Yeah, um, in all my years of news junkie-ness during the W. Bush administration, or any administration, for that matter, I don't think I'd ever read a quote like this, from the AP:
For the dinner, Mrs. Obama wore a sleeveless, gold and cream colored sheath dress with an overlay of silver and matching shawl by Indian-born designer Naeem Khan. At the State Dining Room event earlier in the day, the first lady wore a skirt by Rachel Roy, who is Indian.
even with unemployment at an all-time high and Afghanistan policies ramped up and whatever else there is out there, there's just something a bit comfortind reading that today's state dinner was mostly vegetarian for India's prime minister, Singh, and that all sorts of inspiration was drawn from an international scope.
You see, the thing is, the very terrible fact of everything is, is that all policies will have a center-base. It's just this: where to the leanings, where to the branches outstretch to? And that's why I'll forever vote Democrat, instead of Green or Independent, when it comes to elections.
No matter the dire, yet less dire than they could have been, state of things, I still see the merits in voting for a mderate Democrat over any type Republican
More on tonight's state dinner at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091125/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_state_dinner
Showing posts with label Skewl Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skewl Stuff. Show all posts
Dancing in the Street with Bowie and Jagger
Three versions of "Dnacing in the Streets" with Mick Jagger and David Bowie are available on Youtube, and it's rather hilarious to watch them...Very homoerotic in the slow mo, very awesomely 80s in the fast mo and just all around nostalgic-ly fun in original mode:
Slow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GTAIhksPcw&feature=related
Fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wif2zv4t_lI&feature=related
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATw7HIJCuLY&feature=related
Slow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GTAIhksPcw&feature=related
Fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wif2zv4t_lI&feature=related
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATw7HIJCuLY&feature=related
Sam Adams Cream Stout - Adventures in Beer
Sam Adams Cream Stout - First, I would like to mention that Sam Adams Imperial Stout is one of my most favorite beers, period. That being said, their cream stout is merely just fine. I don't dislike it but it's nothing special. No fun notes on the tongue, nothing dazzling or strong, but nothing bad either. I won't be purchasing it again, but I don't mind having four more to drink in the fridge, you know what I mean?
New Books - Caterpillar 7, Paul Klee and even Anne Sexton (for relz)
New books!
Took a trip to Pazzo as part of this mid week day off. I picked up a few titles...
- Caterpillar 7 Vol II #2: very provocative cover in purple and green, a grid of turn you head sideways picture of what is maybe? perhaps? could be? body parts or bodies in the act of conjugation or just something to make it look that way...Don't know. Inside is Chapter 4 of Robert Duncan's book about HD, poems from Paul Blackburn, Cid Corman, Garrit Lansing and Jess - no artowrk, but two poems, one with some sheet music in it, even - Ted Enlsin and Allen Ginsberg among others. What a fun find!
- a $3 mixed b & w and color book on the art of Paul Klee
-Selected Poem of Anne Sexton because my friend Pete and I got in a fight about poetry. He called the Beats the disco of poetry and asked how I could call myself a feminist and not like Sylvia Plath. I said the Confessional poets didn't really do it for me because it was too much about the drama and not enough about the whole art of poetry. Anyway, to be a sport, and because she's appreciated by others whom I like quite a bit, I got the Anne Sexton books. It's good to have a rounded out collection, I think. Heavy on what you love, smatterings of others, just to keep yourself in check, I say.
Took a trip to Pazzo as part of this mid week day off. I picked up a few titles...
- Caterpillar 7 Vol II #2: very provocative cover in purple and green, a grid of turn you head sideways picture of what is maybe? perhaps? could be? body parts or bodies in the act of conjugation or just something to make it look that way...Don't know. Inside is Chapter 4 of Robert Duncan's book about HD, poems from Paul Blackburn, Cid Corman, Garrit Lansing and Jess - no artowrk, but two poems, one with some sheet music in it, even - Ted Enlsin and Allen Ginsberg among others. What a fun find!
