Esto y Aquello

Puerto Rico was a wholly wonderful experience!  My two presentations went very well, so that was great.  But, what was especially great for me (and my wife) was that it was MY first experience in a truly Caribbean environment (my wife has had experiences there previously to our marriage).  It was visually very beautiful and striking.  Never having been in a tropical, island region before was wholly new for me.  

I was initially very wary of sunburn and excessive sun exposure.  I slathered my body head to toe each day in 50+ SPF sunscreen, and can happily report that I never burned at all!  It is rather interesting to me that with all that sunscreen on, I actually DID tan a reasonable amount, much more so than I have ever been able to do. 

Food was fun and amazing on several levels.  I ate a lot of delicious food with Puerto Rico-an spices and flair!  Many delightful bean dishes.  I also had a delightful, spicy pot-roast style dish that was truly inspired!  My wife, much more fond of meat dishes than me, had a few meals where there were samples of many meats as an entree.  One of her dishes that I tired a bit of, that was delicious (and surprisingly so for me) was a pulled-pork dish she had (I normally do not really like pork).  It was uniquely spiced and succulent!      

But, perhaps the biggest food surprise was that we had a new (to me) experience at what is called an "Asian Hot Pot" restaurant in Peurto Rico called "Denko Asian Eatery".  At this place, you would each order a soup "base" and proteins and vegetables of your choice and cook the soup at your table.  The food would be delivered by a funny/cute conveyor system that was akin to a modern "train" of sorts that would bring you materials and supplies.  My wife ordered a neutral base whereas mine was spicy.  She ordered shaved beef as her protein and I ordered soy.  But we also had a mountain of fresh vegetables each to add to our respective pots.  It was tremendously fun!  We also had edamame as an appetizer and an asparagus sushi roll as an appetizer.  For me, it was also very fun to order and have a "Lucky Buddah" beer (it was the most interesting sounding beer they had).  Never having one before, I was surprised to find the bottle itself was interesting:

So, overall, food was a joy in Puerto Rico!

PipeTobacco

Comments on Comments

 

I am replying to recent comments provided to my posts.  I have your comments organized alphabetically by poster.  The comments given are in italics whereas my replies are in regular font that is in bold to make them easier to find:

AC:

Blog rolls change as people come and go. When I look at old blogs, which is seldom but it does happen, I can’t even remember some of the commenters or at least not easily.

I do look at some of my older posts from time to time and do see several commenters that I do miss. Some have unfortunately stopped blogging/posting, and regrettably, some folks have passed away.  

*** 

 I am almost positive that I have had a pair of those shoes, but a long time ago. 

I have worn these exact style of shoes for well over 30 years now.  They work well for me in terms of a) looking reasonably "professional" and are very comfortable (until I wear the damn things out from the inside).  And, because I am not often fond of change, I have been delighted they remain exactly the same in terms of look, fit, etc as they did 30+ years ago when I first found them.

***

Your feeling were maybe evoked by the simulation? I mean it's unlikely a joyful game.

I am not sure.  But, in many ways, I feel GOOD about my participation in the Poverty Simulation, so I am thinking my sadness was more related to my damnable rumination on things, especially of past hurts.  I am coming to be of the opinion that ruminating on feelings does no damn good.  But, it is difficult at times to not drift into doing so.

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GaP:

The only way out of a low mood is through. When I feel this way...(just about everybody does, whether they admit it or not)I let it wash over me, through me...and eventually the mood changes. Something will happen to lift your spirits. It always does...Brave heart, Professor.  

True.... getting through the feelings are important, but I think I may have more success if I can better figure out ways to not drift into ruminating of that sort. 

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Liz:

Oh PT, I do feel for you. 

Thank you, Liz.  I appreciate that.  I still often feel quite in awe of your novel writing success.  I just want to keep letting you know that I find that a truly inspiring accomplishment!

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Margaret:

I too am worried about the summer and the air quality. As you probably know, we have glorious summers in the Pacific Northwest but they are ruined if we can't safely go outside. 

It is odd and frustrating about the air quality.  We do not get a whole helluva lot of (safe for me) time to run outside because of our long winters.  I feel a bit "cheated" on the days when air quality from the wildfires makes it unwise to run out-of-doors.   Truth-be-told, I tend to think of your Pacific Northwest region as having beautiful weather year-round!  I think my wife and I would relish it as a retirement region, but I think the prices are rather steep (probably due to California drift) which makes me nervous about possibly moving there someday on retirement income. 

