Analyze this

Just a few quick words about the GRE:

• Since I took the computerized version of the test, I learned my verbal and quantitative scores upon completion. And it's now official: I'm a math nerd. This shouldn't come as any surprise, only serving as confirmation of the obvious.
• I did okay on the verbal section. I can live with my score. I'm not sure studying would have made much of a difference with my archenemies: antonyms and analogies. I'd much rather be calculating the area of the shaded region anyway.
• I'll receive my analytical writing score in about two weeks. I think I nailed the issue task. Boy, did I have a lot to say! It was like the question was written just for me. With 45 minutes, I was able to draft my argument with multiple examples in an organized manner, and with time to spare.
• The issue task wasn't so bad either. That being said, time was more of a factor because 1.) I was allotted only 30 minutes with this section; and 2.) I almost wet myself trying to beat the clock. With about seven minutes to go until a 10-minute break, I was dancing in my seat because my bladder was about to give way. I decided clean, dry underwear trumped a full time allowance. I did make it back to my desk in about two and a half minutes, plenty of time to finish the section.
• I decompressed by taking a drive into the Black Hills. I visited the Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. Oh, how I love the Hills.
• I'm glad it's all over. I'm not taking the exam again.

How many vocabulary words can I learn in 36 hours?

I take the GRE Saturday morning in Rapid. I can't believe it's time to take this exam already. I'm making the three-hour drive right after work tomorrow. Luckily, I have a new friend in Rapid, who has offered me a place to crash.

The crazy thing is since I'm taking the computerized version of the exam, I'll know my verbal and quantitative scores immediately after finishing. I'll receive my writing score about two weeks later.

I took one practice exam and did well. Just like the SAT, I'm much stronger in math than verbal. I just need to make sure I take my time reading the questions. The errors I made in the math section were so incredibly stupid.

As far as the verbal section, I can handle the reading comprehension. And I'm decent on the fill-in-the-blank sentences. But the antonyms trip me up. I probably should have brushed up on my vocabulary. But how boring is that?

The writing section should be fine, except I'm a deliberate writer. I plan to win the readers over with grammar and punctuation in case the time constraint plays havoc with my content. Lots of semicolons, for sure.

After the exam, I'm going to decompress by treating myself to breakfast and a drive into the Black Hills. Hopefully, I'll be doing those things with the knowledge I don't have to take the GRE again.

Well, that never happened in Juneau

Yesterday's blizzard is now a memory. It was sunny and close to 50 degrees today. Except for the drifts, the snow melted rapidly today, which meant mud and huge puddles. Nothing my Xtratufs couldn't handle, of course.

Like most days, I walked into town during lunch to check my mail. I was walking on the sidewalk going with traffic when I heard a vehicle approaching from behind. The road was especially wet in this area, so I started thinking to myself, "Here we go. I'm going to get splattered." But it sounded like the vehicle was slowing down. I turned around then, and this red SUV with a plow hooked to its front end had indeed slowed and made a concerted effort to avoid sending slush in my direction. Now there's courtesy for ya!

I made it to the post office, checked my mail, and headed back. As I passed the high school and teacher housing, the red SUV passed by me again, this time coming to a stop. The driver rolled down his window and asked, "I didn't get you wet, did I?" I had to ask him to repeat himself, because there was no way he had just asked what I thought I had heard. When he did, I thanked him for the consideration and told him, no, I was perfectly dry.

I walked to work most days during five sloppy Juneau winters. Traipsing along Egan Drive's unplowed sidewalks was always a treat; the bonus was when a car or snowplow would zoom by and spray me. So, thank you to the driver of the red SUV for doing the unexpected - twice! You made my day.

Joe Citizen redux

City Council was last Wednesday. Even though the second reading of the proposed ordinance to increase the sales tax was on the agenda, I had planned to attend for informational purposes only. Council meetings have proven to be my best source of news coverage for the city of Mission, its relationship with the reservation, and the delicate question of tribal/city jurisdiction. Add a touch of gossip and a pinch of vigilantism, and City Council is worth an hour of my time two Wednesdays per month.

Anyway... The sales tax increase had been unanimously approved two weeks prior, even after my respectful commentary on, in my opinion, the city's minimal communication of the issue to local residents. The second reading was merely a matter of procedure. I had provided my opinion though, which was enough for me. That is, until last Wednesday's Tribune appeared in my mailbox.

City Council minutes are published in our weekly paper. It had been exactly two weeks since the meeting during which I spoke, and the minutes had not appeared in the prior week's edition. I was anxious mostly to see how my comments were interpreted in the minutes. What verb would they choose? "Mr. Laurent argued... complained... opined... commented...?"

