Scene: The Halls. Characters: Professor Zero, in other words one servidora, and Student from Pont-Breaux, Louisiane, speaking English as a second language. Languages: Louisiana French, English; intermediate Spanish. Major: Mathematics. Minors: Computer Science, Spanish. Background: oil, offshore. Professor Zero: So, in your view, why is it that “progressives” do not like Noam Chomsky? Student: They … More Students of Vichy State

The textbook vendors are ramping it up.  I ordered an examination copy of something a few years ago, decided I did not like it, sold it to a peddler once when I was short of cash, decided I would like another after all, applied, and was turned down. On the other hand, the unsolicited examination … More Tracking work

I am reading esoteric manifestos by Spanish poets when the course I am preparing is just the survey and there is no need … but really, I am managing PTSD by making my subject as interesting as possible to myself, and as real. I have just found a good PTSD screening tool. It is for … More An assessment tool

It is 30 degrees F with freezing wind. Louisiana has these maverick weathermen who say things that are not scientifically cautious but that often turn out to be true, and they have followings for this reason. Apparently one of them said this morning there would be snow. Long ago one Christmastide we set out hitchhiking … More Sevilla

Here is an anti-Terry Caesar manifesto. I remember enjoying the article upon which his anti-academic books are based and thinking it would be good for people to read before going on the job market. They could also read our friend Ms. Mentor for another view. But Ms. Mentor liked his book, and I have just looked … More Terry Caesar, and the academic jobs wiki

This is the MLA Commons. Own it. (I do guess I really have turned into an academic blogger.) Axé.