'Obama on liberal college students who want to be "coddled": "That’s not the way we learn"'
Prez says: no need to swaddle or coddle at college,
where you're supposed to be exposed to knowledge.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Beware of Goats
"The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed a northern Idaho hiking trail over concerns about aggressive mountain goats after one animal bit a hiker and others reportedly tried to head-butt or charge visitors."
"Head-butt" is a funny phrase, now that I think about it.
Head-butts while hiking
are not to my liking.
"Head-butt" is a funny phrase, now that I think about it.
Head-butts while hiking
are not to my liking.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Varieties of Assistance
Sarah Hoyt writes:
"There is no way for assisted suicide laws NOT to be abused, particularly when they intersect with a state health system."
I suppose everything gets "abused" after a while.
And people have been making murders look like suicides since forever.
One feared abuse here, I take it, is that the state will begin to encourage suicide in an inappropriate way, something like that young woman who just got charged with involuntary manslaughter for giving her boyfriend this sort of counsel:
'"You can't think about it. You just have to do it. You said you were gonna do it. Like I don't get why you aren't," Michelle Carter allegedly wrote to Conrad Roy III the day he parked his truck outside a Fairhaven Kmart and killed himself through carbon monoxide poisoning.'
He is described in the article as having a history of depression, and of having made a prior suicide attempt.
He doesn't seem to have had any terminal condition
diagnosed by a physician.
It sounds like she charged down the slippery slope
of crushing a person's last hope.
ADDED:
By the way, to be fair, the girl was not some consistent ghoul who constantly worked on him to just do it. She had advised him to seek help previously. The boy seems to have been playing pity party a lot. You can see where she would get sick of it. Maybe she thought she was using reverse psychology on him!
Maybe her lawyer could give the "reverse psychology" thing a try,
and say she never wanted him to die,
but thought he had whined enough,
and was just trying to call his bluff.
"There is no way for assisted suicide laws NOT to be abused, particularly when they intersect with a state health system."
I suppose everything gets "abused" after a while.
And people have been making murders look like suicides since forever.
One feared abuse here, I take it, is that the state will begin to encourage suicide in an inappropriate way, something like that young woman who just got charged with involuntary manslaughter for giving her boyfriend this sort of counsel:
'"You can't think about it. You just have to do it. You said you were gonna do it. Like I don't get why you aren't," Michelle Carter allegedly wrote to Conrad Roy III the day he parked his truck outside a Fairhaven Kmart and killed himself through carbon monoxide poisoning.'
He is described in the article as having a history of depression, and of having made a prior suicide attempt.
He doesn't seem to have had any terminal condition
diagnosed by a physician.
It sounds like she charged down the slippery slope
of crushing a person's last hope.
ADDED:
By the way, to be fair, the girl was not some consistent ghoul who constantly worked on him to just do it. She had advised him to seek help previously. The boy seems to have been playing pity party a lot. You can see where she would get sick of it. Maybe she thought she was using reverse psychology on him!
Maybe her lawyer could give the "reverse psychology" thing a try,
and say she never wanted him to die,
but thought he had whined enough,
and was just trying to call his bluff.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Resistance
There's nothing worse than people telling me to have a nice day.
I'll have the kind I want to have, in shades of dreary gray!
I'll have the kind I want to have, in shades of dreary gray!
Friday, September 11, 2015
It Would Sound Even Faster In Kilometers
"A driver clocked at 112 mph on an interstate in Vermont told police he was heading to traffic court to take care of a speeding ticket."
Well, alrighty then!
I hope he will plead
and the judge will concede
this was kind of a natural reason to speed.
Well, alrighty then!
I hope he will plead
and the judge will concede
this was kind of a natural reason to speed.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Guest Limerick
My father's friend, long years ago, sent him this:
A crazy Greek monk from Corfu
Writes limericks that end in line two.
My father replied:
With lines three, four, and five
Sung in Eskimo jive
By an addled Aleut from Attu.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Tiger
I misinterpreted this headline:
"Survivor rips Huckabee, clerk for using 'Eye of the Tiger'"
I wondered, survivor of what? A tiger attack?
But of course Survivor is the name of the band that had a huge hit with the song!
There are few survivors of tiger attacks.
To tigers we look a lot like snacks!
Monday, September 07, 2015
Poetry and Pen Names
Ann Althouse blogs about a case where a white male poet adopted a Chinese-sounding name in order to get published. And it worked, even though he got caught. He made it into a book called Best American Poetry 2015!
