Full Steam Ahead

Since last time, classes have gotten a lot busier and now take up a good part of my spare time. The work is really hard. However, it's not really any meteorology that's giving me problems, it's the math and physics. Luckily most of the students work together, and most don't seem to mind helping out. I wish they had some sort of operational forecasting track like they do for broadcast meteorology that wouldn't focus so hard core on this stuff that really only matters in research. On the good side, one of my professors is out of town, so I don't have that class all next week, meaning no homework. But I do have a test to study for, a presentation to prepare for, a term paper topic to think about, and some tinkering around with journal articles (cyclone climatology, whoohoo) so Jim doesn't think I'm slacking.

Other news and notes (I'd rather not do bullets, but it keeps me from rambling):

• Kristin stopped by for lunch on her way out to California. It was really good to see her, but I was disappointed it had to be so brief.
• I have a week for fall break coming up in October. So with no plans, I decided I'd go visit Casey in New York for a few days, which also happens to fall on his birthday. I'm really excited and bet we have a blast. I feel guilty about not going home, but it was a lot more expensive, and I'd basically be sitting around the house bored by myself. Plus Mom OK'ed it!
• Some dude halfway melted my jumper cables because he thought he knew how to jump his car but actually didn't. It's partially my fault for not asking, but he acted confident.
• Scratch "running into people at Wal-Mart" off the Miss List. I saw one of the meteorology kids there Friday night.
• I've already bought my plane tickets home for Christmas. When I saw NWA had a flight for $120 cheaper than everyone else, I couldn't pass it up. Hope I didn't make a mistake.
• Upper low #1 several weeks ago knocked us from near 100 to near 80. I got caught outside in a 60mph gust front. Those were some of the most impressive winds I've ever seen. There was so much dust we couldn't even see down into the valley from the university.
• Upper low #2 is currently bringing rain (rare sight!) and is dropping the high on Monday down to near 60. Snow is possible in the highest elevations. Fall is here.
• Speaking of fall, I drove up into the mountains this morning and checked out some of the foliage. The Alpine Loop area is stunning. I have posted pictures on my Webshots page (along with some from Antelope Island, and a storm at sunset). And if Robert Redford drives a green Jaguar convertible (he lives in that area), then I definitely saw him... but probably just some random rich person with a gated driveway.

I'm probably forgetting quite a bit since it's been a while and I've been so busy. But if it's important enough, I'll be sure to post it.