It is the weekend, so we must sing. The best songs are Chicago blues. “Snatch it back and hold it,” sings Junior Wells, and I have seen him sing it in person. I have an idea of what the phrase means but I would like a precise explanation. A more muted, later night song is … More Junior Wells
He informeth me that if I were yet more silent and proper than I already am, the bully of our subunit would not be moved to bully us all. He realizeth not that it was due to my silence and proper behavior that this bully was able to take over our subunit the way he … More Dat Whiteman
El día toca a su fin. De la cumbre de un enorme risco baja el rebaño pastor garrido, que con pesadumbre toca en su quena un yaraví de antaño. El sol que lento cae, con su lumbre dá un tinte de misterio y de tristeza á un campo de solemne soledumbre. La aura pasa suave. … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Soneto
What not to do: – Think about it – Talk to vicarious drama kings and queens who would like to help you think about it – Take up nervous habits – Open thread! Alternatives, if you are nervous and must do something: – Think, in a positive way, about alternative careers – Think, in a … More Academic Mondays: Things To Do While Waiting For Your Tenure Decision: Open Thread
It is the weekend, and we are definitely singing. Ridwan has a picture of Edward Said on his blog with the quotation “I have been unable to live an uncommitted or suspended life.” I think that was what Reeducation wanted — something very bland and Protestant somehow. I also tried to do this, but I … More Edward Said
You cannot win an argument with, and you should not waste time trying to bring to reason or cure irrationality, I have often been told. It took me a long time to actually learn this although I finally did recently. In the intervening decades I listened politely to and tried to translate to reason the … More Prolegomena to a Memo (Tentatively Entitled “Dear University Student, Memo #101”)
February 18 was the fourth anniversary of this blog and I forgot about it, having been through Saints Fever and Mardi Gras already. My first post on February 18, 2006, was entitled “Greetings” and said: My name is Professor Zero, and I am, loosely speaking, a follower of Paulo Freire. Formerly a Subcommandante, I became … More Anniversaire
The Smallest It is in front of the tree. The houses around the windows are lit by it, it turns off and goes upon knees and wherever the bone is almost next to the skin. It has been defamed. It will become undernourished. It is not without end. It is not. It is not what … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: James Schuyler
If I had ever actually sent these I would have been a busybody. When the events took place — and it was not one, but several different occasions — I practically sat on my hands so as not to send them. #101 Dear Junior Faculty, Please do not try to intercede in this matter. Your … More Advice to New Faculty, or, Fantasy Letters #101, #007, #99, and #0
It keeps freezing and then getting warm. Over Mardi Gras there was snow. I keep coming to points where I declare myself free of Reeducation but then realize I am not really. Then I start over. I have now started over at a whole new level and it feels like physical exercise. It might be … More Spring
coldhearted scientist وداد 