Saturday, January 25, 2003
BLAINE!:
Gina's co-lead role in a Dix Hills/Huntington Regional Theater production of Carousel was impressive even for those already aware of the power of Ballz. And she always draws a crowd: at least 6 other Colgate associates were also in the audience, having travelled from as far as NYC or Connecticut (or from down the road in Nissequogue). The Ballz entourage has many members.
There is usually some specific strong point in a Regional Theater production, something to latch onto and identify as "pretty good," even if other facets of the show uh....lack something. For example, her airy, dramatic rendition of "If I Loved You" more than compensated for the "choreography" that tainted what is supposed to be one of the show's best numbers, "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" (a deliciously subtle proclamation of being horny), and that she played against a 55 years old gay gynecologist in the male lead (who wasn't that bad, actually).
Gina herself said she felt at times that "Waiting for Guffman" feeling, but the show had a number of bright spots (other than Ballz)— all of the child actors were obscenely talented and poised. To my complete incredulity, the program lists one of the younger girls ( 7 or 8 years old) as one Elora Dannon Rosch. Elora Dannon (no, not the heiress to the yogurt fortune) was the name of the saviour-baby sought after in the much maligned, but in-my-eyes underrated, fantasy adventure film Willow. Try and find the original trailer; it's probably the best ad I've ever seen. The film has more catch than most fantasy adventures, more otherworldness and humor, than most films of the genre since (including LOTR).
ANYWAY, let me not forget that there is some badgered/motivated young talent whose parents obviously held this movie in some sort of blinding esteem— enough to inspire them to name their REAL LIFE PROGENY after a movie character. I guess this is our Moment of Insipidity for the weekend, even if I am forced to allow each to their own.
Gina's co-lead role in a Dix Hills/Huntington Regional Theater production of Carousel was impressive even for those already aware of the power of Ballz. And she always draws a crowd: at least 6 other Colgate associates were also in the audience, having travelled from as far as NYC or Connecticut (or from down the road in Nissequogue). The Ballz entourage has many members.
There is usually some specific strong point in a Regional Theater production, something to latch onto and identify as "pretty good," even if other facets of the show uh....lack something. For example, her airy, dramatic rendition of "If I Loved You" more than compensated for the "choreography" that tainted what is supposed to be one of the show's best numbers, "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" (a deliciously subtle proclamation of being horny), and that she played against a 55 years old gay gynecologist in the male lead (who wasn't that bad, actually).
Gina herself said she felt at times that "Waiting for Guffman" feeling, but the show had a number of bright spots (other than Ballz)— all of the child actors were obscenely talented and poised. To my complete incredulity, the program lists one of the younger girls ( 7 or 8 years old) as one Elora Dannon Rosch. Elora Dannon (no, not the heiress to the yogurt fortune) was the name of the saviour-baby sought after in the much maligned, but in-my-eyes underrated, fantasy adventure film Willow. Try and find the original trailer; it's probably the best ad I've ever seen. The film has more catch than most fantasy adventures, more otherworldness and humor, than most films of the genre since (including LOTR).
ANYWAY, let me not forget that there is some badgered/motivated young talent whose parents obviously held this movie in some sort of blinding esteem— enough to inspire them to name their REAL LIFE PROGENY after a movie character. I guess this is our Moment of Insipidity for the weekend, even if I am forced to allow each to their own.
Friday, January 24, 2003
Props to Chrissy:
My immensely friendly and largely understudied sister, Chrissy, has been accepted at St. Bonaventure college. She awaits letters from other schools, but is now at least assured a chance to go away to school, and mingle amonsts a community of young, non-Watertownian folks. Her recent choice to be independent from a long-term, older boyfriend has given me some additional perspective on relantionships: perspective ON perspective, in fact, in that many levels of awareness open up when you climb away from something, or off of it, or whatever preposition you choose.
I am indescri-bubbly happy for her. I have no issues with expressing what I cannot help but label my "felicity." (And few things in life can force me to describe myself thusly)
It is odd to project thoughts of Chrissy moving into a dorm, Chrissy going to a dining hall, Chrissy (maybe) attending classes. Again, perspective eclipses stability and I wonder at how the fuck I got to be twenty-two.
