El Tilingo Lingo

Any time is a good time for a son jarocho, so we will now sing the Tilingo Lingo: If you liked that here is El Tamaulipeco, with good violin: Neither of these videos has wonderful visuals. I am posting them for the sound and also because California, where I have recently been, is so very … More El Tilingo Lingo

C’est Charmant

Cast of Characters: Professor Zero, a male Student, and the student’s Son. Son, 4, is wearing baggy jeans, hi-tops, and a T-shirt. Sticking out of his backpack is his bilingual alphabet book. Student: Professor Zero, I have come to introduce myself and my son. I have a very great favor to ask you. May I … More C’est Charmant

Third World

Now it costs exactly twice as much to buy a tank of gas for my car than it did six years ago when I bought it – or more precisely, when I was given it. While filling it up I was approached by a respectable looking man who proceeded to sell me two bottles of … More Third World

On Shakespeare

Every professor of literature must eventually write a post on Shakespeare, so this is mine. A friend left teaching because he was tired of explaining things to people. I do not at all mind explaining things to students, but I am definitely tired of explaining things to faculty. One of the things I routinely explain … More On Shakespeare

On Graduate School

I liked college and graduate school, and I like them even more in retrospect since the behavior of some faculty at places I have been since has been so poor. Yet I have friends from college and even graduate school who use words like “trauma” and “gulag” to refer to our alma mater. I would … More On Graduate School

A Serious Question

In the last quarter my TIAA-CREF retirement fund sustained another net loss. I do not live in a state which pays into Social Security, so this is my only retirement fund. Since I am theoretically a young person I have the funds allocated to relatively, although not outrageously high risk enterprises. I have recently had … More A Serious Question