Pat McDevitt
@pfmcdevitt.bsky.social
Historian of Ireland, British empire, famine, gender & sport• NJ expat• mediocre bassist• WHU, NYK, Liberty, NYY• Assoc. Dean of UGE & Honors College @ UBuffalo
“To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle" - Orwell
“To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle" - Orwell
Heartbroken to hear about Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer's deaths.
When I first moved to NYC in 1988, I came out of my dorm and ran into a movie crew - including Reiner, Crystal, Ryan -- filming When Harry Met Sally. That's NYU's Main Bldg in the background.
When I first moved to NYC in 1988, I came out of my dorm and ran into a movie crew - including Reiner, Crystal, Ryan -- filming When Harry Met Sally. That's NYU's Main Bldg in the background.
December 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Heartbroken to hear about Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer's deaths.
When I first moved to NYC in 1988, I came out of my dorm and ran into a movie crew - including Reiner, Crystal, Ryan -- filming When Harry Met Sally. That's NYU's Main Bldg in the background.
When I first moved to NYC in 1988, I came out of my dorm and ran into a movie crew - including Reiner, Crystal, Ryan -- filming When Harry Met Sally. That's NYU's Main Bldg in the background.
This is from an article in the NYT today. "Throw a spanner" is such a Briticism. I am not sure I've ever seen it in an American newspaper, much less an article in the sports section.
December 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
This is from an article in the NYT today. "Throw a spanner" is such a Briticism. I am not sure I've ever seen it in an American newspaper, much less an article in the sports section.
I am not sure you followed his argument, echoed in the BBC piece below. A few humorous quips aside, the interlude was so pro-AI it would make a CompSci prof blush. The "interlude" at our show was 15+ mins long & almost ruined the show, IMO. Petinaud and Blanchard were saving graces.
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I am not sure you followed his argument, echoed in the BBC piece below. A few humorous quips aside, the interlude was so pro-AI it would make a CompSci prof blush. The "interlude" at our show was 15+ mins long & almost ruined the show, IMO. Petinaud and Blanchard were saving graces.
There’s still time for those of you on UB’s campus. Talk at 11:30 in Capen 107.
September 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
There’s still time for those of you on UB’s campus. Talk at 11:30 in Capen 107.
This is Enzo, a 3-year-old Bernadoodle, and Carmela, a six-month-old wolfhound(?). She is more insistent on togetherness than he is, but he now gets anxious if she's out and delights when she returns.
July 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
This is Enzo, a 3-year-old Bernadoodle, and Carmela, a six-month-old wolfhound(?). She is more insistent on togetherness than he is, but he now gets anxious if she's out and delights when she returns.
Up Tipp! Bring on Cork.
July 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Up Tipp! Bring on Cork.
The Times is getting desperate with the clickbait headlines.
May 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The Times is getting desperate with the clickbait headlines.
I took this snap of my favorite Ruscha piece at the MoMA show a few years ago and have been unsuccessful finding its name, year, or permanent location. I would love a print. Any ideas? (I unsuccessfully tried reverse image search.)
April 26, 2025 at 11:19 AM
I took this snap of my favorite Ruscha piece at the MoMA show a few years ago and have been unsuccessful finding its name, year, or permanent location. I would love a print. Any ideas? (I unsuccessfully tried reverse image search.)
Woot woot! Look what arrived on my desk!! Congratulations @richardivanjobs.bsky.social
April 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Woot woot! Look what arrived on my desk!! Congratulations @richardivanjobs.bsky.social
Without having watched a single complete college game this year, I confidently present my final four selections: Iowa State, St John's, Houston, with Wisconsin winning it all. You read it here first.
@richardivanjobs.bsky.social -- who ya got?
#GoBadgers
@richardivanjobs.bsky.social -- who ya got?
#GoBadgers
March 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Without having watched a single complete college game this year, I confidently present my final four selections: Iowa State, St John's, Houston, with Wisconsin winning it all. You read it here first.
@richardivanjobs.bsky.social -- who ya got?
#GoBadgers
@richardivanjobs.bsky.social -- who ya got?
#GoBadgers
Here's Enzo with his favorite leaf.
February 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Here's Enzo with his favorite leaf.
It's impossible to write a parody of Maureen Dowd.
February 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
It's impossible to write a parody of Maureen Dowd.
If Friedman was the (ignored) shot, Dowd of course is the (disregarded) chaser.
January 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM
If Friedman was the (ignored) shot, Dowd of course is the (disregarded) chaser.
I almost did it. I almost hate-clicked on the Tom Friedman column. But I decided I have limited bandwidth for things that I know will infuriate me. Stay safe out there, friends.
January 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I almost did it. I almost hate-clicked on the Tom Friedman column. But I decided I have limited bandwidth for things that I know will infuriate me. Stay safe out there, friends.
Although descended from wolves that terrorized the forests of Europe, our bernadoodle is terrified of this 3 ft high snowman and refuses to go into the backyard.
December 6, 2024 at 12:50 PM
Although descended from wolves that terrorized the forests of Europe, our bernadoodle is terrified of this 3 ft high snowman and refuses to go into the backyard.
For my Rutgers people, this is what the grease truck parking lot looks like now:
November 22, 2024 at 3:29 PM
For my Rutgers people, this is what the grease truck parking lot looks like now:
Wanted to get away from the grimness of the week and decided to start a novel I’ve had on my nightstand for a while and been meaning to read.
Maybe I won’t be getting away from the grimness after all.
Maybe I won’t be getting away from the grimness after all.
November 10, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Wanted to get away from the grimness of the week and decided to start a novel I’ve had on my nightstand for a while and been meaning to read.
Maybe I won’t be getting away from the grimness after all.
Maybe I won’t be getting away from the grimness after all.
Too soon Wegmans. Too soon.
November 9, 2024 at 1:35 PM
Too soon Wegmans. Too soon.
Honestly, Taylor Ham, fried egg, and cheese on a poppy seed hard roll with salt, pepper, and ketchup is as close to heaven as one can get at breakfast.
April 4, 2024 at 10:42 PM
Honestly, Taylor Ham, fried egg, and cheese on a poppy seed hard roll with salt, pepper, and ketchup is as close to heaven as one can get at breakfast.