Category Archives: This & that in the life of CH

Some views from the shed

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Huenemann
Posted in This & that in the life of CH | 5 Comments

How You Play the Game

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Huenemann

The Minecraft book is available now (see right column). It was loads of fun to write, and it was even more fun exploring the game with my son. The whole process of working with Kindle Singles was fun, too. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, This & that in the life of CH | 2 Comments

On opera

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Huenemann

I have long believed that I should love opera. I’m a great fan of “classical” music (a fairly meaningless term, as it encompasses way too much), and view its existence as one of the primary pieces of evidence for believing … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, This & that in the life of CH | 2 Comments

A philosopher goes to an anime con

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Huenemann

My kids and their friends know the world of Japanese animation in the way my generation can sing the Looney Tunes libretto to “What’s Opera, Doc?” But their involvement in this world goes much further. They regularly convene with their … Continue reading →

Posted in This & that in the life of CH | 1 Comment

Seen while biking….

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Huenemann

I went for a long bike ride yesterday. At the start I was just rolling along, letting my mind wander, and taking in the sights: • kids selling lemonade, • a well-kept garden, • a Rat Patrol-style jeep with a gatling … Continue reading →

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Reflections on academic administration

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Huenemann

I’m just ending my second foray into academic administration. The first one was serving as department head over a department including philosophy, communications studies, and all of our foreign language programs. It was a terrific exercise in mental and emotional flexibility … Continue reading →

Posted in Items of the academy / learning, This & that in the life of CH | 1 Comment

My training to take over the world

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Huenemann

I am a great believer in technology’s capacity to build our native skills, and so lately I have been augmenting my talents for world domination through playing Sid Meier’s Civilization IV. (For some reason, Sid Meier thinks it’s important that … Continue reading →

Posted in Machines / gadgets / technology / games, This & that in the life of CH | Leave a comment

How the internet, and computers generally, impart education

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Huenemann

Answer: by not working very well. I’ll explain. My son spends a lot of time playing Minecraft. It’s a brilliant game that operates in two modes: creative mode, in which you can build all sorts of structures and even simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Items of the academy / learning, Machines / gadgets / technology / games, This & that in the life of CH | 2 Comments

Rise (and Aeschylean failure) of the guardians

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Huenemann

Last week my family watched Rise of the Guardians. The idea is that there are guardians on Earth who preserve important ideals: Santa Claus (wonder), the Easter Bunny (hope), the Sandman (dreams), and the Tooth Fairy (memory, stored in teeth). … Continue reading →

Posted in Meanings of life / death / social & moral stuff, This & that in the life of CH | 2 Comments

Living under a boundless sky

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Huenemann

I was rooting around today in an old zip drive and found an initial attempt at what I presented several years ago upon being promoted to professor. I ended up delivering something weirder (see here), but I was happy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Items of the academy / learning, Meanings of life / death / social & moral stuff, This & that in the life of CH | 3 Comments

Trying to become what you is

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Huenemann

I was in Seattle over this past weekend, and anyone walking the downtown streets could not fail to notice that about 1 in 10 people were dressed like Japanese manga characters. It was “Sakura Con 2012”, where hundreds of people … Continue reading →

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Popular books in Alcatraz’s library

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Huenemann
Posted in Books, This & that in the life of CH | 3 Comments

What my son and I have learned playing baseball

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Huenemann

1. Throw like you mean it. Every time. Point your opposite shoulder where it’s going, focus on the other guy’s glove, and throw hard. Throwing a ball is the glory of man. 2. If the ball is hit near you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Meanings of life / death / social & moral stuff, This & that in the life of CH | 3 Comments

Vacation report: Belgium, Greece, and England

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Huenemann

I seem to remember some pithy quote along the lines of “Traveling helps you to see the familiar once again as strange.” Anyhow, that was certainly the effect of our trip to Belgium, Greece, and England – by the time … Continue reading →

Posted in This & that in the life of CH | 1 Comment

The one substance in Kingston

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Huenemann

I just returned from a small Spinoza conference in Kingston, Ontario. There were about 10 or 11 of us presenters, and a few more who attended all the sessions, so we formed a friendly and animatedly interactive group. Jon Miller … Continue reading →

Posted in Spinoza, This & that in the life of CH | 3 Comments