Sometimes you just wake up full of don’t wanna, and I’m thankful that this morning, I don’t haveta. I have a university Zoom town hall at 10:30, talking about the fall semester (sigh). But until then, I’ve put on comfy pj’s, gotten myself coffee and meds and two seeni sambol buns, and returned to bed …
Podcasting notes! Help needed. This morning, I spent two hours + online with Benjamin Rosenbaum, recording the first in what we hope will turn into a podcast. A few notes & questions from the experience: – we still don’t have a title, even though we were supposed to spend the time brainstorming the title; we’re going …
Moments from a pandemic: Anand, shouting in delight just now: “Oranges!” (we got a grocery delivery last night; we’d been getting a little short on fresh fruit, and were definitely feeling it) Roshani reminding me that we’re entering acceleration phase, and no, I really don’t need to go to the garden store right now, seriously, …
It is really a lovely part of my job when I read an essay and I get to write back to the student that not only are they getting an A, but I think they should consider submitting it to Tor.com or Strange Horizons…
Kavi was chilly this morning and I told her to put on socks and she said her feet weren’t cold and I told her heat radiates out of our heads and feet, so if she covers them, she’ll stay warmer overall. I’m not sure she believed me, but she dutifully went upstairs, and came back …
For the record, I suspect a TON of faculty are probably feeling a lot of shock, inadequacy, tech fear, and performance anxiety right now, along with all the rest of the coronavirus stress of the general populace. I know basically what I need to do to teach a couple remote classes, and I’ve been bizarrely …
I stopped by Sugar Beet Co-op this afternoon to get spices that I can toast in preparation for my Feast event there this Friday. From 4-7, I’ll be at a counter showing people how to grind spices to make a curry powder mix, and just talking about spices and South Asian food in general. I thought about …
Amherst has just closed its campus for the semester. I’m seeing a lot of stress on various college parent pages, a lot of uncertainty, and while I am no expert (I’m not sure anyone really is right now), I think most of the colleges and universities will be closing campuses soon, switching to remote learning, …
One thing that frustrates me about universities and colleges that don’t close their campuses, is that administrators are likely looking to the public schools for a cue, in a cover-your-ass type move. But that is exactly wrong. However hard it will be to close college campuses and switch to remote learning, it is FAR harder …
Not everyone who will need to work or study remotely has reliable internet access. As a public service note, and as a member of my library board, I’d like to make sure folks know that the Oak Park libraries (and parks) all have free WiFi, and will also allow you to check out a WiFi …
