Rolling Rolling Rolling

Glad tidings, everyone, but to Van Morrison especially.
This last month disappeared in a whirl of returning students, computer imaging, clinic supporting, Trina, and ultimate frisbee. I have a paycheck incoming and quickly departing to my credit card bill and mortgage and yet I feel as if I did that dance only last week.
Work ebbs and flows, as is its wont. Yesterday and the day before I was miraculously motivated and productive while today I have hardly accomplished anything. Engineering departmental computing has nearly ceased to challenge me---I still enjoy helping people I suppose. I certainly cannot claim that computing is perfect right now but the progress I have made in the last year and a half is considerable. We have newer, more secure servers for the website, software licensing, the accounting database, and imaging. Our students machines are faster and more stable. As always, the benefit I take from this job can only come through my personal motivation and initiative.
To paraphrase Woody Allen (Alvy Singer) from Annie Hall, a relationship is like a shark---it has to keep moving forward or it dies. My travels in Europe with Trina, after such a protracted absence, were at times difficult but ultimately provided great growth in our relationship. This fall is no different---my relationship with Trina continues to be the most challenging and rewarding and joyous aspect of my life. I love her.
Second place surely falls to coaching the Claremont Women's Greenshirts Ultimate Frisbee Team. I sneak out of work at 4:15 and quickly try to decompress from work, switch modes, and focus---all in the barely two minutes my bike coasts from Mudd down to CMC or Pomona. I had some issues of insecurity and inferiority following Sandy as the team's coach but those have mostly been laid to rest. I still have difficulties figuring out how to teach skills clearly and effectively and gauging the women's capabilities and potential in various areas. For example, I ran a drill at practice yesterday that I thought would be fun and follow clearly from other skills we had developed in the last week and specifically yesterday. To my disappointment, the drill was neither easy nor fun and only seemed to frustrate many of the women. I am hopeful for the team and happy with the progress we have made---this is only September and we have much time to get the women to Nationals.
Noon has come and lunch awaits in my office minifridge, a short walk and nuke away.
Peace and Love to All.