***

Those are teacher shoes! I think my dad used to wear those. :) Believe it or not, in my early teaching days, I wore high heels. 30 years down the road I was in comfortable cushiony shoes. I had black, brown and navy ones.

Ouch, high heels!  In the classroom, that would seem BRUTAL!  Haha!  Yes, 30+ years ago, the shoes were already a long standing style, which helped me gravitate towards them. :)  I have always tended towards "old school" before there was such a term and well before I was "older and gray".  That has been true for most things in my life.  If you remember the television show, Mannix, a lot of the styles that Mannix wore were very traditional styled sport coats, and while I have sport coats from various eras, I do relish the ones of mine that have survived my wearing them for decades.  

***

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by joy and other times with sadness. I think they are both reactions to what we've been experiencing and are complex. I find that going with it is the best way to handle it, even if we can't explain why we're feeling that way. It sounds like you did.  

Yes, I realize that is truthfully all I CAN do is to "go with it".  Sometimes I can somewhat reshape my mood with some of the "right" music, and I try that.  In the last go-through of the blues, I tried to listen to my "Crosby, Stills, and Nash" Pandora channel..... but that did  not work.  I then switched to my "Bossa Nova" Pandora channel.... and happily that did help me pull out of the doldrums quite a bit.  

***

It's always SO much work to go somewhere, but worth it to spend time in Puerto Rico. How wonderful that your wife was with your on the trip!! 

Yes, I was so pleased to be able to have my wife with me.  It was wonderful in so many ways.  I will be writing more about the PR experience later this week, I hope.  

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Pat:

I refrain from commenting when I perceive that a comment might be unhelpful and thus unwelcome....

I have never found any of your comments unhelpful and never would want you to EVER think your comments are unwelcome, because both thoughts would be false!

...With your recent turn toward cigars, I'm sometimes at a loss as to what to say, as I am perceiving that your body's craving for nicotine is sadly stronger than your soul's craving for your pipes...

I do not think I have a particular craving for nicotine per se.  The cigars are plesant, I do admit, but truthfully, I think the experience is mostly something I find so appealing because of the camaraderie. And, while technically I could indulge in a pipe there, part of the camaraderie is associated with feeling like I "fit in" and am not "standing out" which is why the cigar works there, I think.   

Regarding my soul's craving for a pipe.... I can assure you that those cravings have not appreciably changed or moved.  They are still strong, still on my mind every day, and even though I USED to think eventually they would dissipate, I have come to accept that they likely never WILL dissipate.  I feel more comfortable accepting that idea than I was initially. 

I sometimes find it painful to read of how you are acclimatizing yourself toward cigars and distancing yourself from your pipes. I don't think I could do that, and I know I would never want to do that. 

I think I am craving the camaraderie.  I am not sure if "acclimatizing" myself towards cigars is actually what I am doing.  I am not sure.  In my mind, I see it as more of a completely DIFFERENT experience that gives me a bridge to the camaraderie I do seek.  I can state with certainty that I am not "distancing" myself from my pipes.  They are still all about me, day-to-day.  I have perhaps talked about them less in the recent period.... not because they weren't on my mind....they were.... but because I was a) thinking most folks were getting awfully damn tired of my repetitive pipe stories and memories, sort of like the uncle or grandpa people roll their eyes at who repeat the same stories over-and-over, and b) trying to BE more positive, and sometimes when I am writing about my pipe cravings and the missing of my pipes, I feel like I am not being positive, because I miss them so.  I have been thinking about this, and I am thinking perhaps my plan should be to more focus here on writing of the beautiful pipe memories, because when I do, it does feel helpful and hopeful that I may figure out a potentially safe way to return.  

But that's a journey I can't walk for you; you are a unique individual and need to figure it out for yourself, and I can appreciate that the personal warm connections over your weekly cigars are a powerful palliative against some other sour relationships in your life. So, when you write of your cigars, I am sometimes out here feeling a bit saddened, wondering whether you are abetting a transition from pipe-smoker to nicotine-user, but I am also uncomfortable nudging you and wondering out loud whether the harm your soul is suffering by abandoning your pipes is for you outweighed by the bodily and social comforts you are finding in your weekly cigars.

