Super Adjunct

  • 12 Feb 2010 /  Uncategorized

    Super-Adjunct? Or Cupid? (Photo: The Empty Nest’s “Campus Police Beat,” Feb. 11, 2010)

    Attention: Ladies! Super-Adjunct is Back On the Love-Market!!! That’s right. Cheryl C. dumped me again! (Of course, she’ll say she wasn’t going out with me. That after dropping the restraining order, she talked to me only because it was part of her job as the department office’s secretary. Whatevs as my students might say.) The Positive Spin: I am footloose and fancy-FREE this Valentine’s Season! To celebrate, I’ve titled this month’s advice column/blog, “How To Be an Adjunct Love-Magnet,” or 4 Full-Proof Adjunct Love-Lessons on How to Win Hearts and Find Your Soul-Mate! Let’s get started, shall we?

    Adjunct Love-Lesson #1: Go to Where the Action Is—The Faculty Senate!

    Aim Higher!!! Why go out with say an ungrateful department office secretary (whose initials are C. C.) or another adjunct for that matter when you could be dating some real money! Seriously, the Faculty Senate, is a great place to strike up conversations with potential, financially advantageous, love-matches! If you hooked up with a tenured professor and wedding bells rang, you’d get to share not only their salaries, but their benefits too! Imagine, instead of sweating, freezing, and moaning yourself through a bad flu in the camper-shell of your pickup, you could be indoors, in a real bed, taking prescribed antibiotics—for FREE! As John Lennon sang, “I know I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

    Adjunct Love-Lesson #2: Organize a “Will You Be My Adjunct?” Valentine Dance! Okay, maybe you feel better, safer, mingling with your own as it were. So why not organize an Adjunct Valentine Dance? You might answer: “Where would we have it? Who’d pay for the DJ, the refreshments, and all that? And do you really think anyone would show up?” Boy, you’re quite the downer, aren’t you? But a lack of lovin’ will do that to a person. First off, have it at the school. Push the desks aside in a classroom, and voila, you’ve got yourself a dance floor. Get your Department Head involved. They love these kinds of things and may even spring for soda and chips. You don’t need a DJ. I used my Talking Elephant Tape Recorder (a dollar bargain at GoodWill) and played my Neil Diamond tapes at last year’s adjunct dance! Everybody LOVED it! (All 5 of us!) With only a little effort, you too could be dancing to a plastic elephant singing Neil Diamond singing “Turn on your heartlight,” and never once want to phone home.

    Adjunct Love-Lesson #3: Cyber-presence, Baby!

    You need to get the word out you’re eligible and ready for romance! Create a blog, featuring yourself and how cool you are, just like I’m doing with this very blog. Then, email the link to all eligible love interests. If you don’t want to create a blog, simply send out an “I’m in the Mood for Love” mass-emailing. Don’t fret over the list. Email it to everyone in your address book. People get plenty of spam and delete it without a thought. Trust me! Here’s a few responses I received from my “Attention Ladies, I’m Free! Want to take me out to dinner?” mass email:

    PLEASE TAKE ME OFF YOUR EMAIL LIST!”

    LOL!”

    I warned you. The restraining order’s back on!”

    Sure, I didn’t get a dinner out of it, but the word is out on the streets. (And someone did stick half a bag of Cheetos into my mailbox with a note, “Hey Loser! Dinner’s on me!”)

    Adjunct Love-Lesson #4: Woo with Gusto!

    Get Old-Fashioned. Give out real handmade Valentines—a tip I mentioned in my blog from last February, “Love on a Budget: Five Simple and Dirt Cheap Ways to Woo.” (Click Here To Realize There’s No Link And That You’ll Have To Scroll Down To Find the Old Blog.) Don’t give out your Valentines shyly—sticking heart-shaped construction paper into someone’s mailbox. Do it with flair, personality and real arrows! Dressing up like Cupid made quite an impression this year when I hand-delivered my early-bird Valentines! (SEE PHOTO ABOVE.) A student reporter and photographer from Goose-EGG U’s The Empty Nest came by for a photo-op. They arrived right before the campus police took me in for “indecent exposure.” It’s a bum rap which won’t stick my PolySci adjunct-friend assured me—as I was wearing some strategically placed clothing. In any case, this Valentine’s Season, I made lasting memories! How will you make yours?

    PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!!!

    (Posted February 12, 2010, 9:23 AM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    0 Comments:

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  • 16 Jan 2010 /  Uncategorized

    Sometimes the TRUTH hurts. (Video Stills: Derek Sebastian Ronk IV)

    On New Year’s Eve, I like to spend a few of the afternoon hours alone, contemplating the past 12 months. I consider the Good Things first—like how despite numerous threats and warnings I got a contract to teach 4 classes this spring for $1435 per class (if they make)! Another Good Thing: Cheryl, my sweetie-pie extraordinaire, dropped the restraining order and said we could try to be “friends.” (I said, “What’s ‘friends’ code for?” Cheryl: “It’s not code for anything. It means friends. As in, we might be able to be friends some day.” “Hmm. I bet I know better.” “Then you’re going to be gravely mistaken.” She said this, but I could tell she wasn’t serious. I think.) After contemplating the Good Things, I turned to the Bad Things. Topping the list this year was my rodeo clown accident, the subsequent trip to the ER and hospital, and the fact I don’t have health insurance. How despite the money I made teaching some 45 online classes in the last 4 months (with 1 hand mind you), I still owe the hospital 10’s of 1,000’s of dollars. (But hey, maybe I’ll get a bailout like all those Wall Street crooks. HA HA!) Other Bad Things included the accusations of alleged slander at this blog, the threatened and pending lawsuits against me in regards to the alleged slander at this blog, and how the Vice Provost and Dean formally reprimanded me about the alleged slander at this blog. But who are they to point fingers?! Isn’t it a well-known rumor the Vice Provost and Dean allegedly covered up their alleged affair by allegedly blackmailing the Vice President about his alleged affair, which resulted in not only the alleged cover-up but also, allegedly, the Dean’s new office with its own kitchenette overloaded with the latest and most expensive culinary gadgets? (Some colleagues allegedly call our Dean the Dean of Arts and Appliances!)

    As I contemplated, then wrote the above paragraph, it dawned on me like a ton of bricks or mixed similes, metaphors, whatever, that my greatest strength and power is in the pen or rather . . . keyboard! My New Year’s resolution for 2010: Be an @djunct-Warrior for the TRUTH! Or, at the very least, the alleged TRUTH! And I hope it will be your resolution too. If you encounter injustice, lies and inequity at your job, and what adjunct doesn’t, I hope you will speak out, write a blog, hold a rally, let the TRUTH reign! In fact, even if you’re not an adjunct, I would hope in the coming year ALL OF US will be advocates for the TRUTH!