- a $3 mixed b & w and color book on the art of Paul Klee
-Selected Poem of Anne Sexton because my friend Pete and I got in a fight about poetry. He called the Beats the disco of poetry and asked how I could call myself a feminist and not like Sylvia Plath. I said the Confessional poets didn't really do it for me because it was too much about the drama and not enough about the whole art of poetry. Anyway, to be a sport, and because she's appreciated by others whom I like quite a bit, I got the Anne Sexton books. It's good to have a rounded out collection, I think. Heavy on what you love, smatterings of others, just to keep yourself in check, I say.
Coffee House Porter - Adventures in Beer
Coffeehouse Porter, Berkshire Brewing Company - whoopsy! Be careful when you drink this as I believe it has some real caffeine in it and all that. It tasted delicious, even if it did keep me up late. This was for the better, though, since Season 3 of Dexter expired On Demand yesterday, so I was able to catch the last three episodes before they disappeared to DVD land.
This porter has a thick, sweet taste. It's toasty, as well.
(Note the entry's time stamp. I'm up late tonight because the non-drowsiness of Advil Cold and Sinus is just as effective as the decongestant for me. But I took it anyway, since I didn't want to have a headache throughout my shift at work.)
http://www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/coffee.html
This porter has a thick, sweet taste. It's toasty, as well.
(Note the entry's time stamp. I'm up late tonight because the non-drowsiness of Advil Cold and Sinus is just as effective as the decongestant for me. But I took it anyway, since I didn't want to have a headache throughout my shift at work.)
http://www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/coffee.html
Adventures in Beer - a new series
Beer is the new wine. That is, as complex and fun and different as wines tastes, and sophisticated, so does beer, nowadays.
So, here's a running list of my adventures in beer:
right now: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout - even though "chocolate" is in the description, it's not sweet at all. It has the same mouth feel as very dark semi sweet chocolate. http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/beer/ Click on the Black Chocolate Stout
last week: Arrogant Bastard Ale - hard, hoppy, tangy and fun. Their label reads like Dr Bronner's soap label, all manifest-y and whatnot, and it's an arrogant manifesto, too, with a little dig, I believe, at my beloved Sam Adams. It reminds me of the poetry in-fighing, to be honest. And I just want to say, Stone Brewing Company, that there's plenty of room under the beer umbrella for us all. I know. I see the consumers almost daily.
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/faq/index.html
before that: Harpoon Leviathan IPA - definitely has that strong hoppy jowl-spot hit but then also a sweetness that some may or may not like
before that: Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA - yup, good. And goes down easy. And then you're like, "Whoo!" and you didn't realize it was as potent as it was. http://www.bearrepublic.com/ourbeers.php
before that: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - it being colder and all, stouts are selling like crazy. This is hearty hearty hearty. http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_oatmeal_stout.html
There's more, but we'll stop here. Look for more updates.
So, here's a running list of my adventures in beer:
right now: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout - even though "chocolate" is in the description, it's not sweet at all. It has the same mouth feel as very dark semi sweet chocolate. http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/beer/ Click on the Black Chocolate Stout
last week: Arrogant Bastard Ale - hard, hoppy, tangy and fun. Their label reads like Dr Bronner's soap label, all manifest-y and whatnot, and it's an arrogant manifesto, too, with a little dig, I believe, at my beloved Sam Adams. It reminds me of the poetry in-fighing, to be honest. And I just want to say, Stone Brewing Company, that there's plenty of room under the beer umbrella for us all. I know. I see the consumers almost daily.
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/faq/index.html
before that: Harpoon Leviathan IPA - definitely has that strong hoppy jowl-spot hit but then also a sweetness that some may or may not like
before that: Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA - yup, good. And goes down easy. And then you're like, "Whoo!" and you didn't realize it was as potent as it was. http://www.bearrepublic.com/ourbeers.php
before that: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - it being colder and all, stouts are selling like crazy. This is hearty hearty hearty. http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_oatmeal_stout.html
There's more, but we'll stop here. Look for more updates.
Coming back more often, I think
Hello! I've been focusing on other blogs, journals and creative writing so I haven't posted as frequently here. But I think I feel like going back to it. See you in the next post!
Good thing I'm eating mostly raw & vegan these days...
Um, well, you see, I have been a mostly vegetarian with occasional visits to piscatarianism (fish) for eighteen years now. Lately I've been eating mostly vegan and raw, for digestive health reasons.
And this story from the AP makes me never want to buy farm factory eggs ever again:
Video show chicks ground alive at egg hatchery
E-gads!
