Day 4 - Biden said the pandemic is over

Taught at the Catholic high school today…

9/21/22. Wednesday

5:15-6:45-I slept horribly last night and do not feel well. My alarm goes off and the dog wakes up, too, so we go downstairs together. I take her outside and wait for her to go potty, then unload the dishwasher and heat up my leftover Starbucks from yesterday. Suddenly, I remember that I left wet towels in the washing machine so I transfer them to the drier, staat. Shower. Coffee. Unfortunately, there is no time to wash my hair today and no time to sit in the shower and ice my eyes because I’m running late - I ice my eyes while standing. Lotion.

I wear an above the knee dress a geometric mauve and gold pattern - it has a ruffled front. I put my contacts in but realize later, after I’m in the car, that I put in the wrong set of contacts. The contacts currently in my eyes have been sitting in a vial for some time and my eyes are burning. This starts a chain reaction, especially as eyes and sinuses are connected. At first I think it’s allergies but slowly I realize I put in the wrong contacts. The burning continues the rest of the day until I am finally able to take my contacts out, which doesn’t happen until 2:00. Today is an absolute nightmare.

-I left at 6:50 am this morning, which is way too late. There is an accident on the freeway and traffic is terrible, even after I pass the accident. I put my makeup on in the car and eat overnight oats for breakfast. Eventually, I exit the freeway and start putting band aids on my heels at every traffic signal when it looks like I’m going to be late to the Catholic School.

-I barely make it! and am walking down the hall just as the bell is ringing.

-My eyes ache and my nose is constantly running, BUT, there is a spot of good news: I’m able to complete the one task I set for myself this morning. I log in at the Einstein high school and inform M., via email, and everyone on the thread, that Karina had volleyball yesterday and is sorry she couldn’t log in at 4:00, that arbitrary , shitty, time you set, with a 10-minute notification, for a high school kid. I wouldn’t like it if someone gave me a 10-minute notice before completing a task. Why should a child be any different? Sending this email makes it look like I’m involved with students and have knowledge of their various activities.. In actuality, I could care less.

-I take role and tell the students I’m not crying, that I went on a hike and my allergies are acting up.

-Lecture is 90 minutes long and I’m miserable, having to wipe my nose and eyes constantly throughout. Also, I don’t feel well in general and wonder if I’ve contracted Covid again.

-Two of the football players were transported to an away game last weekend and couldn’t do the Review and Video Quizzes; I tell both students that I’ll email them the quizzes; however, I wonder, ‘what’s the point?’ Both students are already committed to colleges and could care less about this class: Bradley is going to BMU - he’s a tight end - and Honda (running back) is going to Montana…although he hasn’t committed yet and will likely go to Harvard. The Catholic high school where I’m teaching is ranked 11th best in the country.

Class dismissed.

-10:30-11:15 - I drive to the Getty Center and eat my pre-made salad and grapes along the way. I’m apprehensive about to The Getty: my eyes are killing me and my contacts are clouding up, but I don’t want to use these things as an excuse.

-Arrive at the Getty’s parking structure and I. don’t. like. it. here. The parking is underground and packed. There is no place to park and I’m going farther and farther down into the basement -it’s hot as hell in the parking garage and the compact parking spaces are too close together. Although the tickets are free, it costs $20 to park so coming to the Getty is actually NOT free.

-There are too many people crammed into the elevator, headed to the lobby. I hope I can find my car.

-Once out of the elevator, we take a tram to the top and everyone has to mask which is a relief.

I’m at the Getty Center - the views are beautiful!!! BUT it is sooo crowded here and my eyes are killing me. I take a half-hearted walk around the W building, then leave.

All Getty patrons are supposed to pay for their parking ticket at the kiosk next to the elevator before you leave. Unfortunately, the parking machine is broken and the maintenance man trying to repair the kiosk says I can pay on the way out. I point out the signs that instruct us to pay now, BEFORE we exit, and ask if he’s sure I will be able to pay as I’m leaving. He says yes and also informs me that I can take the elevator to the next floor.

-It’s like a labyrinth to get to the kiosk so I can leave; unfortunately, the parking kiosk rejects both of my debit cards. These kiosks are unmanned and there is nobody to call. I put in the only actual credit card I have and the parking kiosk takes it.

12:30-1:30-I drive home and listen to Best Laid Plans. When I arrive, I take out my contacts and my eyes start feeling better.

1:30-2:45-Karina texts that she has access to Canvas, has watched the videos, and is ready for her missed assignments. She says she was using the wrong email address. When I checked email, there’s finally a response from Jazzy saying she’s been having difficulty logging into Canvas followed by a second email that Jazzy now has access to Canvas.

-I email all parties, including M., the head of the Dual Enrollment program, and advise that all students now have access to Canvas.

I respond to Jazzy and Karina and say I will email them the quizzes that they have missed thus far, having not had access to Canvas - there are four tests so I email them to the girls.

-Allegra reports that she’s confused regarding the assignments. She just gained access to Canvas and thought that she was supposed to be completing the Chapter 1 and 2 lectures. No! I emailed her the Syllabus and the Audio Syllabus on FIVE separate occasions; it is also on Canvas. We are no longer on Chapters #1 and #2. Read the f—king thing.

-I prepare a lengthy email to Allegra breaking down the assignments that were due over the past week. I tell her to please see the Syllabus; the Audio Syllabus; the Google Slides; and Supplementary assignments OR check the Home Page Module on Canvas for each week. This takes a considerable amount of time

-I email the make-up quizzes to Bradley and Honda, then start the drier and finish the towels I started earlier.

3:00-5:00-I change out of my clothes, lie down with ice on my eyes, and fall asleep. I don’t think I’m going to make that new Book Club tonight.

5:00-6:30-I read and finish Afterlife, the bookclub pick.

6:30-7:30-My eyes hurt so I take an Advil. They stopped watering, but now they just ache. I take off my makeup. I fold L.’s massive blanket and personal towels that I washed, then take her trash out and carry a tray she left in her room a week ago downstairs. I do the few dishes in the sink.

7:30-9:00-I have a few pieces of sushi, change into workout clothes, and do a 15-minute Insanity Ab workout, followed by an Insanity 30-minute Strength workout.

9:00-9:30-I take the dog for a walk then bring in my Walmart packages - Madison’s notes (the book), toilet paper, and a new standing fan are just a few of the items I ordered.

9:30-10:00-I ready my coffee and pack my lunch bag, then have two thinly sliced pieces of the Trader Joe nut bread that L. previously purchased for dinner.

10:00-11:30-L. has been in Kansas with Colin Two-Hatchett this entire time. She finally returns and proclaims that she had a great time - a 9.5 out of 10. Wichita, Kansas sounds like a pretty cool place - especially the food.

11:45-12:30-I lock up. Sunless tanning. I remove my nail polish. Nightime routine. Bed. The dog sleeps with L. tonight.