stephenschrum

On the First Day of…Oh, God, It’s a Cult

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc. I worked as a faculty member for three university campuses. I only recall my first day at one of them because it included something quite bizarre. There were the usual welcome speeches from lower level administrators and upper level staff,Continue reading “On the First Day of…Oh, God, It’s a Cult”

Swimming Fish, Catholic Popes

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech? Recently, StoryZ, my new theatre/performance group, gave a Free Improv Workshop. For the 8 people registered, we scheduled 1.5 hours of a little bit of talking and a lot of doing. At one point, someone said, as if she was drowning, “Is this an advancedContinue reading “Swimming Fish, Catholic Popes”

A Tale of Lost “Love”

I suddenly thought about K. last night while waiting to go to sleep. The memories—good and bad—entered my mind like those songs that just start playing in my head even though I haven’t heard them for awhile. I hadn’t thought about her in a long time, and then, suddenly, there she was. I met herContinue reading “A Tale of Lost “Love””

From the Ace Novelty Co. of Walla Walla, WA

What’s your favorite cartoon? I’ve watched a lot of cartoons over the years, from the classic cartoons from before I was born to an occasional sampling of more modern animated entertainment. Of course I have some favorites, and others I look at and think, “Who would watch this?” But then I think there are bandsContinue reading “From the Ace Novelty Co. of Walla Walla, WA”

The Bigger Threat

I read this in the online version of The New York Times and felt the need to comment. Powerful tech leaders — including [Sam] Altman, Elon Musk and the Google co-founder Larry Page — were developing A.I. systems for years before the technology went mainstream. The men bickered over whether it would end up harmingContinue reading “The Bigger Threat”

Telling Tales Out of School

What could you do less of? When I announced my retirement, people asked, “What are you going to do with your time?” My answer was always, “Travel and creative projects.” Since retirement, there’s been a little travel, but I thought there’d be more, and I’m hoping there is in the new year. Also, I haveContinue reading “Telling Tales Out of School”

Here Comes Company

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year? When I worked as Box Office Manager at Shakespeare Santa Cruz in 1990, I was housed in a large room (with bathroom—which had a toaster oven installed there—so many stories from that position!) in the residence of one of the founders ofContinue reading “Here Comes Company”

911 From the Post Office

Do you ever see wild animals? I live in an area that is considered “rural” for granting purposes but “town” or “city” for its layout. Specifically, I’m in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, aka Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, since Fred Rogers was originally from here. The town celebrates that fact with wooden cutouts of various characters and a bronzeContinue reading “911 From the Post Office”

Christmas in…June?

I often hear about Christmas in July. It prompts sales and advertising, and people celebrate it because it seems they just can’t wait another 5 months (although retail establishments start displaying stuff in October, even before Halloween). My question is: why don’t we have Christmas in June? The weather would be so much better andContinue reading “Christmas in…June?”

I’m a Meatatarian

What are your feelings about eating meat? In grade school at the Immaculate Conception of Saint Mary school (known more commonly as St. Mary’s), we often heard the delivery of animals to Fisher’s Meat Market. They slaughtered the animals on site, in the back. As I observe in my book Immaculate Misconceptions: Tales of CatholicContinue reading “I’m a Meatatarian”