Now the Prose Doctor has spoken in my class and it took some valiance. What the students said: he is a “cool teacher” and they are now more interested in Spanish literature than they have been. They have agreed at last to actually read García Lorca. Causing this takes real skill and also real effort. … More La universidad virtualizada
I always like it when I can have a Mediterranean schedule as I am convinced it gives you more time in the day. Here is how I did it: 7:30 get up, drink coffee, read mail, leave 8:30 meeting, then errands 10:00 the merienda — I actually ate a whole lunch-type salad at this hour, … More Mediterranean schedule
For research yesterday I went to a talk and bought a book. Today I thought about it. An implication of 2012 and 2013 publications on plaçage, which is a myth, for my work is that Cuba’s national novel really is about the white fear of the mulata who will undermine the “restraint” required of white men … More Al cavilar…
I said I would start working normally, if minimally, today and I have. Thomas says we should be able to write a coherent paragraph of six sentences in 27 minutes. Mine has three sentences but they are very long; in English they could definitely not be that long, so I am calling them six. There … More Writing Monday
I am an advisor in my own right now, because I am actually coaching someone. For free, like a priest serving the gods, I offer what I have. I know standard advice but I also give another view. Everyone always says I am true and my views are inspiring. I am here to conquer and thrive; … More That contrarian coach
Pérez Galdós has the inglesa speak Spanish like this: -¡Oooh!… usted… mi quejarme al coachman… usted reventar me for it. ♦ We have read a novella describing a trip on Madrid’s first ever public tram, which started running in 1871 and was horse drawn. The route began in the barrio of Salamanca, went down Serrano … More Englishwoman vs. Spaniard on public transportation, Madrid 1871, and more evidence of my avant-garde nature
I Last week I did no research, spent nine or ten days doing no research, because of work at the university level against certain features of the corporate model. There is a project to severely reduce the number of full professors on academic senate, eliminate the student members, reduce the size of the body generally, … More Rentrée
My fall class is overenrolled and has a waiting list. Word on the street is that it is going to “kick ass.” The Spanish Professor helped me design it. Axé.
I am severely traumatized about teaching and that is why I do not have time or energy for writing. But sometimes, someone says I am not a bad teacher. This morning on e-mail: I keep finding things that are so relevant to what we discuss in class! Things I never stopped to think about before are … More In which I am not a bad teacher, after all
Yesterday was my day off. I worked on service related issues, and attended a social meeting for Spanish majors where I got a lot of advising done. At night I went out and saw two new rock bands who were very good. At the meeting with the students and at this barzinho later I had … More Aquí se trabaja mucho
coldhearted scientist وداد 