    So right here and now, I am calling on all the grossly overpaid administrators and tenured professors everywhere to take a TRUTHFUL look at themselves, especially their salaries. I am pleading for these colleagues to stop turning a blind eye to their adjunct brethren and sisteren. (You’re right. Sisteren is not a word, but work with me here.) Adjuncts teach 80% of the classes at my school, Goose-EGG University, and receive a sub-poverty pittance for the pleasure. Again, if the Admins and Tenureds were TRUTHFUL, they would have to admit their high wages are only possible because of adjunct teachers, who are forced (by their own choice) to live impoverished lives!

    As Gandhi, or maybe Alicia Keys, said, “Be the change you want to see.” Sure, I’m going to be an @djunct-Warrior for the TRUTH by writing this blog, but I want to be TRUTHFUL in every way possible in 2010, to fully embody what I want to see happening at our university and in the world at large. I thought of all the ways I am untruthful or have been untruthful in the past. I decided I’d try my best to right the wrongs of those untruthfulnesses (not a word, but again, cut me some slack). For instance, 2 years ago, James, another adjunct and I shared a tiny office. We had arranged our desks in such a way that we could both look out the even tinier window. One day I got to the office and saw that James had shoved my desk to the side, while he’d moved his desk to hog up the entire tiny window. When I complained, James said, “Well, you’re hardly ever here. You don’t even come to your own office hours.” All of that was true. I hated being in that office because it was so freakin’ small. But it was the principle of the thing! So I wrote an anonymous letter to our Department Head about how James didn’t have his MA, had in fact flunked out as an undergrad, had forged his transcripts and other papers to get his job as an adjunct and really shouldn’t be teaching even though it was the one thing in life he truly loved (all of which he had drunkenly confessed to me at that year’s Christmas Party). I knew it was wrong, but I wrote the letter anyway. I felt really sorry that James lost his job. And what’s worse, I lied to James when he asked if I knew who had told our Department Head. So this year, I decided to clear my conscience. I’d go and confess to James in person, apologize, tell him about the letter and how it really wasn’t worth it because the very next semester we all got moved from the 3rd floor offices to the basement, which has no windows at all. (Technical Note: I am trying to keep this blog cutting edge by embedding videos, so I got my friend, Derek, who teaches math and has a video function on his cell phone to film my apology to James.) As you can see, (IN THE VIDEO STILLS ABOVE ‘CAUSE THE POLICE WON’T LET US POST THE VIDEO YET ON YOUTUBE), James didn’t exactly appreciate my apology. James has, I assure you, a surprisingly powerful right hook. I was only unconscious for 10 maybe 20 minutes, but Derek called the police. The Upshot: James said he’ll forgive me for screwing up his life if I don’t press charges for assault. So there you have it, the TRUTH wins out in the end!

    PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!!!

    (Posted January 8, 2010, 12:48 PM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)
    Comments:

    Posted January 12, 2010, 8:29 PM:

    I NEVER said I’d forgive you. The TRUTH is I’ll never forgive you, you stupid lying worm.—James, jamesc345768@hoootmail.net.org.info.com

    Posted January 12, 2010, 8:32 PM:

    P. S. Please visit my new website: BoycottSuper-AdjunctThatHUGELoser!!!.com

    —James, jamesc345768@hoootmail.net.org.info.com

  • 15 Dec 2009 /  pay


    Watch out Goose-EGG University (i.e., Overpaid Administrators)! The APEs—Adjuncts for Pay Equity—are coming for our backpay!!! The above is a photo from our first APEs meeting taken by Cheryl Cromwatters.

    “I want my two dollars!” the paperboy demanded in the film, Better Off Dead. Well, I want my money too! And it’s a lot more than two dollars!!! I used to think getting a fair paycheck for my work as an adjunct was an impossible dream. Not anymore!!!

    News Flash: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 29, 2009! Sure, that was months and months and months ago. But I just heard about it a few weeks back, and that’s all I’ve been thinking about. I’ve read over the actual words, the law, and it’s, well . . . the truth is I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. But my friend, Z, the new anarchist adjunct-guy, who teaches history, said it means “adjuncts everywhere can file independent or class action lawsuits against their universities for FAIR PAY and damages.” Z’s not a lawyer, mind you, but he once met Nina Totenberg, the NPR correspondent for Supreme Court cases.

    The Skinny: If you (an adjunct) can prove you do the same work as your counterparts (tenured faculty), but are not compensated the same as these counterparts (again, tenured faculty), you have the legal right to sue for backpay and damages, according to Z. “The hitch,” Z said, “is lawyers are expensive. Lawsuits can last a longtime. And adjuncts, we, the people, need to keep making a living. There’s no way it’ll work. If you . . . .” I tuned Z out at this point. He’s a good source of information, but kindofa Gloomy Gus. Sure, lawyers can be expensive. But 70 to 80 percent of all the classes taught at Goose-EGG U are taught by contingent faculty. All I’d have to do is round up the troops, get a few donations, and voila—lawyer, lawsuit, backpay!

    The Real Hitch: When I asked my fellow-adjuncts, “Want to get backpay for all your previous work as an adjunct,” everyone responded positively. But when it came to actually donating money or time to the cause, it’s been, well, a little slow. Some said the timing for a lawsuit was off due to the economic downturn, how Goose-EGG U is struggling to simply stay afloat. Others didn’t like the name, “Adjuncts for Pay Equity” or “APEs.” Dorey Simms said it sounded like “wild beasts, or wanting guerilla warfare.” I told her it was an easy to remember acronym. She said, “You’re an idiot.” Despite the jeering, I persevered. I even found a lawyer, who teaches a Poli-Sci class here at Goose-EGG U, but when I emailed him, asking him if he’d represent us pro bono, he wrote back, “LOL! Wow, that’s great. I’m fwding your joke-email 2 a few buddies. Thanks!”

    Class Action War Now: Even with all the naysayers, balkers and Z-ish clouds of doom, 45 or so adjuncts said they’d “for sure, absolutely show up” for our first meeting. And 3 of them actually did (not including myself)!!! (SEE ABOVE PHOTO.) Three! That’s a start!!! The 3 included Z, which was a surprise. But I think he was really just there for the donuts. True to form, Z said, “I told you so,” when someone suggested we call ourselves the “Anonymous Adjuncts for Pay Equity.” He said, “I told you so,” again when no one wanted their picture taken or have their name mentioned in this blog, or anywhere else. I think he was about to say it one more time when no one would pony up any money for the cause, but his mouth was full. In spite of all the obstacles, WE ARE NOT GIVING UP!!! If you, dear blog-reader, are interested in joining or helping in any way our campaign to sue Goose-EGG University, please send me an email care of: superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Thank You! The Sue is on!