The editor wrote:
"If I'd pulled the poem then I would have been denying that I was consciously and deliberately seeking to address past racial, cultural, social, and aesthetic injustices in the poetry world...."
I think the anthology may need a longer title.
Instead of just calling it "Best"
let's try "Injustice Redressed".
The editor wrote:
"If I'd pulled the poem then I would have been denying that I was consciously and deliberately seeking to address past racial, cultural, social, and aesthetic injustices in the poetry world...."
I think the anthology may need a longer title.
Instead of just calling it "Best"
let's try "Injustice Redressed".
Friday, September 04, 2015
Heaping Scorn on the Heretic
Is it really important to drag this Kentucky clerk through the mud? Apparently it is. She must be shamed.
It's one thing to toss her in the clink for contempt of court. But shaming her for being married 4 times is something else.
Some deep insecurity is at work.
Much ugliness springs
from fear that has wings.
It's one thing to toss her in the clink for contempt of court. But shaming her for being married 4 times is something else.
Some deep insecurity is at work.
Much ugliness springs
from fear that has wings.
Thursday, September 03, 2015
Property Tax Speed Bump
Not good news, but I've been expecting it - Chicago property taxes are probably going to shoot up.
'While opinions vary on the precise impact the proposed $450 million to $550 million tax hike will have on housing markets in the city and suburbs, most experts expect homeowners to grumble, then stomach the increase.'
Well, of course not everyone's going to move out. The problem, as usual, is what happens on the margin. You get less development here, and so on. A point which the story finally gets around to in the last paragraph:
'It might make a difference on the margins, to people already considering moving out of Chicago, or on the fence about moving in, Hewings said. "But for the vast majority of people, it's going to be an irritation," he said. "I really don't think it's going to have a dramatic impact."'
I'd like the city to thrive and endure.
I hope he's right, but I'm far from sure.
'While opinions vary on the precise impact the proposed $450 million to $550 million tax hike will have on housing markets in the city and suburbs, most experts expect homeowners to grumble, then stomach the increase.'
Well, of course not everyone's going to move out. The problem, as usual, is what happens on the margin. You get less development here, and so on. A point which the story finally gets around to in the last paragraph:
'It might make a difference on the margins, to people already considering moving out of Chicago, or on the fence about moving in, Hewings said. "But for the vast majority of people, it's going to be an irritation," he said. "I really don't think it's going to have a dramatic impact."'
I'd like the city to thrive and endure.
I hope he's right, but I'm far from sure.
Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Europe Awash
They wanted us out of the Middle East
But no one thought it through.
Now they're flooded with refugees.
Whatever will they do?
I'm not saying it's an insoluble problem. But with the state of the European economies, it's going to be chaotic, for a while, trying to absorb all these poor people.
But no one thought it through.
Now they're flooded with refugees.
Whatever will they do?
I'm not saying it's an insoluble problem. But with the state of the European economies, it's going to be chaotic, for a while, trying to absorb all these poor people.
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
FringeNYC 2015 Collection - Early Bird Discount
The collection isn't even published yet, and already they're discounting it.
A collection of excellent new scripts from the 19th annual New York International Fringe Festival. BUY ALL 23 PLAYS (REG. PRICE: $28.38) FOR $12.50 »
It's not exactly a book, because it's not on paper. It's a form of digital publishing, sort of iTunes for plays, is the concept. Anyway, my play is among the 23 selected, out of 184 or so plays in the festival, so I'm honored and happy.
The real target of the operation is people who might want to put on plays. People around the country are putting on plays all the time. With luck I'll get some of them putting on O'Brien & O'Brian. It's easy enough to put on. Just one set. No complicated lighting or sound effects. Contemporary clothes and furniture.
I think most people, even people who like to read novels and short stories, don't really like to read plays. But theater people do. The trick to it is imagining the thing being acted.
But perhaps that's an acquired ability,
involving some odd imaginative agility.
A collection of excellent new scripts from the 19th annual New York International Fringe Festival. BUY ALL 23 PLAYS (REG. PRICE: $28.38) FOR $12.50 »
It's not exactly a book, because it's not on paper. It's a form of digital publishing, sort of iTunes for plays, is the concept. Anyway, my play is among the 23 selected, out of 184 or so plays in the festival, so I'm honored and happy.
The real target of the operation is people who might want to put on plays. People around the country are putting on plays all the time. With luck I'll get some of them putting on O'Brien & O'Brian. It's easy enough to put on. Just one set. No complicated lighting or sound effects. Contemporary clothes and furniture.
