Sir Ian McKellan on Acting

(Many thanks to Angela Funk for finding this and to Drew for posting it so I could pilfer it.)

My new favorite phrase is...

"Hanny Van Arkle's Voorwerp."

This is a real thing. Really. I'm not making this up. (I feel like Dave Barry.)

I was at a symposium last week and one of the presentations mentioned this. It was one of the highlights of the week. (Make what judgments you will from that.)

I challenge you to use the phrase in casual conversation at least once over the holiday season. It could be helpful in getting you through one of those awkward, awful holiday office party conversation lulls. Or it could be a great topic-changer when the family starts to ask those questions you'd just rather not answer.

You're welcome.

Just Shameless

I'm referring to my dearth of posts lately. Sorry.

The holiday swirl is upon us and who really wants to hear about my Christmas shopping?

But, seriously, I hope to be blogging again regularly in the new year. (I wouldn't hold out much hope for this year, since we are off to Brussels and Paris a week from Friday!)

Happy Holidays All!

Shameless Self-Promotion: What are you doing this weekend?

As I told you back in September, the writers group I'm a member of is putting on a month-long festival of new works in Jan-Feb 2009 (we're calling it the InGenius Festival--Voices from the Writers' Forum). All Forum writers were invited to submit scripts for consideration and the Source's artistic director made the final selections of what to produce. I am proud to say that a one-act of mine, "What We Planned For," was chosen. It will be part of "PlayGround Series C," performing Feb 2-4 (Mon-Wed) at 8pm. Tickets ($15) and other info can be found here: http://www.theatresource.org/

But wait, didn't I say something about this weekend? I did indeed.

Because we are serving as the producers of the Festival, that means we have to come up with the $$--not just for the theatre space, but for rehearsal space (for 16 shows!), props, costumes, etc. So, as a fundraising event, this weekend we are doing a very special "Spontaneous Combustion"--We Write, Rehearse, Tech & Perform an evening of 4-8 minute plays in just 48 Hours! Performances are Sun-Tue Nov 23-25 @ $8pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Here's how Spontaneous works:

• Teams of writers and actors receive a first line and a cultural reference.
• Writers write a short play Friday night.
• Actors rehearse Saturday Day, and
• The show goes up Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.

Wine & beer will be available pre-show and we plan to have musical entertainment starting each evening at 7pm.

Finally, to pad the coffers a bit more, we are also doing a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $1 each and the drawing will take place on November 30 (you do not need to be present to win). You can see me for tickets or buy them at the theatre.

So, if you're planning to be in the city this Sun, Mon or Tue (or need an excuse to come to the city), here it is.

Hope to see you there!


Summary of the Important Info:
What: Spontaneous Combustion
When: Sun-Tue, Nov 23-25 @ 8pm (pre-show entertainment starts at 7pm)
Where: Manhattan Theatre Source, 177 MacDougal (http://www.theatresource.org)
How much: $15 (can purchase tickets at: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/632685)

What: InGenius Festival
When: Jan 6-Feb 4, 2009 (my piece is part of "Series C" performing Feb 2-4)
Where: Manhattan Theatre Source, 177 MacDougal (http://www.theatresource.org)
How much: Full-length productions $18, Evenings of one-acts $15 (can purchase tickets at: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/931/1230858000000)

What: 50/50 Raffle
When: Now until November 30th
Where: See me or come to the theatre
How much: $1 per ticket

This is Just Frickin' Cool!

Google Flu Trends uses search data to track real flu

Words of the Day

Irony = having your biggest WW setback after going out to a microbrewery with one of the people who inspired me to join the cult in the first place

Coincidence = getting the e-mail notice to renew my NY Times Crossword Puzzle subscription while watching Wordplay.

AUDITION NOTICE - INGENIUS FESTIVAL

INgenius - works from the Writers' Forum at Manhattan Theatre Source

Auditions: November 8th 10:00am-2:00pm & November 9th 10:00am-2:00pm

Callbacks: November 14th 10:00am-6:00pm & November 15th 10:00am-2:00pm & November 16th 10:00am-1:00pm (1 hour per play)

Sign up for an audition slot available immediately at Manhattan
Theatre Source (177 MacDougal St.). One-minute monologue required.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

PROGRAM A: Tech: January 10th-12th Run: January 12th–14th @ 8pm
Program A Producers: Dana Monagan & Kathleen O'Neill

EPIC STORY OF LOVE & SEX by Richard Vetere, directed by Laura Braza

Male lead: same actor plays a young boy, a teenager and an adult. Fast-talking, funny from Queens.

Ralph, Teenager, Young Man with Guitar and Gino: tough Queens/Brooklyn guy.

Young girl June, Carol, Young Wife, Sara Viola, Teenager Girl #1, Lurcia Narducci: Female any age.

Perfect Female, Girl #2, Girl #3, , Sister and Lunetta Narducci: Female any age.

DAR AND MATEY by Larry Pontius, directed by Megan Demarest

Dar: male, pirate, any age any race

Matey: pirate, male, any age any race

Terrible Titian of the Moon Tim: any age, any race, any sex (will also play a king, Princess or Guard)

Deadly Destructive Robot of Doom Dave: any age, any race, any sex (will also play a king, Princess or Guard)

DOWNTOWN by Vanda, directed by Jo Catell

Kate: In her 30s, one of those anonymous women we often see on rush hour subways. She wears sneakers and keeps her shoes in her purse.

John: Male, In his late 20s, wants to do his job and get home, until he meets Kate. Every attempt should be made to speak the language he uses as written.

PROGRAM B: Tech: January 24th-26th Run: January 26th-28th @8pm
Program B Producer: Mariana Santos

THE DEGAS INCIDENT by Vinnie Marano, directed by Dev Bondarin

Edgar Degas: White male, 20's, a dandy, a little self-important

Magistrate: Older, rougher, lower class. Delights in puncturing the pretensions of the rich.

I KNOW THE TRUTH by John Watts, directed by Nicole Franklin

Young Jody: Female, 19-22, African-American. Late sixties college clothes – afro hair style

Young Alan: Male, 19-22, White-American. Late sixties college clothes – conservative (not hippy)

Older Jody: Female, 52, African-American. Sophisticated present-day casual clothing

Older Alan: Male, 52, White-American. Sophisticated present-day casual clothing


MASS INDIVIDUALITY by Laura Schlachtmeyer, directed by Corey Atkins

Woman: any age and nationality

Man: any age and nationality

Nameless: male, any age and nationality

Ensemble: 3 male, 2 female, any age and nationality

AMERICAN JATAKA TALES by Ed Malin, directed Mark Duncan

Actor One: Male or female, ethnic, playing many roles.

Actor Two: Male or female, ethnic, playing many roles.

Actor Three: Male or female, white or ethnic, playing many roles.

PROGRAM C: Tech: January 31st – February 2nd Run: February 2nd-4th @ 8pm
Program C Producer:

DECEMBER by Pamela Yaco, directed by Carly Hirschberg

Emmie: Caucasian, middle aged visiting nurse. A little burnt out, she is cool in a crisis. She can identify and control the situation. She is compassionate has a sense of humor.

Mr. Campbell: An old man who wants to die; he is in terrible pain. He is tired, poor, any race, cantankerous, crusty, scruffy, some beard.


PRESUMPTUOUS by Paul Jordan, Gabriella Willenz

Tom Downey: Male, 50's, full of life, awkward and halting in his speech, but sincere and very open. Tom knows what he's living for.

Margaret Maloney: Female, 45-50, fast-talking, lovable, but very protective, street-wise New Yorker. Sarcastic, short with people and funny. Her shortness hides her sensitive nature.

