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…
Similar:Ascending the path to High Hrothgar? No, just the snow-covered steps from the parking lot… Ascending the path to High Hrothgar?…PersonalGirlhood 2014They don’t even seem to want to watch Fr…CultureOpening night. Support local artists in your community!PersonalCharlie Brown has his kite-eating tree. I have my keys-eating chair. #foundthem PersonalMisSpelled: Premiering Oct 1In this podcast series,…
The other day I found myself very annoyed at how much headspace was occupied by a free game I had downloaded on my phone. So I deleted it. I still go into fight-or-flight mode when I’m drafting a text and a phone call comes in. I like to page through the my notebooks full of…
Similar:A Christmas Carol — new audio adaptationBooksGeorge Joseph Jerz (1933-2023)George Joseph Jerz, born on September 3r…EmpathyChess with my son. As usual, it didn't go well for me.GamesSorry, not sorry. I don't want such friends. Back in 2003, shortly after I moved …CultureVibing to a park saxophonist as I code for an upcoming conference presentation, and…
Similar:Forgotten closet box: powder blue summer suit with a crisp 1990 $10 bill in the pocket and…The chunky laptop seems to boot and the …DesignAdded a pilot and cockpit details to my flyby of a #steampunk scout ship. Costume is a pr…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyvR90jm…AestheticsEnjoying the “Science of Pixar” 3d computer modeling and storytelling exhibit with my son….Enjoying…
Similar:How a billionaires boys’ club came to dominate the public squareThe world’s richest man, Elon Musk, atta…BusinessRichard Scarry unfinished manuscript to be publishedSome of my happiest memories of fatherho…AestheticsDeath Comes for the Microbot — Flash Fiction by Aimee PicchiBee walked on six spindly legs to the sp…CultureApparently, I needed to watch a supercut of doors…
During the Christmas break of 1996, when I was working on my Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, I asked my boss at the Engineering Writing Center if I could log about 10 hours converting a bunch of paper handouts into hyperlinked web documents. I actually put in about 20 hours, and slapped into shape…
Similar:Come see Carolyn and her talented castmates in The Fantasticks (Theatre Factory, Trafford …PersonalI’ve roughed out earthen embankments for the city walls. I know there was at some point a …I’ve roughed out earthen embankments for…CultureThat's what's been bothering me since yesterday's #AirPod reveal. #manamanaNumber of times one of my $9.99 headphon…BusinessThe girl as…
Numerical errors usually occur for one of these five reasons: A journalist mishears a correct number given to them by a source and fails to double-check it. A source unwittingly provides a mistaken piece of information and the journalist fails to verify it. A source deliberately fudges the numbers and the journalist fails to verify…
Hey, Newsweek, alert your webmaster. I can still see some news through your wall of ads. Similar:Reading Literature on Screen: A Price for Convenience?Because all of my Seton Hill students ge…AcademiaIf I don’t design the sign for the pub on my #steampunk space cruiser, who will? #prioriti… AestheticsAn overnight traffic spike on an older online…
(Lights up on a college journalism classroom. The professor enters, surveys the room.) Professor: Math! Students: (Shocked reaction.) Professor: Math!! Students: (Scattered cries of “No!”) Professor: MATH!!! Students: NO!!! (Blackout.) (40 minutes later.) Professor: So, at the very least when you encounter numbers in your reporting, contact sources who can help you…
I saw Seton Hill’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone last night, which I loved. After I left the theater, I realized I left my hat under the seat, so I went back into the house for it. As I passed in front of the stage, Karen Glass and a line of black-clad theater technicians walked…
Similar:“Thank you for being kind.” —Friday afternoon email from a student who’d been a little sal…PersonalStack of wooden desk trays with metal supports. #Blender3D. Normal map, glossy map; mahoga…My goal in trying to do an object each d…AestheticsUnder my academic robes… photographer vest with 3 frozen ice packs. #heatwave #HonorsCon…PersonalThe daughter looks stunning in pink.…
When is it legal to make a video in a public place? A kerfluffle at my local mall involves a restaurant owner accused of mocking and taking video of a special needs person having a meltdown. Several times a week I take my son to the food court and hand him my credit card. More…
We had a case recently where a dying man wanted to see his grandchild, but it would not have been born in time. His daughter was able to rent an infant for the day.
Otero goes into great detail describing her criteria for placing the various news sources. She changed a few labels and shifted position for a few sources. It’s not perfect. It’s not the only answer. It is, nevertheless, a very useful way to get us to think about what we’re clicking on, reading, and sharing. Update,…
Most of the students in my “News Writing” class don’t want to be journalists, but they all want to make a living from their writing skills. I’m trying to emphasize some of the markers that journalists put into their work, in order to signal that their work is credible. For instance, one saying in journalism…
Similar:Little green owl, if your emotions depend this much on how often I practice, that’s defin…Little green owl, if your emotions depe…PersonalIf I don’t hang my own artwork on the walls of my #steampunk fantasy ship-of-the-line, who…AestheticsThis actually happened the other day when I was offline.This actually happened the other day whe…PersonalAlas for You…
You won’t usually catch me saying anything nice about Microsoft. (Ok, Flight Simulator was good.) A few days ago when life was a little more stressful than usual, I found myself nearly overwhelmed by what should have been a routine editing task. Then I stumbled across MS-Words’s View->Focus mode, which hides most of the intrusive…
Similar:Long Live The English Major—If It’s Paired With An Industry-Recognized CredentialWhat does this simple question and its r…AcademiaDelightfully geeky news story about a legal kerfuffle over typefacesI’m very amused at this nerdy news story…AestheticsMy students were awesome. So many thoughtful final projects. So much growth. A stressful, …PersonalI haven't seen this show since freshman year…