Alternate universe continues....  I added more work to what I want form my AP kids.  They nodded in agreement when I explained the newest thing.  Normally I would get "More stuff?" or "Why are you giving us so much?" but no.  They understand the purpose of this assignment and how it will support the creative process.   Unbelievable!  I feel like I am teaching honours kids.  Keep in mind the fact that two of theses boys are part of that group that was worried sick about the ramifications of a poor performance on the state tests.  These are the boys I had to talk down from near-tears status.  When preparing yesterday morning, I was reading through the AP curricula from other schools.  I was proud that many of the assignments - composition, point of view, low light - are the things I have already taught my kids in Photo I.   This means that my AP kids can spend much more time developing an artistic voice that is accurately reflected int heir body of work.  I don't really know if any will spend the money to submit the portfolio in the spring, but at least they will have a damn fine group of pieces.  This course is a lot of work for the teacher, and I am swamped with work.  But I love being busy and it is not a panic type of swamped.

Today is the first of two of my college visits.  I have Maine College of Art coming today doing a presentation and portfolio review and Mass Art coming tomorrow.  I like the people from MECA.  They are nice, no attitude, and knowledgeable.  The school is also very generous with scholarship money.  I hope to have someone go there someday.  Heck, when colleges are making the mistake of getting rid of their darkrooms, MECA revamped theirs.

The chemical recycling guy is coming tomorrow and thank goodness.  The paper recycling bin stinks to high heaven.  I am hit with it as soon as I come in in the morning.  I am afraid to look in the barrel.  Not sure what is festering in there.  The kids will notice a lack of peeuw on Thursday.  It is like a rotten vinaigrette and rotting flesh.  Heck, maybe the kids just think that is the normal photo smell.  OK with me.....  Next task?  Washing the changing bags.  My sister asked how often I wash them and I answered with "Wash them?"  Which is kind of stupid of me.  When a kid is having trouble getting the film on the reel, the sweating starts.  I have put my arms in some soaked changing bags.  After  the fact, upon thinking hard, I realize how gross this is.  It is like taking a kid's jersey after a heavy basketball game and rubbing it all over my arms.  I do not know why I never thought of washing them.  I could wash them here - there is apparently a washing machine on the top floor and there is one in Home Ec - but what do I do the rest of the time?  I could bring them home.....  Deep thoughts.  Dave suggested extra credit if someone does it for me.  I hate extra credit, but it is a thought.

So I vacuumed the pool for the last time yesterday.  It was a nice workout, but the pain in my fingers and hands is tough.  I can type because the arc of the digits remains relatively constant.  However, moving them much more than that kills.  And bending them at the knuckles is worse.  Luckily the right hand is in more pain than the left.  Sounds like a lot of griping.  But I think this is the a sign that the arthritis is now in my hands for sure.  I have it in my hips and it showed up in my wrists a couple of years ago.  As long as it wasn't in the hands, I was pretty ok with that.  I can still hike, dance, garden, bike, and walk.  I might be stiff the next day, but manageable.  This is another beast.  And it is depressing.  I know that regular movement of the afflicted parts of the body helps the arthritis - we'd give crochet stuff to my grandmother to help her keep her hands moving to deal with her arthritis - but this pain is rough.  I think it is what kept me up through the night.  They feel tense, tight, swollen and in pain.  If I typed all day for my job it wouldn't be a big deal but I need my hands for work and my art.  I think about how I would teach my subject if I ever broke a wrist or arm.  It would be tough but it would heal.  Arthritis?  It just plain sucks.  The bright spot?  I can use a cold pack while on nurse's duty.   Either that or I could chisel off some of the ice in our class refrigerator and put it in a baggie.