A Non-Exhaustive List of Chores That Are Suddenly Compelling When I Need to Grade Papers

• Clear out the fridge.
• Check expiry dates for condiments.
• Rearrange the spice collection.
• Do laundry.
• Not just laundry, but hand wash laundry, which is really rather excessive.
• Alphabetize books.
• Attack the unpaired sock pile.
• Make healthy (ha!) donuts.
• Wash up.
• Use a face mask.  Clearly, I cannot grade while my pores are being deep cleaned. That would disturb the process.
• Play Sporcle.  It is extremely important that I can recognize the names of countries in Africa when they are written in Greek characters.
• Update my planner.  This thing is seriously intense.  I'm trying to be organized.  We'll see how this goes.
• Play Lyraball.
• Work out.  For a long, long, long time.
• Prep my meals for the next week.
• Make sure I am up to date on college football.
• Plan my Hallowe'en costume.
• Update my blog.

Pottering

It's been one of those Saturdays I enjoy the most: a small wander around to do some tasks that had piled up (framing a print; returning not-too-overdue books to the library) and a trip to the farmers' market, and then some home-based tasks of hand washing items, laundry, and a bit of a tidy up while the slightly grubby, wet, cold weather continues.  These are all tasks that needed doing; they are also all tasks that I used to completely avoid the teaching work I needed to do.  But the main thing is a gentle sense of contentment and joy in the knowledge that I am still British enough to call this pottering.

Buzzed

Today I taught constitutional law from 10 in the morning until 6pm. I had about 45 minutes' break total.

It was absolutely brilliant.  I am so, so, so tired; there is very little as exhausting as teaching. Nothing quite consumes your mind and attention like teaching.  But it was utterly exhilarating.  I am so, so, so happy.  Not because of what I did, bear in mind; instead, I was moved and invigorated by their effort, minds, and all round brilliance.  What a day.  You do not necessarily get many days of work that are as good as today.  I thought it was worth marking it down.