AFK -- "Away From Keyboard"

Flying out to San Francisco to visit my family and friends for 10 days. Be back in Grinnell on January 4th ... or 5th ... something like that.

Cheers!

Grades Are Done!

Final grades were submitted and I am officially done for the semester. I had about four rounds of grading and adjustments for my second class. It wasn't easy, but I think it's fair for everyone.

Now I can take the rest of the day day to clean up the house, do the laundry, pack my bags because tomorrow, Wednesday, we'll be flying out to San Francisco for ten days to see my family and friends.

It just occurred to me that I have a section to write for the departmental review ...

... two articles to revise for publications ...

... four more applications to send out ...

... two conference papers to write ...

... three syllabi to develop ...

... a department website to revamp ...

... and a list of Asian American books to write up for the students.

Did I forget anything else?

UPDATE (10:42pm):
It just occurred to me how different the grading system is at Grinnell College. At GMU, there was a pull down menu that lists all our options from "A+" to "F" to even some specialized ones such as "SA" which is short for "Stopped Attending." I vaguely remember over a dozen choices. Grinnell's system does not have a drop down menu. In fact, it's just a fill-in box. So it made me wonder what else could I put there? How about the letter "Q"? Or numbers like "6" or the ever popular "7"? How about a combination of letters and numbers like "L33t"? They all seem perfectly acceptable. I just find it hilarious when thinking about who'll be reading it like the Registrar's Office and, of course, the students themselves. They might collectively think, "WTH was this guy smoking?!?" And I would say, "I wish I was! But I just wanted to know what would happen."

Conundrum

CONUNDRUM: co * nun * drum [kuh-nuhn-druh-m]

1. A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma.

So how can you tell the difference between an "A" paper from a "B" when a significant majority of my students wrote exceptional papers?

At other schools, it was easy. You can easily tell who prepared their papers, edited them, and submitted them in a polished format versus papers that were hastily and haphazardly written at 3am. The gulf between an "A" paper from everything else was wide and easy to navigate. With my students, however, it is not that simple or clear cut. On the one hand, they are all "A" papers -- polished, creative, and coherent. On the other hand, I can't possibly give everyone an "A" on their paper and for their final grade.

Can I?

I know my grading standard is based upon past experiences at other institutions and it is fairly straightforward. But at a college where excellence is the standard, I am faced with the reality that I have to be more precise than ever before, that is, not only widening the gulf between an "A" and a "B" paper, but also the pluses and minuses in between.


UPDATE (5:39pm): One class down and one more to go.

UPDATE (6:20pm): Note to self: never grade papers on an empty stomach.

Somebody Was Going to Do It

It was one thing to see President Bush get assaulted by a flying shoe. That was already funny. In fact, it was too surreal, like a scene from a Monty Python episode or slapstick comedy from The Three Stooges.

But I was wondering if President Bush was going to include this moment in his Presidential Library? I guess it wouldn't matter to him anyway since the clip will be housed forever on the internet.

I'm also guessing that the Secret Service didn't want to have these news headlines the next day: "AGENT TAKES SHOE FOR PRESIDENT"? It just doesn't work, does it?

But wait! I have evidence that the person who threw the shoe wasn't an Iraqi TV reporter as the news indicated. It was THIS MAN from an Austin Powers movie! (Thanks to Poplicks.com for this one).

I Didn't Want This Day To Come

In the past when I was teaching at other schools, I would count the days till the end of the semester when I would be finally free of my professional obligations as a teacher. I would breathe a sigh of relief and jump for joy when that day came. I would praise the few students who worked their hardest for me, and piss off the ones who disrespected me. I would pick up my mail in the department office that's been accumulating over the semester and quickly disappear back into the nameless faceless crowd of other adjuncts and professors.

That didn't happen this time around. In fact, I didn't realize today was the last day of the semester. I know I'll see my students in the future and that I'll definitely stay in touch with all of them. But more than anything else, I realize that I didn't want this day to come because I was genuinely enjoying my time and work with the students of Grinnell College.

I have nothing but praise for all of my students!

Damn, I can't believe it's the last day.

Hogwarts and Grinnell College

After a prolonged and careful deliberation from personal and anecdotal observations, I have come to the conclusion that if I had to compare Grinnell students to the four houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, they would be HUFFLEPUFF!

Maybe Ravenclaw, but that would be a very long stretch.

Why, you might ask?

Hufflepuff is the most inclusive of the four houses. They value diligence, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play that are attributes that both Grinnell and Hufflepuff share in abundance. Ravenclaw was also a serious contender since they value intelligence, creativity, wit, and wisdom. I would've gladly selected Ravenclaw had wisdom not been a trait but oh well. Besides, out of the four houses, only Hufflepuff had the poorest performance in quidditch matches which seems to be a record comparable to Grinnell's football season for the past several years (this year was promising since they won 3 games).

Some might be offended but I assure you there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Hufflepuff.

I have many friends who are Hufflepuffs and they do just fine.

PostSecret

From this week's posting on PostSecret ...

So what do you call someone who is "terrified of Chinese people" but is not a racist?


A. Paranoid.

B. Dumbass.

C. Idiot.

D. Racist.

E. All of the above.

Winter Cometh

So the moment that I've been dreading has arrived. It's snowing quite steadily, not heavily but it's a kind of slush for now. It snowed last Saturday but it didn't stay long enough. This downfall may become ice over night and so my girlfriend parked her car into the garage, while my truck is left to fend for itself outside.

Ice? You mean that's different from snow?!?

