Last First Day of School....But Miserable

But not for the reasons you think. Well today I officially get thrown into ALL campuses and classes and I cross my fingers and hope I am not overextending myself. It is going to be somewhat hard to balance all these classes and not get confused about where I am and what I am going. Thankfully, so far, my students are pretty good. No real asses, but we shall see with today's class.

However, I start my day rather morose. I made the mistake last night/early morning of watching a show on tape that I got in the mail called BARE. Takes place in a Catholic school and typical teen angsty, coming of age, coming out of the closet kind of musical, but very well-structured with some great music. I was NOT prepared for how it was going to end even though I had an idea, but either because it was late or the performances and lyrics were really that good, but I was bawling like a baby at the end of it. I was NOT well, so going to sleep was rather difficult. I woke up still feeling the same. It totally depressed me for so many reasons. But it's a good show that I feel will do well when it opens up again on the 21st of September in its new home. I am hoping to get to see it. Good stuff folks. And now...I must dress and go educate.

Crossing my fingers for you Laurie.....and yes....that SUUUUUUUUUUCKS!!!

Protesting the RNC

I just have to mention that I am so proud of every single person in NYC protesting the RNC, otherwise known as ignorant hate-mongers of the world unite. I was tickled to hear of actors, like Rosario Dawson, being arrested and seeing pictures of the thousands of people holding signs protesting the convention and Republican ideals. Why on earth the RNC would be held in NY, a highly democratic state, is beyond me. I hope to god this sends a sign out to people that Bush is NOT to be re-elected. I consider this the darkest days of any modern administration because the man is a turnip. True, the devil you know beats the devil you don't, but Bush has raped, ransacked and reaped this country of it's democractic (ha ha) ideals of freedom (ha ha) and justice (ha ha). I wish I was able to vote and voice my opinion other than on this blog (not a citizen, can't vote. Yes I do have my green card to any FBI agents monitoring this site because I am being racially profiled).

Missed the closing ceremonies last night but I did set my DV-R (which I am LOVING) to record it. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the Olympics this year, despite the lackluster, albeit controversial, gymnastics event (talk about dramatic with the booing after Nemov's high bar routine...he was robbed). Thank god I don't have to listen or watch Costas anymore because we was working the last nerve and I would have had to take a shoe to his head. I will miss the stress and anxiety of watching Phelps win his 8-medals and Despatie, who I thought was amazing, lose out a medal in the 10m platform diving, as well as the volleyball teams (god I miss playing SO much). I found my inner jock again. It made me want to pick up a tennis racket and volleyball again. If anyone wants to play, let me know. How fun would it be to start a theatre volleyball team???

Instead of watching the closing ceremonies I was at the Eight O'Clock Theatre end-of-season bash. Got to see some people I had not seen in a very long time (from when I was 17) and some people I hardly get to see. Had great conversations with Amanada and James Grenelle especially, who alleviated some stress and concern for me. Realized that playing politics and "the game" does not mean giving up your ideals, but it does mean getting jobs and parts (highly different from ass kissing). Met and talked briefly to Dale; not thinking the house deal is going to come through (just a hunch). Had a better time than I thought I was going to and realized that I miss being a part of the "community" despite how it has changed. I was so in love with theatre when I was younger, and the people and the shows, and as I got older and people left and show qualities changed, I totally eschewed it. But I am finding now that good people are coming back in and that good shows are being done with good and knowledgeable directors behind them, so I like the idea. But I just want to play different and challenging parts. I would never poo-poo my musical comedy background, but comedians always want to play parts that make people cry. Don't ask me why. We shall see how this year goes. Trouble is I also want to get my choreography career jump started ASAP. And get that full-time position at SPC. Choices, choices. I say, whatever falls in my lap first, gets picked.

Hope you are doing well and have a great week. Much to love to those I was with this weekend and are having problems or stresses. I love you and know I am here for you.

Oh No She Did Not Just Say That...

Women's Diving Commentator: Look at that tight position. You can't get anything between those legs.

And you could tell she could tell she had just made a double entendre and was trying to cover it up but it just was not working.

Teaching still going quite well. Had my night class tonight. First night class, first 2:40 minute class. Loved it. Great students and personalities. Varied demographics. I think it is going to be a blast. This may be my fave class of the semester. We'll see. One more new one tomorrow afternoon and last one next week when UT opens. I am going to be crazy. I can already tell I am going to be busy beyond humans means. But I have to make that paper.

Vanessa Kerry was on 93.3 this morning talking to MJ. So well-spoken, so knowledgeable, very politically PC. Unlike the Bush twins who put most sororities to shame. They inherited their father's idiocy. But lil' miss Kerry was great. Did a wonderfully convincing job of getting people to vote for her dad.....which everyone should do.

