Musing and Grumbling.
MUSING and grumbling is created and authored (occasionally) by me: educator, researcher, editor, writer, campus radio host, public speaker and consultant Laura M. Wiebe. More…
Living with mortality (part two)
In writing these posts I don't mean in any way to claim that my encounters with death and experiences of grief are unusual or somehow more significant than anyone else's. I am, or try to be, aware of my privilege and I realize I have quite a bit…
Living with mortality (part one)
Yeah, it's been a while. Encounters and confrontations with mortality, and my own ways of dealing with them, have made writing for any kind of public audience a non-priority, at least for me. But the thought of my poor website sitting here abandoned has finally gotten to me enough to bring me back. Mostly to talk about life, illness, dying and death…
It's time for the future - the right one
I've always watched and read a lot of science fiction, but lately it's seemed more relevant and poignant than ever…
Pandemic-era entertainment, part 4
Serge Ibaka and the Toronto Raptors are producing some great content to help us get through these trying times.
Pandemic-era entertainment, part 3
Expect more podcast recommendations and thank yous in the days/weeks to come, but for now, here are a few sports-oriented podcasts I'm grateful for.
Pandemic-era entertainment, part 2
On the weekend I watched The Gardener and Buddy. I also finally started watching the documentary series, The Polar Sea. I recommend all of them but there are plenty more worth checking out.
Pandemic-era entertainment, part 1
It's week two of working entirely at home (in the spirit of germ containment), and I don't think I'm any more out of sorts, agitated or discombobulated than usual. But I don't have any particularly useful advice during these weird times either, and I definitely don't have any great insights or wisdom to share…
The joyful peace of mucking out...
Sometime during my Instagram lifetime I started following an account run by an animal sanctuary located in Spain. I use my Instagram feed pretty much as a happy place where I can see pictures of cute animals (especially cats) and other things that make me smile. Jacobs Ridge Animal Sanctuary fit that bill…
Musicians from Mars - a paper on Voivod
One of the things I have meant to do with this site is post some of the conference papers I wrote and delivered in the past – ones that I think may be of interest or use to other folks. Here is one of my many conference papers about Voivod…
The best metal of 2018... according to me
At the end of the year, my colleagues and I at Hellbound.ca work together to list our favourite heavy releases of the past twelve months. We come up with the usual 'best of' kind of lists but add our own twist by highlighting our favourite Canadian releases of the year as well…
And another Halloween passes
Last year, on October 1, 2017, you would have been able to find me in my front yard, setting up for a full month of Halloween celebrating. This year, I didn't have as much time to prepare for my favourite holiday (sadly)…
Still kicking: October falls (no, not the band)
I'm back teaching this fall – and enjoying it immensely! – but it hasn't left me with much time or mental space to write for other things or in other contexts. But since I am still alive in this crazy messed-up world, here I am – back for a moment or two and a few thoughts…
I hope you're watching the WNBA playoffs
I think (I hope!) I've mentioned that I invested in the WNBA League Pass this year. I've been taking advantage of it – to follow Kia Nurse's rookie season in particular…
Sports all year round
I can't deny that I'm suffering a little NBA withdrawal these summer months, but there's been lots to keep me occupied in the off-season.
Gardening in the city (2018)
I haven't spent a lot of time sitting at my computer lately. One of the reasons is my small urban garden. It's very much a patchwork affair: a little intention, a little luck; some input from squirrels, birds and the wind…
The ongoing evolution of NBA uniforms: the short shorts club
It's more than a week since the Toronto Raptors were swept out of the 2018 NBA playoffs, but things are still a little raw. Even more so after Coach Casey's firing last week. So, as I continue to process the season, my feelings and my fandom, here is a lighter-hearted post on NBA style – on the basketball court…
Poetry to fall asleep by
Like many of you, sometimes (often) I like to ease myself to sleep with a good podcast. Not so good that it defeats the purpose, of course. If I really want to fall asleep, I'm looking for a particular kind of content and presentation: mildly engaging, measured, soothing…
Interview: Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative (SAMHI)
Thanks mostly to DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors) and Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), I've been thinking a lot about athletes' mental health. I want to say more about DeRozan and Love's public sharing of their vulnerabilities
Recommended listening – podcasts (winter 2018)
I listen to a lot of podcasts. At this particular stage in my life, I think I listen to more podcasts than anyone else I know. And this is real-time (1.0x speed) listening!
