Monthly Archives: August 2013

Farewell, Mr. Heaney

Posted on August 30, 2013 by profmondo

Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney has died, at the age of 74. While I’m familiar with his other work, I’m particularly touched by this because his version of Beowulf is the one in the Norton Anthology, and hence the one through … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Literature, Medievalia | 2 Comments

Dr. Tongue’s 3-D House of Marching Bands

Posted on August 29, 2013 by profmondo

Via the Spawn, we have what is apparently a moment from a recent Drum Corps International competition (think marching band on steroids): Unfortunately, they later attempted to form a tesseract and the trumpet section disappeared into the inaccessible Plateau of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Music | 4 Comments

An Observation and a Plug

Posted on August 28, 2013 by profmondo

You know, I keep hearing about the King family’s connection to the March on Washington, but I never see them in the film footage: Meanwhile, I’ve been in serious need of some cheering up as the jury selection gets rolling … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Family, Literature, Music | Leave a comment

Not the Best of Days

Posted on August 24, 2013 by profmondo

When I got up this morning, I saw that the lead story in the Northern KY news concerns the trial. Jury selection begins the day after tomorrow. If I were wise, I would probably ignore all the coverage, leave the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | 2 Comments

In the Region Between

Posted on August 23, 2013 by profmondo

Yes, I’m still around. I spent Saturday through Wednesday in Kentucky, as preparations continued for my brother’s trial. Jury selection begins on Monday, and I’ll return to Kentucky after Labor Day, in time for opening statements. How grim have things … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Literature, Pixel-stained Wretchery, Why I Do What I Do | Leave a comment

Reasons to Be Cheerful, or Not.

Posted on August 19, 2013 by profmondo

Some — OK, many — of my friends describe me as something of a curmudgeon. I don’t think I am — quite. What I am is someone with a tragic view of humanity and a certainty that we live in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Pixel-stained Wretchery, Politics, Why I Do What I Do | Leave a comment

TCB, Baby…

Posted on August 16, 2013 by profmondo

The post title is in honor of Elvis Presley, who checked out 36 years ago today, when he was five years younger than I am now. I remember hearing the news en route to football practice, and spending the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Music | 2 Comments

Goodbye, Mr. Lanier

Posted on August 14, 2013 by profmondo

Anyone who has read my book will recognize how much Blue Öyster Cult’s work has influenced my own habits and taste. I discovered the band (beyond the obvious hits) when I was in tenth grade, when a friend of mine … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

I Guess It Keeps Them Off the Streets…

Posted on August 11, 2013 by profmondo

We constantly hear about the horrors of gridlock in DC. Me, I see it as a feature, rather than a bug, but it’s good to know that when the country, nay, the world is faced with a genuine existential threat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Politics | 1 Comment

A Quiet Weekend — Bits and Pieces

Posted on August 11, 2013 by profmondo

I’ve stuck close to Spackle Manor this weekend, sleeping in and listening to music as much as possible. While I was at it, I wrote a 900-word story. I’ve always called those short-shorts, but I understand the kids today call … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Family, Music, Pixel-stained Wretchery, Why I Do What I Do | 2 Comments