Category: Blog of Damien S. Riley

My song “Fields of Mustard” done on piano with bass and drums as an instrumental. Recorded around 1993 I believe. Sean Teer and Jeffrey Koclanis are backing me up. Friends from college. Youtube link version here at rileyonfilm.com

In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister’s death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor.

—

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damien-riley/message

Some necessary tasks toward goals like shopping and algebra are easy for certain people and like pulling teeth for others. I don’t have all the fancy answers but I do know one way that works for me! Make the task into an art project. Even if you mess up, it makes those tasks a lot more fun. And, as a teacher for decades, I testify that fun equals exponential learning over dread.

If you think you suck at writing, or just don’t enjoy it, make a Tumblr blog! Those consist of mostly images but there can be a little writing to practice. I had one for years at cre8nnov8.tumblr.com (please note with this example I NEVER used the self talk “I suck at writing,” that is poison talk but that’s another post. You can uplevel to an actual text based blog when ypou get more confortable writing your thoughts. After a given amount of time that will vary author to author, you may be ready to put that preactice into a book on lulu.com or another self-publishing platform.

Another angle to make those dreaded jobs soar is to get your equipment as needed together. If you want to write thank you cards but are prevented by the lack of them, buy some! Even if there is no one to thank currently. There is an indescribable rush of thankfulness that fills your face when you want to write one and actually have them handy. Create a “centers” box by your bed or television. Put supplies for writing those, including stamps in there. But those are just two examples of making chores into art. This is one way to truly improve the self, which is all there is to improve. Anything come to mind along these lines? Share with me in the comments!

Sharing! I love this show. Binge watching currently. Thought you might like The Six Million Dollar Man on Peacock – https://peacocktv.smart.link/g77mddx8h?key=providerSeriesId&id=8626740019782170112&action=PDP&type=SERIES&source=share

Now that the fall semester has ended, I have some much needed reflective time. I’d like to share a powerful and kind student note I received in my 101 class, from a primarily Spanish speaking student. I’ll translate it for you:

“Dear Professor,

To educate a person is not to make him learn something that he doesn’t know, but to make of me something that didn’t exist.

Thank you very much!

The best teacher is not the one who knows the most, but the one who knows the best

Sincerely,

Your Student 2023
(I’ve withheld her name for privacy)

This one I’m framing, very meaningful.

-Damien

Hi all! I have now published 2 books. Please support me and my 3 children by purchasing 1 or 2 that interest you.

Once you’ve read them, I’d treasure hearing your thoughts. Here is the link below where you can learn about the books and more about me as their author. You can buy my books there also. Thank you for your support. Happy Holidays.

https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/damienriley/

Gave my 16 year old daughter her Christmas present early. She insisted on assembling it herself. I heard her playing it masterfully into the night. She also got a job with the county (not volunteer, for wages) helping counsel and assist disadvantaged youth in the high desert. I couldn’t be more proud of her. Ah the Christmastime Love of being a dad!! 🎅 Cant wait to have all three of my kids on Christmas Day. Dad( me) is making a ham!