I think most people, even people who like to read novels and short stories, don't really like to read plays. But theater people do. The trick to it is imagining the thing being acted.
But perhaps that's an acquired ability,
involving some odd imaginative agility.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Bali Low
There was a murder case a year ago in Bali, involving 3 vacationers from Chicago: a mom, a daughter, and the daughter's boyfriend. The two younger people have been convicted of killing the older person.
Their defense was that the homicide just happened, an argument gone wrong, a body stuffed in a trunk, and so on. But the prosecutors seemed to think the killing had been planned.
And now American authorities have released a Facebook message, from the daughter to her boyfriend, from month's before the actual killing:
“Can you not tell people i asked you to kill my mom.”
Beware of the naughty daughter
who don't do what she oughter
and rather than keeping calm
moves to murder her mom.
Their defense was that the homicide just happened, an argument gone wrong, a body stuffed in a trunk, and so on. But the prosecutors seemed to think the killing had been planned.
And now American authorities have released a Facebook message, from the daughter to her boyfriend, from month's before the actual killing:
“Can you not tell people i asked you to kill my mom.”
Beware of the naughty daughter
who don't do what she oughter
and rather than keeping calm
moves to murder her mom.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Small Pet Advisory
We've had some coyote sightings in the hood.
Authorities seem to be planning on letting them be.
The advisory letter from neighborhood association was probably intended to be reassuring, but included this tidbit:
"Coyotes may mistake small, unattended pets as prey..."
Mistake? Really? Is there an approved list of prey somewhere?
I'd have to say
that its proper prey
is whatever a coyote can defeat
and eat.
Authorities seem to be planning on letting them be.
The advisory letter from neighborhood association was probably intended to be reassuring, but included this tidbit:
"Coyotes may mistake small, unattended pets as prey..."
Mistake? Really? Is there an approved list of prey somewhere?
I'd have to say
that its proper prey
is whatever a coyote can defeat
and eat.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Once More
We've got one more performance of our show in New York, tomorrow night. I'm flying out Friday morning, and returning Saturday morning. Then that's it for this run. I'm already feeling the sorrow.
Flying back and forth to New York has been strangely familiar for me. I lived there decades ago, and I fell into the sense of being a native readily enough, even though, really, I'm not.
Being a New Yorker is like
riding a bike.
It comes back to you
as deja vu.
Flying back and forth to New York has been strangely familiar for me. I lived there decades ago, and I fell into the sense of being a native readily enough, even though, really, I'm not.
Being a New Yorker is like
riding a bike.
It comes back to you
as deja vu.
More Reviews Are In
We had a nice long "Happy Face" review from Kristin Hardwick at Hi! Drama, which went into the actors' performances in some detail.
'Ms. Vitale's [Darlene] is ambitious in a charming way and Mr. Corbett's Alan perfectly complements [Darlene] with his warm smile and sincere attitude. The chemistry of Ms. Nehme and Mr. Mervin portraying the divorced couple works! Ms. Nehme's portrayal of the Irish "divorcee" is a nice balance of whimsy and sincerity and her constant "calling people out on the truth" adds to the depth of their stories in both a comical and genuine way.'
I also found a very negative review, which I will quote in its entirety:
"Almost as soon as the lights went up, I knew I wanted to walk out. About ten minutes later, I did. Dreams do come true."
I'm actually a bit puzzled by the snarky last line, because it sounds like a Disney reference, but my play doesn't have any Disney angle. I almost wonder if he was actually at a different play which runs in the same theater, which does have a Disney angle. Anyway, regardless of which show he glimpsed, I'm glad he got out after just ten minutes.
Life is short.
If you don't like a play,
escape and enjoy
the rest of your day!
'Ms. Vitale's [Darlene] is ambitious in a charming way and Mr. Corbett's Alan perfectly complements [Darlene] with his warm smile and sincere attitude. The chemistry of Ms. Nehme and Mr. Mervin portraying the divorced couple works! Ms. Nehme's portrayal of the Irish "divorcee" is a nice balance of whimsy and sincerity and her constant "calling people out on the truth" adds to the depth of their stories in both a comical and genuine way.'
I also found a very negative review, which I will quote in its entirety:
"Almost as soon as the lights went up, I knew I wanted to walk out. About ten minutes later, I did. Dreams do come true."
I'm actually a bit puzzled by the snarky last line, because it sounds like a Disney reference, but my play doesn't have any Disney angle. I almost wonder if he was actually at a different play which runs in the same theater, which does have a Disney angle. Anyway, regardless of which show he glimpsed, I'm glad he got out after just ten minutes.
