1. Western commentators see Africa as nothing but a really big Alabama. And most forget the 'really big' part. 2. I'm reading Frankenstein for school. It's not my first time reading it, but it is my first time in a while. This time through is confirming my past assessment, which is that the film is … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Frankenstein’, ‘City in the Sky’, and ‘Animal Farm’
Life
Friday Flotsam: ‘A Separate Peace’ of ‘Lilo and Stitch’
1. I re-watched Lilo and Stitch the other night (since the abomination of a remake recently came out) and was reminded of just how a good a film that really is. It's one of those odd, ultra-creative, personal-seeming projects that blends elements that really don't seem like they would work together, but through skillful handling … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘A Separate Peace’ of ‘Lilo and Stitch’
Saturday Flotsam: Life, ‘The Big Combo’, etc.
1. I'm pretty much fully moved in to the new and improved apartment. There are the usual issues, like trying to get the internet working (I don't think I've ever moved anywhere without having internet issues), but those are slowly starting to be smoothed out. 2. Had a bad depression day this week: worst one … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Life, ‘The Big Combo’, etc.
Friday Flotsam: First Year of Teaching Over and a Word on Audrey Hepburn
1. My old apartment is almost bare, and my new one is nearly looking like something livable. Furniture goes tomorrow. 2. My first year of full-time teaching is officially over! Some takeaways: 3. It took me a while to figure out what I could actually ask of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, and I'm still … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: First Year of Teaching Over and a Word on Audrey Hepburn
Sunday Flotsam: New Apartment and Classics
1. Last week I took possession of my new apartment and have been moving in piecemeal ever since. I won't be able to get most of the furniture until next week, unfortunately, but I have almost all of my books moved. In the meantime I live among chaos, my worldly goods vomited out upon the … Continue reading Sunday Flotsam: New Apartment and Classics
Saturday Flotsam: Easter Events and Amerigo Vespucci
1. Of course, the major news this week is the death of the Holy Father. My own opinion of Pope Francis's pontificate is completely irrelevant; let us all pray for his soul and for the upcoming conclave. 2. That and... 3. I successfully made it through a 'Black Fast' this Triduum; fasting from Holy Thursday … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Easter Events and Amerigo Vespucci
Friday Flotsam: Pink Eye, Unity, and a Limerick
1. On Tuesday night I woke up with something stuck in my eye, something that seemingly refused to be extricated. It got so bad that I called off work to go to the emergency room. There I learned that whatever it was was gone, but had left a large scratch on my cornea which felt … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Pink Eye, Unity, and a Limerick
Saturday Flotsam: Random
1. I’ve introduced my seventh graders to Sabaton, with satisfactory results. As in, after the first day they asked for a song every class. Now that we’re done with World War One, they’ll have to wait until World War Two. 2. Seventh graders also got introduced to Ray Bradbury via A Sound of Thunder, which … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Random
Saturday Flotsam: Prayers for the Pope and Tycoons
1. I think I crushed one of my students' spirit a little bit when I told the class that Braveheart was mostly made up. 2. Prayers for the Holy Father, who sounds like he's on his way out. Whether immediately or in another year, all accounts are that he won't be here much longer. Now, … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Prayers for the Pope and Tycoons
Sunday Flotsam: Mostly ‘West Side Story’
1. Today was the week of the school play, and I've basically been working non-stop all week up until last night. The good news is that the kids pulled it out and really did a great job with the show. The bad news is that I now have to try to make up all the … Continue reading Sunday Flotsam: Mostly ‘West Side Story’
Serpent's Den 