superhero films university course

 I really hadn't thought about checking it again to see what other universities are offering a superhero films kind of class.

I'm amazed! I'm in good company.

From Washburn University and topeka, kansas,

Advice for marriage

So a student submitted a help card in class and wanted it to be a private discussion. However, this advice is really good for me to reflect on. The truth is, I can never stop taking my own advice. So here it is.

Congratulations on the possibility of marriage on the horizon!

That's fantastic, that you and your girlfriend will be taking marital classes. I'm honored that you would reach out to me for advice because I absolutely love being married and having children. I'm not implying that you should have children, but I can definitely give advice for success.

When Carrie and I started dating, she asked me what she should know about me. I immediately said that even though I do my best to listen, I will most likely forget a lot of what is said. 

So being graceful with each other, understanding that these things you don't mean to do might happen is really important.

That's what they mean by open communication. Communication communication communication. It never ends.

For me, it was coming from a family that never communicated, by which I mean expressing the needs people have with other people being open to fulfilling them.

There are also healthy ways to help with conflict, as conflict is unavoidable. We as a culture aren't taught how to remain calm, discuss things out of "I feel" language. 

Here is what Google AI said when I asked (see below)

Also, to make sure that you have strong connections with other couples and friends. When I dated someone unhealthy for me, I lost many of my friends. It's important to have those connections so that even the emotional work doesn't have to be burdened to one person.

I like what Carrie says, that she and her female friends will sometimes complain about their husbands on the light side, but also like to brag about us. I mean really, there are times where I will forget to cook a vegetable as part of a dinner because Carrie is often doing most of the cooking.

Maybe that's also another good thing to think about, to really establish who will be solar responsible for what as well as what is co-equally responsible. For example, it is equally my responsibility to have a clean house if I come in from work and see that it is trashed. Having five kids, the house is always trashed. Hahaha

Even though I pay all of the bills because I love doing that, keeping track of the money coming in and how it will be distributed, Carrie has full access to what I'm doing. She has full access to look at the accounts and I also share with her my spreadsheet of what came in, what the expenses were, and what spending we have for the rest of the month.

I guess like anything, balance work with home life, balance self-care time with partner time with friend time. I know that all I ever wanted to do was be with Carrie when we were dating, but I'm also glad that we did hang out with our friends individually. Sometimes we hosted a group at our apartment back then.

Anyway, thank you for asking again. I'm guessing I have more tips, but I'll close here as I've written an entire essay!

Prof D

To have open communication and manage conflict with a partner, focus on actively listening, using "I" statements to express your feelings, avoiding blame, choosing a calm moment to discuss issues, practicing empathy, and being open to compromise, while ensuring you both feel heard and respected throughout the conversation.

2024 Anhinga Prize for Poetry

With a big thank you to Kristine Snodgrass! This means so much to me during a time where the poems don't come as they have due to my health. 

 

Dear Dennis Etzel, Jr.,

Thank you for your submission, The War in the War: an ars poetica memoir. 

Our staff is very grateful that you trusted Anhinga Press with your submission and we really enjoyed reading your poetry. We employ readers and judges who write and publish, as you do, and who know what it feels like to go through this process. It is a privilege to be able to spend time with such outstanding work.

To follow are the selections for the 2024 Anhinga Prize for Poetry. 

Anhinga Press is pleased to announce:

Winning Selection

Origin of Wounds by Malik Rasaq chosen by Kaveh Bassiri.

 

Finalists chosen by Kaveh Bassiri: 

Rivermouth Shouting by Jean Gallagher 

The Conditions by Jacob Griffin Hall 

Says the Wolf By Becka McKay 

 

Semi-Finalists:

Bluecollar Eclogue by Jay Brecker 

Rot by Randi Clemons 

Earthly Paradise of Carteret by Chris McCann

The War within the War by Denis Etzel Jr

Ghost in the Archive by Jennifer Lloyd

Sincerely,

Kristine Snodgrass

Co-director 

Anhinga Press

Conferences plan

 Waiting to hear back from ncte

and from International Conference on Religion & Film

in March? 

for May>>already asked for

Register for conference money in August

Either for ncte?

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Upcoming course schedule change and plans

 Fall 2024

Submit for Fall 2025 Sabbatical

EN 210 Online (cross-listed with EN 399 and RG 300)

EN 101 MWF 9:00-9:50

EN 101 MWF 10-10:50

EN 300 Online nursing emphasis

 

Spring 2025

MWF 8:00-8:50 EN 300

MWF 9:00-9:50 EN 206

MWF 11:00-11:50 EN 300

Mon. 5:30-8:00 EN 190/390

 

 

Fall 2025

sabbatical

 

 

 

Spring 2026

Beginning Poetry (206): Etzel

Superhero Films 

Fall 2026

EN210

Spring 2027

Beginning Poetry (206): Etzel

Beginning Nonfiction (207): Etzel

 

 

Fall 2027

EN210

Spring 2028

Beginning Poetry (206): Etzel

Fall 2028

 EN210

At the Movies

 Themes

Genre

Mythology and religion and philosophy and psychology

Vietnam

Two lesbian mothers

Neuroqueerness

Superheroes

Everything everywhere all at once

Mental rom-coms

Places that movie theaters are

The positive Trickster

Self-care Cinema therapy

I'm from Topeka Kansas and so are you

Art Plus capitalism equals emptiness

What does it mean to write a memoir, film as memoir

Generative Poetic Practices like the HBO guide and analyzing it back and forth and everywhere

Phenomenon philosophy, indie VS corporate, loss of the Dickinson theater, while Atchison rallied

In a dead end job

At the movies in December, the best movies come out, reflection, snow storms and the beauty of Silence

Approach

 I know I should really think about writing pieces that are funny, smart, in other words have wit.

In other words, write pieces that I would love to read out loud and to an audience.

Think of pacing, think of ways that a story engages with a listener.