Christopher Hepburn

#72 – Lauryn Salazar, Stephenville, Texas Podcast Episode · All Across America · 07/19/2025 · 59m

My colleague, Lauryn Salazar, talks about Mariachi: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/7...

Check it out!

Celebrating the annual reminder that freedom is complicated, democracy is exhausting, and fireworks at 2am are apparently non-negotiable.

あおぞらに
たなびく雲の
かげろいて
こころもはるか
とおくながるる

Please take pics! I’d like to see how they’ve grown.

Posthole Digger

Because life’s too short to loiter in hell when the rest of the world is loitering in bliss.

I have no desire to make a career out of suffering, no interest in spending my days in summer school learning lessons learned. Given the choice, I’d rather be in Tokyo—surrounded by neon lights, the hum of the city, the quiet reverence of a temple courtyard—living, moving, experiencing.

Growth often comes from struggle, and I’ve learned to appreciate the insights gained from difficult moments. But there’s a difference between learning and lingering.

Pain is inevitable, but the pace at which we move through it—whether we trudge, stand still, or push forward—can shape our experience as much as the hardship of dwelling in it itself. That’s not to say I don’t respect life’s lessons.

Hugo once concluded with the words, “When walking through hell, walk faster.” It’s a well-worn phrase, almost cliché, but like many clichés, it endures because it holds a simple, undeniable truth: suffering is not just about what we endure but how long we allow ourselves to endure its dwelling.

DeAngelis’ “Reading Bromance” (but more so for the bibliography).

Without fail, that stereotypical high-pitched anime line 'やめて下さい!' would always pop into my head whenever my kanbun professor said the word 'hentai' in class.

How does it feel to know that every tenure-track and tenured professor in the department you chaired chose to give up tenure or the prospects thereof and leave? What do you think that says about your leadership and interpersonal skills?

I celebrated the new year by flipping my pillow over to the cool side and going back to sleep.

That feeling when your friend asks you to translate a Meiji imperial document into modern Japanese… no, I didn’t charge him. Yes, he was cute… (the free eye candy was payment enough…)

My autocorrect once changed “ethnomusicology” to “drunken musicology” … not exactly wrong…

友達:「そんな字じゃ妻なんてもらえないよ」
僕:「じゃあ、夫は？」

Queen Regent, Protector of the Melodious Realms

Go say hi to my friend Robin—a truly wonderful and inspiring person! And while you’re at it, check out my book. #AMS24

My modest book, nominated for the Lewis Lockwood award, is on display at #ams24. Check it out.

My family and I are deeply honored, and we look forward to seeing generations of future scholars benefit from this opportunity. Many thanks to the President of Tarleton and the Office of Development for making this possible.

🥹🥹🥹

あの…これどんな妖怪やねん？

What’s the past tense of tweet? Twaté?

Thanks for stopping by, new followers! I write about premodern and contemporary East Asian history, art, and culture, especially topics where sound is involved. Check out my modest book: Defining Waka Musically (Palgrave) and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

6️⃣ What K-pop offers—resilience, #diversity, freedom, and progress—is exactly what the greats throughout history have historically referred to as America's "greatness." Embracing K-pop’s influence enriches global culture and reaffirms the ideals of openness that fuel American #strength. #Adaptability

5️⃣ Many Americans still hold myths of #exceptionalism, even though U.S. rankings in literacy, life expectancy, and income don’t reflect them. America could truly achieve greatness by embracing values that some seek to suppress. #Growth

4️⃣ As a result, we’re all a “little bit #Korean,” an idea that can be uncomfortable for some. This discomfort isn’t unlike the reaction of many Americans, especially #Boomers, who face the reality that America isn’t always the best. #Identity

3️⃣ K-pop (and, by extension, #Korea) has made an indelible impact, ‘conquering’ parts of the otherwise unconquerable West and embedding Korean culture into daily life worldwide. #CultureShift