Friday, June 16, 2006

CELEBRATING DEATH

I had a discussion with my husband the other day that left a really bad taste in my mouth. I’m not sure what bothered me more—the actual issue or the feeling that I am totally out of sync with most of my fellow Americans. I always thought of myself as optimistic and patriotic but now I’m beginning to wonder… Am I really the bleeding heart liberal that he claims I am? Am I unpatriotic, clueless, and out of touch with reality? Sometimes I think maybe I am…

It all started because my husband had the news on while we were getting ready for work. He knows better than to turn the news on in the mornings, because I invariably get anxious, annoyed or terribly sad. If he’s lucky, I’ll just be a little melancholy. If he’s unlucky, I’ll go off on some kind of philosophical rant that he knows we’ll have opposite opinions about. This was one of the latter days…

The newscaster was talking about the president’s speech. It seemed to me that the speech in question, the newscaster, and the president were all happily bragging about the death of a top terrorist. I said to my husband, “Don’t you think it’s in poor taste for the leader of a country to celebrate the fact that he was responsible for another human being’s death?”

My husband emphatically disagreed. “The man was an enemy of the United States, he deserved to die, and it was the president’s JOB to make that happen,” he responded.

First of all, I question whether we, as human beings, should feel entitled to decide whether any other human being should live or die. However, I do live in the real world (most of the time), and I know that no matter what I think, wars happen and people die. I don’t understand why we had to bomb the crap out of a whole town, endangering countless others, to kill one man, but we’ve already established the fact that I’m clueless.

So for the sake of this argument, let’s say that this was a man that had to be killed in order to save many other lives. That man was still a human being. If he had nothing else, I’ve got to believe that he at least had a mother or someone else out there that cared about him. Maybe he did evil, unconscionable things in his life. But he was still a living creature, and to celebrate the death of any living being seems wrong to me.

What kind of a message are we sending to our children about the sanctity of human life? That it’s okay to kill certain humans, in fact, it’s encouraged? When it’s okay to celebrate the death of a “monster,” how long will it be before that definition of “monster” broadens and changes to include our own loved ones? I know I may be in the minority for saying this, but I just think it’s scary and in poor taste to brag about killing anyone or anything, even if it was a “justifiable” death.

The irony of this situation is not lost on me. I realize that countless Americans have died so that I could sit here safe and secure on my couch, free from fear and able to exercise my right to freedom of speech, my right to speculate on the “morality” of celebrating the death of the “enemy”—the same enemy that has killed so many of the people that fought for my right to write this.

But I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it, no matter how hard I try. To me, any untimely death is a sad, solemn occasion, regardless, and sometimes because of, how that life was spent.

- A.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS SATURDAY

1. Lightning Bugs
2. Yo-Yo Ma
3. Butterfingers
4. Pink Highlighters
5. Buttercream Yankee Candles

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. It’s been killing me not being able to check on all my favorite blogs! But I knew that I couldn’t spend just five minutes online, and five minutes is about all the free time I’ve had lately. Hopefully I’ll settle into some sort of routine very soon and then I can schedule some “blogging” time into my week.

I'm gonna' keep this brief so I can go catch up on some blog reading now. Then I have to start studying for a Language and Linguistics test that I have on Monday. Wish me luck!

Meanwhile, here’s a little something to make you smile—the latest additions to my family in Texas. I miss them terribly, but thankfully I have a great long distance plan and my mom sends me tons of pictures.

Have a fabulous weekend!

- A.

Friday, June 02, 2006

FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS FRIDAY

1. The kindness of strangers (And acquaintances that offer to give you a ride home when your car breaks down for the millionth time)
2. Tennessee Williams (I quote him all the time but rarely give him credit)
3. Ernest Hemmingway (I recently checked out “Old Man and the Sea” for a student and read it first before I passed it on. I’ve always loved Hemmingway, but for some reason never read this one. Better late than never!)
4. Mel Brooks (History of the World Part I was on the TV when I got home today. It still makes me laugh my butt off, even after all these years!)
5. Air conditioning (Did I mention my piece of crap car that breaks down all the time no longer has functioning air conditioning?)

MONEY, CARS AND LAUNDRY—LET’S CHUCK THEM ALL!

I’m so tired that I can barely read the blurred screen as I type. But it’s a good tired. Earned from happily burning the candle at both ends, doing what I enjoy—running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Summer classes started this week. My summer reading program is off to a great start. I’ve gone full time at work effective this week. I’m working on a big project for one of my professors and a little project for another professor. And I’m coordinating my grandmother’s 80th birthday party that will take place in September.