My immensely friendly and largely understudied sister, Chrissy, has been accepted at St. Bonaventure college. She awaits letters from other schools, but is now at least assured a chance to go away to school, and mingle amonsts a community of young, non-Watertownian folks. Her recent choice to be independent from a long-term, older boyfriend has given me some additional perspective on relantionships: perspective ON perspective, in fact, in that many levels of awareness open up when you climb away from something, or off of it, or whatever preposition you choose.
I am indescri-bubbly happy for her. I have no issues with expressing what I cannot help but label my "felicity." (And few things in life can force me to describe myself thusly)
It is odd to project thoughts of Chrissy moving into a dorm, Chrissy going to a dining hall, Chrissy (maybe) attending classes. Again, perspective eclipses stability and I wonder at how the fuck I got to be twenty-two.
There is no Dana, only Zool:
I met up with Dana Nichomoff in Huntington last night, raising the total number of '02ers I've had the pleasure of chatting with in person since last May to 10 (I think). She is doing various "business" work for a publishing company in NYC that also employs Matt Johnson and Josh Rifkin, and commutes from home on the island everyday. Like many of my fellow alums who are living at home, she is eager to "get free," and we shared our various proto-strategies for arranging some sort of future (or at least our musings). It's good to know that there are others out there with the same neuroses.
I met up with Dana Nichomoff in Huntington last night, raising the total number of '02ers I've had the pleasure of chatting with in person since last May to 10 (I think). She is doing various "business" work for a publishing company in NYC that also employs Matt Johnson and Josh Rifkin, and commutes from home on the island everyday. Like many of my fellow alums who are living at home, she is eager to "get free," and we shared our various proto-strategies for arranging some sort of future (or at least our musings). It's good to know that there are others out there with the same neuroses.
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Walking the Austen:
EMILY TAYLOR, you will love Sam Kamen's recent weekend-paper on Pride and Prejudice, from which I will hasten to quote:
"Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity...with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise" (29).
This quote...gives you a character sketch of Elizabeth. It explains how she decides to walk to Mr. Bingley's mansion to visit her sister, Jane. The quote shows...Elizabeth is her own woman. If she wants something done, she has to do it herself. No one is going to help you. She walks a few miles in a dress through the muck and mire. She can almost be seen as 'rebellious...' Elizabeth makes a statement and it shows you who she really is. She wants to be an individual, and does not want to be taken care of by anybody.
I swear I had not mentioned the issue of "walking" yet, but it is now something I've made a point for them to look for. For those of unaware, Emily wrote her Honors Thesis at Colgate on "walks" as a character-device in Austen novels (with great success, I'll add). Yay.
EMILY TAYLOR, you will love Sam Kamen's recent weekend-paper on Pride and Prejudice, from which I will hasten to quote:
"Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity...with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise" (29).
This quote...gives you a character sketch of Elizabeth. It explains how she decides to walk to Mr. Bingley's mansion to visit her sister, Jane. The quote shows...Elizabeth is her own woman. If she wants something done, she has to do it herself. No one is going to help you. She walks a few miles in a dress through the muck and mire. She can almost be seen as 'rebellious...' Elizabeth makes a statement and it shows you who she really is. She wants to be an individual, and does not want to be taken care of by anybody.
I swear I had not mentioned the issue of "walking" yet, but it is now something I've made a point for them to look for. For those of unaware, Emily wrote her Honors Thesis at Colgate on "walks" as a character-device in Austen novels (with great success, I'll add). Yay.
Bruce Leroy:
I'm suddenly reminded of a late-Blaxploitation film from the 80s called The Last Dragon, which I remember seeing on television on that old semi-network called CKS or CWN or WGN (help here?) or something (the channel that used to air the "Tales from the Dark Side" and the "War of the Worlds" series). Anyway, the film pits an urban African American teen against a vile, local "Shogun," and whenever they match kicks and punches, they are constantly debating which of them is actually "the master."
"I'M the master."
"No, I'M master."
"Now...I'm the master."
And, yes, the protagonist's name was Bruce Leroy. His special skill was that he adapted an ability to cycle his arms in circles so bewilderingly quickly that he stunned his opponents, allowing for a quick free-strike.
