spring has broken

[rosaw]

Spring break is over. Next week I return to the hectic, 5-days/week teaching schedule that is the work-ethic du jour. What haven't I done this break? Just everything I set out to accomplish. Let's see:
*still behind on BtVS (2 weeks)
*still behind on SFU
*still behind on reading for classes and dissertation
*no writing on dissertation
*no updated rec pages
*no bath for my poor little bug car. It's filthy. She's going to go on strike. I'm sure all the other cars feel sorry for her because she has such a slothful owner.

I don't even feel like I got enough sleep over this break and generally I consider sleep sacred during holidays. I think my lack of sleep this break is because I am still wrestling with some serious-ass depression and this too is a change. Normally, when I'm depressed, I just sleep. But this is a new shade of blue for me. My SO's mom is visiting for a week (she arrived yesterday) and it just highlights the permanent absence of my mom. I should read a book on grieving so I can stop being blindsided by so many emotional tidal waves.

Ok, ok. I working on some happier stuff here. I'm reading The Transmigration of Timothy Archer by Philip K. Dick. Wow. In this book, he's got a really detailed grasp of catholic theology combined with an interest in early xnty. It's a fascinating and amazing read, with surprises every page turn. People have talked him up for years but I've never been particularly interested. I have some catching up to. I can't decide if it would be cruel to use my First Year Writing Seminar next year as an All-PKD-All-The-Time seminar. It might make their heads hurt too much. My favorite student from the first FYWS I taught loved The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch and that book really sucked him into scifi genre reading. He made teaching that class a total delight and we still get together to talk about books he's reading. He's a math major who has won about 15 swing dancing competitions. He's amazing. Anyway, I've been reading the PKD before bed in order to break up the Discworld series, which was blurring into one continuous, surreal ride as opposed to discreet book sized stories. I loved Equal Rites. Maybe that should go in the FYWS reading list. I'd love to hear about other people's fave scifi and/or fantasy book suggestions.

I'm off to play this afternoon with my SO and his visiting family unit. It is a spectacularly beautiful 80 degree day here in lala land. Might as well carpe diem.

Comments

hey there

[(Anonymous)]

I'm glad to see you updating, even if it's too bad to hear you've been so depressed. I think everyone is having a lousy time for different reasons just now, from my own local survey. I hope you feel better soon.

Lynn

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Oh, Rosa! I'm so sorry to hear you're blue. {{{{hugs}}}} I went through that period of reading books on grief, though they were specific on how to deal with the suicide of a loved one. I think the main thing I got out of it was depression was normal and periods of deeper depression could happen without warning. One image that I still remember was that grief was a river and as time goes by, a layer of ice builds up on top of it, and sometimes cracks appear and you will fall back into the river.

As they say, it just takes time. And some days are rougher than others.

Take care,

Tenay

[helenraven.livejournal.com]

Hiya. It’s Fiona. Finally figured out, via Sandy’s website, who this Rosa must - though your description on your recs page of your reaction on discovering more Sebastian stories online was a BIG clue.

I’m sorry to hear things are tough - and presumably not got easier in April. You are in my thoughts.