Back to work today. As with my home life, I'd let things in the office build up to the end of November as a terminal point. Going to work today was my opportunity to gear up for the next cycle. One of the biggest things I need to finish in December is the first draft of a Banner manual for the campus. Originally I'd hoped to have something by the first of December for the Data Standards committee to review. My learning curve on Banner modules and several implementations, as well as my tendency to procrastinate when it's time to get the big writing project under way, have slowed me down.
No longer. I'll be spending a minimum of an hour a day every day on the manual, and hope to have the draft done by mid month. I've gone through my calendar and blocked off time when I can be in my office working on the document. The outline is done, and I'm already fleshing out the draft. Things should go quickly now that I'm focused on the task.
Carolyn in the Registrar's Office has asked for training sessions on the degree audit module. I'm going to check with Cely to see when I can get the computer training classroom. We're going to need at least two afternoon sessions to get this thing going, and I'm going to need Virginia (our programmer) to be on call - if not present - for the class. But I'm looking forward to getting this project going. The University has needed an automated degree audit system for years, and we're finally in position to get it done.
Jean called the baby furniture store today to set up a delivery date. The earliest they can drop off the crib and bureaus is December 21st. Yow. That's later than I'd thought it would be. We're going to pay all the furniture off in the next day or so, and Jean continues to work on clearing out the guest room.
Jean's gone back into business mode as much as I have. Unfortunately she isn't able to get it all done. Work continues to pile up, and she has tons she wants to do at home (both for baby and for Christmas). We're thinking about skipping a Christmas tree this year, just to save the time it takes to put up, decorate, and take down.
Still, we took the time to watch a little television tonight. CBS aired a remastered version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was pretty much what it's always been. Earlier in the day I read a story on-line on how a General Electric executive managed to cut the song "We're a Couple of Misfits" and have it replaced by "Fame and Fortune." Seems the executive didn't like the message the song sent. Tonight was the first time since 1964 that the original song was back in the program.
It was nice to take the time to see the show again. Bumbles bounce, and the Charley-in-the-Box finally finds a home. Tonight for some reason I focused on the little plane that lived on the Island of Misfit Toys. I don't think it even has a speaking role, but it was fun to watch. It kept falling over, kind of like Maggie Simpson.
The whole idea of misfits runs through that cartoon. I wonder if it was some sort of backlash against the Hollywood blacklists in the 50's. It's a fun show to watch, especially when Santa yells "Merry Christmas!" at the end.
Of course, it's not the best Christmas show. The best one is this Wednesday night (more
on that later...).
Another warm day in Richmond. They say we're having our Indian Summer. I just wish it weren't longer than what should have been our Fall. Most of our neighbors have piled their leaves on the edge of the street; I'll finally be out there this weekend (whether or not it rains, I suppose).
listening: Cover Girl (Shawn Colvin)
watching: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
© 1998 Kevin J.T. Creamer