Monthly Archives: July 2016

Friday Follies: Explosive

Yikes. Bonus: I was amazed to discover that this sign is still up at Hack’s favorite squash court.

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Pitzer with Rotary Phone, c 1965

Avert your eyes from that terrifying owl over his right shoulder and look instead at the glorious multi-line rotary phone over his left. I can almost feel the solid feeling of pushing one of those buttons: Bonus: This is by … Continue reading

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“as an expression of affection for”

I spent my whole day yesterday at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center in the downtown library. With the cheerful help of the staff I quickly found what I had come for, some materials in the West University Place Collection. Then, … Continue reading

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How Tall is Willy?

I never have even the slightest idea what to expect when I come to work. I laughed when I arrived the other day and found out that someone needed to know Willy’s height — it seemed preposterous. My amusement, though, … Continue reading

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Monday Mystery

Does anyone know who this woman is? Browsing through some Athletics files I found a whole contact sheet full of images of her posing in a variety of goofy ways. She’s both lovely and game. This photo struck me as … Continue reading

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Friday Follies: The Thinking Man’s Orchestra (Updated)

From the 1960 OWLS campus directory: Even aside from the startling fact that the Faculty Club had a house orchestra, I don’t know what being the thinking man’s orchestra would entail. Update from Grungy: “He’s 84 now, if he’s still … Continue reading

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Hally Beth Walker Poindexter, 1927-2016

I was deeply saddened to learn last night of the passing of Hally Beth Poindexter. This is truly news that I hate to hear. Hally Beth arrived at Rice in the fall of 1944 and she immediately became a busy … Continue reading

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“Recycle this reel”

I had a really busy day today and can’t work up the energy for any coherent commentary. I will offer one small tidbit, though. For the last several weeks I’ve been watching this out of the corner of my eye … Continue reading

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Women, Rocks, and Professors, Part II

I had to wait two days for the UPS guy to bring me John Rogers’ memoir from an Amazon warehouse somewhere, so take a moment and picture me drumming my fingers and peering out the front window. When he finally … Continue reading

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Women, Rocks, and Professors, Part I

A week or so ago someone needed a photograph of John J.W. Rogers, a geologist who taught at Rice from 1954 until 1974 then went on to spend another twenty years at the University of North Carolina. This was easy … Continue reading

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