I would ask that you to not stop "nudging" me.  I have found your insights in pipes and in my faith, and in all manner of things to always be thought provoking and helpful.
 

As for the other topics in this latest post, your talk about the memorization for the "practical exam" has me wondering... are students' attention spans actually less than they were a few decades ago? And, if so, is memorization a more difficult task for students today than it was when you were a student? And, if so, is there anything you and/or your students can do about that?

In my opinion, there has been a slide in attention spans for students.... but also for EVERYONE.  It may be only correlation and not causation, but the decline in attention span was first heralded at the onset of the MTV-short form video explosion into societal normalcy.  But, I am of the opinion that attention span further decayed and declined (exponentially, I may suggest) with the onset of the "smart phone" and the swiping and scrolling of social media like FaceBook, Instagram, Tik-Tok and that ilk.  We all have minimal attention now it seems. I recognize that my own attention span and willingness to, for example, read the necessary long-form journal articles related and relevant to my research and my “biology-ness” has declined.  I do still force myself to read them, but I feel an impatience that was not always there at times these days.

***

Professor, if you need to squeeze a little extra time from your current Rockports, have you thought about getting some of those Dr. Scholl's-type inserts to give you fresh cushioning? That's no substitute for a new shoe, but if it can delay the purchase helpfully while helping your feet you might consider it. For that matter, when you get your next pairs of Rockports, you might even want to START OUT with inserts, so that what you wear out from the inside will be the inserts as much as the shoes themselves.

A wise set of suggestions!  Unfortunately, I have previously tried both with limited success.  In the old,worn shoes, the inserts would conform to the "divots" I had worn in the shoes and would not help significantly.  And, I have tried adding them to new shoes as well, but sadly, it appears that my feet are a very powerful force and when pitted against Dr. Scholl's.... my feet destroy them rather readily.... far quicker than I think should be reasonable.
 

Oh, and in these days of hyper-sensitive and litigious students, I'm not sure that I would have the nerve to toss a pouch of pipe tobacco towards a student, lest I be accused of some kind of assault... but I'm glad you've been able to do this as a productive part of your teaching routine. Nice!

Haha!  That is an interesting point.  But, in the times I have done this, it has typically been met with a quizzical glance and rather congenial follow-through by the students.  Perhaps I need to try it again this fall and see if the current crop responds differently. 

*** 

Professor, your readers know that you feel things very deeply, and this post is another poignant example. But let me encourage you to consider something. Some of the things that bring you to tears are things that you have chosen. And I must assume that you've chosen them because they are the better choice for you. Instead of cutting off your sour relationships, you've persisted in them. So when those relationships cause you pain, you can consider that the pain is your choice -- that the pain of cutting off those relationships would cause you even greater pain. This should help you find hope instead of tears. And the same is true of your decision to cut yourself off from your pipes. For some reason you are afraid of embracing them again, and this fear is more meaningful to you than any sadness you may feel in their absence. 

All of the above is very true.  But I am at a loss on how to respond.  Perhaps what I can say is that maybe what I am doing is attempting to "play the odds" in what seems to be the "better" long-term strategy?  I am often fearful that if I act rashly (like cutting a relationship abruptly, or by simply picking up a pipe non-nonchalantly on a whim of desire) I am somehow reducing or eliminating the "long term" goal of exerting meaningful control over my life.

Meanwhile, far from being alone and unloved, consider that your wife is there, and that you are surely appreciated by at least your better students for whom you are helping to lay a foundation for their professional success. Even your part in the Poverty Simulation surely helped some folks to think and feel more deeply about their own good fortune by comparison.

All true.  I cannot add more to those positives.

***

I see that my comment from a week ago has disappeared. I hope it's just a technical glitch, and that you didn't feel a need to delete it, Professor! In an earlier post you professed to value my comments, so even though I had been reticent to say too much lately I thought my attempt at encouragement would be welcomed. In any case, I hope the week since your last post has gone well, and that between your wife and your better students you are feeling the appreciation that you so well deserve. Good luck with it all, kind sir!