Life is short.
If you don't like a play,
escape and enjoy
the rest of your day!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Sweet Tweet from the Irish Consulate
Someone from the Irish Consulate of New York came to see our play the other night, and tweeted:
"Great production @FringeNYC 'O'Brien and O'Brian'! Loved the accents guys! "It's because we don't have beavers in Ireland?!" Gold! Go see it"
I'm inordinately pleased. I've got 2 characters from Ireland in the play. They may verge on the comically outlandish at times, but they were drawn with great affection. I have a sentimental attachment to the people of that land, mostly because my great grandfather, for whom I am named, and who I remember fondly, was an emigrant from that Emerald Isle.
Our director, Robert Belchere, going into this production, was particularly focused on making the accents authentic. Well, Rob, I guess that was a good call if we were able to get some appreciation from the Irish Consulate! And nice going, MacKenzie Nehme and Juliana Forsberg-Lary, with your lovely brogues!
They're actually doing 2 different Irish accents, because there are many, and because the 2 characters, although old friends, actually are from different backgrounds - they met in boarding school.
No accents can beguile
like those from the Emerald Isle.
"Great production @FringeNYC 'O'Brien and O'Brian'! Loved the accents guys! "It's because we don't have beavers in Ireland?!" Gold! Go see it"
I'm inordinately pleased. I've got 2 characters from Ireland in the play. They may verge on the comically outlandish at times, but they were drawn with great affection. I have a sentimental attachment to the people of that land, mostly because my great grandfather, for whom I am named, and who I remember fondly, was an emigrant from that Emerald Isle.
Our director, Robert Belchere, going into this production, was particularly focused on making the accents authentic. Well, Rob, I guess that was a good call if we were able to get some appreciation from the Irish Consulate! And nice going, MacKenzie Nehme and Juliana Forsberg-Lary, with your lovely brogues!
They're actually doing 2 different Irish accents, because there are many, and because the 2 characters, although old friends, actually are from different backgrounds - they met in boarding school.
No accents can beguile
like those from the Emerald Isle.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Hard Day's Night by Vickie Vodrie
Despite my busyness here in the City of Busy, I managed to see another of the FringeNYC shows, namely Hard Day's Night, by Vickie Vodrie of Kansas City.
Her show is playing in the same venue as my show, but never on the same day.
Beatles fans among you will recognize the title of her play as the title of a Beatles song, album, and movie. But this isn't a play about the Beatles, except incidentally. It's a coming-of-age story, about a girl in a truly kooky family, a girl who takes some big steps into womanhood.
How kooky is the family? Well, the set is their living room, and their living room is overflowing with Disney figurines and memorabilia. Kookier yet, the living room is also overflowing with loving labeled shoeboxes containing the cremated remains of their former cats and dogs, a.k.a., their "fur babies".
Our heroine, Kelly, seems to be plunging deeper into social isolation, as she decides to communicate with her family only by singing snippets of Beatles songs. I was beginning to worry that she would be forever lost from the world of the sane, moving herself into permanent Misfitville.
But a sensitive (albeit flawed) man reaches out to her. The experience gives her a real glimpse of what life can hold, and the play ends on a hopeful note.
The writing just zips along,
making humorous use of song.
See it! You can't go wrong.
Her show is playing in the same venue as my show, but never on the same day.
Beatles fans among you will recognize the title of her play as the title of a Beatles song, album, and movie. But this isn't a play about the Beatles, except incidentally. It's a coming-of-age story, about a girl in a truly kooky family, a girl who takes some big steps into womanhood.
How kooky is the family? Well, the set is their living room, and their living room is overflowing with Disney figurines and memorabilia. Kookier yet, the living room is also overflowing with loving labeled shoeboxes containing the cremated remains of their former cats and dogs, a.k.a., their "fur babies".
Our heroine, Kelly, seems to be plunging deeper into social isolation, as she decides to communicate with her family only by singing snippets of Beatles songs. I was beginning to worry that she would be forever lost from the world of the sane, moving herself into permanent Misfitville.
But a sensitive (albeit flawed) man reaches out to her. The experience gives her a real glimpse of what life can hold, and the play ends on a hopeful note.
The writing just zips along,
making humorous use of song.
See it! You can't go wrong.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
The City Never Sleeps
The cars outside are honking like a flock of Canada geese, apparently with no fear of being fined by the police.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)