    (Posted September 27, 2009, 2009, 1:23 PM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted September 29, 2009, 6:17 AM:

    In spite of my requests that Super-Adjunct not mention or refer to me in his blog, I see he has anyway. (Poor form, my friend.) I need then to announce publicly, I do not support Super-Adjunct and The Adjuncts for Pay Equity’s ill-conceived and pathetic plans to sue Goose-EGG University. I attended the meeting and gave Super-Adjunct information about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as a disinterested third party. If there’s another “APE” meeting, I will surely not attend. (If there is, however, grub leftover, please wrap it up and leave it in the adjunct faculty fridge with my name on it.) Thanks.—Zeke “Z” Stevensoninksi, zekestevensoninksi@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted September 29, 2009, 3:33 PM:

    TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, BUT ESPECIALLY THE DEAN OF ARTS AND SCIENCE: CHERYL CROMWATTERS WAS IN NO WAY A PART OF THE ADJUNCTS FOR PAY EQUITY MEETING. SHE HAPPENED TO BE WALKING BY THE EMPTY CLASSROOM WHEN I SAID, “CHERYL, HEY! TAKE A PICTURE OF US WITH YOUR CELL PHONE!” SHE SAID SHE WAS IN A RUSH, BUT TOOK THE PHOTO, WONDERING ALOUD WHY EVERYONE WAS SO CAMERA-SHY. SHE TOLD ME SHE’D EMAIL ME THE PHOTO AND TOOK OFF. NOT UNTIL MUCH LATER DID I TELL HER IT WAS A MEETING ABOUT SUING THE UNIVERSITY. SHE WAS, SHE SAID, “APPALLED.” SHE SAID BOTH I AND THE ACRONYM WERE IDIOTIC. SHE FORBADE ME TO USE THE PICTURE SHE’D SENT VIA EMAIL, BUT I DID ANYWAY BECAUSE I’M, TO USE HER WORDS, “A DOUBLE-CROSSING LOUSE-SNAKE!” (I TOLD HER LATER THERE ARE NO SUCH REPTILES OR INSECTS, BUT SHE SAID, “JUST LOOK IN THE MIRROR, BUSTER!”) I HOPE THIS POST MAKES UP FOR ANY DAMAGES, AND SHE’S STILL UP FOR TAKING ME TO LUNCH ON FRIDAY!—Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

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  • 21 Oct 2009 /  adjunct recognition, teaching

    Hello! Super-Adjunct here. I’ve recovered (mostly) from my rodeo clown accident. I can even type a little using both hands now, but I am swamped big time. I took on 43 online classes for this semester and 2 regular ones. So for this month’s blog, I’ve invited Dale Monroe, a student here at Goose-EGG University to be my guest-blogger. Take it away, Dale!

    TOP 10 REASONS WHY I *a REAL Student* PREFER MY ADJUNCT PROFS 2 MY TENURED ONES

    by Dale Monroe

    (Student + Guest-Blogger, Filling in 4 Super-Adjunct)

     

     


    Chillin’ w/ Some Stone-Cold Ones: Me, My Buds + Our Super-Cool, Super-Rad Teacher, Prof. SUPER-Adjunct!

    Friends, Romans + Comrades! Lend me yur ears! The blog hath beguneth—or whatevs. The topic forsooth—The Top 10 Reasons Y My Adjunct Profs R Way More Cool Than My Tenured Profs—commenceth:

    10: Adjunct-Profs R More Chill

    1st my prof, Super-Adjunct, let me take an Incomplete last spring. Then he’s letting me make up 4 or 5 assignments, 1 major research paper and 2 major tests by writing this 1 little blog. If that’s not CHA-ill *capital C* I don’t know wat is. My Tenured Profs (hereafter 2 b referred 2 as TPs : ) ) would never go 4 that. I know cuz I begged all of them last spring. A guy’s dog dies + his girlfriend starts goin out w/his now EX-bestfriend AND his car’s tranny falls out on Hwy 412 AND he has no way 2 get 2 work, not 2 mention class, but walk miles and miles and miles AND that’s freakin’ exhausting AND no one cares esp. that guy’s TPs—whose salaries I should mention I pay 4 via my tuition vis-à-vis my dad’s Visa Card! Again, NADA de los TPs would even consider giving me an “I”. But my 2 Adjunct Profs (which I’ll abbreviate 2 APs *as in they all deserve As*) said, “Sure, Dale. No problem.” Now *That’s*, again, Hugely CHILL!

    9: APs Like 2 Party

    Last spring when I realized I wasn’t keeping up w/my classes + even b4 the *Nightmare* began, I—I’ll admit, as a sorta suckup—invited all my profs over 4 a bbq/potluck that my now EX-bestfriend, Brian, + I were having. I made sure 2 note the main event wasn’t beer, but food. But did any of my TPs show? Nada. Did any of my APs show? Well, only 1 (see photo above). Prof. Super-Adjunct wuz happy 2 be there as his *old bag* (Shirl or Cheryl I think), had had a freak out session earlier that night, + Super-A was countin’ on eatin’ w/her + was really starvin’. Super-A ended up stayin that night on our couch b/c of the cold snap + him bein’ in the haus o’ dog w/his girl. Super-A, turns out, usually sleeps in his truck cuz APs don’t get paid enuf 2 have real homes, which relates to my next pt./reason.

    8: APs Have More Connections 2 My Life

    Like most stus I know, APs r poor. In fact, poorer. Sleepin’ in yur truck w/only 1 change of clothes, that’s sick-poor. (ATTN PROF-BOSSES: APs DESERVE MORE $$$$$!!!!) Beyond the poverty-thing, I can relate 2 a lot more of the APs b/c some r close 2 my age, being grad stus who teach. Like this guy, Bruce, a grad stu who taught my freshman Eng 101 class. I learned a lot about the whole AP plight (i.e., the poverty-thing) from Bruce. But I related 2 Bruce in other ways 2, like how he made these little jokes + sometimes went off on tangents about his partying days, which he once tried to connect to these trippy stories by Raymond Carver (which, I’m sorry, still made *ZERO* sense). Anyways, 1 day Bruce snapped at this stoner-girl cuz she wuz listening to her ipod during class. Bruce dropped the f-bomb on her not once but 3 TIMES! We were all like stunned 2 silence. Then Bruce said he wuz tense that day as he’d *also* forgotten *his* “pre-class bong hit,” which killed the tension + bagged us all up proper, except for the stoner-girl, who was cryin these mad tears. My pt is APs r like *REAL* people, who rn’t so old they can’t remember what itz like 2 b a mixed-up, smokin’-tokin’, alcohol-crazed undergrad. Which is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the Ivory-Soap-Box-Tower TPs, who could care less if a guy’s dog died, his gfriend dumped him, etcet, which leads me 2 my next pt.