Honestly, though, I like being that busy. I’ve always been that way. I need down time every now and then, but too much free time is a bad thing for me. I thrive on variety and I’m truly only happy when I’m very busy and don’t have time to ask if I’m truly happy. Hmm…I’m not sure if that’s healthy or not. But it works for me…

And while I enjoy writing this blog too, I haven’t had extra time to do it lately. I’m going to try in the future to update about once a week, probably on Fridays, but that’s the best I can do right now. So please be patient with me. I’ll be back to do some blog reading on Sunday. (Gotta’ work Saturday, too.) I promise I haven’t forgotten everybody!

But like I said, I’m enjoying all this busy craziness. I actually like going into work each day, and you can’t ask for much more than that. (Well, I could ask for more money, but I wouldn’t get it unless I wanted to go back to something else, like my previous, soul-sucking profession.)

I can’t express in words the joy I feel when I see students getting excited about books. And working with other teachers that feel the same way I do—it’s so cool. I know I’m still a newbie to all this and maybe a little zealous, but I don’t care. I’m going to enjoy all this enthusiasm while I can because it’s such a wonderful rush…

I had originally planned to do only part time jobs while I was in school. But things are so busy at work, they really need someone full time and I really need the money for tuition in the fall and to get my crappy car fixed…so there you go.

Did I mention that I hate money and I absolutely despise my car? If I could create the perfect world, the first thing I’d do is get rid of money, cars and laundry. (Oh yeah, I hate laundry, too.)

In my perfect world, money would be obsolete. Everyone would contribute to society in the ways that they were able, and in return, basic needs would be met automatically. (I don’t know how it will work, but in my world there will be smarter people than me to figure it all out.)

Cars in my perfect world would be for recreation only. Transportation would be easy, quick and accessible for everyone. (I’m planning on my think tank gang to figure this one out, too. I’m hoping for something like a transporter but I’ll leave that up to them. I don’t want to inhibit their creativity by demanding something specific.)

And while I’m at it, I’d make laundry a thing of the past. The growing Mt. Washmore in my laundry room would just disappear. All of our clothes would be disposable and recyclable. I don’t care much for fashion, I’d be happy in sweats, but for those of you that do care about that sort of thing, I’d have the think tank folks make them fashionable as well as functional.

If you were willing to join me, we could make this world a reality! So come on everybody, be brave. Take a deep breath and just do it….

Money, cars, and laundry—let’s chuck them all! Oh, and let’s throw out those dirty dishes too…

Have a great week!

- A.

Monday, May 22, 2006



I’m totally swamped right now, so I don’t have time to write down all the stuff floating around in my brain at the moment. I think I need one of Dumbledore’s pensieve’s … that would help A LOT...

One quick little thing I’ve gotta’ share is that I finally saw The Producer’s this weekend. It is so incredibly hilarious! I’m adding it to my favorite movies list. The actors are fabulous, the dialogue is quick, witty and completely irreverent, and the song and dance numbers are out of this world! I can’t believe it didn’t do better at the box office. I have to get the soundtrack! Can you imagine seeing this show live?

I especially love the scene in this movie where Nathan Lane (Max) and Matthew Broderick (Leo) convince Roger to direct “Springtime for Hitler”… And did you notice that Sabu, the houseboy that brings in the champagne at the end of the scene, is Jai from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? What a little cutie! And evil George from Desperate Housewives plays Roger's "Assistant"... Too funny!

Anyone that feels like re-living the scene with me, keep reading below. If you haven’t seen the movie, it probably won’t make sense, so I recommend stopping here. But either way, I hope you have a great week. And remember: “Keep it happy, keep it snappy, keep it gay!”

- A.

KEEP IT GAY
Lyrics
(I borrowed this text from another site, so I take no credit for transcribing the scene below. Ditto for typo’s or inaccuracies) : )

