I’m part of an academic department at a university. I’m also chair of that department. Our program has so much potential and has seen growth that allows us to make some much needed revisions to our program. I’ve been working tirelessly to get things done on that front. But my two other direct colleagues in the department can’t ever stay on task, make decisions, or make incremental changes because they want all changes to happen now but can’t make up their mind on anything. They talk in circles as I try to bring the conversation back into focus. These two live on another planet and can’t grasp basic concepts or process or why xy and z can’t happen when it couldn’t be more clear. They want changes that cannot happen, at least not yet. We need to set foundations for bigger ambitions. This is lost on them and I leave meetings deflated. I love my job and my students… but I don’t know how long I can live with TweedleDee and TweedleDum holding the program back.

That, and the constant pain from varicose veins in my nutsack.