Archive for October, 2008

I started feeling a bit under the weather yesterday, so I opted for some not-running-around time this morning. Among the things far down on my to-do list that I could do from home is this: post a couple pictures of the katana given to me by the estate of Jim Rigney, the writer most famously known as Robert Jordan.

So here I am standing outside our front door, holding the unsheathed weapon. You can see the gentle swoop that characterizes these weapons (as a point of trivia, this curve is the result of the way the blade is cooled, not the way it is forged). You can also see what makes this particular katana somewhat abnormal: the full-leather hilt and scabbard. Ordinary katana are not fashioned this way. Near my left hand you can see the way the little side-knife has been incorporated into the scabbard, which is another minority design feature. Most interestingly, from my point of view, you can also see a little post-card piece of paper tied to the scabbard by a worn string. This is the original label describing the katana, the basis on which Rigney bought the weapon (indeed, it includes the price he presumably paid for it, a bit of information I’m not going to disclose).

This is a close-up shot of the blade near the hilt. You can see the leather wrappings, a bit of the “Damascan” steeling along the edge, and the unsheathed side-knife. Most noticeable, however, you can see the somewhat draconic crocodile stamp in the base of the blade itself. It’s a wonderful little feature, one that must have been captivating to Jim.

All in all, the katana is quite a treasure, and my thanks once again go to Jim’s estate for allowing me to have it.

If all has gone according to plan, this post (at www.michaellivingston.com) will show up somehow, someway, somewhere on my brand-new Facebook page.

So, um, here goes nothing…

I am sitting on the back steps beneath a towering, moss-dripping oak, looking out across the fresh-cut lawn at the shadows stretching across the twinkling waters of the marsh, sipping a margarita, and enjoying the scent of crackling burgers on the grill.

I just thought the world should know.

Decided this evening to send out a couple of the unpublished short stories sitting on my computer. Opening up my various files to do so I noted that my last submission into the wilds was in January, about the time Shards got underway.

I don’t what that means, and I’m certain no one but me could be interested in the observation, but I do find it curious. I wonder if other writers find it so easy to lose track of other projects when a major one takes over the schedule.

Our department is in the process of revising its tenure and promotion guidelines. It’s a much-needed effort, and I’m glad to see it happening. I saw today an initial draft of the new document, and it’s pushing us toward a “point” system of rewards to earn tenure (in addition to time served, a requirement that I think is profoundly silly).

The point breakdowns might change, but I went ahead and added up how many points I’ve earned so far to compare them with where I need to be. I’m prepared to present my findings in a mathematical way:

x = the number of points necessary for promotion to Associate Professor (i.e., tenure).

2x = the number of points necessary for promotion to Full Professor.

4x = the number of points I will likely have at the end of next year — two years before I can be considered for promotion to Associate, and eight or nine before I can be considered for promotion to Full.

So I’m obviously hoping The Citadel uncouples promotion from time served. The university might otherwise lose “star” faculty members who aren’t being rewarded for their accomplishments — and I don’t think that’s what the school should want.