1. We had graduation this past Friday. I found it a very melancholy day, and not just because I've spent the last two years working with these kids, whom I'll probably never see again. Watching them setting out on adult life made me think back to my own youth and think about how little I've … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: Graduation, Richard Nixon, Voting, and ‘The Odyssey’
America
Saturday Sundry: Police, ‘Beowulf’ and Miscellaneous
1. My latest addiction has been police body cam videos. Partly this is to study what real violent incidents look like for safety and awareness purposes, though there also something perversely fascinating of watching just how stupid some people can be. What I find most impressive is when the cops remain calm and unflappable when … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: Police, ‘Beowulf’ and Miscellaneous
Saturday Sundry: US Foreign Policy, ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
1. US Foreign policy since about 1898 has followed a pretty consistent pattern: Step 1: "The US has gone into X:" "Yay! USA! This is a righteous and noble crusade!"Step 2: "The US has left X:" "Yeah, that whole thing was a stupid idea; why did we do that?" Step 3: Repeat 2. To put … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: US Foreign Policy, ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Monday Motley: ‘Taming of the Shrew’ and Statehood
1. I took a quick trip to Maine this weekend to see my niece and nephew in a play, as well as to celebrate my father's birthday, hence why this is coming late. 2. The play was The Taming of the Shrew, the second time I've seen it recently (a friend was also in a … Continue reading Monday Motley: ‘Taming of the Shrew’ and Statehood
Sunday Sundry: Principles of Unity
1. A bout of insomnia this week left me only half-rational, hence why this is extra late. 2. Unity – ‘Oneness’ – is one of the transcendentals: qualities of Being that transcend the Ten Categories. It is the ability to speak of something as a single unit or concept. Coupled with this is Distinction: that … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: Principles of Unity
Saturday Sundry: US History, Politics, Strategy
1. There are two possible readings for the American Revolution: either it was a matter of sincere, but politically incompetent idealists blundering their way into civil war or it was a matter of men who had settled on rebellion from the start taking every opportunity to deliberately escalate the situation (or, most likely, a combination … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: US History, Politics, Strategy
Friday Flotsam: Legend Haven, More History, and Some Storycraft
1. Legend Haven, the friendliest fiction convention in the galaxy, is happening this weekend, and I will be there! The con runs from Saturday to Sunday, but all my stuff will be on Sunday, the 19th. I will be hosting an open booth, ask-me-anything from 12-3 MST (so, 3-6 EST), followed by a discussion / … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Legend Haven, More History, and Some Storycraft
Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
1. It's that time of year again; time to teach about the lead-up to the American Revolution and do my best to make it look as non-ridiculous as possible. My philosophy, as a teacher, is that my job is not to teach them my opinions, but to teach them what happened and let them decide … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
US Colonial History Meme!
Saturday Sundry: New England Thoughts
1. I'm up in Maine visiting relatives this week. It's very nice to be surrounded by forests again. I've definitely missed them living in Phoenix. 2. New England has a character unlike any other part of the nation, simply because it is older. Men have lived here, farmed here, praised God here, and made their … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: New England Thoughts
Serpent's Den 