We had the first big storm of autumn yesterday and awoke today to the first burst pipe of autumn. The sidewalk was decorated with several small fountains and our morning papers were soaked. I did a much-needed load of laundry and we both took a quick shower while we waited for the public utilities guys to show up. Then we filled pitchers and buckets with water in case they turned our water off for the whole day. What excitement, I don't think.
We didn't let the rain yesterday stop us from going out to Lee's Comics' big sale in San Mateo. Michael came with us since he'd never been to the northern branch of Lee's (the original is in Palo Alto) and we all found something we needed at 20 percent off. I bought Linda Medley's Castle Waiting and the new Mutts. I wanted to buy the Astro City graphic novels but I didn't have $100 to spend on comics. I need to buy Halloween candy.
Ha ha, I'm not going to spend that much on candy. In fact, I greatly fear I'll miss all the trick or treaters because I don't get home from work until 6:30 and I have class at 7:00. This makes me sad but I am still going. Me and one other person, actually. Evan, our professor, asked how many would be coming to class on Tuesday and only two of us raised our hands. I saw his facial expression change as he considered cancelling. He'd mentioned he had an opportunity to go to see Pearl Jam that night.
"You're not going to cancel, are you?" I said brightly. "Because we're missing tonight's quiz since you didn't get around to making it up so I really want to take it on Tuesday. It's bad when we miss our daily quizzes and have to see the material for the first time on a chapter test which counts twice as much as a quiz." I could feel the glares of the class but I was unrepentant.
"Oh, sure, I'll be here," Evan quickly said, all thoughts of the Pearl Jam concert vanishing. "We'll do some reviewing and the two of you can take your quiz. The rest of the class can take it before Thursday's class and then take the other quiz at the end of Thursday." The grumbling was audible at that point.
I know they all hate me but this isn't high school and Halloween's not a national holiday. I'm not going to have my grades suffer just because the rest of them are off partying. I'll miss the little kids trick or treating but dammit, I am going to pass this particular class even if I never take another college course in my life. I've waited way too long and suffered far too much with Algebra. I need those daily quizzes to motivate my studying and to find out if I really understand the material.
I find it highly ironic that I've turned into the class swot.
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