Down time (aka "The most boring post EVER")

While I could (or *should*) be grading right now, I'm taking a break. Last night was also a break, despite the fact that I actually had just got a fresh batch of tests in and that I had (and have, present tense here) some papers that are turning a bit stale. I swear, I will attack them this weekend! I can't wait - scintillating analysis of Cabeza de Vaca's Naufragios as compared to Lazarillo de Tormes, the first picaresque novel! I will hand them back, in exchange for an essay on Cervantes and el Quijote. Not REALLY el Quijote since the students only read a wretched 5 chapters of the work, but that is what is required on the AP Spanish Literature reading list. This class has made me loath the College Board, an organization that must be run by Satan, I've decided. Who else would create a reading list composed of 57 different works? Some are short, many are fragments, but still...

After two rather frantic weeks, this week seems to be offering me a bit of a breather. Last night, I decided that I was prepared enough for today to watch an ENTIRE movie. That almost never happens on week nights during the school year, I'm such a curmudgeon . I picked the movie that just arrived in the afternoon, so that also was inspiration to take the night "off". The movie, "In the Loop", while not the best movie I have seen recent, certainly had some very sharp moments and the writing at times was incredible. Some of the situations were hysterically funny. I won't say anything else about it because I don't want to spoil it, but I would recommend to people who like comedies of the darker nature.

Tonight, I will actually grade some tests. Nothing like the present subjunctive used with expressions of doubt and denial versus the indicative with expressions of truth and certainty! And throw in a few superlatives, such as "the most boring post ever"!

Michael's made a huge pot of black beans, so we'll enjoy an evening of rice and beans, a salad, an old 30-Rock episode, and lots of tummy rubs for the dogs.

If I can tuck into bed before 9:00 and read some of "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle", I will be completely content!