Author Archives: stephenschrum

Stacking Plates?

Years ago, when I was visiting my then-girlfriend, later wife, and later late wife in her Pittsburgh apartment with her roommate, one of them would make dinner. (This was before I became a major cook.) As a result, it seemed fair that I would do the dishes. One evening I was criticized for not washingContinue reading “Stacking Plates?”

Clap for the Wolfman!

I recently attended a Burton Cummings concert. He was apparently the lead singer of the Guess Who back in the day, but I had never really heard of him until my fiancée expressed interest in seeing him. She loved his version of “When a Man Loves a Woman”—which he did not sing during this concert. Continue reading “Clap for the Wolfman!”

What’s Your Passion?

I know a lot of people hate their jobs. And I’m sorry for that. A line I used to say to people was: “I love my work, but I hate my job.” There are times when being a college professor could be very annoying,  But the most important thing about that was that I didn’tContinue reading “What’s Your Passion?”

Not the Couch!

As I’ve mentioned before, I think the worst sin is hypocrisy. Others may disagree, thinking there are others that are more worthy of a lower level of Hell, but for me saying one thing and doing another is the worst. So this brings me to opine that  the whole outrage of over losing one’s virginityContinue reading “Not the Couch!”

Take Your Job and…

I keep getting text messages from someones who ask if I am looking for work. These could be legitimate messages, though I have suspected they are not. The most recent exchange suggests: not. Yesterday this occurred: I thought that would be the end of it. Today this happens. Apparently “Jessica” doesn’t understand the difference betweenContinue reading “Take Your Job and…”

Strange (?) Inspiration Part 2

The musical Man of La Mancha serves as another example of a production that I consider very successful. With its prison set conjuring images of both Western and Eastern theatre, my flexible staging, and the imaginative creation of scenes by adding a few props or costumes, the show served as an excellent example of collaborationContinue reading “Strange (?) Inspiration Part 2”

Strange (?) Inspiration Part 1

A few years back, the music director where I was working and I decided to present the Rodgers and Hammerstein revue, Some Enchanted Evening. For the first part of the process we held vocal auditions and cast the singers with the songs. I then turned to the task of how to stage the piece.  NoteContinue reading “Strange (?) Inspiration Part 1”

You’re a Character—Or Two

Another wrong number text message hit my phone this past weekend. “She” started on the offensive (there’s probably some chess gambit I could refer to here) but I hit back immediately. You have to admire them for only wanting to be friends. Anytime the conversation goes sexual, they deflect. I should probably be grateful forContinue reading “You’re a Character—Or Two”

Myths of Customer Service & Tech Support

There are certain recurring phrases you’ll hear frequently when calling either customer service or tech support—a move I try to do as little as possible, because, let’s face it, the service and support is often lacking. If our calls were truly important, they would hire more humans, get rid of the horrible music and senselessContinue reading “Myths of Customer Service & Tech Support”