I finished grading all the exams late last night, and this morning, I entered all the grades and submitted my final report to the English Department. That’s it. It’s all done and the winter semester of 2007 is officially over for me.
If I have one of your essays and you would like it back, please e-mail me at gnc@nf.sympatico.ca and we can arrange that. I’ll be on campus for a while Monday and in my office for a while. I likely won’t be in that office once the spring semester begins, so e-mail will be the best way to reach me.
Not surprisingly, I already miss teaching. But I have made a conscious decision to take some “me” time over the next few months. I have that novel to finish, another one (okay, two) that need revision before re-submission to literary agents and editors, as well a few more stories to write for a short story collection, so I’ll be plenty busy over the summer. As much as I love teaching, it is a draining sort of job, and I’m really not much of a martyr. Not a good one anyway. Plus, my wife likes to see me once in a while.
I’ll probably be blogging a little bit about how the whole writing process is working for me as the summer goes on. I hope no one minds that. Leave a comment if you want. In fact, I would love it if you did. It lets me know that someone’s listening. I’ve never been a big fan of one-way communication (or the sound of one hand clapping). It’s part of why, sometimes I think I would love the solitary writer’s life, but at the same time, I crave the constant interaction that’s a part of the teacher’s life. I’ll probably wind up teaching creative writing one of these days for the best of both worlds.
Beyond that, I plan to spend the summer remembering who I am, and who I was before I began the six year trek to a doctoral degree that began in September 2000 and officially ended in October 2006. I’ve always been an artistic soul—I used to play music for a living. I love to write songs. I sing and play guitar. I write some poetry. I have amateur interests in painting and photography. Anything that lets me communicate what’s in my soul, I’m game to try it. I think, really, that’s what a writer is. I don’t think it’s something special that separates you from other people—that would be the Writer, with a capital “D”. Capital “Duh”. I think it just means that you have an innate need to express yourself through words. That’s all. I like writing fiction, so it means I use short stories and novels to get across my ideas about the world, about how things are and even sometimes the way I wish they were.
I’m a fairly optimistic person, in spite of my well-honed sense of cynicism. While I’ve grown to expect the worst, somehow (like Charlie Brown gearing up to kick that old football every fall) I always still hope for the best from the world, from people.
I hope some of you will stick around to hear all about the warped, conflicted view that I have. It’ll be strange making the transition from teacher (one who’s trying to shape minds) to regular blogging-type person who just has something to say. But, according to the latest poll, a lot of you plan to check it out now and then, so that’s pretty encouraging. I’ll try to have something interesting to say. But mostly, I’ll just talk and hope that what comes out says something a little bit profound or befuddling, amusing or bemusing.
Thanks to all of you for an absolutely fantastic semester. I enjoyed (nearly) every minute of it and I’m looking forward to seeing (and hearing from) a lot of you again.
You know, when I started this blog, a lot of people/naysayers (friends, family, colleagues) were skeptical that it would really do any good. They said that either no one would pay attention to it or that they things I said would just be ignored. Well, nearly 2,000 posts later, I beg to differ. I consider this blog a great success for a lot of different reasons.
And I’m hoping that it will somehow be a way for some of us to stay connected to each other in the coming months, maybe even years. Time, as always, will tell the final tale.
Back soon.
Gerard
4 comments:
G,
Wow... I think had I read all of that about you before the semester had started, I might have spoken up more in class. Its amazing how many things that you spoke of in this "blog" that I connected with. Quite obviously, I'm not in the midst of a doctorial degree, nor do I have one (or two) novels in progress, but just something about this blog I connected with. I wish I had of known that you were a musician, we could have "jammed"... I'm a singer myself, and although I'll never actually end up doing it for a living, it's my dream someday...:)
I just wanted you to know: Even though my english skills are lacking in a few departments and my grammar could still use some tweaking, English was my favourite class this semester. And I don't think it was because of the material, it was the human-like way that you taught it. I know I don't have much experience with university professors, but you're by far the best that I've had so far. And I just wanted to thank you... :)
And to quote the beatles, "Its been a hard days night"... and its finally over. Stay true and you'll conquer the world with your "awesome-ness". :)
(P.S. You could probably figure out who I am, but try not to think about it too hard. Just know that somebody wants to thank you for all of your effort, and remain anonymous to avoid embarassment).
Makes me wish I'd said all of this earlier. But, really, I'm not much for talking about myself (in spite of appearances). I usually would rather know about other people. If a person asks me the right question, I'll tell them anything, but the quality of the question has everything to do with how deep I'll go.
That's cool that you sing (whoever you are), and I hope you get to live your "dream". You're probably way better than me (trust me, I'm just okay as both singer and player, not talented enough to have a real career, but it's what you do with what you've got) and if it's a goal of yours, then you should just go for it. Find a way to get yourself on a stage somewhere. The downtown is full of them. If you want it bad enough, it'll happen. I honestly believe that.
Thank you for your lovely words about the course and my teaching. Like you, it's not just the books that I love--I just love teaching and trying out ideas on people. It's never about the books. I'm glad it connected with you.
Oh, and being good at English (or not) is a totally different thing from being a creative person. One doesn't necessarily lead to the other, though sometimes it can happen that way. Mostly, it's got to do with your imagination and your ability to communicate your ideas. Good singers don't need Shakespeare, but an appreciation for poetry can make you a singer with more depth. Hope that makes sense.
And you know, I probably could figure out your identity, but there are several people you could be (and possibly are!). I'll respect your wish to remain anonymous (or, as Scrooge would say, your wish "to be left alone.")
Great comment, though. Thanks!
Wow, there was another singer besides me..I wish he/she would have spoken up if they were in our Noon class...they I wouldn't have been so nervous when I did.. =) ..we could have gotten along great too..singing is my dream too!!! =)
I checked your blog all semester and I loved to hear (read) what you had to say about everything. I wish that could have been the case fro 1080.
I just wanted to let you know that, as the last post said, you were by far my favorite prof.. it was a real connection between you and the rest of our class, and the other one I'm sure. I have never, and I mean NEVER enjoyed an english class until this semester. I enjoyed coming, to see what you would have to say, as well as my classmates.
I had a few great experiences this semester that I know that i will never ever possibly forget if I tried. Your kind words and encouragment were the most heart felt things I have ever heard. I thank you alot for "pushing" (not really pushing but..) me..to open my eyes and see what I have.
I thank you for a GREAT semster. One I will never forget.
Thank you, Carla. It means a lot to me that you felt that way about class and could that sense that "connection". I enjoy every semester, but this one was exceptional.
Of course, you were responsible for one of those "great moments" that I'll never forget. I really hope you continue singing for the pure joy of it. I'm sure other people in the class loved your voice as much as I did. I meant every word of praise and encouragement. And I'll even buy your CD. :-)
I do find it disconcerting that so many students have bad experiences in English. I think eventually first-year English will no longer be a requirement (maybe sooner than we think) and that will be unfortunate. But I think it has a lot to do with the way it's being taught. I've heard too many negative comments about it to think otherwise. It's certainly not the fault of literature in general. And it's not because students don't like it. I think they don't like it because of how it's been presented to them throughout the years, not just in university but in high school as well. It gets to be something to be endured rather than enjoyed. And, supposedly, only those born with the "gift" of being good spellers, writers, and readers actually "get" English. That's just wrong.
Anyway, there I go on another rant. It's really great to hear from you, Carla! You are so brave...and talented.
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