Where the magic happens.

Most people do not have a clue about the raw amount of mental and thus physical energy it takes to effectively run the absolute whirlwind that it is a high school classroom, every period, every day.

As I finish grading my students' first exams, I’m saddened when I have to put in Fs, but I’ll give them a chance to make edits & get partial credit back. But when students get a 100%, you know I’m yelling "YESSS! LET'S GOOO!" while fist pumping in the air! LOL! I’m pumped when students succeed.

Happy to finally receive my copy of my friend Daniel Glover’s book on Lukan christology and its relationship to the gods and heroes of Greco-Roman mythology. Thanks to Baylor Press for my review copy! Well done, mate!

Still no Epstein files... we haven't forgot, despite all they have tried...

I had a great time celebrating my birthday Friday night in Milwaukee with friends! My actual birthday is tomorrow, the 22nd, but when you are all teachers, you have to party on Friday! Though there are many things to be anxious about these days, I’m thankful for times of relief and joy.

Violence begets violence. I condemn all acts of violence.

Today was the first day of our fall semester & the first day of my fourth year on faculty at St. Anthony. Though my voice is still trying to recover after a rough bout with laryngitis, I was happy today to be with friends & welcome all of my new students. Cheers to another crazy year of teaching!

I love my new desktop on my computer. I cropped a picture I took of the actual School of Athens fresco by Raphael in the Vatican this summer. Here’s to hoping it will help inspire productivity in writing this year in the hours I can squeeze out while teaching.

A couple of days before I left Scotland, I planned a day trip to North Berwick, just half an hour north of Edinburgh on the train. A highlight of my trip was my boat landing trip to the Isle of May with the Scottish Seabird Centre. I had to share with you the beauty of the Isle. (8/7/25) (1/3)

You already know I had to share the spoils, a litte taste of Scottish glory. I am especially happy with my selections this year.

Finally… after 12 hours of exhausting travel, I’m home in Milwaukee. I’m dehydrated, my head hurts, I’m tired, but I’m genuinely happy to be home.

This administration from hell has got to go. What do we do?

I enjoyed my last day in Edinburgh today. Lunch at my favorite little Syrian cafe, Ugarit Cafe, where I had many a meal on the way to New College. I became friends with the owners pictured below, Ahmad & Hazem, who’ve been so kind to me this summer. I’ll miss our conversations (& the baklava). (1/2)

Today, in my favorite city. (1/3)

I had a good time hanging out in Leith this past Thursday afternoon. I always love the delicious coffee and location of Williams & Johnson, one of the best shops in Edinburgh, right on the Water of Leith. (1/2)

I decided to treat myself at Cadenhead’s today, the oldest independent bottler in Scotland. The last of my three bottles I’m bringing back home with me next weekend. My whiskey lovers out there will appreciate this. And no, they didn’t have the 15 year or I would’ve snagged one.

Our next stop on our St. Anthony Italy Pilgrimage/Tour while we stayed in Padua was Venice. I had always wanted to visit since I was little, and it did not disappoint. (6/15/25) (1/3)

I can't believe it's been over a month, it's time to post some more pics from our St. Anthony Italy Pilgrimage/Tour. After Florence, on July 14 we headed into Padua where we toured the city. The Univeristy of Padua is also pictured below where Galileo taught for 18 years, from 1592 to 1610. (1/3)

Last week, I decided to treat myself and finally visit the Balmoral Hotel’s Whisky Bar, and it did not disappoint. They have quite the collection. I enjoyed two choice drams (only two for budget reasons, of course). Loved the Ardnamurchan, they haven’t missed yet. Springbank is always top shelf.

I had quite the spot to write this afternoon.😊 Friends, I give you, the always lovely, Calton Hill.

Sarah Iles Johnston is such a boss.

Perhaps the sea gulls of Edinburgh are not huge fans of capitalism.

How's it gaun, from around town. (My home away from home, Part 2)

Hiya, from around town. (My home away from home, Part 1)

An affogato with a view.

I had a wonderful time this evening over pints at the Judge with the matchless Prof. Helen Bond! Getting to enjoy conversations and laughs with her is always such a priveledge and one of my favorite things about my trips to Edinburgh.

