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I began my last free day before envigilating final exams with a long session at the computer, editing the exam for Weather and Climate to include a new version of the mini-case-study problem that has featured prominently in previous exams. Inspired by the successful review session last week (in which the students showcased their artistic talents by drawing weather concepts for their peers to guess, Pictionary-style), I decided to eschew the usual practice of providing surface analyses, satellite imagery, and upper-level charts, all of which require costly amounts of color toner or ink. Instead I would provide a copy of the scientific forecaster discussion from the Storm Prediction Center, and have the students draw the isobar geometry, surface conditions, and fronts consistent with the forecast.
Also on the agenda today was a 12:30 meeting with Councilmember Tom Hucker, which I volunteered to attend along with two other Takoma Park adjunct faculty and four MCPS paraeducators. The mild weather encouraged me to make the trip by bike. I hadn't done this particular commute since last semester, and I was worried that I'd be out of practice climbing the hills of Veirs Mill Road. This worry was compounded when a convenient stopping point in my morning exam revisions didn't appear until 11:15. Despite the 11:20 departure time, though, I still arrived with plenty of time to catch my breath and chat with my MC colleagues about what we'd say at the meeting.
After the meeting with Councilmember Hucker, I biked south on Rockville Pike to enjoy a late lunch at the Indian restaurant to which Rupert had brought us one weekend last fall. On the restaurant's television was the press conference where Donald Trump might have been announcing the firing of James Comey, but with the volume turned down I couldn't make out what was being said. Instead I paid more attention to the delicate flavors on my plate, and the "escalator wit" that would be needed for a written follow-up to the in-person meeting with Councilmember Hucker.
I returned to the Takoma Park campus by way of Rock Creek Trail, Capital Crescent Trail, and Georgia Avenue. Filling up my afternoon was a long session of exam revisions and photocopying, plus a walk around campus with Caroline, who needed to pick up a packet of English compositions from another professor. I didn't end up going for an evening swim, despite having packed the requisite gear this morning, because my exam revisions continued straight through the 18:00 hour until it was time to leave for another Community Conversation at Takoma Park City Hall, where residents and other affected parties would discuss the construction of the proposed Math Science Center.