank account around 8 p.m.

Come to find out, only people at my campus (not the other 3) weren't paid for this summer work. So, tell me again how we're all One CollegeTM, one of the Best Places to Work in the region, etc.

I'm glad it got resolved, of course, but still aggravated as hell that every blessed thing has to be an ordeal. I really don't have the attention or energy for this kind of stuff at every turn.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 15, 2023, 07:03:59 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on July 14, 2023, 12:36:50 PMapl68, do you know which book and verse that is? I may need to keep that scripture citation in my back pocket in case of similar issues.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15:  "You will not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether of your own people or a foreigner.  You will give him his wages the day he earns them, for he is poor and needs them, or his cry will be against you to the Lord, and it will be a sin for you."

James 5:1-5:

"Consider this, rich men, weep and how for the miseries about to come upon you.  Your riches are rotted, your garments moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver are tarnished, and the rust of them will be a witness against you, and will eat your flesh as fire.  You have piled up treasure in the last days.  The wages of the laborers who reaped your fields that you have defrauded them of cry out, and the Lord of Hosts has heard these cries.  You have lived in pleasure on the Earth.  You have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter."

Just treatment of slaves/hired employees is a theme in both Old and New Testaments.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on July 16, 2023, 07:40:05 AM
Quote from: apl68 on July 15, 2023, 07:03:59 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on July 14, 2023, 12:36:50 PMapl68, do you know which book and verse that is? I may need to keep that scripture citation in my back pocket in case of similar issues.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15:  "You will not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether of your own people or a foreigner.  You will give him his wages the day he earns them, for he is poor and needs them, or his cry will be against you to the Lord, and it will be a sin for you."

James 5:1-5:

"Consider this, rich men, weep and how for the miseries about to come upon you.  Your riches are rotted, your garments moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver are tarnished, and the rust of them will be a witness against you, and will eat your flesh as fire.  You have piled up treasure in the last days.  The wages of the laborers who reaped your fields that you have defrauded them of cry out, and the Lord of Hosts has heard these cries.  You have lived in pleasure on the Earth.  You have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter."

Just treatment of slaves/hired employees is a theme in both Old and New Testaments.

From the King James version:
Leviticus 19:13
Quote- Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Jeremiah 22:13
QuoteWoe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Deuteronomy 24:14-15
QuoteThou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on July 17, 2023, 06:19:08 PM
Had a discussion with my PI about job searching in anticipation of graduation, and it was depressing.

We talked about him serving as a reference when I start applying to positions. He mentioned not having yet figured out how he plans to discuss my strengths while still being honest as to how my health issues have slowed my progress over the years.

If your own PI can only give you a recommendation with an asterisk ("Well, SCR is good, but..."), there's no reason to be optimistic about employment prospects. Seems like a good way to get your application dumped straight in the trash.

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after leaving school.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on July 17, 2023, 08:07:21 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on July 17, 2023, 06:19:08 PMHad a discussion with my PI about job searching in anticipation of graduation, and it was depressing.

We talked about him serving as a reference when I start applying to positions. He mentioned not having yet figured out how he plans to discuss my strengths while still being honest as to how my health issues have slowed my progress over the years.

If your own PI can only give you a recommendation with an asterisk ("Well, SCR is good, but..."), there's no reason to be optimistic about employment prospects. Seems like a good way to get your application dumped straight in the trash.

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after leaving school.

First, your physical disability has nothing to do with your intellectual output.  Second, your PI while moderately well intentioned is tremendously unhelpful.  I have no personal knowledge about your health or its impact on your work.  I do know that you can't be discriminated against because of a disability.  There is a place for you outside of academia. You just need to find your spot. 

Oh, and the PI isn't supposed to mention anything except your work in a recommendation no matter how your health may or may not have been perceived as affecting output.  Any mention of your health is against the law. Don't let this person prevent you from pursuing a career. 

Just as sure as I write this advice, some dingbat judge will decide the freedom from discrimination based on disabilities is not protected by the EEOC.   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on July 18, 2023, 07:00:09 AM
Quote from: Antiphon1 on July 17, 2023, 08:07:21 PMFirst, your physical disability has nothing to do with your intellectual output.  Second, your PI while moderately well intentioned is tremendously unhelpful.  I have no personal knowledge about your health or its impact on your work.  I do know that you can't be discriminated against because of a disability.  There is a place for you outside of academia. You just need to find your spot. 

Oh, and the PI isn't supposed to mention anything except your work in a recommendation no matter how your health may or may not have been perceived as affecting output.  Any mention of your health is against the law.

But wouldn't it be reasonable for an employer to mention someone's rate of absenteeism, particularly if it's significantly above average? And if someone had mental health issues that resulted in outbursts at work, wouldn't it be reasonable for an employer to mention the difficulties in getting along with other employees?

It seems to me that there are many situations where the consequences of the health issues are pertinent, even if the the health issues themselves cannot be divulged.

(Not specifically thinking of SCR's situation; just curious from a legal perspective about where the line is drawn between privacy about health and information about job performance which was affected by health issues.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on July 18, 2023, 07:25:48 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 18, 2023, 07:00:09 AM
Quote from: Antiphon1 on July 17, 2023, 08:07:21 PMFirst, your physical disability has nothing to do with your intellectual output.  Second, your PI while moderately well intentioned is tremendously unhelpful.  I have no personal knowledge about your health or its impact on your work.  I do know that you can't be discriminated against because of a disability.  There is a place for you outside of academia. You just need to find your spot. 

Oh, and the PI isn't supposed to mention anything except your work in a recommendation no matter how your health may or may not have been perceived as affecting output.  Any mention of your health is against the law.

But wouldn't it be reasonable for an employer to mention someone's rate of absenteeism, particularly if it's significantly above average? And if someone had mental health issues that resulted in outbursts at work, wouldn't it be reasonable for an employer to mention the difficulties in getting along with other employees?

It seems to me that there are many situations where the consequences of the health issues are pertinent, even if the the health issues themselves cannot be divulged.

(Not specifically thinking of SCR's situation; just curious from a legal perspective about where the line is drawn between privacy about health and information about job performance which was affected by health issues.)
These discussions make me uncomfortable because they come close to "oh, she is likely to be less productive because she will be having children soon. So, instead, let's hire this other person who cannot possibly become pregnant due to his gender." The latter is clearly sex discrimination.

For SCR's situation, I would argue that SCR *is better than* someone who has the same accomplishments but did not have to deal with the health challenges. That SCR persevered through very challenging circumstances is commendable in and of itself. That SCR is close to completing the research required to earn a PhD is commendable. To do both, simultaneously, speaks volumes about SCR's dedication, commitment, and motivation to their field of study.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 18, 2023, 10:41:28 AM
Minor annoyance: partner keeps losing the hatchling's toys out in the world. Yesterday was the fourth time in the last few months.

It's not really a big deal, but I do find it frustrating. I have no trouble keeping track of mulptiple toys brought out there. This last one was lost during a diaper change, which is both understandable (you're focused on something else) and not (because the change is performed in a small space where it's easier to keep track of where things are, and to see what's where).

It's not a big deal, but it is frustrating to be constantly replacing things, and it taking weeks to find and source replacements each time. In the meantime, we have a hatchling asking after the thing, and explaining that it's lost is hard on everyone.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on July 18, 2023, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 18, 2023, 07:00:09 AM(Not specifically thinking of SCR's situation; just curious from a legal perspective about where the line is drawn between privacy about health and information about job performance which was affected by health issues.)

As a former dean, I can tell you that referring to perceived deficiencies or delays caused by heath related issues in a reference can cause an extremely difficult position to defend for the former employer.  You're getting into reasonable accommodations, grievance policies, HIPPA, and lots of other really fun policy positions that may or may not have any basis in actionable, factual, or even provable job performance statements. My advice is and always will be to advisors and supervisors, stick to factual statements about output not explanations or opinions about your personal perception of why the employee did or did not meet your unstated expectations.  And, yes, this could be about reproductive rights, but again, there is no reason to differentiate between gendered heath events unless we're talking about family leave.  Then, it's a policy question. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on July 19, 2023, 06:03:51 AM
Quote from: Antiphon1 on July 18, 2023, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 18, 2023, 07:00:09 AM(Not specifically thinking of SCR's situation; just curious from a legal perspective about where the line is drawn between privacy about health and information about job performance which was affected by health issues.)

As a former dean, I can tell you that referring to perceived deficiencies or delays caused by heath related issues in a reference can cause an extremely difficult position to defend for the former employer.  You're getting into reasonable accommodations, grievance policies, HIPPA, and lots of other really fun policy positions that may or may not have any basis in actionable, factual, or even provable job performance statements. My advice is and always will be to advisors and supervisors, stick to factual statements about output not explanations or opinions about your personal perception of why the employee did or did not meet your unstated expectations. And, yes, this could be about reproductive rights, but again, there is no reason to differentiate between gendered heath events unless we're talking about family leave.  Then, it's a policy question.

The bolded part was what I was wondering about. If an employee missed 3 or 4 days a month, would there be any problem in stating that, if no explanation was given as to the cause of the absenteeism?

My sense is that in at least some cases, the lack of explanation might be worse for the person. I had a TA whom I rehired several times, but who had a lot of health issues and so was occasionally absent. I had no problem giving this person a good reference for being smart, conscientious, and responsible, but a future employer's satisfaction in hiring would likely hinge on being aware of the challenges up front. (In other words, an employer with more information might say, "Sure, I can work with that", and everything would be fine, but if they were blindsided, they might be very unhappy and resentful of the employee.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Antiphon1 on July 19, 2023, 07:02:27 AM
I've written recommendations for several people whose health problems caused extended absences from assigned duties.  The conundrum the recommender faces when reflecting on performance in these instances must balance whether the person overcame, compensated for, or worked differently during the health event or if the person's heath became an event used to excuse not working.  Poor heath is not necessarily chronic.  Women are not pregnant indefinitely, bones mend, and people most often recover from infectious diseases.  An ongoing heath problem like diabetes, however, cannot be used as a reason to either deny or end employment. Thus, a recommender giving the future employer a heads up amounts to anticipating poor performance based on faulty assumptions.  The real reason the employee has performance problems may or may not have anything to do with their heath.  It might be an excuse because they hated the position or the organization.  You don't know and can't or shouldn't assume your experience will be their next employer's experience.   

Having said this, I would caution people who have chronic conditions to disclose their concerns at the earliest possible time.  An interviewer cannot ask about these conditions, but the interviewee can choose to disclose information.  The choice to continue withhold this type of information can backfire if the employee needs or asks for accommodations in the future. 











As a former dean, I can tell you that referring to perceived deficiencies or delays caused by heath related issues in a reference can cause an extremely difficult position to defend for the former employer.  You're getting into reasonable accommodations, grievance policies, HIPPA, and lots of other really fun policy positions that may or may not have any basis in actionable, factual, or even provable job performance statements. My advice is and always will be to advisors and supervisors, stick to factual statements about output not explanations or opinions about your personal perception of why the employee did or did not meet your unstated expectations. And, yes, this could be about reproductive rights, but again, there is no reason to differentiate between gendered heath events unless we're talking about family leave.  Then, it's a policy question.
[/quote]

The bolded part was what I was wondering about. If an employee missed 3 or 4 days a month, would there be any problem in stating that, if no explanation was given as to the cause of the absenteeism?

My sense is that in at least some cases, the lack of explanation might be worse for the person. I had a TA whom I rehired several times, but who had a lot of health issues and so was occasionally absent. I had no problem giving this person a good reference for being smart, conscientious, and responsible, but a future employer's satisfaction in hiring would likely hinge on being aware of the challenges up front. (In other words, an employer with more information might say, "Sure, I can work with that", and everything would be fine, but if they were blindsided, they might be very unhappy and resentful of the employee.)

[/quote]
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 19, 2023, 11:00:11 AM
Quotemost often recover from infectious diseases. 

And those that do not are unlikely to pressure you for a recommendation! 
But if St. Peter calls for a reference, make it a great one, (just as you would want a great one yourself)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Istiblennius on July 19, 2023, 11:16:26 AM
SCR, I'm curious as to what your PI actually said... Is it possible they were asking your permission to allude to your health issues in a recommendation? I ask because I can see them wanting to give them the strongest possible recommendation (it's very encouraging that they did not simply decline to do a recommendation) that includes an explanation of why a PhD program took you more time to complete than might otherwise be expected. Of course it is up to you to disclose or not your health issues, and there may be other ways for your PI to address how you overcame some challenges, but I can see them somewhat clumsily opening the conversation about how you would like them to do that. I write a lot of recommendation letters and I always keep in mind that those letters are only as good as my professional reputation and that reputation suffers if I present a recommendation that I cannot stand behind or that puts a candidate in a position to be unsuccessful to the mutual detriment of them and the institution at which they wind up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on July 19, 2023, 12:46:01 PM
We've had a team of out-of-town HVAC technicians here all week working on our system.  So that we can finally have it working properly after a summer of shivering and bundling up whenever we're in our work spaces.  Today the techs checked out the system and pressurized it.  Next thing I knew, I went into our book sale room to check on something and saw water dripping from the ceiling and beginning to damage some of our shelves. 

Turns out the techs did their level best to install everything properly, but brand-new parts failed in multiple places.  Now they've got more on order, and will soon have to come back yet again.  Meanwhile they've again had to drain the system, and we still don't have the system working properly.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on July 23, 2023, 03:36:45 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 18, 2023, 07:00:09 AMIt seems to me that there are many situations where the consequences of the health issues are pertinent, even if the the health issues themselves cannot be divulged.

I mean, I think this is fair. I wasn't really faulting my PI so much as feeling kinda down about the fact that I wasn't able to be the type of student for whom he felt he could make an unqualified recommendation.

Quote from: arcturus on July 18, 2023, 07:25:48 AMFor SCR's situation, I would argue that SCR *is better than* someone who has the same accomplishments but did not have to deal with the health challenges. That SCR persevered through very challenging circumstances is commendable in and of itself. That SCR is close to completing the research required to earn a PhD is commendable. To do both, simultaneously, speaks volumes about SCR's dedication, commitment, and motivation to their field of study.

arcturus, thanks for saying this. I hope I might be able to find a potential employer can see some positive qualities like commitment or perseverance in my story.

Quote from: marshwiggle on July 19, 2023, 06:03:51 AMMy sense is that in at least some cases, the lack of explanation might be worse for the person. I had a TA whom I rehired several times, but who had a lot of health issues and so was occasionally absent. I had no problem giving this person a good reference for being smart, conscientious, and responsible, but a future employer's satisfaction in hiring would likely hinge on being aware of the challenges up front. (In other words, an employer with more information might say, "Sure, I can work with that", and everything would be fine, but if they were blindsided, they might be very unhappy and resentful of the employee.)

I've wondered about this too.

Quote from: Antiphon1 on July 19, 2023, 07:02:27 AMHaving said this, I would caution people who have chronic conditions to disclose their concerns at the earliest possible time.  An interviewer cannot ask about these conditions, but the interviewee can choose to disclose information.  The choice to continue withhold this type of information can backfire if the employee needs or asks for accommodations in the future. 

I'm aware I'll likely have to disclose at some point, but how early exactly? Is the interview stage early enough, or should it even be as early as the application stage? Is the job offer stage too late? What if I am able to make significant progress in improving my health, but there is a non-zero chance of relapse? Do I still need to disclose that I had issues in the past?

