demagnetization

I keep demagnetizing my room card. It’s a real hassle. I have it on a lanyard around my neck (as does nearly everyone else) because my clothes don’t ever have pockets & I guess my laptop battery demagnetizes it. This is the 4^th time. I also left it in my room yesterday, which I knew was inevitable. They charge a dollar to let you back in. I’m hoping I don’t do that too many times.

ILS came through (as they do) with a ton of scanning for us today. Thanks to Mitch & crew!

We got lots of reserves processed & we were incredibly busy in the library. Sherri got the video list updated. People had actual reference questions. I took stacks of cataloging up to the faculty/staff lounge & that was very successful, much quieter up there, until my laptop battery died. There are a limited number of outlets & they are in high demand. I didn’t get mine plugged in in time.

We also had our first Global Studies class. Everybody goes to Global Studies (all 850 of us). The library & computer lab close and all the offices. We don’t all fit in the Union where the big event is held so faculty/student/staff are scattered around the ship in satellite locations where they watch it on a screen. Usually everyone gets to choose where they go. This voyage, they have assigned faculty to particular locations to lead small group discussion. They are still not assigning students to particular locations so we may not get the same crop everyday, but the small group discussion in our room went well. Judyie facilitated the group I was in, she’s a theatre professor and she was excellent. Judyie has worked at both Hampshire & Amherst Colleges, so we’ve shared Pioneer Valley conversation, but she’s been teaching in Cape Town, South Africa, for the last five years at the University there and organizing theatre groups. Her daughter is also here on the voyage as a student.

Mike, the Academic Dean this voyage, also addressed the students this morning. He was great and got everyone all excited about the academics of this trip. Talked about challenging assumptions & taking risks with our beliefs & our experiences. There were even the requisite Thomas Jefferson references.

We lose an hour of sleep tonight for our first time-zone-crossing. Classes start tomorrow. The weather is beautiful & there is no land in sight. Just blue blue water …