    7: APs R There + Care—So There! (*Poet Alert* : ) )

    TPs r all about office hours + scheduled appts, due dates, etcet. U can’t get an extension 2 save yur life, let alone yur GPA. But APs, they’ve got unscheduled time 2 burn b/c *puts on Sherlock Holmes hat* I’ve deducted they don’t have other things pulling at them—i.e., *real* lives, i.e., families, commitments, etcet. Y iz that? Itz like Elementary School, Watson. APs can’t afford 2 have real lives! So they can be there 4 u. (This could b a reason not 2 give APs more $, but that’s not my pt. Pt.: APs Rock!!)

    6: APs R More HOT

    Carly was this grad stu chik, who taught Math 116. And HOT as a Habañero from Hades. OMG! Anyways, Brian, my now EX-bestfriend, found out Carly was from the same NYC hood as him + got Carly going, swapping stories about the homeland. Carly might’ve let the whole class slide by w/tangents, but this one nerdy girl, who thought she’d been kidnapped from Harvard, started complainin’. “Ms. Parkins, we really do need 2 get back 2 trig.” Carly, u could tell, liked Brian after that. + that weasel—Brian not Carly—went ahead w/out tellin’ me, his oncebestbud, he’d hooked up w/Carly until he’d not been 2 class 4 ages + wuz like “I’ll still get an A cuz . . .” Cuz, Brian said, meant he’d blackmailed Carly while the rest of us worked our butts off 2 get Cs + Bs. Last June at the Sherwood-Forest kegger I told Brian he wuz a Sexploitator. Stupid drunk, he sez, “I’m not any kind of potater.” I hauled off + slugged him in the face + he ran off all upset, jumped in2 his *prized* AMC Jeep (which 4 the record iz *a piece of crap*) + sped off + got a DUI, which he blamed on me—as if I put the keys in his hand + turned the ignition. What an IDIOT!!!! A few months later, Brian tells me *he never hooked up w/Carly*. Sez he invented the whole story b/c he wuz embarrassed. Sez he failed the midterm + had begged Carly 2 give him a break, but she wouldn’t “on principle.” He said he’d lied b/c she did seem 2 like him, + saying he hooked up w/her would make me drool w/jealousy. Which it did b/c Carly’s H-H-HOT! I forgave him, which wuz really stupid considering how he really did hook up w/Stace later on. But I’ve started 2 digress. PT: there’s not 1 TP who I’d even have a *thought* about, let alone consider macking w/, but Carly OMG!!!! Again: APs R More Hot!

    5 : TPs Rn’t Afraid of Being Fired

    Throwin’ down $ & showin up 2 class a few times should b at least worth a C. But TPs will fail u in a heartbeat b/c they’re not afraid of losing their jobs. I’ve pulled the I’m-going-2-file-a-complaint-w/-the-Dean-2-get-u-fired Trump Card on a mess o’ my TPs + not 1 blinked. But then I tried the old Trump C on Prof. Balloon-Nose, an AP who didn’t like my writing style. But History’s *BORING*. I thought B-Nose might enjoy a lil sci-fi, untold stories of aliens storming the beaches of Berlin or wherever. Anyways, I gave B-Nose the Trump, + he deflated like a Macy’s Day blimp the day after Thanksgiving! Note: Not all APs will cave. I know this 4 a fact. But my success w/B-Nose iz proof some APs R afraid of losing their jobs—which *Bizarre But True* they only get 2 keep 4 a semester or so, then they have 2 reapply. Pt: APs will *sometimes* treat u right cuz they live in fear!

    Reasons 4 thru 1: Did I Mention APs R More Chill?!

    I’m kinda runnin’ out of steam here. But FACT: APs R more chill. The AP who taught my ENG 102, would sit + work w/this 1 kid after class—4 hrs! I’d seen this kid’s papers at peer edits + they SUCKED! Can you say, illiterate? But our AP would sit w/him after class + go over his “essays” sentence by sentence. (I know cuz I had 2 go back + get a book 1 time + saw them + then there wuz another time I had 2 ask a question.) I asked my prof later why she’d take all this extra time 2 help this guy who couldn’t write a grocery list let alone an essay, + this AP sez, “Dale, he wants 2 learn. He’s trying.” I pointed out that she was an AP + not making any $, etcet. + she said, “$’s not the point, Dale. I love 2 teach. *That’s* why I’m here.”

    I can’t really figure that out. I’m goin’ in2 corporate law. But whatevs. Here’s 2 all the awesome (if insane), heroic teachin’ cuz they love 2 APs—esp. my All-Time Fave, SUPER-ADJUNCT!!!

    Posted August 28, 2009, 10:11 AM, by Dale Monroe, dale56745@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted August 29, 2009, 8:27 PM:

    Super-Adjunct, Dude! I got yur emails + calls. Didn’t know how 2 get back 2 u as ur livin’ like Little Truck On the Prairie or whatevs. I totally get yur concern. I probably should’ve got the ok from u b4 posting that pic + the comment about Cheryl. I’ve been tryin hard 2 get the pic off + change the content, but like u yurslf mentioned this blog program u use iz way tricky. So no luck yet. I’m gonna get this prohacker pal o mine 2 take a look. But in the meantime, I’ll paste in the disclaimer u wanted.

    *THE ABOVE BLOG IZ 4 ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!!!*

    So will this still make up my Incomplete? And wat grade r u giving me?

    —Dale Monroe, dale56745@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)  

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  • 21 Sep 2009 /  jobhunting

     

    When I got the email saying, “The hiring committee has, unfortunately, decided to not grant you an interview for the full-time 1 year adjunct position,” I about died. This has to be a mistake! How dare they? I’d work the first month for free! I am bumming big time! And then it occurred to me I was racing through the Kübler-Ross 5 stages of grief in about a minute flat. But I skipped the fifth stage of acceptance and went straight to a sixth stage I like to call “REVENGE!” or “Turning the Tables on those Weasels Who Wouldn’t Give Me an Interview.”

    Here then are 3 interviews, which I conducted using the video function of my girlfriend, Cheryl Cromwatters’ cell phone. Above you will find a montage of stills of the 3 interviewees. (I’d present the actual videos, but I am not that tech savvy.)

    Interview with Weasel #1:

    Edgar T. Branson, Ph.D. is the senior faculty member of the hiring committee. He’s been at our department since 1985. (A living fossil!) I caught up with Dr. Branson at the end of his driveway, early one Sunday morning about 2 weeks ago.

