Snowy Fair Isle, Tweed, and Corduroy Thursday. . .

A chilly, damp Thursday of meetings on campus to learn more about how we might integrate artificial intelligence into our teaching and learning practices plus a few meetings with students, who have only now (the end of Week 13) chosen to worry about -- and attempt to renegotiate -- previous project grades.

Keep in mind, next week, Week 14, is very short due to the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which on the calendar is four days. For many students, that has morphed into 10-14 days, and they simply are not around. Once we return, it is Week 15, courses end on Friday, December 6th, and Finals Week follows that. After which, the university, in all its wisdom, leans on us to evaluate everything quickly, tally course grades, and post those through the online system used by the Registrar's Office.

The final weeks of any semester are a real gallop filled with every possible reason why people wouldn't, couldn't, didn't, or shouldn't have to do X, Y, or Z. Jeeze Louise. One thing I have learned in almost 30 years of teaching undergraduates in one form or another is this. It is always someone else's fault, and the well of excuses is bottomless.

Sigh. But onto more interesting things.

Attire-wise, I added a long tweed overcoat, a long wool (original) J. Peterman regimental scarf given to me by my late mother around 3o years ago and a lovely houndstooth tweed cap that my wife gave me two or three Christmases back. Depending on one's frame of reference, I resemble either Bertie, Tuppy, and Bingo, doing their level best to avoid the affections of Madeline Bassett, James Herriot crossing the Yorkshire Dales, The Doctor emerging from his TARDIS, or a minor Harry Potter character lurking around Hogwarts Castle.

In any case, I received three compliments from college-aged people as I went about business on campus, at the bank, and the supermarket on the way home. Clearly women appreciate a presentably dressed man. Even those with Comet-green hair.

As I always say here, compliments are never necessary. We dress for ourselves first and foremost (or should). But it's nice when someone shares a kind word or two about your attire.

Sadly, our first snow of the season melted already by midday, but it was very pretty for a while early this morning. Hopefully an indicator of the winter yet to come?

-- Heinz-Ulrich

The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

This is how it's done. Business Casual the RIGHT way, ladies and gentlemen. Even during the summer months. A photograph (taken by Studio B Portraits ) which appeared in 425 Business Magazine in May 2017. T his post on the problem of business casual dress began as a quick postscript to a previous blog entry last week but quickly grew and grew as additional thoughts occurred, were developed in more detail, and revisions made. So much so, that it seemed, eventually, like a better idea to make the initial P.S. afterthought into its own entry . Are ya ready, Freddy? Then, here we go. . . ------------ U nless you actually plan to sell beach snacks and trinkets on Cozumel, become a serial barista, or greet customers at a fancy nightclub after taking out huge student loans to attend university somewhere for four or five years, plus an MBA afterward, it's really a better idea to err on the side of (somewhat) more formal work at...

Friday on Campus Style. . .

S omewhat atypically, I was on campus for several hours today helping with an interview that is part of a larger documentary project on which a colleague and I are working. Although I am behind the camera (I'm the audio guy in fact), what better reason does one need to dress presentably? Exactly. Everything worn, barring the recently purchased University of Wisconsin socks, a gift from the Grand Duchess, has been in the rotation for a while now. And, of course, there was the Panama hat, which I'll wear until we pass October 1st when the felt fedoras reappear. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Tan Suit Tuesday. . .

W hile it's now after Labor Day here in the U.S,. we still have almost three weeks left of summer according to the calendar. And since today was bright, sunny, and pleasantly warm (though far from hot), it seemed like a perfect opportunity to trot out my tan cotton suit and tan loafers/belt. Slightly disheveled, yes. And the shoes need some Renovateur to moisten 'em up But not a bad overall look if I might be so bold. -- Heinz-Ulrich

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