Author Archives: fustianist

Most cats I’ve known really hated being on moving objects and got off them as fast as possible. Most also really hated water. So how did this guy get a cat on his surfboard? (With apologies to Reuters, from whom … Continue reading →

Wow. This is pretty funny. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDxcyqeRc-4] I have no idea whether this is real or not — I’ve heard that it is, but it stretches the bounds of credulity. But it is in fact the case that the King James … Continue reading →

I had an appointment this morning to read an obscure 16th century theology text — obscure enough at least for the Bodleian not to have it — at Christ Church College’s library. When I got there, the librarian at the … Continue reading →

Two nights ago Christi knocked on my door around 10:30 and told me to go outside and check out the lunar eclipse.  So the two of us, bundled up in sweaters and coats, with necks cocked at awkward angles, stood … Continue reading →

When Mom was here last week I happened to pick up a lovely cake plate at TJ Maxx. You know the kind: white stoneware, elegant pedestal, round platter. When I told Sydney I bought a cake plate, he immediately asked, … Continue reading →

In less than three weeks, Sydney will be home, after 8 weeks of being in England. I will be very glad to see him. I will also be glad that only three weeks of real class time will have to … Continue reading →

So you may remember that I went to see my college roommates in Boston a few weeks ago.  That was the start of the sugar binge.  Chocolate, cupcakes, you name it.  I did fairly well when I returned home, but … Continue reading →

Mom’s headed out this afternoon.  Poor woman has read her way through four books as I’ve tried to keep up with email (horrible stuff, that, sometimes) and grade a batch of papers.  Thankfully, all of this recent visiting has a) … Continue reading →

It’s Day Five of Mom’s visit, and so far my cooking hasn’t killed her off!  It’s also reassuring that I haven’t heard from her any of the following: “Oh, Erin, do you think that’s safe?”  “Have you ever considered cleaning … Continue reading →

It seems that everywhere I look someone is busy being outraged at something or other that the Archbishop of Canterbury said about Sharia in Britain. Can someone explain to me what the fuss is about? Nothing I’ve seen so far … Continue reading →