Comments on Comments from 12/08 - 12/14

I am collecting some comments from last week and seeing if my new method IS actually successful like my Saturday sample.  And, yes, the image above would need an "n" in it to even be remotely humorous.. but it was what I could find.  Keeping my finger's crossed that this looks normal: 

AC stated:

“I was still using the overhead projector a lot in 2001 when I retired.”

I believe it was around 2006 when I actually started to make PowerPoint slides for use in lectures.  Part of it was that the U did not have reliable projector systems in many rooms I ended up being assigned to until around that time, and the “workaround” they gave folks for those rooms is that they could check-out (from the library) a tall (old-school movie projector style) cart with a computer and projector on it that you would have to wheel from the library to whatever the hell the building and room you had to teach in was located.  Then you had to set it all up, then take it down and wheel it back to the library afterwards.  That did not seem to “enhance” my workload, so I kept the acetates until my usual classrooms were up to snuff.  

“Snow and exams are a problem. My granddaughter has another exam tomorrow when it will snow, and she has a long drive into the city to get there.”

It is always a worry for those students who commute.  I worry about the percentage who do commute in the Winter, because they are young and still rather novice drivers by-and-large.  And, as I often mention in my neuroscience class, human “decision-making” myelination of the cortex of the brain does not fully form until around 25-28 years of age.... so their decision making processes may not always be the best.  Myelin is a covering that some neurons have that shapes how rapidly the neuron conducts messages.

“The part about talking less and less as the group grows more and more is most definitely me.”

Hahah!  You and me both.  I tend to find the greatest comfort in casual chatting/conversing when there are only one or two others I am talking with.  But, I still feel reasonably talkative and comfortable up to five or so others.  Larger than that..... I have a very strong tendency to say little (without forcing myself) and simply listen.

GaP stated:

“For what it's worth...I agree with Pat M. 100%. You are a pipe smoker. It's part of you. It makes you a better, more "complete" person. Why would you resist that? The world needs more Frumpy Pipe Smoking Professors, Professor. Tweed blazers carrying the aroma of pipe tobacco, offices and studies with some excellent room-note. That's part and parcel of being a pipe man Professor.”

I did indeed have that role for many, many years.  I have been considering returning quite a bit since the pipe I had on my Dad’s 102nd birthday.  I do not like NOT doing what I say I will do.  Yet, I also do not like being rash in decisions, and hence I am weighing options as best as I can.  I also do worry more than a little bit that if I were to fully return, and then sometime wish again to refrain that I may not have enough resolve to do so.  It was difficult enough the first time.

Margaret stated:

“That grading process sounds clunky and time-consuming. We went from an easy system called EasyGradePro to an expensive but NOT user friendly one that I can't think of the name of. Except that I hated it. Glad the Cigar Group went so well--5 is an ideal number for chatting.”

It is indeed clunky.  In some ways I suspect that may PARTIALLY be purposeful.  I think some profs might just “willy-nilly” assign grades very rapidly (and likely have considerable errors) if they could enter grades rapidly and easily.  The clunky nature of the U’s current system is partially due to cheapness, and partially due I believe to forcing the profs to be cognizant and methodical at this time of the year where most profs (myself included) are ready for a break.

“Pat makes excellent points about boundaries, the pipes and accepting limitations. I think you judge yourself too harshly; striving to become a better person doesn't mean that you're not a wonderful person to start with. Or that you're selfish.”

Thank you for suggesting I judge myself too harshly.  I tend more toward the mindset that I do not judge myself harshly enough and should be more purposeful and more dedicated in my actions.  I think I readily see my many failings and they gnaw and gnaw at me.  But, sometimes I have a tendency to find ways to ignore them.

“I hope the snow isn't too disruptive. We're having a massive amount of rain which is causing havoc in some areas. Right now it's not raining and I should be out there walking instead of sitting inside with the cat!”

From the news reports I have seen, it sounds horrendous in your region!  I have checked your blog many times, just to look for a reassuring post that things are still going ok for you amidst all this chaotic weather.  

“Feast or famine! I have the opposite problem. We're in an atmospheric river right now so I could be growing mold from the moisture. How thoughtful to send the finals kits to your kids. My younger daughter's university had one that parents could buy and I did that a couple years. I'm sorry about your daughter losing her position. I think there will be more and more of that. My older daughter was on a year by year contract at her college which probably would have disappeared. Although she hates her job in state government, at least it's relatively secure. Maybe?”

Fortunately, my graduate school daughter has taken the situation well, after a day of reflection.  She feels reasonably confident that in the next semester her position will be safer as she will have enough “senority” in the role due to other graduate students expected to defend in the next semester she is unlikely to be at risk.  

Pam J stated:

But the most revealing and interesting reaction from FProf is this one: “I have to also admit that it stung to read and recognize the above AS true.” Stung? It almost sounds like FProf thinks he can, with hard work, defy aging. But he’s a scientist, he understands biology. Perplexing.”

Hah.... I can understand your sentiment.  But, by saying it “stung” I was more talking about how the lowered abilities I have make me feel less valuable, less helpful, etc.  I do understand the biology of aging, but at the same time I have a (common to many) hope I can stave it off not forever, BUT perhaps longer than average through hard work... and/or be one of the statistical “outliers” that has a much, much more gradual onset.  Statistics and probability definitely suggest that is a pipe dream... but at the same time, I still on occasion buy a Lotto ticket.... thinking just MAYBE... I could be the one! 

Pat stated:

“It's not that "accepting limitations" means trying less or working less, Professor. It's that the things you work hard on, or try hard at, will change as we age. For instance, you are likely at a point in your life where working hard to be a great mentor will yield more fruitful results than working hard to be a great innovator. With age, you may be less able to serve by living heavy boxes, but you may be more able to serve by organizing the content of those boxes. And after decades growing more deeply familiar with your field of study, you may be far better prepared to synthesize understandings across the breadth of your discipline than to dig deep for new data in one narrow sub-discipline. I didn't mean to suggest "Don't keep trying to work harder" -- I meant to suggest that you try to figure out where your hard work will yield the greatest payoff in combination with your current experiences and circumstances. Does that make sense, Professor?”

What you say makes strong sense.... as your comments always do.  An aspect of the above that is challenging to me, however, is my strong enjoyment of routine.  I like the way I have done things, and I would like to continue doing things in that way.  It may seem odd, that while I DO also like adapting to add new things and new approaches, and new paths...... ADD is an important word for me to emphasize.... my mind typically things of NEW tasks, NEW roles, NEW foci as being ADD-ONS and not replacements or substitutions.  But.... physically and mentally that is impossible, because we are all constrained by the same 24 hours each day.  But, it is also true that I do not relish “letting go” of what I have as a routine..... usually without an internal struggle (fight). 

 

Peppylady stated:

“Snow Cones reminds me of fairs.”

So true.  I can remember back to the first snow cone I had, at four, almost five years old.  The vivid color, the intense flavor, the rough coldness on an otherwise hot day..... it felt so..... much “MORE” than other things... I remember that first slushy, intense mouthful.  Fairs have a tendency to have many things like that.... sort of more vivid than day-to-day life.