UrbanSkies

Cool

Miles Davis' Eyes
picture from soulwalking

The class that I've been stressing over the last two weeks is done. Last night, I taught a class on Excel to the Executive MBA Program. It went....well, it went. And it's done; that's the most important part.

Basically, the goal of the course was to teach basic Excel usage to the Executive MBA class. I taught a very specific set of objectives. And I prepared well for those objectives. Moreover, some people had a computer in front of them, some did not. Some people had never seen Excel before, some would kick Bill Gates' ass in Trivial Pursuit - The Excel Edition. Designing the course proved difficult under those constraints. I aimed for middle of the road, and at least most people got *something* out of the course. The dynamics of the group threw me for a loop, as they tended to converse frequently, and sometimes jumped in and answered questions for me. They were just looser than I expected. I got through somehow, and I'm just glad it's over. The best part is that I'm getting paid extra for this course. That thought alone should be enough for me to lose the stress.

This week marked my return as a student. Jazz Appreciation is turning out well. We listened to music the first two days, analyzing "On Green Dolphin Street", performed by the Miles Davis Sextet in 1958. Very cool. My professor says "cool" a lot, which is to be expected from a jazz guy. And he's a cool guy. Two days in class, and I'm staying up-to-date with my reading. I think that's my best start to a semester, ever. Cool.

Today, my cool boss Beth took us out to lunch at PF Chang's. Since she was paying, I didn't order the Great Wall of Chocolate. That's a sin in someone's book. I don't feel too bad about not having cake, even if it's the best cake in the whole freakin' world.

Tonight, I start working my football gig: running the first down marker up and down the field. I'm excited. Basically, I'm getting paid to exercise. Not too bad (ie. cool!)

Speaking of cool jazz cats, a good friend of mine from high school is running for state assemblyman in New York. I had no idea until another friend emailed me the site, but Kenny would definately make an outstanding representative for the citizens of New York.

Very cool indeed.

Posted by Ben at August 27, 2004 05:58 PM