I’ve been thinking about superheroes. Superman might be able to stop crime in Metropolis and Spiderman might take good care of Queens, but they can’t be everywhere all at once. So, they must prioritize. A petty criminal is not a “job for Superman,” but Lex Luthor’s plans for world domination require his full attention. Even … Continue reading Good Guys
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Second Chances
Sometimes the sequel isn’t as good as the original. In my freshman year, I earned an A in the first semester of the course, but when part two came around in the second semester, I became cocky. I missed several classes and did not complete many of the assignments. At the end of the semester, … Continue reading Second Chances
Lethality
A fable based on stated desires. If you are triggered by violence, please do not read this. An automated black SUV pulled up to the suburban home of the Secretary of War. Its doors opened and four fully armed robots leapt to their feet. Simultaneously, two robotic dogs deployed from the back hatch. Headset chatter … Continue reading Lethality
Excuse Me
When our kids were in school, I often asked them if they knew why they didn’t get the grade they wanted. I’m sure they found my question annoying to say the least. Yet, I think it’s important to understand whether they were tired, weren’t feeling well, didn’t study enough, misread a question, or just made … Continue reading Excuse Me
Off With Their Heads!
In October of 2016, four members of the music faculty, including me, were told their positions were being eliminated, effective at the beginning of the next academic year. We were called in for a morning meeting, the president announced the decision, and we were sent on our way. I remember two of my colleagues went … Continue reading Off With Their Heads!
Odyssey-Us
“He prayeth best who loveth best / All things, both great and small: / For the dear God who loveth us, / He made and loveth all.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge Miss Broscious, my 9th grade English teacher, did her best to introduce us to Greek mythology and a few plays of William Shakespeare. Apparently, … Continue reading Odyssey-Us
Turn the Page
Two years ago, my father died. Mom passed away a few years before that. I’ve been living with a combination of grief and relief for 8 years. While I miss them both, I’m not overwhelmed by their passing, because in some ways they (and I) had already moved on by the time they officially left … Continue reading Turn the Page
Shortcuts
As far as one of my professors was concerned the worst invention of all time was the Xerox machine. His reasoning: while moveable type made the wide dissemination of knowledge possible, the Xerox machine made it easy to copy information without interacting with it. “When you read a book, or listen and take notes, you … Continue reading Shortcuts
Spectacular!
An Independence Day Meditation Part of playing in a high school band was marching in parades. Memorial Day. Independence Day. Veterans Day. And whatever “day” the band director said we would play. Parades are for families, children, veterans, dignitaries, and those who want to make a show of being there. Parades are pageantry. They commemorate … Continue reading Spectacular!
Memorials
“Who am I anyway? Am I my resumé?” – from “I Hope I Get It” (A Chorus Line) Hamlisch and Kleban, 1975. There are many ways to “make your mark” on the world. And based on what I was taught, there are only a few good ways to do this. Think of the names we … Continue reading Memorials
