That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? It’s hardly true. I’m just irritated because I have to work on other people’s stuff today. And not my own. Which has been the story all week. Monday it was frozen pipes at a friend’s house, yesterday I had my boss summon me in to work (the nerve…) and today he’s demanding my presence again. Which wouldn’t be so bad, but I have a college essay to edit for the son of a friend. And I really don’t want to do it.
I suppose that’s where my crisis comes from. It’s not a very good essay. No. That’s not fair. It’s a very clear, well-written essay, but it’s a little boring. I mean, the kid’s got a great history and he’s writing his essay over diversity and WOW does he have diversity, but the essays a little biography of himself, without any real introspective on what diversity means to him. Which to me would be the point. He makes all these little interesting comments and facts about his family, but then doesn’t explore those completely.
God. I sound so old and frumpy.
So what do I do? Should I give him my honest opinion? (Which would be to tear it up and start all over again, even if it is due on January 1st?) Or do I edit this one, despite not thinking it’s the best he could do, and just be as helpful as I can? Doesn’t help that his dad is in on the mix and wants me to be painfully honest… I think I’ll do a little of both. Talk to his dad, tell him what I think, then do some honest editing and then recommend that he re-think what he’s doing and suggest that he explore other options. Hm. Maybe I don’t sound old and frumpy–maybe I just sound how I usually do…snobby.