At the chess club holiday party.

Peter looks forward to his Wednesday evening visits to the Monroeville Chess club. (Last one until mid-January.) Similar:The Case Against High-School Sports”I’ve been in hundreds of classrooms,” s…CultureMy colleague @crissycp offers warm soda bread and tea every year, as part of her authentic…AcademiaAnother section of #steampunk control panel. #neovictorian #design #aesthetics #blender3d …AestheticsThe coronavirus is…

Commentary: What My Struggling Students Wanted Me to Understand

I haven’t taught a developmental course at SHU, but when I teach freshman writing, I often encounter students who struggle with the transition from high school to college writing. Those who were praised all their lives as good writers can tell good personal stories, and they can deploy accurate summaries of non-controversial, “correct” facts. I give…

Other than #StarTrek memes, my favorite part of the web is how it’s a rhetorical battleground for the fate of the free world.

Saturday, Donald Trump tweeted that he knew Flynn lied, and that’s why he “had to fire” him. Critics immediately raised concerns, noting that if Trump did in fact know Flynn had lied, then Trump’s request that FBI Director James Comey “let this go” amounts to an obstruction of justice. Sunday, Trump’s lawyer John Dowd told…

Carolyn and Alex in “The King and I”

Similar:Snape is not amused at this year's Hogwarts Feast.PersonalOne of my students is demonstrating the perceived value of brand-name vs no-name products…. PersonalMore household props for a #blender3d #steampunk project. I had made the spice rack and utensi…AestheticsBeautifying the exterior of the fantasy cruiser from the bedtime stories I used to tell my…PersonalNot a #carguy but…

I rather like my camera. Bought a new zoom lens a few months ago.

Similar:Family outing to the Pittsburgh National AviaryPersonalTom Wayman's FAQ on "Did I Miss Anything?"I’ve long been a fan of Tom Wayman’s poe…AcademiaLighting really makes a difference! A glimpse into the captain's ready room, off the offic… AestheticsCome see Carolyn and her talented castmates in The Fantasticks (Theatre Factory, Trafford …PersonalLooking forward to another visit to…

The Girl at rehearsal (where else?).

Similar:The Physics Behind Traffic JamsIn between today’s various events, I das…CultureHere's to the grim-based photojournalist who saved my bacon ~35 years ago Here’s to you, grim-faced photojournal…Academia"She even disgraces the name of Linton." –Heathcliff, on his simpering wife Isa… PersonalAnother delightful caricature by Rebecca ScassellatiAestheticsNerdling spots typo in space exploration textbook.PersonalLearning How to Love My Daughter…

Alex and Carolyn rehearse for “The King and I” Saturday night

Similar:Blender 3D Flyover of Fantasy Steampunk Spacecraft When my kids were small, at bedtime …AestheticsChecking out of @frontporchtheatricals Grand Hotel. What an experience!My brother had already planned to visit …AestheticsBackstage opening night.PersonalStick to facts, but write news your readers will actually want to read. Students who put a lot of effort int…AcademiaPreview of "The Fantasticks"…

Shall we dance? The girl tries on her ball gown for The King and I. Her featured show is this Saturday.

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A woman approached The Post with dramatic — and false — tale about Roy Moore. She appears to be part of undercover sting operation.

This looks like a deliberate attempt to plant a “fake news” story, presumably in order to discredit the Washington Post for falling for it. Verify, verify, verify. The Post did its homework, and did not fall into the trap. Sadly, this story will be used to discredit people who come forward with legitimate sexual assault…

Fallout Monopoly with the boy.

  Similar:My brother set my parents up for a Mother's Day video call.AmusingVote for Carolyn's Headshot — Round 2 Vote for Carolyn’s Headshot — Round…AestheticsMore #steampunk control panel bits for a #neovictorian #blender3D project. I have a master…AestheticsHaven (TNG Rewatch, Season 1, Episode 10) When a low-stakes rom-com shows Troi's beau and …Rewatching Star Trek:…

Curse you, conference proposal word limits.

I’m frustrated by these accursed conference proposal maximum word counts. (10) Curse you, conference proposal word limits. (6) Damn proposal word counts!! (4) Cut wherever possible. (3) Trim wordiness. (2) Simplify. (1) Actually, that helped. Back at it. Similar:Another delightful caricature by Rebecca ScassellatiAestheticsI regularly teach A Raisin in the Sun but haven't seen a…

Did you share Russian fake news? Facebook, apparently unable to insert items directly in our feeds, will make you jump through hoops to find out.

Did you share fake news from Russia during the US Presidential election? Grudgingly following up on a Congressional order, Facebook will permit you to jump through hoops to find out. Because Facebook apparently does not have the technology to insert items of its choosing directly in user feeds, the social media company has helpfully provided…

Controlling behavior of HQ CEO hijacks what should have been a puff piece about popular HQ host Scott Rogowsky

A few minutes ago I heard about HQ for the first time, through a friend’s Facebook post. An item or two down in my feed I saw a different FB friend had linked to this story. The Daily Beast describes a tense encounter with a CEO who calls a reporter, threatens to fire his own…

Taking Harassment Seriously Requires Serious Distinctions

Editor and columnist Jonah Goldberg questions his fellow conservatives who call for the resignation of Al Franken (a Democrat; junior senator from Minnesota), equating the allegations against him with the allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, all the while downplaying the serious allegations against Roy Moore (a Republication; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of…

Details drive the news (new handout)

I have nothing against essays, but not every writing task requires an essay. I tell my students they will be more successful if they produce a narrative personal essay because it’s the right genre for the occasion, not because it’s the only genre they feel comfortable writing. This handout is my latest attempt to help…

Carolyn appears as homeschooled teenager “Carolyn.” Free holiday show Tuesday at 7.

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