Monthly Archives: February 2012

Taking A Powder

Posted on February 29, 2012 by profmondo

… No, I’m not abandoning the blog — although postings may be a bit scarce over the next few days, as I’ll be escorting visiting author Peter S. Beagle around Mondoville. One of the things I’ve always associated with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | 4 Comments

The Driving Stupid

Posted on February 28, 2012 by profmondo

No, this isn’t about the obscuro garage band — it’s about the futility of attempting to administer education by rubric. I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but this post at ChicagoBoyz caught my eye, not least … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 6 Comments

In Which the Spawn Calls for a More… Flamboyant… Class of Criminal

Posted on February 28, 2012 by profmondo

There’s going to be some utility work here at Spackle Manor, and as part of it, there is now spray paint on our front walk. The Spawn asked what the deal was with the marks, and after I explained, she … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Family | 3 Comments

For Your Consideration

Posted on February 27, 2012 by profmondo

One of the books that really captured my imagination during my Ph.D. years was Andrew Delbanco’s The Death of Satan, which influenced me to the point that I mentioned it in my cover letters during my run at the market … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education | Leave a comment

Teacups Against the Ocean

Posted on February 25, 2012 by profmondo

There’s a reason that economics is called the dismal science — it reminds us that we live in a finite universe, and a world of scarcity. It reminds us that life isn’t fair. But not everyone gets the lesson. David … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Politics | 5 Comments

More Thoughts on Hiring

Posted on February 25, 2012 by profmondo

There’s been a discussion going on in the comments of my post from a couple of days ago where I was discussing our search for a new colleague in the Mondoville English department. I mentioned in the original post that … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Why I Do What I Do | 5 Comments

Slightly Less Fun than Bobbing for French Fries

Posted on February 24, 2012 by profmondo

And speaking of the decline and fall of human civilization, successful hip-hop label Cash Money (home of quite a few acts I’ve seen on chart listings, but have never heard), has signed… Limp Bizkit. One can only hope this was … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Music | Leave a comment

“I’ve Got to Admit, It’s Getting Better”

Posted on February 24, 2012 by profmondo

The Beatles sang that, once upon a time, but were they right? As Ed Driscoll points out in a thoughtful essay on “The Paradox of the Nostalgic Progressive“, even folks on the Left seem filled with an attraction what Northrop … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics | 7 Comments

In Which the Prof is Reminded of His Good Fortune

Posted on February 23, 2012 by profmondo

This morning, I spent my office hours being grateful that we don’t always get what we deserve. You see, Mondoville is hiring a new English prof — specifically a 19th/20th (and now, I suppose, 21st)-century Brit Lit specialist. I’m on … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Why I Do What I Do | 18 Comments

Love Comes to Mondoville

Posted on February 23, 2012 by profmondo

One of the delightful things about the Mondovilles of the world is that you get to see your students and former students on an everyday basis, and you get to see what goes on in their lives. The young lady … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Why I Do What I Do | 5 Comments