Finally dug out the car today [status, work]
Jan. 31st, 2026 07:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rebeccmeisterI needed to obtain some crickets and fish from the pet store, and I just didn't think they'd survive if I tried to transport them by bicycle. At least the temperatures were warmer than yesterday, with an afternoon high of (gasp!) 15.1°F. Almost time to break out the shorts!
We have a neighbor who has figured out that we rarely drive, and so when it is necessary to park only on our side of the street, they put their Mercedes as close as they possibly can to the edge of our driveway. I can imagine this is convenient for being able to pull out of that spot. Anyway, it was a harrowing squeeze to extract my vehicle from the driveway without scraping my vehicle across their front bumper, and now I'm glad to be done with car errands for a while. (being the fan of trip chaining that I am, I also picked up several heavy bags of cat litter while I was out and about, too)
I really wanted to go to the local community protest bike ride today, but ensuring the animals got settled in at work had to take priority. Thankfully it does look like there was good turnout for the ride.
Else?
Not much, really. Just a bit of cooking and some preliminary weekend chores.
Oh, this is not related to anything else, but I just discovered that Stash Tea has stopped making a second type of tea that I love, a decaf chocolate hazelnut tea (this is after they stopped making chocolate peppermint tea). Also, their current website design is AWFUL. I have a bad feeling about those things. I have been a fairly loyal Stash tea drinker for a long time but we might be close to the end of an era at this point. I wound up ordering some sort of decaf chocolate-y tea from a different company instead, in part because that other company also carries Greek Mountain tea, which is very hard to find. All told, I find it vexing how finding good tea has turned into such a moving target! I am hoping to increase home production of chocolate peppermint tea in 2026 at least, however.
We have a neighbor who has figured out that we rarely drive, and so when it is necessary to park only on our side of the street, they put their Mercedes as close as they possibly can to the edge of our driveway. I can imagine this is convenient for being able to pull out of that spot. Anyway, it was a harrowing squeeze to extract my vehicle from the driveway without scraping my vehicle across their front bumper, and now I'm glad to be done with car errands for a while. (being the fan of trip chaining that I am, I also picked up several heavy bags of cat litter while I was out and about, too)
I really wanted to go to the local community protest bike ride today, but ensuring the animals got settled in at work had to take priority. Thankfully it does look like there was good turnout for the ride.
Else?
Not much, really. Just a bit of cooking and some preliminary weekend chores.
Oh, this is not related to anything else, but I just discovered that Stash Tea has stopped making a second type of tea that I love, a decaf chocolate hazelnut tea (this is after they stopped making chocolate peppermint tea). Also, their current website design is AWFUL. I have a bad feeling about those things. I have been a fairly loyal Stash tea drinker for a long time but we might be close to the end of an era at this point. I wound up ordering some sort of decaf chocolate-y tea from a different company instead, in part because that other company also carries Greek Mountain tea, which is very hard to find. All told, I find it vexing how finding good tea has turned into such a moving target! I am hoping to increase home production of chocolate peppermint tea in 2026 at least, however.
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It only takes 3 photos to make an animated .gif [bicycling]
Jan. 30th, 2026 09:31 amrebeccmeister
Weather.gov said the temperature was -2°F (-19°C) when I left the house this morning, but I don't know about windchill (wasn't *too* windy, mercifully). Within about 2 minutes, my glasses fogged, so I put them in a pocket and rode (mostly) blind. I mean, less blind than fogged up glasses! I think this all means I've basically given up on the ski goggles, at least for now. The KN95 under the balaclava was VITAL. I could have used another layer on my legs, maybe wool leggings under the ski pants in addition to the bike pants. I forgot the cardinal rule of "carry along one more layer than you think you need" in the midst of just trying to figure out general preparations for the morning. Or possibly just more windproofing for my thighs.
The mint tea at work tastes AMAZING and I'm not just saying that because it's my homemade chocolate peppermint tea.
(morning writing)
Jan. 30th, 2026 07:44 amelainegreyAnd déjà vu: Sunday flight to Ohio has been moved to Monday. This time i really need to go (or give up). At least the forecast for Ohio temps next week isn't quite so arctic. Never above freezing, yes, but one can see the balmy temperature of the freezing point from the forecast.
Our north slope shaded house still has plenty of ice about. The clumping clay litter for traction ... well, better than breaking a neck. So glad i covered our steps last weekend. Expect this weekend will have Real Snow that can be shoveled instead of Sleet-crete, the accumulation of sleet welded together with freezing rain.