Quote from: Istiblennius on July 19, 2023, 11:16:26 AMSCR, I'm curious as to what your PI actually said... Is it possible they were asking your permission to allude to your health issues in a recommendation? I ask because I can see them wanting to give them the strongest possible recommendation (it's very encouraging that they did not simply decline to do a recommendation) that includes an explanation of why a PhD program took you more time to complete than might otherwise be expected. Of course it is up to you to disclose or not your health issues, and there may be other ways for your PI to address how you overcame some challenges, but I can see them somewhat clumsily opening the conversation about how you would like them to do that. I write a lot of recommendation letters and I always keep in mind that those letters are only as good as my professional reputation and that reputation suffers if I present a recommendation that I cannot stand behind or that puts a candidate in a position to be unsuccessful to the mutual detriment of them and the institution at which they wind up.

I don't think he was asking my permission about anything. I think he was just expressing uncertainty regarding how to balance supporting my application with being honest about expecting to have seen more progress if I had been "100% healthy." I wish I could have been.

I've kicked around the idea of offering to work full-time for part-time pay or even no pay (at least for a while) as a way to compensate for previous or continued shortcomings. Neither my PI nor my program director seemed to think this was a terrible idea. If it gets me a job that's better than stagnating in unemployment, but it does make me feel pretty low in worth compared to my peers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on July 23, 2023, 04:59:55 PM
QuoteI'm aware I'll likely have to disclose at some point, but how early exactly? Is the interview stage early enough, or should it even be as early as the application stage?

At your university there are HR experts that have to deal with these sorts of things.  If you have contacted the university about your own disability and any accommodations, those would be the ones.  Ask them these questions and see what options and suggestions they may have. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on August 17, 2023, 12:15:42 PM
I've been asked to take over the supervision of courses handled by a colleague who resigned to take another position, and so far, everything I've dug into has huge problems: no budget filed for the fiscal year, outdated curriculum, fully-enrolled courses with no faculty, and more. Aargh!

Vent over. Back to (extra) work.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on August 29, 2023, 05:20:28 AM
No, really. Everyone needs to take note that the unemployed folks in the family are generating--out of nothing--95% of the drama.

And the kids aren't the problem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on August 30, 2023, 07:09:24 AM
So I have a lab that meets every Tues and Thurs from 12:10 until 2:00 PM. Last week, on Tuesday, at 1:57 PM a faculty member I did not know key cards himself into the lab and starts herding his students in the lab. I was finishing up, was still talking to my students because the first day always runs to the last minute because of all the things I have to introduce.

I asked the faculty member what time his lab started. He said 2:10 and said I had the room until 2:00 and in the future would he please not enter until after that time if my class was still in session. I logged out of the instructor's station, picked up my things, and left. Also, earlier in my lab, when I was in the middle of a demo, the same faculty member let himself in, approached the instructor's podium, and I asked if I could help him. He said no, he was just looking at the computer to see if there were USB slots on the front. I said "Okay..." and went about what I was doing with my students. I thought it was a bit odd, not to mention rude, but, whatever.

Then yesterday I received an email from an administrator berating me for being rude to a colleague in front of students, that the students were horrified, their professor was upset, etc., and that I needed to learn to share space and time with my colleagues. I was SO ticked off. I told the administrator my version of events and also told him that it was not good of him to assume that I was the offending party and that whenever my class followed another colleague's class, even with a 10 minute switchover time, I never entered the room if they were still in there with their students until at least 5 minutes had gone by because I knew that sometimes things ran late. I also told him about the faculty member interrupting my lab to look at the podium computer.

All I received in response was that the faculty member was new and still learning. But even if they were fresh out of grad school (they looked older, but who knows?), they should have some basic manners. Ugh. I thought our students were increasingly immature, but for a faculty member to go running to an administrator when they feel a colleague was being mean? And not even approach me first? Oh for f*** sake. Also, the lab schedule is posted outside the lab door for anyone and everyone to see. I'm especially annoyed that this new prof probably feels he was indeed the aggrieved party. Not that I'll see him on a regular basis, he's in another department, but still...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on August 30, 2023, 08:43:02 AM
That prof was a jerk, Edna! And the Admin doesn't sound much better. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on August 30, 2023, 09:08:03 AM
Running to Admin? What a big baby!

When I first started teaching the class before mine would let out. A few would come tearing out of the room but most were rather sluggishly putting their books in their bags, checking their phones, etc.

Mine, as soon as the first few started exiting, would come bouncing into the room and start taking their seats. I dunno, they were more energetic.

The other teacher started yelling at me after a few times. "CAN YOU ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO WAIT UNTIL MINE HAVE LEFT???" My students started letting her have it. "Hey, we can't help it if yours are lazy, class is over, get the heck out of your seats..."

I said "Well, class is over at 2:00. What time can we come in?" She said "NOT RIGHT AT 2:00!" I said, "Shall I hold them until 2:05?" "YES!"

So we would stand out in the hall until 2:05 as hers started moseying their way out. Of course, half were still in there but I would wait a few minutes to come in and set up.

She retired soon after. I still see her around town from time to time and she won't look me in the eye.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on August 30, 2023, 11:30:39 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on August 30, 2023, 08:43:02 AMThat prof was a jerk, Edna! And the Admin doesn't sound much better.

Thanks, I was having an "Am I the a**hole?" moment but  no, common courtesy seems to be lacking. I did some searching on our website and the administrator is housed in the same department as the new faculty even though the admin doesn't teach. If he wants to look out for the new wee ducklings in his 'home' department, he could at least be more polite about it. Oh well. For me, it's in the past, but my respect for that particular administrator has gone down a few more notches when I didn't think that was possible.

Quote from: ciao_yall on August 30, 2023, 09:08:03 AMRunning to Admin? What a big baby!

When I first started teaching the class before mine would let out. A few would come tearing out of the room but most were rather sluggishly putting their books in their bags, checking their phones, etc.

Mine, as soon as the first few started exiting, would come bouncing into the room and start taking their seats. I dunno, they were more energetic.

The other teacher started yelling at me after a few times. "CAN YOU ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO WAIT UNTIL MINE HAVE LEFT???" My students started letting her have it. "Hey, we can't help it if yours are lazy, class is over, get the heck out of your seats..."

I said "Well, class is over at 2:00. What time can we come in?" She said "NOT RIGHT AT 2:00!" I said, "Shall I hold them until 2:05?" "YES!"

So we would stand out in the hall until 2:05 as hers started moseying their way out. Of course, half were still in there but I would wait a few minutes to come in and set up.

She retired soon after. I still see her around town from time to time and she won't look me in the eye.

That actually made me laugh. I guess we've all had those colleagues before. When I was in grad school there was a prof who always overran and the prof of the class I was in would walk in a minute or two before our class started, with us following, and say "My room, my class. If you're not enrolled in [class] leave the room now." and just go about getting ready - he lectured from handwritten notes so there was nothing to set up and no computer to log into. The other prof never reacted, just got his stuff and left, along with his students. This happened multiple times during the semester.

I think it's part of my job as a prof to make sure I herd my students out of the room in a timely fashion if there's another class following mine. I tell them we can talk in the hall.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on August 30, 2023, 12:42:11 PM
Quote from: EdnaMode on August 30, 2023, 11:30:39 AMThat actually made me laugh. I guess we've all had those colleagues before. When I was in grad school there was a prof who always overran and the prof of the class I was in would walk in a minute or two before our class started, with us following, and say "My room, my class. If you're not enrolled in [class] leave the room now." and just go about getting ready - he lectured from handwritten notes so there was nothing to set up and no computer to log into. The other prof never reacted, just got his stuff and left, along with his students. This happened multiple times during the semester.

I think it's part of my job as a prof to make sure I herd my students out of the room in a timely fashion if there's another class following mine. I tell them we can talk in the hall.


Ha! Not nearly so bad, but last year the prof before me would always be talking to lingering students at the front of the room as I was trying to set up. I just about started class with him still there chatting away a number of times. He seemed completely oblivious to this. The funny thing was, there was actually a nice lounge area *right outside* that classroom where he could have sat and talked with the students in comfort for as long as he liked.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PM
How do you get things done on days when all you want to do is lie in bed and not move? I'm having a lot of days like that.

I had multiple fits of convulsions yesterday, and now everything hurts. My muscles are sore, my head aches, and my stomach is resisting all attempts to feed it. I just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

I also have a ton of other stuff to do to prepare for finishing up school, switching health insurance and finding new providers, getting ready to move, and figuring out next steps career-wise.

I don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 02, 2023, 07:04:05 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMI don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.

All I can tell you is that when I myself have been in those times of life where simply taking care of ordinary daily life seemed beyond my strength, I have depended upon the prayers of others and my own relationship with God.  It was only strength outside my own that enabled me to continue.  Praying now for you to have strength from outside yourself, smallcleanrat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: doc700 on September 04, 2023, 05:25:24 AM
Are you able to "just" focus on the thesis defense for the next 2 weeks and worry about all the rest of these things after that?  I understand if you aren't doing well the thesis defense itself is a lot.  But perhaps letting go of the other topics could help in the short term.

Usually students do their defense and then have some minor corrections to their thesis etc that they complete after the defense.  As a result, you usually don't graduate (lose health insurance and income) the hour the defense is done. I don't know what arrangement you have with your PI but its not uncommon for students at my university to spend a few months post-thesis defense looking for jobs or wrapping up a last project.



Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMHow do you get things done on days when all you want to do is lie in bed and not move? I'm having a lot of days like that.

I had multiple fits of convulsions yesterday, and now everything hurts. My muscles are sore, my head aches, and my stomach is resisting all attempts to feed it. I just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

I also have a ton of other stuff to do to prepare for finishing up school, switching health insurance and finding new providers, getting ready to move, and figuring out next steps career-wise.

I don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on September 06, 2023, 04:09:15 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMI just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

Congratulations on being so close! I'm so sorry you are struggling with this. How much do you actually need to do for the defense? Is there a presentation to write or a slide show to create?

I defended in the humanities overseas, so I know my process was a little different from yours, but I had the benefit of having a job interview the day before my defense, so I spent the 3 weeks before both preparing for the interview and then re-read my dissertation on the train home afterwards. My advisor said he wouldn't let me defend until I was ready, and I assume yours has also assured you that you are ready. Can you make a list of the bare minimum you must do (e.g. if you are required to make slides) and give yourself a a few designated blocks of time for the preparation?

There's a stress scale I found some time back called the Holmes-Rahe stress inventory. I'm not a psychologist; I don't know if it's a real thing or just an internet gimmick, but it helps me think about how much life changes, even positive ones, can bring stress (for instance, a promotion at work can still be a source of stress!). It sounds like most of your changes are positive ones, but there are a lot of unknowns, and that is hard! My advice would be to schedule a few days (as many as possible!) to let yourself rest and recuperate from all the stress. Hire movers if you can afford them, even if just to load the truck (because they are SO much more efficient than us mere mortals). Take a day to go visit your favorite spot in Current City before you leave. Plan an afternoon to have coffee with a friend, or to read a book in a quiet spot, or whatever rejuvenates you. Or let yourself actually stay in bed for a few days: that's allowed too. I would contend that you have been working flat-out for a long time, completing a challenging degree despite a major physical difficulty, in the face of several other external pressures. That's amazing! --but your body needs time to recuperate, and my suspicion is that the desire to vegetate is your body telling you that it is very, very  tired. It's okay to let it rest.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on September 06, 2023, 04:28:38 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on August 30, 2023, 07:09:24 AMSo I have a lab that meets every Tues and Thurs from 12:10 until 2:00 PM. Last week, on Tuesday, at 1:57 PM a faculty member I did not know key cards himself into the lab and starts herding his students in the lab. I was finishing up, was still talking to my students because the first day always runs to the last minute because of all the things I have to introduce.

I asked the faculty member what time his lab started. He said 2:10 and said I had the room until 2:00 and in the future would he please not enter until after that time if my class was still in session. I logged out of the instructor's station, picked up my things, and left. Also, earlier in my lab, when I was in the middle of a demo, the same faculty member let himself in, approached the instructor's podium, and I asked if I could help him. He said no, he was just looking at the computer to see if there were USB slots on the front. I said "Okay..." and went about what I was doing with my students. I thought it was a bit odd, not to mention rude, but, whatever.

Then yesterday I received an email from an administrator berating me for being rude to a colleague in front of students, that the students were horrified, their professor was upset, etc., and that I needed to learn to share space and time with my colleagues. I was SO ticked off. I told the administrator my version of events and also told him that it was not good of him to assume that I was the offending party and that whenever my class followed another colleague's class, even with a 10 minute switchover time, I never entered the room if they were still in there with their students until at least 5 minutes had gone by because I knew that sometimes things ran late. I also told him about the faculty member interrupting my lab to look at the podium computer.

All I received in response was that the faculty member was new and still learning. But even if they were fresh out of grad school (they looked older, but who knows?), they should have some basic manners. Ugh. I thought our students were increasingly immature, but for a faculty member to go running to an administrator when they feel a colleague was being mean? And not even approach me first? Oh for f*** sake. Also, the lab schedule is posted outside the lab door for anyone and everyone to see. I'm especially annoyed that this new prof probably feels he was indeed the aggrieved party. Not that I'll see him on a regular basis, he's in another department, but still...


I hope you copied your chair on your response. There was no excuse for the prof however new or inexperienced to barge into a lab or classroom when a class was in session, let alone interrupt the instructor to look at the computer you were using. Sounds more like an entitled student than faculty if he went running to the admins with his sob story.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on September 06, 2023, 05:59:26 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on September 06, 2023, 04:28:38 AM
Quote from: EdnaMode on August 30, 2023, 07:09:24 AMSo I have a lab that meets every Tues and Thurs from 12:10 until 2:00 PM...


I hope you copied your chair on your response. There was no excuse for the prof however new or inexperienced to barge into a lab or classroom when a class was in session, let alone interrupt the instructor to look at the computer you were using. Sounds more like an entitled student than faculty if he went running to the admins with his sob story.

I did indeed. I adore my chair, he stands up for all of us, and also, never fails to politely but firmly correct us when we are wrong. He was livid and told me in person, not in an email reply, that both the administrator and the faculty member failed to follow any sort of professional protocol and that he'd have a chat with the administrator. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of that chat.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AM
I'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on September 07, 2023, 07:34:20 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AMI'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)

You can't turn your back on email, even for a second.  Good luck keeping them in line.  I just used the Calgon line yesterday, BTW!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: WidgetWoman on September 07, 2023, 07:59:37 AM
My immune system objects strenuously to whatever pollen is in such great quantities right now. I had to decide whether to have burning eyes with contacts or additional sinus pressure from glasses. And still be pleasant to people who think they should be able to take Baskets201: Intermediate Basketweaving at the same time as Baskets101: Introduction to Basketweaving, because they've "had it before" and "know what it's about"
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 07, 2023, 05:26:27 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AMI'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)

Ha! I can so relate to this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 08, 2023, 07:29:02 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 07, 2023, 05:26:27 PM
Quote from: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AMI'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)

Ha! I can so relate to this.

