The last days of August have been busy — a little busier than I would like, especially as I’m supposed to be unemployed right now. I’ve been working on a few different funding applications that are due in September, while also doing my best to keep up with a handful of scholarly and creative commitments. The brain stuff has been energizing, and a good counter to the incomprehensibly labyrinthine processes of having a Memorial University contract end. And I’ve managed to get a few short pond swims in, thanks to a new friend-colleague who has been making excellent use of one of the local swimming spots and who has extended a permanent invitation to me (and others) to join her. I’m hoping to get a few more dips in before the weather turns totally inhospitable.
One beautiful thing I’ve been able to do this summer is to serve as an external examiner for two different MA theses — one from Memorial and one from St. Mary’s University. What an absolute treat. The Memorial process involved written feedback only, which was a great deal of work but very rewarding; the SMU examination involved an oral defence, which was a really beautiful, moving experience. After the goings-on at Memorial over the last little while, it’s been nice to have a reminder of what higher education is actually about: creating new knowledge, challenging old ideas, and working toward a better, more humane world.
Since I’ve never been one to keep my big mouth shut (and since the other folks who lost their jobs in the round of layoffs aren’t necessarily able to speak to media), I took it upon myself to share some of my thoughts on the value of the Office of Public Engagement to the university and to the province. It was really lovely to work with The Independent, and I’m so glad they’re running this State of the University series, because seriously: what the heck is the state of the university right now? Other than an absolute mess, I mean.
Aside from all this, I’ve been making a lot of jam (chuckley pear, raspberry, gooseberry-whitecurrant, whitecurrant-raspberry, apricot, huckleberry-plum, and a perfect half jar of Nanking cherry thus far). I’ve been baking a couple loaves of bread a week, and stretching my EI dollars by making good use of leftovers. I’ve been mending clothes that have worn out, and altering ones that don’t fit right. As I expected, it feels good to be doing things with my hands again.
Andreae Callanan 