WHAT WE PLANNED FOR by Jen Thatcher, Angela Astle

Dan: Male, mid-to-late 30's, fairly mild-mannered, eager to be a father

Julie: Female, mid-to-late 30's, very career-oriented and no-nonsense, a little ambiguous about motherhood

UNPRIMED by John McKinney, directed by Jessica McVea

Sarah: Female, 30's, attractive, intelligent, sophisticated, sharp-witted with a deep emotional undercurrent that she has learned to protect at all times. Makes a good living in business yet she comes from a strong liberal arts background.

Russell: Male, 50-ish, attractive, intelligent, sophisticated, sharp-witted with a businesslike politeness that borders on aggravating. Stoic; his facial expressions are inscrutable and poker-like: you never quite know what he's thinking. And covers a deep emotional side.

FULL LENGTH PLAYS
Any Day Now Producer: Sarah Ali

ANY DAY NOW written & directed by Nat Cassidy

Tech: January 3rd – 5th & 16th Run: January 6-8, 17, 19, 29-30 @ 8pm, 18th @ 7pm

Penelope "Pen" Colby: Female, late 60's. Matriarch, strong-willed and independent, recently lost her husband, becoming more and more senile.

Adam Colby: Male, late 60's, Pen's husband. Recently died and has returned as a rather conscious-less void, a harmless zombie. Occasionally mutters and tries to wander, but otherwise vacant and sad. **Brief backside nudity.**

Beverly Colby-Parker: Female, late 40's-early 50's, Pen's older daughter. An alpha female; totally controlling and manipulative, lonely and desperate. She works her way up to a spokesperson and minor celebrity, a comfortable public speaker. (Sarah Palin meets Annette Benning in American Beauty)

David Parker: Male, early 50's, Beverly's husband. Henpecked, career-oriented, likes to talk trivia all the time. Not so much weak as just accustomed to the noise around him.

Jaqueline Colby Parker: Female, 21, Beverly's daughter, spunky, youthful. Just got kicked out of college for selling pot, very bright and clever.

April Colby: Female, 40's, Pen's younger daughter, Beverly's sister. Opposite of Beverly, laid back, funny, caring, good listener, but callous when it comes to Josh. (Mary Louise Parker in Weeds)

Josh Powell: Male, 40's, April's husband. Going through a divorce, just fired from his job as a teacher (for fooling around with one of his students). Drinking far too much. Suicidal darkness and desperation mixed with a continuous wise-cracker, tends to use humor more than anyone else.


LIKENESS by David Caudle, directed & produced by Jessica Ammirati

Tech: January 4th, 5th, 8th, 22nd Run: January 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 24th @ 8pm 11th & 25th @ 7pm

Edmund Earraday: Male, 24. An idealistic young portrait painter. High-strung, passionate, nerdy, a prude who thinks he's a rebel.

Marcus: Male, 17. A farm hand assigned to assist Farraday. Eager, innocent, sincere.

Mr. Westerley: Male, 50's. A wealthy landowner and avowed Loyalist. A man sure of his power. Easy manners can quickly give way to a lion's roar.

Miss Westerley: Female, 16. Mr. Westerley's haughty daughter. Quiet. Controlled. Willful.

Miss Preston: Female, 40's Miss Westerley's governess. Cold and correct on the surface.

Mrs. Mapes: Female, late 50's. Mr. Westerley's "niece." Her bawdy humor undermines her pretensions to gentility.

Passing the Buck

Ok, I know I've been really bad about blogging lately, but there have been a variety of factors including that I've been:
- producing a week of Estro (tomorrow night is your last chance to see Estro Encores!)
- completing the writing of Act One of my first full-length play (wow, is that awkwardly worded. but you get the idea...)
- traveling for work
- facilitating a two-day retreat
- working on the January InGenius festival
etc., etc., etc.

The other factor is that THE MOST IMPORTANT issue right now for everyone to be focusing on is next Tuesday. And, for various job-related reasons, that's not something I can blog about during the day. So, instead, I am passing the buck to Laughing at the Pieces. Rob has done an amazing job of talking about ALL the reasons why Obama is the better choice and it's all compounded by the fact that he is now personally experiencing the effects of the Bush economy (i.e., he just got laid off). So go. Read. Learn. I'll be here when you get back.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

Awhile back, I wrote about something I'd read that talked about how we can treat people as people or as things, but I couldn't remember who had written the essay.

Now, thanks to Michael Bungay Steiner, I've found out it was Martin Buber.

Whales 1, Palin 0

NOAA Lists Cook Inlet Beluga Whales as Endangered

I particularly love Greenwire's headline, which reads, "Against Palin's Wishes, NOAA Will Protect Alaska's Whales."

Hey, How'd It Go?

"My" week of Estro went great, thanks!

Well-attended, well-received...an all-around positively positive experience!

And the best part, is it's not over yet.

This year, we've added a 5th week to the Festival, which we're calling "Estro Encores," which will be comprised of the producer's selection from each of the previous 4 weeks. So, you can still see one of my shows, Waffles by Martha Garvey, October 28-31 at 8pm.

Tickets will be available soon at: http://www.theatresource.org

In Lieu of All Things Pink...

If you're female, join the Army of Women.

If you're of the male persuasion, just spread the word.

Think Before You Pink

Well, it's here. The "pink season" is upon us. Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month when you can buy everything from pink "tweezers for life," to pink Kitchen Aid mixers, to pink soup to a pink "foldable rollator."

It makes me a little bit crazy. Partially it's the whole cute-ification of breast cancer, like it's something fun and kitschy.

Partially, it's the fact that some of these companies marketing breast cancer awareness conveniently overlook the fact that their products contain carcinogens. (For the record, these are called "pinkwashers.")

In fact:
"Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for example, is sponsored by AstraZeneca (the manufacturer of tamoxifen), which, until a corporate reorganization in 2000, was a leading producer of pesticides, including acetochlor, classified by the EPA as a "probable human carcinogen." This particularly nasty conjuncture of interests led the environmentally oriented Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC) to condemn Breast Cancer Awareness Month as "a public relations invention by a major polluter which puts women in the position of being unwitting allies of the very people who make them sick."
(From Barbara Ehrenreich's seminal article "Welcome to Cancerland", which you can read in it's entirety here.)

Partially, it's the fact that others of these companies have incredibly vague claims on their products such as "a portion of the proceeds will go to support breast cancer awareness." What portion? Where will they go? How will they support it?

Which leads me to the Critical Questions to Ask (from ThinkBeforeYouPink.org):
1. How much money from your purchase actually goes toward breast cancer? Is the amount clearly stated on the package?
2. What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
3. How are the funds being raised?
4. To what breast cancer organization does the money go, and what types of programs does it support?
5. What is the company doing to assure that its products are not actually contributing to the breast cancer epidemic?

Partially, it's that I just don't want to be surrounded with cheerful, brightly colored reminders of a disease that has killed alot of people I care about.

Finally, it's because I really don't know what all this "awareness" is getting us. Especially when that awareness is pink-coated and sanitized.

And, just in case you think I'm crazy, I am by far not the only breast cancer "survivor" who feels this way: The Assertive Cancer Patient has collected quite a few anecdotes in her Boycott October thread. But I think the lovely and amazing Janet puts it best, "Fuck Awareness, Find a Cure."

Happy Halloween.

Addendum: I just found this anti-pink, anti-Komen rant from someone who's never even had breast cancer! Very cathartic.

A Pot Pourri of Bloggery...

Ack. I have so much to blog about and apparently no time to do it. So, I figure I do a mish-mash of an entry that gives at least the major updates.