And this story from the AP makes me never want to buy farm factory eggs ever again:
Video show chicks ground alive at egg hatchery
E-gads!
Sedona Picture Blog
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village of Sedona
tlaquepaque whirligigs
Mother & Child sculpture
Buddha, etc.
fountain
American Indian sculptures Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona AZ
Chapel of the Holy Cross mailbox & handyman
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Chapel of the Holy Cross side view
copper statue of St Francis of Assissi in garden of Chapel of the Holy Cross
inside the Chapel of the Holy CrossViews of the Red Mountains of Sedona
view from Schnebly Hill
view from our hotel balcony
our new friend, The Lizard
me, meditating in the Vortex
view on the Red Rock Loop Road
view from Schnebly Hill
view from our hotel balcony 
our new friend, The Lizard
me, meditating in the Vortex
view on the Red Rock Loop RoadCost, Coverage and Quality - a link about Health Care Reform
T. R. Reid, a journalist who studied the health care systems in other "first world" countries to look for answers to our nations's health care crisis. PBS's NewsHour featured an interview with him today:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/health/healthreform/
Around 6:17 is where I really perked up. What Reid points out is that in these other countries, the first focus, the baseline was to get everyone covered by health insurance and then manage costs and quality after that goal was met. Here, it seems, we are trying to manage costs then look to cover everyone and ensure quality.
That made a light bulb go off in my head. We should have it as a right not a privilege that every person have health insurance and then figure out the best ways to do it after it's set. Otherwise, isn't it like that gopher game at arcades? Once you hit one hole something pops up in another. Once you cover everyone, you have less ER visits, less overhead costs getting absorbed in the system..etc, etc.
There's lots of waste in our health care system, but that seems to me a secondary level of concern. You know, if there's a flood, don't start checking your bank account to make sure you can get new drywall before you stop the leaking and sop up the water.
Another good link:
"Money-Driven Medicine" on Bill Moyer's Journal - http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08282009/profile.html
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/health/healthreform/
Around 6:17 is where I really perked up. What Reid points out is that in these other countries, the first focus, the baseline was to get everyone covered by health insurance and then manage costs and quality after that goal was met. Here, it seems, we are trying to manage costs then look to cover everyone and ensure quality.
That made a light bulb go off in my head. We should have it as a right not a privilege that every person have health insurance and then figure out the best ways to do it after it's set. Otherwise, isn't it like that gopher game at arcades? Once you hit one hole something pops up in another. Once you cover everyone, you have less ER visits, less overhead costs getting absorbed in the system..etc, etc.
There's lots of waste in our health care system, but that seems to me a secondary level of concern. You know, if there's a flood, don't start checking your bank account to make sure you can get new drywall before you stop the leaking and sop up the water.
Another good link:
"Money-Driven Medicine" on Bill Moyer's Journal - http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08282009/profile.html
Javier Tellez and the ICA
I went to the Institute for Contemporary Art yesterday with my mom. Shepard Fairey's exhibit comes down tomorrow. I used to want to see it, then I heard him talk on NPR a few times and decided he was a bit of a tool, and a kind of moron. A vacuous sort of celebquasiartist whose allegedly anti-commercialism "Obey" message rings flat when you hear him discuss his work in commercialism, like for Macy's Department Store...But that's neither here nor there. What I came here to tell you about is the film "Letter on the Blind, For Use of Those Who See" by Javier Tellez.
The film is based on the old Indian parable "Six Blind Men and an Elephant". In the parable, six blind men feel a part of the elephant. None can tell what it is they're touching because they don't feel the whole thing.
Tellez's film features six blind people, each individually approaching and touching an elephant. The different responses and reactions tell a lot about human nature in general, possible dispositions in people. One man is excited like a child and recite Horton Hatches and Egg as he goes round the elephant, touching her skin. Another just taps and doesn't stay long. Another touches but ultimately dislikes the experience. And then there's one part that just MOVED me, and, from what I can tell of the reviews, moved a lot of people. I think I've admitted here that I cry easily but that doesn't always mean that I'm deeply moved. (It just means I'm a sentimental sap in so many ways...) But this film, and especially this one part, which I can't describe well enough to honor its poignancy, so you'll just have to track it down and view it yourself, truly moved me.