But the minutes weren't in there. That was a problem. The second reading was that same evening, and the public hadn't been notified of the first reading. In my argument two weeks before, I had allowed for the fact the public had the minimum amount of information necessary to comment publicly on city business. But that assumes they had all of the requisite information in a timely manner.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist usually. I don't normally think the worst in people or public bodies right off the bat. I'm all about giving folks the benefit of the doubt. I will say, though, the thought crossed my mind the city deliberately didn't provide the minutes to the newspaper, allowing for minimal rebuttal to the increased sales tax. Check that, there would be no rebuttal because the public doesn't attend Council meetings; however, they would have at least had the opportunity to speak up. You can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it appear at City Council.

I fretted all afternoon. On the one hand, I wanted to voice my opinion (again), building upon the dialog the council and I had at the last meeting. My thought was to postpone the second reading until the next Council meeting, providing enough time for the minutes from the first meeting to be published. And then vote on it. Simple. More than likely, no one would show up (besides me), and most certainly the vote would be unanimously in favor of the increase.

On the other hand, however, I had to think about my job. And my employer. And my VISTA commitment. Sandy and I had already appeared successfully in front of the council for work-related reasons. I'm a representative of Habitat for Humanity and VISTA here in Mission. I would have been risking my professional reputation by speaking up (again).

During my walk to the meeting, I had psyched myself up to respectfully suggest a postponement. The meeting began, and the sales tax issue was one of the first items on the agenda. The mayor brought up the proposed ordinance, there was an almost-immediate motion to approve, it was seconded, and the roll call was completed. Unanimous. I swear, it happened that fast. There was no solicitation of comments from the public (i.e. me). The last time, I was allowed the floor right after the agenda item was announced, even before the Council members. This time? Nothing.

It was startling how quickly they moved onto the next agenda item. The meeting wrapped up within the hour: Motion to adjourn, motion seconded, meeting adjourned. It was only then the mayor asked me, as if he just saw me, "Oh, sir. Did you have anything for the Council?" Kind of hard to miss me in a small office with the Council at a conference table, with just me and a police officer present otherwise.

I was caught off guard, but managed to remark on the minutes' absence from the paper. The woman from the city said sometimes she gets them in, sometimes she doesn't. Funny answer considering I had called the newspaper earlier that afternoon. When I asked the woman from the paper about the minutes, she rustled through her copy before replying, "Huh. She usually gets them in there in time."

I hate to say the fix was in, but come on! Unless there's some special rule where public comment is not allowed during the second reading of proposed ordinances, something smells. But what now? A letter to the editor maybe? I'm not sure yet. There are two things I am sure about though: 1.) Next time, I'll make sure I'm recognized when I want to make a public comment; and 2.) The local portion of the sales tax will increase to 2 percent on July 1.

P.S. Maybe I'm more paranoid than I thought. When I made that inquiry to the newspaper, I called from my cell phone instead of the office line. In case the paper had caller ID, I didn't want it to come across as from Habitat. I wanted to remain anonymous. Well, as anonymous as possible in Mission, South Dakota.

Auntie Em and the Abominable Snowman

We're under a tornado watch until 7 this evening. The blizzard warning starts at 1 Tuesday morning. The weather is crazy, crazy, crazy!

The land of infinite variety

If you like to peruse websites from chambers of commerce across the country like I do, you'll notice a common description of the local climate, no matter the location: If you don't like the weather now, just wait five minutes and it will change. Usually, this is just mere hyperbole; however, nowhere does the saying come closest to ringing true than here in the Dakotas.

Yesterday, it was in the 70s and I was out running without a shirt on. (I'm determined to not have a farmer's tan this summer. I'm losing the battle thus far.) And it's beautiful again today, albeit a tad breezy. But there's a blizzard warning in effect starting at noon tomorrow for the western third of the state, plus portions of Wyoming and Nebraska.

The weather has been up and down like this since the last week of February. And I'm not complaining. One of the two key reasons why I've found my first South Dakota to be so palatable is the relatively quick fluctuations in the weather. Below zero temperatures, howling winds, or wind chills of 45 below (or all three simultaneously) are not only tolerable but kind of exciting because I know just around the corner there'll be respite from the bitter cold.

And the other reason why I've enjoyed my first South Dakota winter? You guessed it: Sun!

In fact, I think I'll grab my book and soak in some of the fleeting rays.

Funny how things turn out

An avid reader from Juneau reminded me today I've only completed one-fifth of my 25 things about me. So, let's call this one #6, along with a smooth segue into the details about my first day as Coach Laurent.