I had a meeting with my product people where i set Worry That We Are VERY AMBITIOUS at their feet to think about.
Christine is getting better but it's still soon after surgery.
Curried Cabbage
Jan. 29th, 2026 02:18 pmranunculusThis recipe came from "The Swallow Family Heritage Cookbook" that my friend Lisa wrote. I have changed the recipe somewhat, mostly adding more spices and cooking them into a sauce. I'm almost happy with this version.
1 head cabbage, preferably red. Chop into chunks about 1 to 1/12 inch square. Read chop into easy to eat chunks.
3 baked or otherwise cooked potatoes in about 1 inch cubes, or to taste size wise. I like russets for this, but any potato is fine.
Knob fresh ginger grated or very finely chopped. Last time I used about a tablespoonful of finely chopped.
2 tsp of cumin seed.
1 tsp ground cumin.
1 Tbs + mustard seed
Small pinch cardamon seed cracked. You could certainly use a pinch of ground cardamon.
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 -3 tsp ground coriander
2 cloves Garlic, minced (I use garlic oil, or omit).
Chili powder or cayenne flakes or omit. I use a pinch of jalapeno flakes.
Salt to taste.
In a large pot, I use my 4 quart pan:
Bloom the spices in oil, seeds first, (heat for a moment until fragrant, usually a few seconds to a minute). Add about a cup of hot water and simmer slowly for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce begins to smell really good and look more like a sauce and less like spices in water. The object is to get the seeds to soften and flavor the sauce. Water may need to be added during this process.
When sauce is ready add potatoes and cabbage and cover. Cook over a low heat until the cabbage is just beginning to soften, you want it to remain a little crunchy. Stir a couple of times and add a little water if it begins to stick. Overcooking the cabbage will remove the flavor, texture and sweetness of the cabbage.
I sometimes add 2-3 cups of diced corned beef to this mix. If the corned beef is very salty omit any extra salt.
1 head cabbage, preferably red. Chop into chunks about 1 to 1/12 inch square. Read chop into easy to eat chunks.
3 baked or otherwise cooked potatoes in about 1 inch cubes, or to taste size wise. I like russets for this, but any potato is fine.
Knob fresh ginger grated or very finely chopped. Last time I used about a tablespoonful of finely chopped.
2 tsp of cumin seed.
1 tsp ground cumin.
1 Tbs + mustard seed
Small pinch cardamon seed cracked. You could certainly use a pinch of ground cardamon.
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 -3 tsp ground coriander
2 cloves Garlic, minced (I use garlic oil, or omit).
Chili powder or cayenne flakes or omit. I use a pinch of jalapeno flakes.
Salt to taste.
In a large pot, I use my 4 quart pan:
Bloom the spices in oil, seeds first, (heat for a moment until fragrant, usually a few seconds to a minute). Add about a cup of hot water and simmer slowly for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce begins to smell really good and look more like a sauce and less like spices in water. The object is to get the seeds to soften and flavor the sauce. Water may need to be added during this process.
When sauce is ready add potatoes and cabbage and cover. Cook over a low heat until the cabbage is just beginning to soften, you want it to remain a little crunchy. Stir a couple of times and add a little water if it begins to stick. Overcooking the cabbage will remove the flavor, texture and sweetness of the cabbage.
I sometimes add 2-3 cups of diced corned beef to this mix. If the corned beef is very salty omit any extra salt.
The start of an idea [rowing]
Jan. 29th, 2026 02:41 pmrebeccmeisterTo begin with, I just want to note that it's insane how quickly 2026 has filled up with various plans already.
But that is what it is. I don't need to do all of everything instantly. I CAN be patient.
So in the back of my mind, I am thinking about one of my longer-term goals, which is to row on the Hudson River from Albany down to NYC, in Petrichor. It will not be practical to try doing this in 2026, but it might be practical in 2027.
I think when I do it, I am going to call the journey, "From Siena to the Sea." That's thecollege University where I work, where I have colleagues and students who are also interested in things like environmental justice and local/regional water quality issues. So I think there may be opportunities to work with people here on the trip, and make something more of it beyond just "Rebeccmeister goes row-camping on the Hudson for fun." Or, you know, "One Woman in a Boat (to Say Nothing of the Cats)" (lololol, still good though; haven't done any sea trials with George or Martha in Petrichor yet!).
