hello, friends,
sorry for the long delay, but, with the end of the semester, things have been very busy in volanskyland.
let's catch up on some news, shall we?
starting local:
the smartest shakespearean scholar i know had a successful surgery, hopefully allowing her to have safe and snot-free travels over the winter break. we are both anxiously awaiting the start of "skating with the stars" on january 18th, so look for full reports once that begins. you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be no tonya harding's running around THAT show.
wendy-lou who got herself the second cutest dog in chestertownvilleburg. he's a 2-year old schnauzer named either luke or murphy (he's so adorable, he'll respond to any name as long as you say it with a chipper sound...). the girl had a relatively blase meeting with him -- she sniffed him out and then promptly ate one of his chewbones while he sat in my lap. what a cutie.
much success was had in second-year reviews. i think all of us came out on top, despite some "concerns." it would be inappropriate for me to say more. but, the gang will continue to play on for another year.
in related chestertownvilleburg news, we're all anxiously awaiting new year's eve and the arrival of mo and michel from the wilds of france and minnesota, respectively. we've missed their company this fall and it will be GRAND to catch up. we'll also get to see professor andy, who has been slumming all around the globe on sabbatical. he's been missed, too. finally, we must all shun drs. banks-brown as they will not be around to make us all breakfast on january 1. if you are up for the challenge, please chime in and proffer a menu suggestion.
widening the lens a wee bit:
your humble blogger and her faithful co-writer managed to get themselves a book contract for the tome entitled "no heavy lifting required: a practical guide to playwriting and collaboration." heinemann press is the lucky publisher, our manuscript is due march 15th and you can order copies soon. we need to sell about 10,000 copies before the serious royalties kick in, so sign up now! in all seriousness, it is really exciting and daunting all at the same time.
sister sue managed both great grades this semester AND her sanity. we are most proud. she also was able to bring professor clockwatcher to smile, which makes us in the profession much happier.
brother rob has a car in japan. ask him about it.
what else?
i could go on about the ruling in dover, the surveillance of this white house, the ramped-up marketing campaign for the war and other such matters, but people smarter than i are covering it. all i will say, however, is that it is our civic responsibility to be informed, so pay attention, get involved and make your opinion known.
i will suggest, however, that you visit the NY Times website to read nicholas kristof's challenge to bill o'reilly to go visit darfur. it is inspiring.
i'm missing a lot of people this holiday season: thebus, dillmansky, perlow, shapiro, eason, engelman/dixon, the marvins, pat from louisville. i hope you'll all check in over the holidays.
i'll report in after brother bert arrives (tonight will be spent with the brothers donaghy!), but in the meantime, be careful (especially if you are in new york), be peaceful and,
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Holiday Spirit
hello, friends,
snow here on the ground in chestertownvilleburg and it sure is beautiful. the girl seems to think it was all done for her and she's been having some great fun bouncing around in the snowy backyard.
the countdown to brother rob's visit has begun -- he'll be here, live and in person as of the 24th of december. he sent the following picture from my favorite mountain this week. check it out:
snow here on the ground in chestertownvilleburg and it sure is beautiful. the girl seems to think it was all done for her and she's been having some great fun bouncing around in the snowy backyard.
the countdown to brother rob's visit has begun -- he'll be here, live and in person as of the 24th of december. he sent the following picture from my favorite mountain this week. check it out:
isn't it beautiful? i think the pain of the climb seems to be subsiding.
i'm sitting here in the apartment watching a whole lot of charlie brown. it amazes me that, despite the fact that the christmas specials are older than i am, their poignancy and relevance reverberates. keep the message of the holidays in mind as you are clubbing sweating lady next to you in a desperate attempt to get the last pint of egg nog.
i'm not 100% of this, but i think that kipper is a stunt double for this one:
right down to the pink socks.
i have a great great family and for them i am most grateful.
in the meantime, i still can't figure out how to get rid of big chunk of white space at the top. faithful servant kate says that it seems to have something to do with my "browser settings," but she may as well be speaking greek. can anyone help???
on a more humorous front, this came in over the wire. it's silly and filthy, but must be shared.
Top Ten Sexually Transmitted Diseases Which I Just Made Up:
10. Wet Penis
9. Shuttlecock
8. Rooty Tooty Too Much Booty
7. Teddy Pendergrosis
6. George Bush
5. The Artist Formerly Known As Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
4. Careless Whisper
3. Randy Johnson (think about that one for a second)
2. Dirty, Dirty Pussy
1. I Think I Slept With One Of The Sound And Lighting Guys For Public Enemy
isn't life grand?
be good to one another.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Technical Difficulties
hello, friends,
so, it has been a nutty couple of weeks here in chestertownvilleburg, and the turkeys that were presented had a somewhat difficult time. however, thanksgiving is the time for us all to stop and think about all that we have -- and, even in volanskyland, we have a great deal. we have family, and siblings, and great friends, and all helped to remind us over the weekend that we are, indeed, really truly blessed. i am in great gratitude to all that i have, even if it is difficult sometimes.
