Good morning from the study,

I have been up since 5:00 a.m. cooking things for a departmental luncheon today. Therefore, I have yet to go into the office this morning, but that will soon change. The official beginning of the year began yesterday with both the university meeting and the college meeting. Today it is a departmental meeting and some other meetings that will help set up things for the fall. I do not mind meetings when needed, but I hate spinning wheels or people trying to seem that they have something important to say, particularly when that is clearly not the case.

The other order of the day, naturally is updating syllabi and working on getting my act together for the classes I am teaching this fall. While that is something that really never stops, at least for me, it is the time where there is certainly a concentrated effort to work on specific things. The business is a little overwhelming at times, but that is perhaps a good thing. Busy is good, as long as it is productive.

As far as the continuing sagas of personal existence. They are exactly that; I have no idea what is happening or not happening. I only know what I think and feel and that is the only thing over which I have any control. I do miss some of the things from the summer, particularly just sitting at Starbucks at the sidewalk cafe. I look at their weather and it is in the 90s every day. I miss the interaction and I miss listening to the various stories and things that are occurring. I miss the walks and the fountain and splashing in the water.

Speaking of water, more storms and rain here. I think I have heard some of the loudest thunder ever in the last couple nights. I like storms because of their power. It is a good reminder that we are for the most part much more insignificant than we want to believe; hence, my earlier comment about those who speak and think they have important things to say. Of course, then there is me writing here and believing that somehow what I say is important. Again, I best be careful.

I will try to stay current with all this. The picture today is from the weekend before Nicholle, a work colleague, and I headed out for a little Harley ride. I talked to Marco right before I left and he admonished me to be careful. Marco, I was, but had a good time too.

Best and thanks as always for reading.

Michael