I remember those Calgon commercials.  We never had that brand around the house.  This made me curious to check to see whether they even still sell it.  I see that they do.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PM
You might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such--including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on September 14, 2023, 09:01:36 AM
In solidarity with you, Parasaurolophus.  We have a good union, but state laws don't allow us to strike (though we've certainly had grounds to do so over the past dozen years). Either way, it sucks to be in that position.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on September 14, 2023, 10:09:17 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on September 14, 2023, 10:28:55 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on September 14, 2023, 10:09:17 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.

More likely because increases to base salaries will require increases in the annual budget permanently.  Other kinds of benefits can more easily be held steady or even decreased in the future depending on the institution's finances.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 14, 2023, 10:40:01 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on September 14, 2023, 10:28:55 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on September 14, 2023, 10:09:17 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.

More likely because increases to base salaries will require increases in the annual budget permanently.  Other kinds of benefits can more easily be held steady or even decreased in the future depending on the institution's finances.


It's not a one-time pot of money; it's a permanent increase, provided the university can claim it for new expenses.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 15, 2023, 05:45:32 PM
Student seems to be involved in an 'emergency cruise'.
the test is next Wednesday. This is a 7 week long class.  The syllabus was posted online (complying with state law) in July.  I emailed the syllabus the week before it started. Drop add for these fast classes is only 2 days long, so the student has had the syllabus for some time.  IF there was a conflict with the dates, why wait to tell me so that we could find an alternative?   So yesterday I get an email that they need help scheduling the exam.
Can you take it Saturday?  Does not seem so.
Can you take it Sunday?  Well, the ship leaves port, and Im not sure when I will be on board.

So what option is left?  Well, as an experienced cruiser myself, I know that internet service on board usually sucks, but it does not suck 24/7.  It is usually very decent between 2 and 4 am.  I suggested that the student make their appointment with Examity then, as that is the best internet access that they are likely to have.

"For the next three days, I will be having to wake up at about 2am to 3am so mid vacation just wouldn't be very convenient. "  .

It just SUCKS that the class you signed up for is causing such inconveniences for your vacation!   

(and no, I am not going to allow anyone to take the exam after the deadline, and since the student wont be back until Saturday, and not likely able to take the exam until Sunday even if I did, that is just WAY too late!  In a 7 week long class, if someone has an emergency that makes taking the test impossible, then an Incomplete is probably in order.)

You CAN work from a cruise ship.  I have done it! but sometimes you have to plan for it and sometimes you get up early to get good internet access.  It is unfortunate that is not convenient!    It is unfortunate that someone scheduled a week long cruise while taking a 7 week long class!   It is also unfortunate that they did not seek alternatives to the problem before there were no other 'convenient' options that could be worked out!  Cruises, in my experience, dont just pop up!  (and when they do, you sometimes have to say , "no, I can not go on that one.   It would not be convenient".)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMHow do you get things done on days when all you want to do is lie in bed and not move? I'm having a lot of days like that.

I had multiple fits of convulsions yesterday, and now everything hurts. My muscles are sore, my head aches, and my stomach is resisting all attempts to feed it. I just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

I also have a ton of other stuff to do to prepare for finishing up school, switching health insurance and finding new providers, getting ready to move, and figuring out next steps career-wise.

I don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.

apl68, doc700, and AvidReader, thanks so much for your responses.

I got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 17, 2023, 03:08:19 PM
Oh, congratulations! I'm so glad to hear it went well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on September 17, 2023, 06:41:45 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PMapl68, doc700, and AvidReader, thanks so much for your responses.

I got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.

Congrats SCR!!! That's a big achievement!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 17, 2023, 06:47:14 PM
SCR - Welcome to the club!

Reading about your success reminded me of my own defense.  Two decades on, it is still a boost to the ol' self esteem.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: namazu on September 17, 2023, 06:59:38 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PMI got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.
Woo-hoo!  Glad to hear this excellent news.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on September 18, 2023, 05:12:24 AM
Congratulations, smallcleanrat!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 18, 2023, 07:28:08 AM
Congratulations, smallcleanrat!  You've accomplished something that many people, myself included, have never been able to accomplish.  You've demonstrated that you can accomplish significant things.  Don't let yourself forget it!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 18, 2023, 07:47:46 AM
Good for You!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on September 18, 2023, 09:09:05 AM
Huzzah for soon to be DOCTOR Smallcleanrat! I hop you had a nice little reward for yourself before getting back to knocking out the written thesis. Just remember a good thesis is not perfect, just completed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on September 18, 2023, 11:45:04 AM
Congratulations, smallcleanrat! What a wonderful and well-deserved accomplishment. I hope you and SO can celebrate (Maestro may be unimpressed).

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on September 20, 2023, 09:14:44 AM
That was a class announcement, not an email specific to you.  Please don't respond to tell me you already did the assignment the reminder was about.

This Reminder:

    Yesterday was the last day to Add/Drop.  By now, you should have taken the syllabus quiz and earned 100%.

    You have until the END OF THE DAY, Today 20Sept23 to do so.

    If you have already done so, good job.  Carry on.
 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 20, 2023, 09:53:22 AM
My ears are having one of their periodic flare-ups of earache pain.  Never have figured out exactly why.  I guess it's changes in the weather and the chilled air circulating in the building's HVAC system.  My ears have always been sensitive to cold and to changes in pressure.  It's one reason I'm just as glad I haven't had occasion to fly in 16 years and counting.

Anyway, I'm now in my office wearing a toboggan cap with my short sleeves, on a day that's pushing 90 degrees outside.  I try to stay out of sight of patrons as much as I reasonably can at times like this.  But the cap might be enough to head off the severe aching.  If not, I might have to go home early this afternoon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on September 21, 2023, 02:45:36 AM
Sorry to hear it apl68. Hope the flareup will end quickly and in the meantime not be severe.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 21, 2023, 05:54:59 AM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMHow do you get things done on days when all you want to do is lie in bed and not move? I'm having a lot of days like that.

I had multiple fits of convulsions yesterday, and now everything hurts. My muscles are sore, my head aches, and my stomach is resisting all attempts to feed it. I just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

I also have a ton of other stuff to do to prepare for finishing up school, switching health insurance and finding new providers, getting ready to move, and figuring out next steps career-wise.

I don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.

apl68, doc700, and AvidReader, thanks so much for your responses.

I got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.

Congrats scr!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on September 23, 2023, 09:01:53 PM
Received my first senior discount without the clerk asking my age. But it was at the liquor store. I'm pretty f*cking conflicted right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on September 25, 2023, 12:42:09 PM
WHY? Why did IT decide that the Monday of week 5 of the semester was the right time to switch the entire campus to a different software (Microsoft authenticator) for security authentication? We have has faculty unable to log into their computer, or their email, or the LMS, or some combination of above.

And what happened to the "transition period"? There is no transition period because you can't opt out of authentication when you are using a Microsoft program!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on September 27, 2023, 10:21:50 AM
My ears have been flaring up again since Monday.  This morning I finally made an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow.  In the meantime, I've been trying to keep my ears covered and bear with it.  When I had to go downtown to run errands, the problem mostly cleared up.  Now it's trying to bother me again. 

It really does seem to have to do with being in this building.  I had thought shutting down most of the air circulation into my office would fix the problem.  Yesterday I had all I could do to make it until closing time.  I'm not sure I'll be able to do it this afternoon.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 29, 2023, 03:48:15 PM
A 70ish year-old man challenged me to a fight at the gym today (!).

He thought I was making too much noise. For context, I was on the incline bench press with ~200lbs on the barbell. I do not grunt. I do not drop the barbell when I'm done my set. I just place it back in the bracket slowly. Yes, it makes noise, because it's metal on metal and pretty heavy. But not that much noise, especially for a gym. He swore at me a bit and asked that I make less noise next time. I said I was sorry it had bothered him, and would endeavour to be quieter. And then added--admittedly, this was petty of me--that he could ask more politely next time. So he threw out his arms and challenged me to a fight. I trust he felt like a Big Man.

But why the fuck would I want to fight you?


Because I'm petty and carry a grudge for always, I think that when I see him at the gym in the future I will wave and say 'hello' loudly.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 29, 2023, 05:01:24 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 29, 2023, 03:48:15 PMA 70ish year-old man challenged me to a fight at the gym today (!).

He thought I was making too much noise. For context, I was on the incline bench press with ~200lbs on the barbell. I do not grunt. I do not drop the barbell when I'm done my set. I just place it back in the bracket slowly. Yes, it makes noise, because it's metal on metal and pretty heavy. But not that much noise, especially for a gym. He swore at me a bit and asked that I make less noise next time. I said I was sorry it had bothered him, and would endeavour to be quieter. And then added--admittedly, this was petty of me--that he could ask more politely next time. So he threw out his arms and challenged me to a fight. I trust he felt like a Big Man.

But why the fuck would I want to fight you?


Because I'm petty and carry a grudge for always, I think that when I see him at the gym in the future I will wave and say 'hello' loudly.

Wow........
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: librarygal on September 30, 2023, 04:56:17 AM
Was the guy Izzy Mandelbaum, by chance? https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Izzy_Mandelbaum
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 30, 2023, 07:07:23 AM
Quote from: librarygal on September 30, 2023, 04:56:17 AMWas the guy Izzy Mandelbaum, by chance? https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Izzy_Mandelbaum

Hahaha, almost! More like his son, Jr., really.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on September 30, 2023, 02:29:06 PM
Had to fill up in san Antonio today.  Went to a Circle K.  Card worked, but pump never started.  It looked like others were having problems with the pumps as well. I went inside and was told that they were out of gas.  I said, "Usually they put a bag over the handle so people would know."  They responded that they put "caution signs" out to indicate that they were out of gas.  I said, "How does "Caution, slippery when wet indicate that you are out of gas?" 
Idiots.  i went to a place next door, and after waiting in line and filling up, I looked and they STILL had not put bags or anything to indicate that they were out of gas. 

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on October 02, 2023, 07:41:04 AM
There has certainly been an increase in problems purchasing fuel at gas pumps lately.  I've got a lot of road travel to go in the coming weeks.  I hope that fuel suppliers can get their act together.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: hmaria1609 on October 05, 2023, 12:03:53 PM
Quote from: clean on September 30, 2023, 02:29:06 PMHad to fill up in san Antonio today.  Went to a Circle K.  Card worked, but pump never started.  It looked like others were having problems with the pumps as well. I went inside and was told that they were out of gas.  I said, "Usually they put a bag over the handle so people would know."  They responded that they put "caution signs" out to indicate that they were out of gas.  I said, "How does "Caution, slippery when wet indicate that you are out of gas?" 
Idiots.  i went to a place next door, and after waiting in line and filling up, I looked and they STILL had not put bags or anything to indicate that they were out of gas.
I thought of iconic line in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" when the guys see Rufus stepping out of the phone booth.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 05, 2023, 04:25:35 PM
Quote from: hmaria1609 on October 05, 2023, 12:03:53 PMI thought of iconic line in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" when the guys see Rufus stepping out of the phone booth.

Try teaching philosophy with "So-crates" stuck firmly in the back of your mind. =/

It's only a matter of time before I slip up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 07, 2023, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 05, 2023, 04:25:35 PM
Quote from: hmaria1609 on October 05, 2023, 12:03:53 PMI thought of iconic line in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" when the guys see Rufus stepping out of the phone booth.

Try teaching philosophy with "So-crates" stuck firmly in the back of your mind. =/

It's only a matter of time before I slip up.

I have a similar concern with Plato vs. Play-Doh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on October 26, 2023, 12:12:13 PM
Just had a video call with the chair of the sabbatical committee: I didn't get approved, which didn't surprise me (I haven't been a rah-rah-Kumbayah girl for a number of years now). Whatever, fine--I can rack up better money via OL toward my pension for the next two summers (rather than being off on sabbatical during that time), and summer students are always way better than the regular academic year.

What DOES piss me off is that, when I asked for the committee's reasons ("so I can improve my proposal if I'd apply in the future"*), every single one of them had been directly and clearly addressed in my package and my letters. In each case, I stopped the chair and pointed out where every objection had been answered; in each case, she answered with, "Oh, I don't remember seeing that," or, "I guess we missed that." Yet the decision was final anyway.

So you're actually telling me that you only half-assed looked at my materials--and more importantly to me, the letters that my colleagues put a lot of time and thought into writing--and that it was, what, pre-determined that I wasn't going to get the award before you even bothered to decide?  What the actual FUCK?

If I evaluated student work, or filled out required admin paperwork, like that, my ass would be fired in a heartbeat for dereliction of duties. But when you're deciding on a benefit for a colleague, it's OK (maybe because I'm on one of those Admin blacklists that I've always heard about but tried not to believe were actually real)?

As I told her, this kind of shit is exactly why faculty are checked out and don't do anything except teach our classes, sit alone in our offices for required office hours, and then get the hell off campus ASAP; saying "the College values your input and rewards good work" and such is just so much BS. Also, in the case of sabbaticals:  my proposal, directed at creating dev ed resources for use in the classroom by any interested faculty, to help remedy basic literacy gaps, doesn't get approved, while another proposal that created a WalkMan narrated walking tour of our campus WAS worth a semester off at full pay?  Seriously?

---
* Of course, ohHELLno, I'm never wasting my time to apply again. Nor am I going to apply for the full-time online faculty position that would be perfect for me and that I'd be perfect for. They don't get any more chances to kick me in the teeth. Save it for somebody else.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Wahoo Redux on October 26, 2023, 07:03:12 PM
Dell and your sucky computers.

Microsoft for having no good help online and no actual humans to talk to.

Best Buy and your lousy customer service.

Windows 11 which cannot even compress a folder without freezing.

I wish terrible, terrible toenail fungus upon all of you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on October 27, 2023, 08:00:10 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on October 26, 2023, 12:12:13 PMSo you're actually telling me that you only half-assed looked at my materials--and more importantly to me, the letters that my colleagues put a lot of time and thought into writing--and that it was, what, pre-determined that I wasn't going to get the award before you even bothered to decide?  What the actual FUCK?


Ask me why I don't apply for internal grants anymore . . .
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 11, 2023, 02:13:32 PM
Took the subway during morning rush hour on a weekday this week. As the train started pulling into one of the staions, it stopped abruptly because "an individual" according to the conductor had thrown a shopping cart onto the tracks. On my way home, encountered a teenager vaping away, not far from where I was sitting. I fumed (metaphorically, of course) for a while, and then asked the teen if he could stop vaping and that it was illegal to vape in the subway. Much to my surprise, the teen complied. He and I were on that train for several stations so although it was a relief, things could have gone badly if this had been a teen not used to authority figures such as parents or teachers.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on November 16, 2023, 04:15:59 AM
Today I expect to hear bad news about the choice for a senior level hire at my institution, leading to the loss of a very strong interim, and yesterday I witnessed a faculty member try to physically another senior administrator. This does not feel like a cheerful ramp up to Thanksgiving.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 16, 2023, 05:42:53 AM
Quote from: sinenomine on November 16, 2023, 04:15:59 AMToday I expect to hear bad news about the choice for a senior level hire at my institution, leading to the loss of a very strong interim, and yesterday I witnessed a faculty member try to physically another senior administrator. This does not feel like a cheerful ramp up to Thanksgiving.

Seems to be a crucial word missing. Don't tell us. Let us guess.

