Sci-Ed Update 291
The issue is different. But kinda the same, too. 😎
Kevin’s Update
Unlike most of the previous 290 issues, this time I’m including some updates on some things going on with me behind the scenes. Things that affect this newsletter and other projects in the world of The A&P Professor. We’ll go back to the usual format next time.
Up Next: Muscles
This week, I hope to finish production of our next podcast episode, featuring a recent chat I had with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Roy Meals. Almost three years ago, in Episode 82, we talked about his book about bone. The upcoming episode 142 focuses on his new book—this one about muscle. You may want to get prepped for the new episode now, by re-listening to Episode 82.
To listen to this episode, click on the player (if present) or this link→ theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-82.html
Up Next: YOU!
You may be one of the handful of folks who expressed interest in talking with me on the podcast about one thing or another—but were overextended at the time. If you still want to do that, I’m game! Please get in touch with me and we’ll set it up.
Use this link to find a good time for you to record a chat—long or short—for our podcast: https://theAPprofessor.org/beonmypodcast
Frequency & Regularity
You may have noticed that the frequency of new podcast episodes and the regularity of new issues of this Substack newsletter recently have been, um, less frequent and less regular. There’s an explanation. Sparing you the details, some of which you’ve heard before, the streamlined explanation is that I’m facing some potentially temporary challenges that have slowed me down from my usual breakneck pace. So I’ve had to pull back a bit. Heck, one should probably not even try to sustain a breakneck pace, anyway. That idiom itself portents danger, right? Please hang in there with me and we’ll get through this weird time!
By the way, since you’re already re-listening to episodes, here’s one that covers frequency and regularity—even if of a different sort than referred to here.
To listen to this episode, click on the player (if present) or this link→ theAPprofessor.org/podcast-episode-121.html
Early Retirement, Reprised
As part of my response to, um, challenges, I’ve decided to retire from all teaching to attend to my challenges. You may recall that I retired from full-time teaching in 2013. But I continued to teach part-time at my community college and at Northeast College of Health Sciences. As you probably realize, part-time teaching can take almost as much time and effort as full-time teaching—without the sparse perks. If you don’t realize that, please come join us on planet Earth. 😜 Now, I’ve retired from those part-time gigs, too, a few years ahead of the oh-so-naive plans of my youth.
Patton Team
You may already know this, too… I’ve sold my textbook projects to Elon Musk. Nope. Didn’t do that. I just want to see how far you have read this. But I have ceased to become a “sole author” on my textbook projects. The use of quotes here is meant to imply that it’s never been just me—there is a huge team behind any textbook. You may already know some or all of our Patton Team:
Kevin Patton—yep, I’m still there and active in all aspects of authoring our books
Frank Bell—book and lab manual co-author
Terry Thompson—book and lab manual co-author
Peggie Williamson—book and lab manual co-author
Eric Sun—study guide author
Karen Turner—authors’ editor—an Executive Editor contracted directly by me to assist the author team
Luke Held—our chief editor from Elsevier Publishing who, along with a number of other editors, managers, directors, other staff, along with many reviewers and contributors, work together with the author team to produce our textbooks
Out With the Old, In With the New
I’ve just started updating my websites, theAPprofessor.org and LionDen.com. When you have a spare moment 🤣 please take a look at these websites and pass along your thoughts about my new updates as well as opportunities for improvement. I’m doing this in tiny steps. Because, um, challenges.
Meet Me in St. Louis
Maybe I’ll see you at the currently running, month-long Virtual HAPS Conference or at the face-to-face 2024 HAPS Conference next May in my hometown of St. Louis!
That’s most of my news for now. We’ll get back to our “regular programming” in the next issue.