Today I did nothing. I did not read books for the MA exam, not even the lovely Norton anthology of theory and criticism that arrived in the mail. I did not lesson plan for my students. I did not print my course documents, or even take the five minutes of time to put them online.

There's no excuse for this kind of behaviour. In less than a week I will be molding young minds. Well, perhaps trying to surprise young minds. I'm more of a disturber than a molder. And how can I properly disturb them if I'm spending my time relaxing?

Sadly, I can't muster up any credible level of shame tonight. It must be one of those emotions that requires effort. And, as already stated, I am doing nothing today. Except the dishes. I did those, because the line must be drawn somewhere.

Tomorrow I will rise early, go to the mandatory faculty meeting, and look professional. At some point I hope to finish reading Robinson Crusoe. How is it that a book can contain so many shipwrecks and so much dullness simultaneously. Along those lines, I want to put Defoe and Burroughs in a room and have them talk about racism - both for amusement and edification.

Next week I will be busy. Tonight . . . I'm going to bed early.