Curriculum for Q2, recap of Q1

Wednesday, 29 March 2003

For the first quarter’s curriculum, I laid out a set of aims, both general and specific. I revisit them below, with comments on how they went (or if they went) and what the results were, and then think aloud about what to aim for in Q2

Aims for Q2:
• Study: Studies going fine; consolidate essay work.
• Write: Focus on workshop; look for venues for publication and sharing.
• Do: Continue local activity; plan regional/national/international travel.
• Maintain: Ramp up running; learn to make seaweed salad & miso soup.

1. Study

1.1. Tech-centered

Q1.  I did a MooC on Swift, but was disappointed to discover after three weeks that it had not been updated in several years, and when it came time to actually use Xcode to build iOS apps, things had changed and the tutorial no longer matched the tools. I did not try another MooC, but instead was distracted by switching to new Macs and upgrading tech ecosystem. 

For Q2: No tech-centered study planned. Will focus on writing.

For the future, here is the list of interesting MooC courses I rounded up last fall:

1.2. Geology

Did Jim Miller online course in January. I’ve also been following the geology groups on reddit, and learning from the discussions in ‘What is this rock,’ etc. 

For Q2:
• Jim Miller course “What is this Rock, I” through North House School.
• Also will attend ILSG and field trips.

1.3. Paired-Reading

Finishing Contemporary American Essays (with CT), Tangled Web (with CS), Smellosophy (with RB), and  Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (with KC). Read To Shake the Sleeping Self for book group and will discuss in April.

For Q2:
• Start next books with CT, CS, RB and Book Group. 
• Think about how to consolidate essay-reading project

1.4. Solo-Reading

Q1. It’s not been a very active reading period, aside from the reading I am doing with others. Finished Clean Sweep, by Illona Andrews, and Monstrous Regiment, by Terry Pratchett; re-read murderbot series. Slowly making my way through Grayhouse, Prison of Sleep, and Consider Phlebas. 

For Q2:

  • On the Edge of the Wild, by xxx
  • The First Fourteen Lives of August West, by xxx
  • The High Sierra: A Love Story, Kim Stanley Robinson
  • Player of Games, and  The Weapon Maker, by Ian Banks
  • The Man who was Thursday, G K Chesterton
  • C. J. Cherryh: Union [Cyteen; 40,000 in Gehenna; Regenesis] & Alliance: [Heavy Time
    & Hellburner; Downbelow Station; Merchanter’s Luck; Rimrunners; Tripoint; Finity’s End ]

2. Writing

For Q2, focus on writing workshop.

2.1. Writing Practice

Q1. I am doing more writing, and have signed up for a montly workshop that begins next week.

For Q2:
• I hope the workshop will cement and further catalyze my writing practice.

2.2. Publishing / Sharing

Q1. I have made my blogs public, and opened the “Late Reviews” blog, but using “Essays” as the title. I have not publicized any of them, though. I suspect I would like to have an audience. I am not sure what that would be though.

For Q2:
• Consider publicizing blogs, looking for digital or print venues

2.3. Things to Work On

I wrote some lengthy journal entries that could evolve into essays; I have not really revisited much of my earlier pieces or writing fragments. I did decide to start recording things I think I have things to say about as writing prompts.

For Q2:
• Make a list or inventory of what to work on

3. Do Things

3.1. Local Outings and Social Activity

We did well at getting out and doing things: New Standards (Dakota, Jan). Unusual Dining: Spoon and Stable (Jan), Heathers (Feb), Khaluna (March). Theatre: Little Prince (Guthrie, Feb), Ogress (Walker, Feb), Eurydice (Theatre in the Round, March). Other: Transhumance Cheese class (France 44, March), Botticelli exhibit (MIA, Jan).

We saw our regular circles of friends relatively frequently; and we had two sets of people over for dinner for the first or second time.

For Q2: Continue.

3.2. Hiking

No hiking during Q1.

For Q2:
• Plan some regional/national hikes
• Do some local/regional hikes as it warms up
• So some hikes with Steve

3.3. Travel

No travel during Q1. Have plans in place for 3 Yosemite trips (High Sierra Camps, Geology Field School, and October in Yosemite Valley).

For Q2:
• Plan 2024 eclipse trip
• Plan trip to Denmark for mid-summer (?)
• Plan other trips depending on what KMS year looks like.

4. Maintain Home, Health, Wellness

4.1. Exercise

Running lapsed, in large part due to ice, during February and March.  I am now back to it with two runs this week; I have dropped the constraint of always running at Minihaha Creek or the Mississipi. If I am too short of time to get there, I will run around one of the local lakes. Strength training is going well, though the focus has shifted to physical therapy exercises for quadricep/glutes/core imbalance.  

For Q2: Continue.

4.2. Health

Q1. BP is a bit high; PSA is non-zero; and B12 is low. Started another round of physical therapy to (1) address left quadriceps (etc) weakness, and (2) address supposed trauma-induced PN.

PN: Had an EMG. It was assessed as non-bilateral, and due to possible trauma on the right foot. The trouble is it seems bilateral, and ascribing distinct causes to a simultaneous neuropathy appearing in both feet seems to be stretching coincidence a bit far. Also, as of February/March it has spread to other toes, again in both feet. Hoping to go to Mayo for a second opinion. 

Acid Reflux and Cough. I complained to Dr. Tandon about lingering slight cough and occasional heartburn. She proposed I take an OTC item, and then I decided I would first establish frequency of discomfort so I could judge efficiacy – and it immediately ceased to bother me. Perhaps due to decision to significantly reduce alcohol consumption? Or perhaps reduction in chocolate consumption? (2) I belatedly noticed in my fall ’22 blood test that I had a low B12 level, and so am now taking supplements, and will recheck level in June. 

For Q2: Continue as seems appropriate

4.3. Diet/Cooking

Q1. Have switched brands and cut back on chocolate consumption after reading about Cd and Pb levels in chocolate, including the brand I consumed. New brand is one of the few that scored well, and I don’t like it as much and so I consume less, less frequently, when my sweet tooth wants a little something. I have also shifted to minimal alcohol, excepting at dinner parties, in response to a series of lectures KMS has been watching.

For Q2:
• Continue as seems appropriate
• Figure out how to make good miso soup and seaweed salad

4.4. Home projects

Slight progress on clearing out basement. Ordered window shades for attic. Got new technology ecosystem up and running, with greatly improved wireless network.

For Q2:
• Continue work on basement
• Clear and mulch south garden
• Do something with back 40

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