This weekend I celebrated turning in the final edits of my chapter for my first co-edited book up in the Johnnie Walker rooftop bar on Princes Street here in Edinburgh, and the views were just lovely! (1/3)

I had a great time last night with the Edinburgh Drammers Whisky Club for their bimonthly whisky tasting at The Belfry Pub. Thank you @jacobwpeterson.com for the invite, and @ryancollman.bsky.social, you were missed. (1/3)

Thank you to my good mate Matt Sharp for inviting me to the NT seminar at University of St. Andrews yesterday to hear and engage with my buddy Eric Foster-Whiddon’s research. (1/3)

I always enjoy the train ride from Waverly to Leuchars on the way to St. Andrews. Today, I’m reminded of how beautiful Scotland really is and I’m thankful.

I finally finished listening to the Enoch Seminar's (my people) second session of the recent "Reading the New Testament Within Judaism" virtual conference on "Mark Within Judaism." (1/2)

My walk home every day. 😊

Editing, & then editing some more. There’s street work (with drilling, ugh) being done just outside my postgraduate study room, so, for my sanity’s sake, I had to relocate. Though, this is quite the congenial space to write, wouldn’t you agree? 😊 The lovely, & thankfully quiet, New College Library.

I’m loving living, researching, and writing in Edinburgh this summer. And no, that's not Hogwarts, that's New College, University of Edinburgh. It’s hard to imagine a better place to be writing my doctoral dissertation. Living the dream (at least until August 9, lol).

On our second day in the ever-lovely Florence we spent most of the afternoon in the famous Le Galleria Degli Uffizi. The Uffizi boasts the largest collection of renaissance art in the world, featuring the work of Bottecilli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, among others.(6/13/25)

Our next stop on our SAHS Italy Pilgrimage/Tour was the birthplace of the Renaissance and the heart of Tuscany, La Bella herself, Florence. The magnificent renaissance art and architecture, the food (omg the food), the flowers, the people, etc. made the City of the Lily captivating. (6/12/25)

Following our far-too-short exploration of the Vatican Museum, our SAHS group had the privilege of entering St. Peter's Basilica through the Porta Sancta (the Holy Doors), opened for the Jubilee every 25 years. The beauty was overwhelming. (6/11/25)

We spent the second day of our SAHS Italy pilgrimage/tour in the smallest country in the world, Vatican City. In the morning, we attended the papal audience in St. Peter's Square. Afterwards we explored the Vatican Museum with not near enough time to savor their mind blowing collection. (6/11/25)

Had a great time in Edinburgh last night over pints and drams with good friends, including my doctoral supervisor, who is packing up and moving his last things to Princeton. They brought me to an excellent local pub where their whisky club meets called The Belfry.

After we toured some of the most important ancient sites on our first full day in Rome, our St. Anthony group had the honor of having a private Mass at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls with their Archpriest, Cardinal James Michael Harvey. (6/10/25)

We had an amazing first full day in Rome for our 2025 St. Anthony High School Italy Pilgrimage/Tour. I enjoyed teaching our graduates about the history & significance of the Arch of Titus & its depiction of his triumph after the destruction of Jerusalem & the plundering of the Second Temple. 6/11/25

Finally in Edinburgh for the rest of the summer! Staying with the Petersons until next week when I move into my post-grad apartment. Jacob broke out the good stuff to celebrate tonight (thanks Ryan for contributing)! And yes, I’ll try to start posting Italy pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Last time I will see this view all summer. First brunch, then heading to Italy with 24 of our seniors for our pilgrimage trip. This will be the first time I’ve been to Italy and I am excited.(1/2)

Imagine claiming to worship a man who taught his disciples to love their neighbor, never repay evil for evil, radical hospitality, love your enemy, etc., who was crucified by the Roman government, while at the same time they malign "foreigners," "immigrants," and all non-citizens. (1/2)

We had a great time yesterday after graduation at our end of the year boat party (and after party) with the faculty and staff! It’s always great to celebrate a long year of hard work together with coworkers you can call friends. Good times.

Hard to think of anyone more deserving! Grant is such a wonderful human being. Congratulations! 

Throat is sore. Body is exhausted. Struggling to keep my brain going today to tackle this mountain of grading this evening. Here’s to hoping this delicious latte and soothing vibes in the headphones helps. Wish me luck.

My preorder copy finally just arrived today. Here is a line from the introduction that perfectly captures why a book like this one is important in biblical studies: (1/3)