I shall find out soon enough.

Luckily, it's college football all day featuring some historical rivals such as Alabama v. Auburn, Georgia Tech v. Georgia, and so on.

Back Already?

Yep. Came back yesterday evening and the first thought on my mind was, "Where's our leftovers?" Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce, seafood tofu soup, and dozens of dim sum. Yes, it was a great weekend getaway indeed!

A Much Needed Departure

And off we go to Minneapolis, MN for a much needed getaway from work for the weekend. It's going to be colder but at least I'll be able to enjoy city life even if it is for a few days.

A Change Is Gonna Come

In this corner, we have Sam Cooke's original "A Change Is Gonna Come" in 1964 ...



And in this corner, we have Seal's just released remake ...



This was tough, but sorry Seal. I went with Sam Cooke. Seal's got the smooth voice and a range in power, but the experiences of growing up under Jim Crow and segregation just isn't there. My vote's for Sam Cooke.

Shameless Promotion

Bah ... another attempt ...

49er Faithful

I waited a couple of days before posting this thought, but watching my hometown favorites, the SF 49ers, lose their match against the Cardinals in the last 2 seconds of the game on the 2 yard line from a game winning touchdown, was unbearable to endure. To have a win come so close and then to watch it fall apart ... well ... no words can capture my utter disbelief. And not to mention the fact that I do not receive 49er game coverage because I'm in Iowa so it makes following their season a bit more difficult.

I still have very high hopes for the new interim coach Mike Singletary and offensive coach Mike Mart. I think their championship experience is the start of a new era for a return of 49er supremacy in the NFL.

But not yet.

I do like Singletary's offensive philosophy: a hard hitting aggressive strategy that the 49ers haven't had in a very long time. Under the late Bill Walsh, the "West Coast" offense of finesse was the strategy that propelled the 49ers into victory with Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and Roger Craig leading the way. Likewise, we had a powerful defense with the likes of Ronnie Lott and the infamous Bill Romanowski as the hardest hitters around.

But that time is over. It's Singletary's time and he introduces what the 49ers have sorely needed since those championship days: fearlessness.

The remaining season will still be a tough time, but like the 49er Faithful, we're optimistic that the good times will come again.

Who's House? OUR HOUSE!!!

It's been a very long time since I felt like I was a part of something genuine, just, and true. The last time I felt moved in this was was Jesse Jackson's presidential bid back in the '80s. But I quickly learned what disappointment meant and how frustrating it was to change anything. There were so many years when I thought that change would not, and could not, be possible.

Too many promises broken, and too many battles lost. Too many friends who left, and too many times when I said, "I give up."

But no more! What an incredible night! What a historic victory! On a magnitude and scale that goes far beyond one's hopes, it felt as though the country -- the America that I know -- we drew one collective breath together and exhaled with relief, joy, and then jubilation.

For once I wish I was back in Arlington, VA. I wish I could take the Metro to the McPherson Square exit and run up to the front of the White House to join with hundreds of others who have gathered there for the celebration. And with all my might, I would've yelled at the top of my lungs for everyone to hear, "You're in OUR House now!!!"

UPDATE: Bloody hell. Proposition 8, the California ballot to ban same-sex marriage, is going to win. And the exit polls are revealing that the minority electorate voted in favor of the ban which means once again supporters of same-sex marriage are still unable to take race, the language of marriage, and the historical specificity of immigrant, bicultural experiences as factors.

Mr. President

By way of O.W. at Poplicks.com,

"First Asian Boy"

By way of Angry Asian Man ...

I laughed out so loud that I think my colleagues next door were startled. The tune is catchy, good rhymes, and it's just plain fun.

Settling It Old School

It was bound to happen (by way of Poplicks.com) ...

Meet Joe the Plumber

So last night's final presidential debate was exciting as it was irritating. Exciting in the sense that it's over and according to several polls Obama won it easily. Even McCain's jab at Obama for not running against Bush in 2004 was pretty good. But it was irritating not because of McCain's huff 'n gruff demeanor, but at Joe the Plumber.

Who the hell is Joe the Plumber anyway???

Well apparently the NY Times found out and frankly, I'm not surprised. See the article here.

Joe in the Spotlight
by Larry Rohter and Liz Robbins

One week ago, Joe Wurzelbacher was just another working man living in a modest ranch house near Toledo thinking about how to expand his plumbing business. But when he stopped Senator Barack Obama during a visit to his block this weekend to ask about his taxes, he set himself on a path to being the newest media celebrity — and, like other celebrities, found himself under scrutiny.

Turns out that “Joe the Plumber,” as he became nationally known when Senator John McCain made him a theme at Wednesday night’s third and final presidential debate, may run a plumbing business but he is not a licensed plumber. His full name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher. And he owes a bit in back taxes.

W...T...F???

What the hell is wrong with these people?!?!?

COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!

Pioneers 21, Knox 14

Finally! Pioneers win their first home game since the season started. With an overall 3-3 record, the team looks pretty good this year considering they only won one game all season last year. Though I love a winning record, I'm more happy to be at an actual football game with fans, friends, and families cheering the team. It also helps that I have several of my students on the team so there's an added incentive to watch them play. I've made it to every home game and while the loss to Monmouth was devastating (0-69), this win more than makes up the past two losses.

On a side note, I've never tried my hand at sport photography. I purchased a Sigma 70-300mm lens a few weeks ago and it's got a pretty good range, but it lacks automatic focus so I lose a few shots. It's definitely not shooting flowers or landscape.