***

I attended a private high school. Gym classes weren't a part of the curriculum; however, students were still required to obtain PE credits from participating in one sport per year. During my freshman and sophomore years, I tried out for the basketball team. Both times, I didn't make it past the first cut. So, I ran track instead. They accepted everybody.

Freshman year, I attended practice regularly and drifted into the distance runners' long runs. I had the stamina to run long distances; I just wasn't very fast. I ran the 3200 in a couple of meets. I don't think I ever finished higher than last.

By the time the season rolled around again the following year, I really didn't want to be there. It started with me taking shortcuts during the team's long runs. This proved to be more entertaining than I had anticipated. My high school was pretty prestigious, but it was located in a not-so-nice area. One time, me and two girls took a detour through a bad neighborhood. We were walking along when two boys, one white and one black, began to follow us. Hmmm... This never happened in the suburbs.

The black kid started to make conversation. He kept saying, "My boy wants to talk to you." We humored him by answering, "Ummm... Okay." I remember he also asked where we went to school. I lied and said the nearby public school. I didn't think the truth would have helped matters. Then he started with his "My boy wants to talk to you" line again. Finally, I said something along the lines of, "We're right here. What do you want?" The white kid replied, "I don't want to talk to his white ass." I really wanted to say, "You realize you're white too, right?"

At this point, we tried to bid adieu and head back to school. But they didn't like that, and they proceeded to chase after us. Me and one of the girls were able to turn the corner and lose them. But I heard the other girl, who I couldn't see, scream. I really thought they had done something to her. But she made it around the corner safe and sound, and we went back to the safety of our fenced-in campus. I never cut through that neighborhood again.

I don't know if it was specifically because of that incident, but I just stopped going to practice after that. Well, technically I went. Since I was receiving PE credit as a member of the track team, I had to at least get changed and go to practice everyday. But I'd leave right after attendance was taken. Easy enough!

The coaching staff eventually wised up and began checking the roster after practice as well. Okay, no problem. I'd leave, always with a friend in tow, head off to Burger King in my '84 Monte Carlo, and make it back to campus in time for the end of practice. I was committing a campus no-no aside from cutting practice: Once a student left campus after the end of the school day, they weren't allowed back. I was such a rebel, let me tell ya.

So, I faithfully cut track practice for three years. In each of those years, I had a different partner in crime. I was always the leader though - I'm no follower! The funny thing is I received a varsity letter senior year. I'd like to think of that as recognition of a job well done.

Folks I went to high school with are understandably a bit surprised I turned out to be an avid runner. I guess my track truancy prowess was well-known. And friends I've met since can't see me as one who would try to get out of running.

***

I knew when I accepted this position in Mission I wanted to get involved in the community outside of my work with Habitat. I figured helping out with the track and cross country teams would be right up my alley. I had never worked with kids before, but thought I could make an impact with students in a school system with a high dropout rate, among a litany of challenges they face.

I connected with the high school's activities director, who introduced me to the track coach. They both wanted to see my resume and references, understandable considering I'm still a relative stranger here on the reservation. I met the rest of the coaches yesterday afternoon and was invited to begin helping out today. (I still have to be officially approved by the school board at Monday's meeting. I've been assured this is merely a formality.)

I arrived at the track around 3:45, ran a couple warmup laps with the kids, and stretched. Then, I was introduced as Coach Laurent. That made me smile. The coach asked if I would share a few words about myself, so I spoke briefly about where I was from, why I was in Mission, and my favorite running distance (half marathon).

Coach put the entire team through a few drills as a group. I joined in, even though the coordination required to complete the exercises was beyond my abilities. This was duly noted by Coach, all in good fun, of course. I think I'm atoning for my years of skipping track practice in high school.

The team then split into their respective specialties, with me taking the three distance runners out on a 30-minute run. The team was depleted for a number of reasons. I was told there are usually 10 distance runners, including a couple "elite" ones. (I should add there is a dedicated distance coach. She wasn't present at today's practice.)

And then we headed out for our run. I got to talking with the older of the three, a senior. He asked about my background, and I inquired about his goals and post-graduation plans. The two younger guys are participating on the team for the first time.

After returning to the track, we ran some sprints, something I never do. I typically just go for runs and race. It'll be interesting to see if I there's any appreciable difference in my times I'd be able to attribute to a more diverse practice regimen.

Overall, my first day as Coach Laurent was a blast. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the team. I plan to keep things simple. I know what works for me, but I'm certainly no expert. I do want to focus on setting goals. That's not only important in running, but in life as well.