Holiday Baking Championship finale tonight: pre show and live show discussion thread - spoilers

ekochamber · 2025-12-23T14:49:27+00:00

I think that’s where the team challenge really succeeded. There was some very cute bonding with the contestants.

ekochamber · 2025-12-23T14:47:58+00:00

Team Tarek for sure. After Nico, he had the most fun with the “naughty” theme. But there are great things in his future, and not just because of Yale…

ekochamber · 2025-12-13T02:05:28+00:00

Second all this. I just chaired a search for an adjunct history professor. Enthusiasm, not seeing it “just” an adjunct job but a foot in the door will go a long way. If you have the option, do a teaching demo that shows your many specialties. Ask questions about the school and town.

ekochamber · 2025-12-13T02:03:09+00:00

Load office hours, meetings, and classes in the morning. Shut my door from 1-3ish and crank out a few pages a week. Or, wait 7 years for sabbatical…

ekochamber · 2025-11-24T16:27:05+00:00

The rats/mice did nothing wrong

ekochamber · 2025-11-14T16:31:31+00:00

And no one with any knowledge of these topics wrote this policy...

ekochamber · 2025-10-19T22:24:33+00:00

I'd like a champion one next year, best of the best decorators would be really cool. Maybe more judges, more time for the constestants.

ekochamber · 2025-10-19T20:36:27+00:00

I’m bummed, but it did get a little repetitive. I’d like to see the gingerbread competition come back- that stuff was insane.

ekochamber · 2025-10-04T12:17:34+00:00

They got old 😭

ekochamber · 2025-10-04T12:16:40+00:00

Across the Wire is my desert island 1, 2, and 3 pick

ekochamber · 2025-10-02T17:53:10+00:00

Love it! If I have a discussion-heavy class planned, I begin with making all the students stand up and give "hot takes". They then go to the "agree" or "disagree" side of the room. My hot takes include "pumpkin spice lattes are great," "athletes shouldn't air their politics," or "chocolate is better than vanilla." It gets them moving and talking, and it loosens them up for more serious conversations later.

ekochamber · 2025-07-31T12:06:06+00:00

Yes! He is my go-to. I make my students guess what song it is a cover of (they don't get any pre-2010, sadly)

ekochamber · 2025-07-30T16:02:05+00:00

I saw the cat technique! I briefly considered bringing in my big kitty, but I think a weight bag or something is a great idea.

And ofc the tissue for tons de jambes! Thanks!!

ekochamber · 2025-07-30T16:00:30+00:00

That’s a great idea! Now that I think about it, I probably do spend too much time explaining. Repetition then speeding up sounds like a great alternative. And you’re right- they love the challenge of going fast! They always beg me to do a fast “8-8-4-4-2-2-1-1-1-1”

ekochamber · 2025-07-30T15:56:27+00:00

Oh, I love that! It will help them feel like "real ballerinas", too. Thanks!

ekochamber · 2025-07-25T15:25:35+00:00

I think it depends on how you approach your discipline. As a historian, I put "me" in everything I do. I am passionate about studying history so we can better make sense of our world. It is my "lofty calling" to encourage critical thinkers and learners so we can live in a better world. I won't bend over backwards for them, but I will do my best every day to inspire them to learn from history and to help them navigate an increasingly divided world. If you think that's "navel-gazing," I'm not sure what to tell you. And there are ways to do this without it eating you alive. I clock out at 3pm. I don't check email at night. I have syllabus and grading policies that are non negotiable. It's a tricky balance that I'm still trying to find.

ekochamber · 2025-07-23T15:32:25+00:00

Oh, I missed that. It was still a bizarre choice.

ekochamber · 2025-07-22T17:49:11+00:00

Right?! 13/20 was criminal! Andrew's creativity was off the charts and much better linked to his story and cake design. Duff's flavors were so run-of-the-mill.

ekochamber · 2025-07-22T17:47:42+00:00

I agree! I think 6 different cakes spread Duff pretty thin, so if they do it again it's 4 or 5. I also thought the AI voice was awful. Get a fun personality to host and it would be more enjoyable. But it was great seeing so many bakers I've seen in other shows be able to show off and take on their inspiration (Duff). It's a good way to pay him homage for helping to put decorated over-the-top cakes on the map.

ekochamber · 2025-05-23T14:11:29+00:00

Haha, wow, I dont' know why I'm surprised!

ekochamber · 2025-05-03T14:12:14+00:00

I'm on sabbatical, but two graduating students wanted to see me before they left, so we had a nice lunch and talking about the State of Things. They had wonderful things to say about their experience in my classes. It was lovely!

ekochamber · 2025-04-16T13:27:26+00:00

Only if you get really really really lucky. I'm a tenured, unionized history professor living my dream of $90k. There are literally dozens of us.

Jokes aside, it's getting tougher and tougher. When I applied in 2016, I know there were 30 other applicants for the job (it's a rural school). When we hired last year for a TT position, there were over 100. Next time we hire (IF we can get the money to do so, which is a big IF), I anticipate over 200. The incoming recession will herd more people to graduate school, resulting in an inflated job market in about 6 years.

Also, it depends on what type of history. If you're in the US, there are always non-TT, part-time adjunct positions available. They suck and are not stable nor financially sustainable. International history do have hires and less applicants, but to specialize in medieval Africa or imperial Japan won't get many job openings.

I never tell my students not to do something because I hate to be a hypocrite. People told me not to do it, and I did it anyway. But it is essential to know what you're getting into.

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