1. Estrogenious 2008 opens tomorrow! "My" week is October 8-11, but the whole festival is awesome. Come check it out!

2. Also check out [title of show]. It's fun, it's clever, it's original, it's on Broadway, AND it had its very first workshop production at Manhattan Theatre Source. So these folks have trod the boards in the very same place the work of yours truly has been staged. Heady stuff. I've seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times and I just read that it's CLOSING OCTOBER 12TH, so hurry up and see it before it's gone!

3. Since January 2008, I have been a member of Manhattan Theatre Source's Writers' Forum. What started out as a handful of Source "regulars," has grown into a group of 30 writers, ranging from those just starting out as playwrights to award-winning and nominated writers such as Joan Tewkesbury (screenwriter of the Oscar-nominated film Nashville) and Joe Pintauro (Snow Orchid, The Dead Boy).

This past year, we were able to get the Forum on its feet via regularly weekly meetings and to launch our accompanying Saturday Reading Series.

Now we're ready to take things to the next level. The Forum members have chipped in to "buy" a month's production time at the Source to mount several PlayGround Development Series and full Mainstage Productions. What's especially exciting about this is that we've decided to do this as a collective, with the Forum serving not just as the writers, but as the producers, supporting each other as we get our works on their feet.

It's an exciting opportunity. But we need help. Although we raised the $8,000 deposit in under a week (while the economy was crashing, no less--yay us!), we still need to raise the additional rental and production costs. So, if you're feeling philanthropic...ANY amount is appreciated. And don't forget that the Source is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donation will be tax-deductible. You can make your check payable to "Manhattan Theatre Source" and send it to 177 MacDougal Street, NY, NY 10011, Attn: Jim Lawson (just include a note that it's for the January festival). Or, if you prefer, you can donate via credit card at https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/store/931. (If you donate via cc, I'd love it if you could shoot me a note.)

4. Mini Cult Update - Lost 3 lbs this week. LOVING the Core Plan.

Ok, that's all I can think of right now.

The Real Difference Between Liberals and Conservatives

Yes, this is another TED talk. I watched it about a week ago and it really stuck with me.

I think it's a particularly interesting lens through which to watch all this election stuff...

Shameless Self-Promotion: Estrogenius 2008

Ok, folks, it's that time of year again...Here are the details for "my" week of Estrogenius.

The full festival schedule is available at http://www.estrogenius.org/estro.html



estrogenius festival 2oo8

presentsWeek 2 Short Plays

October 8-11, 2008

The Estrogenius Festival, one of New York City’s largest women’s arts festival, kicks off its ninth annual season October 1. Running through November 1 at Manhattan Theatre Source (177 MacDougal Street), the festival presents a diverse array of short plays, solo shows, dance, visual art, music, performances by teens and a benefit for girls’ education in Africa.



The ninth annual EstroGenius Festival is anchored by four programs of short plays. Program Two includes:


YOG SOTHOTH by Lia Romeo, directed by Meg Sturiano

Starring: Libby Collins*, Joe DiSalle*, Angela Funk, Stephen Alan Wilson*



FOREIGN POLICY by JJ Hunt, directed by Nichole Donje

Starring: Katherine Alt Keener*, Mami Kimura & Joy Seligsohn



MADRIGAL IN BLACK & WHITE by Patricia Montley, directed by Jessica McVea

Starring: Simone Harrison*, Corey Ann Haydu, Dana Monagan & Laurie Schroeder*



THE PERFECT PLAN by John McKinney, directed by Norah Turnham

Starring: William Allgood & Amelia Campbell



WAFFLES by Martha Garvey, directed by Angela Astle

Starring: Meg Loftus & Michael Wolfe*



Performance Dates: October 8 – 11, Wednesday through Friday at 8pm & Saturday at 3pm & 7pm

Tickets are $18 at www.theatresource.com or (212) 352-3101. For more information, visit www.estrogenius.org.



Co-Executive Producers: Tegan Meyer & Lanie Zipoy

Program 2 Producer: Jennifer Thatcher

Program 2 Asst. Producer: Helene Galek

Lighting Design: Kia Rogers

Sound Design: Joe Brent

Costume Design: Nicky Smith

*denotes a member of AEA. An Equity-approved showcase

Cult Update

Ok, loyal readers, it's been awhile, but I finally have something to report.

I do WW @ Work, which means I pay my membership fee in multi-month chunks. Today, I signed up for my 3rd "session" and have decided it should be my last (or, at least, the last one I pay for).

So, I've set my goal weight! It is 6.6 pounds below where I am today. Once I reach it, my total weight loss in the cult will be 21.8 lbs.

The way the cult works is that, once you reach and maintain your goal weight (within 2lbs) for 6 weeks, you become a lifetime member and can attend meetings/weigh-ins for free.

And for those of you dying for even more details, I've decided to switch from the Flex Plan to the Core Plan. The basic difference is that on the Flex Plan you track everything you eat and try to stay within your daily and weekly points allowance. On the Core Plan, you don't need to track anything that's on the WW "core foods" list, but you use your bonus points for anything that's not. Since my main problem over the past few months has been not tracking, I think this might be the way to get my weight loss rolling again.

And, of course, I've been poring over the Core Foods list and am actually excited by some of the things that are on it. For example, my world-famous pasta fagioli--which I haven't made in awhile because the flex point value is a little high--is comprised entirely of Core Foods. Yay!

I "Heart" Aaron Sorkin

Thanks to Abby for sending this my way.

Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet

A Little Levity for Thursday

The Onion explains how Disney grows their child stars...Really hilarious. Watch all the way through.


Disney Lab Unveils Its Latest Line Of Genetically Engineered Child Stars

Thanks to Laughing at the Pieces for finding it.

Post-Treatment Stages of Emotional Health

This was posted by a someone on the YSC boards the other day and I thought it was worth sharing. I'm not sure if I've gone through these in this precise order, but most of them resonate.

Stage 1 after treatment: What do you mean there is nothing else I can do? Let me do more chemo. I'm never going to eat sugar again and I'll eat flax seeds everyday. I've got to raise $10,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and ride my bike 200 miles in 4 days to help people with cancer.

Stage 2 after treatment: Shouldn't I feel happy? I'll cry at my post chemo party if I want to.

Stage 3 after treatment: I feel agitated and annoyed at everything and nothing. You mean that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not just for soldiers? Lack of sleep is not helping anything.

Stage 4 after treatment: I'm pulling out all my retirement money and doing whatever in the hell I want. I envy the mundane problems of everyday life but have very little patience when it comes to listening about them. No tolerance for bullshit and shitty family and friends.

Stage 5 after treatment: I have all the symptoms on the internet. I just know my cancer is back. If the cancer is not back, why do I feel this way? Am I a hypochondriac?

Stage 6 after treatment: Is there pink everywhere? I hate pink. Cancer follows me everywhere. I wish people would quit asking if my hair is naturally curly ..... no it's unnaturally (there is nothing natural about chemo) curly and it currently looks like a sheep's ass.

Stage 7 after treatment: I just need to get away from all this cancer stuff. Did all that stuff really happen to me? Maybe if I stay off the boards and stay busy I'll "get over it" faster. See ya everyone .... I'll be at Target.

Stage 8: The person looking back in the mirror looks and feels very different. I don't think things will ever be the same. The "old me" is never coming back (sniffle). How come everyone else doesn't realize it and why do they keep saying that I am back to normal?

Just Say No...to Palin

Passing this along...

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce, the act of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate that has a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become
the second-most-powerful person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and altogether devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so demonstrably
benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here < womensaynopalin@gmail.com
> with a succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation. Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience. The greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.
*VIVA!*
Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York , NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com

*PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!* If you send this to 20 women in the next hour, you could be blessed with a country that takes your concerns seriously.
Stranger things have happened.