    Super-Adjunct (holding cell phone up and then towards Dr. Branson like a cross at a vampire): How come Super-Adjunct didn’t get an interview for the full-time 1 year adjunct position?

    Dr. Branson (squinting up, one hand reaching down to pick up his copy of The New York Times): What?

    Super-Adjunct: You heard me. How come you and the other jerks on the hiring committee didn’t give Super-Adjunct an interview?

    ­

    Dr. Branson (standing up and his glasses now on): Aren’t you Super-Adjunct?

    Super-Adjunct: I’m not Peter Pan, you old coot! Now answer my. . . .

    [At this point the interview got cut off because Cheryl’s phone doesn’t have a whole lot of memory. Dr. Branson’s wife ran out, and I think it was she who called the police. Before I was asked to “move along” or face criminal charges, the ancient lizard-like Dr. Branson admitted he’d heard I had a blog with inflammatory and possibly slanderous comments on it. And that was the primary reason, they’d taken me off the short-list. When I pressed him about who told the hiring committee about my blog, he said, “It was you! You sent us all emails with a link.” I said, “Oh yeah. That’s right.”]

    Interview with Weasel #2:

    Kimberly Jones, Ph.D. has been a tenure-track professor at our department for almost six years. I happened to accidentally-on-purpose run into Dr. Jones in the produce section at the local grocery store.

    Super-Adjunct: Why do you hate the Constitution of the United States of America!?

    Dr. Jones (after yelping then dropping several eggplants onto the floor): Geeeez . . . You scared me!

    Super-Adjunct: How ‘bout it, Dr. Jones? You hate freedom of speech, don’t you? Don’t you?

    Dr. Jones: What on earth are you talking about?

    Super-Adjunct (jumping up and onto a bin of organic bananas): I’m talking about how you don’t like me talking, or rather blogging, freely?

    Dr. Jones: What?

    Super-Adjunct: It’s either, ‘Give up the blog, Super-Adjunct, or we won’t give you an interview for the full-time 1 year adjunct position.’ Well, I’ve got news for you, sister!!! I’M NOT GIVING UP MY BLOG!!!

    Produce Guy: Hey! Get down from there!

    Super-Adjunct (chanting): Oh, say, can you see? In my blog, I am FREE! Oh, say can you see? In my blog, I am FREE! Oh, say, can see?. . . .

    Random Scruffy Guys (joining in): In my blog, I am FREE! Oh, say can you see? In my blog, I am. . . .

    Produce Guy: (grabbing and shaking my leg): Hey! You get down from there! NOW!

    [Here the camera-phone konked out again. The store manager soon arrived as a good part of the store started the chant and Dr. Jones, defeated, slunk away! I got out of there too when I heard the store manager dialing up the cops. What is up with everyone calling the police?]

    Interview with Weasel #3:

    Michael P. Cray, Ph.D. is a full professor, who is hard to track down. But I tracked him down alright—when he made the mistake of going into one of the stalls of the men’s faculty restroom.

    Super-Adjunct: Why don’t you believe in Super-Adjunct’s right to freedom of speech? [after asking this question 3 times, Dr. Cray finally responded to] Dr. Cray, I’m talking to you!

    Dr. Cray (laughing from inside the stall & mistaking me/Super-Adjunct for someone else): Larry,is that you?I thought you were talking on a cell phone. [Laughs.] But wow, that is bizarre what happened to Kim at the Food-Way. That Super-Adjunct guy is certifiable! [Laughs.]

    Super-Adjunct: So how come you won’t give Super-Adjunct an interview for the full-time 1 year teaching position?

    Dr. Cray (laughing some more): Because there were a lot more qualified candidates. Duh! [More laughter.]

    Super-Adjunct: Oh. [Long pause.] It isn’t because he writes the truth in his blog?

    Dr. Cray (laughing louder than ever): Yeah, right, Larry! That’s good! . . . But that blog of his, it’s an embarrassment, isn’t it? Poorly written and filled with. . . . [The sound of flushing makes the rest of Dr. Cray’s words indecipherable and then the camera-phone goes dead. Dr. Cray seemed pretty shaken up though when he came out of the stall and saw, me, Super-Adjunct, the Last Bastion for Truth and Free Speech, standing there holding a phone-video camera up to his face!]

    Posted September 21, 2009, 9:16 AM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

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  • 21 Aug 2009 /  Uncategorized


    the above is a cartoon i got off the web. i know i am violating copyright laws since this is not an educational webpage, but a ‘for entertainment only’ blog. but cartoonists don’t mind, especially stinking rich guys like this matthew henry hall. plus, i imagine he’d love the exposure. check him out at www.matthewhenryhall.com

    hey everybody, please forgive thhe lowercase and misspells. i am ritimg this with only one finger and thumb, which weren’t broken—unlike my other fingers and thumb along with both of my arms and one of my legs, my jaw, nose and several ribs—when i made a miscalculation in regards to my summer part-time job as a rodeo clown. i mean i miscalculated that the bull would go right when it and i went left and i tripped and was nearly trampled to deaTH IN FRONT OF—freaking all caps buutton—a capacity crowd of rodeo fans. I coukd not tell if the boos were for the fact the bull nearly killed me or that he wasn’t allowed to finish the job.i need to get this typed befopre the painkiller kicks in again. then i will need to grade some student work until i’m unconscious, which leads me to today’s topic—online teaching.

    after my accident, and because i didn’t get an interview for the full-time 1 year adjunct position, i started to panic. i haven’t saved a whole bunch—if you’re an adfjunct you’llknow whsat i meaN. an adjunct’s got needs like everyone else–food and gas and the occasional banana-bonanza split from brice’s ice cream palace. the point is i scored a bunch of online classes to teach in order to bring in some needed income while i recuperated. now some may say teaching 36 online courses at one time is sheer madness, but if you use my ‘3 indispencible tips to surviving online teaching,’ you’ll not only survive, you’ll thrive.

    super-adjunct’s 3 indispencible tips to surviving online teaching;

    tip 1—USE ALLCAPS WHEN WRITING TO ANY STUDENT. I DISCOVERED THIS QUITE BY ACCIDENT. BUT THEY SEEM TO NOT WRITE ME AS MUCH WHEN I USE ALLCAPS.

    tip 2—keep your responces to student emails brief. here’s some examples;

    N O.

    —the above works well if a student wants to turn in work late, retake a test, asks for a recommendation or pretty much anything.

    RIGHT ON.

    —i use the above to answer rambling emails i don’t understand or don’t have the time to read. it has the added benefit of making me sound both hip and understanding.

    SORRY.