I don't want to turn completely into one of the other people I've encountered in the Hudson, writing Books or Poems or whatever about their Voyage. For me I think it would be enough to just learn more from direct experience about the history and pre-history of the river, and to meet communities and people along the way, and to do all that from the perspective of Connections. It also goes with my overall agenda of wanting to say, "Hey, all you waterway advocacy people, pay attention to this part of the river, too!"
Still all very much in the idea phase. But this is the right time to be in the idea phase.
And really, the Idea phase is so much more fun than the grading I'm already supposed to be doing. (deep sigh) Okay, okay, I'll get my grading done.
Edited to add... I did it! I got my grading done! *pats self on back*
Now, about those manuscripts...
But that is what it is. I don't need to do all of everything instantly. I CAN be patient.
So in the back of my mind, I am thinking about one of my longer-term goals, which is to row on the Hudson River from Albany down to NYC, in Petrichor. It will not be practical to try doing this in 2026, but it might be practical in 2027.
I think when I do it, I am going to call the journey, "From Siena to the Sea." That's the
I don't want to turn completely into one of the other people I've encountered in the Hudson, writing Books or Poems or whatever about their Voyage. For me I think it would be enough to just learn more from direct experience about the history and pre-history of the river, and to meet communities and people along the way, and to do all that from the perspective of Connections. It also goes with my overall agenda of wanting to say, "Hey, all you waterway advocacy people, pay attention to this part of the river, too!"
Still all very much in the idea phase. But this is the right time to be in the idea phase.
And really, the Idea phase is so much more fun than the grading I'm already supposed to be doing. (deep sigh) Okay, okay, I'll get my grading done.
Edited to add... I did it! I got my grading done! *pats self on back*
Now, about those manuscripts...
The snow, in photos [photos]
Jan. 28th, 2026 04:39 pmrebeccmeisterThis is my view from my desk at home:
I was just struck by how uniformly gray the sky was behind the church's tower. In the middle of the day on Monday, two people emerged from one of the apartments onto the upper deck, holding a black cat to take photos with it.
Snowy disco ball, the view from the kitchen windows:
Back porch footprints (not mine):
I'm continually glad for the color of the string lights on the back porch. I do need to figure out how to replace/upgrade the existing battery and solar panel for this light set, though. It might be around 6 years old at this point, and showing its age.
A big snow peak on the recycle bin.
I was just struck by how uniformly gray the sky was behind the church's tower. In the middle of the day on Monday, two people emerged from one of the apartments onto the upper deck, holding a black cat to take photos with it.
Snowy disco ball, the view from the kitchen windows:
Back porch footprints (not mine):
I'm continually glad for the color of the string lights on the back porch. I do need to figure out how to replace/upgrade the existing battery and solar panel for this light set, though. It might be around 6 years old at this point, and showing its age.
A big snow peak on the recycle bin.
The bike commute [bicycling]
Jan. 28th, 2026 09:22 amrebeccmeisterOn Monday morning our mayor declared a Snow Emergency, which means that anyone whose car is parked on the street must move their car to the even side of the street for one 24-hour period, then the odd side of the street for the next 24-hour period, so the city can send through its massive snow blower to gather up and haul all of the snow offsite. To facilitate this, the city opened up additional parking in some strategic locations throughout the city. Surely not as convenient as that one spot close to a person's house, but still. I watched a short TV news clip about all this, and all I can think to myself is, so this means that every street parked vehicle in this city requires a minimum of TWO parking spaces for home parking, instead of just one. If I understand correctly, that means that there must be a bare minimum of FOUR parking spaces per vehicle, provided either for free or at a greatly subsidized rate (home, work, third space like grocery store, library, etc).
Suddenly, having off-street parking seems less like a selfish thing and more like a generous thing for helping to keep streets clear and accessible for everyone. The same goes for riding a bike instead of driving. Many people perceive a person on a bicycle as a major inconvenience while driving, but the major inconveniences I observed this morning involved people having badly parked their cars, or buses or garbage trucks having a hard time on narrowed streets.
I haven't shoveled my car out yet, I certainly don't feel like driving around in this stuff.
The bike commute was great, because all of the major roads along my commute route have been plowed. I do have to share more space with vehicles, because in many places the plowed snow is stored in the bike lane. That's why I'm a bike lane skeptic. But the majority of people driving are pretty patient. As you might also know, if you drive or bike around. It still does only take that one asshole, though. This morning that one asshole tried to squeeze me into a pair of trash cans that were sticking out further into the road because of the snow. Fortunately, I was paying attention so I didn't get hit. I did my best to scream at them and gave them a generous gesture with my hand. Not that I expect they noticed, but it at least made me feel slightly better.
