Monthly Archives: January 2016

Lacked by Popular Demand

… here’s some potpourri. I really haven’t had a ton of things to say lately — hence the radio silence. Still, here’s a bit of what has been going on. The Spawn and I went to Real City yesterday, and … Continue reading

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

A Quick Observation

My daily e-mail from the Chronicle of Higher Ed bears the subject/headline, “Does Higher Education Perpetuate Inequality?” I certainly hope so. If it doesn’t — that is, if it offers no perceptible advantage* to people, why the hell would they want … Continue reading

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Known Unto God

One of the great tragedies of Rudyard Kipling’s life was the death of his son John in World War I, at the Battle of Loos, exactly 50 years before I was born. The younger Kipling’s body was unidentified during his … Continue reading

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Odd Conversations and Potpourri

I was talking with one of my new groups of freshpeeps a couple of days ago, reviewing the syllabus, discussing class policies, and the like. Having reached a reasonable transition point, I asked if there were any questions. A student … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Literature, Music, Why I Do What I Do | 2 Comments

Now That’s an Exit

Like many others, I learned this morning of the death of Dan Haggerty, the actor who gained fame playing the title character in the 1970s TV series The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.  Haggerty was one of my mom’s favorite TV hunks, … Continue reading

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And Farewell to the Goblin King

I haven’t quite reached the age where I wake up and think, “OK, who died today?”, but it’s getting closer, I think. And this morning, I woke up to learn of the death of David Bowie at the age of … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Music | 4 Comments

Adieu to the Tall Man and Potpourri

Angus Scrimm (né Lawrence Rory Guy) has died at the age of 89. Scrimm is best known for his portrayal of The Tall Man, villain of 1979’s low-budget horror film Phantasm. I saw the movie for the first time in the fall … Continue reading

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In Which the Spawn is Incensed

Late last night, the Spawn came bursting into the room. “I was watching a video on Tumblr –” “That’s mistake number one,” I said, “but continue.” “Well, they were in Mississippi, and they were interviewing these poor people about why … Continue reading

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And then, 2016

So we made it through another year, with still another before us. I’m glad we’ve made the journey this far, and I hope the coming year brings you all the things you want. But meanwhile, why not some potpourri? *** … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Family, Literature, Music, Politics | 2 Comments