False spring arrived this week and after two months the ground is snow free.
SONG INSPIRATION
March’s blog is inspired by Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.
ALMOST HALF WAY THERE…
We’re almost half way through the semester. The midpoint – Spring Break – is only 8 days away. I can’t believe it’s only week 5. After an intense winter term, the first few weeks of spring term have been exhausting. How did I forget last year’s lesson so quickly? The state of the world is no help, of course. My revamped workout routine has filled my mind with endorphins, but extra cardio and strength classes require additional energy. I enjoy both of my 100-level courses, but I’ve gained new appreciation my upper-level courses. Although it’s exciting to engage with bright, new students entering college with so much potential, there’s nothing like a room full of curious, tenacious upperclassmen that take the material to the next level. I’m excited to offer a couple of upper-level courses next academic year, one of which hasn’t been offered in the department for several years. But that’s the proverbial cart before the proverbial horse. I still have to make it through this semester. Eight more weeks to go….
(UPCOMING) SPRING BREAK
I haven’t needed a spring break this bad in a while. Admittedly, I’m not going to lounge in bed or retreat to a warm beach. Instead, I’m attending a small geology conference the first weekend and spending the remainder of the break in the Big Apple. A bustling major city isn’t synonymous with relaxation. But it represents a much-needed change of scenery. It’s also an opportunity to see another show on Broadway (Aladdin), try more restaurants, and catch up with a few good friends in the area. I have a very close friend in Philadelphia whom I’ve only seen once in the last 13 years. I intend to rectify this problem over espresso martinis. However, it’s not all play. I will have grading and course prep. The semester moves even faster after Spring Break, and I have a large conference to prepare for in early May.
BEING A BETTER FRIEND
For the past two years, I’ve worked toward improving my engagement in friendships. Specifically, I’m reprioritizing long-distance friendships (which is most of them these days) while fighting against the natural isolation of adulthood. A fulltime job and a host of responsibilities make it hard to maintain communication with even my best friends. A little inconvenience is but a small side-effect of community. Sure, I have recurring phone calls, video chats, and a weekly trivia commitment. However, I strive to do better. To maintain relationships requires consistency. And while there are certainly times I would rather lay under a blanket on the sofa and consume mindless entertainment, I know I have to invest in those important to me. I still have aways to go until I’m satisfied. Fighting exhaustion is real, but it’s worth it for loved ones.
CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS
Recently finished reading: N/A
Currently reading: Data Science for Dummies
Recently finished watching: Fallout (s2); Daredevil (s3); His & Hers; Invasion (s1); Law and Order (s5); The Devil’s Plan (s2); The Morning Show (s4); Trigun: Stampede (s2)
- Fallout was bright, colorful, and entertaining as usual. Walton Goggins kills it.
- Daredevil was a great show overall, although the final season really irritated me, because Fisk was simply overpowered. Not fun to watch much of it.
- His & Hers was fantastic! I love a crime thriller with a twist.
- I don’t mind a slow burn, but Invasion is a tad too slow for the premise. That said, I do enjoy watching the show.
- Law and Order remains a staple for my mornings before work.
- The Devil’s Plan season 2 was even more ruthless than the first. Still, a lot of fun although the last few episodes were lame. Definitely a show for strategists and gamers.
- The Morning Show had a bomb ass finale for season 4, but it’s begun to feel less like a show centered around a news program and more like an outlandish drama.
- The original Trigun was so much better. Not a fan of this remake. The pacing is too fast. There’s no build up. And the intrigue is lost.
Currently watching: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms; Invasion (s2); Law and Order (s6); Jujitsu Kaisen (s2); Scrubs (2026 – s1); Trigun: Stampede (s2)
Thank you for reading! The next blog is scheduled for Thursday, April 9th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 