I truthfully DO NOT know or understand what happened.  I NEVER get rid of comments unless they are ads.  When I saw your comment above, I went exploring and even though I have no idea how it moved there, I was able to eventually find your comment (which is now back up) in some sort of "SPAM" folder on Blogger.  It made no sense.  First, I have no idea how to move or send anything to a "SPAM" folder in Blogger, nor would I do so.  It must be some sort of autoprocessor in Blogger?  Perhaps it keys in on some word or other?  I do not really know.  But, I apologize that it disappeared for a while.  

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PepperLady:

 

I know people who did the snap (food stamp) challenge. 

I have heard of that and think it is a good thing for folks to try.  It helps put things into perspective.  

PipeTobacco 

Friday Delay

 

With my realizing that today is Friday, and because I am playing catch-up on all manner of U things from my time in Puerto Rico, I decided it would be best (and most consistent) to have my "Comments on Comments" post be this coming Monday, as is the day I plan for this to consistently occur anyway.  

I am "number crunching" like crazy, but also being bombarded by many students who are begging and pleading for "extra points" or "anything they can do" to help them get the grade they want.  This is a mantra I experience every semester because for many students, this course is (inaccurately) perceived as a "weeder" course to keep folks from getting into one or another programs.  It gives me a sense of anguish, because I DO NOT want to have folks not accomplish their dreams.  Hell, I WANT them to succeed every step of the way.  But, what can I do when some students just DO NOT do the work, or with others, they simply do not know how to study?   

In my Department, I get odd looks from some of my less favorite co-workers because my student evaluations CONSISTENTLY sound dichotomous and contradictory to their ears:

"Dr. Pipe's class is EXTREMELY hard, and his TESTS are brutal, but he is a great teacher."

"Professor Pipe works really hard to help us to learn this very difficult material!!"

"Even though the class subject is so scary and difficult, Dr. Pipe is undoubtedly my favorite and the best professor I have had!" 

"I focused more on this class than I have done for any other class I have taken.  But, I did well, even though the subject was super tough!  Dr. Pipe helped me learn how to study and I am really glad to have had this class with him.  I can't wait to have him again in the Fall!

And this "dichotomy" is true also numerically.  In student evaluations, in addition to "free writing" of comments, students are asked to read statements and assign a Likert Scale number to them (at my U, "1" is strongly disagree and the number "5" is strongly agree).   These numbers are then coalesced into composite number in relevant categories.  Three of the categories (of many) are "Difficulty of Course" and "Helpfulness of Teacher" and "Quality of Instruction".

Most professors tend to have either a) low difficulty scores associated with high helpfulness scores or b) high difficulty scores associated with low helpfulness scores.  Quality of Instruction scores tend to hover for most around an "average" or a "3".  

In this class, and actually in all my classes, I have the following:

Difficulty Scores = 4.5 - 4.8

Helpfulness of Teacher Scores = 4.5 - 4.7

Quality of Instruction Scores =  4.7 - 4.9

With the difficulty I have had with two of the members of my Department, the grousing and aggravation these two have (and have expressed) about my scores has me chuckle and smile inside my mind.  One of them gets scores that are low for difficulty and only moderate for helpfulness and quality.  The other gets high difficulty scores and very low helpfulness scores and low-moderate quality scores.   

I do not usually talk about my evaluations or my scores.  But, today, with so many pleading students, recalling that I am generally well-regarded by my students does help.  

PipeTobacco

 

Rigamarole

The last two weeks have been rather interesting in several ways, many of which have been good ways, with only a relatively minor set of negatives.  As I mentioned previously, I was given the opportunity to present some research in Puerto Rico.  But, with that situation, it also involved considerable efforts to adjust my teaching schedule to fit this opportunity.  So, when the opportunity became official, I had to switch into full-bore..... "get it done" mode for damn near everything. That took several days where I was here but not able to post due to so many different things I had to scurry to get done.

Much of what I had to work through was in designing electronic alternatives for my students while I would be away.  Fortunately, during the timing of the trip, there was one lecture exam to be given, and even though it was rather labor intensive to do, I was able to convert it to an electronic exam.  I also was able to have two ZOOM sessions with students, live.  The hard part about the ZOOM sessions was that I had to do considerable ahead of the trip work to assure all students KNEW HOW to set up and practice using ZOOM and I had to make and schedule various "invites" for these students as well.  

Getting materials ready for my TWO presentations was fairly routine but also time consuming.  Arranging care for our cat and dog took some time as well.  Getting house things in order also took some time.  