The End of the World As We Know It?

In case you haven't heard, the world may be ending this week. And, no, it has nothing to do with the anniversary of 9/11, the Middle East, or terrorists.

The source of the potential cataclysm--as the source of so many cataclysms often is (i.e., the atom bomb, weapons of mass destruction, etc.)--is Science. In this case, it's the "Large Hadron Collider," a device built by physicists and engineers to smash particles together and see what'll happen.

At best, they'll learn more about the universe and particle physics.

At worst, they'll create a black hole that will swallow the earth.

I would be a remiss blogger (to say the least), if I let this go by without doing my bit to educate y'all.

So here goes.

In answer to the obvious question--what the heck IS a particle collider?--I recommend this TED talk:


For a lighter view of what it's supposed to do, I recommend the Large Hadron Collider Rap:


And, finally, for the layperson's perspective, I give you Gail Collins: Digging Ourselves a Black Hole

Keep your fingers crossed people.

Nailing Down the Palin Constituency

My friend SharonGR has posited that Palin was chosen because the GOP think that former Hillary supporters vote based on "the vagina content of their candidates."

When I told another, non-blogging* friend this, she said she was more concerned about "the Viagra vote."

So, dear readers, which is it: Vaginas or Viagra?


Oh, and if you have time, check this out: One Thing in Palin's Favor

*(ack! can there be such a thing?)

Did You Know?

Freakin' fascinating:

Happy Mon--I Mean, Happy Tuesday!

http://www.davidbessler.com/pulldown/pipecleaner_dance3.swf

Good News from Cancerland

Actually, there's small good news and big good news.

The small good news is I had my check-in with my onc today and everything looks good (i.e., still NED). I go back again January.

The big good news is actually not about me, but about one of my YSC friends, who is Stage IV, but is currently also NED. I figured I've shared the sad stuff from YSC here enough times, I should share the good news as well. Go ShawnieMac! May you and NED live happily ever after!

How Low Can I Go? (Cult Update)

At last! I have actual progress to report.

First, the prologue:
After being away for a couple of weeks, I was slightly dismayed at last week's weigh-in to find that I was up 2lbs. After all, I was SAILING. That's exercise, isn't it? (You may have noticed that I DIDN'T post about it.)

Now, the news:
However, this week I was down 4.6lbs! Which a) is a personal record for a single week's weight loss and b) gets me to a new low weight (still not my goal weight, but getting closer...).

So here's this week's loss, in Scrabble terms:

Cool Site of the Day

Actually, 2 sites.

1. TED Talks - These are short (usually 20min or less) lectures and presentations by some of the greatest thinkers alive today. And, for those of you using Google Reader, they have a blog page that you can subscribe to.

2. I've known about TED for awhile, but just recently added them to my Google Reader and am way glad I did 'cause today they posted an encore talk on Photosynth, with a link to the site. Go play!

PSA: Become a Bone Marrow Donor

I would really be remiss if I didn't post about this...

A woman I know from "the boards," Danica Martinez, developed leukemia as a result of her chemo treatment for breast cancer (crazy, but true).

She is the single mother of 3 kids and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant, but has been unable to find a match.

Now here's the cool part: ANYONE (well, anyone who hasn't had cancer) can be a bone marrow donor and the actual donation process sounds way easier than, say, giving up a kidney.

For more info on Danica and how to become a bone marrow donor, go here.

The Web is a Strange Place...

First of all, it's important for you to know that, despite being relatively technically savvy, I still prefer to keep a paper calendar/to do list. And I do all my scheduling and tasking w/a mechanical pencil.

The make/model of pencil I have been using for years is the Pentel Twist-Erase 0.5.

Who the hell cares, you ask? Why are you telling me this??

Stay with me. This is important prologue info.

As I said, I've been using the Pentel for years, but recently have had trouble with the lead breaking and so had decided that, since this is my primary writing instrument, perhaps it was time to upgrade.

So I decided to do a little internet shopping.

And came across a whole blogworld of pencil enthusiasts.

Yes, you read that previous sentence correctly. Pencil enthusiasts.

There's this guy, who writes about 4-color mechanical pencils, which are apparently called Norma pencils.

There's this site, which, according to it's self-description, has been "serving pencil collectors and enthusiasts since 1996!"

And there's this site, the "online pencil museum."

And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

For example, there are these:
Pencil Talk
Dave's Mechanical Pencils
Pencil Box

I am clearly out of my depth here...all I want is a nice looking mechanical pencil with smooth, easy lead advancement and an eraser larger than a kernel of unpopped corn.

Sweets

On my way to work today I needed to pick up something sweet to contribute to a goodbye breakfast for a colleague. I was walking to the PATH station when I passed the new coffee/dessert place in town and thought, "Yeah. Support the new local business."

So I went in. I actually wasn't sure whether they sold their treats "in bulk," or if they were strictly a-coffee-&-a-slice-of-cake kind of place, so I asked whether they had boxes. The answer was, "Yes, but we're actually not open yet." They didn't mean in general, they meant for the day. This, despite the fact that the display cases were stocked, the owner and another employee were there and the door was propped open.

Now, since I hadn't planned on going there in the first place and only stopped in as a spur-of-the-moment thing, I wasn't particularly inconvenienced. But I was a little perplexed that a new business owner would pass up the opportunity to establish a relationship with a customer. I mean, I was there, she was there, the mini cupcakes were there, the box to put them in was there--how hard would it have been for this transaction to come together? Instead, I was left with sort of a weird feeling of rejection. A minor rejection, granted, but one that, let's face it, could impact my decision to go back there.

The happy ending to this is that I continued on my way to the PATH station and stopped in Carlo's Bakery, which I've passed about a million times since moving to the 6th Borough, but had never set foot in because they looked like a fancy cake store and I am rarely in need of a fancy cake. As it turns out, they are actually an Italian bakery, so now I've found a place in town to get biscotti (my favorite), sfogliatella (the hubby's fave) and cannolis (everybody's favorite). So one local business's loss is another's gain.

I Sail!

"I sail!
I'm a sailor! I sail!
On a boat on the lake.
Very far away from the dock.
Into the wind, with the sky and everything."
-- Bob, "What About Bob?"

Well, we did it. The hubby and I survived our 5-day sailing course and are now certified to skipper or crew any vessel up to 24'.

Now we just need a boat...

I'm Sailing Away...

Literally.

Sorry for the dearth of posting but I was in DC for work this past week and next week the hubby and I are heading to Annapolis to take a 5-day SAILING COURSE.



Very excited.

And a little nervous.

But mostly excited.

I promise to report back post-trip.

Apparently, you're supposed to wish us "Fair Winds and Following Seas."

I Did It...Again!

Cult update redux.

Read This Blog!

Ok, I don't mean this blog, I mean this blog.

Here's the sales pitch. My cousin Paul and his wife Rebecca sublet their townhouse in Alexandria, VA and decamped with their two small children to Ecuador for 3 months so that Rebecca could volunteer for Asylum Access, non-profit organization that provides free legal assistance to Colombian refugees in Ecuador.

I am completely awestruck by this. The work that Rebecca and Asylum Access is doing is just fantastic and the logistical challenges of doing this with 2 small children is daunting. And Paul, the main author of the blog, is pretty funny.

Anyway, he's been blogging for months and they are actually coming to the end of their 3-month stay, but better late than never, right?

So, without further ado, I bid thee to check out Adventures of the Cuy.

On a Happier Note

I just realized I never gave you all the details of the hubby's Fabulous Birthday Surprise Weekend.

As reported earlier, the only information I gave him in advance was to "Obey your wife."