And thus, to work.
Suddenly, having off-street parking seems less like a selfish thing and more like a generous thing for helping to keep streets clear and accessible for everyone. The same goes for riding a bike instead of driving. Many people perceive a person on a bicycle as a major inconvenience while driving, but the major inconveniences I observed this morning involved people having badly parked their cars, or buses or garbage trucks having a hard time on narrowed streets.
I haven't shoveled my car out yet, I certainly don't feel like driving around in this stuff.
The bike commute was great, because all of the major roads along my commute route have been plowed. I do have to share more space with vehicles, because in many places the plowed snow is stored in the bike lane. That's why I'm a bike lane skeptic. But the majority of people driving are pretty patient. As you might also know, if you drive or bike around. It still does only take that one asshole, though. This morning that one asshole tried to squeeze me into a pair of trash cans that were sticking out further into the road because of the snow. Fortunately, I was paying attention so I didn't get hit. I did my best to scream at them and gave them a generous gesture with my hand. Not that I expect they noticed, but it at least made me feel slightly better.
And thus, to work.
(morning writing, work, weather, fascism)
Jan. 28th, 2026 07:52 amelainegreyYesterday after work i just escaped into a book. I finished Rachel Neumeier's Death's Lady trilogy. The first book felt complete and stand alone, and i found the in this world with a mental institution housing a distressed person from another world to be different and engaging. Would real therapists and psychiatrists approve? I dunno, but i enjoyed it. The next two books are one story that i was impatient with -- just as likely a me problem as that of the text, as in retrospect i regard it with some pleasure. The fourth book, last night, was of redemption. The lovely aspect of these books is the alternate world has recovered from a long traumatic time of cruelty and the young leader has an instinct for healing.
And i escaped there again.
I am privileged in that generally we can sit out the ice and snow and enjoy looking and walking in it. The stretch of road we are on retains the ice long after it clears elsewhere, our north slope grounds are shaded by tall pines and we keep the snow for a long while. I suspect that once we get round the curve i will, as usual, be surprised at how different everywhere else is.
"KEY MESSAGE 1...Confidence continues to grow in at least measurable snowfall in central NC Fri night into Sun morning, but considerable uncertainty remains with an incredibly wide range of potential snowfall amounts and related impacts.... This pattern is favorable for at least light snow with a high snow/liquid ratio within central NC, but also brings an incredibly difficult forecast challenge.... The likelihood ... remains a point of considerable uncertainty and may not be ironed out until 1-2 days before the event begins. However, the top analogs and latest suite of ... model guidance highlights at least the potential for significant snowfall totals somewhere from the Carolinas into the Mid-Atlantic. There are a few failure modes for this setup which would result in less precipitation over central NC. "
I like reading the local NWS (RAH) area forecast. The above is essentially how i skim the text. Whole paragraphs of technical air masses and troughs and poetic phrases like the "stronger synoptic ascent overspreads" i consume to produce some abstract impressionist concept of weather maps in my head, but i am on the look out for the process. These forecasters speaking to other forecasters focus on certainty and uncertainty and the basis for claims. The meaningful weather maps right now focus on what the probability is that warning or watches need to be issued -- not how much. The graphical ten day forecast i look at has no way to condense in all this uncertainty, except for the numbers to jump around as new models are run.
The Weather Channel is apparently naming it Winter Storm Gianna.
Meanwhile, the project planning for which i am scheduled to fly to Ohio this weekend -- exhale, it will be what it will be -- gripped my heart yesterday with dread. I am feeling inadequate as i look into some cryptographic technologies and consider the chuzpah with which we undertake this planning. I think i had forgotten the depths of some of the issues facing us in this work, and yesterday it all came back to me. I am ... thankful ... for the pause that means i have this complexity in mind as we head into the planning.
Meanwhile, i read one of my Republican senator's statements critical of ICE and fume at the wishy washy way he weasels his critique to "protect President Trump's legacy." The press has carried stories about the fear these politicians have of getting in the crosshairs of the MAGA and Q faithful who have shown themselves willing to assault and attack. The attack on Paul Pelosi, on judges, on governors, even the attempted assassination attempts -- yes, i can understand the fear. But there are people on the street in Minneapolis who are brave and are also facing violence and attack and no doubt MAGA and Q faithful are doxxing people who have made themselves visible -- can this senator not be brave enough to do more?
