I feel like I am walking a bit of a tightrope this week. I’ve talked about how challenging the last few weeks of the semester are, when students are ready to check out for a few weeks (or, um, have already done so), so I’m not going to rehash that again. (I’m sure you’re relieved you don’t have to read [or skip] more of my whining…:>)
But this semester there have been added challenges, and that’s added a rather thick layer of “other stuff” on top of my usual slog to winter break. Because I am who I am, this also means that when anything goes even slightly wrong, or even has the potential to, I shift right into catastrophizing. An anxiety spiral. Convinced that the absolute worst outcome is the only outcome, and that I’m going to experience some dire consequence as a result.
I know I’m doing it – even in the moment it starts, I recognize that this is what I’m doing. Stopping it is another matter! Fortunately, none of the worst case scenarios have come to pass, which is a relief. I’ve worked hard at finding joy and smiles despite my fretting, but have had mixed results. This morning, though, I had two bright spots that made me smile. Believe it or not, they came from the news. (I know, right?)
The first was a story in the Washington Post on how cats can learn to fetch, too. Which immediately put me in mind of Stephany and Kim, two major cat lovers. I smiled to myself when I thought about sharing this tidbit with the two of them.
And then, another news story. (I KNOW. I thought it was weird, too…) Apparently, there was an old building in Halifax, NS, that needed to be moved “a few feet” to accommodate a new building. The company had it all set up for the move (which begs the question of, how do they do that? and the related question of, should I trust the structural integrity of a large, old building that was moved from its original foundation? Any engineers are welcome to weigh in…). The building wouldn’t move along the beams they had set up, so the guy in charge sent his wife out to buy up (I am not kidding you) Ivory soap from every store in the area. They put the soap on the beams, which then became slippery enough that the reluctant building moved along. THIS story made me smile because, of course, Elisabeth lives in NS. I do wonder whether this made the news up there, though?!
So, thank you, my friends, for helping me find some bright moments in the slog. (And if you want me to share the stories, let me know! :>)
TGIF, indeed. I hope you have a wonderful weekend – filled with holiday goodness, if that’s your thing! – ahead.
Look! We had a fun event at the community center and the local paper did a big write-up. https://fortatkinsononline.com/fans-visit-with-santa-and-friends/ You know you live in a small town when an event like this gets all sorts of coverage.
I think you would really struggle in my job. As far as I can tell, my job is solely to put out fires created by faculty members. Every day something goes wrong and I have to figure out how to fix it. I’m not going to lie, I sort of love that. But, also, I mess up a lot, too! LOL.
Oh, wow! Did you help organize that in your volunteer role? If so, GO YOU! (Oooh, are you the one dressed up as a snowman? Do tell…)
Trust me, it would be so much harder if I didn’t have people like you cleaning up the other messes for me (e.g., the wrong number of credits for an independent study). Thank goodness for all of them. Academic Affairs is my lifeline, for real.
I am obsessed with stories of buildings being moved. I’ve encountered that with FLW and a few other historic houses that were going to be bulldozed until someone said “hey let’s just move that thing instead of destroying it”.
Happy end of semester! We’re a few hours away from the oldest kid officially finishing his first semester of college.
I bet it’s a bit mindblowing to you and Mr. Pie that stepson #1 is done with the first semester. Good grief.
And yes, the building moving thing seems to be more common than I realized. But this one seemed like it was really big, too – not “just” a smaller house. Regardless, I have absolutely no clue how they ensure the structural integrity of the building post-move. (Note: I am not an engineer, and never wanted to be one, but this is one topic for which knowing the engineering details might be informative, not to mention interesting!)
This is too funny! I had no idea about this thing in Halifax. I basically NEVER read local news (just international news and via the BBC, at that, not even the CBC – our national network). I’m going to Google this right now. A bit ironic I read about a local news story on YOUR blog first.
Love these little joys and bright spots in your day!
OK, that is hilarious that I, in WI, learned about this from a DC paper before you, the NS resident, learned of it. 😀 I tend to read national/international news via the Post, NY Times, and Guardian, but I do check local headlines daily. This is mostly so I can have funny headlines to read to my parents (:>) but also because, well, I kind of want to know about road closures, etc.
These little joys are what is getting me through! One. More. Week. (Sigh…)
Ha. I often roll my eyes about random stories on TV but I can see how they sometimes can lift your spirits for being just sweet or simply fascinating. (I have no idea how they’d move a large, old building like that and I would have questions, too!)
This one caught my eye because of the NS connection! It really is a small, small world.
In Calgary, I used to see houses being moved all the time! It was a bit crazy to see a house taken off its foundation and then just…moved! However I cannot imagine having to move a building such a short distance.
I’m sorry you’ve had such a trying time of late. I hope things settle.
I know, right? I swear, the story said “A few inches”. Um, okay? Why couldn’t they modify the footprint of the yet-to-be-built building? I’m glad I’m not a structural engineer – particularly one who might focus on projects like these. Talk about pressure to get it right!
I love that they solved the issue with bar soap! A couple of years ago they moved a 139 year old Victorian in San Francisco about 6 blogs. Big news around here at the time!
https://www.designboom.com/architecture/victorian-house-moving-san-francisco-02-23-2021/
I thought that was hilarious, too – and that it had to be *Ivory* soap! That Victorian is unbelievable. I cannot even imagine.
Our first cat played fetch! Thanks for thinking of me!
That soap story. LOL!
It’s sounds hard to start the spiral. Sending you lots of <3
That is hilarious that your first cat was one that played fetch. I suspect it’s more common than we think. 🙂
and thanks. The slog is for real. Last week, although it’s never completely over, LOL.
It warms my heart that the news story about cats made you think of me! I’m glad I was able to be a bright spot in your day.
I hope you’re getting through the end of semester slog. Or maybe the semester is over?? Is it?? I have major Christmas-itis this week, so I understand that antsy feeling the students (and probably a lot of faculty!) are experiencing.
Your IG and your posts are always bright spots in my day! I love seeing what my blog friends post. <3
Classes are over, but I am still finishing up grading (due... Christmas Eve... sigh...) and commenting on papers. I have an antsy feeling re: the meetings. There are not nearly as many this week - and next week, just some appointments. Whew. 🙂