UT is very proud of their record-breaking fall enrollment (55k!). My dept enrollment is up around 5%. Anyone in a student-facing role is fast heading towards burnout, because we certainly aren't getting any extra support for the increased workload. news.utexas.edu/2025/09/18/u...

🚨NEW: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" just dropped its first response to ABC, FCC chair, and Disney firing Jimmy Kimmel. Trump ain't sleeping tonight. 🤣 This is a must-watch. 🔥

Every now and then I get something in my HEB curbside order that I didn't order. Usually don't discover it until I get home. Last week it was 18 eggs so I had lots of eggs this week. Today it was a $15 salmon. I called the store and they said keep it or donate it. Guess I'm having salmon for dinner.

Much as I want to see Lady Gaga, I'm not willing to pay $500+ for severe nosebleed tickets during a pre-sale. I'll try on Monday during the general sale.

The world is shit today but I have a ticket to see the new Downton Abbey film tonight (bought about 6 months ago), and a Pimm's Cup to start off with. So I'll enjoy a few hours away from all the shit that will still be around tomorrow.

Just got home from dentist, had to get 2 old fillings replaced. Can I just say how much I *love* nitrous! That's it, that's the post.

There's a student who started here Fall 22 who is a real character. I was meeting with him and he was telling me about the time he took a geometry class, and I said gosh, I loved geometry when I took it, back in 1978. Without missing a beat, he asks what was it like taking class with Pythagoras?

I think Trump looked genuinely mad that the brown player won the US Open. In other news: Alcaraz is just such a beast!

If I were in the mood to buy a Rolex I wouldn't be after they invited Trump to the US Open men's final. Ticket holders are missing action because of increased security, and I doubt Trump even gives a shit about the tennis. I just want to watch the match not be reminded that 47 is there stealing air.

In my happy place. I did 15 minutes on a treadmill, got some coffee, currently icing my knee* and enjoying week 2 of college football. Sound is on the Iowa/Iowa St game because that one is the most entertaining. *mildly injured left leg last night so it's tight and sore but pt exercises is helping!

NFL is back! Not a fan of Dallas so I'll be rooting for Philadelphia. Also watching the US Open women's semi-finals. Great PT session today. I'm going to start walking daily(ish) on a treadmill to build up stamina. Managed 15 minutes (slow) today. Much too hot out. Maybe summer's last hurrah?

Learning that Graham Greene has died. Sure I saw him for the first time in Dances with Wolves, but my favorite of his roles was in Thunderheart. And now all the leads of that film are gone. He was just terrific in everything I saw him in.

If you enjoy… Weekends Safe working conditions Retirement benefits Paid vacations Breaks at work Sick leave Paid holidays … then you’re part of the labor movement. Happy Labor Day.

All the Mario Cristobal haters can just go cry in their hate tonight.

Loving Miami! (And by football law I'm required to I hate ND. I went to those games in the 80s.)

It feels so long since I've had time off that this weekend is tripping me up. Looking at the rain chances and I keep wondering if I'll make the pool party I was invited to. I should because that party is tomorrow. I do have an event this evening to watch the Miami/ND game. Not in a bathing suit!

I just blew up my credit card buying an expensive (but fully refundable) ticket to London for @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social! Still need to sort out accommodations and itinerary for London and Windsor. But I now have a way to get there!

I love my physical therapist. That's it, that's the post.

I went shoe shopping today at an outlet mall even. That is something most people don't think about but not the easiest thing for me to do. But today I managed to walk to a store and shop a bit and try on shoes (and of course buy them).

I was asked (first time ever) to write a letter of rec for a student applying for Marshall and Rhodes scholarships. These are not your average LORs! The stakes are very high, since these are such prestigious scholarships. The student is exceptional, and in the end I had to edit down my letter.

I don't particularly love Newsom, but I do love whoever is handling his social media lately!

First day back at work after being off 2.5 weeks. The alarm was rough this morning! But it is a WFH day at least. And Office Manager Dorian is making sure I'm working hard. (So. Many. Emails!)

Every day is Leg Day in my house. #pt #ouch #ItIsStartingToWork

Went to the rec center to ride the stationary bike. That was a humbling experience. In March I could ride it 45-60 minutes at a level 12-14 resistance. Today I did 15 minutes at a level 1. I probably could have ridden longer but I don't want to over due things. Today was to get my legs to stretch.

Final day of staycation. Need to set all the alarms for Monday. Has been relaxing although doing PT twice a week, so hasn't been totally pain- or stress-free. Planning to relax as much as possible this weekend! NFL preseason has started so that will help. Book to read. Cats to snuggle.

