I'm teaching a creative nonfiction workshop this semester, which excites me and makes me nervous. This is the first upper-level course I've taught at my current university, and it is populated mostly with graduating seniors, who, though good students, are more focused on getting the heck out of here than on the intricacies of my... Continue Reading →
Today
I am lucky enough to have a comp class this semester in which the students regularly push each other to be better writers and thinkers; I often just sit back and watch what happens. They're spoiling me, and I'm grateful for the experience. I'll stop being obnoxious now.
So that’s why I do it. . .
I love to teach. More specifically, I love to teach writing. Truly. Although it is work-intensive and tiring at times, I actually feel energized when I'm in the classroom. . .usually. Occasionally, though, I wonder if I'm any good at what I've chosen to do, especially when classes don't go as smoothly as I hoped.... Continue Reading →
Wordle
I've been meaning to use Wordle to create a word cloud representation of my dissertation; here it is, finally (click on the image to go to a larger version of the cloud). And here's what the cloud looks like for this blog: Interesting, yes?
In a holding pattern
So it's almost July, and I'm trying to gauge just how productive I've been this summer; as I told a colleague yesterday, this summer has been about the 3 "R"s for me--reading, writing, and redecorating the house. I've been doing things here and there, but I don't really feel like I've totally finished any huge... Continue Reading →
Life in Oklahoma
Just because I like this whole "slideshow" option in WordPress, I thought I'd post some random pics I've taken of things unique to this region: I've included (not necessarily in this order) a working oil well next to a McDonald's in Oklahoma City; a gas well (which is much smaller than the huge oil wells... Continue Reading →
Here’s to hoping I have green thumbs
So Dave and I decided to plant a vegetable garden this summer: I have very little experience with growing anything, really. My parents always had landscapers growing up, and though mom did start growing peppers and tomatoes on the deck a few years ago, I was already out of the house, so I wasn't around... Continue Reading →
So it’s been a while. . .
The C&W conference was great--I feel invigorated as a teacher and researcher, even if I'm still recuperating physically (there was always something happening during my few days in Ann Arbor). I got to attend some interesting and thought-provoking panels, mini-workshops, and roundtables. My head is swimming with new ideas, such as using Megazine with my... Continue Reading →
And away I go
I will be heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the Computers and Writing Conference tomorrow afternoon. I'll be there until Sunday, and I'll present on Saturday morning. This is my first time going to C&W, and I'm a little nervous--I decided to do a "conversation starter" presentation, which is a little different from typical conference... Continue Reading →
On essaying and commonplacing
For a long time, the title of this blog was "Academic?" The question mark revealed a simultaneously serious and tongue-in-cheek interrogation of my"life choice" to pursue a career in academia. I questioned whether or not the material I wrote (here and in my dissertation) was "academic" enough, while also questioning whether or not I was... Continue Reading →
essaying the plains 