Students finding me eating lunch in my office...

From the other side of the lectern...

So I'm back in the land of hot and humid. My car has been fixed and shipped back to me, although it took quite a bit of finagling and cajoling to arrange it. Since then, I've resumed teaching at the local community college.
This is my second time around with teaching a full course, I've straightened out the material and the major kinks. Still definitely a challenge and there's likely better ways to do things, but I have managed to learn a few things.

1. Act like you know what you're doing.

 

The weird thing about teaching from a textbook and experience is that the two don't line up perfectly. The class I teach is about a wide range of subjects in environmental studies, so there are a few subjects I'm not so strong with. Also, the textbook deals in absolutes. A lot of research is ongoing, changing. The definition of a "species" is changing, yet in a book it looks set in stone. So the key seems to be say it with confidence.

2. Rambling and nonsense happens.

When you have to talk for over an hour at a time, it's easy to get lost. You have no idea why this slide came next. Words start failing. It happens, at least to me. So I just have to stop, take a breath, and then get back on the rails.

3.  Excuses can be anything and everything.

 

Yeah, people have other obligations, so if they're late or unable to show up for a class it shouldn't be a big deal. Most are legitimate reasons, but there's likely a percentage of bullshit artists. I try to be flexible, and usually let people make up quizzes. I give them all the notes they need. But there's only so far an excuse can go, and some due dates can't change.

4. For college students, they can be really dumb.

Everyone has asked a dumb question or two, or blanked on a simple answer. But there are also a weird number of dumb people. Truly dumb. I'm not talking about the people who show up, do the work, and then get some parts wrong. I'm more baffled by the people who sign up for a class, pay for a class, but then never show up or turn in assignments.

4. Occasionally, there will be a blindsiding question.

 

Sometimes there's a random question, sometimes it's a smart question that derails an entire argument. And then you stand there blinking like you've been hit by a brick. But there is room for an "I don't know."

From Oregon to Louisiana...

Atop a dune in Oregon

Crater Lake with Wizard Island in the middle

Lookout above Glen Canyon

Road out of Glen Canyon Rec. Area

St. Joseph Cemetary No. 2

 

Balcony view of Royal Street, New Orelans

Consumate French Quarter accomodations with Cafe du Monde

 

A screeching halt

The tale of our current inconvenience is at hand (based on a somewhat dramatized true story):
      It was an ordinary summer Wednesday, driving south from Oregon, down into California, bound for the great wide east. The open road lay before us in all its glory. And lo! there was a terrible shaking of the vehicle, which continued even at rest. The light of angry engine ignited, and in vain an explanation was sought.

None being forthcoming, I called for a towtruck, and was safely delivered to the backcountry purgatory that is Susanville, CA. Being late in the day, a diagnostic was scheduled for the following morning. Car-less and despondent, we were left to check into a Super 8, enjoy a longed for shower, bad science fiction movies, and a reasonable amount of alcohol. The worst was considered, but high hopes were to pinned on a brighter tomorrow.

 

The sun rose, the morning blossomed. We vacated our dwelling and haunted the library, having the twin luxuries of books and wifi. And then we waited....

And after some calls some horrible, ridiculous, unbelievable news. "Your car needs a new engine."

Thus my shiny, ten-month old car needed a massive repair, which apparently cannot be diagnosed further than "it doesn't work, take it apart and get a new one!" The dealership advice: call Chrysler. Our assumed postscript: so that we can be compensated and get a rental home. Chrysler was called a case manager would call in the next business day. We resigned ourselves to staying another night stranded. Back to the Super 8. Hang tough, and all that.
     And then the crapstorm really came in.

 

Chrysler? "Sorry, we gave your case to the wrong guy. And we strung you along so long you can't call anyone useful. And our guy who is supposed to help you doesn't do weekends. Try getting reimbursed for a rental car later, go ahead and we'll not cover the whole bill." Dealership? "Engine comes in a week. We don't have a loaner for you. We can't even get you to a rental car agency. And we're closed on weekends." Rental agency? "Our branch in Susanville is closed weekends. Pony up more hotel money and stay in our scenic hole-in-the-wall town! Or try Reno, which you can't get to without a rental car. Want another rental agency to pick you up? Then prepare to pay thousands more because of your one-way trip across country!"



So yeah.

Road trip commencing!

So it has begun! About a week ago I picked up my sister from the Las Vegas airport, and since then have been bouncing around California. Spent the evening taking in the spectacle of the Vegas Strip, and began our westerly journey the following day. Since then we have driven through Death Valley and toured Yosemite. 

Panorama shot of Yosemite NP from atop the Pothole Dome 

 

After some time boulder-hopping at Pothole Dome and Bridalveil Falls, we went westward to Sacramento. Got to visit the downtown hotspot Dive Bar, featuring a huge aquarium over the bar complete with a live "mermaid, and then walk around the historic district. After a somewhat harrowing drive to and within the city of San Francisco, we managed to see some nightlife and wander around Pier 39 and see its resident sea lions. Then, north across the mist-shrouded Golden Gate, and a pilgrimage to the nature-cathedral atmosphere of Muir Woods. Up coast, to winding roads and breathtaking vistas.

 

The disappearing horizon of the California coast, not far north of San Francisco

 

 Some interesting drives in the backwoods, through wine country, and eventually to the rocky shores of a state park. Got to see tide pools, crashing waves, black oystercatchers, and harbor seals!

 

 Rocky tidepools at MacKerricher SP

Favorite birds of the Great Basin

Last year I prepared a similar post to showcase favorites from my birding ventures. Since it's hard to get good pictures during surveys, here are some species in Nevada I really enjoyed seeing.

                                                                    
Left to right, top to bottom: northern flicker, mountain chickadee, Wilson's warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, Steller's jay, lazuli bunting, chukar, black-headed grosbeak, western tanager, violet-green swallow, ruby-crowned kinglet, dark-eyed junco