We forgot a module. Collectively, forgot to request timetabling for it last Spring, forgot to check for it in December, forgot it. A small module, but still... And it's all just Too Much.
We aren't coping. People are getting irritable or non-responsive or just Not Able To Do All The Things. I'M not coping. But we're still getting no Omicron restrictions, so are in the same position where student need is riiiiight across the spectrum from wanting to continue to self-isolate to refusing to wear masks (their right, we're not allowed to question, it's "just a recommendation"). Between that, and politics, and struggling mentally myself (I'm just really, really, really tired. And not random crying yet but getting there. And having random anger flares in the grey. Might be hormones, might just be sad brain monkeys...). It's just really hard at the moment, along with the guilt for feeling that because teaching little kids, or working in the health service, is so much harder - but I don't do those things because I never was capable of them.
On top of that, a much loved FavouriteIslands expert and colleague died quite unexpectedly recently and it's sad. And to make it all about me (it's my blog after all) those things, the outpourings of comments, always make me feel inadequate - because I kind of feel like I spend so much time just trying to cope as me, or doing stuff that doesn't feel important except as "I need to be paid each month" important, or generally doing small things like one to one student things whilst other people are writing books and running events and hosting loads of visitors and being so much more real and influential in the world. But that's a me problem.
Fluffball managed to somehow get a foot stuck in an open contact lens case and had to be captured and have his foot washed and was very, very Affronted. Poor old Fluffball!
It will get better. In late March when I'm through the really intense parts of teaching, if not before. But it's hard right now!