Archive for the ‘ Diurnal dribble ’ Category

Car drivers hate me

I like to think I’m a pretty safe and responsible driver and bicyclist. Maybe that’s why car drivers hate me. Last weekend driving back from hiking in the Gunks, I was honked at and flashed for several non-offenses. But that was just a warm up for what just happened on my bike ride. I ride pretty [ READ MORE ]

New director for UP?

I believe I overheard after my defense that Lance will be taking over the director position from Bob. Might have misheard. [ READ MORE ]

And then they called me “Doctor”

They interrogated me for almost two hours, and I don’t feel that my answers were sufficient. But they sent me out of the room for fifteen minutes, and when they welcomed me back in, it was “Congratulations, Dr. Potter”. And then it was immediately on to “Here are the minor revisions you have to make” [ READ MORE ]

Optimism may well be warranted

I just spoke with Susan to determine whether or not we would be able to use Skype in my defense. Along the way, of course, there was no way not to talk in general about the dissertation. She described it variously as “wonderful” and “a model thesis, in fact”. I believe that indicates that optimism [ READ MORE ]

And then it was done

Somehow I have managed to finish, distribute, and file the appropriate paperwork today. The dissertation is done, gone, finis, complete, out of my hands. For now. All 250 bound pages are on their way to my committee. And all I can do is wait now. Corners were cut and words were minced, but it’s done. Gone. [ READ MORE ]

No go dae

I just heard from Korea University (Godae) that I didn’t pass the first screening. Fortunately, this saves me from scrambling even more over the next couple of days to send them a hard copy of basically everything I’ve ever written, including the yet-to-be completed dissertation. I was a bit bummed out that I didn’t even make [ READ MORE ]

Flooding everywhere

Folks, I’ve been busy. I’ve been flooded with work. It seems that I’ve somehow committed myself to defending my yet unfinished dissertation on May 14th. That means I have exactly three weeks to get it done, while I teach my class. So I’m off the grid for the next three weeks. However, I couldn’t keep from [ READ MORE ]

Claude Levi-Strauss RIP

The Financial Times has an interesting tribute to Claude Levi-Strauss, who passed away in the fall at 100 years old. It’s by the same folks who brought you Logicomix. [ READ MORE ]

Solo time is almost over

Frankly, it’s been pretty wonderful to have a break from the chaos of kid life. I’ve had much more personal time. I’ve been able to get out and exercise. I haven’t had to wash baby bottles. I haven’t had to schedule my life around Sienna’s needs. But I just got an anticipatory thrill when I [ READ MORE ]

Geraldo Pino

I just purchased my first album in probably years. “Heavy Heavy Heavy” by Geraldo Pino & The Heartbeats is now funking away. This is the music that turned Fela Kuti from high-life to afro-beat by introducing him to the James Brown sound. And I’ve been immersing myself deeply in Fela for a few weeks. One fun [ READ MORE ]

Easy or hard?

A student today said to me: “I’ve had harder classes that were easier.” I’m still trying to figure out what he meant, but I don’t think it was a terribly positive assessment! [ READ MORE ]

Alive!

So I had a novel experience today in the wake of Columbine, Virginia Tech, and other school shootings. A student had scrawled on a bathroom stall something about killing students today in Hickman Hall. That’s where my class is. After the police carefully inspected my bag, I made it to class to find a intrepid dozen. [ READ MORE ]

A bad situation is a good situation

So now things have gotten into about as much of a mess as they can. An hour ago, just before the start of a long weekend, the day care office called to tell me—not that they would be opening on Tuesday, as I had put faith in—but on March 1. March 1 is six weeks [ READ MORE ]

2010 starting up rough

Happy New Year! Should be a wonderful year and decade. But it’s not starting that way! Jan. 1 I managed to accidentally erase my website, including the theme. I’m just recovering now, so expect anomalous appearances and behaviors for a while. The bright side of this (despite the bad timing) is that I’ve needed to update [ READ MORE ]

UP prof allegedly punches coworker

Well, I wasn’t going to blog this ugly event (to which JS brought my attention), but seeing as the NYPost has picked it up in addition to the NYTimes and as it’s on the front page of reddit.com, I guess I can mention it briefly. I consider Mac, the professor in the dispute, to be [ READ MORE ]