C.C. Chapman's Blog, page 3

I'm Going to Try My Best to Survive, Produce and Be Patient This Year

Survive, Produce, and Patience.

These are my 3 Words for 2021.

Nine months ago, I wasn’t certain that I’d see today. There was so much unknown in the world, and I was scared. As I stocked the house and prepared for the worse, I hoped for the best.

Flipping the calendar made nothing better. It did not fix any of the multitudes of things that need to be addressed and resolved in the coming weeks, months, and years.

But, while the motivation and drive to DO anything has been lacking for me, I know tha...

Virtual Escapes

December is always a month of reflection and celebrations for me. This year, like the rest of 2020, nothing is like it “always” has been, and thus we roll forward.

When I don’t have something to focus on, my mind can become a dark and less than healthy place. It took me decades to learn this, but now that I know, I always look for something to fill any created void.

Yesterday, final grades were due, and that marks the full end of the semester. I find myself on winter break. I’m confined to the hou...

Rest in Peace Stan

Stanley Liang passed away last week in Arizona. The world lost a unique soul, and I lost a man who had more of an impact on my life than I probably know.

Growing up, I had heard about the Liang family but never knew them. From time to time, they’d come up in conversation as my Dad would tell me a story from his youth. Perhaps it was the one about driving the lawnmower over the bank at the Motel or a handful of other stories.

It wasn’t until I met Stan’s daughter in High School and fell in love wit...

A Decade of Content Rules

We all have those moments that we look back and wonder how different our lives might be if we had made a different choice.

This week as Ann and I celebrate the 10th anniversary of our book Content Rules hitting shelves; I’ve been doing a lot of pondering.

Anyone who has seen me speak on stage over the past decade has heard me share the story about when Ann first called me to ask me to co-author the book with her; I said no. I didn’t know if I wanted to commit the needed time and effort to a book...

Why I'm Taking Part in #ScholarStrike

Last fall, I was invited to attend my first PossePlus Retreat. It was a weekend of intense emotions, honest conversations, and active listening. What I learned that weekend forever changed me.

I’m committed to equality in all ways and try to be sure that whenever I have an opportunity to fight for a good cause, I go all in and do whatever I can to help.

This is why today and tomorrow I’m taking part in the #ScholarStrike that is happening through the United States and Canada.

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The Summer Comes to an End

The final days of summer are upon us.

So far, 2020 has been a dark and disturbing year. I fear that the last months will be even worse than what we’ve seen so far. Evil is currently moving around their pieces on the chessboard, and no one seems willing to kick over the table.

My emotions are a bit of a scattershot lately.

On the one hand, my son is about to graduate from college. There will be no cap and gown. No smile filled photos in front of the school’s sign. But, he will have completed year...

COVID Classrooms

This week I had a student notify me that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

They were the first of my students that I know of, but I fear they won’t be the last.

The coming months look to be some of the hardest of my life. They will be even harder for millions of families throughout our country.

I can only tell my story, and right now, it is one full of worry, concern, and a ton of work.

This fall I’ll be teaching four courses. Two of them are brand new, and thus I’m working hard on designing a...

A Slow Simmer of Chaos

Over a plate of chorizo and eggs this morning, I contemplated society. I concluded that Humans are a species of extremes.

On one end we have the brains to create amazing things. Just think how far we have come from the moment we first discovered fire, to be able to watch a spaceship thousands of miles away connect with another one from a piece of plastic in our hands.

On the other extreme, we are vicious, raw, and evil. We can choose to hate and destroy others because of the color of their skin, ...

Physical Things

Having months to pondering anything and everything has lead my brain into some strange corners. The darkest of them won’t be shared here, and many haven’t even made it into my private journal.

One thought that kept popping up is my love of physical things. Not random junk or shiny objects for the sake of being shiny, but rather quality physical things that last and I have an emotional connection with.

For instance, ever since teaching has become my primary employment, I’ve wanted a new messenger b...

The Great Stretch Begins

Every morning after my dog wakes me up with a kiss and a cuddle, I swing my feet out of bed, sit up and proceed to stretch. Reaching for the sun, my eyes close, my mouth opens with a yawn, and I slowly let my arms fall to my sides as I greet the morning.

Youve felt that feeling after a great nap or a successful night of sleep, havent you? It always feels great to start, but every once and a while, something pulls, or you notice a kink or you realize you dont feel all that well for some...