Monday, January 12, 2026

I Remember That Gap Jean Jacket I Bought Myself (Rare Self Indulgence). Thinking About It as I'm Mindful of the Weird Gaps in My Life Right Now

Somewhere between 1987 and 1990 I splurged. Those who know me best know how frugal I am, and that I can wipe out a clearance rack like no other, especially when I feel like I'm getting a deal and giving it back to the corporations that trick the consumer. I'm really good at it, and in high school, as I started making my own money, I remember I splurged once on a jean jacket from the Gap Outlet that used to in Cicero. I think it is an auto parts store now. Cynde borrowed the jacket on a trip to some Caribbean Island with Julie and Maureen, I believe, and that jacket never found its way home. 

I do remember, however, it was a GAP jacket which was foo foo fee for me.

I'm thinking about that word "gap" as the graduate researchers are reviewing literature and not necessarily looking for gaps in the research (this isn't a dissertation, after all), but gaps in their own thinking as they wrestle with a teacher action research project. It's not an exhaustive literature review, but one can be accomplished in a four-week course over the holidays when everyone has simply been craving a break.

I realized yesterday, too (thanks to many), that I haven't had any break this holiday season and it's been go-go-go-go-go. Still, there have been tiny gaps in the schedule when I've caught up with student work at moments when I didn't need to prepare the next class or assess any more of the student work that was coming in.

That happened last night over cake, gorgonzola meatball sandwiches, a Karal/Rico romp on Walnut Beach and conversations (via the phone) with Chitunga and Pam. It was a nice distraction. I was delighted, too, that while I took advantage of the gap in the winter session chaos, only two students emailed me with more items to be graded. I got to them before I shut the computer down and said, "I'm done for this weekend."

How many weeks and weekends have it been sacrificed for the good of students and our program? Four, to be honest. But it's almost done.

In Sudan, wood is sometimes wedged between teeth because the gaps are seen as sexually appealing. Perhaps this post, and all its gaps, is simply to be an aphrodisiac to my Sudanese friends. It is doubtful, but we have to laugh where we can. 

30 Graduate Course Hours, 25 Action Research Projects Were Proposed. Success at our Tuesday Night Summit

And I crock-potted that chicken, soaked it in Tikka Masala sauce, and then heated it after frying up peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Served ...