b.rox

On November 11, 2011, eleven of us gathered at The 1111 Building, in parking space #11, and at precisely eleven minutes and eleven seconds after eleven o’clock a.m., we raised a toast — the No. 11 Cup. That’s eleven elevens, in case you weren’t keeping track.

Today Tomorrow I am celebrating a dozen years here at the University. That means we moved to New Orleans twelve years and a couple weeks ago. I can’t conceive of one without the other. A dozen years of work and life at this school in this city. As previously noted, I’ve now spent a quarter [...]

I remember when chin straps used to be deployed in the general vicinity of the chin. Often they’d be a little too short to reach the chin itself, giving an appearance of military severity — but this just looks ridiculous to me. Seriously, what’s up with that?

I thought about doing a photo series titled “Butts of St. Louis,” but I worried that the good citizens of that city might find it disrespectful. I would never, ever want to offend the residents of any Midwestern city that isn’t named Indianapolis. Plus, I only actually took two such photos. There’s twenty more photos [...]

Today is Census Day — and also April Fool’s Day — and also Maundy (aka Holy) Thursday. How best to celebrate? Here’s what some of my friends said: Andrea J: Maybe by filling out your Census with false information and then going to church to repent for your silliness. Anthony F: Take a pregnant woman [...]

My friend Brad W. once made an offhand remark in an online discussion that has been preying on me for years now. We were discussing early heavy metal, in particular Black Sabbath and Blue Öyster Cult, in particular a certain riff that shows up on both bands’ debut albums. Who was copying who, I wondered? [...]

It has just been brought to my attention that Ulysses Press has canceled publication of LOLcats: Teh Most Funyest, Cutest Internet Kittehs. That’s a shame because they were going to use my photo of Milo (may he rest in peace) in the book. The worst part is now I’ll never know what clever caption they [...]

For no particular reason except the sheer fun of it, here’s a mix of whistling songs. Perhaps you can use this to make your transition to the weekend.

I had a strange upbringing. Exhibit A: This portrait of my father. This photo really needs to be viewed large in order to see the wild glint in Dad’s eye. [Greenwood, circa 1984]

This picture illustrates why I can never take a sick day. I stayed home to nurse a cold a couple months back. In my absence, my co-workers decided to get matching shirts so we could all dress alike for “Technology Day,” which was today. Ugh. Also, I need a haircut.

Xy’s gearing up for the school year. Teachers are subjected to a seemingly endless number of “professional development” events. I pay some attention to this, because I work in faculty development myself. We’re always looking for new ideas. I was particularly intrigued, not to mention inspired, when Xy brought home a Ziploc bag with a [...]

My parents are coming down for a visit, so we are frantically preparing the household for their arrival. Time to put away the illegal drugs and semi-automatic weapons, the seditious literature and satanic rock music — at least for a while. photo by gurke We also have to conceal the extensive subterranean dungeon we installed [...]

This morning, Xy was sitting in our car, waiting to give a ride to some co-workers. A short time later, I got a text message: “u have the car.” I looked out the window and saw, sure enough, Xy was gone but the car was still there. Must have been a mix-up about who was [...]

I’ve started a new tradition. I’m not shaving between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. This gives me an annual chance to appreciate just how gray my beard is getting. I’d say I’m about 50% gray at this point. Then, on New Year’s Day, I’ll shave it clean and get a fresh start. Footnote: [...]

We’re having a holiday open house at the office today, and we all brought cookies and other sweets. I thought it would be fun and unique to bring brandy balls. So I made them last night and brought them in this morning, and placed them on the table with a sign. But Boss Lady’s husband [...]

Some guy named Bart from Indianapolis spoke at a local conference and got on the front page of today’s paper.

Eric and I are both letting our hair grow because our barbers haven’t come back since the storm. But I don’t know how long this protest will last. I’m considering shaving my head bald — it’s getting hot. Eric is considering dreadlocks.

This past week people around the country have been all atwitter because of some remarks made by Don Imus on his radio show. Here in New Orleans people have been talking about it, just like everywhere else, I suppose. But here in New Orleans people are also talking about remarks made by Dr. Ed Blakely, [...]

Why is Captain Picard of the Starship Enterprise talking about my mother?

Jimmy Pardo just read my list of annoying people on his weekly podcast. Er, pardon me, it’s a “Pardcast.” Check out Episode 33 — the fun begins about 27 minutes into the program. They rake me over the coals pretty well, and I gotta admit I have it coming. “All the insight of bad stand-up [...]