It’s no secret that I found John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin to be, well, unfortunate at many levels. On the plus side, though, it’s made for some fascinating occasions to examine rhetoric and syntax and other English professorial excitements. Regarding Palin in particular, I’ve been fascinated to see the …
Reebok’s Terry Tate “Office Linebacker” commercials, which first aired during the 2003 Super Bowl, were absolutely brilliant. Here’s one of the first of them: I remind you of this highlight in the history of advertising because, well, “Terrible” Terry T is back. Watch to the end… How’s that for Drill …
This year the English Department pinned me for service on the Graduate Committee, which among other things means I have to grade the M.A. degree comprehensive examinations twice a year. I could list the ways I would have preferred to spend my Saturday afternoon and evening, but it would probably …
Back toward the start of the semester, I posted about receiving a most surprising gift from one of my cadets: an autographed poster of Mark Knopfler, who ranks as #1 or #2 among my favorite recording artists. It was an astonishing gesture, and I’m proud at last to produce an …
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 …
Author | Conflict Analyst | Presenter | Professor