in the good news department, new friend dan came out of surgery with flying colors and is making steady improvement. you can visit his website at www.danstumors.blogspot.com. he's a remarkable person that deserves our best wishes.
a gentle reminder: new year's is almost here and the annual party of volanskyland grownups (sans the breakfast makers banks-brown) will be assembled. it is a grown-ups-only party, so, despite my love for you all who are students, it will be for those who are over 23 only...if you have questions about the hotel arrangements or for party times, please email me. the more the merrier -- and we'll be joined by brother rob direct from his year-long engagement at the hotel sapporo. i hope you can come along for the ride.
the kids in middle hall, knowing of my love for john malkovich, sent along the following link. it made little cordelia wake straight up from a nap and take notice. it is the essential john and it made me laugh a lot. check it out: http://batmalkovich.ytmnd.com/
in other news, baby bjorn is growing big and strong, despite the fact that he seems to be the only kid in my world who is not soothed by "the gambler." odd.
finally, adam davidson made a GREAT impression on the folks at washington college. see the press release here: http://www.washcoll.edu/wc/news/press_releases/2005/11/21_davidson.html
despite the problems at amtrak, adam and a slew of great friends of the WC drama department had an amazing dinner (as always) at the kettledrum and, after the talk, a load of booze at andy's. if you don't know adam (who, i still contend, crashed my wedding with gifts of nature...), you should. iraq, paris, new orleans and banda acheh have only fine-tuned a great mind. it's a great pleasure to know him and have him come to my school.
i'm still seaching, and wishing, and hoping that you all continue to tune in and share the love with friends. it's a lonely life out here by myself -- i'm so glad you are along to make it a bit smoother.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
so, it has been a nutty couple of weeks here in chestertownvilleburg, and the turkeys that were presented had a somewhat difficult time. however, thanksgiving is the time for us all to stop and think about all that we have -- and, even in volanskyland, we have a great deal. we have family, and siblings, and great friends, and all helped to remind us over the weekend that we are, indeed, really truly blessed. i am in great gratitude to all that i have, even if it is difficult sometimes.
in the good news department, new friend dan came out of surgery with flying colors and is making steady improvement. you can visit his website at www.danstumors.blogspot.com. he's a remarkable person that deserves our best wishes.
a gentle reminder: new year's is almost here and the annual party of volanskyland grownups (sans the breakfast makers banks-brown) will be assembled. it is a grown-ups-only party, so, despite my love for you all who are students, it will be for those who are over 23 only...if you have questions about the hotel arrangements or for party times, please email me. the more the merrier -- and we'll be joined by brother rob direct from his year-long engagement at the hotel sapporo. i hope you can come along for the ride.
the kids in middle hall, knowing of my love for john malkovich, sent along the following link. it made little cordelia wake straight up from a nap and take notice. it is the essential john and it made me laugh a lot. check it out: http://batmalkovich.ytmnd.com/
in other news, baby bjorn is growing big and strong, despite the fact that he seems to be the only kid in my world who is not soothed by "the gambler." odd.
finally, adam davidson made a GREAT impression on the folks at washington college. see the press release here: http://www.washcoll.edu/wc/news/press_releases/2005/11/21_davidson.html
despite the problems at amtrak, adam and a slew of great friends of the WC drama department had an amazing dinner (as always) at the kettledrum and, after the talk, a load of booze at andy's. if you don't know adam (who, i still contend, crashed my wedding with gifts of nature...), you should. iraq, paris, new orleans and banda acheh have only fine-tuned a great mind. it's a great pleasure to know him and have him come to my school.
i'm still seaching, and wishing, and hoping that you all continue to tune in and share the love with friends. it's a lonely life out here by myself -- i'm so glad you are along to make it a bit smoother.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Tidbits of goodness (and a cry for help...)
hello, friends,
i hope you are all well and enjoying what i hope is a beautiful late fall. winter-like activity arrived in chestertown on wednesday around 9:15 and it has been crisp and clear since then. i also managed to light my propane heater (something one HAS to see in order to believe it) down here in chestertownvilleburg without blowing up the block.
some of you wondered if i was doing okay after the last posting. i am, in fact, great. i'm centered and focused and prepared to take on whatever the world may throw at me. here's what one smart person observed, under the title "raising questions is not enough," based on that last post:
Of course you`re not doing enough to change the world you`re living in. Not even close.
The good news is that none of us are. Or is that really the good news?
There have been times reading that post of yours when I`ve wanted to write a blisteringly scathing comment to all of the intelligent, talented, well-educated, well-spoken, able-bodied people who get out of their cars and sit down at their computers every night to wax philosophic on the state of the world. How terrible this is or how terrible that is. I give them credit for at least thinking about it, but then I think, if they`re thinking about changing the world, why aren`t they doing it?
