February 25, 2020

From Gerald R. Lucas

Fat 🌮 Tuesday

We’re getting to that point in the semester. Some students are starting to get tired. Very. Tired. I even asked one of my classes today if anyone took notes anymore. Many nodded as they continued to sit there with empty desks. OK, not empty; some had the crucial cell phone ready to go. I had another student in the same class sitting in the front row looking like she was literally falling asleep as I talked. Her empty desk called to her heavy head as her eyes narrowed, further, further...

I even said “this will be on the exam,” and still no one took out a book, paper, or otherwise changed their god-this-class-sucks-and-I-hate-life attitude. OK, a couple took their books out and followed along, but holy moly! Seriously, should I not care? Oh, and the absences. A quarter of the class has been absent the last month—for a class that only meets once-a-week. Really, should I not care? What to do?

That’s all to say today’s Fat Tuesday, and also taco night. I got us some Dos Equis to help in the celebration. I hope the beginning of lent does not carry through into classes . . .