Overall, however, it was a good experience.  The TRIP was wonderful.  And, the fact that my wife was able to go with me was even more wonderful!  

I cannot speak much more about the trip or other thoughts TODAY, as I am catching up on things and also working on teaching things today very diligently as well, but now that I am back, I wanted to at least get back here to posting.  

I am thinking tomorrow I may do my "answering comments" post, and then over the next several days talk more about aspects of the trip and also my usual, day-to-day musings.  

PipeTobacco

Pro.... Found.... Sad......Ness

It was a strange day yesterday.  Here is a bullet point summary:

• I got up especially early, because of my planning to participate in a simulation in early morning.  
• I ran
• I went to the site of the Poverty Simulation.  I think I have written about this before, but the Poverty Simulation is an educational simulation designed to help teach folks (students, community leaders, etc, health care workers, etc) a glimpse of what it is like to live in or near the poverty level.  I have participated in these simulations for probably 15 years or so now.  I have a role as one of the members of the community the simulation participants may choose to interact with as they try to cope with the pressures they face during this simulation.  I have had a variety of roles, but I have become noteworthy in a role as a Pawn Shop Owner where folks can theoretically sell their items for quick cash.  
• The Poverty Simulation went well, and the folks DID seem to come away with a deeper sense of understanding and empathy for those who are at or near poverty.  
• I then went to the U in the afternoon to get back to work, and to try to finish up at least a draft of my new research presentations.  
• On the way TO the U, however, I started to feel a profound sense of sadness.  I felt forlorn, lonely, tired, frustrated.... you name it.  I had tears falling down my cheeks and into my beard as I drove.  I tried to hold it in as best as I could though, so I kept from actively sobbing, even though that is what I was feeling.  
• I felt useless.  I felt wholly exhausted.  I felt alone.  I felt unloved.  I felt burdened by work.  I felt I never was able to just "be".  
• Well, there isn'a a whole helluva lot I could do about any of the above.  So, I tried to stuff it away, and worked as best as I could to just do the work I needed to do.  
• Eventually, I was caught up enough to call it quits,, and even though it was late....and it was still Wednesday, not the normal day.... I went to the cigar shoppe.... hoping to feel better. 
• None of my friends were there (to be expected, as it was later in the afternoon.  
• I did indulge in a cigar.  But, it was not particularly enjoyable or exciting or interesting.  I tried a different variety, just rather randomly.  It was shorter and cheaper than others that I have had, thinking I would not stay overly long that late in the day.
• I had forgotten MY current book that I had been reading.  So, I tried to read a magazine or two that were in the shoppe.... but they were meaningless to me, and I eventually tossed them aside.  
• Then I ruminated.  I did not PURPOSEFULLY ruminate.  I know that is not usually a good thing.  But, it was hard to try to force myself out of it.  
• I eventually left at about a time my wife would be available to swim, and I met her at the pool.  She helped me with my feelings of sadness, although much of it still lingered and remained.  But I was thankful to be with her and to be swimming.  
• We went home, ate, watched a bit of television and went to bed.

Today, I feel more "neutral" which is a bit of an improvement.  At least I take it that way.

The image I show was because it reminded me of the phrase.... "Close, but no [good] cigar." like was said by the old-timey carnival workers when someone didn't win a prize. I added the [good] to the above to relate it to my experience yesterday.

PipeTobacco

Shoes

 

I have talked a few times about my infernally expensive running shoes, that I DO replace every 1200 - 1500 miles, faithfully, even though "experts" suggest getting a new pair every 500 miles for long distance runners.  

But, I do not think I have spoken about my work shoes.  I have two pair of very specific shoes that I lecture and do all my U work in and have done so for perhaps 30 years now.  These shoes are classic Rockport Men's shoes that style-wise have served the test of time.  

I always have one pair in black and one pair in brown, so I can wear whichever best fits my "professorial garb" for the day.  I try to have two brown favoring days and two black favoring days each week, and Friday is more variable as the extra workday.  The brown variant is shown in the above image.  The black is identical.... except black in color.  

