-
Finally Moving On
I suppose the title for this point could refer to two things ( Read more... ) -
The Curious Experience of Class
Conservative reactionaries have in the past 10 years or so made careers out of accusing college professors of indoctrinating students in radical leftist philosophies and politics. While riding the bus today, however, I began to wonder if perhaps it's not the professors but the experience itself of actually being a student which draws middle class ( Read more... ) -
Not Dead
Well, here we are again: the eve of another semester ( Read more... ) -
In honor of Darwin's Birthday: Survival of the Fittest in the University
It's not often that I can think of myself as protected or somehow privileged within an English department. There has been a lot of anxiety circulating among graduate students about the job market, namely that English PhDs are flooding the market during a time when programs are being cut back and retirees are being replaced with adjuncts rather ( Read more... ) -
I don't know where this is going...
(...and now that it's complete, I don't remember what I had initially wanted to say with this entry ( Read more... ) -
Not a family man
Lately whenever I've been in touch with my family, the image of a sinking ship comes to mind. I see myself as someone who, based on some purely irrational gut feeling, decided to refund his ticket right before it disembarked or who suddenly decided to disembark at the ship's last port before its long journey across the sea ( Read more... ) -
Fuck that
Well, it's over before it started. Today, I stumbled upon a blog written by the wife of a pastor that set my blood to boiling. I want absolutely no part in the Western church, not even a liberal community like that of the UUC. To remind myself of this particular blog later, I'll record a general summary. The entry began with a woman mentioning ( Read more... ) -
Trying something new
It was a rough first semester, but ultimately a rewarding one. Now that I'm beginning to feel settled in professionally here in Champaign-Urbana, it's about time I worked on expanding my social circle. I've met a fair number of people so far in our department, but I don't think I've really clicked with anyone as friends. Part of that, I think, ( Read more... ) -
Holidaze
This time of year is full of mixed emotions for me. On the one hand, I really enjoy the promise of the holidays. On the other hand, I really hate the reality of the holidays. Religious nonsense and hyperconsumerism aside, there is a certain spirit that surrounds this time of year. A sizable chunk of our world stops for a week or so, and ( Read more... ) -
A Political Autobiography
As I sat among new friends, watching the drama of election night unfold, I became very attuned to the emotional investments of those around me in the outcome. I've only been eligible to vote in two presidential elections so far, and neither of them have led to the same sort of devotion or dedication that I witnessed on Tuesday ( Read more... )