Tackle?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: little bongo on November 16, 2023, 06:35:35 AM
All right, you're going with "tackle," and you've picked Charles Nelson Reilly as your celebrity match. Charles, "I witnessed a faculty member try to physically BLANK another senior administrator." Show us your answer, please...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: sinenomine on November 16, 2023, 12:03:33 PM
You can see how rattled I am! The missing word is attack.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: jimbogumbo on November 17, 2023, 08:31:03 AM
They should run for the Senate if you are in the US.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on November 20, 2023, 05:53:14 AM
I am so tired of the requests to allow student group presentations in my class, to excuse my class to go to some presentation, or to assign extra-credit to encourage attendance.

NO!  I don't have enough time to get the rough the class stuff as is.  And I don't do extra credit for subject material, I'm not gonna do it for your pet project.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 26, 2023, 01:38:20 PM
I've been recycling my rubrics on Canvas for a couple of years. I'd forgotton what a total pain in the ass it is to create a new one on Canvas. And while some schools seem to enable to possibility of importing a rubric from Excel (albeit in what looks like an excrutiating and risky procedure), my school does not have that functionality.

May there a 1000 year curse on the families of all those responsible.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on November 28, 2023, 05:24:39 AM
I remember this television interview with a police officer who said that one of the hardest parts of the job was knowing/thinking that most people you interact with are lying to you--that this sense of personal dishonesty in others carries over into all of their relationships.

I'm starting to develop a troubled appreciation of this effect through all the students that are using AI now in their essay writing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on November 28, 2023, 06:38:36 AM
I've increasingly been feeling that I'm engaging in thought about the topics I teach for my own benefit. Whether my students learn or fake learning is not something I can let bother me -- though I have the usual measures to discourage cheating. It makes teaching more solipsistic.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on November 28, 2023, 09:49:59 AM
Context:
My parents are very anti-psychiatry (and anti-Western medicine in general) and have always been resistant to the idea of me taking medications to manage my mental health.

When I had to move back in with them after a severe bipolar episode, they made me go off all my meds cold turkey and refused to let me try therapy. This drastically set back my recovery. I was in my 20s, but hadn't yet learned to establish boundaries with them and assert my right to make my own decisions without their approval. It didn't help that they threatened to throw me out on the street if I didn't comply.

Once I moved out, I kept my folks on a need-to-know basis when it came to my healthcare (and I decided they didn't need to know much). This infuriated them, and they demanded access to all my medical records. It turned into a huge fight when I refused, but I stood my ground and eventually they had to accept that they couldn't control my medical decisions anymore.



Recently, my SO informed me that my Dad went behind my back to talk to him, asking SO questions about my health and what kinds of meds I was on. Dad's opinion is that I can't be trusted to make my own decisions because the medication must be affecting my judgment, and that, as my husband, SO needs to "take charge", "be the man", and "ask the tough questions." Essentially saying SO needs to get me to stop taking my meds.

This makes me so angry. Dad came just short of saying I was incompetent to be in charge of my own medical decisions because I'm just a hysterical woman. I'm angry he went behind my back to try to get information about me. I'm angry he's still banging on about how meds are evil, when they saved my life.

I don't really care if his intentions are to do what he thinks is best for me. This behavior is still insulting and intrusive.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 28, 2023, 12:21:05 PM
QuoteRecently, my SO informed me that my Dad went behind my back to talk to him, asking SO questions about my health and what kinds of meds I was on. Dad's opinion is that I can't be trusted to make my own decisions because the medication must be affecting my judgment, and that, as my husband, SO needs to "take charge", "be the man", and "ask the tough questions." Essentially saying SO needs to get me to stop taking my meds.

Sounds like hubby needs a lesson in boundaries and a list of 'safe, approved topics to discuss with my parents'.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on November 28, 2023, 12:22:46 PM
Im having problems with Qualtrics. I have stumped our own helpers and been directed to Qualtrics Support.  I initiated a call. The initial wait time was TWO Minutes.  It has been 85 minutes so far.   

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 28, 2023, 05:21:03 PM
It's been almost a month (and one follow-up prompt), and the editor to whom I sent my book proposal still hasn't even confirmed receiving it. I would have liked to publish it there, so I gave them the first crack at it (they also discourage simultaneous submission elsewhere). But whatever, I'll get started on sending it out to a few others simultaneously. I'm not going to let it moulder while I wait for my prompts to work--if they couldn't be bothered in November, the odds that they'll be bothered in December are pretty slim.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on November 29, 2023, 01:50:43 PM
First vent:
I have a medical appointment tomorrow. The first reminder was on Thanksgiving Day, via email. Then a flurry of reminders via text. I used to get reminders via phone on weekends, but put a stop to that by complanining to the physician and also by responding to the surveys. If the office isn't available after hours and on weekends/holidays, why would they expect the patients to be available during these hours to respond to their texts/emails/voicemail? Time for another complaint to the physician--I like the physician and have a good relationship with him, but he needs to know how annoying this is, especially when I don't have any history of no-shows or late appointments.

Physician's office, I am not your employee, nor am I on call 24 hours a day/7 days a week! Get reliable tech support so that you aren't harassing patients on holidays and during weekends.

Second vent: I'm still getting emails reminding me that Giving Tuesday has been extended for my convenience. The 450% matching gift is now 300%. Cyber Monday doesn't seem to be restricted to Monday either. Aaargh!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paddington_bear on November 29, 2023, 05:00:11 PM
Quote from: downer on November 28, 2023, 06:38:36 AMI've increasingly been feeling that I'm engaging in thought about the topics I teach for my own benefit. Whether my students learn or fake learning is not something I can let bother me -- though I have the usual measures to discourage cheating. It makes teaching more solipsistic.

Yes! A few weeks ago I realized that my university is paying me to learn about things I'm interested in (since clearly most of my students aren't).   Unfortunately, the price I have to pay is the teaching/grading/service.  :)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 05, 2023, 08:04:51 AM
Why are students so lazy/stingy with information?

ex 1:  Can you open the quizzes from last week b/c I forgot to take them? (Which quizzes, what class?)

ex. 2:  I tell students to email me to identify if they are doing a Poster, a Presentation, or a Paper.  Yesterday, I posted the presentation schedule.  Today I get an email demanding to know why [Stu] wasn't on list.
me:  Did you email me to tell me you were presenting?
[Stu]: I've met with you about the presentation and emailed you the pdf.  You should know.

ex 3: For an online, asynchronous class.
[Stu] When is the final exam?  I can't find it on Blackboard.
Me: See the syllabus

They are sooooo helpless.  It isn't charming.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 05, 2023, 10:10:12 AM
Quote from: FishProf on December 05, 2023, 08:04:51 AMex 3: For an online, asynchronous class.
[Stu] When is the final exam?  I can't find it on Blackboard.
Me: See the syllabus



I thought about saying something smart alecky about how I'd never seen a final exam contained in the syllabus before.  Then it occurred to me that with many students the syllabus would probably be a pretty safe place to hide the answer key for the final.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 05, 2023, 10:57:19 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 05, 2023, 10:10:12 AMI thought about saying something smart alecky about how I'd never seen a final exam contained in the syllabus before.  Then it occurred to me that with many students the syllabus would probably be a pretty safe place to hide the answer key for the final.

It would be the perfect place.  They don't think there is ANYTHING useful in there.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on December 05, 2023, 10:58:58 AM
I have found in the last few years that our students are just befuddled by the fact that Final exam week is NOT the normal, usual schedule of classes. And these are NOT freshpeeps- they have been here many semesters and so have been through this drill before.
  Many seem amazed when I show them the university wide schedule for exams!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 05, 2023, 11:11:10 AM
I find many of my colleagues don't understand that either.  Every semester I get some student claiming their professor is giving their final in MY spot.

This is not well-received and the complains are usually very swiftly resolved.

If you want you final early, schedule your class accordingly.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 05, 2023, 12:34:33 PM
I wonder what it's going to be like when the students who were in ninth grade and younger during COVID start hitting the colleges?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on December 07, 2023, 05:55:39 AM
It is grade grubbing time again. Students who had no desire to complete the regularly scheduled work now want "extra credit" opportunities (despite the section of the syllabus that says that there will be no extra credit available in this class). One of my students had the temerity to tell me that re-doing work for a revised grade was not excluded explicitly in the syllabus, so I should allow her to do so. Really? Had any of these students made an effort to complete the work throughout the semester, they could earn a high grade in the class easily. Instead, they complain on the course evaluations that the class is "too much work" and then self report that they only spend 1-3 hours a week on the class (which is online asynchronous, so they should be spending 2.5 hours on lecture material alone...). I hate this time of year.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on December 07, 2023, 10:17:28 AM
It's the last week of labs & there are so many students asking to be allowed to not go to class.
What that really means is can they be absent & not earn 0 for the missed assignments.  Nope, not how this works.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 07, 2023, 10:45:14 AM
Student who hasn't been attending since October is blowing a gasket b/c he missed the final last night.  On Nov 8, we discussed the schedule including the museum final (this Saturday) and the class unanimously voted to take the written final last night instead of next week.   Student is claiming he should be allowed to take it next week b/c that is what the syllabus says (but is ignoring the fact that the syllabus makes several dates TBD b/c we couldn't pin down when the museum final until November. 

Funny how if you don't come to class, you miss the stuff in class.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on December 07, 2023, 10:47:00 AM
Quote from: the_geneticist on December 07, 2023, 10:17:28 AMIt's the last week of labs & there are so many students asking to be allowed to not go to class.
What that really means is can they be absent & not earn 0 for the missed assignments.  Nope, not how this works.

Even though it's by a Canadian band, I always thought the song "Consequence Free" was one of the dumbest ever. A life without consequences would literally be a life without meaning, since nothing would matter.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on December 07, 2023, 12:39:57 PM
". One of my students had the temerity to tell me that re-doing work for a revised grade was not excluded explicitly in the syllabus, so I should allow her to do so. Really?"

I had a similar issue.  I gave a quiz (online).  It was a problem that required a number answer.  Student provided a number (which was wrong) and I gave it no points.  I noted that the student had not provided anything upon which I could give partial credit.  Student emails a brief, curt response, "where does it say I have to show work?"


I did not reply.  However, IF I were to reply now, I would say, "It doesnt, but where does it say you get points for wrong answers?  YOU made it a Pass/Fail test by giving me only one option!"

Student now emails asking for career advice and I believe hinting at a reference!

My advice is 'finish growing up'.  I wont provide a reference except maybe a hint to reference Dale Carnegie. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 07, 2023, 04:47:43 PM
Quote from: arcturus on December 07, 2023, 05:55:39 AMIt is grade grubbing time again. Students who had no desire to complete the regularly scheduled work now want "extra credit" opportunities (despite the section of the syllabus that says that there will be no extra credit available in this class). One of my students had the temerity to tell me that re-doing work for a revised grade was not excluded explicitly in the syllabus, so I should allow her to do so. Really? Had any of these students made an effort to complete the work throughout the semester, they could earn a high grade in the class easily. Instead, they complain on the course evaluations that the class is "too much work" and then self report that they only spend 1-3 hours a week on the class (which is online asynchronous, so they should be spending 2.5 hours on lecture material alone...). I hate this time of year.

Damn! Now, that's some gall.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 12, 2023, 07:12:05 AM
Yesterday afternoon I took my usual afternoon break-time stroll outside--and stepped in a pile of ordure left by some untidy creature.  It has taken a lot of scraping and scrubbing to get my shoe presentable again.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on December 12, 2023, 07:18:02 AM
No students, you can't turn in something from 2 weeks (or 4, or 8, or the first week of the semester) NOW, because they are counting as zeros.  What did you think they would count as?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on December 12, 2023, 08:19:10 AM

Yes student you missed the cut-off for rounding up to the next grade as you calculated, no I do not have "some alternative method to rounding that would result in you getting an A", sorry.

Actually, I do feel bad, but I do not give away free points to a single student or even 0.05 points that were not earned so that one student can get a better grade--I feel that is unethical. In truth she could have studied a little bit harder and she would have gotten the "A" instead of an 89.40 "B". I really wish I didn't have to be the bearer of the bad news to her--it must really suck to be so close but yet so far.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on December 12, 2023, 09:30:09 AM
Quote from: bio-nonymous on December 12, 2023, 08:19:10 AMYes student you missed the cut-off for rounding up to the next grade as you calculated, no I do not have "some alternative method to rounding that would result in you getting an A", sorry.

Actually, I do feel bad, but I do not give away free points to a single student or even 0.05 points that were not earned so that one student can get a better grade--I feel that is unethical. In truth she could have studied a little bit harder and she would have gotten the "A" instead of an 89.40 "B". I really wish I didn't have to be the bearer of the bad news to her--it must really suck to be so close but yet so far.
I once had a student that wanted me to "round-up" 2 percentage points. When I looked at his scores on the assignments, I saw that he had chosen not to do the "free points" assignments, all 3% points of them (literally free points - students have unlimited attempts at the multiple choice questions, and we tell them the answers after their first attempt). If you are not willing to spend the 30 seconds (or less) required to earn these points during the term, I am not willing to spend 30 seconds (or more) thinking about whether to boost your grade at the end.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 12, 2023, 02:57:26 PM
I can't believe this!  Having scrubbed and scrubbed to clean my right shoe after yesterday's incident, this evening I went outside and stepped into it with my left shoe!  I've scrubbed and scrubbed in the staff men's room, and still can't yet get rid of all the lingering smell.  Guess I'll have to scrub this one down with bleach when I get home as well.

Now I'm afraid to walk anywhere around that area.  It must be an absolute minefield!

To use an expression I would ordinarily not use, but which in this case is nothing more than the truth--this has been a crappy experience.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: waterboy on December 12, 2023, 03:40:01 PM
Literally 12 minutes after the end of the final, an email from a student asking if there was a way to raise their grade to an A-. No...just no.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 13, 2023, 05:06:46 AM
So many vents---

Went on a walk with one of my outdoors organizations last week. Enjoyed the walk, but was notified later that one of the participants on the walk had tested positive for Covid that night. Now I'm not sure if whatever I have now is Covid or not, and am too much of a coward to find out. The only symptoms are exhaustion--no fever or respiratory symptoms.

Had a tire replaced about a couple of weeks ago. The ride has been uncharacteristically bumpy, so took the car back yesterday. The shop did the fancy tests with videos of the car's innards to prove that they did the diagnostics, and then had me drive the car with the technician coming along. The drive was still bumpy, with the car steering to the left if I took my hand off the wheel, but the techinician claimed not to notice anything. I was told that all four tires had differnt wear patterns so this could be the reason. Driving is no longer fun.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on December 13, 2023, 06:37:47 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 13, 2023, 05:06:46 AMSo many vents---

Went on a walk with one of my outdoors organizations last week. Enjoyed the walk, but was notified later that one of the participants on the walk had tested positive for Covid that night. Now I'm not sure if whatever I have now is Covid or not, and am too much of a coward to find out. The only symptoms are exhaustion--no fever or respiratory symptoms.

Had a tire replaced about a couple of weeks ago. The ride has been uncharacteristically bumpy, so took the car back yesterday. The shop did the fancy tests with videos of the car's innards to prove that they did the diagnostics, and then had me drive the car with the technician coming along. The drive was still bumpy, with the car steering to the left if I took my hand off the wheel, but the techinician claimed not to notice anything. I was told that all four tires had differnt wear patterns so this could be the reason. Driving is no longer fun.

