Having been in Hawaii for about 48 hours now, I've already begun preparations for classes which begin next week. The first day I was here, I talked to the two professors I will be TAing for, and one of them asked me what I'm interested in within the first few sentences. I said "star formation," and he told me he meant like outside of science, but I was still puzzled. Apparently he includes mini-biographies of himself and his TA on the course syllabus, which is something I've never heard of. Anyway, I was and still am really struggling for an interesting tidbit to put on the syllabus that wouldn't make me sound like a total git. Almost everything I can think of is at best dorky and at worst inappropriate in that it would undermine my position of authority. So I'm welcoming ideas from the masses, but be quick, I'm not sure when he's going to run-off the syllabi. This is the titular TA Contest. Also I have no computer still, but I may be getting an office soon, in which case that will be remedied.
Oh, and as an afterthought, today I underwent Day One of university-wide "TA Training." This was all well and good, but halfway through the strange thought that all TA's from accross the entire school were gathered in one auditorium. Just imagine what an undergraduate would think if they entered that room. Their astronomy TA sitting next to their English TA and making jokes about their Math TA's haircut.
A near mythic event occurred in a fantastical setting this weekend in Ft. Worth. One of the most beloved Dean's Scholars, Bess Frost, got married on Saturday in one of the most bizarre developed suburban areas I've ever seen. The hotel that the DS contingent (as well as most other attendees) stayed in was part of a collection of roads and buildings just off an otherwise deserted six-lane divided freeway that closely resembled a giant's playground. This surreal setting was perfect for the strangeness of the semi-reunion. Those in attendance (not counting the bridal party) spanned some ten years of DS history, filled an entire pew and then some at the ceremony, and occupied two large tables at the reception. To top it all off, the life force of DS, Dr. Alan Kaylor Cline himself (complete with bowtie) was in attendance with wife Dr. Rich. Cline provided the most laughs of the evening as he during the ceremony: fake-gagged as the flower girl passed by, made wisecracks about the once 16-year-old DSer who read from The Little Prince, and amazed the crowd with some fancy footwork during "Play That Funky Music White Boy."
The main purpose of this post however is not to provide entertainment, but to serve as a venue for picture posting. However, that seems to be malfunctioning, but I will have it up soon. My words could not describe the viewing pleasure you will get from seeing beautiful girls drink chocolate from goblets or me ironing a shirt. Keep checking for zip files to download.