Good day, after a bit of a rough start. Boring section this morning because we had so much material to get through. Then I found out I had lost a paper draft I should have read a week ago, and didn’t believe that the student had ever turned it in. Found it, and speed-graded it, thankfully. My worst problem student came in when I only had 10 minutes left of my office hours, complaining that he had no idea what a research paper was supposed to be. And not in a feeling-unsure sort of way as if he would write a decent paper and he’s just worried. More like the very concept of a research paper was foreign to him, and it was a travesty that we would request such a hurculean feat as a four page research paper. Meh.
So that was the rough start. After I shooed him out of my office, a bunch of the ling grads took me out for a burger and a beer as a pre-birthday shindig. I really love these guys, and it was neat to have a little thing with them. Had our Friday night class after that, then I’ve just been hanging out at home and enjoying this Giants-Mariners game. Randy Johnson was pitching, and I saw Griffey bat! Good times… he almost got a grand slam at the bottom of the ninth, but it was just a little short. It’s been 1-1 since the 6th inning and they’re in the 12th already. I’m not sure I’m going to make it through the end of the game… but it’s been a very nice way to spend the night. Gotta get on a train in the morning to meander down to Berkeley and have a nice birthday afternoon out with some of the Ask folks and Armand. Should be good times. I’m looking forward to it!