The Mercatus Center very generously gave me a grant to create a curriculum for my obituary project. Now I have to go write it. In solidarity with that intention, I am going to stop writing blog posts. Say. Did you know Henry Heimlich (he of the Maneuver) was an Army doctor behind Japanese lines in …
Author Archives: Pete
You Got That, Right?
I was flipping through an art book and saw a trio of photographs that really dismayed me. I could tell right away it was Ai Weiwei. I don’t know much about him, but enough to know he wasn’t playing around with the title: Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn. I’ll listen to whatever explanation, and I’m willing …
I Was Looking for a Job and Then I Found a Job
Not long after graduation, way back when, I was talking to a friend’s dad about my job hunt, and he said, “Looking for a job is a soul destroying experience.” He said it in that way you’d say something serious but intended to be amusing, so I chuckled. I’ve since had ample opportunity to consider …
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Hub of the Cosmos
I saw Nick Cave the other night at the Wang Theatre. He asked the audience if Boston was a worthwhile place to live. He said his son wanted to know, so he’d promised to inquire. He then handily narrowed the crowd’s responses from “best place in the world” to a considerably less inaccurate “best place in …
Bells Chime
It’s been a week since masks became optional at our school, and I want to record my impressions before things go back to normal – right? – and we forget all this. First, it felt improper to walk into school without a mask. The best approximation I can think of would be walking in barefoot. …
“Where Do You Get Your Ideas?”
I was watching a documentary on Kurt Vonnegut the other night. There’s a scene where they take him back to his high school, to the plaque with alumni killed in World War Two. He identifies those he knew, recounting and laughing about how they died. Laughing, obviously, in a “so it goes” way, but still. …
My Funny Valentine
I go for a walk every day during 5th period, when my students are at lunch. I walk along the Mystic River for a bit, then turn back and return to school across the fields. I started this habit last year and now can’t do without. It’s especially important on the first three days of …
Degustation
I like saltines a lot. I don’t keep them in the house because I’d go through sleeves in a sitting. I like Coca-Cola, too. I hardly ever drink it, in deference to my teeth and sublime physique, but whenever I do I think it’s tasty stuff. *** Years ago I heard an interview on …