It was a busy week at work -- we continue to have problems with the server, I needed to grade the Observation Projects from my writing class, and I threw a pizza party for the BCRC staff. Everything came off pretty well, but it was an exhausting week that left me not wanting to spend any extra time writing at the computer.
The server continues to panic more-or-less randomly. There aren't any particularly informative log messages, unfortunately, so we can't tell whether its being caused by hardware or software. Software seems more likely, but we haven't made any recent changes. I've been reading mailing lists and documentation on all of the software we use, trying to find anything that might be implicated. The server was perfectly reliable for about three years and only became problematic around the time intersession ended. It's very frustrating.
The observation projects turned out very well! There was a range, of course, but -- I thought I could make useful comments on all of them. I was pleased to get them turned around in week so that students could have feedback prior to the next project which is due this Thursday. With the server problems, I was behind in my grading, and only got them finished up minutes before class. A couple of students were concerned about their score, which they felt was low, but were happier when they realized the first project is only 25 points out 500 possible in the whole course. My goal in the first project is to provide a low-stakes opportunity to learn what things I value in writing.
After writing, I rushed home and made four pizzas for the BCRC staff. I first started making pizza with my brother when I was in high school -- or maybe even earlier. When I was a kid, my family used to get Chef Boyardee pizza kits in a box. Eventually, we learned how to make crust and then I developed a recipe for making sauce. We used to summer sausage in pizza, though now I use lebanon bologna, which is just as good and a lot more convenient. I had to break my diet to eat some pizza, but I limited myself to two pieces. It was great.
This weekend, the weather was mild, so I got out my bike for the first time. I've lost enough weight that riding is much easier this year than it was last. I took short rides on Saturday and Sunday -- enough to start breaking in my rump. On Saturday, Charlie and rode down to the "treat store" and on Sunday, Charlie, Lucy, and I rode on campus. In another couple of weeks, I should be able to take longer rides. A lot of people I know are happy to ride in cold weather, but I like it to be at least 50. Pretty soon, we should start getting weather up there routinely.
Charlie needs a new bike, so yesterday Lucy and I checked the bike stores in town as well as one of the "big box" stores. I would prefer to get a bike from a local shop, of course. Unfortunately, the bike I liked the best cost a bit more than I'm willing to spend. Another place has a couple of bikes from last year's stock that are slightly discounted. I think Charlie will be surprised to discover gears: how much easier it is to go up hills and how much faster you can go on the flat.