Yeah, this was oddly enchanting. I really liked 'Alice' as well.

This is awesome advice! I am taking a page from last year (where I was supposed to get writing done while teaching and didn't, to my chagrin) and being very protective of writing time.

It was strange having my own office at first, but oh my goodness it feels essential. It's so nice to have a place to work, and somewhere to leave 'work' at, so I can go home and relax at the end of the day!

Beginning of School Year (stress) thread

I'll watch it if you start watching Rectify.

Definitely, definitely friends! We're both married and have kids. Which on one hand should make 'friends' the only option, but then again, for some folks, I guess it doesn't. I mentioned that I'd called him to my husband.

Honestly, I felt a little awkward/guilty for even enjoying talking to him (I wasn't sure if it was latent 'chemistry' or not, but we were right back to joking around like old friends), but I also am thinking 'well, even without past stuff, I'd still like to be friends', so perhaps that tips it. I just couldn't tell if…

Should I or Shouldn't I Thread

I suppose I'll watch the first episode, but truth be told I was done with PR after the Mondo-Gretchen debacle. I'm definitely looking forward to the recaps on Tom & Lorenzo, though-they write insightful commentary and it's far more interesting than the lame drama on the show itself.

Oh gosh, lots of thoughts I guess-it seems strange to type them out since I rarely talk about this kind of stuff and feel a little inarticulate (and therefore defensive).

No, I'm not. I'm trying to read another person's point of view. I'm not trying to pick sides or judge or anything. I can certainly speak to the difference between 'Al Jolson, 1927' and 'Al Jolson, 2014' myself, but I'd rather hear what someone else thinks. Crazy that someone might actually not have an agenda other…

Ok.

Historically, minstrel performances were partly a way to 'test' the acceptability of African American performance and music for white audiences. Yes, it's frustrating to watch something like the Jazz Singer now, but when I teach this film I always remind students that there is something of an homage there. There's…

I've been wavering on giving this show a try, but I think I'm going to stay away because of this-I can't stand the 'oh, you just don't get it' defense. People who seem to like the show are folks who have posted maybe once or twice (and only about this show), but those who have valid reasons for calling out the…

I've re-watched all of the videos released thus far and re-giggled at them, but this one is slightly different. I actually just like the song itself, and the funny lyrics (and fantastic animation) are kind of a bonus- usually with Weird Al I appreciate what he's responding to in pop culture first and then the…

I'm not as familiar with the parody source material as I am for the other songs that have come out this week, but I like this very much on its own merit.

Yeah, this attack is really unwarranted. As everyone is, you're entitled to your opinion, and you have the right to like what you like. I happen to like the Pixies but it was an acquired taste for me, as was Sonic Youth back when I was in high school.

I have a toddler, and it's so much easier to buy toys and let him watch stuff on Amazon Instant that we end up saving quite a bit with Prime (it's also great for Christmas). We also moved from Chicago to a small town recently and there are quite a few odds and ends that are available on Amazon that we can't find…

Unfortunately, yep. At least that's how I read it.

'Of course it's my hair-I paid for it!'