October 2014
You are browsing the archive for October 2014.
Ask Jack: Handicapped Stall, No-Contract Work + Job of the Week
In this week’s installment of my AOL Jobs advice column: lingering in the office restroom’s handicapped stall. Plus: Should you work for friends or family without a contract?

Music to Our Ears
Music to Our Ears, a book I wrote for the Heinemann Leveled Literacy Intervention program, was just published. It’s a history of enjoying music, from 19th-century sheet music to modern streaming services.
My Internet Radio Playlist, 10/28/14
EPISODE #152: HALLOWEEN 2014 The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Laura Stevenson and the Cans — “Halloween pts. 1 & 2” David Bowie — “Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps)” John Lennon — “Scared” The Strangeloves — “I Want Candy” The Cramps — “What’s Behind the Mask” XTC — “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” The Fall — […]
Ask Jack: Always Late, Kevin Needs Work, and Job of the Week
In this week’s installment of my AOL Jobs advice column: Annoyed by a co-worker who is always late? Plus: Let’s find a job for Kevin.
My Internet Radio Playlist, 10/21/14
EPISODE #151: BOYS’ NAMES, pt. 2 (N–Z) The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Eleanor Friedberger — “Other Boys” XTC — “Making Plans for Nigel” Elvis Costello & the Attractions — “Oliver’s Army” The Pains of Being Pure at Heart — “Hey Paul” Manfred Mann — “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)” Robyn Hitchcock — “Give Me […]

Movie Review: The American Side
4 stars out of 5 Spare and gritty, The American Side is modern noir with a sharp comic twist. It stars Greg Stuhr, and you might be asking yourself, “Who is Greg Stuhr?” What, you weren’t hanging around Carnegie Mellon University during the turn of the ’90s? Well, I was; what’s wrong with you? Since […]
Ask Jack: Boss’s Day, Printer Ethics, and Job of the Week
In this week’s installment of my AOL Job advice column: Should you buy a gift for Boss’s Day? And is it OK to use the office printer for big personal projects?
My Internet Radio Playlist, 10/14/14
EPISODE #150: BOYS’ NAMES, pt. 1 (A–M) The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Reigning Sound — “I’d Much Rather Be With the Boys” Jojo — “Andre” Monty Python — “Brian Song” Cinema Red and Blue — “Charlie Clarke” Nellie McKay — “David” Arthur Russell — “Eli” Pens — “Freddy” Mark Kozelek & Jimmy LaValle — “Gustavo” […]
Movie Review: The Skeleton Twins
3.5 stars out of 5 As we adjust to yet another new SNL cast, we get nostalgic for not-ready-for-prime-time players past. So sure I was going to see Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, the strongest male and female cast members of recent vintage, in their new movie. Heck, I was just happy that Hader had […]
Ask Jack: Boss Hates Me, Chair Coveters, and Job of the Week
In this week’s installment of my AOL Jobs advice column: Getting the boss to like you. Plus, what to do when someone swipes your office chair.
Jack Silbert, curator