Randomosity

Just an array of random thoughts:

• I actually did not know that "randomosity" was an actual word.  I thought I had made it up, but it is in the dictionary so is apparently legitimate.
• Even though I "knew" deep in the recesses of my mind.... but I wasn't actually "aware" in my day-to-day thoughts that I an old enough geezer to technically be considered by my U students' as a "grandpa" figure.   
• The Israel - Hamas War is difficult at so many levels.  Here are my opinions overall..... Hamas is wrong and started this sad affair.  Hamas, IMO, does not represent the Palestinian people.  Palestine does deserve and needs its own country.   Israel's government is causing horrific death and destruction of civilian (non-Hamas) people, which is wholly wrong.  People who are Jewish should NOT be the subject of hate speech.  In a perfect world (a pipe dream of course) here is what I would want.... Hamas to end.  Palestine to exist.  Israel to be at peace with Palestine.  No discrimination nor harm for people who are Palestinian nor Jewish.   
• My grades are now in, and I have a few days to get my next damn class ready for next Monday.
• I am up in the air about Thursday at the moment.  Part of me desperately wants to go to the gathering and enjoy the luxury of a wonderful pipe.  Part of me wants to go and indulge in a cigar, just to feel more a part of the "in crowd".  Part of me is worried that I will not be able to go due to some sort of U crisis that is potentially going to happen.  Part of me thinks I am just a dumb, old doofus for thinking about such things and that I should not go.
• I have been so exhausted the last several days that I do not even read when I finally get to bed.  I am asleep before my head hits the pillow.  It is full exhaustion. I am back to being in a dreamless sleep too, and my wife even has gotten nervous a few times because I am apparently not even moving during my sleep (I typically am rather restless and moving around a lot).... so that she sometimes rouses me ("just to be sure") because I am so quiet and stationary.
• My TMJ has quieted quite a bit.  I think during the last 4-5 days, I had some sort of gum infection near a back molar and have been treating it (uncomfortably) with the technique my now retired (and unfortunately expired) dentist from 50 years ago recommended in these occasions..... with a finger of mouthwash in a cocktail glass (I use a traditional,  minty, store-version of "Scope") add ~ a single teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide.... swirl around the mouth as typical, expectorate, and then repeat with a finger of just the mouthwash.  But, this gum infection has been difficult because I aggravate it when I eat, so I have been eating very gingerly to try to avoid hitting it (which has been hit-or-miss in terms of success, regretably).  But... FINALLY, it feels like it is getting better. 
  
• Running.... unfortunately, with the irratable, out-of-sorts way I have been feeling.... I have NO interest in running.  But, I keep doing it.  And, when I get the damn steps out of the way, I have to admit every time that I do feel LESS out-of-sorts.  So, I keep doing it.
• I would love to swim today, but the damnable pool is CLOSED today for "filter maintenance".  To me this seems absurd that the WHOLE DAY has to have the pool be closed, and truth-be-told, I think it is just an excuse.  But, oh, well.  
• Sometimes I think I am just a silly, old fool to have such a fondness for pipes and pipe tobaccos.  Sometimes I wonder what the hell is wrong with me.  I just do not know, sometimes.
• I have to send in a new abstract for an international research meeting (unfortunately in the US this time) that I am going to work to present at in November.  I need to get the abstract in by the end of the day, so I had better scoot.

PipeTobacco

Aggravation

I am livid, but I am going to let it go.  A student whose task was to keep a stock culture alive of nematodes did  not do so and they expired.  This is ~2 weeks before an important presentation.  I have scrambled to order a new culture (out of my pocket) and have it shipped to us.  It will arrive Wednesday.  I am not happy.  But, I am not going to let it ruin the rest of my day.

Things around at the U are just too damn intense and stressful and frustrating at the moment.  

Breath. 

Let it go.

There is no inherent value in being p*ss*d off.  Emotionally, I want to dress down the student because I am so frustrated and angry.  But, I cannot do that, as it a) is not the way I want to be as a person, b) it does not promote kindness, c) it does not really help in learning.  I would also hate myself afterwards if I did so.

I am hoping that the crunch he has put himself and his group into.... is going to be sufficient enough stress to have him learn a valuable lesson.  Perhaps after things settle down, I will more gently TALK with him about this experience.   

Breath.  

I can say with 100% certainty that in the wonderful "old" days, this easily avoided catastrophe sure as hell would have been a whole lot easier to grapple with  while having a delightfully smoldering pipe clenched between my chompers as I practiced my "breathing".

* * * * 

• Because of all the end of the year "dog doo-doo" that happens.... and in 2024 this "doo-doo" seems to be happening at an exponentially and logarithmically greater level than most other years I have ever experienced.... I did NOT run today.  I had been ahead a bit, so I should theoretically be able to catch back up tomorrow.  But, that too was not a good way to have to start the day.
  
• My wife and I have had (for ~6 months now) a pair of tickets for a date together in a nearby town to listen to a very nice classical guitar group.  It is likely to be filled with all sorts of "fancy" people dressed to the hilt.  I am not sure what my wife will choose to wear, but I will be decked out in the same, frumpy, tweedy attire I wear to work most every day.  But, it should be a pleasant evening.  I may even allow myself a drink.  The music should be wonderful.
  
• I am still keeping my fingers crossed about next week's potential cigar/pipe experience.  I am HOPING I can still go, and that I will not be forced to stay at the U that day because of my recalcitrant group associated with the nematodes, who did not follow my guidance... to help them catch up and get their crap accomplished.  I so want to have the opportunity to go.  I still debate whether to join the "in crowd" with a cigar, or to be a "lone wolf" with my pipe.  

PipeTobacco