So, on Friday morning, we left the apartment and went to Anthony David's (the hubby's favorite) for brunch.


After brunch, we went for a little walk to the Northeast end of town. He couldn't figure out where we were heading, because there isn't really anything at the Northeast end of town...except:


So, we took the ferry to Manhattan.

At this point, we were a little ahead of schedule and thus had time for a detour to:

(Also one of the hubby's favorite places.)

Then, it was back to the riverfront for a 2-hour sail aboard:

(By the way, I got the tickets at almost 1/2 price from Goldstar.)

Post-sail, we were once again ahead of schedule and so had time for quick drink at the Chelsea Brewing Company:
(Who even knew this place was there?? Definitely a good find.)

Next, we hopped in a cab and headed back to Union Square for:


Finally, we capped off the day with dinner at the hubby's favorite restaurant, Cacio e Pepe:


After all that, he figured the bulk of his birthday celebration was over. Thus, on Saturday, we had a relaxing morning at home (actually, I ran out and did a couple of errands). At 2pm, we left the apartment and started walking to the Northwest corner of Hoboken. Once again, the hubby was perplexed because, once again, there isn't really anything in the Northwest corner of Hoboken. EXCEPT the BMW I had picked up from Zipcar and parked a couple of blocks from the apartment when I had done my errands. We got in the car and I told him our ultimately destination was a secret, but that we needed to stop at my mom's first. He didn't quite buy this--he figured my mom and her hubby were coming with us somewhere. When we pulled onto her street he saw the large quantity of cars and figured out there was a party, but even so, was still surprised at the people who were there: friends my high school and grammar school, a friend from work, both his parents, his uncle who flew up from North Carolina, etc.

So, all in all, it was a successful birthday weekend.

Heartbroken

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't want to join a support group because, let's face it, in a disease-driven support group, not everyone is going to have a good outcome (or, in blunter terms, survive).

But, somehow, I found the Young Survival Coalition bulletin boards and joined an amazing online community of women going through what I was going through.

I've written about it before in this space. It's an amazing place. It's also a horrible place, because on a site with thousands of members, you're bound to come across those who don't "have the good outcome."

Today I learned that a dear "virtual" friend of mine died on Sunday.

When I first joined the YSC boards, there was a small group of women who became my de facto mentors, essentially by virtue of the fact that they were done with their treatment and I hadn't yet started mine. They were the ones out there as living testaments: this is doable, you WILL make it through this, and you will come out on the other side strong and beautiful. Lola was one of these women. She was tough, she was fiery, she liked to stir things up on the boards--she did not placate. She was straight-talking, funny, flawed, smart, sassy. Her nickname was "the Tartan Terror."

I never met Lola in person, primarily because she lived in Scotland, but I've read (and probably responded to) hundreds of her posts and we had exchanged a few emails over the last year.

In November, when Lola was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, I was one of hundreds of YSCers who sent money to Scotland so that her darling daughter could have a great Christmas.

Now, contrary to popular belief, metastatic BC (aka "mets," aka Stage IV) is not an immediate death sentence. There are lots of women on the boards who've had it for years, some who've had "no evidence of disease" (aka, been "NED") for years. So for Lola to go so quickly is just an unfathomable shock.

I am so sad for her, her family and all the other YSC sisters we've lost this year: MamaCath, Shabana, Jayme, Jessica...

I generally try not to write about the sad YSC stuff in this space because I don't want to depress you, my Dear Reader, by writing about the deaths of people you don't know. But I also assume you read this blog because you're interested in how I'm doing and so you should know that, today, the answer is, "heartbroken."

PSA: Estrogenius Festival Auditions

estrogenius 2008 auditions

1. All Estrogenius auditions will be held at Manhattan Theatre Source (177
MacDougal Street, NYC 10011) July 25 – August 17 (the schedule is listed
below).
2. Actors sign up for a five-minute time slot at Manhattan Theatre Source.
3. Auditions are from sides.
4. All of the plays are available for IN HOUSE reading ONLY.
5. Actors will audition in front of the five directors for that week. Any director may invite an actor to callbacks.
6. Actors must be available for callbacks, rehearsals, tech and performance.
7. No plays are pre-cast, but writers and directors may invite actors directly to
callbacks.
8. Executive Producers and Week Producers may invite up to two actors to callbacks for each play.

THE AUDITION SCHEDULE

WEEK 1
Dead Soap by Bekah Brunstetter; What Mommy Told Me by Paula Caplan; Child of the Movement by Cheryl Davis; Tumble Jumble by Andrea Lepcio; Fag Hag by Montserrat Mendez
Open Call: Fri., July 25th from 1pm – 6pm & Sat., July 26th from 10am – 1pm
Callbacks: Sun., July 27th from 10am – 3pm (1 hour per play)

WEEK 2
Waffles by Martha Garvey; Foreign Policy by J.J. Hunt; The Perfect Plan by John McKinney; Madrigal in Black and White by Patricia Montley; Yog Sothoth by Lia Romeo
Open Call: Fri., Aug. 1st from 2pm – 6pm & Sat., Aug. 2nd from 12pm – 4pm
Callbacks: Sun., Aug. 3rd from 10am – 3pm (1 hour per play)

WEEK 3
Canyon’s Edge by Barbara Lindsay; Buy & Buy by Pamela Monk; Free Fall by Char Nelson; Turtle Beach by Aoise Stratford; and Maneater by Janet Zarecor
Open Call: Fri., Aug. 8th from 2pm – 6pm & Sat., Aug. 9th from 12pm – 4pm
Callbacks: Sun., Aug. 10th from 10am – 3pm (1 hour per play)

WEEK 4
New York, New York by Lane Bernes; Safety First by Danna Call; Parkersburg by Laura
Jacqmin; On the Beach by Lucile Lichtblau; Little Birds by Joy McCullough-Carranza;
Open Call: Fri., Aug. 15th from 2pm – 6pm & Sat., Aug. 16th from 12pm – 4pm
Callbacks: Sun, Aug. 17th from 10am – 3pm (1 hour per play)


estrogenius FAQ
Can I audition for more than one play in a week?
IF there’s time in your slot, you may read for another play. You are certainly free to express to all the directors (you’ll be seen by a rep from each play & any of them can call you back) all the plays in which you have interest.

Can I audition for more than one week?
There is NO DOUBLE CASTING in Estrogenius. Once you are cast, you must stop auditioning. Until you are cast, you are free to audition for all subsequent weeks. (The only exceptions are walk on or under five roles)

Should I mail in/drop off/email a headshot/resume before auditions?
All pics/resumes dropped off before the date of your audition will go into our general files. Bring 3-5 pics/resumes each week you come to open call.

Are any of the plays pre-cast?
No.

When do the sign up sheets go up for weeks 2-4?
Sign up sheets go up the Monday before the auditions. This gives us a chance to make sure we’ve notified all those cast in the previous week so actors know whether they’re eligible to keep auditioning.

Is Estrogenius an Equity showcase?
Yes. We will be casting Equity & non-Equity actors.

Is there pay?
We wish. Estrogenius is entirely run by volunteers.

Can I take scripts home or copy them?
NO. All reading is IN HOUSE ONLY. Please respect our writers & leave scripts here.

When are sides available?
Sides will be available by noon on the day of auditions.

Are there roles for men?
Of course. There are roles for men & women, various ages & types.

Cult Update

For the second week straight, I posted a 0.6lb loss, which is kind of remarkable considering all the sparkling wine I had on Saturday (but, hey, that's what bonus points are for, right?).

In Scrabble terms, it's one of these:


Anyway, I am still slightly (very slightly) above my 10% goal, so watch this space for future rejoicing.