There are a lot of people out there who are just making their way and don`t really think about other people, people in other parts of the world, what the powers that be are doing, etc. I let them go. They`re the majority. For the most part, while they might not always be helping make things better, by simply making a living for themselves and their family, maybe they`re not making things worse.
But your blog readers. They SEE. They KNOW. They UNDERSTAND. So why don`t they DO? "Yeah, I see what`s wrong, I understand what`s going on, but, rather than do anything about it, I`ll sit here at my computer and show everybody how smart I am with incisive comments on the situation. That should be good enough. Somebody else can take out the garbage." FUCK that.
There are a few reasons why I don`t write a big fat FUCK YOU to every single one of them. The first, sadly, is that I`m not doing nearly as much as I want to be or as I could be to make the world a better place. I have absolutely no room to talk. But that will be changing soon.
The second is that there are enough people out there yelling FUCK YOU. For example, EVERYBODY. Me joining the chorus would be either counterproductive or, worse, another voice lost in the crowd. Cynicism and negativity feed on themselves, and a small part of the reason I don`t prefer to live in America is because those two things run high and strong there. Why is it that the voices of loving, caring, compassionate, positive people are ascribed to be crazy, hippies on the periphery of reality?
Positivity is where it`s at, yo. There is no problem on this planet that can`t be solved with love and compassion. I see it in my own life, I see it on a grand scale when the volunteer organizations come together to help out hurricane victims. Why should the conflict of nations be any different? Why can`t we view what happened to the World Trade Center, for example, as just another natural disaster? Those were people flying those planes, human beings borne of the same energy that causes the wind and rain of the hurricanes. We don`t try to kill the wind and rain when they go out of control on us, and, in my opinion, we shouldn`t try to kill other living creatures when they do the same.
The bell just rang, I gotta go. That`s ten minutes I just spent typing this message that I could have spent doing something else.
so smart, right? there's a lot of great stuff contained within that email, all of which i hope you will take to heart. we ARE intelligent, resourceful, etc. let's get the hell out of our cars.
smack dab in the middle of my application process for the university of hull's higher degree through research program. this is a british-model PhD program that sends one right into research for a dissertation. i'm VERY excited to begin exploring how dramaturgical inquiry might be applied to the larger culture. i hope that this is just a first step on the path that the above refers to.
a dear new friend of mine is having a major surgery tomorrow (check out www.danstumors.blogspot.com) for full details -- if you have any pull with any type of "intelligent designer," would you put in a call? and for the rest of us, light a candle or something. he's a good one and could use a healthy dose of our collective positive psychic energy.
a few things have come in that warrant posting.
i hope you are all well and enjoying what i hope is a beautiful late fall. winter-like activity arrived in chestertown on wednesday around 9:15 and it has been crisp and clear since then. i also managed to light my propane heater (something one HAS to see in order to believe it) down here in chestertownvilleburg without blowing up the block.
some of you wondered if i was doing okay after the last posting. i am, in fact, great. i'm centered and focused and prepared to take on whatever the world may throw at me. here's what one smart person observed, under the title "raising questions is not enough," based on that last post:
Of course you`re not doing enough to change the world you`re living in. Not even close.
The good news is that none of us are. Or is that really the good news?
There have been times reading that post of yours when I`ve wanted to write a blisteringly scathing comment to all of the intelligent, talented, well-educated, well-spoken, able-bodied people who get out of their cars and sit down at their computers every night to wax philosophic on the state of the world. How terrible this is or how terrible that is. I give them credit for at least thinking about it, but then I think, if they`re thinking about changing the world, why aren`t they doing it?
There are a lot of people out there who are just making their way and don`t really think about other people, people in other parts of the world, what the powers that be are doing, etc. I let them go. They`re the majority. For the most part, while they might not always be helping make things better, by simply making a living for themselves and their family, maybe they`re not making things worse.
But your blog readers. They SEE. They KNOW. They UNDERSTAND. So why don`t they DO? "Yeah, I see what`s wrong, I understand what`s going on, but, rather than do anything about it, I`ll sit here at my computer and show everybody how smart I am with incisive comments on the situation. That should be good enough. Somebody else can take out the garbage." FUCK that.
There are a few reasons why I don`t write a big fat FUCK YOU to every single one of them. The first, sadly, is that I`m not doing nearly as much as I want to be or as I could be to make the world a better place. I have absolutely no room to talk. But that will be changing soon.
The second is that there are enough people out there yelling FUCK YOU. For example, EVERYBODY. Me joining the chorus would be either counterproductive or, worse, another voice lost in the crowd. Cynicism and negativity feed on themselves, and a small part of the reason I don`t prefer to live in America is because those two things run high and strong there. Why is it that the voices of loving, caring, compassionate, positive people are ascribed to be crazy, hippies on the periphery of reality?
