Life as an Extreme Sport

Category: Academics

Classes and coursework.

geek like me

Academics

I officially turned into one of “those” people today. Except instead of being one of “those” that sat talking on her cell phone while having linner (dunch? what the hell is the meal that isn’t lunch or dinner but is both? Why is there not a late afternoon brunch?), I was sitting on a video chat talking, and eating.

Oiy.

But hey, it was fun! And I can now roll my eyes ever so dramatically at myself (and note I wouldn’t have done it had the restaurant been full of people – as is, the server just thought it was funny and cute).

Foucault, Sushi, Beer

Academics

I’m sitting at a sushi bar, Sapporo next to me, Birth of the Clinic open on my left, computer, wifi. The sweetly clean smell of fresh fish is everywhere, the chatter of young professionals all around; a warm and welcoming environment.

I used to love going out, several times a week, when I lived in Seattle, to read and work in a bar or cafe. It’s been a difficult thing to transition to in Albany; a different environment and culture, a different way of being. Not to mention, pathetically tight finances.

This year, however, a lot is better, on many fronts, and it has occurred to me that I can once again do these small things that I so enjoy. Like reading Foucault with sushi, and beer.

Surprises

2007, Academics, University at Albany

Yesterday was the start of my academic year; I had a class then, and another today (Thursday, since technically the time stamp is going to read Friday). And,… it was hard. I had to field a lot of questions, repeatedly, about Mom, and I caught myself folding into shy, quiet, and withdrawn body language through-out the days. Be smaller, less conspicuous, just sort of hide and maybe it will all end.

But today, the larger class, more colleagues, the most amazing thing happened. Repeatedly, people walked in, looked around the room, did a double take when they saw me, and then lit up. Bright smiles, friendly and happy faces. Each one asked me how I was, almost everyone said they missed me, everyone said how happy they were to see me, they had been wondering if I would be back, hoping I would be back.

In two days, all the loneliness and isolation, the not fitting in or belonging, that plagued me all of last year, vanished. I felt welcomed and wanted, and… happy, to be on the receiving end of all that positive emotion.

Bacteria and Einstein – What?

Academics, Bioethics

This one is mine, and I am fiercely proud of her! She’s a senior at RPI, in Science and Technology Studies as well as Communications, and I swear, I could pick her up and drop her into a CHID happy hour and you’d never know she wasn’t one of us.

Kristy has been one of my evil minions since the beginning of summer, and has made the decision to stay on through the academic year. She makes my life 10x easier, picking up my slack, and eagerly jumping into projects, with an enthusiasm that is equally familiar and amusing.

Although she doesn’t know it yet, part of her new job duties will include writing a blog post once a week or so – she’s too damned talented to not put out there for everyone to see!