stephenschrum

From the Cabbage Patch

In Episode #55 I talk about working at Toys “R” Us. There’s a lot more detail there for another time, but I’d rather talk about my strange work history. Here are a few of the highlights. Some of my early jobs were gas station attendant (I lasted only three hours—really not my thing), and telemarketerContinue reading “From the Cabbage Patch”

The Ever-Growing CV

As I am quick to point out to everyone, I recently retired. But this doesn’t mean I have stopped doing things. I have mentioned before the online presentation for Nachtkritik. I also was asked to review a couple of journal articles (but apparently I was too soft; one was rejected and the other was returnedContinue reading “The Ever-Growing CV”

Push Button 2 Cross

In the summer of 2021, Latrobe, PA and Greensburg, PA suddenly had workmen everywhere, installing new crosswalk signs. I just saw them last week in Pittsburgh, PA as well. A quick look shows why I think they are a bit overkill: Seeing it, I was immediately reminded of the signs about how to wash yourContinue reading “Push Button 2 Cross”

When I’m 54…or 65…

This is the companion blog to Audio Chimera podcast episode number 54. It’s about my retirement, which happened at 65—in case you couldn’t figure out the title… I’ve heard about people who retire, and then they have nothing to do. Work was their entire life. They waste away and die. Not me. Now, as anContinue reading “When I’m 54…or 65…”

Malapropisms

In Podcast Episode #53, I talk about malapropisms. This term comes from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 play The Rivals. Another character says of her that she uses “words so ingeniously misapplied, without being mispronounced.” We have seen this with comedians, such as Norm Crosby. I used to show a RedContinue reading “Malapropisms“

Abandon Perfection

Buckle up: this is a long one. And it might be my TED Talk. People in my circle have often heard me assert this statement: Abandon perfection. You can never achieve perfection. But you can always strive for excellence. I have seen so many people trying to achieve the perfect result. Usually what happens isContinue reading “Abandon Perfection”

Independent-Thinking Scholar

At conferences, I would sometimes see the title, “Independent Scholar” and, in my snobby way, I would think, “Well, that person can’t find a real job.” Of course, maybe they chose that route. The title of this blog post suggest a scholar who thinks independently of what he or she has been taught. In myContinue reading “Independent-Thinking Scholar”

Podcasts 51 and 52 Part 2

In my previous blog entry I talked about podcast episodes number 51 and 52. Here is a postscript to one aspect of that story. In episode 51 I talked a bit about the comprehensive exams. For those, we were placed in a room for four days, three hours each day, and were expected to writeContinue reading “Podcasts 51 and 52 Part 2”

Completing the Deck

For Season Five, I’ve been using a lot of non-scripted material. For episode 51, I decided to just sit down and talk about the difficulties I had getting my PhD at Berkeley. I then went on so long I had to break it up and make it into two podcast episodes. It’s a story I’veContinue reading “Completing the Deck”

Episode #50!

First of all, a milestone: I’ve made it to podcast episode number 50! Secondly, I’m trying something a little different this season. Besides featuring new intro and outro music from composer John Rust (check out his compositions at soundofrust on YouTube) and presenting more episodes of my audio drama series Kid Again (heard on episodesContinue reading “Episode #50!”