I've known for more than 20 years that I am an ISTJ.  My latest type test scores show this plainly.  But until this month, I hadn't gotten Nancy to take the test.  She came out an ISTP — very much like me, but with notable differences.

The ISTJ Personality

Responsible, punctual, and thorough, you are temperamentally well-suited for long-term planning and execution. You like to familiarize yourself with the facts and think things through, and you tend to shake your head at people who neglect the importance of committing properly to a goal. Once committed, you tend to find it easy to muster the discipline and patience required to stay the course, even in the face of distractions that would make others change directions or abandon the endeavor. You tend to come across as serious and you are generally not one to wear your heart on your sleeve. But as those closest to you have probably seen, you also have a sentimental streak and a wry sense of humor underneath the stern facade. Because you are so diligent in approaching your projects, you may at times be caught off guard by sudden changes which arise in a flash and which are hard to guard against. Steady and purposeful, and endowed with a good deal of common sense, you exhibit an enviable thoroughness and attention to detail that makes you well-suited to taking on long-term commitments and leading them to triumph by way of the sure and steady approach.  https://www.idrlabs.com/test.php

Book of the Month

A popular employment interview question is, "What is the latest non-fiction book you have read?"  Well, apart from Bible and  theology, I haven't read much non-fiction recently.  But this month I read The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World by Jenn Granneman.

The book proved informative, if also repetitive. Of the S.T.A.R. types of introverts, I am a T (Thinking type.)

"A "thinking" introvert is someone who is introspective, thoughtful, and self-reflective.  This person daydreams and enjoys losing themselves in their inner fantasy world.  We're not talking about neurotically losing a grip on reality, though; this is about imagination and creativity. Unlike social introverts, thinking introverts don't share the same aversion to social activities that people usually associate with introversion."

Nancy the ISTP Personality: The Mechanic

As an ISTP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.

ISTPs have a compelling drive to understand the way things work. They're good at logical analysis, and like to use it on practical concerns. They typically have strong powers of reasoning, although they're not interested in theories or concepts unless they can see a practical application. They like to take things apart and see the way they work.

ISTPs have an adventuresome spirit. They are attracted to motorcycles, airplanes, sky diving, surfing, etc. They thrive on action, and are usually fearless. ISTPs are fiercely independent, needing to have the space to make their own decisions about their next step. They do not believe in or follow rules and regulations, as this would prohibit their ability to "do their own thing". Their sense of adventure and desire for constant action makes ISTPs prone to becoming bored rather quickly.

ISTPs are loyal to their causes and beliefs, and are firm believers that people should be treated with equity and fairness. Although they do not respect the rules of the "System", they follow their own rules and guidelines for behavior faithfully. They will not take part in something which violates their personal laws. ISTPs are extremely loyal and faithful to their "brothers".

ISTPs like and need to spend time alone, because this is when they can sort things out in their minds most clearly. They absorb large quantities of impersonal facts from the external world, and sort through those facts, making judgments, when they are alone.

ISTPs are action-oriented people. They like to be up and about, doing things. They are not people to sit behind a desk all day and do long-range planning. Adaptable and spontaneous, they respond to what is immediately before them. They usually have strong technical skills, and can be effective technical leaders. They focus on details and practical things. They have an excellent sense of expediency and grasp of the details which enables them to make quick, effective decisions.

ISTPs avoid making judgments based on personal values - they feel that judgments and decisions should be made impartially, based on the fact. They are not naturally tuned in to how they are affecting others. They do not pay attention to their own feelings, and even distrust them and try to ignore them, because they have difficulty distinguishing between emotional reactions and value judgments. This may be a problem area for many ISTPs.

An ISTP who is over-stressed may exhibit rash emotional outbursts of anger, or on the other extreme may be overwhelmed by emotions and feelings which they feel compelled to share with people (often inappropriately). An ISTP who is down on themself will foray into the world of value judgments - a place which is not natural for the ISTP - and judge themself by their inability to perform some task. They will then approach the task in a grim emotional state, expecting the worst.

ISTPs are excellent in a crisis situations. They're usually good athletes, and have very good hand-eye coordination. They are good at following through with a project, and tying up loose ends. They usually don't have much trouble with school, because they are introverts who can think logically. They are usually patient individuals, although they may be prone to occasional emotional outbursts due to their inattention to their own feelings.

ISTPs have a lot of natural ability which makes them good at many different kinds of things. However, they are happiest when they are centered in action-oriented tasks which require detailed logical analysis and technical skill. They take pride in their ability to take the next correct step.

ISTPs are optimistic, full of good cheer, loyal to their equals, uncomplicated in their desires, generous, trusting and receptive people who want no part in confining commitments.    

( That's my Nancy. )  from http://www.personalitypage.com/html/ISTP.html

Thanksgiving 2017

Susan sat 16 at Thanksgiving this year.  The 22 pound turkey I bought, earlier this year, still was partly frozen when Nancy began to prepare it.  I realized that her late night holiday is often Thanksgiving as she prepares the bird.  Mine is Christmas as I stand in for Santa with last minute duties.

Bob and Kim Disher were present, as they were at the baby shower two weeks earlier. Georgia Kumor brought her friend Loretta.  Church acquaintance Julie brought "her ride" John.  Randy showed off the result of his no-shave November look.  Add Nancy, Jean, Nathanael, Cynthia, Annie, Thomas, Susan, Ginger, and myself, and we had quite a crowd. 

Nancy's turkey was pronounced especially good, as
she had cooked it in the pan without a rack this year.  That's something less to clean next year.

I ended up with 62 students out of a possible 70 this quarter.  One passed away.

From The Falcon:   Seattle Pacific University lost a student over Veteran’s Day weekend.  According to several news sources, on Friday the 10th, third-year Tristan Kern was hiking in Olympic National Park on eroded rocky terrain when he fell. A search and rescue team was dispatched, but had to discontinue when it became too dark. Early the next morning the search was resumed, and Kern’s body was found soon after.

And sweet Jacoby Miles, a wheelchair bound victim of a paralyzing gymnastics accident, managed to pass my class on her first try.  I needed to prepare a special test for her as she was able only move one hand and press with one finger.

A few stragglers will try to retake the exam during finals week.  I got the not unexpected, "I'm sick, can I take the final exam next week?" question.  So far I have an 85.5% pass rate, with 89% being my average.  But November 29th was my official last night of class this term.  Computer problems meant I was giving exams until 9:00PM and I got home at 10:30PM.  But it's a high point for both students and professor to be on the far side of finals.

Winter quarter coming up, I have two full 40-student sections with 19 on the wait list.  But a few of those are in the 6:00PM class but would rather be in the 3:00PM class.  I have "my" McKenna 113 computer classroom reserved from 3:00PM to 8:00PM each Tuesday and Thursday.