Song of the Day - Holding On by The War on Drugs

I love this song.

Great in its own right, but it reminds me in a pleasant way of "Touch of Grey" by The Grateful Dead.

I just watched the video for the first time. It made me cry.

Presentation of Snack in Everyday Life (Syllabus Break Edition)

Straight from the cutting board, no plate required.

Better believe I'll eat the leaves on celery piece #2. Been doing it since Grandma Schoepflin gave me celery for snack when I was a kid.

Now let me pretend these are Doritos and get back to syllabus making.

Syllabus Procrastination Syndrome

There is only one know cure for treating Syllabus Procrastination Syndrome.

It is, quite simply, To Put In The Work.

*closes e-mail*

*stops pretending to deep clean the house*

*stops eating*

*stops guzzling coffee*

*stops annoying spouse with texts*

*stops walking from room to room finding anything else but syllabus construction to do*

*wraps up this blog post*

*turns on pleasant music*

......and..........

*GOES TO WORK*

Public Speaking Goals (Inspired by Oprah)

I still kick myself for a weak speech I gave several years ago. My time slot was 3-4 minutes. I was addressing the incoming first-year class of students at orientation. It was a big deal for me, truly honored. I had my Say Anything reference ready to go. But it took at least one full minute for my voice to warm up. I hit that mic colder than a Buffalo winter. By the time I found my voice, the speech was nearly over. I still managed to describe college as a "dare to be great situation," but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. Any speech since then, I've coached myself to hit that mic sounding as strong as possible. No seconds to spare. I public speak all the time in the classroom -- but I've got 55 or 80 minutes depending on class time, so I have a few minutes to warm up and stretch out. Not the case when your time is so limited.

All this to say Oprah was excellent from the get go at the 2018 Golden Globes. The part that especially stood out to me is when she got a standing ovation after landing the powerful phrase "their time is up" -- at the 6:43 mark. Less than 7 minutes to get a roaring ovation!! Note how effective she was in saying "time is up" in 3 different ways. Brilliant. 99.9% of us will never be as talented as Oprah and will never be able to deliver a speech like this, but still we can try to learn from her. When it comes to a short speech, there is no time to waste in trying to hook an audience and no time to rev up your voice. Go hard from jump street and do what you came to do. Channel Oprah!

Presentation of Snack in Everyday Life (Glorious Radishes Edition)

So delicious.

No dressing or dip required.

If you have a friend who works for the Radish Advertising Council, should such a thing exist, please let your friend know it's my dream to endorse radishes. Any payment would be used to pay down my student loans.

Tweet of the Day (Bumper Sticker Edition)

Lately, I'm seeing the bumper sticker Proud to Stand for Our National Anthem

Here, immersed in suburbia, I doubt I'll see one that says Proud to Take a Knee Because I'm Concerned about Inequality

Presentation of Lunch in Everyday Life (Tuna Wrap Version)

I strive to capture mundane moments in life. 

Is there anything more mundane than a tuna wrap with potato chips for lunch?

Wish I had bought radishes when I was at the store. This plate needs bright color.