Work Work workworkwork

The first day back after the Big Summer Vacation always feels like jumping into very, very icy water. Officially we don't have to be back for another 2 weeks but I like to ease in gradually. I got there at 11:15 today, and that was just about right.

Good things that happened:

• Saw some people I like, most of whom seemed to be in a similar state of shock about being back.
• Had a good conversation about books with a kid I've had clashes with in the past.
• Discovered that my one faithful summer parent volunteer has finished almost all the inventory.
• Put a couple of kid volunteers to work and thus got a few projects polished off.
• Cataloged 20 books in a language I don't know.

Bad things that happened:

• Saw the new schedule. It's not the worst but there are some problems, and they probably won't get solved in a way I like.
• Asked the Tech Guy what's up with the software update he had assured me would be done while I was gone, and got a bullsh*t blow-off answer.
• Talked with a [usually very supportive] administrator about a new employee policy I'm not thrilled with, and got a sort-of-defensive blow-off answer.

Hmm, is there a pattern here? I have an idea for happiness this year: More talking with colleagues, parents, and kids, and dealing with books; less talking with tech people and administrators and dealing with administrative pieces of paper.

Oh, and I am going to put a note in my Outlook calendar to remind me to reread Catawampus's posts on behavior management, especially Part 2, on a regular basis. Thank you, Kim.