June is a Place My Blog Goes to Die

I've had that title in my mind for close to a week now, and now that I actually have had a chance to look at my blog, I'm surprised that so many people have tuned it despite my lack of a posting presence. Joe Average Writer hasn't died this summer (yet). Then again, it might just be the same stalker who looked up the blog 400 times in the past two weeks. I don't know. Either way, it's kind of scary. Traditionally, once school ends, my blogging goes on vacation even if I don't. Last year I had to get ready for my comprehensive finals. The two previous years I was up in Logan trying to cram 9 credits into six weeks (each year). Sometimes July is worse, but I'm not going to let that happen this time. There will be no flat-lining on this blog this summer!

http://blog.contrarymagazine.com/2012/06/writers-block-theres-an-app-for-that/

Really, though, I have been burning the candle at three ends. Even though I haven't been in class, I feel busier. The month of June brought many challenges in the form of grading. The online course that Amy and I teach saw enrollment numbers skyrocket crazier than second grade girls on jumbo Pixie Stix. And with that spike came unprecedented numbers of plagiarists and whiners and all the joy that they bring to an English teacher. (Grumble.) Needless to say, after spending almost full-time hours at my part-time job for the past two months, I haven't been in the mood to really write much beyond the seven or eight stock comments that all high school writing assignments require. I haven't even been up for many snarky comments on Facebook. I haven't even read much…for pleasure, that is.

However, after finishing up my revisions for IRB (for my dissertation), I have resolved to write more and actually do something about the dozen or so blog posts caught in the spin cycle that is my brain. Now that I can breathe easier--portfolio submissions topped out at 335 or so; now we're down to 45--I can write that piece for Voices form the Middle, that article for Utah English Journal, and then maybe I can plan my curriculum for next year. Ive got some ideas for a presentation ion the value of read-alouds in the secondary classroom, too. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline for the conference that would have been perfect. Oh, well. I can save it for later. I also want to play more with the value of personal narratives. I might even throw in  recipe or two that I've been concocting.

That means, I'll get back to exposing my past by unearthing embarrassing stories. If you have any requests, like always, I'd be glad to take them.