Author Archives: fustianist

Maybe we can take advantage of the widespread recession unease to change a few things about how our society works.  Hey, after all, with so many out of work, it’s not like we have anything better to do! But it’s … Continue reading →

A few pictures from Leiden, none of which are of great intrinsic merit. Here’s the hotel I’m staying at. It was built in 1638: I thought I should at least look at one of the old churches in town while … Continue reading →

I’m about to take Sydney to the airport, from which he’ll leave for the Netherlands.  He’s scheduled to give a talk there on Friday morning and spend the rest of the weekend milling about with other people interested in Early … Continue reading →

Streamlined laptops.  Ultra-slim cell-phones.  Thin-as-licorice iPods.  And now the ultra-sleek Kindle.  Is it just me, or is it freaky how much all of these things (admittedly, some of which I like) resemble credit cards?  So much power in such a … Continue reading →

I was out running errands this morning when I ran into a mom from church.  She is one who had quite a bit of back pain and trouble carrying her own kids, so she’s expressed concern anytime she caught me … Continue reading →

This morning I had a couple of pine siskins feeding out of my hand. Okay, so I thought this was exciting — you don’t even see pine siskins that often around here, let alone on your hand. They’re also more … Continue reading →

On a lighter note, Sydney and baby and I have made it 30 weeks into the pregnancy.  We’re on the home stretch!  So far, all is going well: all tests are clear, I’m still feeling pretty good and mobile, and … Continue reading →

The closer we come to having a child of our own the more a single question recurs in my reading and conversation with others: “Can you provide for a child?”  Next in line, of course, is the implicit, “For how … Continue reading →

Forget chairs. This anecdote is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while (from here): My college chemistry professor, of national renown in organic chemistry, told the following story on himself. One summer, the professors’ wives left on an extended … Continue reading →

Sydney and I have spent quite a lot of time at home recently.  He’s got a paper due shortly, I’ve got one due shortly after that, and we’re both feeling the need to make progress before the baby gets here.  … Continue reading →