I had a great time with Wednesday and Thursday's class sessions. We watched the Couples in Communication video. Some of the response was what I expected - unrealistic situation. But I was surprised about how voriferous the response was to the man's behavior. And we explored that in class. I learned alot. And I think, I hope, that everyone did. What it did raise is how complicated and downright difficult maintaining relationships can be. Sure there are big things that build and destroy relationships but the everyday "smaller" things of coexisting are harder to unravel. And the question is "why" unravel them? Who were are and who we are in relationship seems hard to decide about in these moments. Sometimes it is easier to just flow - let it go. But every action (or inaction) leads to a consequence, an effect. Our interdependence needs to be continually navigated. And are we interdependent is always at risk, especially when we don't think we are.
I was really please, as has happened a number of times this semester, of the level and breadth of the discussion. Much input from many different sides. I love this when this happens. This makes me feel really good about myself as an educator. I think this is the most important part of my role and when this happens then all is right and good in the world. The trouble is that this doesn't happen all the time. The rollarcoaster of teaching.

 
We began a negotiation about the collaborative negotiation paper deadline. It was interesting and I hope that I can get into some stuff that hasn't seemed to come across well about collaboration. It will be tricky and I not sure I can pull it off.
Overall mostly we are on track. A few individuals are really moving forward while some are falling off the radar screen. It seems par for the course.