Public Transport

I have just returned from visiting a major city in another state which, unlike my own, has great public transport. And it was great.

Where there's a will there's a fray

As one ages, I suspect that it is inevitable that one thinks to one's legacy. or in this case, one's estate. I was thinking of this the other day as I enjoyed my weekly coffee with a former colleague. She shared her story which I find illuminating and so I would like to share it here.

Public media today

I listen to NPR every morning, while I am multi-tasking of course, and occasionally also during the day. I used to listen much more, but now not as much. Today, a long segment was devoted to the federal government's recision of funding for public media - specifically, NPR and PBS. While I disagree with the decision and the stated reasons, I was reminded of my own experience which I previously described elsewhere (see below).

Any questions?

I know this is a small blip in what is read everyday, but according to Google my daily readership is typically 500 - 1000 visitors a day. As most enter the site and read the recent posts, rather than crawling through every one, I assume that most of these are real people and most of those are returners hoping to find some usefual nugget.

Why am I so popular in Singapore and Vietnam?

From time to time, I put up a post on something which interests me, just in case someone else is interested in things which interest me. Also, from time to time, I look at the stats on which posts are popular and who reads them and from where these readers come. And May 2025 has been a big one (for me).

Inspections and evaluations

Sometimes "the algorithm" sends me strange suggestions and this* is one of them. However, it resonated with me because I experienced something similar so (a) we can't rely on what we are told we can rely on and (b), as every teacher will tell you, a single evaluation (aka "high stakes testing") does not provide a complete or even an accurate picture.

No More Netflix

I read this morning that Disney Plus is ending "password sharing" and that reminded me of a friend's problem with Netflix when they rolled this out. The issue was not the new Netflix policy; the issue was the corporate customer dis-service and lack of interest in fixing a problem which they had caused.

Socialism for me but not for thee

I heard this story at my weekly coffee catch-up (kaffeeklatsch?) with a former colleague which was pretty much the same as a family of claims and complaints I heard n my years a principal. In other words, I want what I want today even if it is the opposite of what I wanted yesterday.

I'm really popular in Singapore

Every now and then I check traffic to this blog, and this week I have been amazed to see readership jump from the low hundreds to the mid thousands. And whereas hitherto, most of my readers have been US-based, this week they are almost entirely lcoated in Singapore.

It worked for me, but it was really corruption

The Youtube algorithm just sent me to one of those first amendment auditor channels where someone tried to do something at his local city office and couldn't. He was able to capture it all on camera which of course didn't go well for the city or the clerk. I was reminded of something which happened to me several years ago which only worked out because of who I knew. 

I blame Fox

 At the risk of seeming political, I blame Fox. Allow me to explain.

Surprise Billing

I heard a commentary this morning on a medical Surprise Billing situation and though I would reprise my own experience. However to this day I remain convinced I was not victim to Surprise Billing, but instead of medical fraud.

United Airlines is in trouble and it's because of me

For about 20 years, I flew only United Airlines (UAL) for work and leisure, and I had a United credit card as did the school where I was Director. I even signed up for their dining and shopping programs to earn more miles. I had a few vacations using United miles I brought my mother-in-law to visit several times using miles and the school sent several teachers to conferences using miles. Until one day United took them all away.

Jailing cat ladies

In the reporting and commentary on the jailing of two women for feeding cats, almost all the disdain and vitriol has been directed at the police. This is misplaced and wrong.

I don't like Wikipedia, I don't trust Wikipedia, I don't use Wikipedia

Several years ago I was Prinicipal of a new school and as we were trying to build our reputation, I regularly checked our presence n the media and social media. One day, I discovered that the school had been listed on Wikipedia (what is the verb for this? described? listed?), although the entry included several errors of fact such as number of rooms or hours or location, all easily-verifiable.

What's in your wallet - update

Regular readers will know that I am boycotting Capital One and why. Well, there's news.

Redlining and Heat Islands

I read something last night as I surfed the web that historical redlining caused and/or contributes to the heat island effect. I find this assertion curious. Let me explain, but first I must define the terms.

What happened to the Florida condo can happen to you

Something in the news about the horrific condo collapse in Florida reminded me of a similar experience. I too own a condo.

Truth or dare (to tell a lie)

Reading and listening to this morning's news reminded me of a discussion in which I have participated several times. What is a "lie" and how should schools approach this definition? 

Close Distancing

Over the last few weeks. I have noticed something a little odd. I have seen lines of people waiting outside a bank, a drugstore, a school. I am sure that these lines indicate well-meaning, public health motivated measures so why is this odd?