I Have a....Bleory?

Actually, I have a friend who has coined a new term, but he doesn't have a blog to publicize it so I offered to do the honors:

Bleory - a proposed explanation which was pulled directly from one’s ass and has little to no support, as opposed to a theory, a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural - but actually HAS some reasonable basis to be believed. A bleory exists exclusively on the internet and is typically found in blog entries.

If Only

...I had a spare $25K lying around: Douglas Adams' typewriter

My Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, there was a Boy. He was a very normal Boy—at least by Earth’s standards. He liked to tease his little sister, play with blocks and do other Normal Boy Stuff.

Then, one day, the aliens came and replaced the Normal Boy with an AlienBoy.

The AlienBoy looked exactly like the Normal Boy, but if you paid attention, you would notice some differences. For example, the AlienBoy didn’t hold his mug the way a Normal Boy would. He’d stick his thumb through the little handle and wrap his fingers over the top of the handle (rather than, like a Normal Boy, sticking his index and middle finger in the handle and wrapping his thumb around). He also held his fork really weird.

But, for the most part, he acted a lot like the Normal Boy and so no one really noticed that there had been a change, not even his parents.

Like a regular Earthling, he grew up and, like some Earthlings, got married. It was when he met his future Wife that some of the other Signs began to reveal themselves. For instance, he didn’t possess some of the regular knowledge common in the part of the world in which he lived, such as that Babe Ruth had played for the Yankees. And he was very climatically unsuited to Earth, often insisting it was unbearably hot even on days when a lovely breeze was blowing.

He also had a terrible, terrible memory (probably because his mind was full of remembering how to—mostly—act like he was from Earth) and almost no short-term memory at all. This is an actual conversation between the Boy (well, at this point in the story I suppose we shall have to call him a Man) and his Wife:

AlienMan: Who said they thought Monty Python was a person?
Wife: Clay Aiken.
AlienMan: And who was talking about this?
Wife: I was.
AlienMan: And who were you talking about it with?
Wife: Our Friend.
AlienMan: And who said they thought Monty Python was a person?
Wife: You’re kidding, right?

From all these Signs, one may have thought that the marriage would be doomed but, fortunately, the Wife realized there were benefits to being married to AlienMan. First of all, he didn’t like Sports. Any Sports. At all. Since a Normal Man in the part of the world where the Alien Man lived spent approximately (conservatively) 8 years of his life watching Sports on television, the fact that Alien Man was not interested in sports meant the couple had plenty of time for other activities, such as Shopping.

The AlienMan was not hung up on lots other Normal Man things, like hiding his emotions, and so the Wife always knew she was loved and cherished. The AlienMan was also not afraid of looking silly, which led them to have many, many Fun Times.

One day, the AlienMan turned 40. On Earth, this was considered a Milestone and so his Wife (with lots of help), to mark the occasion, threw a big Surprise Party with 40 guests.

The guests were a very mixed group, with some who had known AlienMan since he was a Boy and others who had met him more recently. Many thought he was Strange, but none actually knew he was an Alien.

And his Wife never told anyone and so they lived Happily Ever After.

And yet more evidence of craziness...

Last night, I was sitting out on our terrace for a bit while my husband was ostensibly at the other end of our railroad apartment watching TV or reading or something.

Later, when we were both in bed, he said, "So, who were you on the phone with while you were on the terrace?" I nonchalantly replied, "Oh, I gave my Mom a quick call." Him: "What were you talking about? You were talking in a very hushed tone--it sounded important." Me: "Good thing I was talking in a hushed tone, since you were obviously eavesdropping." End of conversation.

Yep, He's Still Crazy...

Well, you'll be entertained to know that the ploys (and pleas) to discover the weekend plans have continued.

Last night we went out for Middle Eastern food and my husband was introduced to Turkish coffee (which purportedly is 3x as strong as espresso). As a direct result of this, when I was trying to go to sleep last night at around 11:30pm, he was grilling me for info:

Him: What are we doing this weekend? What time do you have thing planned to start on Friday? How late can I sleep? Can I sleep until 10?

Me: (pause) No.

Him: Can I sleep in until 9?

Me: (sleepy pause) Yes.

Him: WHAT ARE WE DOING? TELL ME WHAT WE'RE DOING! I CAN'T TAKE IT!

Me: (very sleepily) Go to sleep.

Thankfully, he eventually did.

Of course, this morning when he woke me up to say goodbye before heading for work, the first thing he asked (casually and before I was awake) was, "Hey, what are we doing this weekend?" Me: "Nice try."

I Have a Theory

I love my CSA (as previously attested to in this space), BUT...

There are certain vegetables that are just not that good and we all just need to accept it and move on to other, yummier veggies.

Here's my theory: If the recommended recipe for any veggie calls for a ridiculous amount of sugar, cheese or bacon, then it's not worth eating. I belong to a CSA because I'm trying to eat healthier. I can eat sugar, cheese or bacon all on my own, thank you. I mean, let's face it, pretty much ANYTHING tastes good smothered in sugar, cheese or bacon, right?

How Crazy is My Husband?

(And, perhaps a better question, how crazy has he made me?)

It is the hubby's 40th birthday this weekend and so I have lots of celebratory activities planned. "What do you have planned?" you ask. Well, you see, I can't tell you, because it's a surprise for the hubby.

I told him to block out his planner from Friday morning until Sunday evening and just put "Obey your wife."

Now, since my husband is actually no where near 40, maturity-level-wise, he's been trying to find out what the plans are.

He's tried the old, "I talked to so-and-so today and he told me about the party, so you can just tell me the rest of the details."

He's tried casually asking me, "What are we doing this weekend?" at times when he thinks I'm distracted or when I'm just falling asleep.

And, yesterday, he tried this--I opened an e-mail from him and saw:
HUBBY*: I love you so much! I can't wait to see you to...

(SCUFFLE ENSUES. SOUNDS OF STRUGGLE OFFSTAGE. THE HUSBAND IS TAKEN HOSTAGE BY TWO ARMED MEN IN HOODS)
HUBBY: What the...?!!

ARMED MAN #1: Quiet down, buster and you won't get hurt!

HUBBY: (nervously) What do you want?

ARMED MAN #2: It's actually quite simple. (BEAT) All we want is your itinerary for this weekend.

ARMED MAN #1: And then we will let you go...

HUBBY: But... I don't know what I'm doing this weekend! Honestly... my wife wouldn't tell me!

ARMED MAN #2: Is that her over there, in front of the computer?

HUBBY: Yes.

ARMED MAN #2: (walking up to computer monitor and peering threateningly at the wife) Listen lady! If you want to see your...

HUBBY: Honey! Just tell them what they want! Just answer...

(ARMED MAN #1 belts the husband across thre face. The husband, stunned, falls back, defeated in his chair)

ARMED MAN #2: Keep him quiet! As I was saying... if you want to see your husband again, you better have a good answer to this question... What is he doing this weekend?

WIFE:

*Note: Names have been changed to protect the insane.

So here's what I wrote back:
WIFE: Alright. I'll tell you. But I don't want to ruin the surprise for my husband, so let's take it outside.

ARMED MAN #2: Fair enough. (To Armed Man #1) You keep an eye on this guy. Don't let him move. (To her) Ok. Let's go.

(WIFE and ARMED MAN #2 exit together.)

HUBBY (to Armed Man #1): I need to pee. I'll be right back.

ARMED MAN #1: No way.

HUBBY (pointing over ARMED MAN #1's shoulder): Look! The Winged Victory of Samathrace!

(ARMED MAN #1 doesn't look.)

ARMED MAN #1: We're on to your tricks buster. Just sit still and stay put and everything will be fine.

