1. I had my very first parent-teacher conferences this week. They went pretty well overall; the parents were supportive and engaged, and we had a few fruitful conversations about what their children can do to improve. Though more often I just had to say "yes, Offspring is doing well in my class and not causing … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: PT Conferences and Some Other Stuff
Author: DBreitenbeck
Poetry – “Acquainted with the Night”
I have been one acquainted with the night.I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane.I have passed by the watchman on his beatAnd dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feetWhen far … Continue reading Poetry – “Acquainted with the Night”
Sunday Thoughts: Imprudent Terms
Owing to a combination of factors (e.g. illness and it's being a lot closer) I went to my 'Novus Ordo alternate' church for Mass this morning. The homily left me with some thoughts. It wasn't a bad homily at all; mostly about marriage and commitment. But at one point the priest made reference to "those … Continue reading Sunday Thoughts: Imprudent Terms
Saturday Flotsam: Sick Again and Kung Fu
1. I came down with another cold this week and ended up staying home from yesterday. As I told a colleague the other day, my body is just not used to being around all these little germ factories all the time. 2. If I could work my will, there would be a moratorium on making … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Sick Again and Kung Fu
Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
My first Everyman post in a while is now up. It's a foray into contemporary politics, looking for historical parallels. Specifically, I look at the likelihood of America dissolving into another civil war by comparing it to one of our previous ones: More and more the idea is in the air that the United States … Continue reading Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
Poetry – “Sonnet 57”
Being your slave, what should I do but tendUpon the hours and times of your desire?I have no precious time at all to spend,Nor services to do, till you require.Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hourWhilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,Nor think the bitterness of absence sourWhen you have bid your servant … Continue reading Poetry – “Sonnet 57”
Saturday Flotsam: More History and ‘Who Goes There?’
1. I had my first angry parent encounter this week: someone not happy with one of my assignment policies. Sample from the conversation: "I think you're being very unprofessional.""How so?""You have a very poor attitude.""Can you tell me how?""You're too terse." An unpleasant experience, but an inevitable one. In any case, the policy still stands … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: More History and ‘Who Goes There?’
Long-Form Endings (Kind of Spoilers)
My Hero Academia reached its final chapter not long ago and...well, I have to admit, I found it a little disappointing. It's hard to explain why without going into spoilers, but say that I thought the epilogue generally focused on the wrong things and left too many of the really interesting points rushed or unsettled. … Continue reading Long-Form Endings (Kind of Spoilers)
Poem – “The Donkey”
When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born. With monstrous head and sickening cry And ears like errant wings, The devil's walking parody On all four-footed things. The tattered outlaw of the earth, Of ancient crooked will; Starve, scourge, deride … Continue reading Poem – “The Donkey”
Saturday Flotsam: Various and Generals and Capybara
1. The correct answer to the question "Am I a racist?" is "I don't care." 2. Listening to podcasts about Napoleon from Apostolic Majesty (an excellent and very thorough history channel, by the way). Napoleon, as I think I've mentioned, strikes me as one of the closest examples we've had in history to a genuine … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Various and Generals and Capybara
Serpent's Den 