MAX:
Listen, Roger: did you get a chance yet to read Springtime for Hitler?
ROGER:
Read it? I devoured it! I for one, for instance, never realized that the Third Reich meant Germany.
MAX:
Yeah, how 'bout that? Then you'll do it?
ROGER:
Do it? Of course not.
The theatre's so obsessed
With dramas so depressed
It's hard to sell a ticket on Broadway
Shows should be more pretty
Shows should be more witty
Shows should be more...
What's the word?
LEO:
Gay?
ROGER:
Exactly!
No matter what you do on the stage
Keep it light, keep it bright, keep it gay!
Whether it's murder, mayhem or rage
Don't complain, it's a pain
Keep it gay!
CARMEN:
People want laughter when they see a show
The last thing they're after's a litany of woe
ROGER & CARMEN:
A happy ending will pep up your play...
ROGER:
Oedipus won't bomb...
CARMEN:
If he winds up with Mom!
Keep it gay!
ROGER:
Keep it gay...
ROGER & CARMEN:
Keep it gay!
MAX:
Couldn't agree with you more. And you have our blessings, Roger,
to make Springtime for Hitler just as gay as anyone could possibly want.
So, c'mon, do it for us, please.
ROGER:
No, sorry, Max, but it's simply not my cup of tea.
Still, fair is fair, perhaps I should ask my production team what they think.
This is my set designer, Bryan.
BRYAN:
Keep it glad, keep it mad, keep it gay!
ROGER:
And here's my costume designer, Kevin.
KEVIN:
Hello...
Keep it happy, keep it snappy, keep it gay!
BRYAN & KEVIN:
We're clever, creative
It's our job to see
That ev'rything's perfect for Mr. De Bris!
ROGER:
Next, Scott, my choreographer...
SCOTT:
Hi there...
ROGER:
And, ah, finally, last and least, my lighting designer, Shirley Markowitz.
SHIRLEY:
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
LEO:
I don't think we're getting to them, Max. What do we do now?
MAX:
Watch this. Roger, listen. I think that Springtime for Hitler
would be a marvelous opportunity for you. I mean, up to now,
you've always been associated with frivolous musicals.
ROGER:
You're right. I've often felt as though I've been throwing my life away
on silly little entertainments. Dopey showgirls in gooey gowns.
Two-three-kick-turn! Turn-turn-kick-turn!
CARMEN:
Oh, Roger.
ROGER:
It's enough to make you heave. Nonetheless, sorry, Max.
I just couldn't do Springtime for Hitler
MAX:
Why not? Think of the prestige.
ROGER:
No.
MAX:
Think of the respect.
ROGER:
No, no, no.
MAX:
Think of ... the Tony!
CARMEN & THE TEAM:
Tony...Tony...Tony...Tony...Tony!
ROGER:
Ngaaaaaahhhhh!
MAX:
What's the matter?
LEO:
Is he all right?
CARMEN:
He's having a stroke...
MAX & LEO:
What?
CARMEN:
...of genius!
ROGER:
I see it! I see it! At last. The chance to do something important!
CARMEN:
Roger de Bris presents History!
ROGER:
Of course that whole second act has to be rewritten. They're losing the war? Excuse me. It's too downbeat.
CARMEN:
Roger de Bris presents History!
ROGER:
But maybe...it's a wile idea, but it just might work...
I see a line of beautiful girls
Dressed as storm troopers, each one a gem
With leather boots and whips on their hips
It's risque, dare I say, S & M!
CARMEN & THE TEAM:
Love it!
ROGER:
I see German soldiers dancing through France
Played by chorus boys in very tight pants
And wait, there's more - they win the war!
And the dances they do will be daring and new
Turn-turn-kick-turn, turn-turn-kick-turn
One-two-three-kick-turn!
Keep it sassy, keep it classy, keep it...
MAX:
That is brilliant. Brilliant! Roger, I speak for Mr. Bloom and myself
when I say that you are the only man in the world who can do justice
to Springtime for Hitler. Will you do it, please?
LEO:
Please.
ROGER:
Wait a minute. This is a very big decision. It might affect the course of my entire life.
I shall have to think about it...I'll do it. I'll do it!
Sabu, champagne!
ROGER, CARMEN & THE TEAM:
If at the end you want them to cheer
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
Whether it's Hamlet, Othello or Lear
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
CARMEN:
Comedy's joyous, a constant delight
Dramas annoy us...
ROGER & CARMEN:
...and ruin our night.
ROGER, CARMEN & THE TEAM:
So keep your Strindbergs and Ibsens at bay...
ROGER:
I'll sign...
KEVIN:
Sign...
BRYAN:
Sign...
SCOTT:
Sign...
CARMEN:
Sign...
SHIRLEY:
Sign...
MAX & LEO:
Sign...
ROGER:
Roger Elizabeth De Bris!
ALL:
Keep it gay!!

Friday, May 19, 2006

FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS FRIDAY

1. Email
2. Puppy Kisses
3. Excel Spreadsheets (It's scary, but true--I love spreadsheets! If I could fit my entire life into a spreadsheet, I probably would...)
4. Multi-colored Sharpies (turquoise and silver are my favorites)
5. Suburb Sounds (bird calls, wind chimes, trees rustling, insects buzzing, little kids playing outside, retirees doing yard work, the mail truck putting through the neighborhood, squirrels scampering across the deck, dogs barking in the distance...)

When we were chatting about great children’s books, Prisonerofhope and Grandma Baba both mentioned Shel Silverstein so I had to pull out one of his books and share this poem with you… He’s got some really fun, silly stuff too and of course “The Giving Tree” is a beautiful, touching story…

I like this one because it reminds me of the optimism, creativity and intuition that comes so easily to children and that eludes so many adults…

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

by SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Happy Friday, everyone! May your journey take you beyond where the sidewalk ends…

- A.