    —this last one should only be used if the student is complaining in a heightened way. by complaining in a heightened way, i mean they’ve contacted your supervisor, dept head, what have you and words like ‘incompetent,’ ‘irresponsible’ and/or ‘unprofessional’ are being used to describe your noble efforts as an underpaid educator. use VERY SORRY if an ‘early’ or ‘emergency’ termination of your contract is being discussed.

    tip 3—‘don’t think twice. it’s all right.’ bob dylan was right. whatever you do, DON’T OVERTHINK anything. in fact, if i were to rewrite dylan’s famous line, i’d say ‘don’t think AT ALL. it’s all right.’

    hope that helps some. please note i am not responsible if you take my advice and it doesn’t work out. SORRY. this blog is for entertainment purposes ONLY.

    Posted August 13, 2009, 11:23 AM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted August 29, 2009, 8:27 PM:

    Dear Sir or Madam:

    My name is Matthew Henry Hall, and it has come to my attention that you are knowingly using my cartoon in violation of applicable copyright laws. Beyond that fact that, I often grant permission for these purposes (sometimes for free, sometimes for a nominal fee, sometimes for much more, depending on the specific circumstance), I need to make the point that I am in no way one of the “stinking rich guys” you mention. I used to be an adjunct teacher like yourself, and now I do make a tiny bit more money as a cartoonist than I did when teaching. But believe me it is still often a struggle to make ends meet. And when someone like yourself knowingly takes and uses my work without first asking my permission, I feel, as many adjuncts often feel in terms of their time and efforts, robbed. At the very least, I would like some sort of public acknowledgment and apology on your part. And if you can’t do that, please take my cartoon off your blog. Thank you in advance for your quick attention to this matter.

    Yours,

    Matthew Henry Hall (stumpystars@matthewhenryhall.com)

    Posted August 30, 2009, 11:56 AM:

    RIGHT ON.

    Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted August 30, 2009, 2:14 PM:

    Right on? Is that all you have to say? Really?

    Matthew Henry Hall (stumpystars@matthewhenryhall.com)

    Posted April 31, 2009, 5:38 AM:

    N O.

    Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted April 31, 2009, 10:33 AM:

    Dear Super-Adjunct,

    My client, Matthew Henry Hall, requested I write to you on his behalf and urge you to “CEASE AND DESIST” in regards to the posting of his cartoon, “Teaching Online.” You are in violation of current copyright law, which may result in a heavy fine and up to five years in prison. If within forty-eight hours, you’ve not complied with the above, I will be filing formal charges against you.

    Sincerely,

    D. R. Black, Attorney at Law, Black, Black & Sloan, drblack@bbslaw23.org

    Posted August 1, 2009, 3:17 PM:

    VERY SORRY.

    Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

  • 21 Jul 2009 /  advice, holidays

     

    Me, hard at work at my summer job as a rodeo clown. (Photo: Cheryl Cromwatters)

     

    Hey Part-timer! Did the classes you were counting on to pay the bills this summer fall through? Are you terrified now over what you’ll do after your last piddly paycheck from spring semester arrives (and is quickly, if not instantly, spent)? Are you like bujillions of adjuncts everywhere this summer—unemployed but with no recourse to unemployment? Don’t fret! Here’s my three step Survival Guide for Summer’s Jobless Adjuncts:

    Step One: Don’t Panic! Ask yourself this one important question: “Do I own a tent?” Before I got my rockin’ summer job as a rodeo clown (See Photo Above) I used to take advantage of the summer weather and fourteen day free camping in our public forests. Live in a city? Move. Pronto! What were you thinking? You can’t make it in a city on an adjunct’s wages! Hello! It’s earth calling.

    Step Two: Be Creative! “Make believe is healthy,” writes one physician, whose name I wish I could remember. “It can reduce something that increases something which changes the rate of a chemical or something that makes you more healthy or something.” The point: when being interviewed for jobs, which highly specialized training and experience might be necessary, be creative! That’s how I got my summer job milking cows at Cheryl’s father’s farm. I lied! Straight up! I should’ve probably asked a few more questions about the milking machine, but hey that one cow, Bessie, Bossie, whatever, she lived. The same is true when filling out applications for summer jobs for which a GED might be an over-qualification, be creative! Sure! It would be a thrill and an honor to stay on as your dishwasher after the three month probation period.

    Step Three: Be Adventurous! I’m not saying go out and become a hooker, but why not try something you’ve little to no experience doing (See “Step Two”). As a famous American general, George Washington or Winston Churchill, said, “Be brave, little soldier.” For instance, I took a chance and got my summer job as a rodeo clown. Sure, it’s dangerous, and I’ve had numerous near-death experiences (See Photo Above), but it’s steady work, during what can be a money-scarce summer.

    Step Four: Extra Credit! Create a blog like this one, which shows your commitment to the scholarly process—with footnotes! SUCH A BLOG SHOULD COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY IMPRESS THE MEMBERS OF THE HIRING COMMITTEE FOR A ONE-YEAR, FULL-TIME ADJUNCT CONTRACT JOB LIKE THE ONE I’M APPLYING FOR WITH MY DEPARTMENT HERE AT GOOSE-EGG UNIVERSITY! (I’M YOUR MAN!!! NOT DARLY, DEE OR THAT FREAKAZOID WOMAN FROM KANSAS!!! BE A WINNER! HIRE SUPER-ADJUNCT!!!!!)

    Posted May 27, 2009, 8:22 AM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted May 28, 2009, 11:11 AM:

    It’s D-A-R-Y-L, you cretin. And a blog scholarly? You and your footnotes make me laugh. In fact, I think it’s time you made the leap from part-time rodeo clown to full-time clown. You’re really cut out for that. I mean it. Besides I imagine you’ll need a job come next fall. –The COMPETITION

    Posted May 28, 2009, 6:16 PM:

    Darly. I know that’s you. It has to be. But how did you leave a comment without an email address? Maybe you’ve got a few smarts after all, but I doubt it. Good luck with your application to Wal-Mart. And Cheryl. I didn’t lie about milking cows. I did a little of that once like how I used to work as an auto mechanic. I’m just a little rusty on repairing brakes. I’m really sorry you car went through the wall of your garage. I can fix that. (For a small fee! : ) ) (Kidding. I’ll do it gratis* ‘cause you’re worth it, baby!) As you and everyone who reads this thing should note, This Blog Is For Entertainment Purposes Only! To see it any other way is . . . well, “unscholarly.” Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    *gratis—an ancient Italian word meaning, “love.”

    Darly, adjunct, a competitor for the 1 year full-time adjunct contract, my department, Goose-EGG University. (Personal Communication, yesterday). Darly said “bujillions” is not a specific number and that by choosing to use that word, I am being “unscholarly and idiotic.” Well, Darly, now that I’ve used your stupid comment in a footnote in my blog, I guess it’s crystal clear how “unscholarly and idiotic” I am.

