The first assignment for Dr. Matzko’s class “Historical Research and Writing” is an autobiographical sketch. This is mine.

“Autobiographical Sketch”

The family blog is back up and running. Go there for updates about the Mullen family.

In the class “Westward Movement in America,” Dr. Sidwell has assigned us a paper which we are to write as if it were intended for a popular magazine. That assignment is exactly the kind of writing I need to practice. My other history classes are training me to do the research and produce the necessary academic writing. Working in conjunction with those classes, this assignment will, I hope, train me to produce writing that is generally useful. (In case you hadn’t noticed, that is sometimes the purpose of this blog.) The assignment also brings to mind a (paraphrased) principle Dr. Matzko has shared from time to time—the fastest way to be despised by academic historians is to write a history book that people actually read. Economic jealousy is of course a good explanation of that principle,but it seems that isn’t the complete explanation.

Sometime ago, I announced the formation of a conglomerate soon to control an insignificant portion of the Internet. Due to the unfortunate cancellation of her account at MySpace, Audrey has been unable to continue her partnership in that conglomerate. However, I just received word today that Audrey has a new blog. Please go visit it. With Scott posting like a mad man, our conglomerate is well on its way to Internet dominion.

After a diligent search for a new location, I have established my office for the semester in the Periodicals Room of the Mack Library.

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Flapjacks, griddlecakes, pancakes—whatever you call them, we had them for breakfast. Andrew, my roommate, cooked up a half dozen pancakes using “just add water” pancake mix and his George Foreman grill. I setup the coffee-maker so that it automatically brews a pot every morning, which we enjoyed along with the pancakes. Steve’s contribution to the morning breakfast was his appetite, he said. Though we rarely make it breakfast at the dining common, we in Brokenshire 216 are amply provided for.

Public Service Announcement: If you’re anywhere in the vicinity of Brokenshire, come by the Broke 216 Coffee Shop. In the mornings before lunch time, we sell hot coffee for 50 cents per cup, 75 cents per travel mug. After lunch, we sell cold coffee for 30 cents per cup, and 50 cents per travel mug. Flavors include hazelnut and Irish cream (non-alcoholic), alternated daily.

I am at this very moment in the throes of a difficult decision. Because of airline baggage weight limits, I am always restricted in the number of books that I can bring to and from school. Therefore, I must decides which books will make the cut and which shall remain behind. (The consideration of how many books I will actually read while I’m at school should probably significantly affect my decision-making, but it almost never does.)

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“Life to you is a dashing and bold adventure.” So says the fortune cookie I just ate. It must mean that there are a lot of adventure posts coming your way.