Day 1

Today in class we took a fun "Aptitude Test," then reviewed the results which were kept private. I shared my horrible score (smile). Obviously these measures of intelligence are not the precise tools they claim to be, right? (smile).

I also gave students an article to read from the January 2012 issue of travel magazine, Skyways: "State of Mind: Are you a hamster thinker or do you think outside the box?" by Douglas Kruger (62-64). We will do more with the article on Thursday. Bring the annotated article to class Thursday as well.

We read aloud the syllabus, which I have revised a bit and will give students copies of on Thursday, those who would like one. I reviewed the homework and gave permission numbers to students who had purchased the textbooks at least the first three: Writing Logically, Thinking Critically, Yummy and The Tempest Tales.

For those students who would like to add the class, buy your books and I will give you one. I have to go now.

President Obama is walking into the U.S. House of Representatives. He is shaking hands and kissing cheeks. Smiling and making comments. He just kissed Barbara Lee. The other members of his entourage follow. I don't know most of these people, they are happy --one commenter said its like a pep-rally. I recognize Mrs. Clinton and the Senator who was shot in Arizona who is resigning. He shakes hands with the Supreme Court Justices. He stands in front of the folks, the camera shows the First Lady, beautiful in blue.

The hall is full. The speaker announces the president.

Here we go (smile).