    “Tim” (See I changed your name!), Office 211, McKonk Bldg, Goose-EGG University (Personal Communication, A few minutes ago). “Tim” said an adjunct can file for unemployment. “But if you do, GEU’s evil minions will never rehire you.”

    Physician on General Hospital. (Last Season Maybe). He was on some episodes Cheryl taped and forced me to watch. Even my pillow was yawning.

    See Footnote #4.

    Anywhere, USA. This is called the “Collective Consciousness Knowledge Thing,” which Allen Ginsberg, I think, invented.

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  • 04 May 2009 /  advice, teaching

    It’s crunch time again! The end of the semester has arrived in all its stressed-out glory—the piles of ungraded student work; the looming deadline to get in your final grades; MIA students, who show up whimpering, “If I don’t pass this class, I can’t graduate. My grandma’s coming out from Des Moines to see me walk. She’s 97! You gotta help me!”; and students who bring typed up complaints to staple to their teacher evaluations.

    For all the sorrows, however, the end of the school year can also bring much joy. Not to gloat, but I’m a finalist for the 1 year full-time adjunct contract teaching position in my department here at Goose-EGG University. (My deepest consolations go out to all the losers other candidates who really didn’t have what it takes didn’t make the final round.)

    Also on a personal note for my loyal readers (thanks btw for helping me get almost 14 views last month), Cheryl, my sweetie-britches, is talking with me again. Mostly it’s about a restraining order. But progress is progress! 

    “That’s great for you,” you might say. “But how can I keep myself from going bonkers as I slog to the academic year’s finishing line?”

    I’ve been there. Heck, I’m there! Here’s a few of my secrets for surviving the final days of spring semester.

    Putting the Mend Back Into the End:

    1) The Stack of Ungraded Student Work:

    “I’ve got a pile of 136 research papers to grade,” you say. “Each averages 25 pages in length. I don’t have the time to do a good job.” Please . . . are you one of those fuddy-duddies who insists on reading every word of every student’s final term paper? Come join the 21st century! If you like the title, then give it an A and keeping moving. (Everything else gets a B. If the student obviously plagiarized, a C is justified.)

    Integrity Alert: When I tell other adjuncts about my grading system, some start blathering about integrity and how a teacher is a gatekeeper, insuring each student gets the grade she or he deserves. I agree we’re gatekeepers. Underpaid Adjunct Gatekeepers! Here’s how it works: The college takes the student’s money, you take the student’s (often illiterate, sub-par work, ie, “academic” toll), and you, the poorly paid toll-taker, give them the green light to go across the bridge. There’s a whole line of students coming after them, and the college wants to take their money. You don’t have time to dilly-dally about ethics.

    2) Student Evaluations:

    Some of my adjunct colleagues get very apprehensive when it comes to student evaluations. But I ask them, “Why are you worried about a herd of slobbering dunderheads in some intro level class slamming you?” “Because,” they say, “I want to get a full-time teaching job, maybe a tenure track job some day, and those evaluations can come back to haunt you.” First off, if you’re that afraid, you need to implement my grading advice. (See Above.) If everyone’s getting an A, who’ll complain? Occasionally, I’ll get some overachiever, who’ll write about how my class wasn’t challenging enough, but then Cheryl screens the evaluations for me at the department office and takes out any clinkers.

    If you’re not dating the department secretary, make “the honest mistake” that you thought you were supposed to deliver the evaluations to the office this year. Take your time going through them and weed out the bad apples. (This is also helpful to see who deserves a bad final grade.)

    3) Rip Van Winkles and Other Weirdo Stu’s!

    Over the years, I’ve had my share of students from outer space—the kid who smeared peanut brittle in his hair and attracted a swarm of bees when I tried to have class outside, the woman who said she was my father in another life and wanted to be my lover in this one, this other woman who bred roaches and gave me one of her “babies” as a pet (See Photo Above) and on and on and on. But every year, no matter what, I get a Rip Van Winkle. Suddenly, with a week or two left, this student will wake up from under whatever rock she or he’s been snoozing and realizes, Gosh, I’m enrolled in a college class taught by Super-Adjunct. Maybe I should go and see if I’ve missed anything. This student is often shocked to learn that after not completing any of the assignments, he or she is flunking. I don’t like to give incompletes as Rip will then be a permanent burr in my butt for years to come. So what do I do? I give them the most compassionate look I can muster and say, “I’m really sorry. But for your own good, I’m failing you.”

    Just kidding. I usually give them a bunch of extra busy work, and if they do it half-well, I’ll give them a C-.

    (Posted, April 22, 2009, 10:36 PM, by Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted April 23, 2009, 10:27 AM:

    Cheryl, got your message. I guess I wasn’t being “discreet” (“again”) in my blog. Whoops! Forgive me? —Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted April 24, 2009, 6:25 AM:

    Dear Super-Adjunct, I thought the hiring committee would be interested in your trade secrets, so I emailed the link to this blog to each and every member. Signed, “One of the Losers”—paul1367@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted April 24, 2009, 1:47 PM:

    Professor Super-Adjunct! You are a slimy, crack-toad jerk! I want Tessie C. back! And her house! (Thanks Paul for emailing me the link to this blog! You deserve a medal!) —sallyt956@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted April 25, 2009, 10:21 AM:

    To Whom It May Concern: This Blog Is For Entertainment Purposes Only! (And to Sally: If I ever see Tessie C. again, I’ll give her to Paul, who deserves something better than a medal.) —Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net 

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  • 02 Apr 2009 /  adjunct recognition

    A photo of me and a couple of my sourpuss colleagues (I’m not
    mentioning any names) at last year’s Adjunct Awards Luncheon.

    Last week in the hallway near our department office, I was shocked to overhear a couple of instructors complaining about our university’s treatment of adjuncts: Unfair this, and Inequity that. These two I should note are full-time adjuncts, who both have one year contracts! Each has her own private office—well, I guess the one shares hers with those two grad students from Taiwan—but still, you get the point! Spoiled R-O-T-T-E-N! So what if their contracts are about to end? They’ve got it good, and don’t have a clue!

    Goose-EGG University gives back to its adjuncts in a multitude of ways. Well, I guess only three ways. But three is better than nothing!

    1) They Pay Us!

    You might say it’s their legal obligation to pay us. And if you’re like those two dead wood ingrates I overheard, you’ll whine that compared to tenure track faculty, we adjuncts get compensated for only a fraction of the work we do, but what, may I ask, is a university’s primary function? To Teach! And who teaches 80% of the classes here at Goose-EGG U? The Adjuncts! What am I getting at? I’m not sure. But the check I get from Goose-EGG U is for real US backed currency, which was once backed by gold, which is now backed by . . . blind faith. And gosh darn it that should count for something!

