I was on campus most of yesterday working with the Center of Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies and the Office of Research and Grants. I went to the Tully for a brief lunch to myself, and then accomplished a few departmental goals in a hallway of empty offices. At least it is quiet.
I'm also thankful for my colleague, the 2026 MLK Vision Award recipient, who took me out for my birthday. I'm 3 for 3 at the Global Marketplace. I'm eating more mussels than I'm building muscle (and they have a great old fashion).
Seriously, the temperatures are above 40 now and it feels almost tropical not to hurt when walking outside. I also had the pleasure of seeing Maddie and Isaiah, two CWP grads, present collegiate papers at a colloqium for James Madison University. The scholarly pursuit are as if they are an extension of Kris and Dave's brilliance and influence on them. As the discussant said, "The future is bright with such minds wrestling and working through the complex issues of Black female identity and AI surveillance on all our bodies in the current United States of What the Hell is Really Going on. I especially appreciate the medical research/history Maddie did to unravel the discrepancies of healthcare in the United States.
Today, I just want to flow with the day. I don't mind time to work on what is of interest me and to bypass the demands made by so many others. I wish I had a raft to lie upon, though...in a pool with a hot sun. But that will have to wait.
Today is for lovers. I hope those who celebrate get their fix from Hallmark, flowers, and chocolates. I'd rather watch college basketball.
