I have a favor to ask of my friends' list. As most of you know, I'm a community college teacher in rural Kentucky. Amongst the classes I teach is Introduction to Film. I've had some trouble each semester getting the class to go which has frustrated me to no end. Aside from continuing the class, my main professional goal as the Film Studies person on campus is to encourage a film community. Every one comes up to me to talk about movies, but they never seem to talk to each other. To promote such a community, I've started a movie review blog that can be found here: http://msfields.wordpress.com/

I would love it if some of my flist wandered over and talked to our community. Things are a bit isolated here, and a variety of perspectives would be a wonderful thing. We try to promote cultural diversity here, and I'd like to see the students actually getting to talk to folks from different cultures and not just learn about them.

I started officially posting reviews this morning, so please join in the fun!

Well tonight I actually had to do something I've never done before and never want to do again: call 911. For the second night in a row someone has walked up to my front porch and pounded very loudly on either my front door or bedroom window. Last night it was the front door at about 10:30. I looked out and saw a bunch of teenagers across the street and figured that they were out to have some sick fun daring each other to bang on people's doors. Tonight I was already asleep when someone loudly banged on my bedroom window. It was about midnight and I was not amused. I didn't see anyone this time, which makes it even more creepy.

For the first time I can remember I'm a little afraid of being in my house by myself. That ticks me off!

I saw the cops go by looking for a possible intruder, but I'm still jumpy. Grrr. I know it's Saturday night but I hope things settle down soon. This is usually a quiet neighborhood.

Current Mood: aggravated

Well, it's time for a rare update. As some of you already know I've been working on an original novel. It's been slow going, but I've made it up to almost sixty pages. One of my colleagues who teaches creative writing gave me very positive feedback about it, and invited me to read an excerpt at our college's Coffee House last Wednesday.

I nervously accepted and read the prologue and part of the second chapter. I even found the guts somehow to go all out and read the dialogue in character...meaning various English and Scottish accents. (You just knew I had to have a Celt in there somewhere, right? LOL) I warned everyone up front that the accents wouldn't be genuine, but I would commit myself with conviction and enthusiasm hoping they would have fun. Overall, I had a very positive response, both to the work itself and my reading.

In fact, two teachers who aren't easily impressed both had long conversations with me afterwards about the work. Plus, a lady came up to ask me how far I was from being finished because she wanted to buy a copy. Did you hear that publishers? ROTFLOL

Now, I just need to finish the darn thing.

At the risk of having my flist die of shock at seeing me post, here's an update.

For the last year and a half I've been teaching full-time at a community college. I normally teach Developmental Writing and Reading, but recently have branched out into Film Studies. After much work, campaigning, marketing, and cajoling I've managed to get an Introduction to Film class going this semester. Honestly, I've never felt quite so fulfilled and "in the right place" since I first started teaching and realized that it felt right. I love being the film teacher.

I've also finally gotten back into singing, and had my first solo last spring. I co-directed a play then, as well, and will be repeating that experience next year. I've really been quite busy.

To celebrate my new-found status as a Film Studies teacher, I'm posting the classics that came out in 1971: the year I was born. What were the big/interesting/influential films of your birth year?

1971: Bananas, The Beguiled, A Clockwork Orange, Diamonds are Forever, Fiddler on the Roof, Fists of Fury, Get Carter, The Last Picture Show, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Nicholas and Alexandra, Play Misty for Me, and Summer of '42.

Hmm, The Beguiled and Play Misty for Me -- it was a big year for Eastwood, wasn't it?

Current Mood: cheerful

Well, this is the big weekend! I was told today that I could start moving in tomorrow. I just finished my classes for the day and I'll be running around, paying deposits on my utilities and hoping they'll be hooked up today (gas and water anyway). I already have electricity. The phone service is tentatively scheduled for the 29th, so I won't have any internet access except at work until then.

I'm sooo dreading moving all my stuff, but I can't wait until everything is finally settled again.

Well I had three students show up for my 9:25 class and I don't know whether it will continue. After that since I have no printer yet, I went to the library to print handouts for my classes tomorrow and was completely humiliated by one of the library personnel. My department told me to e-mail my document to myself then print out all the copies I needed. From my secretarial experience I know how expensive printer cartridges are but when I asked at the front desk Friday I was still told to send all my copies to their laser printer rather than using the copier. Well, this lady was not happy that I did this, starting berating me even when I told her I was a new teacher without a printer. I was abjectly apologizing when she realized that I was new faculty (on this campus not in the community) and did an about face. By that time my face was flaming after being dressed down in front of everyone in the place.

Is this day over yet?

Current Mood: cranky

Well, this is has been a dangerous start to the morning. I found myself driving in a haze this morning and my wheels start veering a little bit off the road. Not a good sign. What's especially bad is that I have a night class tonight so that by the time I get home it will be much later than usual. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't get any sleepier.

Current Mood: sleepy

Well, one of my fellow teachers complained that she could hear my "radio." I was listening to the BBC radio stream on the web. I had the speakers turned down as far as they could go...but this was apparently too loud. Sigh. It's boring typing in complete silence, but that's the way she likes it. What's distracting to me is hearing other (male) teachers conversing in loud voices. They're so much louder than my poor little computer. C'est la vie.

Current Mood: annoyed

Well today is my first day of classes as a brand-new full-time college instructor. It's been a long road to get to this point and oddly after all of the classes I've taught in the past I find myself nervous. I'm sure I'll get over it once I'm in the classroom, but right now my nerves are jittery.

The last two weeks have been a huge blur. I had to finish up my summer class at my old school, look for a place to live and travel nearly two hours one way to get to my new school. With the price of gas going steadily upward it's grown quite painful to the bank account -- OUCH!

Today I'll also be putting down a deposit on a new place to live. For the first time in my life I'll be renting a house instead of an apartment...lots of changes. I'm not looking forward to the move, but I can't wait to end my commute.

I'll be teaching six classes. I have three today: one at 9, one at 10, and one at 11. During lunch I'm going to start a new bank account. Oh, and I need to finish my goals for the year, which are due today. Joy. There's nothing like hiring someone two weeks before school starts to make their life feel stressed, lol.

Current Mood: contemplative

Well, I completed the book meme I found in Jen's LJ. Here are the results:

 
( Books )