climate change activist and science communicator; photographer; mapmaker — advocate for a stable global climate, reduced nuclear weapon risks, and safe human-AI interaction
Generally musings of the day, usually accompanied by a photograph
Things about which I am uncertain:
Add to that ‘where I will live between May 1 and September 1’ and ‘how I will pay for it’.
From a time-management perspective, I seem to have become a much worse student since my undergrad days.
Right now, I am on a computer in my study working on drafts of two papers simultaneously (one due tomorrow, one due Thursday). Occasionally, I am drifting back to the well-lit zone in my bedroom to do the readings on which these two papers are ostensibly based.
Peppering all of these tasks are asides in which I make note of things to discuss at tomorrow’s 350 meeting and try to schedule this week’s remaining obligations.
Somehow, this coming week is shaping up to be even more insane than the weeks so far this term.
I have to grade all the papers from my international relations students by Thursday (after re-reading the papers they are based on), as well as do the reading for this week’s tutorials and teach them on Monday.
I have two papers of my own to write: a book review for my ‘incomplete conquests’ class and a paper for my Canadian politics core seminar on: “Does the Canadian study of federalism suffer from too much or too little theory?” (I don’t even know what that means!)
I have two sections of the Toronto350.org divestment brief due tomorrow, hundreds of emails to answer (as always), two term paper topics to decide on and begin researching, the Toronto350.org Termly General Meeting on Tuesday night, and all the ordinary reading for next week’s three classes.
I also need to send my 24-70 lens back to Canon because, in fixing the fall damage, they broke the autofocus/manual focus switch. Plus, there is lots of routine stuff that has piled up, like six issues of The Economist to read.
Along with nine other Toronto 350.org people, I am now in Washington D.C. for the big rally for climate action and against the Keystone XL pipeline.
Photos will be forthcoming.
I have two papers due this week – one for my psychology class and one on ‘the Charter revolution’ for my core Canadian politics seminar. There is also only a week left before my international relations students must submit their second paper, which will probably mean a hectic scene at office hours tomorrow, followed by frantic emails and requests for special meetings later in the week.
In addition, there is the ordinary reading for my three courses, a 350 meeting on Tuesday, my friend Kerrie in town, a climate-related interview with campus radio on Friday, a campaign planning workshop on Friday night, tutoring on Sunday, and preparation for the February 17th trip to Washington D.C.
At some point, I will also try to find time to edit the 16 gigabytes of photos I took at the Massey winter ball, as well as to continue with camera repair fund print sales (the repair is about 1/8th paid for so far).
My photos from Friday’s festivities are now online.
Like the week before it, this weekend is set to be busy.
Tonight is a Robbie Burns dinner at Massey, with sword-dancing and a charity auction to follow, along with one of the infamous ‘low table’ parties. I will be taking photos during the formal parts of the evening.
Tomorrow, there are three climate change events in Toronto: one at city hall, one at Allen Gardens (including a march to the Ontario Liberal Convention at Maple Leaf Gardens), and one at a site along the route of the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline. A member of Toronto 350.org will be speaking at the third event.
Sunday, I have tutoring at 10am (helping my student complete a law assignment), followed by a meeting at 2pm. Sunday night, a friend and classmate of mine is hosting a party in Mordecai Richler’s old apartment at Trinity College.
Of course, I also have heaps of reading to complete for next week’s classes, deferred midterms to grade before my Monday tutorials, and innumerable little chores to accompany it all. I am also reading several new books: Jordan Peterson’s Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief in support of my self-deception class, Peter Russell’s Constitutional Odyssey: Can Canadians Become a Sovereign People? for one of my Canadian politics class, and Boyce Richardson’s Strangers Devour the Land for an academic book review.
Today – with the help of Massey College’s building supervisor – I added some snowy photos to my ‘Massey by Day’ set.