After the Storm

I'm not usually a huge fan of centered photos, but I like this one. This was right after a mild storm, and I liked the look of the dark bird and shelter against the blue-gray sky. A limited color palette can be fun sometimes, and here it feels like it's just half a step away from being black and white.

A BB Problem

On Wednesday, I was going through my workout with BB. Someone was on the calf raise, so BB thought for a moment and said, "Let's try something." He took me over to the barbell set up and had me hold the barbell behind my head, rested on my shoulders, then stand up on my tip toes. That sort of things takes a bit of balance, let me tell ya.

While I wobbled and tried not to fall over, BB stood behind me as my spotter. "Don't worry, I got you."

I don't like people standing that close to me, especially not if they're male. It gives me an uncomfortableness. But, there he was, an inch behind me, and I was okay with it. I've hit the point where I trust him. That's why I got a tad concerned when he talked about having a meeting with his boss, and about being nervous about the meeting.

Me: Well, did she say what it's about?
BB: She said she wants to make some changes with the protocols and things.
Me: That doesn't sound too bad. Maybe not much fun, but nothing to worry about.
BB: We'll see. I guess I'll know Friday if I still have a job or not.

Today, during my office hours, I saw a shape in the doorway. I glanced up. It was BB. Took me by surprise. Him being there means he had to have looked up my office and my office hours. He stopped by to tell me he'd gone to the meeting. Turns out he got a raise and his boss told him about some changes.

BB: I don't know if it's going to work out, but I'll give it a try.

Then I had to dash off to class, so I didn't get a chance to learn more. I don't like it, though. I have no idea what the changes are, or why he doesn't like them, but I want BB to stay. I'll have to find out the rest during my next appointment Friday. It sucks that I have to wait a week. I hate waiting on information.

Undergrads and Undergrads

The first day of the semester went well. Not perfect, but well. The good parts were meeting my students and having all of my numerous handouts copied a couple days early. The not so good part was a series of technology issues in the computer labs where my classes are held. The phone lines for the IT department were very busy yesterday, let me tell you.

Thanks to my fast and dirty schedule - three classes in four hours, with an hour break for my office hours - I was done at noon. As far as the students themselves go, I'm trying a different approach with them this semester. I'm working on being more personable. I don't want to be their friend, but I do want them to feel like they can approach me if they need help. We'll see how it goes.

I hung out in the office to eat some lunch, then went to the gym and had a pretty intense work out. While I was on the cardio machine, BB was going through a workout with an undergrad. boy. The seated calf raise machine is right in front of where I was, so I got a little thrill of satisfaction when I was the undergrad was only doing 25 lbs. I'm up to 45.

In light of that accomplishment, when I got home I picked up my tape measure from the cabinet top it's been sitting on for the past month. My stomach is an inch smaller since I measured last. So is my waist. I've gotten some compliments lately about my workouts paying off, but now I have empirical evidence of the effects. That makes me happy.

I feel like I got a lot done yesterday, which is exciting.

First-Day-Back Eve

Fall semester starts tomorrow. I've got three classes this semester, like last, and I've got a bajillion documents to pass out. Sometimes I wish I was still a student instead of the instructor, 'cause the only thing students need to do on the first day is show up. I have to have a plan, copies, and rosters.

I'm a tad nervous, as per usual, but kind of excited at the same time. I am so ready for summer to be over so I can have something structured in my life again. Having all that time off is not good for me, even if it had its fun parts.

Stairwells and Shadows

Here's another Florida picture. The bachelor's quarters on Whiting base have a cool cinderblock thing going on in the stairwells. I dug it a lot.

My 1st Photo Contest

Last night was Photo Club night. Each month they have a photo contest and I entered for the first time. The theme of the month was Macro/Insects. I got an honorable mention :)

A Very Good Friend

Last night I did the IM thing with my old friend Cassie. I always love being able to catch her 'cause we don't talk too often these days - both of us are busy as all get-out and we live four hours away from each other. We've known each other since middle school and for all that our personalities are very different - she's the people person, outgoing and friendly - I'm the studious one. But, our circumstnaces are very similar, both of us have been single for a while and both of us are hanging out in limbo land in an academic/professional sense. It's nice, amidst me seeing everybody and their dog meet the perfect guy/gal and land the perfect job, to still have a friend who is still figuring things out. Thank Randolph I'm not the only one.

The other part that helps is that my friend Cassie is all kinds of wonderful and I know that things will work out for her. She's working away at these things and the fact that they haven't worked out quite yet just means it's a timing issue. And, if that's true for her, then maybe it's true for me. It makes me feel less frustrated. Also, being the lovely person that she is, last night she gave me some encouraging words and said I was one groovy chic and that she has faith in me.

It reminds me that, no matter what else, every now and again everybody needs a cheerleader. Keep on keeping on, Cassie, 'cause you are awesome.