I’m supposed to be grading, so now seems like a good time to write a blog post.

I feel like I’ve spent the past couple of blog posts whining, so today is all about Joy (capital J, yes) as in things that have brought me a lot of joy this week.

1. My students this semester are a delight so far. My 1A class is full of students who are trying their best and are whip smart. I assign a really, really hard text to them (grad level hard), and they all have been rolling with it. I told them how I proud I am of all of them for trying the reading and understanding it, even if they weren’t able to finish their related study guide. One student said I’m the nicest teacher he’s ever had (he’s from China), so that was also a delight since I have been previously called “the most difficult teacher on this planet” and a “day ruiner.”

The same for my 1B students. I only see them once a week, and this week we finished up the hard text and moved on to the easy version of it, which meant I got to talk about TV (US Ghosts vs UK Ghosts) for longer than was probably necessary. They are quiet (annoyingly so) but engaged, and they seem to be on top of things.

My online students are great, but they usually are because they’re highly motivated and engaged since both classes are electives. In fact, one of the students told the class about Novelist, which I had never heard of and is, apparently, available through the LA public library.

2. I took my daughter to see Noises Off, a farce about actors putting on a stage play. I had tried to explain what a farce is to her before we went, and she didn’t get it nor did she get my Three’s Company reference (where did I go wrong???), but obviously after seeing the play, she understood. Also, it was hilarious and such a good time.

3. I reached out to the agent of the playwright for an upcoming performance at our local theater so I could teach the play, and they provided me with a free copy of the script to share with the students.

4. My daughter invited me to go see Mickey 17 with her and a friend. I knew the movie was directed by Bong Joon-ho (of Parasite) fame but also somehow forgot until the credits rolled at the end. I enjoyed that as well, though it obviously wasn’t a comedy. Robert Pattinson is quite good in it. I mean, everybody in it is really good but since he’s the star, I guess I thought I’d point that out. It’s entertaining and thought provoking, so you know I’m into it.

5. This season of Traitors is so good. I mean, it’s SO good. My daughter and I got my friend hooked on it, and she asked us to wait for her to watch the finale (much to my daughter’s chagrin), which we’re doing tonight, thank the Lord. I have been avoiding the internet so I won’t get spoiled. This is the kind of game where they kind of have to change up the rules each season and seeing the twists they’ve added has been chef’s kiss. Really, I cannot recommend this show enough. It’s just such a commentary on group think and has never failed to surprise me. Even when I’m right, the way I’m right is unexpected.

So basically, if you’re not watching Traitors, you should be.