Early February 2013

I have two papers due this week – one for my psychology class and one on ‘the Charter revolution’ for my core Canadian politics seminar. There is also only a week left before my international relations students must submit their second paper, which will probably mean a hectic scene at office hours tomorrow, followed by frantic emails and requests for special meetings later in the week.

In addition, there is the ordinary reading for my three courses, a 350 meeting on Tuesday, my friend Kerrie in town, a climate-related interview with campus radio on Friday, a campaign planning workshop on Friday night, tutoring on Sunday, and preparation for the February 17th trip to Washington D.C.

At some point, I will also try to find time to edit the 16 gigabytes of photos I took at the Massey winter ball, as well as to continue with camera repair fund print sales (the repair is about 1/8th paid for so far).

Term two, week three

This is going to be a busy week.

I have a few deferred midterms to grade before teaching tomorrow’s tutorials – for which I also need to redo the readings and devise an enhanced random selection system for student presentations. I will also have office hours and a lecture which I should attend, along with a club event that may be of some interest.

Tuesday we have a 350 meeting, for which I should be working on refining our divestment PowerPoint presentation and advancing logistical preparations for the Presidents’ Day trip to Washington D.C.. I also have my ‘incomplete conquests’ class, for which three books and a chapter have been assigned (topic: the Treaty of Niagara). There is also an ‘EcoFair’ at OISE, where Toronto 350.org will have a booth.

Wednesday I have my self-deception course. We will be discussing Freud’s “The future of an illusion” and Becker’s “Human nature and the heroic; The terror of death; Human character as a vital lie”.

I have a paper due for my core PhD seminar in Canadian politics on Thursday, on the topic: “Have Canadian political scientists devoted too much attention to issues of responsible government to the detriment of analysis of other important questions about Parliament?” For this seminar, there are seven chapters of reading assigned, along with four scholarly articles.

In amongst all this, I need to work on preparing and selling prints for my camera repair fund; work on the major term papers for my Canadian politics classes; figure out a way to pay my second term tuition and Massey fees; respond to 128 emails; track down some comprehensive examinations in Canadian politics from previous years; send various thank you cards; sort notes from last term; and generally advance miscellaneous projects and discharge various obligations.

Body, lens, and battery grip damaged

Maya Goldenberg playing the piano in the Massey College dining hall

Moments after this photo was taken, my tripod slipped and my 5D Mk II, complete with battery grip and 24-70 f/2.8L lens crashed violently into the wooden floor.

The front of the lens is smashed, and the camera no longer connects properly to the battery grip. The lens also creaks a bit when zooming and focusing, though a very preliminary assessment suggests that it can still autofocus.

I will be taking the whole assembly to Henry’s tomorrow so that they can send it off to Canon for repair. I have no idea how much the repair will cost – or if any issues will remain with the body, grip, or lens once the repairs are done.

During the next month or so, I will try to sell some affordable prints in order to pay some of the repair cost.