I'm suddenly reminded of a late-Blaxploitation film from the 80s called The Last Dragon, which I remember seeing on television on that old semi-network called CKS or CWN or WGN (help here?) or something (the channel that used to air the "Tales from the Dark Side" and the "War of the Worlds" series). Anyway, the film pits an urban African American teen against a vile, local "Shogun," and whenever they match kicks and punches, they are constantly debating which of them is actually "the master."
"I'M the master."
"No, I'M master."
"Now...I'm the master."
And, yes, the protagonist's name was Bruce Leroy. His special skill was that he adapted an ability to cycle his arms in circles so bewilderingly quickly that he stunned his opponents, allowing for a quick free-strike.
M.O.D.:
At The School we have this fascist-sounding, but ultimately inocuous, monthly duty called "Master Of the Day." When MOD, I am obliged to fulfill a number of obligations, including running all meals (assigining waiters, noting who is late or absent, overseeing behavior and cleanup), manning the Evening Supervised Study and the Afternoon Study Environment under the gymnasium, and otherwise ruling despotically. With power comes chores.
Today, I am the Master.
At The School we have this fascist-sounding, but ultimately inocuous, monthly duty called "Master Of the Day." When MOD, I am obliged to fulfill a number of obligations, including running all meals (assigining waiters, noting who is late or absent, overseeing behavior and cleanup), manning the Evening Supervised Study and the Afternoon Study Environment under the gymnasium, and otherwise ruling despotically. With power comes chores.
Today, I am the Master.
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
"Writing Lab Blues/ Windchill" draft# 2
Help me help them find their style
The red pen torque over-shoulders....
The wind that with its shrillness hushed the chatty,
and fixed our faces deep into the wool,
Stole our concentration like a sickness,
Hugging the naked trees without committment
Warping the wooden reaches like redemption
blowing the twigs as it blows my ache
like a horn blows around the safety of the bass and brushes.
Elemental, my pain is always flowing over me,
Therefore a lover drawing its body over me
but it has such a long body, and that body is the air.
Help me help them find their style
The red pen torque over-shoulders....
The wind that with its shrillness hushed the chatty,
and fixed our faces deep into the wool,
Stole our concentration like a sickness,
Hugging the naked trees without committment
Warping the wooden reaches like redemption
blowing the twigs as it blows my ache
like a horn blows around the safety of the bass and brushes.
Elemental, my pain is always flowing over me,
Therefore a lover drawing its body over me
but it has such a long body, and that body is the air.
Ballz Report:
For any Ballzeastes out there, Gina is appearing in a local musical (in Dix Hills) for the last and next weekends at which I will be present Friday (I think). She's also just starting a new research job at SUNY Stony Brook (which also recently reformated its official name, but I'm not sure what it is) for which she has been assigned college-like amounts of prep. reading on subjects such as Ethics and Human Test Subjects.
For any Ballzeastes out there, Gina is appearing in a local musical (in Dix Hills) for the last and next weekends at which I will be present Friday (I think). She's also just starting a new research job at SUNY Stony Brook (which also recently reformated its official name, but I'm not sure what it is) for which she has been assigned college-like amounts of prep. reading on subjects such as Ethics and Human Test Subjects.
Enrichment Course:
I ran the first session of the American Poetry Enrichment Course yesterday during "7th" period, to 9 vociferous The School students of all ages and dispositions. Carlo Teehop and I are pumped to be co-teaching this extra curriculum for those curious about or feeling rabid for poetry. He and I get to unleash our favorites from contemporary/20th century American poets, it's cake.
For the first selection, I knew I had to pick a poem that would grab their attention and keep them in the class (there's a drop/add) period, but seeing as how I was exhausted from this weekend's...physical and mental activities, and otherwise busy with School stuff, I ended up picking Gallway Kinnell's "The Bear" at nearly the last minute. The kids ate it up (no pun intended to those who've read it, and I recommend), although slightly tentative, and I've heard that most people dug the class. Nack Russop wouldn't leave me alone during dinner last night, still thinking about the narrator hunting the bear and the meanings and quandaries we raised in class; AJ made a point of mentioning his enjoyment this morning, as well. Yay.
Next week, any suggestions for poets? I have plenty lined up, but am always looking for more...
I ran the first session of the American Poetry Enrichment Course yesterday during "7th" period, to 9 vociferous The School students of all ages and dispositions. Carlo Teehop and I are pumped to be co-teaching this extra curriculum for those curious about or feeling rabid for poetry. He and I get to unleash our favorites from contemporary/20th century American poets, it's cake.