The number of deaths in ICE's custody has shot up this year and part of it is the ignorance in which they bring people into custody, the lack of support for the people who have chronic conditions, the utter lack of care. Funding of DHS should also be contingent on hiring the medical staff and translators and custodial staff, and buying supplies to support the people in custody. If ANYONE is in custody, the state should be meeting their physical and legal needs.
ICE needs to be held accountable for those deaths, too. Not just the terror they are causing on the streets, but the tedious quiet horror of neglect in custody.
Argh, there is so much wrong with the whole horrible, racist process.
Bus life
Jan. 27th, 2026 07:21 amrebeccmeisterThis storm brought in enough snowfall that it seemed prudent to take the bus today instead of attempting to bike through any lingering questionable conditions.
But one cannot assume that buses will run on schedule in these conditions, either. So if a person absolutely has to be on time (for instance, if they are the instructor for the 4-hour lab), it is prudent to plan on taking the bus scheduled for earlier rather than the bus that is supposed to arrive on time. Thus, I figured I should start making my way over to the bus stop at 6 am, to ensure I arrived before the start of the 8:30 am lab. Thankfully, this week's lab doesn't require anything like an extra hour to anesthetize frogs, or extra prep the day before that I wouldn't have gotten to due to the snow cancellation.
When I sat down at 5:45 am to eat some breakfast and drink some coffee before setting out, I also decided to take a look at the actual bus schedule, just in case. That turned out to be a good decision; the bus to campus only runs once every half hour, and it looked like if I hustled right then and there, I might be able to make it to the stop in time to catch a bus with ample time to get to campus. The bus after that one would be more questionable. With that, I poured the rest of my coffee in my thermos, packaged up the rest of breakfast, pulled on my snow pants, and hit the sidewalk; part of all these calculations is hoofing it a good 1.5 miles over to the stop so I'm not dealing with the extra scheduling logistics and stress of a transfer between two buses.
The scheduled bus was about 10 minutes late, which was perfect. That means the whole commute only took about an hour an 10 minutes, instead of something more like an hour and 40 minutes if I'd missed that bus. And I now have plenty of time to get ready for lab.
So now I just need to think about how I will get home at the end of the day. I may be able to hitch a ride with a colleague who lives nearby, if our schedules align, although I have a meeting scheduled for 6-6:30 and a lot depends whether the afternoon lab runs all the way until 5:30 pm. I don't really mind the exercise of that 1.5 mile walk, it's just the stress of getting to the bus stop at the right time that is the worst, and the time it eats up.
I will attempt to bike in tomorrow. The main roads are pretty well cleared today, so even if I have to walk some sections that will still be far faster, more convenient, and less stressful than the bus.
But one cannot assume that buses will run on schedule in these conditions, either. So if a person absolutely has to be on time (for instance, if they are the instructor for the 4-hour lab), it is prudent to plan on taking the bus scheduled for earlier rather than the bus that is supposed to arrive on time. Thus, I figured I should start making my way over to the bus stop at 6 am, to ensure I arrived before the start of the 8:30 am lab. Thankfully, this week's lab doesn't require anything like an extra hour to anesthetize frogs, or extra prep the day before that I wouldn't have gotten to due to the snow cancellation.
When I sat down at 5:45 am to eat some breakfast and drink some coffee before setting out, I also decided to take a look at the actual bus schedule, just in case. That turned out to be a good decision; the bus to campus only runs once every half hour, and it looked like if I hustled right then and there, I might be able to make it to the stop in time to catch a bus with ample time to get to campus. The bus after that one would be more questionable. With that, I poured the rest of my coffee in my thermos, packaged up the rest of breakfast, pulled on my snow pants, and hit the sidewalk; part of all these calculations is hoofing it a good 1.5 miles over to the stop so I'm not dealing with the extra scheduling logistics and stress of a transfer between two buses.
The scheduled bus was about 10 minutes late, which was perfect. That means the whole commute only took about an hour an 10 minutes, instead of something more like an hour and 40 minutes if I'd missed that bus. And I now have plenty of time to get ready for lab.
So now I just need to think about how I will get home at the end of the day. I may be able to hitch a ride with a colleague who lives nearby, if our schedules align, although I have a meeting scheduled for 6-6:30 and a lot depends whether the afternoon lab runs all the way until 5:30 pm. I don't really mind the exercise of that 1.5 mile walk, it's just the stress of getting to the bus stop at the right time that is the worst, and the time it eats up.