First Day of School...Again....

After feeling like I neglected my blog for a while and a dose of smack-my-bitch-up from Laurie (YAY! She's having a boy!!!!!), I am blogging. Just a few odds and ends and such.

Napoleon Dynamite....GREAT movie. Go see it. Wistfully sad and humorous. VERY well-written, acted and directed. Clever. My face hurt. Sighing has a whole new meaning to me now. You MUST see it.

Had my first day of school today. I cannot tell you how good it felt to wake up at a sensible hour and go into a college classroom where I didn't have to say hush (altho there was a black triumvirate who tested me in my second class and I had to throw a smack down). I realized just how MUCH I belong at this level at not at the high school level. I still wish I could work in a high school because I want to be able to change the system and the way kids are taught.....well, so they are ACTUALLY taught. So many students entering college are deficient on so many levels. There are so few teachers who are able or capable of being good teachers. The problem is that the system is lax and sucks. Rules are being made by people who were teachers LONG ago and whose methodologies are much outdated and by people who have NEVER been teachers and don't understand the pedagogy, the process and the people involved. Teaching is NOT easy. Especially in levels below college. Teachers should be paid more and given more autonomy. These so-called curriculum guides are a joke and force educators to become teachers in an ignorant box. I despise the system and despite my belief that one person CAN make a difference, it is hard to initiate change when those who can help you the most are working against you. I still did my own thing despite whatever requirements I HAD to cover. I knew what I was doing. What a jacked up system.

On that note, while I was back the high school today (am helping out the drama teacher even tho I no longer work there) I finally caught up with the principle to say bye and thank you face-to-face....and she was a FUCKING BITCH!!! Looked at me like she did not know and just grunted an ok at me. No problem for me. I expected it, and it just fuels my fire get that book done based on my semester-long stint there and everything I observed and was a part of. Oh I took notes all right. I have nothing to lose and people need to know about the reality of the high school classroom. Fuck what ya heard baby.

Looking forward to starting at HCC and UT next week....and of course...GETTING A PAY CHECK! Down to $65 folks...and no money for rent next week. THIS is going to be VERY interesting.

Also, care of Laurie, you all need to get off your duff and keep commenting. Come on Catherine, Matt et al. Get on the ball.

Well shit on me, that Wisconsin barn boy actually pulled his ass up out of the ranks and got friggin gold with a 12 hundredths edge. It is the closest edge in sport history and a grand historical moment in male gymnastics. I actually screamed (a manly one at that)....good god...what is wrong with me. WOO! Go Paul Hamm!

Olympic Media

I swear I want to smack the hell out of some of these commentators (please GOD let me get my hands on Costas). If I hear Bob Costas make ONE more "funny" comparison with Greece, Olympia, old olympics or ANYTHING Hellenic-related to the current sports, I will strangle myself.

These commentators are blood-sucking fiends I swear. Watching the all-around male gymnastics and they have spent most of the night singing the praises of Paul Hamm and how is he prepped to be the first American to medal in this specific field. But quite unfortunately, Hamm sits down, steps to the side and slides into the judges on his vault. He goes from 1st to 7th and the commentators go for his jugular and slamming him and making him out to be an American Loser instead of the Hero he was painted as all night. Then stay start focusing on Brett McClure who they have all but ignored all night long painting him as a saviour for a medal.

Hot damn Hamm just had an amazing parallel bar routine. 9.837, one more apparatus to go, maybe he can get SOME kind of medal after all

Anyway, I want to smack em ALL!

And one more thing, what in the HELL is up with the cheesy music playing at some of the venues??? I know the Greeks are not backwards so you tell me. When you start playing G.E. & The Miami Sound Machine tracks, you need to be shot. What next? The Macarena?

A Trip to 7-11: A Tragi-Comedy in Five Minutes

This is a warning to all to eschew your late-nite cravings lest they end up like this:

A break in the Olympics from the male gymnastics all-around. I decide to sacrifice five minutes of swimming to run to 7-11 to feed my late-nite ice tea craving....I can't explain it. I throw on my short grab my keys and as I exit my door I notice something scurrying to my right, I look over thinking it nothing but see something go around the door jamb. Should I keep moving or stop. I have to stop. Having seen AVP today, my insectoid paranoias are at def-con 5. I close the door, flip the light switch and turn around and there it is on my door....A FUCKING COCKROACH. And not just the normal kind folks...a big one...a flyer. I recognized the body type from my childhood experiences which came flying at me all at once (no pun intended). Those flying nasties are what made me SOOOOOOO anti-roach. So I run to get my can of raid, which mind you is now spitting mist because it is almost out, and I spray.....and it LAUNCHES AND FLIES TOWARDS ME. I start flailing, my flip flops flying off my feet,and looking away and look back to see it on the floor....my cats are now eyeing it...but it's still moving. I grab a WAD of paper towels and try to pick it up, but it won't cooperate. I managed to scoop it up and take to the bathroom and flush it down. That ain't the end...

