Copied directly from a notebook I have decided to start keeping. Anyone who has read Harriet the Spy will know what I am doing. Anyone who hasn't read it is strongly encouraged to do so.
On the shuttle bus this morning
Driver is thin, slightly on the gaunt side, with close-cropped hair, a striped polo shirt, and cargo khakis. Can't see shoes. No watch. He has two birth marks on his right elbow, and either an infected bug bite or a cyst on the forearm. Sunken eyes No, his eyes bulge slightly, and the sunken impression is cause by his jutting brow; his jaw juts as well. The eyes are tired, encircled by brown. Prominent nose.
Seems to be a jumpy fellow; his speech belies a slight nervousness or unsurety, and is slurred. Interesting that he does not take the direct path to campus. He also seems uncomfortable with silence.
Interior of the bus is clean at first glance, but a less casual glance reveals a multitude of rust stains. There is a greasy spot on the window next to me most likely left by someone's resting head.
Now Nervous guns the engine as we go up a hill. The engine has some admirable torque. Unexpected.
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In Calculus II
Driver was kind enough to drop us off in the Engr. quad. Only ten minutes late to class. Must take 7:00 bus tomorrow morning.
Professor is tall, with black hair dusted by white. Multicolored dress shirt: blue, tan, and white stripes, with red highlights. Black pants, belt, and walking shoes. His thin frame has probably gained weight with age, notably in the stomach, which rests on the belt. Large square glasses. Watch on left wrist; hard to tell from the back, but it appears to be silver-plated, with gold trim and a black face. Tick marks at every hour?
Classroom is basement level. Ironically, all of my MWF morning classes are in the basement. How fitting. All walls are cinderblock; the right (interior) is stacked aligned, and not alternating. Standard white paint. Blackboards line all but the left (exterior) wall. Ceiling is covered in spray-foam insulation, and cooling pipes run the course of it, entering from the rear and exiting to the right at front. Stop valves on the five pipes at left; two are covered in cancerous-looking mounds of duct tape. Fluorescent lights are fairly new and hang about a meter from the ceiling.
Classmates are definitely not on the upper end of the mental stratum. Fun. (Well, excepting one.)
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American History
Teacher is animated and projects very well. Estimate five-foot seven, full figure, shoulder-length blond (sandy) hair, tapered to mid-back. Bangs cut right at the brow. Calls herself Dr. O. Keeps a sports bottle of water on her desk. Dark blue summer dress with light blue leaf print pattern. Watches on both wrists. Interesting. Oval rimless glasses and large green leaf-shaped earrings.
Work on descriptions of complexion.
"I, however, am a brilliant teacher...." Very sardonic about students. Excellent vocabulary. Knows proper use of 'dulcet' and 'egregious'.
Will describe room later; same classroom twice on Wednesday.
