Du calme, du calme (again)

by chuckofish

Well, I made it through the first week of classes and it all went well.  I had my first year students answer a couple of questions as a diagnostic exercise to tell me whether they can follow directions and write a coherent sentence. Anyway, I asked such gems as “what current issues do you feel passionately about?” and “what are your pet peeves?” The first question elicited predictable responses including the environment, immigration and gun violence (though responses to the last two fell on both sides — everyone loves the planet). Answers to the second question were much more entertaining. Pet peeves included:

  1.  Seeing someone eat string cheese the wrong way (biting rather than pealing)
  2.  Toilet paper installed the wrong way round (i.e., so it unrolls underhand instead of overhand)
  3.  Bad grammar, spelling and usage
  4.  When anyone scratches Styrofoam
  5.  People who chew with their mouths open or too loudly
  6.  People who walk slowly when it’s too crowded to pass them
  7.  When someone is rude, interrupts, or doesn’t pay attention
  8.  People who don’t use their turn signal when turning
  9.  Hypocrites
  10.  Incessant cell phone use

I was impressed and a little horrified that (with the exception of the string cheese, Styrofoam and toilet paper peeves) I agreed heartily with all of them. Clearly, I am an extremely peevish person!

To offset my peevishness I listened to a lot of calming music. Here are two of my favorites, one I’ve loved for a long time,

and one I just discovered (I like this version of the song — close your eyes and listen):

That’s about it for my week, other than a faculty potluck last night. The weather cooperated and it was pleasant but being the peevish sorts that we are, we left as soon as we could. We’re hosting coffee hour after church tomorrow, so I’ve got baking to do today. Otherwise, it’s just the usual class prep and puttering. Have a wonderful weekend and don’t fall prey to your pet peeves or set off anyone else’s!