Monday, September 1, 2008
New Blog
Professor Pope's blog has returned home, with a new format and better content. Update your readers to http://professorpope.com/blog
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday Updates Have Moved!
Part of rethinking the blog has led me to decide to post pure family stuff on Eleanor's Place. You can check it out and leave comments about our crazy weekend there!
Friday, July 4, 2008
The things you don't think you'll miss
Eleanor is stirring now, at 6:45 AM. That's sleeping late for her. I got up close to my usual time, so I had some quiet time alone in the morning. As I made my tea, I was thinking I used to make my tea even earlier, after getting her back to sleep at 5:00 AM or getting up WITH her at 5:30. Some part of me missed that.
Sarah felt the same way yesterday. We visited our friend Jeannie, who just had a baby three weeks ago. Little Ethan fell asleep in Sarah's arms. When we got home, Eleanor needed a nap, so Sarah let her fall asleep in her arms in the rocking chair and held her while she slept. That's something we've been weaning her from for months. There was a time when Eleanor would ONLY nap in our arms. That got old pretty quickly, but Ethan reminded her that it's also nice once in awhile.
You don't think you will miss getting up at 5:00 AM or being chained to the couch while the baby naps, but you do.
Sarah felt the same way yesterday. We visited our friend Jeannie, who just had a baby three weeks ago. Little Ethan fell asleep in Sarah's arms. When we got home, Eleanor needed a nap, so Sarah let her fall asleep in her arms in the rocking chair and held her while she slept. That's something we've been weaning her from for months. There was a time when Eleanor would ONLY nap in our arms. That got old pretty quickly, but Ethan reminded her that it's also nice once in awhile.
You don't think you will miss getting up at 5:00 AM or being chained to the couch while the baby naps, but you do.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Maelstorm of Discontent
I am not sure where that title came from -- it bubbled up in my head as I was wrestling with whether or not to write a blog entry. The discontent is really with myself -- my blogging and writing. Today hasn't been a good day for reinforcement, either, as a proposal I submitted was rejected (and I thought it was a shoe-in). I have been thinking hard about writing, my personal and professional life, communication, and blogging lately. I am still trying to sort it all out.
I want to write. I am trying to think of myself as a writer first. I HAVE to write for my job, or else no tenure for Professor Pope. But I don't want to just write academic stuff. So, what then? I am fortunate enough to be in a job that leaves me room for non-academic writing. But I am still a bit lost about what that writing should be like and how I should get it out there. Do I blog it all? Should I have a blog with a tighter focus -- writings on some general topic or another?
I am still pretty confused about all of this, as you can tell. That confusion is the explanation for the absence of blogging for the past 10 days or so.
I want to write. I am trying to think of myself as a writer first. I HAVE to write for my job, or else no tenure for Professor Pope. But I don't want to just write academic stuff. So, what then? I am fortunate enough to be in a job that leaves me room for non-academic writing. But I am still a bit lost about what that writing should be like and how I should get it out there. Do I blog it all? Should I have a blog with a tighter focus -- writings on some general topic or another?
I am still pretty confused about all of this, as you can tell. That confusion is the explanation for the absence of blogging for the past 10 days or so.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Don't go to graduate school?!
Penelope Trunk's recent blog entry lists seven reasons why graduate school is outdated.
As someone who invested considerable money and most of his 20's in graduate school, I was a bit miffed at the article. I think it grossly oversimplifies things and has a narrow focus masquerading behind a broad pronouncement that looks good as a headline. In short, it's a perfect blog entry :)
One big issue is that it seems she is defining "graduate school" in terms of law school and MBA programs. In those contexts, her advice makes a lot more sense. But even law school evades most of her advice, because there is simply no way to become a lawyer without going to graduate school. Just like there is simply no way to become a college professor or doctor without going to graduate school. So if you want to be one of those things, graduate school is necessary, not outdated.
Really, the good advice contained in the article is don't depend on graduate school to solve your problems. Grad school is a bad place to figure out what you want to do in life or to take refuge from poor job options. That's good advice. Grad school (of any kind) is too hard and too expensive to do it just because you can't think of anything better to do. I tell my students who are struggling with figuring out their path that all they really need to do is find someway to support themselves while the figure it out. There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of later, when the direction has become clearer.
As someone who invested considerable money and most of his 20's in graduate school, I was a bit miffed at the article. I think it grossly oversimplifies things and has a narrow focus masquerading behind a broad pronouncement that looks good as a headline. In short, it's a perfect blog entry :)
One big issue is that it seems she is defining "graduate school" in terms of law school and MBA programs. In those contexts, her advice makes a lot more sense. But even law school evades most of her advice, because there is simply no way to become a lawyer without going to graduate school. Just like there is simply no way to become a college professor or doctor without going to graduate school. So if you want to be one of those things, graduate school is necessary, not outdated.
