Author Archives: Katherine Wikoff

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About Katherine Wikoff

I am a college professor (PhD in English, concentration rhetoric) at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I teach film and media studies, political science, digital society, digital storytelling, writing for digital media, and communication. While fragments of my teaching and scholarship interests may quite naturally meander over to my blog, this space is intended to function as a creative outlet, not as part of my professional practice. Opinions are my own, etc.

Down to the Bone

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

MSOE’s Campus Center building, originally the Valentin Blatz Brewing Co. Bottle House, is getting some major restoration work done. Windows are being replaced, as is apparently much of the exterior facade. Today I noticed that that the work seems to … Continue reading →

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Milwaukee’s Water Street ladybugs and large veins at City Hall

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Yesterday morning I walked over to a foundation’s office to hand-deliver a grant proposal for the daytime homeless sanctuary I volunteer with, Repairers of the Breach. (Website HERE; Facebook page HERE. Check them out if you’re interested in finding a … Continue reading →

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Cool things for the kitchen

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

I just happened to notice these new products (I think they’re new, anyway) when I was at the grocery store this afternoon. I have to give Reynolds credit; they’ve solved some irritating problems that have annoyed me for years. Have … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Food, Life | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Casting a long shadow

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

The sculptures in this case are located in the “marble quarrying” section of the Grohmann Museum’s second floor. I’m not sure why this caught my eye today, because I walk past here all the time. Maybe it’s just a little … Continue reading →

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An old friend I can rely upon

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

As you can see, my old umbrella is completely held together by safety pins and paper clips. Every single junction of stretcher and rib has broken at one time or another, which I’ve always managed to repair with whatever little … Continue reading →

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Wham! “Freedom” in China

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

I heard Wham!’s “Freedom” on the radio while driving yesterday. I’ve always liked this song, but what I’ve especially always remembered about it was its official video, which details the 1980s duo’s groundbreaking trip to China. Wham! was the first Western … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Creativity, History, Life, Movies and film, Music, Photography, Political Analysis, Popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MGIC Plaza in Black and White

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

I don’t do black-and-white photography very often. But these sunny-day pictures of the MGIC Plaza down the street from my office seemed perfect for a more stark presentation than color could give them. What do you think? (P.S. – As … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Milwaukee, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Milwaukee (Library) Lion

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

In talking about my “Carnage at the old Washington Park Zoo” post over dinner last week with my friend and fellow blogger Karen Spivey, we started to reminisce about Milwaukee and its close relationships with favorite animals. For example, consider Samson … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Life, Milwaukee, Nature, Science | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Carnage at the old Washington Park Zoo

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

I was doing research on something else today when I came across a Milwaukee Public Library blog post from October 2015 about a whole slew of bear deaths/killings in a mixed species/order exhibit at the old Washington Park Zoo from … Continue reading →

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New Milwaukee Bucks Arena – Entrance at Juneau and 6th

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Progress on the new Milwaukee Bucks arena (official name: Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, or WESC, Wikipedia article here) has been slow but steady. Here’s what appears to be an entrance to the complex at the corner of Juneau Avenue … Continue reading →

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