It’s raining. Again. After last year’s drought Alabama is now its green, soggy self once more. I’m beginning to feel the mold growing between my toes, and roaches the size and color of large dates are banging on the back door, seeking sanctuary. Days like this, especially when there… Read full post »

Yesterday I read emma peel’s excellent post on the current state of affairs regarding university students and their classroom deportment, study habits, and the like. I also posted a comment last night relating my own experiences and observations from a 29-year career as a university-level profe… Read full post »

I am a more than borderline hypochondriac, so Saturday evening, when I sneezed three times in a row, and felt a slight rasp in my throat, I was sure that I had contracted the potentially deadly (anything worth getting is potentially deadly) Swine Flu: H1N1, the 2009 H1N1 to be precise,… Read full post »

I have a solution to the controversies over gay marriage and family values that, I believe, can be embraced by liberals and conservatives, straight and gay alike. It is simple and fair, promotes the concept of the ‘sacredness’ of marriage while offering equality for all. It follows an hon… Read full post »

I always thought that the designation “homo sapiens” was a pretty ironic construct: “wise human”, or “knowing human.” I’ve known many people whom I would never characterize as wise or knowing. Up until recently, however, I usually considered people to be huma… Read full post »

“There are no stupid questions, only stupid people.” Mr. Garrison made this statement in an episode of South Park a while back and, when I heard him say it, for the first time I respected him as a teacher. I am no longer a teacher; I am happily retired. I enjoyed/… Read full post »

Since retiring last May, I have been able to indulge one of my escapist, "guilty pleasures," one that was often denied to me or partaken of only in fits and starts while I was teaching. I have re-connected with the delicious enjoyment of Bollywood films. I am still a few years behind… Read full post »

Until May 15, 2009, I was a teacher. Specifically I was a university professor at the largest state university in Alabama. After 29 years "in the trenches" I decided that my health and sanity should take precedence over money. Just as my school was on a major construction push to make it… Read full post »