Dr. Metablog

Dr. Metablog is the nom de blague of Vivian de St. Vrain, the pen name of a resident of the mountain west who writes about language, books, politics, or whatever else comes to mind. Under the name Otto Onions (Oh NIGH uns), Vivian de St. Vrain is the author of “The Big Book of False Etymologies” (Oxford, 1978) and, writing as Amber Feldhammer, is editor of the classic anthology of confessional poetry, “My Underwear” (Virago, 1997).

July 2010

  • Miss Dusenberry, an English teacher at Erasmus Hall High School, was a formidable presence. It was 1954 or 1955 and I was a junior, carrying just sixteen years of experience on my skinny back. To my shy, inhibited self, Miss Dusenberry (Edna? Grace?) was perceived as ancient (50s), statuesque (5' 10"), domineering (she spoke authoritatively…

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  • Regular readers of this blague have got to be wondering — where have you gone, Dr. Metablog? A hungry readership turns their lonely eyes to you (woo woo woo}. We're missing your pithy and astute commentary. All these athletic contests come and gone, even including the World Cup, and all those political follies, and not a word of commentary? …

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  • There's an article in the current Harvard Magazine on the subject of caregiving. (I've been thinking about caregiving quite a bit the last while, because I've been the recipient of a lot of it, having been bedridden for a couple of weeks with a slipped, or herniated, or ruptured disc). Taking care of me has been a…

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