Positivity is where it`s at, yo. There is no problem on this planet that can`t be solved with love and compassion. I see it in my own life, I see it on a grand scale when the volunteer organizations come together to help out hurricane victims. Why should the conflict of nations be any different? Why can`t we view what happened to the World Trade Center, for example, as just another natural disaster? Those were people flying those planes, human beings borne of the same energy that causes the wind and rain of the hurricanes. We don`t try to kill the wind and rain when they go out of control on us, and, in my opinion, we shouldn`t try to kill other living creatures when they do the same.
The bell just rang, I gotta go. That`s ten minutes I just spent typing this message that I could have spent doing something else.
so smart, right? there's a lot of great stuff contained within that email, all of which i hope you will take to heart. we ARE intelligent, resourceful, etc. let's get the hell out of our cars.
smack dab in the middle of my application process for the university of hull's higher degree through research program. this is a british-model PhD program that sends one right into research for a dissertation. i'm VERY excited to begin exploring how dramaturgical inquiry might be applied to the larger culture. i hope that this is just a first step on the path that the above refers to.
a dear new friend of mine is having a major surgery tomorrow (check out www.danstumors.blogspot.com) for full details -- if you have any pull with any type of "intelligent designer," would you put in a call? and for the rest of us, light a candle or something. he's a good one and could use a healthy dose of our collective positive psychic energy.
a few things have come in that warrant posting.
that is courtesy of sister sue. i know that i goes against all that has been posted in terms of generousity and good will and everything...but...it makes me giggle. giggling is good, right?
this one is a link that comes from canadian superagent michael petrasek. more giggling. also, what's with the dude in the back: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6739710473912337648
cousin abaigh sent along a HILARIOUS windows movie entitled "arrested: texas style" that, because of blogging ineptitude on my part, i cannot figure out how to post.
(here is the cry for help: if anyone has any suggestions on how to post abaigh's video, how to change a link to say something, and how to get rid of all that white space at the top, there is a cocktail for you...!)
at the end of the day, we only have one life to make the most of, one chance to leave a thumbprint -- don't waste it.
in this season of thankfulness, i hope everyone travels safely and relishes all that we have.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Slacktivist
hello, friends,
i'm tossing and turning in my bed tonight and i just can't sleep. there are a number of reasons. here are several of them:
1. last night i dreamt that i was (again) rearranging my locker at haddon township high school. my locker was next to jess vitigliano and kim vining and, in the dream, i was the one with the messiest locker. i kept trying to figure out what books i needed to take to class in order to be "most prepared" for the day and just could not find what i needed. things just kept falling out of this locker -- i remember seeing notebooks and textbooks and scripts and all sorts of nonsense. kim and jesse just kept looking at me like i was completely insane. nothing would stay in and nothing i needed would come out.
2. tonight i went to hear a talk by the pulitzer-nominated photojournalist lois raimondo. she's a graduate of wittenberg college and she spent a good amount of time in afghanistan and in iraq, both pre-invasion, and her images from these places are unbelievable. real people, just like you and me trying to live their days despite the mayhem that is going on around them.
i sometimes feel like i am a complete slacker. i talk a great game about policy and politics, urging students to get out and live their lives and, alas, what am i doing? maybe there is something in asking the questions, but, at the end of the day, who is listening? it is a tough road to hoe when one snuggles up into bed at night with a beautiful and loving dog, but...sometimes one just needs someone else to bang up against to get one's head straightened out.
i spent an amazing weekend on chincoteague island with some family -- all of whom are smart, intelligent and rife with opinions. they've been with me every stupid step along my path, and i value each and every one of them. but, again, there i am.
i would like to say that i am posting this after a million glasses of white wine or some substantial gin and tonics, but i gotta say that this is the actual me, with no enhancement. sometimes i so value the solitude, and then there are those few waking hours where the waking hours are just so damn hard.
there's a part of every person that is the life of the party, the wise counselor, the happy-go-lucky individual to whom others turn when their lives are messy. i often wonder what those folks do when the lights go out.
people, now is the time to take a serious inventory about what your beliefs, values and opinions are. you will need to articulate them with your friends and those who are not your friends. i feel rough roads coming along, and we have to stick together. right?
in the meantime, i'll try to get some sleep. i trust you'll do the same.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
i'm tossing and turning in my bed tonight and i just can't sleep. there are a number of reasons. here are several of them:
1. last night i dreamt that i was (again) rearranging my locker at haddon township high school. my locker was next to jess vitigliano and kim vining and, in the dream, i was the one with the messiest locker. i kept trying to figure out what books i needed to take to class in order to be "most prepared" for the day and just could not find what i needed. things just kept falling out of this locker -- i remember seeing notebooks and textbooks and scripts and all sorts of nonsense. kim and jesse just kept looking at me like i was completely insane. nothing would stay in and nothing i needed would come out.
