12.6.14
There is no
pleasure marking exams. I want to be as
fair and impartial as necessary but I can’t ignore the obvious. I created two versions and it is becoming
evident one was slightly more difficult than the other. There will be objections and adjustments will
likely have to be made. How will you
prepare for the criticisms from your peers?
With humility.
And a good
defense!!
I should
make a database and see how the 235 students fared in each component of the
exam. We’re talking a lot of time here,
dude, but the data will reveal if my suspicions are correct. And it would placate the grumblings and
murmurs that the exam was unfair.
Statistics don’t lie. Big data do
reveal truth. Or is it ‘does’ reveal
truth.
I am
thankful for Bach on youtube though this fella is far too contemplatively
uplifting. What would be better right
now I do not know. Peanuts Christmas?
After mass
yesterday I walked to the mall, an hour in the sun did me in. The Gulf Greetings shop carried Christmas
cards no one in their right mind buys anymore.
It’s as if they are what’s left of a tradition we no longer
practice. I considered going to Dubai
but on a Saturday it would be a zoo. I
consider going next week but I think I’ll return to Al-Ain this afternoon and
visit another mall and hope I can find appropriately tasteful cards and hope
the post office is open in the early evening.
I do not want to go to Dubai.
7.00pm
I crossed
the border again and took a taxi to the Jimi mall where there was a Hallmark
store and the same cards sitting forlorn and
forgotten, merry Christmas to a son in law, girlfriend, mum, granny and
there I found three normal cards…in Russian.
Of course I had to buy them. I
got a coffee and a sour cream glazed from the new Tim Hortons and wrote notes,
addressed them and took a taxi to the post office, thankfully open.
The effort
was so worth it. I don’t want messages
via email. Sure they are kind, someone
thought of me, but getting a card, a handwritten card, demonstrates what has
disappeared.
And speaking
of Christmas cards. A Nepalese friend in Germany
said she went out to buy Christmas cards.
I asked her what time and lo! It was exactly the same time I left to
find Christmas cards. I tried to explain
how coincidences like this happen, actually I know how coincidences work, but I
don’t know why they happen. She was, to
say the least, intrigued.
12.7.14
12/7/41 19th
day out—Man o man! what a night we had,
I noticed it first when I went on watch, the sea was really kicking up, in fact
it’s the worst I have ever experienced so far.
It caused quite a bit of damage aboard ship for instance, in sick bay shelves,
literally shelves of medicine were toppled off and broke, desks, file cabinets
were turned over, dental equipment was wrecked, dishes were broken, in the pay
office a safe weighing more than a ton broke loose and broke up desks,
typewriters, file cabinets and what have you!
The galley was thrown into disorder, and everywhere aboard ship
something was overturned or wrecked. It
was all so unexpected but still to look at the tremendous waves from the deck
with the moon and stars shining on our port side and they coming at us on the
starboard beam, well, it was something magnificent to behold. It is 1300 now and its still plenty rough, I
haven’t heard what the extent of the damage was.—It has been said we are to
arrive in Cape Town the day after to-morrow.—I have the 1600 to 2000 watch, so Lights out.
12/8/41 20th
day out—Things have really started to pop to-day when news was received of
Japan attacking Honolulu and the island of Guam, and on the Hawaiian island of
Oahu, oil tanks and hangers of the U.S. airfield were hit and destroyed by Jap
bombers. It has been reported that Jap
parachutes have landed in the Philippines.—The U.S. forces have already
accounted for six plane, four subs, and an air craft carrier according to a
radio report.—Our position this morning was 38 degrees S and 21 degrees E—We
received our pay to-day, I had $18 coming but I only drew $5, for I don’t
believe I’ll need it very badly.—I would feel a lot better if we get in
to-morrow for there are rumors of subs following us and besides everyone seems
to be getting restless.—I have the 2400 to 0400 watch to-night. Lights out.
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