    2) Bennies Gah-lore!

    It got harder to eavesdrop because the two ingrate whiners had gone into the women’s bathroom, and I had to stand out in the hallway by the door and pretend to be tying my shoe—which was kind of awkward. But I did hear the one complain, “And the benefits, if you can call them that, are dreadful.” I nearly hit the roof! At least they, these two bellyachers, get the choice to pay—what I suppose would be nearly four months of their yearly salaries before taxes—to enroll in the group health plan the university offers. I’d welcome the chance to turn down health coverage that I can’t afford. (And I’m not just saying that because I’m applying for a one year adjunct position.) I, who now teach only a few classes each semester, don’t get that choice. But am I complaining? Nosirreebob! I’m enjoying the nasty stale coffee from the department’s faculty lounge, the tiny cramped office I share with six other adjuncts, the moderately clean showers at the rec center, and now that it’s spring, our campus’ abundant FREE flowers (which I often pick for my sweetie-bunch Cheryl Cromwatters, our department’s secretary). For me, Goose-EGG U is springtime all year round!

    3) The Annual—that is if they do it again this year—“You’re the Best!” Adjunct Awards Luncheon

    Goose-EGG U went all out last year, getting the culinary and fine arts students to put together the Adjunct Awards Luncheon. (See Above Photo.) Some people moaned that the food was terrible and the druggie art students screwed up the awards statuettes, which in all honesty did look like things that not even a rabid cat would drag in, and yes, they all did have that odd misspell. But again, who’s complaining? Not Me! I’m thankful for whatever Goose-EGG U gives me—be it stale doughnuts and bagels, or a hunk of melted plastic with gravel stuck in it that says, “You’re the Beast!”

    Summing up, Goose-EGG U cares about its adjuncts. And those two anonymous self-important whiners in my department (whose offices are on the 3rd floor of Whittaker Hall) don’t deserve to have their contracts renewed. Their jobs should go to adjuncts like, well . . . ME!!!! (Hint, Hint, Hiring Committee.)

    (Posted, March 19, 2009, 8:45 PM by Super-Adjunct, Proud Adjunct at Goose-EGG University and Candidate for the One Year Full-Time Adjunct Position in the You-Know-What Department, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net)

    Comments:

    Posted March 19, 2009, 11:23 PM:

    Hey Brown-noser! Good luck with the 1 year position, yo! —darylk@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted March 21, 2009, 2:33 PM:

    FOR THOSE WHO WANT ME TO “CEASE AND DESIST”

    To Everyone Who’s Emailed me, especially Paul Q. Fester, attorney-at-law at Fitch, Boyers and Fester and his cowardly clients, “who wish to remain anonymous”: I’m very sorry you believe I am “clearly guilty of libel” under the laws and statutes of this state. But how can I know that you know who I know I was referring to in my blog if you don’t tell me who you think I was writing about? The Truth Shall Set You Free!—Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted March 23, 2009, 9:36 AM:

    Thank you for your email, Mr. Fester. I’ll try to get this down. But to you and all other interested parties, I’ve not had much luck in the past with this blog program.—Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted March 23, 2009, 8:33 PM:

    Cheryl, thank you for your emails! As I’ve mentioned above, I’m having, as usual, a really hard time getting back into the text and making changes. Once I post these blogs, it’s like they’re written in freaking stone. Please know I’m doing my best to get your name off this thing. It was stupid of me to say you were my sweetie-bunch and the department secretary. Do you forgive me? (Also, did you like the flowers? I pulled them up, roots and all, from in front of the student center because I know you like to garden.)—Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

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  • 10 Mar 2009 /  dating, holidays

    1) Make Your Sweety a Valentine (now belated or extremely early) with the resources around you. (See above for a self-portrait Valentine made with my college’s office copier). And why stop at a simple card? Not too shabby jewelry can be made from paper clips and other office supplies. If your honey-pie’s into piercings, borrow the stapler for a night of wild fun! (Okay, I’m kidding about the stapler. :- ) )

    2) Do Something Special, Memorable and Completely Free With Your Honey-Pie—like Beg For Change! Or if you have any talent at all—Busk For Tips! Or Dumpster Dive! Or Organize a Union and/or General Strike! The possibilities are endless!

    3) Treat Your Honey-Waffle to Food! “Where?” you say. “I’m an adjunct. I can’t afford to go out to eat.” Oh yes you can! Three Simple Words: Bulk Food Aisle! Is it a crime to sample your food before you pay for it? Well, I guess it is . . . technically speaking. If you’re worried about legalities, take your sweety-pants to the local grocery on a Saturday morning; you’re bound to get a smorgasbord of free samples. Saturday morning too early? Most every city and town these days has a First Friday or Third Saturday or 2nd Thursday or What-Have-You Evening Art Walk! Not only is there free grub, but booze too! Yowza! And don’t forget if there’s ever a catered function at your school, load up your pockets! FREE Treats for You and the Sweet One for later!!!

    4) Go Green! Is your love-bunny all in a bunch about global warming and the ecological disaster our society is creating and for which we will all be justifiably cursed for generations upon generations to come? Look hip and ecological by insisting on walking, no matter the distance, to your date destination. (Bikes are also a good option.) Your night out might end up being a several day adventure!

    5) The Stay-At-Home Low Budget Entertainment Date! Since I live in my truck, I often like to invite my baby over for a little snuggling and listening to my truck’s stereo system. The other night we popped in my favorite eight-track tape, “Captain and Tennille’s Greatest Hits!” We argue over whether Toni Tennille is singing the word “tangled” or “Tangoed” in the song, “Muskrat Love.” (“And he whirled and he twirled and he tangled.” It’s gotta be “tangled.” Let’s face it.) But there’s no argument when “Love Will Keep Us Together” comes around!!! This tape rocks!!! I mean it’s really romantic! (Warning: Be careful not to wear out your truck’s battery.)

    Comments:

    Posted February 23, 2009, 6:17 AM:

    You told me you made that photocopy at Kinko’s!—cherylc@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted February 23, 2009, 10:30 AM:

    Of course, I did, sweetpea! Hey, can I borrow your car this afternoon? My truck’s fritzing up again. —Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted February 23, 2009, 10:39 AM:

    Drop dead. —cherylc@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted February 23, 2009, 10:56 AM:

    Is that a definite no? —Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

    Posted February 23, 2009, 3:32 PM:

    Do I hear a maybe? —Super-Adjunct, superadjunct@gooseeggu.us.com.org.net

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