2. tonight i went to hear a talk by the pulitzer-nominated photojournalist lois raimondo. she's a graduate of wittenberg college and she spent a good amount of time in afghanistan and in iraq, both pre-invasion, and her images from these places are unbelievable. real people, just like you and me trying to live their days despite the mayhem that is going on around them.
i sometimes feel like i am a complete slacker. i talk a great game about policy and politics, urging students to get out and live their lives and, alas, what am i doing? maybe there is something in asking the questions, but, at the end of the day, who is listening? it is a tough road to hoe when one snuggles up into bed at night with a beautiful and loving dog, but...sometimes one just needs someone else to bang up against to get one's head straightened out.
i spent an amazing weekend on chincoteague island with some family -- all of whom are smart, intelligent and rife with opinions. they've been with me every stupid step along my path, and i value each and every one of them. but, again, there i am.
i would like to say that i am posting this after a million glasses of white wine or some substantial gin and tonics, but i gotta say that this is the actual me, with no enhancement. sometimes i so value the solitude, and then there are those few waking hours where the waking hours are just so damn hard.
there's a part of every person that is the life of the party, the wise counselor, the happy-go-lucky individual to whom others turn when their lives are messy. i often wonder what those folks do when the lights go out.
people, now is the time to take a serious inventory about what your beliefs, values and opinions are. you will need to articulate them with your friends and those who are not your friends. i feel rough roads coming along, and we have to stick together. right?
in the meantime, i'll try to get some sleep. i trust you'll do the same.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
BBrrruuuccee
hello, friend,
tonight, i saw my 31st springsteen concert and it was, in fact, a doozy. i heard songs i've NEVER heard live before and it just made my heart smile.
bruce also got me thinking about missing the boat on having babies, on catholicism, and why i like my own dad so very much.
best friend aimee was absolutely aces -- she scored the seats and gets high marks for not being pregnant at this show. last time we sat in the spectrum parking lot, we were there for a dead show and you can only imagine what went on then.
here's the report from backstreets:
November 9 / Philadelphia, PA / Wachovia SpectrumNotes: If you thought the 24-year gap between performances of "Drive All Night" was something, dig what Bruce broke out for the old-timers at Philly Night 2: "Santa Ana," last played live more than 32 years ago in the spring of '73. While much of the crowd was surely still scratching their heads over that one, Bruce really rattled their brains by stayed at the piano and going right into "Thundercrack," complete with a sing-along at the end. Both of these early gems were released on Tracks disc one, and both were tour premieres tonight. Also making its official tour debut was "Used Cars," last played at the Asbury warm-up back in April. Plus the tour's second "Independence Day"; rare visits from "Adam," "Janey," and "Cynthia"; and a "Dream Baby Dream" that clocked in at ten minutes. A whopping 17 songs not played at the first show makes a total of 41 different songs played at this two-night Philly stand.Setlist: Reason to Believe/Devils & Dust/Adam Raised a Cain/Long Time Comin'/Used Cars/Janey, Don't You Lose Heart***/Independence Day*/State Trooper/Nebraska/All the Way Home/Cynthia/One Step Up/Reno/Santa Ana*/Thundercrack*/The Rising/Spare Parts/Jesus Was an Only Son*/Two Hearts/The New Timer#/Matamoros BanksEncore: Growin' Up*****/Waitin' on a Suny Day/The Promised Land/Dream Baby Dream***=piano**=pump organ***=electric piano*****=ukulele#=autoharp
i love bruce springsteen.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
tonight, i saw my 31st springsteen concert and it was, in fact, a doozy. i heard songs i've NEVER heard live before and it just made my heart smile.
bruce also got me thinking about missing the boat on having babies, on catholicism, and why i like my own dad so very much.
best friend aimee was absolutely aces -- she scored the seats and gets high marks for not being pregnant at this show. last time we sat in the spectrum parking lot, we were there for a dead show and you can only imagine what went on then.
here's the report from backstreets:
November 9 / Philadelphia, PA / Wachovia SpectrumNotes: If you thought the 24-year gap between performances of "Drive All Night" was something, dig what Bruce broke out for the old-timers at Philly Night 2: "Santa Ana," last played live more than 32 years ago in the spring of '73. While much of the crowd was surely still scratching their heads over that one, Bruce really rattled their brains by stayed at the piano and going right into "Thundercrack," complete with a sing-along at the end. Both of these early gems were released on Tracks disc one, and both were tour premieres tonight. Also making its official tour debut was "Used Cars," last played at the Asbury warm-up back in April. Plus the tour's second "Independence Day"; rare visits from "Adam," "Janey," and "Cynthia"; and a "Dream Baby Dream" that clocked in at ten minutes. A whopping 17 songs not played at the first show makes a total of 41 different songs played at this two-night Philly stand.Setlist: Reason to Believe/Devils & Dust/Adam Raised a Cain/Long Time Comin'/Used Cars/Janey, Don't You Lose Heart***/Independence Day*/State Trooper/Nebraska/All the Way Home/Cynthia/One Step Up/Reno/Santa Ana*/Thundercrack*/The Rising/Spare Parts/Jesus Was an Only Son*/Two Hearts/The New Timer#/Matamoros BanksEncore: Growin' Up*****/Waitin' on a Suny Day/The Promised Land/Dream Baby Dream***=piano**=pump organ***=electric piano*****=ukulele#=autoharp
i love bruce springsteen.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Why One Might Hate Freedom
hello, friends,
an observant dr. bob submitted this for posting. i think you all might like it:
an observant dr. bob submitted this for posting. i think you all might like it:
have a great day. i will be spending the night with bruce springsteen in philadelphia.
full report after the jump...