Make him drive the car and see how long he is willing to go without a hand on the steering wheel...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 13, 2023, 08:34:41 AM
Our Department and the College has been unrealistic in their demands this semester (So what else is new?) and I think a lot of what was asked of me this semester was not in my job description. I will be documenting more moving forward.

I also had a ghost student show up AFTER the final exam (disappeared about a month after classes started) and stu politely inquired about 'make up work.' Um, no.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AvidReader on December 13, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Working on an application today, and one of the responses uses an academically ambiguous term (think "How is discipline useful?", but not discipline). Wrote a polite query about what kind of discipline (e.g. self-discipline or classroom discipline) and just received a response: "The committee would like to know how discipline is useful." I know they would. I'd like to know which type they want to know about. Restating the prompt does not answer my question.

AR.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Langue_doc on December 13, 2023, 06:19:43 PM
Quote from: ciao_yall on December 13, 2023, 06:37:47 AM
Quote from: Langue_doc on December 13, 2023, 05:06:46 AMSo many vents---

Went on a walk with one of my outdoors organizations last week. Enjoyed the walk, but was notified later that one of the participants on the walk had tested positive for Covid that night. Now I'm not sure if whatever I have now is Covid or not, and am too much of a coward to find out. The only symptoms are exhaustion--no fever or respiratory symptoms.

Had a tire replaced about a couple of weeks ago. The ride has been uncharacteristically bumpy, so took the car back yesterday. The shop did the fancy tests with videos of the car's innards to prove that they did the diagnostics, and then had me drive the car with the technician coming along. The drive was still bumpy, with the car steering to the left if I took my hand off the wheel, but the techinician claimed not to notice anything. I was told that all four tires had differnt wear patterns so this could be the reason. Driving is no longer fun.

Make him drive the car and see how long he is willing to go without a hand on the steering wheel...


These are relatively narrow NYC streets where you not only have to drive slowly, but also have to work your way around awkwardly double-parked cars very s.l.o.w.l.y, hoping that you don't hit the cars on either side. I was more concerned about the bumpy ride, which I think is the result of four tires with different wears. So the demonstration was not very effective.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on December 14, 2023, 06:43:04 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 13, 2023, 08:34:41 AMOur Department and the College has been unrealistic in their demands this semester (So what else is new?) and I think a lot of what was asked of me this semester was not in my job description. I will be documenting more moving forward.

I also had a ghost student show up AFTER the final exam (disappeared about a month after classes started) and stu politely inquired about 'make up work.' Um, no.

I had one email me one year later asking to meet. I suggested a small independent coffee shop near the college. He showed up carrying a Starbucks.

Had all his arguments and explanations queued up but...
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 14, 2023, 08:23:41 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on December 14, 2023, 06:43:04 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 13, 2023, 08:34:41 AMOur Department and the College has been unrealistic in their demands this semester (So what else is new?) and I think a lot of what was asked of me this semester was not in my job description. I will be documenting more moving forward.

I also had a ghost student show up AFTER the final exam (disappeared about a month after classes started) and stu politely inquired about 'make up work.' Um, no.

I had one email me one year later asking to meet. I suggested a small independent coffee shop near the college. He showed up carrying a Starbucks.

Had all his arguments and explanations queued up but...

WOW!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 14, 2023, 09:50:10 AM
My sister (73) has been in the hospital since the Tuesday after Thanksgiving; went in for extreme shortness of breath, and with high potassium and creatinine numbers. She immediately had a couple of draws of fluid from her chest, and all kinds of tests. No signs of pneumonia, and after all sorts of blood work and other imaging, no diagnosis. She's to have a kidney biopsy yet this week, and a lung biopsy next Tuesday. Right now they can't get her potassium regulated. They placed a dialysis line earlier this week, and that treatment's start is pending.

Cancer gallops (rather than runs) in our family on both sides. She's T2 diabetic and went through septic shock 6 years ago, with multiple other problems in the meantime. I have a bad feeling about all this.
 
It especially sucks since she's literally my last direct family member:  no other siblings, and our parents and all the aunts and uncles are gone. She's always been the one who's been there for me and understands me in a way no one else ever has.

One more reason added to why I hate the holiday season. And though it's finals week, I can't keep my mind on grading or give much less of a sh*t about my whiny students' excuses.


I just needed to say it here, where I'm sure some of you can understand. (Things at home are similarly going to sh*t lately, and I can't even muster the interest to write/worry about them at the moment.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 14, 2023, 12:38:06 PM
After two years of negotiation (and us working without a contract), the administration has caved and agreed to everything the union was asking for.

This is good news, especially with two years' worth of retroactive salary increases. But... wtf was the point of stalling for so long if you were just going to cave entirely?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: dismalist on December 14, 2023, 01:21:59 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on December 14, 2023, 12:38:06 PMAfter two years of negotiation (and us working without a contract), the administration has caved and agreed to everything the union was asking for.

This is good news, especially with two years' worth of retroactive salary increases. But... wtf was the point of stalling for so long if you were just going to cave entirely?

Both sides are playing a game called "Chicken". The admin blinked first. 'Coulda been the other way around, or nobody blinks and perhaps the faculty strikes or leaves, and the admin closes down the place.

Here is the payoff matrix for the game of chicken, with two card rivers racing toward each other:


                            Player A   
                         Swerve      Straight
Player B      Swerve    0, 0        -1, +1
              Straight +1, -1    -1000, -1000

Both players want that one point, knowing full well that it could cost them 1000 points each. Real world behavior in the union/management case is attuned to the fact that they can communicate with each other -- in contrast to two drivers charging each other -- and this consists of trying to convince the other side that "I really mean it", and such. That takes time.

This is a good and thorough article on the subject:

Game of Chicken (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_(game))
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on December 14, 2023, 02:49:13 PM
AmLitHist, please accept my virtual hug. After several years of Christmas family medical emergencies, I too am no longer a fan of the "Holiday Season".
   I hope that they determine how to treat your sister, or at least to make her comfortable quickly. Be good to yourself and only give the grading the minimum effort required. At this point, they grades are most likely already determined anyway.
 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on December 15, 2023, 10:36:18 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on December 14, 2023, 02:49:13 PMAmLitHist, please accept my virtual hug. After several years of Christmas family medical emergencies, I too am no longer a fan of the "Holiday Season".
  I hope that they determine how to treat your sister, or at least to make her comfortable quickly. Be good to yourself and only give the grading the minimum effort required. At this point, they grades are most likely already determined anyway.
 

Thanks, Mythbuster. I appreciate the hug. And I'm doing the minimalist grading--but even at that, I've found another half-dozen plagiarism cases that are so blatant, I can't ignore them. I hate filing plagiarism cases--a waste of time and a lot of work on the instructor's part.

Quote from: Parasaurolophus on December 14, 2023, 12:38:06 PMAfter two years of negotiation (and us working without a contract), the administration has caved and agreed to everything the union was asking for.

This is good news, especially with two years' worth of retroactive salary increases. But... wtf was the point of stalling for so long if you were just going to cave entirely?

Sounds like my place, Parasaurolophus. We generally go to Federal arbitration, sit at impasse for a year or two (seriously), and then we still don't get much of anything and definitely nothing retroactive. That's why my BS meter went nuts this past summer:  about 45 days after negotiations opened, all faculty got 2 steps on the salary scale (the first since I've been here 20 years), amounting to an 8% raise, plus a step both next year and the following year (4% raise per year)--with no arbitration or even heated discussion by the union. Yes, I'm glad to have the steps and the raise (finally), but I'm also suspicious.

In truth, this Admin is dying for us to be listed as one of the local Best Places to Work; in addition, they've been blowing through capital improvements money like a drunken sailor (e.g., there will be 4 brand new buildings on my campus by the end of 2025, whereas the last new building went up in 2004, and our current buildings have been completely neglected for a decade--unreliable water and electric service, mold in the air ducts, etc.). A number of us faculty peons of a suspicious bent can see the raises being a "gotcha" when Admin has driven us into the financial ground: "Well, increasing costs, plus these new facilities, plus all those raises put us here!" Of course, the bigwigs are all taking home well north of a quarter million dollars every year, and have cushy retirements and guaranteed payoff buyouts in their contracts. 

SIGH.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 16, 2023, 04:53:51 PM
What do you mean, "another chance"? You AIed all of your fucking work, you twerp. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: arcturus on December 18, 2023, 02:49:24 PM
The alphabetical listing of students in the LMS is NOT THE SAME AS the alphabetical listing of students provided by the registrar. I entered 100+ grades on the listing provided by the registrar last week, following the order as presented in the LMS. A student contacted me today asking about their grade. When I followed up, I discovered that four students have the wrong grade recorded because the LMS ignores capitalization in their alphabetical listing. This resulted in two pairs of student names being flipped in the two lists. Arghhhh!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 18, 2023, 06:13:24 PM
I had to postpone a date tonight because I was attacked by a pitbull while walking my dog. I scooped him up and carried him like a baby, but the pitbull kept snapping at my dog's feet (two nails bitten off). Thankfully he didn't knock me over. A neighbor saw it happening and jumped in his car, drove to my side, and let me in. Drove me to my house. My vet said that I saved my dogs life by scooping him, and that if I'd fallen we'd both be dead.

Neighbor called 911 and animal control was dispatched. I don't know what happened bc I took my dog to the vet. I filed a police report later and they told me that I'd hear back by Friday.

I hope y'all never have to go through that. It's gonna take me a while to recover mentally (luckily I just have bruises on my knees and thighs)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on December 18, 2023, 06:19:31 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 18, 2023, 06:13:24 PMI had to postpone a date tonight because I was attacked by a pitbull while walking my dog. I scooped him up and carried him like a baby, but the pitbull kept snapping at my dog's feet (two nails bitten off). Thankfully he didn't knock me over. A neighbor saw it happening and jumped in his car, drove to my side, and let me in. Drove me to my house. My vet said that I saved my dogs life by scooping him, and that if I'd fallen we'd both be dead.

Neighbor called 911 and animal control was dispatched. I don't know what happened bc I took my dog to the vet. I filed a police report later and they told me that I'd hear back by Friday.

I hope y'all never have to go through that. It's gonna take me a while to recover mentally (luckily I just have bruises on my knees and thighs)

Yipes! Sorry to hear about that. Glad you and your dog are physically okay.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 19, 2023, 07:12:10 AM
Fear of dog attacks when I'm outside the city limits has greatly reduced my bicycle riding in the countryside in recent years.  I've never been able to get over my fear of being attacked again since I was seriously injured in a dog attack while bicycling several years ago.  And there aren't many routes outside the city limits where I can ride very far and not run into packs of dogs. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 19, 2023, 07:49:17 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 18, 2023, 06:13:24 PMI had to postpone a date tonight because I was attacked by a pitbull while walking my dog. I scooped him up and carried him like a baby, but the pitbull kept snapping at my dog's feet (two nails bitten off). Thankfully he didn't knock me over. A neighbor saw it happening and jumped in his car, drove to my side, and let me in. Drove me to my house. My vet said that I saved my dogs life by scooping him, and that if I'd fallen we'd both be dead.

Neighbor called 911 and animal control was dispatched. I don't know what happened bc I took my dog to the vet. I filed a police report later and they told me that I'd hear back by Friday.

I hope y'all never have to go through that. It's gonna take me a while to recover mentally (luckily I just have bruises on my knees and thighs)

Damn! Glad you're both ok. Was it a neighbor's dog, or a stray?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on December 19, 2023, 09:35:31 AM
Quote from: apl68 on December 19, 2023, 07:12:10 AMFear of dog attacks when I'm outside the city limits has greatly reduced my bicycle riding in the countryside in recent years.  I've never been able to get over my fear of being attacked again since I was seriously injured in a dog attack while bicycling several years ago.  And there aren't many routes outside the city limits where I can ride very far and not run into packs of dogs. 

Not sure if this is anything like your situation, but a$$holes from the city like to bring their unwanted dogs out to our more-rural area and dump them. They help keep the similarly-dumped cat population down to a minimum, but this creates some very hungry and aggressive strays until the coyotes get them (yes, it's just not good to be outdoors and a cat around here). This is also why we favor larger dogs for pets, and why these pets can be very territorial and stick with their pack, so to speak.

I'd never considered that this might be why we have so few road bikers out here. It's easy to see where that could get pretty hairy.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 19, 2023, 09:49:34 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your dog went through (and are probably still going through), RatGuy.  Thank goodness for your neighbor! How frightening! I hope you both can heal and that you get some justice.  And I'm sorry that you also had to miss your date because of the attack.  It sounded like a fun plan and something to look forward to! I hope you can reschedule when you are feeling better.  Take care.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 19, 2023, 10:38:26 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 19, 2023, 07:49:17 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 18, 2023, 06:13:24 PMI had to postpone a date tonight because I was attacked by a pitbull while walking my dog. I scooped him up and carried him like a baby, but the pitbull kept snapping at my dog's feet (two nails bitten off). Thankfully he didn't knock me over. A neighbor saw it happening and jumped in his car, drove to my side, and let me in. Drove me to my house. My vet said that I saved my dogs life by scooping him, and that if I'd fallen we'd both be dead.

Neighbor called 911 and animal control was dispatched. I don't know what happened bc I took my dog to the vet. I filed a police report later and they told me that I'd hear back by Friday.

I hope y'all never have to go through that. It's gonna take me a while to recover mentally (luckily I just have bruises on my knees and thighs)

Damn! Glad you're both ok. Was it a neighbor's dog, or a stray?

Neighbor's dog. Last week he broke though his fence, but luckily he was chained to something back there. And there's documentation of that. As of now I don't know the status of the dog or the original 911 report
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on December 19, 2023, 11:24:55 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 19, 2023, 10:38:26 AM
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 19, 2023, 07:49:17 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 18, 2023, 06:13:24 PMI had to postpone a date tonight because I was attacked by a pitbull while walking my dog. I scooped him up and carried him like a baby, but the pitbull kept snapping at my dog's feet (two nails bitten off). Thankfully he didn't knock me over. A neighbor saw it happening and jumped in his car, drove to my side, and let me in. Drove me to my house. My vet said that I saved my dogs life by scooping him, and that if I'd fallen we'd both be dead.

Neighbor called 911 and animal control was dispatched. I don't know what happened bc I took my dog to the vet. I filed a police report later and they told me that I'd hear back by Friday.

I hope y'all never have to go through that. It's gonna take me a while to recover mentally (luckily I just have bruises on my knees and thighs)

Damn! Glad you're both ok. Was it a neighbor's dog, or a stray?

Neighbor's dog. Last week he broke though his fence, but luckily he was chained to something back there. And there's documentation of that. As of now I don't know the status of the dog or the original 911 report

I hope that you are able to get some action on this soon.  Meanwhile, glad that you and your dog came through all right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on December 22, 2023, 04:29:46 PM
The guy who helped me with the dog situation on Monday came to my house today to shake me down. Says I owe him money for stinking up his car with my dog smell. That's the Christmas spirit
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on December 22, 2023, 05:26:39 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 22, 2023, 04:29:46 PMThe guy who helped me with the dog situation on Monday came to my house today to shake me down. Says I owe him money for stinking up his car with my dog smell. That's the Christmas spirit

WHAT?!?! I'm sorry, that is some absolute shit.  What in the world! If anything, he should go after the neighbor with the pit bull problem.  Just adding even more insult to injury.  Good grief.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on December 23, 2023, 09:34:12 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on December 22, 2023, 05:26:39 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 22, 2023, 04:29:46 PMThe guy who helped me with the dog situation on Monday came to my house today to shake me down. Says I owe him money for stinking up his car with my dog smell. That's the Christmas spirit

WHAT?!?! I'm sorry, that is some absolute shit.  What in the world! If anything, he should go after the neighbor with the pit bull problem.  Just adding even more insult to injury.  Good grief.

