November 2024 — December 17, 2025 I had mentioned to a few new friends that I wanted to begin baking sourdough. One of those friends brought me a starter in the central room separating the academic and dorm wings. The first name that popped into my head was Franklin. Thus, he was born. Although discarded,Continue reading "A Memorial to Franklin: My First Sourdough Starter"
Teaching is Improvised Theater
Act I: Opening Night The students enter, claiming seats at the U-shaped desks. They’ve brought in Tic-Tacs and gum just to spite the “no food” rule. Giggling and whispers fill the air before my performance begins. At the lectern, I study notes to make sure I don’t miss anything. Today, I’ve sworn off a slideshowContinue reading "Teaching is Improvised Theater"
Second Pass | January 2026
Essays, second drafts, and a little inspiration Table of Contents Featured Essay Notes Writing Prompts What I’m Reading Quote Subscriber Content Featured Essay New Year Thoughts: whose time do I protect? I chose teaching partly because I like the classroom, and partly because it buys me something rare: summers. Three uninterrupted months where no oneContinue reading "Second Pass | January 2026"
Inventory of 2025
I’ve started two different drafts prior to this in an attempt to publish something of note. Frankly, I feel like crap, and my creative flux capacity hasn’t been charging – may need a new alternator. Still, the whole purpose of this blog is to keep me writing. So, let’s write….or, I’ll write, and maybe you’llContinue reading "Inventory of 2025"
Strip Club Experience: Sad Women and Stupid Men
In a strip club, the narrator and Mika navigate a foreign environment. They encounter indifferent dancers and a mix of patrons. Despite initial nerves, they interact with a dancer named Layla, who shares her interests. The night culminates in awkward experiences, and they ultimately decide to leave.
Travel Reflections while SEO Tagging and Blog Reminiscing
The author shares their feelings of being overwhelmed but looks forward to visiting Montreal for Christmas festivities. They reflect on updating SEO for blog posts about their 2023 European trip, particularly focusing on their experiences in Paris. The author plans to write more during Winter Break and asks readers about their holiday plans.
What 300-Year-Old Minutes Revealed About My Family
A look into the archival records of my 9th great-grandfather, Mathieu D’Amours, a 17th-century council member in New France. His stubborn loyalty to the king, clashes with Frontenac, and efforts to secure his family’s legacy paint a vivid picture of the man behind my lineage.
Second Pass | December 2025
The content discusses a fictional meeting of a "Council of Nicks," representing various facets of self, reflecting on how to measure a year beyond traditional metrics. They debate the importance of consistency, survival, and education amidst personal challenges, ultimately deciding that simply living and being happy may be the most meaningful metric.
Why Travel: Genealogy
The author reflects on their previous three-month trip to Europe, emphasizing the goal of exploring genealogy for future travels in 2026. They aim to trace their ancestry, specifically focusing on Mathieu D’Amours. While acknowledging challenges like language barriers and research demands, the journey’s purpose is to understand their heritage and connections.
Research on Mathieu D’Amours
The author reflects on the concept of dual death—physical death and the fading memory of one's name. They aim to honor their ancestors by reviving their names, starting with Mathieu D'Amours, a significant historical figure. The author seeks to uncover Mathieu's early life and plans future travels to connect with this heritage.