Dear Friends of the Pub Quiz,
Much of my mentoring takes place in the classroom. Every quarter, I am charged to illuminate and instruct one or more classes full of UC Davis undergraduates, and every quarter they come away with stronger writing skills, with an appreciation of (hopefully) relevant stories, and with an understanding about the relationship between clear writing and clear thinking.
Some of my mentoring takes place during the more tailored conversations that take place in office hours. My nearly two-decades of radio interviews have taught me how to use a series of questions to discover a student’s foremost goals and his or her plans to complete them. We also talk about what student-written documents will present their authors in the best light to impress future executive audiences, such as graduate committees and interview panels.
On occasion, I also get to mentor young adults and graduate students at our very own Irish pub, home of thee Poetry Night after party. As you probably know, the Poetry Night reading series takes place on first and third Thursdays of every month at the John Natsoulas Gallery. We enjoy an hour of the featured poets, an hour of the open mic performers (some with instruments), and at least an hour of the after party in the Snug (“Señor Snug,” they sometimes call me).
We observe a certain number of rules at the after-party, including no pronouncements of poems, no baiting Dr. Andy into professing (that can be saved for the classroom), and no making others uncomfortable. Usually that last unspoken rule concerns the treatment of women, for sometimes members of the community see the after party as an opportunity to talk up, say, graduate student poets in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. Through modeling and sometimes choice words, I communicate to everyone present that the Snug on alternate Thursdays is a time of conversation, laughter, mutual respect, and no sexual harassment.
One of the ways that I let students know that they are supported is by subsidizing their food bill. If a graduate student has been helping me with publicity, setting up and taking down chairs at the readings, or even making the out-of-town featured poet feel appreciated, then I pay for that young person’s meal. In Korea, I have read, the oldest person at the table picks up the check. We don’t typically go that far, but I do pay attention to which Poetry Night participants could benefit from such largesse. And then sometimes the accomplished or careerist members of the entourage help me in this effort by Venmoing me an outsized portion of the final bill. It all works out at the end.
Once a couple years ago I had to miss the after party, either because of another poetry commitment (sometimes I give readings myself), or because of a family responsibility, such as picking up Kate at the airport. On this particular occasion, I gave the de Vere’s gift card to my former student, now a UC Davis alumnus, Joey, and asked him to use it to pay for his food tab and for the food of any of the helpers.
Well on this night, two female graduate student helpers and one older member of the community stayed until the very end of the after party, and Joey could tell that this gentleman was making the two younger conversationalists uncomfortable with his choice of topics and in the way he riveted his attention upon them. While he kept insisting that he walk them home, they communicated to Joey with their glances and facial expressions that they prefer he not do so. They were asking for help.
As the conversation moved outside, Joey suddenly engaged with the gentleman about an earlier topic that had come up in the Snug, and the man was delighted with the attention. Simultaneously, Joey signaled to one of the graduate students that now was her time to flee without being followed. She did.
A few minutes later, when it became clear that a member of the party had absconded, the man turned to Joey and said, “I see what you did there,” and then turned his attention to his second mark. Joey said to his new female friend, “Well, should I walk you to your car?” And then Joey, who can bench press well over 250 lbs, gave the older gentleman a firm look, suggesting that he not follow. The look was received, the parting was quick, and the good deed was done.
I myself cannot bench press over 250 lbs, so I focus on using verbal and persuasive means to keep the peace and correct those who need it. I was so pleased that Joey could play that role when I wasn’t present, and that he took my mentoring to heart, years after he was a student in one of my classes.
In addition to topics raised above, tonight’s Pub Quiz will feature questions on the following: Rumors, Italian sculptors, famous couples, repeated numbers, absolute ties, small casts, showcases, Democrats in California, great figures, concussions, the example of Jeremiah, colorful titles, solo artists, civil rights leaders, famous mentors, the effect of Theravada, expeditions, weavers, panic, speakers, Northampton, rock and roll, the 19th century, branches of government, PA systems, odd numbers, capital Ws, U.S. Presidents, respected authority, big cities, lead appearances, forever and beyond, famous bands, and Shakespeare.
Poetry Night Thursday will feature Yolo County poet Katie Peterson. She’s also the chair of creative writing at UC Davis. Join us at 8 at the Natsoulas Gallery, and, if you like, at the after-party.
See you this evening!
Your Quizmaster
YourQuizmaster.com
Three questions from a previous quiz:
- Science: Hydrology. When water condenses, does it cool or warm the environment around it?
- Current Events – Names. Tension is high in one particular landlocked South-American country following the resignation of the president, Evo Morales, after weeks of protest over a disputed election. Name the country.
- Shakespeare. What Shakespeare play anachronistically has the clock striking three, and has a key character adjust his doublet?
P.S. KDVS is your campus and community radio station. Some of you were confused about that last week. You should listen, especially Wednesdays at 5.