+1 to this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 23, 2023, 10:10:13 AM
Quote from: Larimar on December 23, 2023, 09:34:12 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on December 22, 2023, 05:26:39 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on December 22, 2023, 04:29:46 PMThe guy who helped me with the dog situation on Monday came to my house today to shake me down. Says I owe him money for stinking up his car with my dog smell. That's the Christmas spirit

WHAT?!?! I'm sorry, that is some absolute shit.  What in the world! If anything, he should go after the neighbor with the pit bull problem.  Just adding even more insult to injury.  Good grief.

+1 to this.

Yeah, this guy sounds like a real schmuck.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 17, 2024, 08:00:54 AM
I just got panned in some student evaluations - in ways that are simply impossible.

In a class where EVERYTHING was up on day 1, half the students strongly disagreed with the statement "Course materials were provided in a timely manner."

In a class where everything is instantly graded, the same number of students Strongly Disagreed with "Assignments were graded and returned in a timely manner."

In a class of 23, only 10 responded.  And SIX students utterly failed.  Oddly, that is the same number that responded in the negative above.

Evaluations can be truly meaningless.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 17, 2024, 10:30:58 AM
Quote from: FishProf on January 17, 2024, 08:00:54 AMI just got panned in some student evaluations - in ways that are simply impossible.

In a class where EVERYTHING was up on day 1, half the students strongly disagreed with the statement "Course materials were provided in a timely manner."

In a class where everything is instantly graded, the same number of students Strongly Disagreed with "Assignments were graded and returned in a timely manner."

In a class of 23, only 10 responded.  And SIX students utterly failed.  Oddly, that is the same number that responded in the negative above.

Evaluations can be truly meaningless.

Ugh!  At least you have clear evidence to document that these evaluations are utter nonsense. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: secundem_artem on January 17, 2024, 11:33:16 AM
I have always found it curious that, in a cohort that is well familiar with statistical methods, survey research, and data collection, some faculty and administrators actually believe there is any value in teaching evaluations.  Most often, the data collection instrument has not been validated, little meaningful analysis is done on the data, and the data collection process is highly susceptible to all kinds of bias.  And yet we too often use this "data" to make all kinds of decisions about personnel, salary adjustments, career progression, and other factors.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on January 17, 2024, 06:20:08 PM
A new vent - 3 students have emailed me today, the start of the semester, complaining that the gradebook shows they have a failing  grade.

Yeah, duh.  You haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on January 18, 2024, 07:48:23 AM
Quote from: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!

In fairness, it's not unlikely that at some time or another many of these students have had teachers who expressed it that way--everybody starts off with a (potentially) perfect score, and must seek not to lose it by failing to complete assignments properly.  It's not hard to see students taking that sort of thing too literally.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 07:59:24 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2024, 07:48:23 AM
Quote from: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!

In fairness, it's not unlikely that at some time or another many of these students have had teachers who expressed it that way--everybody starts off with a (potentially) perfect score, and must seek not to lose it by failing to complete assignments properly.  It's not hard to see students taking that sort of thing too literally.

You're probably right, but that's a horrible way for a teacher to do things. It basically ensures that everyone's scores will go down through the course, which sends the opposite message from what you want pedagogically.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 18, 2024, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 07:59:24 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2024, 07:48:23 AM
Quote from: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!

In fairness, it's not unlikely that at some time or another many of these students have had teachers who expressed it that way--everybody starts off with a (potentially) perfect score, and must seek not to lose it by failing to complete assignments properly.  It's not hard to see students taking that sort of thing too literally.

You're probably right, but that's a horrible way for a teacher to do things. It basically ensures that everyone's scores will go down through the course, which sends the opposite message from what you want pedagogically.

I vote for neither of these options -- at least in Moodle, you can just set it to just exclude ungraded/submitted work from the course grade, so they start out with no grade, and their grade is always just based on what has been submitted and graded so far. This seems far less confusing for the students, who just want to know where they currently stand.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on January 18, 2024, 09:39:06 AM
Quote from: FishProf on January 17, 2024, 06:20:08 PMA new vent - 3 students have emailed me today, the start of the semester, complaining that the gradebook shows they have a failing  grade.

Yeah, duh.  You haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

I drop the lowest grade for some assignments. I set it up online. Students routinely write asking after the first assignment why their grade was dropped. I've taken to writing a pre-emptive explanation.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 09:47:10 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 18, 2024, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 07:59:24 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2024, 07:48:23 AM
Quote from: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!

In fairness, it's not unlikely that at some time or another many of these students have had teachers who expressed it that way--everybody starts off with a (potentially) perfect score, and must seek not to lose it by failing to complete assignments properly.  It's not hard to see students taking that sort of thing too literally.

You're probably right, but that's a horrible way for a teacher to do things. It basically ensures that everyone's scores will go down through the course, which sends the opposite message from what you want pedagogically.

I vote for neither of these options -- at least in Moodle, you can just set it to just exclude ungraded/submitted work from the course grade, so they start out with no grade, and their grade is always just based on what has been submitted and graded so far. This seems far less confusing for the students, who just want to know where they currently stand.

The problem with that is that early low-stakes things can give students a false sense of security, where a later high-stakes item can make their grade drop precipitously.

I like using cumulative grades so at any given moment, "This is what you'll get if you don't do anything else in the course. Nothing you do from this point on can lower your grade." It reinforces the idea that doing more is always potentially to their benefit.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on January 18, 2024, 09:49:47 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 09:47:10 AM
Quote from: Puget on January 18, 2024, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on January 18, 2024, 07:59:24 AM
Quote from: apl68 on January 18, 2024, 07:48:23 AM
Quote from: clean on January 18, 2024, 07:06:50 AM
QuoteYou haven't done anything yet.  What grade did you think it would show?

100.... you have not taken any points off yet!!

In fairness, it's not unlikely that at some time or another many of these students have had teachers who expressed it that way--everybody starts off with a (potentially) perfect score, and must seek not to lose it by failing to complete assignments properly.  It's not hard to see students taking that sort of thing too literally.

You're probably right, but that's a horrible way for a teacher to do things. It basically ensures that everyone's scores will go down through the course, which sends the opposite message from what you want pedagogically.

I vote for neither of these options -- at least in Moodle, you can just set it to just exclude ungraded/submitted work from the course grade, so they start out with no grade, and their grade is always just based on what has been submitted and graded so far. This seems far less confusing for the students, who just want to know where they currently stand.

The problem with that is that early low-stakes things can give students a false sense of security, where a later high-stakes item can make their grade drop precipitously.

I like using cumulative grades so at any given moment, "This is what you'll get if you don't do anything else in the course. Nothing you do from this point on can lower your grade." It reinforces the idea that doing more is always potentially to their benefit.



I suppose it depends on the type of students you have. My students would absolutely flip out if they couldn't see their current grade and appeared to be failing at the beginning of the semester, and seem to well understand that their grade will go up and down as the semester progresses.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: the_geneticist on January 18, 2024, 11:44:52 AM
I use the "show how many points you've earned so far" method. 
I hope that I'm avoiding the false security of high grades from low-points, low-stakes assignments. 
One downside is I have to remind TAs to put in 0s for the missing work so the grades are accurate.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 29, 2024, 10:32:12 AM
I have a group of students who don't know how to use a discussion board. I make weekly threads for questions, checking in, etc., but they're all posting stuff as separate threads, which makes a lot of clutter. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on January 29, 2024, 01:53:42 PM
Just got a nastygram from my dean, via my chair, about office hours.  I have mine starting at 7:15 a.m TR, before I teach at 9:30--but this got rejected because the campus doesn't "officially" open until 8 a.m.

Seriously?

1.  I have NEVER, in 20+ years, had office hours starting later than 7:30 a.m., and usually they've been earlier.
2.  Our dept office opens at 7:30, and has for several years (used to open at 6:30, then 7:00).  WHY, if we who work in the office aren't allowed to see students before 8?
3.  If I teach an 8:00 a.m. class, am I supposed to roll up in the parking lot at 8 and dash to the classroom?  Because I'm sure as hell not coming in before then and working without getting paid/credit for being there.

The dean and other PTB never show up until 9:00 or, usually, later. I suppose they want their minions to not have to come in too early so they can watch the parking lot to see when faculty arrive, so we can catch hell if we're late.

Funny they never tell us we shouldn't/can't work with students, do prep, grade, or answer idiotic Admin messages after 10 p.m., or on weekends, when the campus is closed--that's not only allowed, but expected. Yeah, buddy, this is absolutely one of the Best Places to Work in the region! <dripping with sarcasm> At least the slave drivers at Amazon et al. bring in free lunches, have drawings for cool incentive prizes, etc.  Here, we don't even get warm tap water and stale saltines for our trouble.

If I felt better, I'd raise a royal conniption to the union, but I don't, so I won't. Miserable bastards. This might not be a major issue, in the big picture, but it's just so damned typical. I've got to get the hell out of this place. Another buyout/RIF wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for me and so many others among my colleagues right now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on January 31, 2024, 08:22:12 AM
Uggers. We had to have some pretty terse conversations with those admin who wanted to "go back to normal" regarding office hours and such after Covid.

We finally had to say that if office hours were simply boxes for admins to check off, that was fine; however, it would be administratively incompetent for them to pretend it benefitted students in any way at our commuter, and increasingly online, CC. Students had learned a scheduled Zoom on their phone was far better than their driving all the way to campus just to find out faculty weren't allowed to talk about financial aid.

It didn't get too ugly, but pretty intense. They were surprised by the pushback. And, to give them credit, they listened to us, something we let them know we appreciate.

Anyway, good luck with this.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 31, 2024, 08:46:20 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on January 29, 2024, 01:53:42 PMJust got a nastygram from my dean, via my chair, about office hours.  I have mine starting at 7:15 a.m TR, before I teach at 9:30--but this got rejected because the campus doesn't "officially" open until 8 a.m.

Seriously?

1.  I have NEVER, in 20+ years, had office hours starting later than 7:30 a.m., and usually they've been earlier.
2.  Our dept office opens at 7:30, and has for several years (used to open at 6:30, then 7:00).  WHY, if we who work in the office aren't allowed to see students before 8?
3.  If I teach an 8:00 a.m. class, am I supposed to roll up in the parking lot at 8 and dash to the classroom?  Because I'm sure as hell not coming in before then and working without getting paid/credit for being there.

The dean and other PTB never show up until 9:00 or, usually, later. I suppose they want their minions to not have to come in too early so they can watch the parking lot to see when faculty arrive, so we can catch hell if we're late.

Funny they never tell us we shouldn't/can't work with students, do prep, grade, or answer idiotic Admin messages after 10 p.m., or on weekends, when the campus is closed--that's not only allowed, but expected. Yeah, buddy, this is absolutely one of the Best Places to Work in the region! <dripping with sarcasm> At least the slave drivers at Amazon et al. bring in free lunches, have drawings for cool incentive prizes, etc.  Here, we don't even get warm tap water and stale saltines for our trouble.

If I felt better, I'd raise a royal conniption to the union, but I don't, so I won't. Miserable bastards. This might not be a major issue, in the big picture, but it's just so damned typical. I've got to get the hell out of this place. Another buyout/RIF wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for me and so many others among my colleagues right now.


Oof, I feel you.

For my part, I'm required to host six hours of office hours a week. Most weeks, nobody comes; sometimes I see as many as one student.

My solution has been to alter the office hours I post to the LMS (and on the syllabus) after the syllabus has been approved, so that I actually host two hours a week, and then make appointments for those who can't come at those times. When I'm caught I'll get a talking-to, but until then my life is much improved.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 01, 2024, 01:53:16 PM
I'm in English at a CC. Normal load and office hours for all other disciplines are 5/5, with 10 office hours per week; all must be F2F office hours, with the exception that you can offer ONE online office hour per 3-credit hour online class.

For English faculty (per the union contract, for 40+ years), we get the "break" of having to teach a 4/4--and at least 3 of those classes each semester must be writing (not lit) classes; to punish us for that break, we have to keep 13 office hours each week (with the same F2F/online rules). Plus, we also have to schedule one office hour per 3-credit hour overload class (if we get any OL anymore).  Never mind that I've kept records for the past 5 years, and my average is TWO students per semester visiting during F2F office hours for that entire span (pretty consistent with my pre-COVID numbers). Far more common are those who want to meet virtually, which is OK with me.

Luckily (?), because of my long-term ADA, I only get scheduled to teach in the same building where my office is.  However, many colleagues (both English and others) teach in the recently-renovated building next door, where the tiled hallways have been standing in water every day since we came back in mid-January. Something is clearly screwed up with the HVAC engineering, and the sub-zero temps and then last week's constant fog have caused the floors and concrete-block walls to "sweat" uncontrollably. Talk about a lawsuit waiting to happen (and a colleague actually did catch herself last week, with the help of several students who saw her right before she crashed onto the floor). 

Yet we're putting up new buildings like there's no tomorrow, while enrollments are so poor that several FT tenured people in my department couldn't make load this spring without taking on classes from other departments and/or piddling BS admin work. If you build it, they will come, my a$$.

Yep. One of the Best Places to Work. That's us. I know, I know: "Just be glad you have a job." But I'm not sure why. (Ideally, I need to work 4 more years before I retire, but we'll see.)
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 02, 2024, 03:19:52 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 01, 2024, 01:53:16 PMI'm in English at a CC. Normal load and office hours for all other disciplines are 5/5, with 10 office hours per week; all must be F2F office hours, with the exception that you can offer ONE online office hour per 3-credit hour online class.

For English faculty (per the union contract, for 40+ years), we get the "break" of having to teach a 4/4--and at least 3 of those classes each semester must be writing (not lit) classes; to punish us for that break, we have to keep 13 office hours each week (with the same F2F/online rules). Plus, we also have to schedule one office hour per 3-credit hour overload class (if we get any OL anymore).  Never mind that I've kept records for the past 5 years, and my average is TWO students per semester visiting during F2F office hours for that entire span (pretty consistent with my pre-COVID numbers). Far more common are those who want to meet virtually, which is OK with me.



Uuuuuuuuugh, okay, you win (/lose)!


New vent: accessing my institutional email now requires (1) my email password, (2) an app, (3) a password for the app, (4) a code sent to the app, and (5) the app password again. They should call it five-factor authentication, not "two".

I sure am glad my Super Important Email Account is secure!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 02, 2024, 03:34:30 PM
That sounds almost as awful to deal with as SAM.gov.  And sounds like massive overkill for a simple college e-mail account.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on February 03, 2024, 02:06:05 PM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 01, 2024, 01:53:16 PMI'm in English at a CC. Normal load and office hours for all other disciplines are 5/5, with 10 office hours per week; all must be F2F office hours, with the exception that you can offer ONE online office hour per 3-credit hour online class.