Really, the good advice contained in the article is don't depend on graduate school to solve your problems. Grad school is a bad place to figure out what you want to do in life or to take refuge from poor job options. That's good advice. Grad school (of any kind) is too hard and too expensive to do it just because you can't think of anything better to do. I tell my students who are struggling with figuring out their path that all they really need to do is find someway to support themselves while the figure it out. There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of later, when the direction has become clearer.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A wireless world
Right now I am sitting outside of Panera, sipping green tea and working on my online course. I think it's pretty cool that I am able to work without being in the office, especially on a nice morning like this one. The heat has abated a little bit; the high today is only supposed to be 85 or so. Now there is a nice breeze and it is 70ish.
Panera is also apparently a Winthrop hangout. I've seen two other faculty members since I have been here.
I just think it is cool that I am able to do this; to come to a cafe (even a chain) to get my work done. My internet course has been pretty frustrating so far, with lots of technical issues form my students. But an advantage is I can "teach" from anywhere that has internet access. As I was brainstorming where I should go this morning, I realized that Rock Hill is actually set up nicely on this front. All of downtown has free wireless. The big new park and soccer complex, Manchaester Meadows, does as well. So does Glencarin Gardens. Panera has free access and so does Mcallister's Deli, I think. Winthrop is partially covered, but there are pretty big dead spots. And the reason I didn't stay at Winthrop and go outside to work is there aren't really any outside tables. That will hopefully be rectified when the new student center gets built. The spec drawings, at least, have lots of tables outside.
South Carolina has the opportunity to become a free wireless state, but there is considerable consternation in the legislature about the hows and whys and whethers. I don't know enough to get into all the tech and policy aspects of it, but it seems to rest on the question of whether internet access is a public good. Is it something that will benefit everyone to the extent that everyone deserves access and shares the associated costs (like, say, radio)? Ideologically, I would answer yes to that question, realizing that there are still technical issues to wrestle with. Given the recent trend toward the privatization of everything, especially in my conservative state that seems to be the duly designated colony of lots of far-right groups (external groups forcing the voucher issue and various religious groups), I am not optimistic about the possibility of wireless as a public utility. But I can still enjoy my wireless office this morning.
Panera is also apparently a Winthrop hangout. I've seen two other faculty members since I have been here.
I just think it is cool that I am able to do this; to come to a cafe (even a chain) to get my work done. My internet course has been pretty frustrating so far, with lots of technical issues form my students. But an advantage is I can "teach" from anywhere that has internet access. As I was brainstorming where I should go this morning, I realized that Rock Hill is actually set up nicely on this front. All of downtown has free wireless. The big new park and soccer complex, Manchaester Meadows, does as well. So does Glencarin Gardens. Panera has free access and so does Mcallister's Deli, I think. Winthrop is partially covered, but there are pretty big dead spots. And the reason I didn't stay at Winthrop and go outside to work is there aren't really any outside tables. That will hopefully be rectified when the new student center gets built. The spec drawings, at least, have lots of tables outside.
South Carolina has the opportunity to become a free wireless state, but there is considerable consternation in the legislature about the hows and whys and whethers. I don't know enough to get into all the tech and policy aspects of it, but it seems to rest on the question of whether internet access is a public good. Is it something that will benefit everyone to the extent that everyone deserves access and shares the associated costs (like, say, radio)? Ideologically, I would answer yes to that question, realizing that there are still technical issues to wrestle with. Given the recent trend toward the privatization of everything, especially in my conservative state that seems to be the duly designated colony of lots of far-right groups (external groups forcing the voucher issue and various religious groups), I am not optimistic about the possibility of wireless as a public utility. But I can still enjoy my wireless office this morning.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Some random but cool links
Brazen Careerist -- The Hook ran her column when we lived in Charlottesville. I always found it pretty interesting advice. This column on "Mommy Porn" is pretty provocative, but I agree with most of it.
Sandie has a cool blog at GeekedOff.
Trucker Steve is pretty interesting. He's a trucker who does live webcam stuff and blogging from the road.
From the Department of Giant Time Wasting is a new Planet Defender game.
Sandie has a cool blog at GeekedOff.
Trucker Steve is pretty interesting. He's a trucker who does live webcam stuff and blogging from the road.
From the Department of Giant Time Wasting is a new Planet Defender game.
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