Artificial Intelligence

Hello from breakfast on a Monday morning, I am sitting in Cracker Barrel waiting on my breakfast. The weekend was consumed by reading, commenting, grading, and is generally the case, there was some moaning, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, with some of that now occurring on the other side of the blank stare. My classContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence”

Examining a Changing Academy

Hello from my upstairs office, As I move into my last month of teaching during the academic year, and there is an additional four week summer course to manage, I find myself stepping back to reflect on what being involved in some kind of teaching since 1992 has shown. When I took that first positionContinue reading “Examining a Changing Academy”

Tragic Brilliance

Hello from my morning office hours, When I first arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, I was excited by the opportunity to take what I learned about technology and writing, to use what I had experienced as a technical writer and trainer for both Chrysler Corporation and Gateway Computers, and to apply both theory andContinue reading “Tragic Brilliance”

Unexpected Gift – Unexpected Time

Hello from my office in Bakeless, As I said to a couple of people today, it has been a long week today, or perhaps a long month this week (and it is only Tuesday). I know there was a full-moon, a snow moon, over the weekend, but it seems that its shadow is messing withContinue reading “Unexpected Gift – Unexpected Time”

More than a Number

Hello from my living room, It is quiet and peaceful; I returned from a wonderful family Christmas, back in Iowa for the holiday for the first time in a decade. Currently, the music is off; the fireplace is burning softly; and I closed my eyes for a brief minute or two. At the moment, afterContinue reading “More than a Number”

Can I be the Other?

Hello from the office in Bakeless, It is the beginning of my 15th year here in the PASSHE. What is in an acronym? This state system . . . these institutions of higher education. Fortunately, a former colleague, Joan Navarre, one of UW-Stout colleagues, offered me an article about being a student in the universityContinue reading “Can I be the Other?”

Immortality Isn’t

Hello on the traditional end of summer, Queue up your favorite Eagles tune or claim to be a “parrothead” even if all you know is “cheeseburger in paradise” or “Margaritaville,” but the last couple months have rocked (pun intended) my musical world. While other members of the Eagles had already passed, the weekend news, informingContinue reading “Immortality Isn’t”

Someone to Believe

Hello from a Mediterranean Coffee Shop, We are down to hours left in the class portion of the semester and finals begin on Monday. I remember customarily feeling both anticipation and exhaustion as I faced the impending end of every semester. Part of it was pouring everything I had most of the time into everyContinue reading “Someone to Believe”

Lonely as a Cloud

Hello at the end of a long day, I have been in my office most of the day working, and there is more to do, but my eyes are tired. Working to review student’s submitted work can be exhilarating and exasperating in the same moment. I am excited when I labor through a cover letterContinue reading “Lonely as a Cloud”

Facing Mental Illness with Compassion

Hello from a quiet table and pondering the struggle of so many, This past week I have been confronted with two specific incidences where a person certainly struggles with some form of mental illness. Let me begin with two important facts. I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist, nor do I have an MSW.Continue reading “Facing Mental Illness with Compassion”