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
One from Japan
hello, friends,
this just in from brother rob. it had me giggling all the way into my dramaturgy class today:
Top Ten Baldwins Or Sexually Transmitted Diseases
10. Chlamydia
9. Danny
8. Stephen
7. Crabs
6. Alec
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
4. AIDS
3. Herpes Simplex
2. William (Billy)
1. Gonorrhea
'nuff said.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
this just in from brother rob. it had me giggling all the way into my dramaturgy class today:
Top Ten Baldwins Or Sexually Transmitted Diseases
10. Chlamydia
9. Danny
8. Stephen
7. Crabs
6. Alec
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
4. AIDS
3. Herpes Simplex
2. William (Billy)
1. Gonorrhea
'nuff said.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Monday, November 07, 2005
District of Columbia...
hello, friends,
good chum gavin passes along the following link, which MUST be watched: http://filmstripinternational.com/
and you can sing along. the words are so easy.
would anyone from the district like to comment? this is an equal opportunity blog.
i am, in two short days, going to see my 31st bruce springsteen concert, with best pal aimee. she realized she was pregnant the last time we went to see my boyfriend, so i will monitor the beer and nachos intake at the spectrum.
if you didn't see THE DAILY SHOW last night, you won't know why i truly love this guy:
good chum gavin passes along the following link, which MUST be watched: http://filmstripinternational.com/
and you can sing along. the words are so easy.
would anyone from the district like to comment? this is an equal opportunity blog.
i am, in two short days, going to see my 31st bruce springsteen concert, with best pal aimee. she realized she was pregnant the last time we went to see my boyfriend, so i will monitor the beer and nachos intake at the spectrum.
if you didn't see THE DAILY SHOW last night, you won't know why i truly love this guy:
hey, i just heard that some people get 70,000 hits on their blogs. now i'm just feeling bad about myself. so, spread the word. agressively.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Shiny Objects
hello, friends,
it's been a busy couple of weeks here at volanskyism, with many student theses successfully presented, many meetings um...endured, lots of fun with friends. and i am anxiously awaiting a little rest and relaxation this weekend.
however, i didn't want too much time to pass before i shared some things that friends have forwarded to me. i encourage you to giggle along with me. and hey, take a minute to visit nick's new website at www.nickrye.com. it is VERY cool (and designed by our good pal greg -- with whom i still need to have a cocktail in the not-too-distant future...)
here are photos of some of our favorite drama majors -- this is for halloween, not "just another day in the drama department...":
zombie molly is on the left, stage kate is on the right. note the spike tape.
aren't they clever?
sheila w. sent along a VERY amusing riff on the classic "who's on first" routine made famous by abbott and costello:
George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The main man in China!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you, Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you, or will you not, tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he's dead in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N. Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars.
if it weren't so very true, it would be mighty funny.
and then there is this from our man at disney:
it's been a busy couple of weeks here at volanskyism, with many student theses successfully presented, many meetings um...endured, lots of fun with friends. and i am anxiously awaiting a little rest and relaxation this weekend.
however, i didn't want too much time to pass before i shared some things that friends have forwarded to me. i encourage you to giggle along with me. and hey, take a minute to visit nick's new website at www.nickrye.com. it is VERY cool (and designed by our good pal greg -- with whom i still need to have a cocktail in the not-too-distant future...)
here are photos of some of our favorite drama majors -- this is for halloween, not "just another day in the drama department...":
zombie molly is on the left, stage kate is on the right. note the spike tape.
aren't they clever?
sheila w. sent along a VERY amusing riff on the classic "who's on first" routine made famous by abbott and costello:
George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The main man in China!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you, Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you, or will you not, tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he's dead in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N. Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars.
if it weren't so very true, it would be mighty funny.
and then there is this from our man at disney:
i think that says everything, don't you?
finally, brother rob, emerging from the shadows, has made some new friends over there in japan:
brother rob is making great strides in creating global harmony. we should all applaud his progress. see you on the 24th, bird-man.
speaking of birds, i am sitting here in chestertownvilleburg awaiting the kickoff between the skins and the birds. with t.o. suspended indefinitely, i fear i may have to buy bella meal. and suffer the harassment of dr. ponzer on monday. crap.
enjoy the beautiful weather -- and do keep in touch!
