Bluff

Day 2: Scott’s Bluff, Nebraska

By the Numbers:
Three national parks/monuments;
10 coal trains;
23 miles from Montana;
$80 for a National Parks Pass;
12 AA batteries in my camera

A real post will be coming soon.

15 Hours

St. Louis, from the giant traffic jam

By the numbers:
15 hours, 5 minutes drive time;
~890 miles;
$63.90 in gasoline;
$85.66 for hotel in Ogallala, NE;
averaging 25.7 mpg;
5 tuna sandwiches between two people;
$9.48 in food costs

Coal.

As seen in the mall parking lot.
The only thing that would have made this funniers would
have been if the car was a Prius.

It must be Monday

I am in a foul, foul mood. My extra stipend wasn’t listed on my paystub (and that was my vacation money, damn it). My husband’s evil leg is flaring up. My state still doesn’t have a budget (but will this really affect me – who knows?). And I have a zit on my butt, right where my pelvic bone pushs down on the seat.

It must be Monday.

Questions for a Friday afternoon

• Why is it that every time I answer one email, three more appear?
• Why do students think that professors will be on campus all summer?
• Why is my crazy student calling me again?
• Why do people think professors will work extra hours in a year where there are no pay raises?
• Why is my governor such a douchebag?
• Why did some guy call my work number to lobby me?
• Why did The Coach get a flat tire?
• Why do all fraking car expenses come at the same time?

On this date

On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry were wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana.

And I’ll be on my way to this battlesite in less than a week! Vacation rocks!

Name That Place

Where in the World is Dr. Disenchanted?

Directions: I’m so {bleeping} excited about my upcoming vacation that I thought I’d put togehter a little travel game for you. Here are some pictures from my recent trips. Guess the location … and put it in my comments. Bonus points if you can figure out the context of the picture (i.e., Was it a trip for fun or work? What month? Etc.) Funny comments and/or captions are encouraged.

Picture 1: Sorta’ Easy

 

Picture 2: Easy if you know me.

Picture 3: Easy if you read my blog

Picture 4: Iconic

Picture 5: Do you know your cold war history?

Picture 6: An exciting time in American history

Picture 7: Could be difficult if you don’t read this blog

 Picture 8: Just how well do you know Dr. Disenchanted?

Vacation in …

… eight days and counting. Yep, the Disenchanted Family is actually taking a second vacation this summer, something that rarely happens has never happened in the entire history of 18 year marriage. The past few years have been especially bad. Last year, we only managed four days in Arkansas; the year before, six days in Kansas. It seems like something was always rearing its ugly, time-sucking head: my research agenda, The Coach’s football and track schedules, various teaching and administrative obligations. Last year was especially f*cked because of that pesky little thing called tenure. It takes a good deal of time to fight for your job (even when the fight is, well, really not a fight at all).

Now, I won’t lie to you. I have had some fabulous vacations over the past couple of years, sans The Coach: Prague and Amsterdam, Taxco and Mexico City, Lima and the Sacred Valley of Peru. Plus, we’ve really capitalized our time off at Christmas, with trips to Lake Placid, the Insight Bowl, and Roswell. So why am I so excited about my upcoming trip? Maybe it’s because I can finally take time off in the summer (however minusculethat time still is)? Maybe it’s because we have been trying to go back to South Dakota for, uh, 10 or 11 years now – ever since my cousin’s first marriage? Who knows? Who cares? All I know is that The Coach picked up our Trip Tix on Monday*and we’re going out west — to Fort Laramie, Little Big Horn, Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands, with other sights mixed in. Woot!

On Strike

I am on strike until Tuesday. No academic work allowed. Instead, I am going to balance my checkbook, pay some bills, plan my next vacation, make cabbage rolls, go swimming, go shopping, and just veg out. Seeing how I have to work Tuesday to Saturday … and it’s summer … I think I’m entitled to some “me” time. That is all.

This just in …

… no raises at the University of Sorta’ Cosmopolitan this year.* Blah. Added to the fact that my property taxes doubled (thanks to a combination of local and state idiots), our sales taxes went up, and gas prices are taking their yearly hike towards $3, I’m feeling a bit screwed. It could be worse: I could be buying a new car (1 percent increase in sales tax would hurt there). I could be required to take unpaid furlough days. My property taxes are still cheap by most standards. And gas, well, I could live in Europe.

And yet, I’m feeling mighty passive aggressive these days. My current plan?  No more going in to work on my free time this summer. You’ll only see me when I am required to be there, thank you very much. And as for working weekends next school year? Well, you can just forget it. If I can’t get it done in a M-F schedule, then you’ll just have to wait. Tenure … it’s a marvelous thing. Now, I just have to curb my workaholic tendencies.