The Semester is Still Young!

Okay, so here's what happened today...

After my early morning class, I went back to my office to make a few corrections to my syllabi (my students are probably ecstatic that I've decided on office hours so early in the semester!). I made the corrections, saved them to my flash drive, and sent the updates to the department administrative assistant (Bonus! Now that she knows, I'll actually get a sign for my office!). I also posted the syllabi to my two classes that they pertain to.

Next, I thought I'd look up some interesting things to present for my 11:30am class. I teach another section of the same topic on Monday evenings, and with next Monday being MLK Day (no classes), I don't want my 3-days-a-week class to get too far ahead of my Monday-only class.

I found a couple of interesting videos and downloaded them to my flash drive - which I use a lot because I teach in Stillwater and in Tulsa, and I like to have everything with me no matter where I am on a given day.

I also made a "Tip of the Week" short presentation to show the class. Again, saved to the flash drive.

Do you see where this is heading?

By this time I'm pretty pleased with myself, being on top of everything so early in the semester.

Well, 11:15 rolls around and I knew I needed to get to class, but that I needed to make a quick bio-break. No problem. I grabbed my books, my travel mug (Oops! Empty!), and stopped at the restroom before heading down the stairs and across the street to when my class meets.

I got into the classroom early enough, booted up the computer, and went out to fill my travel mug from the water fountain while the computer did its start-up thing.

I got back to the classroom, it's 11:25, and I reach into my pocket for my flash drive.

Flash drive.

Uh, flash drive?

Where is my flash drive?

I checked another pocket - the one where I put my keys after locking the office door. No flash drive.

AAARRRRGHHH!!!

"Don't go away! I'll be right back," I told the class, still filing in.

I ran down the stairs, out the door, and back across the street to the building which houses my office, along with one of the slowest elevators known to humankind.

I ran upstairs (did I mention my office is on the 4th floor? No? Well, it is), unlocked the door, frantically looked around because the flash drive was not still in the computer, which is where I had it last. Or so I thought.

I started unloading my pockets.

I had cargo pants on.

Many pockets.

I found my flash drive in a pocket that I don't put things in.
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Unless, apparently, I'm in a hurry and not paying attention.
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Yeah, I had it all along.
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I ran back to class, put my flash drive in the classroom computer, and began class.

I showed them the syllabus pertaining to their class, and told them it was also uploaded to the class website.

I showed them the videos.

I showed them the Tip of the Week.

I spoke to them a little bit more about the class, things to expect, and assigned them a reading.

I let them go a little early.
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As they were drifting out, one student came up to me.
"I don't know if you know," he said, "but the syllabus you posted for our class is the one for your 8:00 class."
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Ah, the semester is still young!

Even Though I'm Not Captain America, I Voted As If It Matters

A funny thing happened on the way back from voting. Perhaps this note to my students explains it best...
"Dear Class,

I'm without a car this morning. Normally, that's not a problem.

However, I walked up to where I vote when the rain had let up, and on the way back (and it started sprinkling again), I decided to take a shortcut.

Again, normally not a problem.

I jumped off a small wall and, thanks to all the rain the night before, right into grass-covered muddy spot (the grass was longer than it looked, probably because the tips were just peeking out of the silty puddle). My shoes are muddy, as are my once-clean pants, and I'm still laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

At least I voted, so there's that.

I'm going to get cleaned up (NOTE TO SELF: Just because most of the Avengers (except the Hulk - he's a mess) can jump off walls and buildings and not get muddy, it doesn't mean I can do the same thing), and then work from home.

The lab, of course, will be open for you to work on your projects. If your teams want to meet elsewhere today, I'm okay with that.

I also think that perhaps you, too, might be debating on whether to vote or to come to class. I'm not really a political animal, but I do think elections are important, even if my vote only counts as one among millions.

We will have class Thursday.

And I will not be muddy.

Thanks,

LD"

I hope you vote today, even if it's just to cancel out my vote. I'm okay with that.