About Me
b 1964/01/21. American ex-pat; proud, anthem-singing Canadian citizen since 2001. Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. My current research is on social control in planned spaces (especially the work of mall security guards), and on ways and sites in which people make and manage the interplays between traditional “organic” and postmodern “commodified” and privately-regulated sociality. More concretely I am starting a project examining the “third wave” coffee phenomenon as an example of a neo-traditional subculture and venue for lived, face-to-face, sensual experience that’s not computer mediated. There are many examples of this, almost a sort of millenarianism, where people are eschewing the MySpace, IM/chat, MMORPG and otherwise computer-based social world in favour of something “real,” sensual and artistic or artisanal. It’s interesting. It’s more than just coffee; It’s a social movement.
So run my professional interests, but in the meantime I’m a connoisseur of relatively simple pleasures, especially coffee and ethnic cuisines, and some not-so-simple pleasures, especially travel. These will be the focus of this blog as I foresee it. I don’t anticipate a lot of scholarly insight here, so if you’re a student reading this, you’ll get to know me better on here. But you won’t (probably) glean a lot of assistance for my courses.
I’m partnered–met 1995, legally married since 2003–to Brian Singh [biz site], and we’re the poster children among po-mo couples: Same-sex, racially mixed, too reliant on modern technology (we met on the internet when we were still using text-based browsers), both immigrants in Canada- he from Trinidad and Tobago, me from the US. My hometown is Hammond, Indiana. I’m the youngest of seven kids, and the only one who doesn’t still live in my home state.
I’m an alumnus of Reed College in Portland (OR) where I graduated with a BA in History in ‘86, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an MS in ‘88 and PhD in ‘93, both in Sociology. I love to hear from friends and well-wishers from both places!
July 19, 2007 at 9:08 am
If you want to know more about mall security guards I may be able to help you out. I believe I have met every last one in the city!
I travel with a service dog who is not a guide dog. He is a trained, licensed seizure dog. He is also only 12 lbs and cute! He wears a bright orange vest for id but inevitably security guards pop up to chat. I have also met them at every federal government building in the city, university/college campus, movie theaters, airport, including customs officers, bylaw officers and police officers.
I am also often confronted (and I do mean confronted) by nosy people who just can’t help but ask. Most of them time, if they are kind and inquisitive I don’t mind, but frankly they are usually accusatory and cynical.
My favourite (note Cdn sp) game is to watch their body language and general demeanor change as I explain the service my dog provides. It instantly goes from “security guard authority” to “Oops - I’m a nice person really.”
Anyhow, love the new site. Thanks for sharing. See you on CH.
PS. I too am very sad to see the Noodle King go. They will be missed.
October 15, 2007 at 9:03 am
i was hoping a posting on CH might have caught your eye but with all your travels it was likely easily missed.
a hunt for doubles in the toronto area has left me a bit wanting and puzzled about the difference between guyanese and trini styles. anything you might know of the enlighten me would be fantastic! thanks.
November 29, 2007 at 11:27 am
Hello!
This is your new “niece-in -law” Kristina! We received your email (Rob and I) and I decided to check out your website! So hello, nice to finally meet you! Rob says “hello” as well! Ok that’s all.
November 29, 2007 at 11:37 am
Hi Kristina!
December 5, 2007 at 2:05 pm
hello just thought i would say hi like the web site
February 19, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Good Day,
My name is Donald Duncan. I am using a survey at coffeestats.ca to collect information on take out coffee. This is for a masters thesis. This survey is to be completed only by coffee drinkers.
Thank you for completing this survey. Please feel free to pass along this link.
Please be assured that all data will only be used for an academic study. You will not be asked for any personal information.
Regards,
Don Duncan
imadon@gmail.com
April 5, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hi, it’s nice to see a fellow gay, southern Albertan, sociologist on the intertubes! Although, to be fair, I’m only a sociologist in training (grad student), at the U of L. I do take a course in Calgary, though. Anyway, I enjoy your blog and look forward to reading more. Cheers!
April 5, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Thanks Natasha!