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”
Author Archives: stephenschrum
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”
Carol, You’re Fired
Songs get so easily stuck in my head. When I was in Dublin, after a cabaret performance, I had “Sweet Molly Malone” playing on an endless loop. The chorus of “Alive-O” literally kept me awake most of the night. Christmas time is the worst. When stores begin playing the songs so early they start toContinue reading “Carol, You’re Fired”
You Have 10 Seconds to Come Read
What technology would you be better off without, why? I’m currently working on something I’m calling my Digital Tech Memoir, the story of how I began—and still use—computer technology in teaching and performance. My time with tech has long been experimental, and I played with some of the newest software toys when they first cameContinue reading “You Have 10 Seconds to Come Read”
Hard Choices
What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why? Sometimes, you’re asked a question, and you have to replay your entire life in your mind—rewind, fast-forward, stop, play, then more rewinding… Did you miss any details, and did you see enough of the highlights? Rewind again…. Or maybe it’s more like checking your analytics.Continue reading “Hard Choices”
Upload My Mind for Another Lifetime
One of the things I’ve lately lamented is that all my memories and experiences will simply be lost and vanish when I die. I am trying for some immortality with my books, blog, and podcasts. Also, I’ve said in the past that my students are my legacy, though that technically expires in one generation. WhatContinue reading “Upload My Mind for Another Lifetime”
Macbeth Hath Murdered Sleep!
If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time? When I was at Berkeley, one of the undergrads decided he wanted to do a production of the Scottish Play. (The one named after the character who is mentioned in this post’s title; the play is supposedly cursed, so you areContinue reading “Macbeth Hath Murdered Sleep!”
Happy Shiny People!
Who are your current most favorite people? Optimists! Or maybe just not people who are negative about…well, about everything. (I won’t say anymore about that right now, lest I be negative.) Speaking of optimists, I recently joined the Chamber of Commerce (as StoryZ, our new theatre/performance group—and I look forward to a time when IContinue reading “Happy Shiny People!”
MUSOFYR 