Miscellany
Nov. 2nd, 2012 08:33 pm1. I can state plainly that I am more confused about my current research problem today than I was a week ago. Every time I investigate something further, something unexpected happens. Normally, that's fun - but I'm not getting even a glimmer of pattern out of it.
2. My request for offsite access to my office computer has gone through. I had thought it would involve downloading software to both my office and home computers, but apparently it's just a gateway; if I understand correctly, I should be able to access it from anywhere. I may be able to tinker with my research when I'm in California!
3. Even though I'm only teaching T/Th this semester, I've been on campus every day this week. I can unequivocally say, though, that I won't be going in next Wednesday. (I expect Tuesday to be a long night....)
4. I'm rereading Meluch's Tour of the Merrimack series. Not great writing, but pretty good space opera. There are occasional flashes of unexpected humor. (Lt. Col. Steele to a confused underling: "You have a brain! Use it!" She protests that she's trying as hard as she can. He calls out the name of one of her men and hands him the confusing instructions. "Make this happen!" He turns back to her, points with his thumb: "That!" She replies, suddenly enlightened: "Oh, that brain! Yes, sir!")
5. I'm also well into Master of the Senate, volume 3 of Caro's life of LBJ. (A few days ago, a bus driver saw me with it and asked if it was any good. I assured her that it was; she told me she'd seen Caro on TV, and had been intrigued by his description of the book.) It is, indeed, interesting; Caro doesn't let the reader get away with a black-and-white picture of any of the people he describes. His discussion of the MacArthur hearings, after the general was recalled from Korea, is very interesting indeed. (His discussion of Leland Olds' confirmation hearing, masterminded by LBJ, is simply horrifying.)
6. And a tip of the hat to![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mmegaera - kudos for the good newspaper review of her latest novel!
2. My request for offsite access to my office computer has gone through. I had thought it would involve downloading software to both my office and home computers, but apparently it's just a gateway; if I understand correctly, I should be able to access it from anywhere. I may be able to tinker with my research when I'm in California!
3. Even though I'm only teaching T/Th this semester, I've been on campus every day this week. I can unequivocally say, though, that I won't be going in next Wednesday. (I expect Tuesday to be a long night....)
4. I'm rereading Meluch's Tour of the Merrimack series. Not great writing, but pretty good space opera. There are occasional flashes of unexpected humor. (Lt. Col. Steele to a confused underling: "You have a brain! Use it!" She protests that she's trying as hard as she can. He calls out the name of one of her men and hands him the confusing instructions. "Make this happen!" He turns back to her, points with his thumb: "That!" She replies, suddenly enlightened: "Oh, that brain! Yes, sir!")
5. I'm also well into Master of the Senate, volume 3 of Caro's life of LBJ. (A few days ago, a bus driver saw me with it and asked if it was any good. I assured her that it was; she told me she'd seen Caro on TV, and had been intrigued by his description of the book.) It is, indeed, interesting; Caro doesn't let the reader get away with a black-and-white picture of any of the people he describes. His discussion of the MacArthur hearings, after the general was recalled from Korea, is very interesting indeed. (His discussion of Leland Olds' confirmation hearing, masterminded by LBJ, is simply horrifying.)
6. And a tip of the hat to
mmegaera - kudos for the good newspaper review of her latest novel!