I will attempt to bike in tomorrow. The main roads are pretty well cleared today, so even if I have to walk some sections that will still be far faster, more convenient, and less stressful than the bus.
Arena, Iris
Jan. 26th, 2026 07:53 pmranunculusCalifornia is basking in reasonable temperatures and even sun. It did freeze last night but warmed right up.
Yesterday's chore was to "groom" the arena. This required taking the tractor down from the house, a distance of about 2 miles in the chilly morning air. Before hooking up the drag I made a faint effort to move some sand from the south side of the arena where the sand is thick, to the middle where there are some dips that become pools when it rains. I did get some sand moved we will see if it did any good in the next good rainstorm. Got the whole thing dragged, fluffing up the sand and hopefully killing all the grass that had germinated. Took about four passes over each square foot of sand in a 140 x 250 ft rectangle. With that done I got out the sprayer and sprayed the edges for the second time this year. I suspect there will be a third time as well. There was spray leftover to use on the weeds in the pastures. Almost all the plants I target are mustard, dock and fiddleneck. Horses don't eat any of them unless starving. Dock and mustard can take over a pasture, reducing the area that can be grazed dramatically. Both plants are perennial in this climate. Mustard at least has the advantage of fixing nitrogen in the soil, but that isn't enough for me to want it in the pastures.
Today's chores involved paperwork and a trip to town to take iris starts to a lady, plus grocery shopping.
Rain tomorrow, the first rain since Jan 8th. Apparently a one day wonder before it goes back to being reasonably warm and sunny.
Yesterday's chore was to "groom" the arena. This required taking the tractor down from the house, a distance of about 2 miles in the chilly morning air. Before hooking up the drag I made a faint effort to move some sand from the south side of the arena where the sand is thick, to the middle where there are some dips that become pools when it rains. I did get some sand moved we will see if it did any good in the next good rainstorm. Got the whole thing dragged, fluffing up the sand and hopefully killing all the grass that had germinated. Took about four passes over each square foot of sand in a 140 x 250 ft rectangle. With that done I got out the sprayer and sprayed the edges for the second time this year. I suspect there will be a third time as well. There was spray leftover to use on the weeds in the pastures. Almost all the plants I target are mustard, dock and fiddleneck. Horses don't eat any of them unless starving. Dock and mustard can take over a pasture, reducing the area that can be grazed dramatically. Both plants are perennial in this climate. Mustard at least has the advantage of fixing nitrogen in the soil, but that isn't enough for me to want it in the pastures.
Today's chores involved paperwork and a trip to town to take iris starts to a lady, plus grocery shopping.
Rain tomorrow, the first rain since Jan 8th. Apparently a one day wonder before it goes back to being reasonably warm and sunny.
So many thoughts, running around, chasing each other in circles [work]
Jan. 26th, 2026 02:45 pmrebeccmeisterIn mid-December I was asked if I'd be willing to join my institution's Strategic Planning Committee. I ultimately agreed, although not without some reservations. I learned from a previous committee experience that for me, some committees are preferable over others. Anyway, the Strategic Planning Committee is going to be an interesting committee and process to be a part of, although I'll also admit I'm a little sad because it meant I had to give up my seat on a different committee that's more pedagogically focused, and I was appreciating the opportunity to be involved in discussions related to pedagogy. But I may very well get back to that committee once this iteration of the strategic planning process winds down. And both types of work are clearly needed and important.
Meanwhile, there are aspects of strategic planning processes and outcomes that I somewhat viscerally, vehemently dislike. We have been asked to read over our institution's prior strategic plan as an initial homework assignment. That plan was structured around four identified "pillars" and from reading through things it seems I may have some major and fundamental issues with the entire "experience" pillar. And anyway, the strategic planning document is the sort of thing where I can handle reading a page or two of it at a time, then I need to run off and rampage on other things for a while (e.g. blog! Whee!).
In the meantime, all of this is doing some of what it needs to do, to me. I remember hearing about some events and activities during the previous strategic planning process, but at that time I was checked out of that sort of thing so I wasn't necessarily thinking in these broader terms (was paying more attention to things like earning tenure, surviving teaching, rebuilding the rowing club).
Since I have a larger stake now, that means doing things like asking, "So, how have things gone at the large public university where I got my PhD back in the day, where the institution's president showed up in 2003 with a Big Vision?" (short answer, that Big Vision did indeed transform that institution; it does appear that institution is doing fine and/or well, although that's always a complicated matter to answer). Also continuing to keep tabs on the institution where I earned my bachelor's degree, because it, too, has made some major (and effective-seeming) strategic changes over the years (i.e. it's financially solvent and now able to offer a full scholarship to any incoming student with family income under $150k, but who knows where it is with regards to institutional elitism these days).
