Who is this “authority” you ask?  Read on…

First order of business:  the title of the blog.  It’s part of a quote from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure:

       …but man, proud man,
Drest in a little brief authority
Most ignorant of what he’s most assur’d
His glassy essence, like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.

It’s from Act 2, scene 2 (if you’re interested in such things) and the speaker is Isabella, a pious nun.  In other words, I’m trying to indicate my own sense of absurdity at claiming any sort of authority whatsoever. 

Neverthelss, here I go.  I’m an assistant professor at a regional state university somewhere in the middle of this fine country.  I specialize in medieval literature, but I’m also passionate about Shakesepare, Victorian novels, and modern drama.  I just bought a house, and am adjusting to being a first-time homeowner after renting all of my prior adult life.  I enjoy looking at and reading about architecture, photography, and Arts and Crafts design.  All of the above will be potential topics of this blog.  Enjoy!