Notes from the Hiatusphere

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Writing Again!

I decided to update my Hiatusphere Blog. Although a few years have gone by due to mostly health issues, I would like to continue posting items that interest me and possibly others. One part of my blog may concern Parkinson's Disease which I am dealing with, but I will only post items that are intersting, new or humorous since there are enough sources of serious information available on this subject.

My current interests include the best literature for both adults and young adults; noteworthy TV and film; reliable and reputable sources of news and media information; educational media tips; ethics in government; health information that is new and promising; and creative writing outlets.

So stay tuned!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Hiatusphere AKA "The Next Act of a School Librarian"

My blog Notes from the Hiatusphere took a hiatus itself while I completed my last year as a high school librarian at Upper Dublin High School. Retired with much fanfare last June, I find myself pondering my next path, career goal, "third act," etc. Retirement is an interesting place to be and status to define oneself, so that I shall now and henseforth consider myself on "hiatus."

So now what? What's with this blog anyway?

My interests have not changed. I still love teenagers, young adult and children's literature, the latest technologies as they pertain to education; film, library research, social media as it can be used to advance education and communication and finally writing. Writing anything and everything.

So this lovely hiatusfull blog will continue on delving into the interests just mentioned and perhaps more. I will also insert interesting clips curated from the internet especially twitter, my addiction, and from my various online informational subscriptions.

I hope that you, the reader. will occasionally find something of interest that you may enjoy and possibly pass on.

Imperium by Robert Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was eager to read this historical non-fiction novel about ancient Rome, a book vastly different from the type I usually pick up. Tiro, Cicero's slave and personal secretary developed his own type of stenography which enabled him to quickly record most of Cicero's speeches and important conversations. What one discovers is how enlightened this ancient orator was. He not only was a dedicated, honest and brilliant lawyer either in defense or prosecution; but also an astute politician able to look ahead and anticipate the actions of his opponents leading him all the way to his highest office of consul. Possibly his most famous trial at least in this novel, was his prosecution of the Sicilian governor Verres. This was a ruthless and greedy despot who stole vast amounts of gold and artwork to amass his fortune in Rome. Any Sicilian who got in his way was either crucified or sent to the stone quarries from which no one returned. Cicero, along with his cousins and Tiro went to Sicily to gather as much testimony as possible while Verres was trying to buy off the jury of senators. Cicero's opening speech at trial dramatically called upon the senators' integrity while also parading countless witnesses to testify against Verres and his cruelty. Lucky for Cicero and the novel's readers that Tiro recorded these events and excellent oratories so that one may learn of a great Roman. In discussion with our book club everyone remarked how similar both the law and politics operate today compared with ancient Rome.

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