I have now killed 2 minutes and I rush to my car and get to the 7-11, tripping down the stairs on the way (I didn't fall). I get to there, get my tea and proceed to wait while the attendant (who had a nose ring on the RIDGE of her nostril...what the hell is the point of THAT) tries to scan it in. It obviously will not scan, but she keeps trying until she finally gives up and keys the number in getting it wrong twice. I grab my stuff and go home. Rush up the stairs....trip....AGAIN (didn't fall). Make sure there is nothing there to bar my way and I go inside. And now I catch my breath.

Thus ends this little tragi-comic opus.

Question 11: If they Write it....HELL NO! Don't Write It!

Yahoo! News - 'Lord' a-leaping

Oh goooooooooooood....WHY!?!?!?!

The art of musical theatre is dying with these shlocky ass productions of movies that should remain movies.

Here is a little challenge....the worst movie turned to musical idea. Go!

Ooooo...the Violence

The Olympics seem somewhat rough this year. I was up until 6 am watching them. Things got rather heated during the men's volleyball match between Italy and the USA. Italy won the match and as the players went to shake hands there was a verbal showdown with lots of "fuck you"s flying about. The Japanese 200m swimmer (Kosuke Kitajima) beat out the favorite Brendan Hansen, who lost on his birthday no less, with a series of loud and primal screams and proceeded to just barrel over people to get out of the pool. Guess he was upset that Hansen beat out his record....twice. Such odd sportsmanship.

Gymanstics is actually boring me this year. No real athletes with much fire to impress me this year. Still routing for her divaness Khorkina and Nemov. Although I was a little disgusted by one of the Russians on the parallel bars dislocating his finger on the bar....all caught in video glory. Good lord it looked painful. Completely perpendicular to his finger. Eeesh.

The studio opens back up tomorrow. Can't wait to see all the new changes completed. Can't wait to start teaching again. If you're interested, jazz is ay 7:30...come on over. Drag some friends.

School in two weeks. I am so excited to teach college again.

American Pride and Sportsmanship

As a spectator I can only imagine what it is like to be at the Olympics, and after all the training and hard work, to secure a momentous victory in the form of a gold medal. I find it an interesting comment that the American athletes were told to keep their "celebrating" directly after a win to a minimum so as not to create or aggravate anti-American sentiment. While I find that somewhat overzealously cautious, I do think it smacks of some truth. There is a difference between celebration and puffery ; between pride and ethnocentrism. Now, from what I have seen, the American athletes have been extremely well-behaved and honorable. I am, however, having a SEVERE problem with the commentators who seem to have no problem making snide remarks about non-American players and their cultures, including a smarmy comment by Bob Costas during the opening ceremonies about the Singapore government being unable and "forgetting" to pay the native athlete with the most medals $1m and the table tennis commentator deriding the money donated by a Chilean mining company to Papic for training purposes (while it may not be a lot in US$, it is a lot to the native Chilean). All this, and more, smacks of such ethnocentrism and poor sportsmanship from people who should be commenting on the sport and the athletes and not making derisive comments about non-American players and their countries. Perhaps they are the ones to be reigned in and not the athletes for whom all the hard work is thrust upon. To end American anti-sentiment is to temper or eliminate the one thing that causes it...American pride, which is sometimes erroneously placed and cultivated in an atmosphere of machismo muscle-flexing so typical in any dealings from political to sports.

ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games

Ah yes. The Olympics. I look forward to them, both summer and Olympic and you can be sure I am planted in front of the TV watching it right now. Something about them, despite my anti-jock attitude, stirs a je ne c'est quoi in me. So for the next two weeks I shall be a happy cat.

And what a sorry excuse for a hurricane that was last night. Tampa Bay doged yet another bullet. Although I was rather worried for ma girl Laurie who lives in Orlando. To think I was gonna go over and hang with her to get away from danger and Charley that fucker changed his mind and headed towards her. Let me know if you are all right Laurie!

