The first practical is done and even now a small tribe of trainee Economists are running for the hills, traumatized beyond belief by their first experiences with R. Oh, R, you are quirky in your eccentricities... The interesting thing about practicals is that you can be interactive and instruct rather than lecture, and that change in status from passive to active is extremely empowering both for students and teachers. It's almost an argument to become a teacher instead of a lecturer, except that teacher training requires high mobility, and teaching itself is one of the most time-consuming professions out there. And I'm lazy.
Still, practicals are nice if only so I can do comedy runs down the aisles as part of the continuing campaign to be put away somewhere warm for the Winter. My students are either lucky or cursed, and the verdict switches from encounter to encounter. Still, at least the jokes go well, and they seem to be adapting well. I wish they could do more Statistics in the future though as this almost a waste of a module if they don't follow it up.
The run of freak weather continues here in Aberystwyth, as my rogue weather deity powers continue to malfunction. Oh, I know I'm not really a god but my presence does seem to go in tune with freak weather. No snow this years but instead freak hurricane force winds, forcing people out of the university and making work planning just a touch more difficult. Yes, in case you were wondering whether the last few lines were correct, we have had hurricane force winds! (And yes, I am a god, but please don't tell anyone as it would ruin the days off.)
This is becoming the portmanteau posting of 'things that have happened', from the guy just emerging from an epic tunnel of gloom. Look, gloom, you come in bucket quantities at the slightest of whims but you shall not prevail for now. You are being defeated by realism, pragmatism and Doctor Who soundtrack CDs. My plan for completing the set of Troughton and Pertwee 'Doctor Who' has reached the point of filling in the 'lost serial' problem via the soundtrack CDs, and they are fascinating! They're like classic radio, with narration to fill in the gaps, and all the power of the imagination being brought to bear upon the story. In many examples finding the visual components of some of these Troughton stories would ruin them. Sadly, most of the CD versions have been out of print for ages now, and it's taking some effort. Blast you, BBC!
Note for next time: Establish some non-nerdy credibility. Don't talk about the Film Bin 'Incredible Hulk' pilot commentary we all did or 'Star Trek'. Oh, 'Star Trek'... how I miss 'Star Trek'... Okay, forget it all, because it is time to talk about 'Star Trek'. I can't believe it never happened before.
Coming next: The grand 'Star Trek' entry into the 'Quirky Muffin', or maybe it will be the time after. There might be a story.
O.
No comments:
Post a Comment