Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Gone Riding – Return to the Giants

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, Matt and I had to pull the plug on our circumnavigation of the Great Lakes, but the upside was getting to visit a couple of Whispering Giants I wouldn’t have gotten to … Continue reading

Posted in Motorcycling, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gone Riding – Boats, Bikes & a Bishop

When I go on long distance motorcycle rides, I always start out with three rules: 1. Come home safe 2. Have fun 3. Complete whatever goals I have for the ride It’s very important to always keep these in mind. … Continue reading

Posted in Motorcycling, Travel | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gone Riding – Great Giants, Great Lakes

It wasn’t as stormy as it was yesterday, but it was cool and damp in the morning, slowly becoming sunny and windy in the afternoon.  But the scenery and riding were wonderful as I followed the Trail of the Whispering … Continue reading

Posted in Motorcycling, Travel | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gone Riding – Great Giants, Great Lakes

Gone Riding – On the trail of the Whispering Giants

Many of you may know that in addition to teaching mass comm/media literacy, I also like riding my motorcycle fairly long distances.  One of the activities I try to do every summer is a Grand Tour.  These tours have a … Continue reading

Posted in Motorcycling, Travel | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Celebrate the 4th of July with Neil Finn singing about dogs

So I’m trying to be back in the habit of posting weekly to the blog, and I’m also trying to finish up my grading for my summer class, so I’m going to cheat and just post two Neil Finn (of … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 8 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Everyone’s Gone to the Movies

We’re headed into the heart of summer, and that makes this a great time to talk about the movies. Film composer James Horner dies in plane crash James Horner, best known for his score for Titanic, died earlier this week from … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 8 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Everyone’s Gone to the Movies

Students in Lexington, Neb. revive local movie theater

If you grow up or live in a small town, you know how important it is to have a local movie theater.  Your theater is a place for people in the community to get together and have fun.  It’s a … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 8 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Everything is a Remix – “Wagon Wheel” Edition

I just went to see the band Old Crow Medicine Show about a week ago, and and I highly recommend seeing them if you have the chance. They are particularly famous for the song “Wagon Wheel.”  Wait a minute, is … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 7 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Everything is a Remix – “Wagon Wheel” Edition

And We’re Back – Questions Worth Asking

You still here? Yes! I realize it’s been a scant spring of living in a media world this spring, but I’m hoping to get back on a more regular schedule of posting. I have been busy over on Twitter, however.  You … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 10, Chapter 5, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Site News | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on And We’re Back – Questions Worth Asking

How “Little Shop of Horrors” would have ended if Disney hadn’t forced a change

If you’ve ever had me for class, you know that as much of a Disney fan as I can be (Love Big Hero Six and Wreck It Ralph), I really hate what the studio has done to some classic stories. … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 3 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on How “Little Shop of Horrors” would have ended if Disney hadn’t forced a change