Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

So, if you don't know, MIT has MIT OpenCourseWare , which is a web based publication of virtually all MIT course content. It provides courses and course materials for free, which allows folks like me to take courses we wouldn't be able to otherwise. Here are 15 that caught my eye. If any of them (or others on the site) catch your eye, let me know (maybe we could do a course together)! "The American Novel" (though I will quickly note, this one has a theme of hauntings even though the course title does not reflect that) "Anthropology Through Speculative Fiction" "Bestsellers: Out for the Count" (I do think it should be "Down for the Count" though) "Creating Video Games" "Fans and Fan Cultures" "Food in American History" "Games for Social Change" "Genre Fiction Workshop" "Genre Fiction Workshop: Fantasy" "Magic, Witchcraft, and the Spirit World" "Medieval Literature...

Time for more harping on Jamal and Emma. Okay, even if all of the stuff about Emma is true, just ignore her and have fun at the resort Michael and Bryan dancing together is so fun If I was Chloe, I wouldn't like Jamal calling me love...like we are not close like that Bryan, did you genuinely not want Emma's attention in that moment? Like you could've just not laid on the ground in the first place... Sorry, maybe I missed something, but I feel like Chloe said she wasn't mad for Emma and Bryan doing there thing, but I thought that was the whole thing? Y'all, is this worth a fight? Malik just fully picking up Jamal (who is not a small man) was so genuinely impressive to me Aha rando Haley wants screentime Wait, now that Malik and Jamal are talking...is Malik shorter than Jamal? Jamal, duh? Kara clearly doesn't believe Emma...why is this only something you're supposing? TOXIC IS NOT GOOD, RAZVAN Okay I mostly don't like Steven, but him bringing the vibe back...

If you haven't voted yet, GO VOTE! Don't have a plan? MAKE A VOTING PLAN ! Not sure what's on your ballot? Ballotpedia is an excellent resource. Anyways, I will be watching results with at least one friend (could be more!) and we're doing a Surf's Up/Blue Wave theme (cause ya know I need a theme), so here are some things we could do while we watch.  Argue about which real US presidents (whose presidencies have concluded) were the worst when we want historical reminders Brainstorm campaign slogans for us and for fictional characters when we want to be silly Calculate percentage of IL governors who've been to prison (can do this also for Chicago mayors, etc.) when we want to find a findable answer and see how this percentage has improved in recent years Debate which fictional political figures were the worst (mayor from Jaws , anyone?) when we want to invest in fictional drama Eat blue food/drink blue drinks to manifest a Blue Wave Find fun ocean/water facts when...

Time for disapprovals and fights.  Wow Andi and Nigel are so uncomfortable Andi, I think it's clear that Nigel doesn't want to narrow his interests Vittorio, you GREATLY contributed to that scene Vittorio, it is possible that Jessy pushed you to your limit, but that's because you pushed her to her limit first... Yikes, Michelle, were you even legally married to that guy? Or were the "marriage documents" just having you fill out your personal info so he could steal it? So, wait, why doesn't Ben's sister like Zuri? Here's the thing, Ben, Zuri is gonna at least eventually see the English captions I'm seeing NILES! EVERY MOMENT YOU DELAY SHARING YOUR PLAN TO STAY IN GHANA MEANS YOU ARE DIGGING YOURSELF INTO A DEEPER HOLE Jonathan, I cannot convey enough how much you suck--one woman was saying your pregnant fiancé whom you've been apart from has been having a rough time--how is that ganging up? JONATHAN! ALLY WANTING YOU TO BE ABLE TO FINANCIALLY SU...

While I'm posting this on Halloween, 2026, I did draft it earlier! Let's hope I do at least some of these! Drink hard cider Drink hot cider Drink hot cocoa Eat dirt pudding Eat Halloween-y candy Eat something pumpkin-flavored Light some fall-scented candles Light some fall scented incense Light some Halloween-shaped candles Watch Halloween episodes of my favorite sitcoms Watch Hocus Pocus Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas Wear my costume from my Halloween party (Mary Anne from "Goodbye Earl" Wear my vampire cape for max ease Wear one of my onesie costumes for max comfort (Prompt by me) Photo by Jamo Images on Unsplash

Recently, The Chicks gave a concert in Chicago and I (of course) attended. During the performance, some of the songs struck a chord with me, but made me want to alter the lyrics to a few. Anyways, here's "Only Few" .  I was young and so naïve I was the only one who thought You were happy No meal would end up soured No eyes of yours could ever glower I saw my future bright ahead I knew a dad like mine would always save the day And that we'd always be okay But would I know you now Would I have joy that we could share? Make more memories that are not blue Or still have my only few Or still have my only few You scared me like no one else And sometimes love just doesn't seem to conquer all I searched for else to blame But sometimes dads can't stay the same But would I know you now Would I have joy that we could share? Make more memories that are not blue Or still have my only few Or still have my only few Holding on to these flashbacks Of when things were lighter I...