Links to reviews, interview with Tellez & the ICA home:
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/03/27/hands_on_experiments/?page=1
http://whitney.org/www/2008biennial/www/?section=artists&page=artist_tellez
http://creativetime.org/programs/archive/2007/performance/tellez_interview.html
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Arts/79501-Video-verite/
http://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/exhibit/acting-out/
The film is based on the old Indian parable "Six Blind Men and an Elephant". In the parable, six blind men feel a part of the elephant. None can tell what it is they're touching because they don't feel the whole thing.
Tellez's film features six blind people, each individually approaching and touching an elephant. The different responses and reactions tell a lot about human nature in general, possible dispositions in people. One man is excited like a child and recite Horton Hatches and Egg as he goes round the elephant, touching her skin. Another just taps and doesn't stay long. Another touches but ultimately dislikes the experience. And then there's one part that just MOVED me, and, from what I can tell of the reviews, moved a lot of people. I think I've admitted here that I cry easily but that doesn't always mean that I'm deeply moved. (It just means I'm a sentimental sap in so many ways...) But this film, and especially this one part, which I can't describe well enough to honor its poignancy, so you'll just have to track it down and view it yourself, truly moved me.
Links to reviews, interview with Tellez & the ICA home:
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/03/27/hands_on_experiments/?page=1
http://whitney.org/www/2008biennial/www/?section=artists&page=artist_tellez
http://creativetime.org/programs/archive/2007/performance/tellez_interview.html
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Arts/79501-Video-verite/
http://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/exhibit/acting-out/
Shakespeare in the Park Boston Common 2009 Review: A Comedy of Errors
Yay! Yay! Yay! What larks abound in Shakespeare's "A Comedy of Errors" and this year's Shakespeare in the Common production was a fun evening out this past Saturday.
Plot rundown: two sets of male twins, one set the slaves to the others, are separated at birth. Many years later as adults, they end up at the same place but, not knowing they're each of a set of twins, people keep mixing them up. A comdey of errors ensues.
Boston's Shakespeare in the Park production takes place in a sort of Carribean or Floridian 1920's. The blues and purple were dazzling. I didn't feel there were any miscasts, although the Courtesan got a little pitchy, dawg, as Randy would say it, during the finale. That's my only 
complaint. The twin servants, dressed in Tweedle Dee & Dum gear, were the show stealers.
complaint. The twin servants, dressed in Tweedle Dee & Dum gear, were the show stealers.I was especially dazzled by the details of the costumes -- costume design, especially the courtesan's purple outfits, were my favorite part of the show. I also just like going to free shows in a beautiful park on a gorgeous night with a whole bunch of other theatre lovers. I made a new friend, a rescue tiny-sized mixed breed dog named Honey, who belonged to the family behind me. Just came along for some petting and eventually ended up curling up in my lap for a bit. So cute!
Go see the show before it's over! Last night is Aug 16. All shows start at 8 PM except Sundays, which start at 7.
Picture Blog of Millenium Park, West Roxbury
Repost: Tiger Refuges
I forgot all about the old blog and reposting entries here. While I'm on blog hiatus, I'll repost more old blogs:
September 5, 2006
For some reason, my dad has an obsession with, or rather a serious passion for the welfare of, tigers.
I’ve never asked why, so I suppose I should do that.
Anyway, he says he wants to remortage the house and tag tigers in Thailand. My mom and I think that’s a little extreme.
But we’re looking into a trip to a tiger refuge here in the US. There’s one in Florida, one in Texas and one in Arkansas.
It’ll be an adventure.
September 5, 2006
For some reason, my dad has an obsession with, or rather a serious passion for the welfare of, tigers.
I’ve never asked why, so I suppose I should do that.
Anyway, he says he wants to remortage the house and tag tigers in Thailand. My mom and I think that’s a little extreme.
But we’re looking into a trip to a tiger refuge here in the US. There’s one in Florida, one in Texas and one in Arkansas.
It’ll be an adventure.
New Obsession: Long Jersey Cotton Dresses
Rene and I are both quite happy with the flattering new trend in dresses. They remind me of the Regency dresses the chicks wear in Austen flicks, with the empire waist and long length. Only, our modern version is made of jersey cotton and is a little more alluring, if you will.
