There’s a moment in grad school at Berkeley I often remember with great fondness. It was the first of many such recollections, and they do say we always remember our first. The moment happened after a performance of Aristophanes’ The Frogs. The performers were British university students who presented the work in Greek, sans subtitlesContinue reading “A Spontaneous Moment to Remember”
Author Archives: stephenschrum
I’m Not So Worried…
I’m supposed to be worried about AI and its developing intelligence which will overwhelm us puny humans with its extraordinary abilities. Likewise, we are to fear the Chinese who are outstripping us in so many areas, such as technology and commerce. But so far, we can usually tell it’s AI. And the Chinese, so willingContinue reading “I’m Not So Worried…”
Am I Rude? Or Creative?
My fiancée was telling someone about her first colonoscopy. Apparently the doctor decided to do it without using anesthesia. As a result, my fiancée was screaming in pain and writhing about as the nurses suggested to the doctor that something might be amiss. Having heard the story before, my mind wandered into the creative pinballContinue reading “Am I Rude? Or Creative?”
It’s a Fix-Up, Not a Mix-Up
When I got this “wrong number” message on WhatsApp, I checked out the profile photo. My first thought was: online escort. (Sorry I didn’t screenshot that.) So I expressed that opinion early on. But by that last response of mine, she was already self-deported from WhatsApp—unless the system deleted “her.”
About the Flag on the 4th
As symbols go, I think that the flag of the United States of America is very near perfection. There are the 13 red and white stripes, representing the original 13 colonies. There’s the field of blue with its 50 stars, each representing one of the 50 states. And the colors? A google search tells me,Continue reading “About the Flag on the 4th”
Noise!
This is my new favorite wrong number text. At least they’re trying something new. The account was frozen and deleted in record time, but luckily I got this screenshot.
No Improv?
Some days it’s a lot of fun to improvise with the wrong number callers. But there are times when they just don’t try hard enough.  I’m not sure if it’s posting a photograph, pretty much clearly from AI, it stopped the conversation or what.
A Flurry of Poetry
A few years ago, I had some prolific output as a poet. A Muse had entered my life, and I expressed my typhoon of emotions in an onslaught of poems: Long form free verse, rhymed almost-sonnets, a scatter-shot of haiku. Here are some sample lines from that period: *** “A young person often regrets whatContinue reading “A Flurry of Poetry”
Odd About Oz
I remember watching The Wizard of Oz as a kid. Even though I would later decide that monkeys are cool, I was scared of the flying monkeys in the movie. As a result of those particular creatures, I never watched The Wizard of Oz again. Until adulthood. At a cast party hosted by a studentContinue reading “Odd About Oz”
Mr. Frreeeeze!
It’s like a cat toy that you put down, and the cat hits it under the dresser. No play! Where’s the fun in that? Spam, Scam, Telegram!
MUSOFYR 