For English faculty (per the union contract, for 40+ years), we get the "break" of having to teach a 4/4--and at least 3 of those classes each semester must be writing (not lit) classes; to punish us for that break, we have to keep 13 office hours each week (with the same F2F/online rules). Plus, we also have to schedule one office hour per 3-credit hour overload class (if we get any OL anymore).  Never mind that I've kept records for the past 5 years, and my average is TWO students per semester visiting during F2F office hours for that entire span (pretty consistent with my pre-COVID numbers). Far more common are those who want to meet virtually, which is OK with me.

This was us in terms of office hours prior to Covid. Covid has been one of the best things to happen to faculty, at least at my institution.

Sounds like the lowest bidder kind of building.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: EdnaMode on February 07, 2024, 11:55:18 AM
At my institution, for a grade appeal to be upheld, it has to be proven by the student that the faculty member did not follow institutional specific procedures, did something in violation of the course syllabus, or did not give the student the same opportunities to earn a passing grade as they gave the rest of the students in the course. It's pretty clear cut.

We have had a rash of grade appeals over the past few semesters, not a single one of them has been upheld. One of my colleagues had five in one class, none of them were upheld. I have one that just finished, and again, the appeal was not upheld. It takes a lot of time for faculty to provide supporting documentation as it rises through the levels and one of my colleagues said, and I agree with him, that there should be some sort of penalty for students whose appeals are not upheld. Another colleague said that there should be a limit to the number of appeals allowed, maybe one a year, and like in professional football, if you challenge a play and are wrong, you lose a timeout or incur a 15-yard penalty. Therefore if a student appeals their grade for no valid reason aside from being unhappy, they should have one of their future appeals taken away. I swear if they'd put as much effort into doing the work for a course as they do in appealing the unfairness of it all, maybe they'd pass.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 08, 2024, 03:34:22 PM
I was approved to use faculty-reserved parking spots this semester.


Yesterday, I was ticketed ($100!) for using a faculty-reserved parking spot. =/
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 10, 2024, 09:48:37 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 08, 2024, 03:34:22 PMI was approved to use faculty-reserved parking spots this semester.


Yesterday, I was ticketed ($100!) for using a faculty-reserved parking spot. =/
OK, Para, back to you--YOU win (/lose)!  :-)

I have a handicap hang tag, so I at least I can park where I want. Ironically, of course, where I want is at home in my driveway. Mick was right: you can't always get what you want.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: downer on February 16, 2024, 08:05:22 AM
I have about 5 hours of training to do . Unpaid. Data security and workplace violence etc. Mostly it's useless. Now they have made it so the videos only play when the screen is actually visible. It's making it slower to get through the videos without watching them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on February 16, 2024, 09:20:39 AM
For several years I was the chair of the "Committee for Bureaucratic Changes to Curriculum".  Not the real name but you get the drift. I only managed to get off the committee when I went on sabbatical.
So I was very surprised when my latest submission to this committee was bounced back. New chair with big ideas.
They want changes submitted in an ass backwards way that will result in more work for the committee and more mistakes being made to the course catalog. Try to have a chat with the new chair but it's very clear that they are not at all interested in hearing about how this new method will cause problems. Sigh.
And of course, no one other than the chair knows about this new method. No communication at all with departments.

So I will be adjusting how we make submissions to this committee to minimize the damage on our end. Which will again, make more work for the committee.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 17, 2024, 07:14:51 AM
Being the cow that I am, I fell on the icy 4.5" of "light flurries" yesterday evening. I'd been so careful taking the dog out*, then cleaning said flurries off the car, etc. I did just fine, wearing sturdy shoes with good tread on the soles.

Coming back in from the last "potty run" of the afternoon, I put my good foot** up on the low step that is the concrete back porch, and as I did, my bad foot gave way and wouldn't hold me. Down I went, banging the hell out of my right knee and slamming my ribs onto the edge of the porch--all with the 50-pound puppy all over me, thinking Mom was wanting to play.

When I went to get up, I couldn't get a good foothold (as things I'd shoveled earlier now had a thin coat of ice). It was ridiculous.  I finally got myself scooted across the porch, opened the door and sent the puppy in, and was able to pull myself up by holding the door facing.

I'm sure this would have been hilarious to watch, in a Buster Keaton kind of way. I was not amused.

Luckily, I don't seem to have broken any ribs, though my side is sore and my upper back is achy. My kneecap is skinned up but doesn't hurt like anything is broken or dislocated, and I'm swollen and bruised halfway to my foot. So it definitely could have been much worse.

-----

* This is ALHS's usual job. However, he's in the hospital recovering from knee replacement surgery on Thursday. So, while he's out of commission, I'm on puppy patrol (and litterbox duty for the cat, plus all his other chores). He's expecting to be released today, so at least I have the car ready to go.

** The disunion fracture in my left foot remains, well, dis-united, since April. The plan was to get ALHS's knee fixed, then see if a surgeon will tackle my foot. (He might not, since it requires a bone graft from my hip, plus the foot surgery--and with my diabetes and slow/non-healing, plus my tendency to land in wound care every time someone looks at me cross-eyed--well. . . . it's not a done deal).


TL; DR version:  I went "boom."
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on February 17, 2024, 07:36:10 AM
AmLitHist- Ouch! I hope a bruised dignity is truly the worst of it.
    When I was in college my roommate fell and broke her arm in a similar manner on an icy step ---on her 21st birthday! At first I assumed the full answering machine was just birthday messages. I ended up being her hairdresser for several weeks while she was healing. Not the memorable birthday she wanted, to say the least.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on February 17, 2024, 09:37:00 AM
AmLitHist--Glad you're pretty much okay.

I knew I had arrived at "late middle age" when, instead of laughing when I tripped over their backpacks in the aisle, students started to emit "oooooos" with frowns and furrowed brows. I think I prefer the laughing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 17, 2024, 10:28:01 AM
Damn ALH! I hope you're feeling better.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on February 17, 2024, 02:10:21 PM
Thanks, all. I think I'm OK; I just feel like a damned idiot. That, and I'm not moving too fast today. I'm too old and stiff and creaky for this crap.  :-/

Grandma used to say, in German, "Those things happen a lot faster than they heal."  That's for sure!

Fishbrains, 20 years ago, I used to pace when I'd teach:  it kept their attention. However, I've given in to age:  I sit the entire class period now, esp. with my walker and this dumb orthopedic boot that seems to have taken root on my broken foot.

The older I get, the more I consider making an outer layer of clothing from bubble wrap.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ciao_yall on February 18, 2024, 08:49:55 AM
Quote from: AmLitHist on February 17, 2024, 02:10:21 PMThanks, all. I think I'm OK; I just feel like a damned idiot. That, and I'm not moving too fast today. I'm too old and stiff and creaky for this crap.  :-/

Grandma used to say, in German, "Those things happen a lot faster than they heal."  That's for sure!

Fishbrains, 20 years ago, I used to pace when I'd teach:  it kept their attention. However, I've given in to age:  I sit the entire class period now, esp. with my walker and this dumb orthopedic boot that seems to have taken root on my broken foot.

The older I get, the more I consider making an outer layer of clothing from bubble wrap.

I like that. Diese Dinge passieren viel schneller als sie heilen.

Or very similar, in Yiddish. Di tingz pasirn fil faster vi zey heyln
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2024, 01:25:52 PM
Today, the faculty union warned us that the water from several sources in several buildings (including my own, and including the daycare) had lead levels way, way above what's safe.

That would be fine, except that they also told us that the administration has known since at least 2020, and just... told nobody and did nothing because it was too expensive.

At least the daycare people knew--because they did their own testing back in 2019, which is what spurred the university to check elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: RatGuy on February 21, 2024, 02:46:50 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2024, 01:25:52 PMToday, the faculty union warned us that the water from several sources in several buildings (including my own, and including the daycare) had lead levels way, way above what's safe.

That would be fine, except that they also told us that the administration has known since at least 2020, and just... told nobody and did nothing because it was too expensive.

At least the daycare people knew--because they did their own testing back in 2019, which is what spurred the university to check elsewhere.

Our union is trying to deal with mold in one of our buildings. The university tried to placate faculty by installing new ventilation. Some immunocomprimised faculty are petitioning their doctors to document everything as a way to appeal for more new offices or alternate classrooms. Can't imagine it'll end well
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2024, 03:36:16 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on February 21, 2024, 02:46:50 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2024, 01:25:52 PMToday, the faculty union warned us that the water from several sources in several buildings (including my own, and including the daycare) had lead levels way, way above what's safe.

That would be fine, except that they also told us that the administration has known since at least 2020, and just... told nobody and did nothing because it was too expensive.

At least the daycare people knew--because they did their own testing back in 2019, which is what spurred the university to check elsewhere.

Our union is trying to deal with mold in one of our buildings. The university tried to placate faculty by installing new ventilation. Some immunocomprimised faculty are petitioning their doctors to document everything as a way to appeal for more new offices or alternate classrooms. Can't imagine it'll end well

Ugh.

Update on my end: apparently, there's a significant cluster of cancer cases in one affected corner of the campus. This will definitely not end well.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on February 22, 2024, 06:54:00 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on February 21, 2024, 02:46:50 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 21, 2024, 01:25:52 PMToday, the faculty union warned us that the water from several sources in several buildings (including my own, and including the daycare) had lead levels way, way above what's safe.

That would be fine, except that they also told us that the administration has known since at least 2020, and just... told nobody and did nothing because it was too expensive.

At least the daycare people knew--because they did their own testing back in 2019, which is what spurred the university to check elsewhere.

Our union is trying to deal with mold in one of our buildings. The university tried to placate faculty by installing new ventilation. Some immunocomprimised faculty are petitioning their doctors to document everything as a way to appeal for more new offices or alternate classrooms. Can't imagine it'll end well

We had trouble with mold in the library for years.  It wasn't the dangerous sort, but it was unsightly and embarrassing, and just not good to have around.  It costs a fortune to get mold deep-cleaned from an entire HVAC system.  We were able to use COVID-era grant funds to do that.  The federal government was throwing buckets of money at disinfecting, etc.  Most of it ended up going to hygiene theater that was at best marginally useful, but in the process some institutions like ours were able to use some of it for genuinely useful health-adjacent tasks like mold remediation.  Your administration could probably have done something similar if they'd noticed the problem in time and shown a little enterprise.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on February 29, 2024, 03:06:17 PM
I have been scheduled to teach an advanced course in my area. It is a case based course.  ON the plus side, it will no longer be offered in a 7 week format!  The bad news is that when I negotiated with the chair about teaching the class, I agreed to teach it online BUT only if it would by synchronous.  (it is offered to students on our main and branch campus, but the branch has insufficient faculty, so EVERYONE must take it online!)

We got the official schedule today, and the synchronous part was excluded. I instantly emailed the chair, but the reply was that Assoc. Dean 'Napoleon' has vetoed that. 
I am now requesting that we find an adjunct for the branch campus.  Better to have some students get an inferior product than for ALL students to be forced to take the class online. 

(When the branch campus was created, it was said that there would never be online classes there; it would be a traditional experience.  That fell apart as soon as the state stopped the additional financial support they offered to get the campus up and running  - though COVID sped the disposal of the requirement).

So now Napoleon has entered the discussion to veto and force the situation....

I dont know how much longer I can continue to teach online classes.  The good news is that they will not be a mix of 7 and 15 week courses, but online classes in my discipline do not do well.  Students need to be there and online is a poor substitute for the undergraduates we have attracted. 

My retirement date is in flux.  Under the old dean, it would have been December 2024.  Fortunately we have a better dean, and I could see going further, but I dont see going much longer.  (I need to move more to cash/bonds to be sure that I can afford to retire, but my willingness is increasing!)   
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 01, 2024, 08:43:30 AM
Tried to send the rent this morning. All of a sudden I can't make transfers without scanning a QR code for "security" purposes. My phone can't scan the QR code. I select "choose an alternative method", and there's only one option: to use my driver's license. Fine. I click it, only to be shown another QR code I can't scan.

I'm just going to scream into he fucking void now. Don't mind me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: ab_grp on March 01, 2024, 10:22:46 AM
Sorry, Parasaurolophus.  It's so annoying that everything requires scanning a QR code these days.  It took me forever to figure out how to do that! Now it's easier for me, but guess what! I don't always want to make financial transactions using my phone! Can one be scanned by computer? I have no idea.  This can be a real problem for seniors (thinking about my mother and all the issues she has had trying to get anything done).  Similar tech issues have even come up for medical appointments, and it makes people avoid the process (and the appointments), which is not a good thing.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 01, 2024, 10:31:22 AM
The proliferation of QR codes is concerning me as well.  They assume that everybody has a 21st-century smart phone now.  I merely have a 23rd-century Star Trek phone.  So I guess in a sense I'm ahead of my time instead of behind it?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Aster on March 01, 2024, 04:01:15 PM
Why do so many car drivers in the U.S. now leave 20-40 foot gaps between them and the car ahead of them when they are at traffic stops?

Move the $%^* up.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: FishProf on March 02, 2024, 11:58:32 AM
Quote from: Aster on March 01, 2024, 04:01:15 PMWhy do so many car drivers in the U.S. now leave 20-40 foot gaps between them and the car ahead of them when they are at traffic stops?

Move the $%^* up.

They fail to recognize that the distance you should keep varies with speed.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on March 04, 2024, 11:55:01 AM
At traffic stops they pick up their phone and so are not paying attention to the cars in front of them. My car is new enough that it will beep at the driver when the person in front moves to get your attention!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 04, 2024, 12:40:16 PM
I assume that's one reason why traffic flow is said to move better through roundabouts than through four-way intersections with lights--you don't have to wait when the light turns for whoever was at the front of the line to notice that the light has changed and finish the latest text.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 04, 2024, 09:16:05 PM
QuoteAt traffic stops they pick up their phone and so are not paying attention to the cars in front of them. My car is new enough that it will beep at the driver when the person in front moves to get your attention!

My car (and its driver) is old enough that the car beeps when the car ahead of it Doesnt move when the car 2 ahead moves (and the light is favorable). 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 08, 2024, 08:03:02 AM
Today is midterm, and grades are due by Monday at 5:30. Spring break officially starts tomorrow. I'm teaching 6 writing classes, with another beginning the Monday after break; one ends today, so I have to submit final grades for it.

So of course, TPTB decided--10 days ago--to schedule an all-day, mandatory on-campus meeting, to indoctrinate introduce us to the newest end-all be-all scheme for student success. All faculty from all 4 campuses are required to attend the event (on our campus, which has two new buildings going up and our parking areas are diminished by about 40%, and where most locations fall into the "you can't get there from here without a long schlep" category), and it's pouring rain today, just because.

The real vent?  Not that they're having the event, which is simply more BS that we've all suffered through (and seen fail, as predicted) in at least 3 other iterations over the past 15 years, but rather, that I'm burning a personal day to not go--and on that personal day, I'm sitting at home grading. I'd be grading on my own time either way, but it's also costing me 8 hours of leave to actually do it.

This is really just a minor blip on the radar in terms of other f-ed up things faculty are dealing with right now, so I should probably let it go. Still.

[I won't even start venting about spring break, which is already booked up with ferrying ALHS to various appts., rather than giving me a chance to catch my breath or, god forbid, get my own health problems under control. I won't even have one free morning or afternoon to myself next week. Having one of our daughters do the running isn't an option: he wasn't much of a dad to either of them, so they have far less tolerance for his BS, and I'd only end up mediating screaming matches if they'd step in. And they don't need the headaches, either.]