I now have a sapphire blue and dusky orange halter top floor length dress and a greenish turquoise one with a v neck and rusched (sp?) waistline. I have a violet knee length one as well. Oh, and a baby blue plaid sundress.
Summer is dress season!
A Tour of Maine - Itinerary
Next week is my vacation to Maine, where I have not been since January! Can you imagine?
Sat 3-5: Cc & Nona's Bday Party, Lewiston
Sat 6-???: Graduation & Dance Party, Bowdoin College, Brunswick
Sun AM - Alum meeting @ Stonehouse, Freeport
Sun noon - say bye bye to everyone in SC, head up north
Sun 2-6: Steve & Anna (I hope!), Orono
Sun 6 -???: to Emily and her bf, who I finally get to meet, Bangor
Mon AM: head to Lisa's in..uh-oh, what's her new address? Msg via FB, ?St Albans?
Mon 6-9ish: Chris's for dinner, Manchester
Mon night: arrive in Lewiston
Tue: All day back in my old neighborhood in Lewiston
Wed AM: say bye to Lewiston peeps
Wed afternoon: to see Liz, who'se a bit gimpy, she says & gets PTSD from Mad Men but likes the show anyway, Harpswell
Wed evening: to Jenny's - yay! Rosa! Catchup! Good times!, Brunswick
Thu: leave
EIGHT towns in SIX days! Whirlwind! Can't wait!
31 Was a Good Day
Here, open this up in a second tab and play it while you read this post and the acoompanying link.
Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day" at YouTube.
Now, open a new tab and go to this link to a Flow Chart about Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day".
People are funny!
Anyway, I thought of this song because even though DFG's dear grandma Rose passed away and her funeral was in the morning, the rest of the day was very nice and even fun at the end there.
Thanks to Rene for the Wonderful Berfdae cake from Sugar Bakery. Buttercreme frosting is to die for.
Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day" at YouTube.
Now, open a new tab and go to this link to a Flow Chart about Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day".
People are funny!
Anyway, I thought of this song because even though DFG's dear grandma Rose passed away and her funeral was in the morning, the rest of the day was very nice and even fun at the end there.
Thanks to Rene for the Wonderful Berfdae cake from Sugar Bakery. Buttercreme frosting is to die for.
Why I Became a Librarian*
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55408523
Once upon a time, I was an English teacher. But now I am not. Watch this video -- starring my former students -- and see why, for now, I prefer to work at a library.
Once upon a time, I was an English teacher. But now I am not. Watch this video -- starring my former students -- and see why, for now, I prefer to work at a library.
Special Report: Dead & Abandoned Theoretical Babies All Over West Roxbury
So, yesterday I took a walk around town and was stopped in my tracks because along Centre St (West Roxbury's main street) I almost stepped on a smashed white egg. I walked around it and wondered why it was there. Then there was ANOTHER egg, abandoned on a bench outside of CVS. This one was brown. A few paces down the road and I spotted a third smashed brown egg. I was wondering what all this peculiarity was about & then I remembered the episode of the retro 90210 Rene was watching before the debate on Tuesday. Some of the characters had to carry around these eerily real looking fake babies. That's when it hit me: the 8th graders at the charter school around the corner from the library were probably learning about how important it was to wrap it up, unlike those sluts up in Gloucester, and so they got their theoretical baby eggs. What I had witnessed around the CVS and the library were a bunch of FAILURE grades in health class, is what that was.
Repost: Homework Sux - there's proof!!!
September 18, 2006
Homework is harmful for little kids. Too much homework of busywork is pointless for high school and should be a concentrated, exacting exercise and not homework for homework's sake.
I’m in the middle of a very intriguing book. I believe it’s major proposition will have prolific effects on education policies to come, so here’s your heads up.
On Alibris
To show off my skills (only because I’ve actually read/seen these sites already):
Here's the story from "Day to Day", which was the first time I heard about the book.
Other links:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/11/AR2006091100908.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1376208,00.html
http://www.alfiekohn.org/index.html
Happy reading!
Update, after finishing the book:
Homework is harmful for little kids. Too much homework of busywork is pointless for high school and should be a concentrated, exacting exercise and not homework for homework's sake.
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