(WIFE and ARMED MAN #2 re-enter.)

ARMED MAN #2 (to wife): Wow, that really is a cool weekend you have planned. Your husband sure is a lucky guy. (to Armed Man #1) Ok, I'm satisfied. Let 'em go. Let's get out of here.

ARMED MAN #1: You're the boss.

(They exit.)

HUBBY: Honey! You saved my life! Thank you!

(The husband takes his wife in his arms and kisses her passionately.)

BLACKOUT.


Shortly after this, I receive an e-mail from "Robert McKee" with the subject line "Your Screenplay."

Here's what it said:

I liked how you developed your characters... I really got a sense that they were willing to hurt the husband and I felt the husband's fear in your writing...

But you neglected to develop the meat of the story... Where is the conflict? Where is the crisis? What's that you say? Nothing is resolved... it's like a reflection of the real world?

The real world? The real fucking world? First of all, if you write a screenplay without conflict or crisis, you'll bore your audience to tears. Secondly: Nothing happens in the real world? Are you out of your fucking mind? People are murdered every day! There's genocide and war and corruption! Every fucking day somewhere in the world somebody sacrifices his life to save someone else! Every fucking day someone somewhere makes a conscious decision to destroy someone else! People find love! People lose it, for Christ's sake! A child watches her mother beaten to death on the steps of a church! Someone goes hungry! Somebody else betrays his best friend for a woman! If you can't find that stuff in life, then you, my friend, don't know much about life! And why the fuck are you taking up my precious time with your screenplay? I don't have any use for it! I don't have any bloody use for it!

So unless you can beef up what the fuck is occurring in this goddamn script, I suggest you stop writing right now and work for the Federal Government or some other lame-ass endeavor!!!

Sincerely,
Robert McKee

Note: I believe an acknowledgment and/or apology is due to Charlie Kaufman here.

Cult Update

I realize I haven't posted one of these in awhile because:
a) I was away last week and the week before and so didn't go to weigh-in.
b) The image that most accurately captures my WWing over the past couple months is this:



As of this week's weigh-in, which was on Tuesday, I'm NOT at my 10% goal, but not far from it.

To be honest, I've been a little relaxed about the whole thing because I look better, I feel better and I'm fitting in smaller clothes. I do want to lose a little more, but I've been sort of "enjoying the moment," so to speak.

Anyway, enough is enough. I've recommitted to taking it more seriously and so hope to be posting lots of Scrabble boards in the coming weeks. With enough point-counting and pilates, I could even make it to goal weight by the end of August.

Big Read Update - Mystery Solved!

Courtesy of Laughing at the Pieces:

"UPDATE: Alan M. informs me that 44 and 51 have been left off the list since time immemorial, but he discovered them on the original list and I put them in their respective positions. He also found this link about the murky origins and intentions of the list. Thanks, Alan!"

I don't know who Alan is, but would like to add my thanks!

In case you're too lazy or just not interested enough to read the whole murky history, the answer to the burning question of where this list came from is: the Brits. At least some of them. There was a poll asking people for "the most precious book they have read." I can only assume the Brits interpret "precious" as "dear" rather then "cutesy." The list, published in the Guardian, is entitled, "Books you can't live without."

P.S. I have updated my original entry to add in the elusive #44 and #51.

The Queen of Discounts Recommends...

Ok, this is a little self-serving, but only a little. Those who know me know I am the queen of the discount, particularly if it's for plays or restaurants.

So, I recently discovered this site that has discount tickets to all kinds of things all over the country: plays, comedy shows, concerts, sightseeing cruises, etc.

The hubby and I went to see Bill Maher at NJPAC a few weeks ago. The seats were cheap and great. We had a blast.

The site is totally free. You just need to register to use it. And, if you use this link to register, I get credit (read, an additional discount): https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F689112N

I've only looked at the event listings for New York/New Jersey, but they also have events in:
- Metro DC
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- San Diego
- Las Vegas

Intrigued? Then check it out. And tell'em I sent ya.

The Impending TV Conversion - Don't Throw Out That TV!

As you may have heard, after February 17, 2009, all the regular (i.e., non-cable) television stations will broadcast in digital format only. Viewers who receive their television free, over-the-air, using rabbit ears or a roof-top antenna and an analog television set will have three choices:
(1) purchase a digital-to-analog converter box,
(2) purchase a digital television set or
(3) subscribe to a pay service, such as cable or satellite delivery.

Research by Nielsen, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association estimate that there are approximately 13-19.6 million households that only receive over the air broadcasts. That's a lot of TVs potentially heading to the landfill if folks choose option #2.

So, if you're in this situation, please consider purchasing a converter box (and make sure it's EnergySTAR certified). The government will even give you a voucher to offset the cost.

For more info, check out:
http://www.dtv2009.gov - you can request up to 2 $40 coupons here
http://www.epa.gov/ecycling/tv-convert.htm

The Big Read Mystery...

Ok, so we all know that I posted the "Big Read" list 2 posts ago. Since then, a couple of my fellow bloggers have posted the list on their blogs and a commenter on SharonGR's blog noted "where are #44 and #51?"

I have been trying to track down where they are but, more mysteriously, I can't figure out where the list itself came from.

Going through the blogger breadcrumb trail, I went through:
ktbuffy to
House of the D. to
The Perpetual Writer's Blog
and then dead-ended.

I also googled NEA Big Read 100 books and went through another blog trail which ends here:
The Publishing Curve

On NEA's Big Read page, they only have 16 featured books (and most aren't on this list of 100).

Can anyone solve this mystery?

I'm a Farmer!

Ok, not really. But we are growing tomatoes on our fire escape.

We picked the one that was ripe last night and used it in a salad with basil (also from our fire escape) and other ingredients from our CSA (lettuce, spring onion, garlic scapes) and it was YUMMY. But, look, there are more:


Can't see them? Here's a close-up:

The Big Read - Updated!

Courtesy of ktbuffy:

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Asterisk (*) the books you LOVE.
Courtesy of SharonGR, I'm adding:
4) Exclaim (!) those you HATED.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
!!7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
!12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
!18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
**19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
**21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
!22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
***25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
!28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
*33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
*36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
**37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
*44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
*48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
*68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
**82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
!!!85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince- Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
!!95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Happy Friday!

Free Tuition for Harvard

Definitely wanted to pass this on...

From their Financial Aid website (emphasis added):
"Building on the success of the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI), which eliminated the parental contribution from families earning $60,000 or less, Harvard recently announced major financial aid enhancements to ensure greater affordability for middle- and upper-middle income families. Beginning in the 2008–09 academic year, parents with incomes of $180,000 or less will be asked to contribute significantly less to the cost of a Harvard education. Additionally, home equity will no longer be considered in determining a family’s ability to contribute and students will not be expected to take out loans, which will be replaced by need-based Harvard scholarship."

Cool stuff.

Wow! I Can't Shut Up Today

I just found out that George Carlin died.

It may seem counter-intuitive to those who know me (hmmm, what do I do for a living again?), but this is one of my favorites of his routines (especially the bit from about 2:50 to 6:05):



Rest in peace.

One More Thing Before I Go

I want to link to this before I forget.

Another blogger found this 1984 New York magazine article about the gentrification of the East Village. It's sort of eerie how much of it still rings true today. I guess gentrification takes a long time...

The Lower East Side: There goes the neighborhood

While I'm Gone...

Read Andi's blog!

It's been sitting over there on the righthand side of this page for ages, but she just recently recommitted herself to blogging regularly (something I need to do, I know).

