1. Thinking of 50s-era educational shorts this week made me wonder: they're usually described as 'cheesy' or 'corny'. What does this mean? What constitutes corn? The heirs of Webster define it as "mawkishly old-fashioned : tiresomely simple and sentimental". Fair enough, but what is the positive contrary? Up-to-date, sophisticated, and rational, I suppose. Though that … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Corniness and ‘Shadows on the Rock’
“You’re Not Talking to the Founding Fathers Again, Are You?”
With the course of study I'm teaching, this short came to mind, as riffed by Mike and the Bots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmjegYYYlUE&t=342s "What money?""Don't smart-mouth me, boy." Like most '50s educational shorts, this one's a stagey, stolid affair, but with some pretty solid information and a point that's hard to argue with: about keeping a budget and … Continue reading “You’re Not Talking to the Founding Fathers Again, Are You?”
Revolution Analogies
Sorry; again, it just keeps coming up! Today I happened to come across the following in an old comments section: “Imagine that a father gave his teenage son every liberty, so that the son was accustomed to making all his decisions for himself and living his life as he chose. Then suddenly one day the … Continue reading Revolution Analogies
‘Godzilla: Minus One’ Trailer
I had barely been aware of this film until I saw the trailer today. Wow, this looks good! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y58x0QOmdb8 From what I can tell, it's a semi-remake of the original with modern effects, taking Godzilla back to his origins as a post-war embodiment of the atom bomb and the general devastation Japan suffered. I note … Continue reading ‘Godzilla: Minus One’ Trailer
Poem – “London: A Poem in Imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal”
———Quis ineptæTam patiens Urbis, tam ferreus ut teneat se?Juv. Tho’ Grief and Fondness in my Breast rebel,When injur’d Thales bids the Town farewell,Yet still my calmer Thoughts his Choice commend,I praise the Hermit, but regret the Friend,Resolved at length, from Vice and London far,To breathe in distant Fields a purer Air,And, fix’d on Cambria’s solitary … Continue reading Poem – “London: A Poem in Imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal”
Sunday Thoughts: The Pull from Outside
A few Sundays ago, I felt the 'pull from outside.' I won't say it was the first time, but it was the first time I gave it that name. I had just watched a video on the Spanish Civil War, which spoke of how much of the Spanish population in those days were dead-set against … Continue reading Sunday Thoughts: The Pull from Outside
‘Spy x Family’ at the Everyman
My latest piece for The Everyman went up today, where I get to talk a bit about Spy x Family: Following a devastating conflict some decades prior, a tense cold war persists between the nations of “Westalis” and “Ostania” (fictionalized versions of West and Easy Germany circa the 1960s). Ace Westalis spy ‘Twilight’ works tirelessly … Continue reading ‘Spy x Family’ at the Everyman
Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
1. Made it through my second week of teaching. I'm still finding it extremely draining, and it's a struggle to get the kids to start discussing stuff in most of the classes (my one 12th grade class is the best in that regard, but alas is the shortest one). But it's something, and I've at … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
Poem: “St. Philip Neri in His Mission”
In the far North our lot is cast, Where faithful hearts are few;Still are we Philip's children dear, And Peter's soldiers true. Founder and Sire! to mighty Rome, Beneath St. Peter's shade,Early thy vow of loyal love And ministry was paid. The solemn porch, and portal high, Of Peter was thy home;The world's Apostle he, … Continue reading Poem: “St. Philip Neri in His Mission”
Friday Flotsam: First Week Teaching, ‘The System’, and I Get a Review!
1. Had my first week teaching (only two days a week, thank goodness), and it went pretty well! I'm fortunate that these generally seem to be good, well-behaved kids, even the 7/8 graders, and I'm doing my best to keep them engaged and getting them thinking (teenagers get some odd ideas). So far the main … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: First Week Teaching, ‘The System’, and I Get a Review!
Serpent's Den 