In the late 1980s, Jon Lovitz played a character called the “Master Thespian” on Saturday Night Live. He strolled around a Victorian drawing room in a silk smoking jacket, puffed on a meerschaum pipe, and made ridiculous claims about his life and … Continue reading “Teaching!”
The first time it happened, I was in luck. The head of Media Services was walking by, caught me crouched down, trying to adjust the computer system in the classroom podium, and came to my rescue. The second time, a … Continue reading The Saboteur of Room 320
I discovered something not long ago that I find incredible. It’s been on my mind ever since. However, judging from the reaction of most people, they either already know about it, or aren’t as impressed as I am. So, I’ve … Continue reading Teaching Zebras
The funniest line I ever heard was in a scene from The Music Man. Marian Paroo, the winsome librarian who is very mistrustful of men, has just declared her love for Prof. Harold Hill in song on a footbridge overlooking … Continue reading Rudy Frimmel, Where Art Thou?
It’s that time of year again. I gave my last lecture this week before final exams and graduation. One class applauded and many in my other class came up afterward to shake my hand. I am telling you this, because … Continue reading Tough Teaching
I don’t have a bucket list. I don’t want to climb Mount Everest, swim to Cuba, or sleep in a yurt (or with a yak). However, I find the idea of pitching an inning in a major league baseball game … Continue reading Stand-Up, Now Sit Down
I did something this week that I have not done in twenty years of teaching: I walked out of class. I didn’t do it on the spur of the moment. Like a troubled marriage, things had been leading up to … Continue reading Hissy Fit 101
