I adore musicals. Tech Support is more skeptical of the genre, despite having a deep love of Fiddler on the Roof and Paint Your Wagon. But since he’s a good husband, he took me to Les Mis for Valentine’s Day. I’d seen it live a couple of times before, but this was the fancy new touring production. Not sure I’m on board with it. They took out the “time and place” signals, which made it tough for Tech Support (who knows the story less well than I) to track the changes in year and setting. And with some of the...
#metoo, Children’s Literature, and Separating Art from Artist
First things first: If you’re a member of the kid lit community and have been harassed or assaulted by other members of the community: I believe you, and I stand with you. If you’re a member of the kid lit community who has not been harassed or assaulted, please remember that just because it’s never happened to you, doesn’t mean it’s never happened. Even if you’re a huge fan of the accused. ESPECIALLY if you’re a huge fan of the accused. I was a huge fan of Jay Asher’s. I attended my first SCBWI conference in 2008. I was recently...
Intent to Kill and the Forensics of Hang Fire
There has been a ton of debate online in the wake of the latest shootings in the States. One thing no one argues about is whether or not the shooters intended to commit murder, because of course they did. Canadians, on the other hand, have been debating the question of intent – in the Gerald Stanley/Colten Boushie case. Did Stanley shoot to kill, or did his gun experience a rare malfunction? Called hang fire, it apparently happens when there is a delay between the trigger pull and the movement of the bullet. My academic expertise is in the forensic...