mprest13

Why I am taking a Facebook Vacation . . .

So earlier today I announced a summer vacation from Facebook. I am planning on taking about 100 days off until Labor Day and then I plan on implementing new habits to stay social media slim. Here is a disquieting truth I had to face. I LOVE social media. I love debating people I don’t evenContinue reading “Why I am taking a Facebook Vacation . . .”

Sometimes Patience is the Hardest Part

In higher education it is not the lack of ideas that is a problem, its allowing the good ideas the space to grow and develop. Change in higher education is one that takes time, patience, and tremendous coordination. That is why when I get frustrated I try to find pioneers who have led the wayContinue reading “Sometimes Patience is the Hardest Part”

Considering Life: What Leon Russell taught me about belongings

This painting hangs on my living room wall. I belonged to my father. My father has been dead now for 12 years. He died in 2005, was quickly creamated and I promptly estranged from my step-mother. It all happened very fast. So fast that this is the only material possession that I now own thatContinue reading “Considering Life: What Leon Russell taught me about belongings”

College Athletics not a white knight

I love college athletics. I grew up on college sports and some of my best memories as a kid and college student centered around college games. One of my first formative sports memories was watching Lorenzo Charles make a last second dunk in 1983 to give N.C. State the national championship. I remember watching theContinue reading “College Athletics not a white knight”

Tired of Celebrity Deaths? Don’t Blame 2016.

Look, no doubt about it, 2016 was the worst. The election was a drag, the Olympics were meh, and in general it seemed that live was a little edgier. And then there were the celebrity deaths. Starting with David Bowie in January it was everywhere from music to movies to athletes – it seemed everyContinue reading “Tired of Celebrity Deaths? Don’t Blame 2016.”

Top 25 Albums of 2016 Themes and Preview

So it is that time of year again when I reveal my favorite albums of the year. This year I will review five albums per day leading up to my top five on Saturday, December 17th. But before I get to my favorite albums of the year I wanted to highlight some of the themesContinue reading “Top 25 Albums of 2016 Themes and Preview”

For the Ghost Ship

I acknowledge that I can be clumsy, ignorant, and awkward when writing or talking about diversity or our creative communities. So please forgive me in advance if I am not eloquent in this post. Kindly let me know how I can do better in the comments. I felt compelled to post as I have beenContinue reading “For the Ghost Ship”

The Only Time You Can Have Everything is on a Bagel

Of all of the bagels there is nothing quite as satisfying to me than the Everything Bagel with cream cheese at a shop in town. It gives me everything I want out of life: a warm bagel that is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside; a savory and salty blend of sea salt,Continue reading “The Only Time You Can Have Everything is on a Bagel”

If You Want to Be On Time, Make Sure You End On Time

Welcome to Fall Semester 2016! It is a new college year and full of hope. Many of us have taken the rollover of the calendar as a chance to make changes and reaffirm commitments. Usually these decisions take the form of the New Year’s resolution or in this case, new school year resolutions. Think your annualContinue reading “If You Want to Be On Time, Make Sure You End On Time”

Basketball Lessons: How ‘And One’ Can Boost Your Career

I love basketball and now I get extra basketball for the summer Olympics. These teams will struggle to score against fierce defenses, try to maneuver for the perfect shot, and hopefully draw a foul and a chance for an “and one” scoring possibility. “And one” refers to the free throw awarded to a player whoContinue reading “Basketball Lessons: How ‘And One’ Can Boost Your Career”