By way of quick introduction, Andi and I roomed together in college for 2 years. And, given that the famous people in history always seemed to have known each other (think the Algonquin roundtable, Edith Wharton & Henry James, Al Gore & Tommy Lee Jones--also college roommates), I have always considered this to be my guarantee that I will one day be famous...because she is way too talented to remain unknown.

So, go forth and enjoy one of the most elegant and lyrical writers I know. But do promise you'll check back here occasionally. I mean, c'mon, you knew me first.

I'm Off...

...to Cleveland! (I know, I know, contain your jealousy, please, it's very unbecoming.)

Anyway, for your entertainment, in honor of the fact that Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I give you Joan Jett:

Cool Site of the Day

This site helps you coordinate calendars with people to figure out when is the best day/time to meet.

http://whenisgood.net/FAQ

What Did I Do Last Weekend? Or, Jaya Plays With Her New Camera-Phone

Friday, Mom and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The primary purpose of our visit was to hear a lecture on Katharine Hepburn by Katharine Houghton (her niece), but while we were there we also had afternoon tea in the Petrie Court Cafe and saw the Jeff Koons exhibit on the roof:





(Note: I think if you click on the images you can see a larger version.)

Something to Ponder

The hubby and I were introduced to Paul Winter by my stepmother. We are now avid fans of his solstice concerts, held every year at St. John the Divine. In fact, we'll be getting up at 3am this Saturday to attend this year's Summer Solstice concert (one performance only!). Anyway, because I am on the Paul-Winter-fan mailing list, I received this, which I thought was worth sharing:

PARENTS PARTY
A Message for Father's Day
Paul Winter
Mid June, 08

The political campaigns of the last several months have given me pause. All the
divisiveness has inspired me to ponder more deeply one of my favorite subjects: the
universals – the things people care about in common all over the world, the common
ground where we might stand, and even dance, together. At this point in my journey I've become quite clear on what may be our most universal value. It's kids. So I have this vision of a Parents Party, an unofficial league of all parents of the planet, and not just parents, but everyone who loves children.

I came into the realm of parenthood somewhat later than most of my contemporaries. I
was 56 when my first child was born, and it wasn't long before I got a new name: "Daddy." I've been quite proud of this name. It has a special ring to it. Then, when I was 65, our second daughter came along, and now once again there's a toddler running around the house, calling me by my new name. So I think this title's going to stick. And what better one could I hope for? Governor? President? No thanks. "Daddy" is as good as it gets. It resonates of a relationship, a role. It's an honorific.

So now, wherever I am, walking through an airport or along a city street, and I hear a little voice calling out "Daddy," I turn around, automatically. And even though it's someone else's child, I feel some sense of relatedness, and it makes me feel glad. As I continue on my way, I wonder about that Dad, and imagine how, if we met, that it wouldn't matter if he and I disagreed on most everything under the sun; I'm absolutely certain that we would agree that what's most important in our respective worlds are these little persons who have come into our lives and awakened our fountain of love. And that the highest priority in each of our lives is to do what we can to provide a safe and healthy world for them, and their life-journey. I can't imagine there's a Dad, or a Mom, anywhere on this planet, who doesn't want that for their child.

Why can't we have our modes of governance based on this universal? In this realm, this common realm of love, there are no political differences. We don't have some people calling their love "liberal" and others saying theirs is "conservative. " It's beyond all that. Love is love. And I think that's where we all really want to live.

So I dream of this Parents Party, spreading spontaneously around the world. It will have no organization, no fundraising, no propaganda – none of that debilitating stuff. It'll just be a word-of-mouth thing, person-to-person. We'll just talk about our kids and get out the photos and have a good smile together. We'll know what to do then. And we'll keep this old Earth spinnin'.

The Things You Notice When You're Paying Attention

So, I'm sitting here, minding my own business, watching "Frequency," when I suddenly realize that Gordy Jr. is being played by a very young Michael Cera of Arrested Development, Juno, and Superbad fame.

Later Gator!

Just a quick post to let you know programming will be temporarily suspended while I jet off to Boston for work for a couple days.

Oh, What a Night!

(I meant to post this yesterday, but for reasons that will reveal themselves later, never got to it.)

Wow.

Obama did it! I am incredibly psyched that he pulled it off.

And while he was doing that, I was at the True Colors Concert at Radio City Music Hall.

To be honest, I got the tickets based mostly on the fact that the Indigo Girls were going to be there and this is their only tour date in the NYC-area. That they weren't headlining was slightly offset by the fact that Cyndi Lauper and the B-52s were. So I recruited a couple of people to go with me and didn't think much more about it. I didn't go to the tour website or learn anything else about it until we were there.

It was quite a night.

First of all, being the cheap person that I am, I had gotten upper-upper-upper mezzanine tickets. But, as we were trekking up to our seats in the boonies, an usher stopped us and asked if wanted to sit in the orchestra. ("Um, no. We want to keep our crappy seats please.") So we turned around and went back downstairs to approximately 20th row orchestra. Cool.

Then there was the lineup:
The whole thing was emceed by Carson Kressley, of "Queer Eye" fame. He was entertaining, but I certainly wouldn't go to or see anything just because he was there.

The Cliks - clearly an opening band, they weren't my favorite, but the lead singer (Lucas Silveira) definitely has that "thing"--magnetism, confidence, a killer voice--that should mean we'll all be hearing more from him in the future.

The Indigo Girls - they only did about 5 songs (Galileo, Pendulum Swinger,* one I can't remember the name of, Kid Fears, and Closer to Fine) but they were fabulous as always. Made me long for the days when I would go to their concerts at Wolftrap. Next time they're there, I think a road trip is definitely in order.
[*"Pendulum Swing" is their song inspired by the Bush administration which--in a nod to the Dixie Chicks flap--they were very clear to say in their intro, "Hey. It's only a pop song."]


Kate Clinton - a lesbian feminist standup comic. I'd heard her name before but never seen her stuff. She was great. Very "New York-intellectual."

Regina Spektor - I had never heard her before and she was freakin' amazing. For her first song, she came out on stage alone, picked up a mike and started singing. She tapped the microphone to create a beat line, but was otherwise unaccompanied. After the first song, she moved over the piano and you could tell she had been classically trained. Both vocally and musically, she was incredibly versatile and creative. At one point, she was playing the piano with one hand, playing a chair as a drum with the other AND singing. Talk about multi-tasking. We were beyond being surprised when she got up and played guitar for another number ("Of COURSE she also plays guitar.")

Rosie O'Donnell - Needs no introduction, of course. Unfortunately, she was not in top form. I think the whole "View" fracas (which I didn't follow) really got to her.

The B-52s - What can I say? One of the high points of my concert-going experiences is now dancing to "Love Shack" being sung live by the B-52s and bang-bang-banging on the door in sync with the band. Just fun.

Margaret Cho - Mostly made me realize that it's ironic that lesbians and gays get lumped together all the time because they really don't have much in common.

And, of course:

Cyndi Lauper - Cyndi was fabulous. She was probably the best performer of the evening. Lots of energy, lots of joy, a great voice. I loved her as a teenager, but have to admit that I haven't listened to her stuff in years (partly because I had her on vinyl and so she never made the transition to my iPod), but I foresee some digital downloads in my future.

And then there was the cause. The True Colors tour was created by Cyndi Lauper (per the tour website) "to raise awareness about the discrimination the GLBT community still faces and raise significant funds for the organizations that work everyday on their behalf." Throughout the evening, there was a message of tolerance as well as a push to get out the vote.

As I said to my friends as we were leaving, "What a night. Great entertainment AND a socially responsible cause."

One final note: In my I-didn't-research-this-thing-beforehand state of mind, I assumed the concert would be 2 or maybe 3 hours long. It ran FIVE HOURS. Amazing.