My summer staycation is nearing an end sadly. Did refinance my car today. Lower interest and 90 days no payments/interest. Which will help pay for my PT, which isn't cheap. Left knee still a raging bitch. Right knee is improving! This week is lots of "this will be uncomfortable" exercises.

This is outside the 2nd floor of my house. Not sure how this little guy got all the way up here from the ground.

This is the start of what I hope is a long fight against what the fascists in Texas are doing. (I live in one of the districts that is getting carved up and potentially absorbed by a district in Midland, 300 miles away from where I live, with *so* much in common with Austin.)

About a year ago I bought myself a birthday present that I will get to enjoy tonight. I'm seeing Weird Al in concert for the first time and I'm super excited! I've had a setback this week with my PT and I'm feeling discouraged (just the process) so it's nice to have something to look forward to.

Had a wonderful birthday weekend. Sushi on Thursday (actual birthday). Last night a big group met at a local brewpub for so much fun! (Elder goths trying hard to keep out of the sunny corner we ended up in!) Great gifts, great conversations.

Birthday dinner at Sushi NiNi. And my favorite cake from HEB.

It's my birthday and first day of summer staycation. I've done my PT exercises and actually feeling halfway decent this morning. Off to do fun things all day, including eating at fave local places, loitering in a coffeeshop, buying myself a small cake and of course pool time this afternoon.

Email auto response is turned on. Alarms are turned off. I am now on my staycation until Aug 11. Let's see if I can get those stress dreams to stop!

It's my birthday/staycation eve! I have a full day of work to do (eyes email inbox, cries that I may not get to Inbox Zero by 3:40 today, although I've made good progress despite 2 meetings this morning & it's currently at Inbox 48), and then I'm off for 2.5 weeks! So much reading staycation ahead!

I know PT (for knees) is going to be really good for me. I'm already starting to feel results after just 2 visits. But damn if he didn't kick my butt yesterday! After I got home, I went for a mile swim (which felt amazing). But this morning I am slow, I am definitely feeling yesterday's session.

I'm pretty sure this is my 3rd Friday this week. Perhaps this one will actually be a Friday. (And my very wild stress dreams tell me it needs to be.)

Started PT today for my knee issues. I may be in love with my therapist already! I got a great feeling he's going to help me. 2x a week starting next week. Also vacation starts next Thursday, very much looking forward to time off. Hopefully my frustration dreams will diminish.

Watching a show where an American girl moves to London, meets a boy who makes her a mix tape, which is romantic and makes me remember men in my past who've made me mix tapes and then an ad for AARP pops up on my phone. And that's Thursday evening after a very long day at work.

It's the last push for new student orientation this week and next. We're also in the we're really exhausted phase.

The heavy rains are continuing today. Raining currently at my house. Then death toll from the floods is so high and so many young girls are still missing. The rain is a blessing due to drought. But the cost is so very high. Today is a stay in and chill day.

I have feelings this morning. Dreamed all night about work so not feeling rested. It's very dark out and possibly more rain coming. Which I love except there's catastrophic flooding of the San Saba and Guadalupe rivers (so far, 2 more rivers may also soon flood), which is also bad. None are near me.

Taking the day off. Watching Wimbledon and it's on/off raining at my house. Not even expected to get above 90 today! Hoping to swim when the pool opens at 1, but if it's storming I won't be too upset. On the eve of Independence Day not seeing a lot to celebrate, so I'll take the wins where I can.

This is my happy place. And after today I needed this. As apparently did many others. The pool was empty when I got here an hour ago. Now every lane is filled, several with 2 swimmers.

If I were an athlete who suddenly got a recognition I didn't have before today I would say no thank you since I hadn't earned it. Shame on Penn for this utter bullshit. This just allows Trump to continue bullying higher ed institutions and getting away with it.p

Every day that goes by shows the US is the shithole country.

Not me watching the US Dollar continue to fall against the UK pound. (Currenty sitting around 64 cents to the pound.) My trip to the UK in the fall is looking more and more expensive by the day.

Once again the pool was closed due to lightning. And once again the rain is nowhere near my house. Happily I was done with my swim at that point. But it does feel nice out.

My birthday is in 3.5 weeks, and I'll finally be social security eligible. I'm already TRS (retirement) eligible through UT. I really do have options now. The plan is 2 more years, but plans can always change if need be. (I really need to give it 2 more years min though to have a comfy retirement.)

My cat Dorian got a gift of fresh-from-the-garden catnip. I think he likes it.