If you ask for my opinion, don't blame me when I give it...

Mothers and teachers, you will identify here.

Anyone who works in the service industry will identify.

And, as I really think everyone works in public service in some capacity, I think you all will identify.

Ta-stinking-da.

I’m writing this at 2:12 p.m., Monday. It’s cathartic writing. Supposedly.

I’ve had a flood of students since I came back from my dentist appointment. No big deal. I like students, and I like talking to them.

My last one, though…I could have done without that.

Erin* is a very sweet girl. She really is. I can tell from her quiet demeanor and her shy smile, and I think she is precious. However, I wanted to choke Precious’ neck.

She came in my office to ask questions about a story assignment that is due tomorrow. She’s been asking questions regarding it since the beginning, so I’m very happy to help. I like students who care about their grades from the START of the assignment, not after the grade has been posted.

The story was weak. And I told her so. I spent about 15 minutes editing it, showing her where the corrections need to be made.

Erin’s first question sent me reaching for the Advil. As she looked over the several corrections I had made (WHAT??! She ASKED for my help; I GAVE my help. It’s not my fault I’m a SUPER helper.), she asked, “Um…if I don’t make these corrections, what grade will I make?”

That noise you just heard? It was my head exploding.

Please note that while I was looking over her paper, I realized the numbness was gone. I was giddy about this at first…and then that area that had been numb started hurting. UGH.

Not that it’s an unbearable pain by any means. It’s just a little annoying, nothing more. But add the tenseness of this morning with the pain of the afternoon and the stupidity of a student, and I’m pretty aggravated now.

Erin’s second question: “Um…I couldn’t get any more information about this.”

I tried to help her out by explaining what she could do, and THEN the bombshell hits: “Oh, well, I did this interview over facebook.”

WWWHHHHAAAATTT???!!! After I preach and preach about the importance of doing a face-to-face interview, you ADMIT to your TEACHER that you did it over FACEBOOK??!!

Reach again for the Advil.

She did tell me before my eyes popped out (oh, wait, didn’t my head explode? Hmmm…Before my heart stopped. There we go.) that the other interviews were conduced face to face, so I did feel better.

SLIGHTLY better.

So here I am at 2:19 now with my tooth hurting, my body tired, a press release (or two or three, can’t remember) waiting on my desk, a book review (scholarly, not fun) waiting for that last graf, and some other random thing that my colleague keeps bugging me about. Why did I sign up to do that anyway?

Three more days until Easter break.