Category Archives: culture

Why being a modern American Jew is so hard

Posted on February 25, 2014 by rglw

Our local, family-owned Kosher supermarket was on the verge of closing this week when some angel investors rescued the business. Our Jewish community was temporarily devastated at the prospect of losing this local institution. For many, the Crown is more … Continue reading →

Posted in being jewish, blogging, community, culture, everyday life, food, holidays, religion | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The opposite of a techie: The benefits and drawbacks of being a late adopter

Posted on January 7, 2014 by rglw

I am a late adopter.  I am often very satisfied with the level of technological innovation in my life that I don’t seek out newer or more efficient ways to get work done, to communicate with people, or to fill … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, everyday life, lessons learned, personal, productivity, technology | Tagged , | 2 Comments

If you ask me what I need, I’ll tell you nothing

Posted on November 27, 2013 by rglw

Too often, I’m writing about how quickly time passes and how incredulous I am that another month has gone by, that another semester is nearly over.  There is a seasonality to being an educator that is both comforting and confounding. … Continue reading →

Posted in being jewish, culture, economy, everyday life, family, food, holidays, hunger, kids, lessons learned, personal, writing | Leave a comment

The Real Housewives is sociological (I swear it is)

Posted on July 9, 2013 by rglw

While in graduate school, I missed the boat on so many cultural touchstones.  There are new television shows, musicians, reality stars or movies with which I am only vaguely familiar.  For example, I know Mad Men is critically acclaimed but … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, guilty pleasures, media, personal, procrastinating, television, women | 10 Comments

On academic chic

Posted on February 10, 2013 by rglw

I have been writing in public spaces all over the campus where I’m teaching this semester. And I have felt totally overdressed.  Academic fashion is a delicate balance–how do you look professional enough to command authority in front of a … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, culture, fashion, grad school, personal, teaching, women | 13 Comments

exercise your rights and please vote

Posted on November 6, 2012 by rglw

According to the U.S. Census, 58.2 % of registered voters actually cast ballots in November 2008. That figure is on par with rates of voting in the 2004 election and only slightly higher than the election in 2000.  That means … Continue reading →

Posted in community, culture, economy, gender equality, health, higher education, marriage, politics, Uncategorized, work | Leave a comment

a little gratitude for meteorologists

Posted on October 29, 2012 by rglw

It feels like I am the only person on the east coast who is relatively calm about this impending weather event. It’s Sunday evening in the Northeast and if you hadn’t already heard, a hurricane is on its way. For … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, family, weather | Tagged | Leave a comment

Get Your Pink On. Or off.

Posted on October 8, 2012 by rglw

I’ve already made it clear that I cannot escape sports in my house, especially baseball and football.  During that magic time of year when the baseball post-season overlaps with the early NFL season, it is impossible to ignore what’s happening … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, health, sports | Leave a comment