Unfortunately, with most shoes, I tend to wear them out from the INSIDE and not the outside.  My current pairs are perhaps 7-8 years old and they are shot-to-hell inside.  It may be my persperation that does them in, I am not sure.  But... I have reached the point where I am planning to gravitate to my new brown pair and my new black pair (that I bought perhaps three years ago now in anticipation).  My feet are tired and sore most days because of really no internal cushioning remaining in my current pairs.  It bugs me, though, that they look perfectly FINE from external appearances.  

I had planned on getting rid of them back when I bought their replacements, but kept putting it off and putting it off thinking I could still get some additional wear from them. I am NOW relatively firmly committed to begin wearing the replacements this coming Fall at the start of September because the old sets are uncomfortable by the end of a day.  I have probably purchased five or more probably six (possibly at most, seven, but six is more likely) sets of these identical shoes over the 30 some odd years. I have always been relieved when I look and they are still available.  

I am not quite sure why, but today has been an especially "pipey" day, meaning my daydreaming has been especially pipe focused.  I had difficulty concentrating on praying the rosary while I ran (at the damn track again due to the wildfires), because my mind kept drifting back to remembering Sir Walter Raleigh cube-cut pipe tobacco and how good it is.  While I am not sure why those thoughts/memories are so strong today, it may be in association with the time of the year and what I am teaching.  At the moment, I am lecturing on the various sensory modalities (tactile, gustatory, olfactory, visual and auditory), and in my talking about how the sense of smell is governed neurally, I talk about how there are categories of odorants people use to classify "pure" odors, but that most odors are a mixture of multiple odorants.  I would name several of the more common odorant categories and then give examples of how different common odors are compositions of different categories.  Traditionally, I had always used as one example, a comparison of the odorant catetories between pipe tobacco in its leaf state versus pipe tobacco experiencing combustion. In many classes, I would toss a pouch of my pipe tobacco towards a student and ask him/her to describe the odorants they noted in the leaf state.  I typically gave them a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh or a pouch of Prince Albert as they were relatively "plain" and not adorned with a lot of "extras".  I have not always done the "pouch" routine in class, because sometimes I am too rushed with making sure I get through what I need to for the class.  Last time I probably used the "pouch" angle in class was about 3 years ago.

Please also be assured that I mean "plain" as in JUST TOBACCO LEAF.... not "plain" as in dull or boring, because neither of those pipe tobaccos would EVER be thought of as dull by me.  They both are ROBUST and BEAUTIFUL.  

In the few minutes I have time between all the "big voicing" today, I have written this and also tried to organize my thoughts on a new presentation I have to have done very soon for a presentation at another meeting.  

PipeTobacco    

Comments on Select Comments Monday

 

I am going to try to have Monday be my day for trying to reply to some of the comments I receive:

Margaret stated....

"Perhaps it's true that dogs come to resemble their owners--or is it the other way around?? I have an iPhone 16 Pro and love it. I don't have an iPad though. When I went to buy one, the Apple store employees were so condescending that I left."

I do tend to think there is some sort of correlation between dog and owner (er, perhaps adopter is better).  Our Wheaton Terrier was a puppy we selected, perhaps in part because I convinced my wife of the many attributes of this type of dog..... personality is VERY friendly, very inquisitive and curious, playful, attentive.  Additionally, the breed has very curly hair and can easily sport a fluffy beard and mustache like is typical terrier.  I predicted to my wife that our dog and I would appear somewhat "twin-like" because her golden blond goatee/mustache and my grey beard and mustache were similar enough to draw comparisons. 

I am annoyed FOR you that the Apple employee was condescending.  I have actually only been in a legitimate "Apple Store" one time and can understand your feelings.  In my opinion, the store was (trying to use current vernacular) "Bougie" and simultaneously underwhelming.  I have an iPhone because that is what my wife chose for us.... and yet we GET that phone from the cell phone store.  The iPad also came from the cell phone store, so I was able to avoid the "Apple Store" again.

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Margaret & AC commented on my Laboratory Practical Exam.....

(Margaret) - "...Although many classmates were terrified of the limited time for the exams/essays, I thrived in that environment; it focused my brain like nothing else could."

(AC) - "One would think that fatigue could become a factor. Have you ever noticed this?"

For me, personally, the idea of a big exam of MEMORIZATION of minutia..... drives me nuts.  I sincerely detest/despise having to memorize silly arrays of things.  It is tedious and tiresome.  

BUT, it is an important facet of being able to have a vocabulary to use in talking about physiology.  All physiologists HAD to do this at one time or another to have their working vocabulary.  

