Jean Surprises yet Again

This month, Jeannie Beth auditioned for the SPU Fall play, Death by Design: A Comedy with Murder.  She had high hopes, but when she didn't get a part, she said she'd just have to learn another monologue and audition for the Winter play.  Then, on the 10th, we got a succinct email: 

My first thought was, 'Wow!  She got one of the two big speaking parts!'  Then I realized Helen Keller didn't say much.  Of course, we are so proud of her (again), but what a huge challenge and opportunity to be the next Anne Bancroft!

Nathanael Settles in at Home

Nathanael lets me drive "our" car when I need to take it to work, which is about once every other week.  It's good that the old Ford van is hanging in there so he has something to drive in place of our Taurus.  He leaves for Newport Heights about 7:30 a.m. each workday.  I usually leave the house just before him. 

After running with the BCS Cross Country team in the afternoon, he sometimes naps at home and enjoys a few of our favorite TV shows with us.  When asked what he does, he answers, "Work, run, and help take care of the cats."  He's discovered that a work life is a big change from his school days.

He's begun his application for graduate school, again at SPU.  And it was no surprise that on Halloween, he went to work a Bill Nye the Science Guy, lab coat, bow tie, and all.

Coming Right Along

As new homes go up on our block, I'm happy that most of them are of a style that mimics our original 1992 tear-down rebuild.

This month the builders broke our water line, but they did a quick repair. 

Nancy wonders if the big tree which dominates the southwest corner of the cul-de-sac will stay. 

Kristen Ashpole, now Mr. Nathaniel Glass

Annie was a Matron of Honor and Nathanael stood guard over the gifts at the wedding of the year.  Annie's college friend met her new husband back in grade school when both lived in Gig Harbor.  Like my sudden decision to look up Nancy, Nathaniel sought out Kristen. 

With all the many preparations that precede a wedding, Annie was kept busy, again being the firstborn rock on which so many of us depend. 

It did not come as a complete surprise to me, given all the typical pre-event craziness, that Friday night before the Sunday, October 20th big day, Annie asked me to desktop publish the wedding program.  I had done the same for Annie and Thomas, and in 1981 had put ours together.  The finished front-and-back half page program met with everyone's approval.

I've  never been to any party quite like this.  It was near Puget Sound in Normandy Park.  Instead of wedding cake for the guests, there was a monumental dessert buffet.  And after the candy and cookies, when we'd had our fill, out came the pies.  I grabbed a piece of apple pie, my second favorite next to lemon meringue.  Then, when we were well full, the sandwiches came out.

It had been pre-determined that I would drive Grandma Ginger home so I missed the toasts and dancing.  But it was good to see family friend Kristen finally settled down.

Back in Class

My business statistics students have their first midterm exam on November 4th.  With six of ten assignments completed, half the class has an A- or better in the grade book.  But soon I will know who learned the material and who cribbed from their study partners.

Nice comments have come in from all directions.  Jean says some students in the class have told her that I'm a good teacher.  Then I got this email from Dr. Denise Daniels, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.  She's the one who will decide what I teach next year. 

Dick,
I got some very nice feedback about your teaching from a student at the AUSBE picnic last night.  His name is Josiah (I didn’t get his last name), and he said the class was challenging, but that you were a good teacher – high praise for a stats class! J
-- Denise

Finally, Dr. Don Lee, who is teaching some of my students in his BUS 2000 Purpose and Practice of Business class, said his students had said the same.  There's no doubt I'm putting in the overtime hours with this first class after six years out of the classroom.  What many are not seeing though, is that my regular non-teaching duties are moving slowly.  For the first time in many years, I can't "do it all."

I'm especially proud of my exam.  There are five forms and five data sets, so there are actually 25 unique exams.  As long as I keep track of who gets what, it will be a great disincentive to copy from a friend or neighbor.  I believe it's my duty to remove that temptation.

One More Step

Last spring, Dr. Daniels hinted that she intended to nominate me for faculty status.  Then summer came and I wondered if the effort was going to be forgotten.  Then this month she asked our Faculty Council representative, Dr. Gerhard Steinke, to nominate me for this elevated status.  This is an item on my bucket list that I cannot make happen on my own.

I teach two classes of Dr. Steinke's BUS 3620 Management Information Systems course each quarter, because I am the local expert on web design.  He asked me for some specific biographical information and used it to nominate me.  The actual final vote is expected on November 7th.  Here is the nomination material I sent him.

Bits and Pieces

♦  I have not developed a close relationship with my new dean, Dr. Joseph Williams.  That may come in time.  He's begun a lot of new initiatives, not realizing that his staff are already fully tasked.  He did add me to a new Social Media Committee.

♦  Again this season I photographed the BCS Cross Country team.  We will send two runners to State to race on November 9th.

♦  Dr. Robert Kelley was happy enough with my loss of nine pounds and my better "numbers."  He was about to change my prescription for diabetes but held off.  My diet continues well, at least on weekdays.  On weekends it's been another matter.