Movin' on Up!

Well, folks - I'm moving my blog over to a new place!

Come by and see me there and please update your blogrolls!

Official Call for a K'zoo Blogger Meet-Up!

Okay - Dr. Virago has graciously said that she wouldn't mind being the contact person for our K'zoo blogger meet-up in May.

If you're interested, please stop by Dr. Virago's blog and chime in on preferences, etc.

Hope to see everyone there!!

True Story

The following did not happen to me. Even though I usually blog about my own teaching anecdotes, I've reached a point in the semester where I just kind of don't care whether they're good in class or not. We're all kind of getting through the last couple of weeks - treading water - and it's fine.

But, I'm sharing this slightly summarized email from the student of one of the Dutchman's colleagues. This prof is teaching a large undergrad foundation course in their field - plenty of students all being introduced to the particular subject for the first time. This isn't like a Freshman 101 course, but it's still a gen ed thing for the major. The Dutchman (and hence his colleague) is in the social sciences - there's math involved with this particular field and in this course, you gotta know like basic calculus, etc. (I know absolutely none of it). But it's nothing over the top - kind of like needing to know what a thesis statement is if you're taking a 100 or 200 level English lit course.

So, yesterday, D's colleague gets an email from one of his students (I'd say there's between 70-80 in this class) about ten minutes after class ends. He says to the prof:

Dear Prof. X,
I'm very concerned about the level of calculus and statistics we're supposed to know for this class. I'm feeling like I'm not doing well in this regard, so I'm writing to ask you to slow down the pace of the course to the level that I'm at. I trust that you'll make the necessary adjustments to your teaching style. If not, I will have to notify professors in your department who are of a higher teaching rank.

All best,
Jackass (that's my addition...)

Can you believe that? Like I said, the skills needed for this course are basic and are not even remotely above the level of this class! Basically, D's colleague emailed the kid back and was like, "This is the course and this is the pace of the course. Feel free to consult any professors in my department who are of any rank you like."

What a cheeky little pidgeon this nitwit is!!

Kalamazoo Blogapalooza Call

I know this might be a bit early, but I just registered for the conference and so it's on my mind - is there anything in the pipeline for a blogger meet-up and/or blogger panel at K'zoo this year? I'd like to get in on that awesome medieval blogger action!

A Letter

Dear Hilaire,

Why have you gone? Why did you not take me with you? Why have you left me bereft of pets and attention? You know my parents never give me any love or tidbits of ham...

Although you have gone, I forgive you and still want you to be part of my staff....er, entourage. I will be on the next bus arriving tomorrow.

Can't wait to be adored by you again soon!

Purr, purr....

Furball #1

P.S. Mom says she had a lovely time during you visit, too. But she neglects me, so I'm not sure she's trustworthy... :)

Random Bits O'Fluff

1) Almost half way through my grading...
2) Hilaire comes in only 2 hours for a fun overnight stay! D and I are taking her out to dinner and then, who knows?
3) The Little Girl Who Lives Next Door turns 7 today - her parents are having a party for her and there are all these cute kiddos running amok in the back yard. AND they hired a reptile guy to come to the party! No pansy balloon clowns here....

Friday Recipe Blogging - Blarney Stone Edition

Because I missed recipe blogging in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day last week, I'm giving you a "better late than never and who needs a holiday to cook with Irish whiskey?" recipe.

Gaelic Steak

- 4 fillet steaks (4-6 oz. each)
- 2 oz. butter
- 2 tbsps. shallots or green onions - finely chopped
- 1/4 lb. (4 oz.) mushrooms - sliced
- 1/2 pint double cream (or whipping cream - don't skimp!)
- 1/4 pint (4. oz) Irish whiskey
- salt
- freshly ground black peppercorns
- 1 tbsps. finely chopped parsley (garnish)

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large frying pan.
2. Add the steaks and saute quickly, turning once (about 1 1/2 minutes each side - or however long until they're cooked the way you like them). Season with salt and pepper.
3. Remove steaks to heatproof dish and keep warm.
4. Add chopped shallots and mushrooms to frying pan, saute until tender.
5. Add cream and Irish whiskey; cook over medium heat until sauce is reduced by half.
6. Pour sauce over steaks, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.