Hurriance Smack Your Bitch Up

Well the Hurrican is battering towards us and it going to hit the Tampa Bay dead on. Keep in mind there has not been a direct hit since 1921. People have no clue what is going to hit us. of course, my house has turned into a relief shelter for bipeds and animals. I got Sue and Sara here right now with a dog, 5 cats (including my own), and 2 birds. On their way are 2 dogs and one screaming NY queen with a severe hangover. The next 24 hours should prove to be VERY interesting to say the least. Put your head between your knees and kiss your ass goodbye,.

CNN.com - McGreevey:?'I am a gay American' - Aug 12, 2004.

Interesting stuff. Not sure what to make of it.

Armenian Boxer

Well my people are just popping up everywhere. I was channler surfing and cam across a boxing match. I do not ever watch sports, but I hear the announcer say red, blue and orange (Armenian flag colors) and I halted. So believe it or not (i know nate) I am watching boxing and William Abelyan us kicking ass. #rd round and he has dropped he guy to his knees. It's so nice to see my people representing ya know?

WE GONNA DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Hurrican Bonnie and Charley are gonna smack the bitch up outta Florida. Now had the media a modicum of humor, they would have used this opportunity to be pop culturish and call the dueling 'canes Bonnie and Clyde.

Went to Publix to stock up on water and get stuff for family dinner tonight...until TOny called and said he was being evac'ed and bridges were going to close. Assumed David would be facing the same, so the dinner is off. I wanted to smack everyone at Publix tho. It is amazing what media-induced mass hysteria can bring out in people. I have never seen people be SOOO rude in my life. Although I am sure there a lots of close calls. I just wanted to ram my cart into eveyrone.

Then on the way home, listening to NPR, I hear that the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that San Francisco's mayor overstepped his authority by issuing same-sex marriage licenses this spring. The court also voided all the marriages of gay and lesbian couples sanctioned by the city (about 4000 marriages). That is A LOT of angry queens and lesbians. It's just things like this that make me firmly believe that we don't truly value human emotions, qualities of life, and the search for happiness. You can be free and equal in this country, as long as you are part of the "norm" and don't buck the status quo. There is just NO good reason behind voiding the marriages, ang the bullshit of onew man-one woman smacks of feigned religiosity. What happened to the church staying out of the state. Riiiiiight? Such bullshit. People can't afford happiness of any level in this country without some price to pay. But one day, the day will come. It took African Americans a whiel to fight for their rights, gay people are next on the line. People with their insecurities, ignorance and hinding behind fallacious religious texts can rest safe in their little imagined worlds of peace. All this prejudice just stems from not knowing any better and from being uncomfortable from "picyturing it." You know what....if you deride the lifestyle so much, WHY are you picturing it???? Ugh...once again, I am disugsted by this country and the human race. I am going to beat someone up and eat a load of bread.

Question 10: They Think They Know But Have No Clue...

I realized night that being seen as wrong is not as bad as I thought it was. What is worse is when people misunderstand you on any and every level. This is frustrating as are the repeated attempts to explain oneself....as if energy should be wasted on that. It's even worse when people assume despite proclomations of intimate understanding and yet manage to get every iota of your being confused with some illogical fallacy (redundant? is there such a thing as a logical fallacy?). This makes me perturbed. Not angry. Just perturbed. So then...

Would you rather be seen as wrong or misunderstood? Why?

Those good old Christians. They give themselves such credibility...especially when they wear shirts on TV that say: Intolerance is a beautiful thing.

assholes...

Question 9: My Cat Is A Bitch

I just realized 2 minutes ago more than ever that my female cat is a triflin' heffa bitch who is out to kill me in pursuit of being pet. Every time I walk around she will walk in front of me, slow down, and roll over in front of me or on my feet; thereby tripping me. Or sometimes she will just dart in front and across me; thereby tripping me. She is out to kill me. I love her. She is loving. She doesn't annoy me like my other cat has the preponderance to do. Maybe Tony is right...I'll die and someone will find me being devoured by my cats...while trying to trip me. So the question:

Regarding current or deceased pets. What odd thing(s) do they do?

The Summer of Exploding Electronics

This has not been the best summer for me in terms of my electronic devices failing to work or exploding. About a month ago, my TV blew up, but thankfully I have a spare....that is 13 years old and about to explode itself. Not good.

Today, I pop in a rental DVD and it doesn't work. I try other DVDs....nothing. Odd since it was working fine at 3 am when I was watching Family Guy. After a little research, seems the error code (H-02 - referring to worn down spindles) is common in Panasonic players. They knowingly used a degradable part. Whereas some people's players crap out after a year or so, I was lucky, mine lasted 5 years. Again, I have a PS2 so I can still play DVDs....but it is NOT the same and doesn't eliminate the fact that Panasonic should be burned down. AVOID their products. Be sure to buy a DVD player with a direct drive motor and not spindle motor problems.