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The guilt, the Catholic guilt...
hello, friends,
so, this summer, i went to japan to visit brother rob.
i have been totally remiss in posting photos. there are literally HUNDREDS more, but i am posting those that i like best. suspiciously, the photos from my ascent of yote did not wind up on a CD -- this will be rectified shortly. i did climb that god forsaken mountain...
without further ado, this one is for bert:
this is the family that rob teaches japanese to. he's a cardiologist. the kids are SO CUTE.
so, this summer, i went to japan to visit brother rob.
i have been totally remiss in posting photos. there are literally HUNDREDS more, but i am posting those that i like best. suspiciously, the photos from my ascent of yote did not wind up on a CD -- this will be rectified shortly. i did climb that god forsaken mountain...
without further ado, this one is for bert:
this is the family that rob teaches japanese to. he's a cardiologist. the kids are SO CUTE.
rob likes to make friends, and, one night, when we were going home to go out (what was THAT about?), we encountered a street festival. rob stood on top of a newspaper box and took this really cool photo.
this is another one of rob's friends. it needs no explanation...
the photo below was taken at one of the many summer beergardens in sapporo. the beautiful girl to rob's right is aika. next to her, i felt old, fat, haggard, dowager-esque, hostile...you get the picture.
this was on the climb of yote. do you SEE how high up we were? do you see the cloud-lines? we did that two more times. oy.
but it sure was beautiful, right?
this other photo,
which i do not know how to turn, was on our first climb. it was amazing (despite not having food or water or, frankly, rest). i keep thinking about what a remarkable thing it was, for my baby brother to use what can only be described as psychological warfare on me to make me continue.
rob, for all the bad words i used on you during my time in japan -- i am truly sorry.
there will be more. but aren't they so cool?
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Persian/Polack Wedding
hello, friends,
the perisan princess' third cousin gilda (all US persians are, apparently related. to nakissa) sent some photos from both the wedding of the persian and the polack and the bachelorette party.
here they are:
it is shocking what weddings can do to some of the smartest people i know:
so, last week was a long one, with lots of theater time, as well as some late-night tossing and turning. i think i was on san fran time through to thursday.
the girl and i went back to philly on saturday (having seen a fabulous MOST FABULOUS on friday night), and had the good fortune of watching THE MOUSE THAT ROARED with d.p, jason and the sandwich. if you haven't seen this peter sellers classic in a while, do rent it. it rocks (and some of the lines sound eerily familiar).
we also took some time to visit with the ex-in-laws. i've actually been on an up-swing, feeling solid about myself and my life (thanks to all of you for your help) and it seemed like i was finally ready. we had a terrific visit, and i got to meet sister barb's baby colin. such a sweetie who giggles. it's darling.
busy week ahead, with a production of miss melly's play QUAKE (read it if you don't know it -- it's fantastic!) on the horizon. and a certain 23-year old turns...not 24.
be good to each other. please.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
A joke -- for the theater crowd
hello, friends,
this just in from gavin in DC:
Jack: So .... [pause]
Jack: So he won then. [pause]
Jill: Yes.
Jack: Yes. [longer pause]
Jack: He waited long enough.
Jill: Yes.Jack: Yes ... he did.
[pause]Jill: Yes, he certainly waited long enough.
Jack: Words. [pause]
Jill: What?
Jack: Words, in conversion, he was good at that.
[pause]Jill: Yes ... he waited long enough.
Jack: I think... [pause]
Jill: ...and pauses, he was good at that too.
Jack: Yes.
Jill: Yes. [pause]
Jack: Yes. [pause] I think his word/time ratio was the smallest ever heard.
Jill: Yes.
Jack: Yes. [pause]
Jill: Yes, he waited long enough...J
Jack: Well done, that's what they say...
Jill: Yes, they do say that...J
Jack: Well done, like the toast... [long pause]... How's your cornflakes, then?...
how much do we love this guy?
this just in from gavin in DC:
Jack: So .... [pause]
Jack: So he won then. [pause]
Jill: Yes.
Jack: Yes. [longer pause]
Jack: He waited long enough.
Jill: Yes.Jack: Yes ... he did.
[pause]Jill: Yes, he certainly waited long enough.
Jack: Words. [pause]
Jill: What?
Jack: Words, in conversion, he was good at that.
[pause]Jill: Yes ... he waited long enough.
Jack: I think... [pause]
Jill: ...and pauses, he was good at that too.
Jack: Yes.
Jill: Yes. [pause]
Jack: Yes. [pause] I think his word/time ratio was the smallest ever heard.
Jill: Yes.
Jack: Yes. [pause]
Jill: Yes, he waited long enough...J
Jack: Well done, that's what they say...
