Columns

Write Stuff – Friday Finds

Not long ago, I compared the recent surge in self-publishing to the California Gold Rush. It’s exciting and, has loads of potential, but also involves wading through mountains of slush to strike pay dirt. So it’s well worth sharing when a glimmer of literary gold shines out of the morass, and Friday Finds will introduce… Read more »

The Mindful Bard – For Colored Girls

DVD: For Colored Girls (2010). Based on Ntozake Shange’s play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Director: Tyler Perry. Cast: Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington. Black Women Negotiating Social Justice for Women at Large Whoopi Goldberg plays… Read more »

AUSU Update – Convocation 2010; AUSU Executive Election

Convocation 2010 AUSU wishes to congratulate this year’s graduates, whether attending Convocation in person or by distance. We wish you the best of luck in your future pursuits. You are an inspiration to all AU students! AUSU Executive Election AUSU has recently held its internal election for the Executive. We wish to congratulate Barbara Rielly… Read more »

The Mindful Bard – It’s Kind of a Funny Story

DVD: It’s Kind of a Funny Story (Focus Features 2010) Genre: Drama, Comedy The Movie about America That America Just didn’t Get Craig is a suicidal teenager. He is crushed under absurdly unrealistic societal and familial expectations, and he isn’t even given the resources with which to meet them. Worst of all, he doesn’t yet… Read more »

From Where I Sit – Nine Things We Should All Know by Now

Many people invest years of blood, sweat, and tears and thousands of dollars into earning a degree, a diploma, or a certificate. In a credential-crazed world, That’s not just smart; It’s often a matter of survival. No one would dispute the long-term payoff in terms of earning potential, quality of life, personal satisfaction, and career… Read more »

Write Stuff – Silent Treatment

It takes a strong will—or a contrary nature—not to get caught up in the gloom and doom surrounding the written word these days. Libraries are closing, publishers are struggling, and major booksellers are shuttering their stores (though not before some employees get the last laugh). Still, as new forces sweep away the old, there’s one… Read more »

AUSU Update – Convocation 2010; AUSU Executive Election

Convocation 2010 AUSU wishes to congratulate this year’s graduates, whether attending Convocation in person or by distance. We wish you the best of luck in your future pursuits. You are an inspiration to all AU students! AUSU Executive Election AUSU has recently held its internal election for the Executive. We wish to congratulate Barbara Rielly… Read more »

From Where I Sit – The Levee

In February I had the good fortune to visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Roy was there as part of a contingent from Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, meeting with experts and touring similar facilities. While he put in full days of work, I was free to tour the sites. One of the places I visited was Cottonwood Books… Read more »

Write Stuff – Five-Star Follies

You need to buy a gift and you know just the thing: a book. Maybe you’ll spring for a gorgeous coffee-table book on gardening for your mom. Or maybe you want to add a horror novel to your best friend’s e-reader. But You’re not into gardening, and the closest you’ve been to the horror genre… Read more »