In-between Spaces
A reflection on air travel and "always on" culture
I’ve had a hectic semester. It’s all things I’ve done to myself, of course, which is usually the way it goes, isn’t it?
I love visiting schools, and getting out to present at conferences, and traveling for both work and for pleasure. This semester I’ve been away from campus quite a bit, actually. Last week, I was way, way, WAY up North in British Columbia (like, right next to Alaska, friends) in the town of Terrace. It was a fantastic time, and I was SO glad to be able to be there to connect with this awesome group of passionate Christian educators.
And…as this edition of Positivity. Passion. Purpose. is coming to you, I’m on my way to the airport for my fifth trip away from Sioux Center since January. I just got back from my last trip late Saturday night (actually early Sunday morning), and now I’m headed out again on Wednesday. Please don’t hear this as complaining—I’m grateful for the opportunities!
But I’m reflecting right now on the weirdness of in-between spaces…like airports.
I’m teaching two online graduate courses this semester, and the joy/pain is that I can do it from anywhere, including Concourse B at Denver International on my way back from my third trip to Canada this spring. What do you do when you have a 3-hour layover, and you’re keeping up with your full-time job when you’re away? In my case, I had a fair bit of time in the airport to…do what? Walk around. Grab a bite to eat. Catch up on email. (So. Much. Email.) Grade student projects, because we’re speeding towards the end of the semester here. Tying to squeeze the most out of that interstitial time in the airport!
And suddenly, time to board, so I put the laptop away, queue up a few podcasts, and put my headphones on. Take advantage of the downtime of the actual flight, right?
This is the challenge for me: I could have paid a couple of bucks to get wi-fi on my flight, and kept on working. I could have finished up grading those student projects, and gotten feedback to my collaborator on the paper we are working on, and worked on developing my slide deck for my next presentation.
But here’s the thing: maybe it’s better that I don’t have access to my email, for a few hours at least. Maybe it’s better that I do something a little more restful, like listening to back episodes of a podcast I love. Maybe it’s better to be disconnected.
Honestly, this is something I find I need to practice intentionally: getting away from that “always on” culture that has become our norm, or at least my norm.
Maybe there is a lesson here for us all, an encouragement to be deliberate in disconnecting?
Dave’s Faves (Beautiful British Columbia Edition)
Here are three things I’m absolutely loving right now that I hope you might love too…
Dave’s Fave #1: Hiking in BC
While presenting at the Northern BC Christian Educators Convention held in Terrace, British Columbia, I took advantage of experiencing the natural beauty by getting outdoors as much as possible. Many thanks to my friend, Edgar Veldman, for hosting me, and for taking me on excellent hikes and drives to see this incredible landscape!
Dave’s Fave #2: Ketchup flavored chips
I once was a doubter. But if you know, you know.
Dave’s Fave #3: Tim Horton’s (Obviously?)
I was in Canada for three days, and I enjoyed Tim Horton’s three times, so the math checks out. If I may recommend Timmy’s vanilla creme cold brew? Delicious.
The Last Word!
The last word today is a joyful encouragement to check out season 2 of my science podcast, It’s Good to Be Smart! I’d love it if you would give it a listen; in the 10 days since season 2 was released, I’ve had almost 200 new downloads—and I hope you’ll give it a whirl. You can read more about it here: More “It’s Good to Be Smart!” You can find the show on all the podcast apps, and I have teaching resources for the show available at https://goodtobesmart.com/.
If you’re up for trying just one episode, might I recommend Season 2, Episode 7, which is entitled How Do We Know Biogenesis is True? In this episode I explain some of the famous experiments that provided clear evidence that living things can only come from other living things, and not from dead or non-living things. That might sound obvious to you…but you might be surprised what you might learn by listening in!
And…if you do listen, would you be willing to rate the show or leave a review on Apple Podcasts? That seriously would mean so much to me, as it REALLY helps get it out in front of more folks. Thanks in advance, friends!
