thefuckoffkid

Well, shit continues to happen. Pressure has been building up and Ive been feeling stressed and close to total burnout. TFOGs going through her own work stress (we work at the same institution, go figure), and we had a bit of a mini-crisis a week or so back where we had a moment of what-the-fuck-is-going-on-with-our-lives.

So, things go up and down. Including my mood. Things seem to be on a bit of an upswing right now, but I've given some higher-ups notice that I don't intend to stay in the role Im in right now beyond about mid-next year.

If you know me at all or have seen me around the site it probably won't come as a complete surprise to know this all involves a university. The Vice-Chancellor (i.e. chief executive) is stepping down and a replacement has been announced. Our Faculty is searching for a new Dean. (I'm on the interview panel, which all happens in a few weeks.) There's a lot happening in my institution, which became clear in the last few days while I've been attending a Senior Management Forum of the university, something they do every year. Interesting perspectives on what's going on -- a view right inside the heart of the sausage factory.

Things are changing, senior people are changing ... interesting times. But I'm getting tired of it all.

I got sick again recently. Not as bad as last time, but man, I could use a period of health. I'm kind of assuming it's linked in with being run-down from work. But man, I'd like to have the opportunity to go for a run or visit the gym or something.

Root canal will finally be completed this week though, after 5 or so visits. Woohoo!

SG Sydney folks (and the occasional interstate visitor) popped out to Coogee Beach a couple of Sundays ago. Longish story short, it was fun.

TheFuckOffGirl section of this blog will now be updated *ahem*

A driving-along story. As I drove us home one day, I pontificated about how something (I don't even remember what) lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. TFOG looks at me unimpressed and retorts: "Je ne sais quoi you're talking about."

So, at this corporate-strategy planning shindig for the university I got drunk with TFOG's boss. Whereas I'm on the academic side, being all professor-y, TFOG works on the management/administration/policy side, helping the university to actually run. She's made quite an impression there, as you might imagine.

Anyway, I'm at this shindig dinner and the evening is marching on and people are dividing into go-to-bedders and hangers-on. As TFOG's boss and I drink and chat, their Big Boss walks up to us, on his way out of the room. He is the guy in charge of all the university's financials, and he's one of the most powerful 3 or 4 people in the institution. Something like the following conversation ensues.

TFOG's boss: "Do you know who this is?"

The Big Boss: "Yes, it's TFOK. We talked earlier today."

TFOG's boss: "No, do you know who this really is?"

Me: (muttering) "No he doesn't know who I really am."

TFOG's boss: "This is Mr TFOG!"

The Big Boss: "Oh, so he's important!. He should change his name-tag."