Like most of us on campus, I play the part of several different people on any given day.
I start my day tending to kids and pets, kissing my spouse on his way out the door, ticking off items on a mental checklist of what the kids and I will need throughout the day before beginning a convoluted morning commute. I arrive on campus feeling energized (or stir-crazy after a long drive). I sit at my desk and fine-tune my lessons before heading to LA 105 for a long day teaching composition to often reluctant writers. On shorter teaching days, I either spend my time in the writing center in HT2 125, or I carve out some mental space to work on creative ventures for my CTLE role. I run out of HT2 in the afternoon, always late, always over-encumbered, and I begin my afternoon driving shift. I usually kick this road trip off with a beat-up peanut butter sandwich. When I finally make it home at the end of the day, I once again focus on the care and feeding of kids and pets. I cook a meal with my husband as we listen to records, and I enjoy conversation with my family around the dinner table. I find some time to grade student work before I collapse into sleep, drooling on my pillow while the TV flashes blue and green across my bedroom ceiling.
I’ve created this playlist to capture my workday during this trying yet magical season of my life:
"Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens: This song represents the peaceful moments when it’s just me and my coffee.
Tied for first: "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire.
“Gotta Get Up” by Harry Nilsson: “Oh crap, put on your shoes we need to GO.”
“Everybody Wants to Rule The World”: My morning commute.
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves: This song captures the first few minutes of class where I bring more happy energy than my bleary-eyed students are prepared for.
"Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters: This song represents the inspirational side of teaching.
“Frankly Mr. Shankly” by The Smiths: This song represents the “Really? REALLY?” side of teaching.
"School's Out" by Alice Cooper: This song captures the feeling of fleeing campus as I transition from professor to mom again
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman: So much driving!
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: This is how I feel when the warm evening light slants through the window while I cook dinner and listen to records.
Golden Years–David Bowie: This is a hard season of life, but these are truly golden years.
"Creature Comfort" by Arcade Fire: This song captures dinner table conversations about life and the world.
“Save it For Later” by the English Beat: This represents those times when, late at night, I try to offer feedback on student work (then fail to conjure the brain cells to do so).
"Motion Sickness" by Phoebe Bridgers: Ah, the physical and mental exhaustion I feel as I finally collapse into bed, ready for rest!
“Daylight” by Matt and Kim–Too soon, I do it all over again!