SIGH. Back to grading.

TL; DR:  I'm surrounded by shitheads whose main goal is to make my life miserable in ways large and small.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on March 08, 2024, 09:14:47 AM
Quick joke for AmLitHist: How does an ailing man change a lightbulb?





















He just holds the lightbulb, and the whole world revolves around his problems! [rim shot!]


Hang tough.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 09, 2024, 04:36:48 AM
Thanks, fishbrains!  You made me laugh! I'm a bit less grumpy today.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 12, 2024, 09:29:05 AM
I was home visiting my parents over the weekend when Dad, who has been sick lately, took a turn for the worse.  Their refrigerator, which they only bought last December, also packed up on them.  I spent Sunday morning trying to salvage the food they had in it.  We ended up missing church and listening to a streaming service from my home church.  Which gave Dad a chance to hear a message he didn't have to prepare himself for a change--he still pastors a church at the age of 80.

I missed work yesterday to stay an additional day (I live over two hours from them) and help them.  I ended up not being able to accomplish much.  They're pursuing a warranty claim now, and Dad felt better yesterday.  I'm concerned that Mom and Dad are getting less able to take care of their affairs.  I'll probably be spending a lot more time running home in the months to come.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: paultuttle on March 13, 2024, 06:42:21 AM
Quote from: apl68 on March 12, 2024, 09:29:05 AMI was home visiting my parents over the weekend when Dad, who has been sick lately, took a turn for the worse.  Their refrigerator, which they only bought last December, also packed up on them.  I spent Sunday morning trying to salvage the food they had in it.  We ended up missing church and listening to a streaming service from my home church.  Which gave Dad a chance to hear a message he didn't have to prepare himself for a change--he still pastors a church at the age of 80.

I missed work yesterday to stay an additional day (I live over two hours from them) and help them.  I ended up not being able to accomplish much.  They're pursuing a warranty claim now, and Dad felt better yesterday.  I'm concerned that Mom and Dad are getting less able to take care of their affairs.  I'll probably be spending a lot more time running home in the months to come.

My sympathies, apl68! I'm there as well, running "home" (to my father's house and/or my mother's assisted-living facility) as often as possible, worrying about my parents' mental and physical health, and so forth.

Wishing you all the best, and letting you know here that I can be a listening ear IRL, if you want. Just PM me.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 13, 2024, 10:55:16 AM
Thank you very much.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 13, 2024, 11:07:15 AM
A somewhat less serious vent, but still kind of a hassle.  We receive used book donations, with which we stock our Friends of the Library book sale room and the little free library at the local grade school.  It's a feast-or-famine business.  Sometimes we go for months without receiving much, then we get multiple big donations close together.  We had gone quite some time without receiving any donations to speak of, so we figured it was about time for things to come unjammed.

Well, they did.  Since last week we've received three substantial donations.  One was very substantial--somebody brought in enough plastic trash bags full of books to fill the bottom of a trailer.  Unfortunately, two of the donations were entirely unusable.  They consisted entirely of ancient reference sets and textbooks. 

The biggest batch consisted mostly of popular fiction--very little of it less than 50 years old, most a good deal older.  Also some nonfiction, much of it also very old.  We found very little usable material there.  To get to that, I had to dig through dozens of bags full of old stuff.  And it consisted mostly of some of the dustiest, nastiest material I've ever seen.  Many of the books still had their original jackets and looked okay at first glance, but they raised literal clouds of dust as we tried to handle them. 

With a few exceptions, nearly all of this junk has gone into the dumpster.  I hope the bottom doesn't drop out when they come to empty it.  I realize that people don't like to throw away books, but come on!  People ought to be embarrassed at trying to foist stuff like this off on anybody.  We've long maintained a policy of welcoming anything and everything donated in order to get the wheat that's mixed in with the chaff.  But after this past week, I'm just about ready to reconsider that.  I didn't know there were so many old, nasty books in the whole town.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: smallcleanrat on March 13, 2024, 05:22:37 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on November 28, 2023, 09:49:59 AMContext:
My parents are very anti-psychiatry (and anti-Western medicine in general) and have always been resistant to the idea of me taking medications to manage my mental health.

When I had to move back in with them after a severe bipolar episode, they made me go off all my meds cold turkey and refused to let me try therapy. This drastically set back my recovery. I was in my 20s, but hadn't yet learned to establish boundaries with them and assert my right to make my own decisions without their approval. It didn't help that they threatened to throw me out on the street if I didn't comply.

Once I moved out, I kept my folks on a need-to-know basis when it came to my healthcare (and I decided they didn't need to know much). This infuriated them, and they demanded access to all my medical records. It turned into a huge fight when I refused, but I stood my ground and eventually they had to accept that they couldn't control my medical decisions anymore.



Recently, my SO informed me that my Dad went behind my back to talk to him, asking SO questions about my health and what kinds of meds I was on. Dad's opinion is that I can't be trusted to make my own decisions because the medication must be affecting my judgment, and that, as my husband, SO needs to "take charge", "be the man", and "ask the tough questions." Essentially saying SO needs to get me to stop taking my meds.

This makes me so angry. Dad came just short of saying I was incompetent to be in charge of my own medical decisions because I'm just a hysterical woman. I'm angry he went behind my back to try to get information about me. I'm angry he's still banging on about how meds are evil, when they saved my life.

I don't really care if his intentions are to do what he thinks is best for me. This behavior is still insulting and intrusive.

I'm so disgusted with both my parents right now. I'm sick of them pestering me, "Tell us what you're taking! Tell us! Tell us! We have a right to know!" I can't stand how suffocatingly overbearing they are.

I told them no, so many times. They still think they have the right to make my decisions for me. They still think they know better than I do what's best for my health, never mind how ignorant they are.

They still want me to go off my medication, damn the consequences. They don't care what that would do to me, and that makes me so angry.

My dad tried to get me to tell them what I'm taking by saying, "You know, you are literally killing your mother. Not knowing is killing her. She can't sleep at night."

It's such a disgustingly manipulative thing to say. I don't care if it keeps her up at night. That's her problem to deal with. I'm not going to throw away my mental stability just so she can feel better that I'm not putting 'evil chemicals' in my body. She needs to learn how to deal.

I was visiting them recently, and she got so angry with me she smacked me. She has no right at all to hit me. No right. I'm so angry she thinks she still gets to do that. I am not a child, and she is not in authority over me.

I don't want to go completely no-contact with them, but the way they're still trying to control and manipulate me makes me so furious. I don't understand all their complaining, "Why don't you visit? Why don't you call?"

Why do you think?!?
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Morden on March 13, 2024, 05:48:05 PM
SCR, I'm so sorry you're going through this with your parents. There's no way that your mother should assault you physically; there's no way that both of them should assault you emotionally. They do not have your best interests at heart. You have accomplished a lot and should be proud of yourself. Please continue to enforce healthy boundaries.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Puget on March 13, 2024, 05:50:35 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on March 13, 2024, 05:22:37 PMI don't want to go completely no-contact with them, but the way they're still trying to control and manipulate me makes me so furious.

I'm very sorry SCR-- I don't know if it would help to hear an outside perspective from a stranger on the internet, but here's mine: what you are describing is abuse (besides the emotional abuse she literally hit you!), and it really sounds like you would be better off going completely no contact. Not necessarily forever, but at least for now. At least give yourself the chance to see how you feel after not having any contact with them for a month or two, then you can re-evaluate. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: mythbuster on March 13, 2024, 05:50:50 PM
Stand firm, Smallcleanrat. You are an adult and get to make your own decisions about your health and your life. Being physically hit would be a deal breaker for me and would be the explanation for not visiting.

I hope the cats are providing appropriate comic and soothing relief.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 13, 2024, 06:31:09 PM
Quote from: Puget on March 13, 2024, 05:50:35 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on March 13, 2024, 05:22:37 PMI don't want to go completely no-contact with them, but the way they're still trying to control and manipulate me makes me so furious.

I'm very sorry SCR-- I don't know if it would help to hear an outside perspective from a stranger on the internet, but here's mine: what you are describing is abuse (besides the emotional abuse she literally hit you!), and it really sounds like you would be better off going completely no contact. Not necessarily forever, but at least for now. At least give yourself the chance to see how you feel after not having any contact with them for a month or two, then you can re-evaluate. 

This!!! Just because they birthed you doesn't mean they have the right to assault you and control you. Do they treat other people this way? Probably not. I agree 100% to keep your distance from them (at least for now). Hopefully, they will mature enough to recognize that you are in control over yourself- not them.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Larimar on March 14, 2024, 06:30:25 AM
Quote from: mythbuster on March 13, 2024, 05:50:50 PMStand firm, Smallcleanrat. You are an adult and get to make your own decisions about your health and your life. Being physically hit would be a deal breaker for me and would be the explanation for not visiting.

I hope the cats are providing appropriate comic and soothing relief.
Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on March 13, 2024, 06:31:09 PM
Quote from: Puget on March 13, 2024, 05:50:35 PM
Quote from: smallcleanrat on March 13, 2024, 05:22:37 PMI don't want to go completely no-contact with them, but the way they're still trying to control and manipulate me makes me so furious.

I'm very sorry SCR-- I don't know if it would help to hear an outside perspective from a stranger on the internet, but here's mine: what you are describing is abuse (besides the emotional abuse she literally hit you!), and it really sounds like you would be better off going completely no contact. Not necessarily forever, but at least for now. At least give yourself the chance to see how you feel after not having any contact with them for a month or two, then you can re-evaluate. 

This!!! Just because they birthed you doesn't mean they have the right to assault you and control you. Do they treat other people this way? Probably not. I agree 100% to keep your distance from them (at least for now). Hopefully, they will mature enough to recognize that you are in control over yourself- not them.


+1 to these. No one can know better than you what is good for you, SCR. Keep doing what you need to do. You have the support of many Forumites.

Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 14, 2024, 07:37:10 AM
The thought of somebody contemplating estrangement from family members is a heartbreaking one.  However, if it has come to actual physical abuse, you would be well justified in at least avoiding face-to-face contact, and greatly limiting contact of any sort.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: fishbrains on March 14, 2024, 09:54:21 AM
Having an SO should have some advantages, and one of those advantages is that they can step up and be the Fall Guy when dealing with your family--as in they should step in and tell your parents they can't hit you and you will not have any contact with them for a while. If they call (and they will with numerous "emergencies"), just give the SO the phone to repeat the message.

I had to do this once with some of my wife's family because they would not leave her alone about something to the point of being abusive. I don't  think it was a "damsel in distress" scenario (my wife doesn't need my rescue), but someone had to step in and say "Back the f*ck off!" and I was the best person, strategically in terms of family dynamics, to do this.

So there's more free advice for you.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: clean on March 14, 2024, 02:43:08 PM
It is unfortunate that SCR's mother is not sleeping from worry over the treatment her doctors prescribed.  Perhaps SCR can give her the name of a therapist/MD that can help her mom overcome the problem she has developed!  (It is, after all, HER problem!) 

Unless i had said something deserving of a slap, (and even then)  I dont think that I would stay in the house, or put myself in proximity for such treatment again.

Stay Strong SCR!  Do what you have to do.  It is YOUR health, and only you can protect it.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 19, 2024, 12:50:48 PM
Our network server has been giving more and more trouble for months now.  Today it flaked out on us completely.  We spent a couple of hours unable to get anything done at work, or properly assist patrons.  Our out-of-town IT contractor was able to get us patched up remotely.  He's supposed to come work with us on-site in a couple of days.  We've been trying to get him here for awhile now.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 25, 2024, 08:25:26 AM
I'm so sorry, SCR.

For my part, I'm going to whine that I'm sick again--with exactly the same thing I had two weeks ago. The rest of the household is almost over their second bout, so I thought I'd be indestructible. Nope nope nope.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Wahoo Redux on March 25, 2024, 08:35:47 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 14, 2024, 07:37:10 AMThe thought of somebody contemplating estrangement from family members is a heartbreaking one.  However, if it has come to actual physical abuse, you would be well justified in at least avoiding face-to-face contact, and greatly limiting contact of any sort.

I came here to vent about StubHub but see that the conversation has turned to actual, serious problems.  Apl hit the nail on the head.

SCR, I can only say I'm sorry you had to deal with this.  I say this as someone who had to get a restraining order to protect my dementia-ridden mother and then completely cut a family member out of my life because of abuse, manipulation, threats, and hysterical behavior. My situation was different from yours, but the core problems are the same.

There is something pathologically wrong with your folks that they feel they must do what they do----in their minds they are the victims.  Nothing will change.  You are within your rights and doing the right thing to keep them as far away from you as you can as painful as that is. 

Peace be with you and be strong.  You are in the right.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: bio-nonymous on March 26, 2024, 07:23:14 AM
STUDENTS, I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL IT SUPPORT GUY!!!!! Figure it out, go online, call actual IT, whatever! It is not my job to figure out your individual technology issues...
Title: placeholder
Post by: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 06:14:11 AM
My ears have been hurting off and on for two days now.  At the moment my right ear aches so much I can hardly concentrate on what I'm trying to do.
Title: Re: placeholder
Post by: fleabite on March 27, 2024, 01:14:00 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 06:14:11 AMMy ears have been hurting off and on for two days now.  At the moment my right ear aches so much I can hardly concentrate on what I'm trying to do.

Sorry to hear that. Have you seen a doctor? Strep throat can cause a nasty earache.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: AmLitHist on March 27, 2024, 01:39:46 PM
Quote from: bio-nonymous on March 26, 2024, 07:23:14 AMSTUDENTS, I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL IT SUPPORT GUY!!!!! Figure it out, go online, call actual IT, whatever! It is not my job to figure out your individual technology issues...
Nor is it my job to teach you how to use Canvas! You're automatically enrolled in the "Learning Online at [college]" class, and you've got more "help" links available than you can shake a stick at. Figure it out.
Title: Re: placeholder
Post by: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 02:06:09 PM
I just realized that I've made the ghastly error of posting my vent here instead of on the venting thread!

I do apologize.  My earache must have made me even more out of it than I realized this morning.

Feeling better now.  These aches sometimes clear up as unexpectedly as they came.  Previous doctor visits have gotten me ear cleanings, a prescription that didn't seem to help much, and a trip to the dentist for an expensive mouth guard to keep me from grinding my teeth at night. Which was unpleasant and failed to fix the problem, so I gave up on it. 

The only thing that seems to help much is wearing a cap over my ears, and some time outside.  I felt better after running payroll-related errands outside late this morning.  Even though it was actually chilly and breezy out. 
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 27, 2024, 02:37:48 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 02:06:09 PMI just realized that I've made the ghastly error of posting my vent here instead of on the venting thread!

I do apologize.  My earache must have made me even more out of it than I realized this morning.

Feeling better now.  These aches sometimes clear up as unexpectedly as they came.  Previous doctor visits have gotten me ear cleanings, a prescription that didn't seem to help much, and a trip to the dentist for an expensive mouth guard to keep me from grinding my teeth at night. Which was unpleasant and failed to fix the problem, so I gave up on it. 

The only thing that seems to help much is wearing a cap over my ears, and some time outside.  I felt better after running payroll-related errands outside late this morning.  Even though it was actually chilly and breezy out. 

Easily fixed!

So sorry about the earache, though. That sounds unbearable.
Title: Re: The Venting Thread
Post by: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 03:02:45 PM
Thanks, Para!