Nothing is ever easy. It seems that when things are going swimmingly, a wrench has to wind up in the works.

First off: my student didn't show up this morning to pick up the copy of our paper that I came in early to tinker with and print out. He was supposed to look over it during his break so he'd have suggestions on changes or additions. We are supposed to make the poster this afternoon.

Second: there's a youth trip this weekend. To what turns out to be a very expensive place. It's something they've been anticipating for months; the former youth director had them vote and of course this was the choice. It's also a very large and public place and I'm scared of chaperoning that many kids - even with several other adults. And it means my whole Saturday is spent somewhere hot and loud and where I'd really rather not be. And I'm charged with calling parents and gently suggesting that their children not invite friends along, or if they do, the cost will be the friends' responsibility.

Third: I can't shoot my $)(*% slides. The slide maker is not working. I don't know what to do. I have to have these shot by the end of this week. It's an issue of it not being a "recognized printer" in the printers folder, and we can't find a CD or anything of the necessary driver. I feel like I'm going to hurl, I'm so stressed over this particular event. (Yes, I know, I could print off paper copies and photograph them but that NEVER looks good when an amateur does it and it costs more than I can afford to have a professional do it). And I can't just work off the computer at the meetings; we've been warned to expect "technical difficulties" and have some kind of back-up, which tells me that I should use slides as my primary thing. Also, I have some photographic slides I want to put in there that I can't scan into PowerPoint. And none of the tech-head people are in today; everyone but me has a long weekend for Independence Day.

I also have a poster to make (and print, off of the same ornery computer), two papers to revise, a textbook review to finish, and a new, technical class to prepare for the fall. And I'm due to leave town on 20 July.

I just want to put my head down on the desk and cry. Why does everything hit me at once?