Word: direness
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Lady writer on the TV/talk about the Virgin Mary..." the band Dire Straits once sang. "Lady writer on the TV/ She had all the brains and the beauty." When reminded of this, said lady writer breaks into peals of embarrassed laughter. "I guess that was me," confesses Marina Warner, whose second book, Alone of All Her Sex, a study of the Virgin Mary, came out around the same time as the 1979 song. "I wish I could claim something of more distinction in terms of popular culture, but I don't know that...
...administration. Although President Neil L. Rudenstine seems as distant as ever--and although the Ad Board remains in dire need of reform to make it more accountable--at least Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 is no longer widely reviled. New to the post four years ago, Lewis was scorned for randomization (in fact only partially his doing), and for mishandling the restructuring of the Phillips Brooks House Association. Lewis apparently learned something from that difficult first year, at least in regard to public relations; it has been largely smooth sailing since. Lewis's only recent gaffe...
...risk this summer have additional, government-backed flood insurance, which costs about $300 a year (for information, call 800-427-4661). Don't expect the government to come to the rescue, either. Only some 10% of all natural disasters actually qualify for federal assistance. And even in those dire cases, you can usually get only a special, low-interest loan, not cash compensation...
Harder to handle than the public incidents are sticky situations among extended family and friends. Some cases are dire, like the grandparent who threatens to cease contact because of racial differences. But even the gray areas--family members who treat children differently or unwittingly make racist remarks--are tough. Limiting contact or forcing difficult conversations can be painful, but, says Faye Mandell, president of masc, "parents must say, 'Treat them equally...
...Working Group began meeting at the beginning of this semester, and identified those areas of need on campus that could be met by a student center. Among the major needs identified on campus were the structural needs of student groups (office space, meeting space, and other needs), and the dire need for more common social space on campus (lounge areas, pool tables, TV viewing areas and other such spaces). Performing arts space is also in short supply. On a campus where student groups play a primary role in the life of many undergraduates, why do only 27 percent of student...