Dispatch from the Abyss
OK, so I have new appreciation for medical professionals. I've dated like 50 of them and they all bitch and moan about stress and sleep deprivation and I always intellectually understand it but now I kind of get it. And yes, I get that planning an event for 117 people (even one with 13 industry partners, a zillion faculty, algorithms, incredibly confusing role-plays in which the names are changed at the last minute and must be found and replaced in like 40 documents) is different than caring for cancer-stricken children 24/7 or whatever, but still.
I worked 87 hours last week (earning more than in a full semester of teaching - the single non-hateful thing about contract work is OVERTIME). And when I wasn't working I was dreaming or worrying about this event.
It is unbelievably busy/stressful, but I keep reminding myself that most of the craziness is the result of unavoidable things (faculty wants stuff edited and copied at the last minute, a student worker gets sick, etc.). Some people are (hilariously) marveling at my calm, but I am just a bundle of tired, nervous, slightly nauseous atoms (or neutrons or cells or something) whizzing around. I really need a big huge loving pep talk/thank you right now. Maybe with a side order of goat cheese souffle.
Luckily I get a lot of satisfaction from the students and the event itself, and hopefully the second wind that should be kicking in any time now.
Posted by Dori at 8:53 PM
3 Comments
Awww, shoot! I bet your boss will shower you with loving and appreciative presents when this fiasco is over. But in the meantime, just keep thinking about the presents you can buy *yourself* with all that cash from overtime! It sounds like you're doing a great job and that foster-VPS is lucky to have you.
I'm impressed just listening to you. I don't think I have your drive, so I'm amazed.
Congrats on getting it all finished. Sorry that the boss didn't react accordingly, but you know you kicked ass!
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