Trying (and failing) to care less
Normally when a new semester starts, I think about what I want to accomplish–for myself professionally, with my students, in the department/university. …
On classroom alchemy and awkwardness
If I were a basketball coach, they would’ve sacked me mid-season. They would’ve blamed the lack of chemistry, the apathy, the mediocre …
New semester resolutions
Ask any educator. August is a month full of intense ambivalence. The last vestiges of summer feel tinged with anxiety over to-dos …
Taking my grumperature
Me: “But it’s 100 degrees outsideeeee.” Mr. T: “Yeah, and you’ll go from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air …
Contemplating suicide? Please don’t. You will be sorely missed.
In crisis? Please reach out… Call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to chat with someone 24 hours a day. I’ve historically believed that so …
Calming the monkey mind
Friend who’s staying over this weekend for airshow practice: “What are you up to today?” Me: “Writing my section of a joint …
The fear of not feeling for Las Vegas
I was elbow deep in laundry, midway through Project De-Crapheap the House, when Mr. T asked if I had any desire to …
And sometimes you knock over your own Christmas tree
I call it my three-movie tree. This year, it took Love Actually, Labyrinth, and Little Women to get the sucker properly decorated. …
No words
It’s possible I will have words tomorrow. But right now I’m still mostly stunned and gutted by the election results. Feels a …
Emotional states of a last-minute conference submission
One of the most painful post-graduate school realizations is that procrastination doesn’t magically heal itself and homework NEVER GOES AWAY. Case in …