An Idea

When was the idea that research was so hard for people with Ph.D.s invented? (I do note that in the mythology, it appears that research is only hard after you get the degree — before that, it is expected. This is symptomatic of the mythical nature of the idea that research is hard, I think.) … More An Idea

On Commitment

I would say you have to commit to whatever you do, from mowing to centering clay to swimming to shore or rowing to the end of the lake; people know this.  Committing to do your best – not the best, but your present best – is, in my experience, also the most expedient way of … More On Commitment

Vita Fetish

I decided it was time to renovate my curriculum vitae, so I have been doing it. This is for updating, refreshing, pruning, and reediting, but it is also so as to have a .txt ready to use to learn LaTex or at least Lyx with. Both programs have curriculum vitae templates and I have looked … More Vita Fetish

Period Piece(s)

I saw this van in the parking lot of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Its front license plate says “Texas Turn-On.” I am multiplying it by five to create an art installation right here. At the state welcome center on the Sabine River I had seen a granite megalith erected in 1962 by … More Period Piece(s)

San Juan

This is St. John’s Day and I’d like to have been in Recife seeing the quadrilles and dancing forró, or at a bonfire far enough north to see the northern lights. Next year I should actually go to a beach on St. John’s Eve and have the Danish celebration. I am glad Clarissa reminded me … More San Juan

A Good Point

“‘Wait for better times.’ That’s what the slaves always hear. ‘This is only temporary….‘” Part of the problem does seem to be that Gloria Steinem and others got as moderate as they needed to to still be seen as “reasonable,” and ended up saying nothing. “Wait for better times” is also precisely what my most … More A Good Point