This is the busiest time of year for me at school, and consequently the most stressful. Between doing tons of preparation for the upcoming AP tests, teaching new topics in AP Calculus that I have not taught in 30 years, the usual test-writing, grading, tutoring and counseling, now we have begun interviewing prospective teachers for next year, as well as watching teachers do demo lessons. Needless to say, I do not have time to breathe, either at school or at home. Thank heavens there is a spring break looming two weeks in the future!

Have any NCAA fans noticed that the regional games played at Continental Airlines Arena show Rutgers logos on the arena floor? Do you realize that Rutgers has never played a home game on that court, but that it is in fact the home court of Seton Hall University? But since the arena is owned by the state of New Jersey, they see fit to publicize their own sports-factory university rather than the rightful hosts for the event. Residents of New Jersey are well aware that Rutgers has been cutting academic programs and faculty positions while pouring tons of money into the football program. More evidence of the relative importance of education and sports in this country.

Currently listening: Dream Theater’s Live Scenes from New York, a great amalgam of hard and progressive rock, my two favorite genres. Highly recommended.

Currently reading: The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, volume 2. This was the two-part volume which contained the best novellas ever published prior to 1965, a lot of fabulous short fiction. If you want to read a primer of science fiction, you cannot do better than the three volumes in this series.