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Friday Five 11/28/25
Nov. 28th, 2025 11:50 pm1. What were some of the smells and tastes of your childhood?
That certain smell of the elementary school cafeteria is the one that's struck me lately, because the cafeteria kitchen at the college I'm teaching at has had the same smell (as I remember it) every time I've walked past it this semester. I was actually going to write a post about that here and hadn't gotten aroudn to it yet. I guess the same cafeteria pizza would be a top pick for the taste side as well.
2. What did you have as a child that you do not think children today have?
Well, an analog childhood, for one. Not counting game consoles, I didn't have a home computer until I was in 7th grade, a Windows 3.11 rig from a computer show, and home/consumer internet was still in its infancy - AOL 1.5 was, I think, my first firsthand taste of internet. If we're talking specific toys - pipe-smoking Mr. Potatohead comes to mind.
3. What elementary grade was your favorite?
For fun, probably 5th - that was a year that I had good friends in class, some fun and memorable activities and no major issues. For teacher quality, 6th - my teacher that year was very influential on me and, I believe, a direct reason for me studying and teaching history today.
4. What summer do you remember the best as a child?
To be honest, they mostly kind of blend together - I don't know how many memories I could actually assign to any specific summer break during those childhood years. Endless summer, eh?
5. What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self, and at what age?
I don't know. Maybe make a little more effort toward academic programs in high school, like joining the National Honor Society (which I was qualified for, but didn't feel like writing an essay at the time)? But, it's never affected anything in adulthood or the real world. Be more outgoing? But, I'm naturally a textbook introvert, and I don't think I could've changed that. I guess the main thing would just be a general "stop procrastinating."
That certain smell of the elementary school cafeteria is the one that's struck me lately, because the cafeteria kitchen at the college I'm teaching at has had the same smell (as I remember it) every time I've walked past it this semester. I was actually going to write a post about that here and hadn't gotten aroudn to it yet. I guess the same cafeteria pizza would be a top pick for the taste side as well.
2. What did you have as a child that you do not think children today have?
Well, an analog childhood, for one. Not counting game consoles, I didn't have a home computer until I was in 7th grade, a Windows 3.11 rig from a computer show, and home/consumer internet was still in its infancy - AOL 1.5 was, I think, my first firsthand taste of internet. If we're talking specific toys - pipe-smoking Mr. Potatohead comes to mind.
3. What elementary grade was your favorite?
For fun, probably 5th - that was a year that I had good friends in class, some fun and memorable activities and no major issues. For teacher quality, 6th - my teacher that year was very influential on me and, I believe, a direct reason for me studying and teaching history today.
4. What summer do you remember the best as a child?
To be honest, they mostly kind of blend together - I don't know how many memories I could actually assign to any specific summer break during those childhood years. Endless summer, eh?
5. What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self, and at what age?
I don't know. Maybe make a little more effort toward academic programs in high school, like joining the National Honor Society (which I was qualified for, but didn't feel like writing an essay at the time)? But, it's never affected anything in adulthood or the real world. Be more outgoing? But, I'm naturally a textbook introvert, and I don't think I could've changed that. I guess the main thing would just be a general "stop procrastinating."
