Phase 2: The Re-Crappening

In my mind, all relationships require some level of emotional work to maintain them. It only becomes “emotional labor” when there is an imbalance. If things are reasonably equitable, it’s not a big deal to support a friend/partner who is struggling. But when one person is consistently needier/unable to manage their…

“Cherry Poppins”

In these troubled times, it’s uplifting to know we can come together and shit on Nicholas Sparks at a moment’s notice.

I would have more sympathy for the viewpoint that the “student” (she’s actually an alumna now) in question was looking for intellectually challenging books if the other Common Read books were actual Man Booker prize winners. But they’re not. We’re talking about stuff like Ready Player One here. The singling-out of…

Look, this is why this shit is a big deal. YA novels aren’t some kind of frivolous bullshit that isn’t worth reading because they aren’t The Great American Novel. If you’re at a university to challenge yourself academically, the Common Read isn’t the only place you can do that, and telling everyone that you joined a…

Agreed. If someone is naturally adopting a different accent, I wouldn’t expect them to seem like they are having to concentrate to use that accent. Madonna seemed like she would be focusing on trying to use an RP accent, but then drop the accent when her focus slipped.

I do the exact opposite; I stand up as soon as the plane takes off

The airline movies are heavily edited.  Think basic cable or even a CBS version.

I assume some day I’ll be able to see Anna Chlumsky on screen and not sob and picture her yelling “Where are his glasses? He can’t see without his glasses!” But that day is not yet here.

Ah, but the real question that needs to be answered is......to what restaurants can you bring these dolls? (For the non-oldtimers, that’s an homage to former Gawker/Jezebel writer Caity Weaver.)

I spent six years of my career teaching in a 100-year-old school building. Yes, it was haunted af. No, I did not believe in ghosts when I started. Yes, I do now.

He did a great interview on Fresh Air last week.

True fact: Pete actually has an average penis, but he does have a 9 inch tongue and breathes through his ears.

If someone put these notes up in my office I wouldn’t feel targeted.

HOLY BALLZ!

If I was that administrator and a male student approached me “fearing” for his safety, after a series of notes that called out NOBODY in particular for being a rapist...

I would... pat that little f’er on the head and tell him that it will all be okay... while dialing the local sex crime unit with my other…

If someone feels attacked by a note calling out rapists, perhaps some self-reflection is in order...?

You do not talk to me like that!! I work too hard to deal with this stuff!! I work too hard!! I’m a Division Manager in charge of 49 people!! I drive a Dodge Stratus!!

In addition to the other works mentioned, there’s a somewhat obscure (except to Lit majors) Victorian novel called The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. It’s simultaneously a really creepy gothic ghost story/mystery and an even more creepy snapshot of bizarre Victorian-era madonna-whore issues around female identity.