Not Much, How ‘Bout You?

It’s been a crazily busy end of the year here. I’m buried in marking at the same time that I have to wrangle a mountain of course preps. Two new on-campus courses and the first run of the ancient Near East survey ready to run as an online course. Oh, and research and writing. In and around there I have to get everything ready to host the annual holiday celebrations that will only start to feel real once Eldest returns from university next week.

I feel as if I’ve become a very boring person in terms of my own life precisely when my research and teaching have become their most interesting and exciting. After all, this year I’ve published or presented on hobbits and historical wizards and science fiction and Westerosi folk and badass early modern women like Margaret Pole!

But I’m boring in that I don’t do that much besides work and personal maintenance. I don’t find the time for cross-stitch or any other art – activities that used to keep me balanced during my undergraduate and grad school years. I walk the younger dog every day and sometimes let the older dog tag along if she’s up for it. But that’s hardly an exciting exercise regime. I’ve read a lot of books, certainly, but far more for work than for pleasure. I cook a lot more than I had, but that’s more the necessities of a new and healthier diet, but I don’t really feel inspired to turning the kitchen into my personal hobby central.

I’ll put my mind to it but for now, I have that whackload of marking still to manage. I’d love to hear how you’re doing, though!