Now, these are both quite different institutions from my current one with regards to institution size and prestige, but one of my concerns with this committee is making sure to cast a very wide net when we're thinking about what needs to happen in the future, and my observation is there's a tendency at my institution to be WAY too parochial in our thinking (I kind of see this crop up again and again in the northeastern United States; folks, this country is much bigger than that, Los Angeles isn't a quaint Western backwater).
And in the meantime, I'm thinking, I think I personally need to seek out and get some legal observer training. I think I might also want to learn how to become an election monitor. One of the things that stood out to me from reading about my PhD institution is how its leader talks about helping the institution do a better job of responding to the needs of the broader community it serves. (by contrast, my institution's strategic plan is focused more directly on the students themselves, and only talks about "the broader world" in sweeping generalities).
Anyway, I should get back to reading the next two pages of this document. We shall see how it all goes. Hopefully it will have been a good decision all around to have joined this particular undertaking.
Meanwhile, there are aspects of strategic planning processes and outcomes that I somewhat viscerally, vehemently dislike. We have been asked to read over our institution's prior strategic plan as an initial homework assignment. That plan was structured around four identified "pillars" and from reading through things it seems I may have some major and fundamental issues with the entire "experience" pillar. And anyway, the strategic planning document is the sort of thing where I can handle reading a page or two of it at a time, then I need to run off and rampage on other things for a while (e.g. blog! Whee!).
In the meantime, all of this is doing some of what it needs to do, to me. I remember hearing about some events and activities during the previous strategic planning process, but at that time I was checked out of that sort of thing so I wasn't necessarily thinking in these broader terms (was paying more attention to things like earning tenure, surviving teaching, rebuilding the rowing club).
Since I have a larger stake now, that means doing things like asking, "So, how have things gone at the large public university where I got my PhD back in the day, where the institution's president showed up in 2003 with a Big Vision?" (short answer, that Big Vision did indeed transform that institution; it does appear that institution is doing fine and/or well, although that's always a complicated matter to answer). Also continuing to keep tabs on the institution where I earned my bachelor's degree, because it, too, has made some major (and effective-seeming) strategic changes over the years (i.e. it's financially solvent and now able to offer a full scholarship to any incoming student with family income under $150k, but who knows where it is with regards to institutional elitism these days).
Now, these are both quite different institutions from my current one with regards to institution size and prestige, but one of my concerns with this committee is making sure to cast a very wide net when we're thinking about what needs to happen in the future, and my observation is there's a tendency at my institution to be WAY too parochial in our thinking (I kind of see this crop up again and again in the northeastern United States; folks, this country is much bigger than that, Los Angeles isn't a quaint Western backwater).
And in the meantime, I'm thinking, I think I personally need to seek out and get some legal observer training. I think I might also want to learn how to become an election monitor. One of the things that stood out to me from reading about my PhD institution is how its leader talks about helping the institution do a better job of responding to the needs of the broader community it serves. (by contrast, my institution's strategic plan is focused more directly on the students themselves, and only talks about "the broader world" in sweeping generalities).
Anyway, I should get back to reading the next two pages of this document. We shall see how it all goes. Hopefully it will have been a good decision all around to have joined this particular undertaking.
Also, a pep talk.
Jan. 26th, 2026 10:22 amrebeccmeisterKEXP really helped me get through the early parts of the pandemic, most especially John Richards. He knows what he's talking about.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT-mnptjgYL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT-mnptjgYL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
In other news on this work-from-home day...
Jan. 26th, 2026 09:24 amrebeccmeisterWow, snow shoveling is a really good core workout.
I warmed up with a round of vacuuming before heading out to re-shovel the sidewalk out front and my bike access out back. I also had to figure it might be wise to do some preliminary work to dig out the car, just in case (although I'd really rather not try and drive in this stuff). I believe we're due for a couple more daytime inches today, and S also asked me to rake the snow off Princess TinyHouse's roof, so the fun isn't over yet.
I do appreciate that it's exercise and fresh air.
I do not appreciate that the company hired to shovel out the apartment building next door came to do the work at 4 am. (understanding the people actually doing the work are probably up against a ton of constraints, it's just...that's a lot of combustion engine noise right outside my window during sleeping hours).