So until I can get money to buy a newone, I am screwed. Anyone got a spare to loan me? :)

Question 8: Courtesy of MeMe the Hobbit

I have been indeed slacking on these questions, butto cap off the week. A rather stimulatingly intruiging question:

If you could either lose your sense of taste or touch, which would you choose and why?

I know, I have been neglecting my questions and posting. Just been really tired and sore. Also trying to keep me head floating above the money water. Doing ok, but need to monitor every penny.

My girl Laurie is doing well with her pregnancy. YAY for the peanut!

Talked to a great friend I have not spoken with in about 4 years now. Love her to death. She was like my older sister.

Happy Birthday again to the Elf!!

My crazy Mormon friend returns from his mission in about 4 months and I cannot WAIT to see him again. I miss him and out later conversations oh so.

Will post something more interesting (or scathing) later.

Question 7: Non, Rien de Rien. . .

Je ne regrette de rien.

I just don't give a damn.....loose translation....sounds oddly more romantic in French.

Well...I am tired.....exhausted.....bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I.

I am piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissed oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooff.

So how do YOU feel?

Just saw the extended trailer for the second time on TV. I am urging all of you to go see it. As a HUGE fan of the Aliens and Predator movies I am ecstatic about this. I own the Alien Quadrilogy (thanks to Tony), so trust me when I say I am looking forward to this. I even remember seeing the Predator movie with my brother when it first came out. I LOVE scf-fi movies, even crappy ones; something about them just gets my heart racing. This movie could very well end up being some trashy cheezy movie....but I don't care. I finna be there.

Just Some Silly Prattle

Looks like my UK plans won't be coming through, but that is ok. I at least made my contacts; I got some stuff to finish up here anyway.

Reading Augusten Borrough's Running With Scissors and while I generally enjoy the book, I find the writing repetitvely boring the subjects trying to be forcefully shocking but achieving nothing. I also feel that he may be a tad tall-talish in retelling some of the events in his life. He reminds me of several people I have come across who tend to embellish things in their life, both the positive and negative, in an attempt to make their lives more colorful or to astound or shock others. It's like PLEASE, if you're life is THAT boring...DO something. It's a quick-read no-brainer, but I have not finished it yet, so I will reserve full judgement until then. I am only 1/2way through it.

Looking forward to the deal on the house closing. Have some very awesome friends who have volunteered to help me move and which will definitely help save me some money. Things seem to be going well so far (knock on wood) give or take a few odd and questionable cock-ups in which I am losing interest very quickly. So we shall see what tomorrow brings.

Question 6: The Evils of Late-Night TV

For some reason I was so exhausted last night that I fell asleep watching Family Guy around 9. That was a mistake as I did not want to go to sleep that early. But I wake up during the last episode on the disc, at around 12, and I KNOW I am not going back to sleep. I will be up for the long haul. 5:30 a.m. to be exact. SO what was I doing until then? Watching the marathon of Airline on A&E, which is just great. It's about time someone did a reality show on airlines. My friend Francesca would always tell me stories about whacked out customers and on-plane situations. It would have been gold for her to put them all down in a book. This series is great and just lets you into a fraction of how difficult it is to work in the airline business. These customers are just stupid and blame the airline for policies and procedure clearly lined out. Eh.

Then I watched an A&E biography on the first publicized cleebrity transexual Christine Jorgensen who was a hit from 1952 on to her death. It got me thinking how strange it was that she was accepted, lauded and celebrated (give or take a few dissidents) as a transexual, but nowadays transexuals are completley derided, spit upon, and looked upon as subhuman. How odd that as a culture when we were supposedly more conservative (the 50s), we were more accepting and free-wheeling than we are in a supposedly more liberal time (current). Of course, this fallacy just falls in line with every other current trend of freedom....like democracy...and freedom itself. Anyway, it was a fasincating piece.

And finally, how excited am I for Growing Up Gotti, the new reality series about John Gotti's daughter Victoria and her three sons. It just seems hysterical and I definitely plan on watching it. I just get such a wealth of info watching these reality shows and use them to no end in my classes as points of discussion about pop culture and socio-economic politics. Besides the fact that they are mindless fun, despite that some of them are rigged and planned, they are GREAT for analysis and ripe for parody.

Besides....how else was I going to spend the wee hours of the morning. I used to love watching informercials, now they just annoy me. So with further delay:

On those nights you are up late, what do you do to spend the time or to tire yourself out? If it's TV, what do you watch? If other, explain.