Interview with Taylor Sharp, Producer/Co-Director of HOOPS AFRICA: UBUNTU MATTERS
When I was still teaching, and just starting to get interested in the NBA, I became particularly intrigued by Basketball Without Borders. Forms of globalization, imperialism, colonialism and transnational mediation feature prominently in any study of contemporary culture
Relatable (a language gripe)
In the current environment of social and cultural crises – revelations of sexual assault and harassment, school shootings, the murder of indigenous youth going unpunished – my gripe about a single word is inconsequential. But language does matter…
STAR TREK: Am I becoming a Trekkie?
When I was young (and by young, I'm talking well into my twenties), I would choose, without hesitation, Star Wars over Star Trek. Somewhere between then and now, I switched teams…
Athletics and academics – interview with Glen Grunwald
Near the end of last month I had the opportunity to interview Glen Grunwald, current Director of Athletics and Recreation at McMaster University, and former front-office executive of the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors.
To the mighty Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin seemed immortal to me. And of course, she is, as long as her work persists, as long as her work continues to resonate with readers, encouraging them to imagine otherwise…
From one year to another: endings, beginnings and carrying on
Despite the calendar, January doesn't seem like the best month to start a new year. On this side of the globe, I think I'd feel more inspired for fresh starts in the spring, when the first signs of new life start to show…
There and back again: a Columbus New Year
Sometimes you just need to mix up your New Year's Eve routine…
Ben Simmons: education vs college
Ever since I posted about Malcolm Brogdon, and maybe even before, I've been thinking that my next NBA post should be about Ben Simmons…
Crocheting with purpose
About a year and a half ago I got my mom to teach me how to crochet. I wasn't a craftsy person for most of my adult life, but after focusing on mental labour for so many years, I've come to appreciate the joy of working with my hands…
Who says no to Harvard and the NBA?
One of my first posts on this young blog ended with a positive challenge to myself and others: to learn more about Canada’s lesser known historical role models. Today I want to give a virtual high five to a podcast that is doing just that.…
(Re-)discovering the heroes of Canadian history
One of my first posts on this young blog ended with a positive challenge to myself and others: to learn more about Canada’s lesser known historical role models. Today I want to give a virtual high five to a podcast that is doing just that.…
SCREAM FOR ME SARAJEVO: music and film in Hamilton
Steeltown (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) has way more cultural events going on than I could ever possibly take advantage of. That abundance includes music and film.…
Happy Halloween! (2017)
This is the first year in I don’t know how long where I’ve had time not just to think about Halloween but to really prepare. I’m sure things don’t look too different to the outside world…
Lunch with a polar bear
A year ago I was getting ready to leave for Churchill, Manitoba – because it was polar bear season and I wanted to see polar bears…
Healthy, vegan, neither, or both?
Did you see any headlines declaring vegetarianism a cause of heart disease this summer? I did. And, of course, as a long-time vegetarian I had to check this ostensible news out…
College, or the NBA?
Our household’s TIFF experience this year, as I mentioned in my last post, included a screening of the basketball documentary The Carter Effect. I enjoyed the film, but I also felt like a bit of an outsider…
Sports with a cause
Last weekend we made our annual trek to TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) and for the second year running we watched a basketball documentary…
Instead of Sir John A. Macdonald…
If, like me, you’re an Ontario-based Canadian and you pay any attention to provincial news, you likely noticed late-summer discussions about removing the name of former Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald from Ontario elementary schools.
MOSTLY metal, not ONLY metal
Last week a friend asked me a question that got me thinking about my taste in music a little differently...