Well, it looks like we survived the first week back at school without having to reverse our plans. And I think that's all we can do, just focus on getting through one week at a time. Besides a minor glitch right before school started, Villanova's students seem to be following all the guidelines that have … Continue reading Week One Is in the Books; Just Thirteen More to Go
Reporter Leah Fessler had a story in this week's New York Times about how important it is to recognize our small wins and routine accomplishments, rather than just wait to celebrate when we have major breakthroughs. According to Teresa Amabile, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School and co-author of The Progress Principle: … Continue reading Now This Is My Idea of Productivity – Celebrating the Mundane
I received the following email today: Hi Jim, The University of Pennsylvania has an opening for a Research Track Associate and/or Full Professor Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition in their Philadelphia, PA location. We thought you might be interested in this opportunity. To explore this further you'll find more details and the application instructions … Continue reading Wow – This Ivy League School Is Really Lowering Its Standards…
Last week I wrote a post about how I find it annoying that when I sign my name as Jim at the end of an email, many people will write back with "Dear James". To me, it's a sign of lack of caring, a lack of paying attention to the details, and disrespect. I was … Continue reading My Name Is Borden. Quincy Borden…
I'm guessing that my headline has already scared a few people away. Some of you may be thinking - "bubblegum music is bad enough - there's the possibility that there will be more than one post about it?" But just keep reading... The 2001 book Bubblegum Music Is the Naked Truth rules out teen pop or boy bands as inherently bubblegum … Continue reading Music Monday: Bubblegum Music – Part One…
Earlier this week I wrote a post about songs featuring the name Caroline. One of the songs featured was written and performed by a wonderful band from Pittsburgh, the Clarks. I had written a post three years ago about how we had the opportunity to watch the Clarks perform in an intimate setting at the … Continue reading It’s a Good Thing I Don’t Have Too Many Followers
The world map shown above highlights the geographical distribution of views of my blog over the past five and a half years. The United States recognizes 195 countries, and at this point, there are only 12 left where I have not had a single viewer over the past years. Here are the countries, along with … Continue reading Dear People of Greenland and Svalbard, Is It Something I Said?
Yesterday I was out for a walk, and my mind must have started to wander, probably worrying once again about the opening of school. The next thing I know I rolled my ankle and nearly fell to the ground, trying to maintain my balance while hopping on one foot. I finally got things under control, … Continue reading Following the Science Really Works!
Elizabeth Bernstein wrote a wonderful story in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal: Why Being Kind Helps You, Too—Especially Now. Bernstein notes that there is research which links kindness to a wealth of physical and emotional benefits. Plus, it’s an excellent coping skill for the Covid-19 era. Here are some of the highlights from the story: Studies … Continue reading The Power of Kindness
I start teaching next week, and all my classes will be 100% in person. I will be teaching in a large room that has been reconfigured as a classroom. The room has a social distancing capacity of 40 students, and since my biggest class only has 28 students, there should not be an issue keeping … Continue reading Me, Nervous? Apparently So…
Borden's Blather 