Friday Varia and Quick Hits

We’re enjoying a long and lazy fall this year with temperatures lingering in the mid-30s and periodically surging into 40s. Unfortunately, I’m a bit hobbled with some lingering knee soreness, and I’ve not been able to extend my running season despite the mild weather. I’ve managed a few walks with the dogs, though, and I’m thoroughly savoring the calm before our traditionally brutal winter.

This weekend will be spent with grading, books, and sports. While I love my books and tolerate grading, I’m excited to watch both my mighty Spiders play in the second round of the FCS football play offs, the Eagles play the 49ers Sunday afternoon, and the return of “King Ry” to the ring on Saturday night. 

Otherwise, I’ll be hanging out with my laptop listening to music, reading, grading, and looking out for more quick hits and varia:

• Pasts Imperfect.

• Space Archaeology: First Approximation of Population Distributions on the International Space Station.

• The Internet is Old:

An Old Blog.

Father Divine’s Old Home on the Web.

• Students:

I don’t want to talk about it.

In defense of my students

• RIP.

Shane MacGowan.

Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie.

• The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph.

• What I’m reading:  Jacob Dorman, Chosen People: The Rise of American Black Israelite Religions. Oxford 2013.

• What I’m listening to: The Pogues, Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash.