A quarter of "argh"

Actually, so far it's been ok, but this week alone makes me want to tear my hair out.

I've got a clutch of pushy, aggressive students. They push and challenge in person, they push and challenge through aggressive email, and when asked why they don't come to section I get comments like, "well, we we did the debate that was really fun and engaging, but when we don't do anything but discuss the book and the text it's boring."

Oh, I'm so fucking sorry. Well, guess what: 1) it's history, this is what history is and this is how you do it: you READ AND DISCUSS TEXTS. 2) I am not here for your entertainment. I realize you've mistaken me for a stand up comedian, fix that assumption and open your damn book. 3) How the hell do you know what we do in section if you haven't come for the last 3 weeks!?

On top of that, I've already logged several hours for my next TA assignment through email and meetings, I'm having tax problems b/c my info wasn't reported correctly to the IRS and the IRS think I owe them somewhere in the category of ten grand (this is the second time this mistake has happened in 2 years which is the only reason I'm not bald - I've already been through it), and they're raising our rent for the fourth year in a row by nearly 8%. No improvements on the property, no justification, no explanation how the campus low-income family housing residents are supposed to pay for it other than loans.* We've formed a tenant's union and had a wonderful demonstration/town hall with the administration on Wed. night, but we're getting the hands are tied message (the same one I've received from this university on every committee I've been on when it comes down to raising fees), and we're looking at our move out options.


the next post will be about bunnies, flowers, and pussycats - I promise.

*Seriously, the answers were: there's financial aid! take out loans! the reason for the rent raises, to build up equity so they can take out a loan, tear these places down, and build new ones.