I warmed up with a round of vacuuming before heading out to re-shovel the sidewalk out front and my bike access out back. I also had to figure it might be wise to do some preliminary work to dig out the car, just in case (although I'd really rather not try and drive in this stuff). I believe we're due for a couple more daytime inches today, and S also asked me to rake the snow off Princess TinyHouse's roof, so the fun isn't over yet.
I do appreciate that it's exercise and fresh air.
I do not appreciate that the company hired to shovel out the apartment building next door came to do the work at 4 am. (understanding the people actually doing the work are probably up against a ton of constraints, it's just...that's a lot of combustion engine noise right outside my window during sleeping hours).
Something to read about Minneapolis
Jan. 26th, 2026 06:55 amrebeccmeisterI'm not sure if this link to an Atlantic article will work for you (supposed to be a gift link but not my gift). But it is interesting for talking about the nature and scope of community organization right now in Minneapolis.
By contrast, hearing about what has happened to protestors throughout Iran has been chilling and awful.
Editing to add: From the article, it's useful to understand what things have been turning points for people - e.g. the fact that everyone's children will witness and be affected by raids on immigrant children. It's also useful to understand what sorts of training opportunities have been created to help people learn how to respond to raids - and this doesn't just mean becoming a first line of resistance. These trainings appear to be useful for understanding how government agents track individuals, to learn how to avoid being tracked if you don't think the government has any business keeping those sorts of records on you. It seems relevant even for individuals who do not feel like they are in a position to function as a legal observer (and besides, we may not have a choice in the matter while going about our everyday lives).
I think it will send me in some different directions in the near future.
By contrast, hearing about what has happened to protestors throughout Iran has been chilling and awful.
Editing to add: From the article, it's useful to understand what things have been turning points for people - e.g. the fact that everyone's children will witness and be affected by raids on immigrant children. It's also useful to understand what sorts of training opportunities have been created to help people learn how to respond to raids - and this doesn't just mean becoming a first line of resistance. These trainings appear to be useful for understanding how government agents track individuals, to learn how to avoid being tracked if you don't think the government has any business keeping those sorts of records on you. It seems relevant even for individuals who do not feel like they are in a position to function as a legal observer (and besides, we may not have a choice in the matter while going about our everyday lives).
I think it will send me in some different directions in the near future.
I did not get the vacuuming done today [status, work, housekeepery]
Jan. 25th, 2026 09:08 pmrebeccmeisterNor did I clean the bathroom at all.
I will try to summon the energy for those projects in the morning.
However, the cats DID catch the mouse. Eventually. It was mostly Martha's work, to no one's surprise. George has never actually had to catch his own food. Several times she asked me to move some furniture or boxes to help her track the mouse. After I came back indoors from the first round of snow shoveling, I found her hunkered down on the small rug in the living room, George nearby, the corpse of the mouse under the edge of the rug. Still playing with it. I took the dead mouse outside.
I forgot how long it inevitably takes to record a lecture video, even one where I am trying to do it expediently. I am definitely out of practice. But it's done, so tomorrow I just (just!) need to set up a Snow Day alternative assignment for my Bicycling students, hold Zoom office hours, and get the Animal Phys quizzes graded.
I suspect I'll be taking the bus to and from work on Tuesday, sigh. That's 90 minutes each way, rather than the 45-55 minutes to bike commute, which is still a lot of minutes of my life (although yes, the bicycling at least is built-in exercise).
The to-do list is ballooning faster than I can check things off right now. That's how it goes sometimes.
I will try to summon the energy for those projects in the morning.
However, the cats DID catch the mouse. Eventually. It was mostly Martha's work, to no one's surprise. George has never actually had to catch his own food. Several times she asked me to move some furniture or boxes to help her track the mouse. After I came back indoors from the first round of snow shoveling, I found her hunkered down on the small rug in the living room, George nearby, the corpse of the mouse under the edge of the rug. Still playing with it. I took the dead mouse outside.
I forgot how long it inevitably takes to record a lecture video, even one where I am trying to do it expediently. I am definitely out of practice. But it's done, so tomorrow I just (just!) need to set up a Snow Day alternative assignment for my Bicycling students, hold Zoom office hours, and get the Animal Phys quizzes graded.
I suspect I'll be taking the bus to and from work on Tuesday, sigh. That's 90 minutes each way, rather than the 45-55 minutes to bike commute, which is still a lot of minutes of my life (although yes, the bicycling at least is built-in exercise).
The to-do list is ballooning faster than I can check things off right now. That's how it goes sometimes.