Mixed bag

[elbales]

So I got a call this morning to tell me that of the two books I chose as texts for the new lit course I'm developing, one is "indefinitely not available." And it's the book of prose material, as opposed to the poetry. I mean, I love poetry, but this is a course for regular people off the street, most of whom are not known for getting super-into poetry. I can't hold grades over my students' heads, either, because the course doesn't earn academic credit. (It's community ed.) Did I mention the book titles are already printed in the catalog, I've already put in significant prep time with this book, and the course starts in twelve days? Oh joy.

But all is not lost. My students (this, by the way, assumes that anyone enrolls) may be able to get used copies; Amazon Marketplace has more than 20 used copies on offer. But that doesn't help for the first class, nor does it guarantee that the copies shown on Amazon are actually still available. So I get to futz with getting permissions out of Hyperion. More stress I don't need. At least the permissions lady personage sounded nice. Did I mention I get two (count 'em) hours of prep time per course, teaching adult ed? Mm hmm. At least I can shop the same courses around to different program; I think other programs have similar policies. Hey, once I've taught the same course at, say, 20 different locations, I should make my time back. *thud*

Later in the day, I went over to Krispy Kreme when the Hot light was on in order to cheer myself up after an extremely annoying go-round at the gas station. (Must remember: don't USE that Arco, its layout sucks dead mackerel through a straw and getting gas there at 5 pm is a bad idea.)

And they, while lovely hot doughnuts were rolling off the rather nifty untouched-by-human-hands assembly-line thingy, sold me cold ones. Cold. Cold Krispy Kremes.

*snivel*

I should have gone back. I didn't notice until I got out to the car, and I thought about walking back in and complaining. They probably would have given me hot ones; they're big into that customer satisfaction thing. But instead, like my usual pathetic passive-aggressive self, I sulked all the way home.

It was just a moment. A sad, sad moment.

But hey. I have a plan. (Not for Krispy Kreme; for my life for the next few weeks or months.) The job hunt thing is a few days behind, but mostly on track. Our apartment is cleaner now than when Hardi went on vacation. (I reserve the right not to say just who made it cleaner, on grounds that it might impair domestic tranquility.) Our kitchen has just today acquired some spiffy new storage stuff that has rather dramatically added to said recent cleaning-and-tidying-type advances. There is actually more unoccupied counter space. And I feel, in general, pretty happy.

Go me.

Comments

[litgoddess.livejournal.com]

Funny who you can find through the Mills livejournal. :)

Where are you teaching?

You're resourceful. You'll figure something out!

Can you make a reader instead? People who can find the book, fab, and if not, can't Kinko's copy the remaining as long as you sell for at cast, given it's that whole "for education" thing?

[elbales]

Holy shit! Carrye!!!
*glomp*
I've been occasionally wondering where and how you were doing. Wow, now I'm really glad I added the Mills LJ community. :)

I'm teaching at the Sunnyvale/Cupertino Adult Ed program.

Thanks. I know it'll work out.

If you want to do a reader, you still have to get permission from publishers, or else it's copyright infringment and you and the school end up in a world of trouble. Proper readers generate small amounts of money for publishers (small per-page fee paid by the school), so the authors whose work gets used can, you know, get paid. And no, Kinko's will not make copies of any copyrighted material (not sure if they'll do stuff for which you have permissions). OTOH, I've stood in Kinko's making copies of like five chapters of a single book, and no one approached me. I think if it's for personal use only, copyright law might allow it, but hey, IANAL. For that you go ask Ms. Regina. ;)

[litgoddess.livejournal.com]

Hee hee! Hey darlin'!

Yay! Adult ed! I've thought about that, but it's not a pay-all-the-bills kind of gig, is it?
I'm teaching high school English. Can you believe it? What's insane, is that I love it!

They must provide copy service if you have permission as SFSU readers had such material and we bought our readers from the Kinko's on campus.

It's annoying that they make education so difficult.

Ah yes, I'd heard Regina B had finished her JD and was enjoying life in NOLA. :)

[elbales]

You can pay all your bills with adult ed if you're willing to schlep around to different schools. Whee, I'm itinerant! It's best if you can get one "full-time" gig, like teaching ESL, which usually involves classes meeting for 3-4 hours 4 days a week. That's a good foundation, and then you find other stuff to teach or do for the rest of the time. If you're really lucky, you can get two sections, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. That gets you much closer to real full time.

But yeah, if you're only doing 1 or 2 classes a week, adult ed is definitely just supplementary income.

I was a little surprised that you're teaching HS English, but if you're happy, who cares! :)

*smooch*