Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Why do news update e-mails insist on putting sports spoilers in the subject line?

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Why do news update e-mails insist on putting sports spoilers in the subject line? Ok, I get it. It’s almost impossible to avoid results of a high-profile Olympic event that takes place early in the morning but gets aired on … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Why do news update e-mails insist on putting sports spoilers in the subject line?

What a great year for Best Animated Feature Oscar Nominations

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Generally, I have mixed feelings about the Best Animated Feature Oscar category. I mean, if Disney/Pixar comes out with a vaguely credible effort, they generally win. This was particularly true in 2016 when the oh-so-carefully constructed “important message” Zootopia beat … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What a great year for Best Animated Feature Oscar Nominations

When did I realize I was all-in on e-books?

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Last night. I had previously read and really enjoyed the first two volumes/decades of former Python/travel host Michael Palin’s diaries, but had held off reading the thick third volume, Travelling To Work, for several years.  I mean, the book has literally … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on When did I realize I was all-in on e-books?

Sometimes you just need old favorites: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 4

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Sometimes you just need old favorites: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 4

Guest Blog Post – Looking Back at Banned Books

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

I saw on social media last week that my former student Stephanie Ballard Conrad was talking about studying banned books back when she was an undergraduate nearly 20 years ago. I asked if she could give us a look back … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Guest Blog Post – Looking Back at Banned Books

Book Banning & How Students Learn About The Holocaust

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Banning, challenging, parental control… Call them what you want, there’s a lot of people out there upset about a lot of books in schools and libraries lately. The United States has a long history of vocal parents being offended/upset by … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Book Banning & How Students Learn About The Holocaust

A Murder of Hitchcock Films: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 3

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Murder of Hitchcock Films: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 3

A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 2: Chillin’ with Deathtrap and Dickens

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 2: Chillin’ with Deathtrap and Dickens

Dreary Birthday, Edgar Allan Poe!

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Today is horror and mystery writing pioneer Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday. Born January 19, 1809, he is known for writing the early detective story The Murders in the Rue Morgue, short horror stories (The Cask of Amontillado is my personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dreary Birthday, Edgar Allan Poe!

Let Freedom Ring on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Ralph Hanson

Editor’s Note: I originally posted this on Aug. 28, 2017, the 54th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech. “And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Let Freedom Ring on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day