The following conversation occurred in Washington in early 1861 between fellow West Point alumni Irvin McDowell and William T. Sherman, both seeking commands in the newly-forming Union Army: McDowell: "Hello, Sherman, what [rank] did you ask for?"Sherman: "A colonelcy."McDowell: "What? You should have asked for a brigadier general's rank. You're just as fit for it … Continue reading A Telling Exchange
Author: DBreitenbeck
Poem – “Piano Man”
It's nine o'clock on a SaturdayThe regular crowd shuffles inThere's an old man sittin' next to meMakin' love to his tonic and gin He says, "Son can you play me a memory?I'm not really sure how it goesBut it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it completeWhen I wore a younger man's clothes" La, … Continue reading Poem – “Piano Man”
Commentary: When Good Characters do Bad Things
Another bit of storycraft commentary up at Noble Cobra Magazine. This time discussing some thoughts I had about heroic or righteous characters doing 'mean' or off-color things in fiction: pranks, unwanted jokes, nasty tricks, that sort of thing, and how it can be used for characterization purposes (and yes, more Fruits Basket, since that's on … Continue reading Commentary: When Good Characters do Bad Things
Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
1. This week for my US History class I learned why most people only quote the first paragraph or so of Lincoln's 'house divided' speech; because after that it kind of devolves into a paranoid rant of how the Democrats want to impose slavery upon all the states, including speculation that Stephen Douglass etc. were … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
Poem – “No Way to Stop It”
Elsa:You dear, attractive, dewy-eyed idealist—Today you have to learn to be a realist! Max:You may be bent on doing deeds of derring-do,But up against a shark what can a herring do? Elsa:Be wise, compromise! Captain:Compromise and be wise. Elsa:Let them think you’re on their side,Be noncommital. Captain:I will not bow my head to the men … Continue reading Poem – “No Way to Stop It”
Vote Lincoln: Resistance is Futile
Prepping for my pre-Civil War lessons this week, this came to mind: For the record, I'm pretty neutral when it comes to the Late Unpleasantness, in that I think both sides had a pretty good argument as far as it went, and both did a lot really stupid or immoral things. But I do tend … Continue reading Vote Lincoln: Resistance is Futile
Worth a Thousand Words
My TEFL course had the following as an example of an activity to pose to students. I found it too fascinating not to share. Take a look at those two pictures and really think about what they tell you about the subjects. Then what that tells you about the larger context.
Friday Flotsam: Death Comes Near, Teaching, Life
1. My second semester of teaching started off on a tragic and jarring note. The weekend before we came back, one of my co-workers and her husband were killed in a car crash, leaving six young children behind. I didn't know her very well, but it's still a sobering experience to have a violent death … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Death Comes Near, Teaching, Life
A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Everyone knows that Francis Scott Key wrote our beloved national anthem The Star Spangled Banner while observing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the deck of a British ship while a guest of his Majesty's. Turns out there is a little-known, unhappy sequel to the story. Key's grandson, Frank Key Howard, became a newspaper editor … Continue reading A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
I.Year after year unto her feet, The while she slumbereth alone,Over the purpled coverlet The maiden's jetblack hair hath grown,On either side her trancéd form Forthstreaming from a braid of pearl;The slumbrous light is rich and warm, And moves not on the rounded curl. II.The silk starbraided coverlidUnto her limbs itself doth mouldLanguidly ever, and amidHer full black ringlets … Continue reading Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
Serpent's Den 