I hated these boring as hell exams back when I had to take them.  But, I am glad I did have them to force me to build my vocabulary.  I MUCH prefer to be higher up Bloom's Taxonomy in terms of my own (and my student's) educational goals.  I strive to get them into AT LEAST the apply and analysis levels.  And, my researchers, I will guide into evaluating and creating. 

I tend to think fatigue is a factor from beginning to end of these exams.... especially because I suspect the sizable majority of the kids pulled an "all-nighter" cramming session the evening before the exam..... as per usual for most.  

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For both Margaret and AC about air quality generally......

We have had AQI Scores (Air Quality Index Scores) above 100 every day now for just about a week.  It is a royal pain in the posterior as far as running goes. The primary pollutants are in the Particulate Matter below 2.5 microns.  Dangerous sized stuff.  In THEORY, a building's HVAC system (the air conditioning specifically) helps the levels be significantly lower inside. So, it has been my decision to run inside, as much as I would rather be outside at near daybreak.  The Canadian wildfires spoiled a lot of running last Summer, and it looks to be a very possible repeat this Summer.  Another frustrating and criminal aspect of Global Warming.... unfortunately.  

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AC stated....

"You just roll on and on with that big voice of yours."

By nature, I am typically rather quiet-voiced.  But, in order to a) be heard in the big lecture hall, and b) to capture student's attention.... I have LEARNED to have a BIG VOICE and have LEARNED to be animated in my speaking and also in my non-verbal communication as well (facial expressions, hand gestures, body language) overall.  In many ways, I believe a TEACHER has to become what I call a "Knowledge Actor"..... he/she NEEDS a) a great deal of knowledge, b) an ability to logically organize that knowledge for presentation, and c) the skills of an actor to actually engage with the student populace.

We teachers all recognize the "Charlie Brown Teacher" stereotype..... the never seen figure who is just a bag of boring noise (on the cartoons the sound is done with a manipulated mute and a trumpet)... and most of us worth our salt STRIVE like hell to TRY to avoid that as our perception.  

Margaret stated....

"I'm happy that you're seeking congenial company and enjoying a cigar, if not a pipe."

I have to admit that the company and companionship is tremendously meaningful to me.  The whole atmosphere is so very NOT "U"-like that it refreshes me.  It is NOT work!  It is PLAY to go there.  

And, I do have to say I find the cigar I indulge in to be rather entertaining too.  I find the cigar enjoyable.  But, in the same breath I can say with relative confidence that I do not feel a risk nor a potential compulsion to want to smoke MORE cigars more often.  When I first started to go there, I was a bit worried about if I would feel this sort of pull.  But, happily (at least thus far) I do not.  

And, yet at the same time.... I can still fully attest that even though I have not spoken much of it here of late..... I still have a "PCS" a pipe craving score, for the reality is...... for reasons I do not fully "get" or understand.... there IS something so very different (and damn near "magical") about smoking a pipe FOR ME.... that makes both experiences SO different that there is nearly no overlap in emotions.  Today, for instance, I would estimate my PCS is at roughly a 7.5.   

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Finally, for both AC and Margaret relating to my cigar post.....

Yes, AC, I suspect the Brick House will be a favorite for quite a while.  And, Margaret, yes, as I tried to explain a bit in the above..... I just do not KNOW if I could trust MYSELF if I began to have a pipe at the Retiree's Cigar Group.  From a congeniality standpoint, I am sure THAT would be fine with the group (probably after some gentle "ribbing" from a few, perhaps).  But, in my heart and mind the pipe is so much MORE, and so much BETTER than just the sum of its parts.... that I am not sure I would not simply (and likely willingly) cascade back down to my old ways.  I do not know if I have the inner resolve to have only one pipe a week.  

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Finally, I must briefly mention that it is a bit sad that some of my commenters have disappeared (or at least gone on prescribed hiatus).  It may simply a) be a reflection of less reading occurring in the Summer so less commenting, b) be because what I write about is boring as hell, c) or from a worrisome aspect, be because people are struggling (health or otherwise) and that is keeping folks away.  

I am so grateful for Margaret and AC.  

But, I do very much miss Pat, and Liz, and Pat M., and Paula, Jenna, and GaP, and PepperLady..... and many others.