1. I made it through my first (almost: we had the Feast of the Assumption off) full week of full-time teaching. The short version is that, while there were some rough patches, I survived. 2. Are there any browsers left that let you toggle the 'tab-close' buttons off? Because I find those very annoying for … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Random Thoughts
Thoughts
Friday Flotsam: Teaching, Napoleon, and Oz
1. Well, I made it through my first week of the new teaching job. It was overall easier than I expected; it felt like slipping back into a somewhat familiar routine, the same sense of just standing up and talking to the class. 2. That said, it did feel a bit like building a railroad … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Teaching, Napoleon, and Oz
Friday Flotsam: Melancholy and Random Thoughts
1. I had my first teacher meetings this week. Next week starts classes, though with shortened days. 2. In a rather melancholy mood for one reason or another. 3. Reading Dickens, I occasionally stumble across moments that show how masterfully understated he could be, when he took the trouble. Most of the time, when he … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Melancholy and Random Thoughts
Maternal Loadstones: Mrs. Nickelby vs. Mrs. Bennet
I don't know that anyone can read both Nicholas Nickelby and Pride and Prejudice without comparing the maternal figures featured in each. In the cozy, but substantial niche of "embarrassingly foolish mothers," these two reign supreme as the most prominent and perhaps most troublesome. But the question remains; which one is worse? For my part, … Continue reading Maternal Loadstones: Mrs. Nickelby vs. Mrs. Bennet
Some Further Thoughts on ‘Oliver Twist’
One doesn't really review Charles Dickens, any more than one 'reviews' a waterfall. Dickens has achieved a status beyond mere likes or dislikes, critique and praise. It is not a question of whether Dickens is any good, so much as it is a question of how he strikes you. As for Oliver Twist, I would … Continue reading Some Further Thoughts on ‘Oliver Twist’
Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
1. Well, this was certainly a week. For those who are just joining us, last weekend I moved cross-country, from Michigan to Arizona to take up a teaching post. It was three days' driving, and a chance to see more of the country than I yet have. The route took us, among other things, right … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
Saturday Flotsam: Various and Fourth of July
1. I really wanted this to be a Friday Flotsam again, but again didn't get around to it. 2. It's a mark of how busy I've been that the Fourth of July came and went and it didn't even occur to me to write sarcastic comments about the Revolution. Not that I wouldn't have tried … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Various and Fourth of July
Annual Praise for ‘Independence Day’
For newcomers, I watch 'Independence Day' every year on the Fourth of July: the following is (mostly) an old post on my great fondness for the film. When Independence Day came out, it was a huge hit, but ever since then it’s kind of become the poster-child for the big, dumb, CGI-fueled blockbusters of … Continue reading Annual Praise for ‘Independence Day’
Saturday Flotsam: Moving, A Book, A Film, and Economics
1. Was packing yesterday and lost track of the time, so this is Saturday Flotsam again. 2. As of this writing, I still haven't gotten final confirmation on my apartment. Last time I spoke to them the application is in the final stages, but that was a day or so ago. I don't anticipate it … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Moving, A Book, A Film, and Economics
Friday Flotsam: ‘Narbonic’, Trope Humor, and the Penguin
1. Much of this week was spent wrestling with the apartment people over the phone to clear up one snag or another. Nothing is settled yet, as of this writing, but I'm hopeful it will be soon. All indications are that it'll go through fine, but who knows? 2. In spare time this week I've … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Narbonic’, Trope Humor, and the Penguin
Serpent's Den 