For the first selection, I knew I had to pick a poem that would grab their attention and keep them in the class (there's a drop/add) period, but seeing as how I was exhausted from this weekend's...physical and mental activities, and otherwise busy with School stuff, I ended up picking Gallway Kinnell's "The Bear" at nearly the last minute. The kids ate it up (no pun intended to those who've read it, and I recommend), although slightly tentative, and I've heard that most people dug the class. Nack Russop wouldn't leave me alone during dinner last night, still thinking about the narrator hunting the bear and the meanings and quandaries we raised in class; AJ made a point of mentioning his enjoyment this morning, as well. Yay.
Next week, any suggestions for poets? I have plenty lined up, but am always looking for more...
Monday, January 20, 2003
Curricular Report:
For my 9th graders and my Creative Writers, the focus this week is on "image," for as early-90s, long-locked, cocky-version Agassi was once paid to say, "Image is everything."
We abandon our talk of the music of words (temporarily) and will focus on the images the words inspire in our brains when we read poetry. To start, I had them copy down WCW's "The Red Wheelbarrow." It's Monday, and they met it with mixed effort and enjoyment, but I think, through a lot of reinforcement and reiteration, that they saw the point. For the rest of the week (and part of next), these students and I will be talking incessantly about Milton's blindness, Raymond Carver's story "Cathedral," logopoeia, silent movies, and adjectives.
For the seniors, progress continues with Pride and Prejudice. The first batch of response papers were due today, and included some surprisingly tight readings of key passages. I love it when a student, when called on to share their thoughts, immediately supposes their work to be "all wrong" and "messed up," and then they proceed to get at something VITAL and right-on with the ongoing discussions, themes, and contexts. For example, Page raised a great point about Darcy's character in relation to Elizabeth, how his usual intelligent reserve and stoicism begin to break down or evolve when faced with her often brilliant and wickedly insightful observational skills. Brain Chi continues to amaze me, displaying consistent effort and comphrehension above what was evident last Fall. Eggsalad.
For my 9th graders and my Creative Writers, the focus this week is on "image," for as early-90s, long-locked, cocky-version Agassi was once paid to say, "Image is everything."
We abandon our talk of the music of words (temporarily) and will focus on the images the words inspire in our brains when we read poetry. To start, I had them copy down WCW's "The Red Wheelbarrow." It's Monday, and they met it with mixed effort and enjoyment, but I think, through a lot of reinforcement and reiteration, that they saw the point. For the rest of the week (and part of next), these students and I will be talking incessantly about Milton's blindness, Raymond Carver's story "Cathedral," logopoeia, silent movies, and adjectives.
For the seniors, progress continues with Pride and Prejudice. The first batch of response papers were due today, and included some surprisingly tight readings of key passages. I love it when a student, when called on to share their thoughts, immediately supposes their work to be "all wrong" and "messed up," and then they proceed to get at something VITAL and right-on with the ongoing discussions, themes, and contexts. For example, Page raised a great point about Darcy's character in relation to Elizabeth, how his usual intelligent reserve and stoicism begin to break down or evolve when faced with her often brilliant and wickedly insightful observational skills. Brain Chi continues to amaze me, displaying consistent effort and comphrehension above what was evident last Fall. Eggsalad.
"status" Status:
Re-denied. As the proverb goes, this time the shame is with me. But, here's to optimism!
Re-denied. As the proverb goes, this time the shame is with me. But, here's to optimism!
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Ten-Hundred Percent:
That's right, Grand Buffet returns to Colgate University! This Friday, January 24th, the almighty MC duo bring the shit, the Crown Royal, the "other guy," THE ILL back to Cecilie's Cafe in the basement of Bunche House, along with the MODEY LEMON. I will be trekking, most likely, from the School to see the show, and to see YOU if you are reading this and are trekking, too.
That's right, Grand Buffet returns to Colgate University! This Friday, January 24th, the almighty MC duo bring the shit, the Crown Royal, the "other guy," THE ILL back to Cecilie's Cafe in the basement of Bunche House, along with the MODEY LEMON. I will be trekking, most likely, from the School to see the show, and to see YOU if you are reading this and are trekking, too.
