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Author Archives: awtraughber
AI on My Mind
I’ve been thinking a lot about AI for a while now, more out of necessity than anything else. And it’s mostly professional: both as a teacher amongst teachers and as a teacher amongst students. AI is, of course, the hottest … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Internet, Organizations and Institutions, Teaching
Tagged Alan Jacobs
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A Brief Word on Fantasy Literature
I’m looking forward to reading Francis Spufford’s upcoming novel, Nonesuch. In connection with the book release, Spufford has written a little piece about the enduring popularity of fantasy literature (and the many reasons we engage it). Here’s how the piece … Continue reading
Posted in Books
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Sunday’s Best: Unequivocally March?
First day (and Sunday) of March, and there’s some nice humor in the Sunday funnies. First there’s Calvin (no Hobbes present) with a great opening gag followed by a great example of Calvin going the long way around to get … Continue reading
Posted in Comics
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Sunday’s Best: Snow Humor
A handful of great strips this chilly-for-Hawaii Sunday morning! Today’s WuMo takes an interesting approach to public transportation that almost makes some sense. (Believe me, I’ve been on buses that felt they were going for something like this- both exhilarating … Continue reading
Sunday’s Best: Science of the Self
It’s the first Sunday of 2026, and I’m already feeling a little behind. But that’s okay because there’s still time to get ye olde act together! After a good, latter-day run, Calvin and Hobbes has reverted back to some early … Continue reading
Posted in Comics
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The Strangest Thing
Like lots of other people across the country, I spent my New Year’s Day watching the series finale of Stranger Things at a local movie theater. It was a great way to wrap things up: big screen, comfy seat, a … Continue reading
New Year’s Day 2026 (Hope to Carry On)
The new year started off with a slightly-later-than-usual pre-dawn walk up into the valley. The breeze was nice and the road mostly quiet. Morning prayer, some monastic podcast, talk, and then the first full song of the year. You just … Continue reading
Posted in Caedmon's Calling, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, The Long Story
Tagged Caedmon's Call, Rich Mullins
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A Song about the Strange Way
There’s a characteristically awkward-yet-humorous moment about 2:40 minutes into Nate Bargatze’s “nativity scene” sketch with Mary, Joseph, and the Wise Men that brings up an interesting point about the songs of the season: Jesus gets a fair amount, Mary a … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Music
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Sunday’s Best: Star Light, Star Bright?
There’s not much seasonal humor in this week’s Sunday funnies. The classic Calvin and Hobbes is brilliant as always (with a great final panel). Frazz is funny, even if it ends up being a fart joke. But I think it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Comics, Holidays
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Waking Up the Dead . . . Again
A few days ago I posted some thoughts on my Thanksgiving Day viewing of Rian Johnson’s latest Knives Out mystery: Wake Up Dead Man. As I mentioned then, I really appreciated what Johnson was able to do with the sincerity … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Faith, Movies
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Space Enough, and Time 