Jill: Yes, they do say that...J
Jack: Well done, like the toast... [long pause]... How's your cornflakes, then?...
how much do we love this guy?
congratulations, mr. pinter.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
I'm Not Dead Yet
hello, friends,
it was as though it was 1987 all over again. but this time, i wasn't there.
i was driving back down to chestertown today, as i'd spent the weekend in california at the wedding of the persian princess and the polack. it was so beautiful -- they were able to combine traditions of both backgrounds, making for the polka, done persian style, a culture all its own.
i'll admit it: i cried. good friends, good laughs, good wine. and the sisters are total rock stars.
so, i was listening to the radio, checking in on the mayhem that took place in baltimore. if you've not heard, go here, click on the subject line.
but i was safe.
at any rate, michaela majoun was telling me all about the U2 concert last night and suddenly, she said it:
my boys were together again.
bono was playing in philly and who showed up but bruce springsteen? and patti came out to sing, too.
last time that happened, it was at the vet, and i was sneaking cigarettes from my sister with roomie emily.
so sad.
but not dead.
we're rounding 2000 visits friends -- let's get that number UP! do i have to repost the rove story, given recent events?
get out there and tell your friends about volanskyism.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
ps just got cable down in chestertown and i settled in to watch LAW AND ORDER: SVU tonight and there was NO MELONI!
it was as though it was 1987 all over again. but this time, i wasn't there.
i was driving back down to chestertown today, as i'd spent the weekend in california at the wedding of the persian princess and the polack. it was so beautiful -- they were able to combine traditions of both backgrounds, making for the polka, done persian style, a culture all its own.
i'll admit it: i cried. good friends, good laughs, good wine. and the sisters are total rock stars.
so, i was listening to the radio, checking in on the mayhem that took place in baltimore. if you've not heard, go here, click on the subject line.
but i was safe.
at any rate, michaela majoun was telling me all about the U2 concert last night and suddenly, she said it:
my boys were together again.
bono was playing in philly and who showed up but bruce springsteen? and patti came out to sing, too.
last time that happened, it was at the vet, and i was sneaking cigarettes from my sister with roomie emily.
so sad.
but not dead.
we're rounding 2000 visits friends -- let's get that number UP! do i have to repost the rove story, given recent events?
get out there and tell your friends about volanskyism.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
ps just got cable down in chestertown and i settled in to watch LAW AND ORDER: SVU tonight and there was NO MELONI!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Pesky Homos...
hello, friends,
...sapiens, that is.
those pesky humans who got Ai Ai smoking! i just don't know what to say about this, except if a chimp can do it, so can i.
here are the details:
...sapiens, that is.
those pesky humans who got Ai Ai smoking! i just don't know what to say about this, except if a chimp can do it, so can i.
here are the details:
now, i've had a problem lately with mr. tobacco. in fact, i just can't stop. but would someone please reassure me that i do not look like this:A female chimpanzee in a Chinese zoo has managed to kick the habit after smoking for 16 years, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ai Ai, 27, first took up smoking after her mate died in 1989.
After a second spouse died in 1997 and her daughter was moved to another zoo, the broken-hearted chimp's health reportedly started deteriorating.
Zoo keepers say they are giving her mouth-watering food and playing pop music to improve her mood."In the first few days, she squealed for cigarettes every now and then," Xinhua reported one zookeeper at the safari park in the Shaanxi province, north-west China, as saying. "But as her life became more colourful, she gradually forgot about them altogether." Her new, busy lifestyle includes walking after breakfast, exercising in the evening and being served "fried dishes and dumplings at every meal" on top of bananas, rice and milk, he said.
Now and then, she can also borrow her human friend's walkman to listen to music.
It is not clear how Ai Ai developed her addiction, and whether she was first given cigarettes from the same guardians who have helped her quit.
other things to note:
i am a deep disappointment to paul rudnick and his stellar cast of MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD. i owe you guys one.
baby bjorn is growing up! he is cute-as-a-button and developing quite a personality. i hope to get some photos of him being cuddled by aunt shel.
aimee aimee and i had a delightful night on saturday -- we've been chums for over 20 years! yikes...if i ever do run for office, she's the one that the CIA will be watching...
off to sleepytime. peace, safety and love to all.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Those Wacky Nobels!
hello, friends,
so, i didn't win the nobel this year. just like i didn't win a macarthur grant. ah, well. if we all be patient, i will someday rule the world.
i won't attempt to explain the winner for this year's peace prize. if you want some smart observations, visit steve clemons' www.thewashingtonnote.com as soon as humanly possible. he's also got some provocative comments about judith miller.
but physics, well, i do know physics.
stop laughing.
i'm serious. cut it out.
at any rate, i had a student last year who majored in physics and drama. he was my "got to" student who got the rest of us thinking differently about science (like, "wow. check out those particles!"). i fired off an email asking the question on everyone's minds: "what the heck are they talking about?"
helpful mike ridgaway responded back with a brief overview:
"Quantum optics, like regular optics, is the study of light and how it behaves. Quantum optics, however, deals withlight on an atomic level. I'm sure you've heard before that light acts as both a wave and a particle. The wave aspect of light has a frequency that corresponds to the color we detect, much like how the frequency of a sound wave correspondsto the tone we hear. These scientist have developed new and incredibly precise ways (within 0.000000000000001 units) to measure the frequency oflight, specifically the kind emitted from atoms. This is what they're talking about when they refer to the color of atoms. Their research extends to applications in atomic time measurements, where atomic emissions and behavior are used as units of time."
got that?
it is just so cool.
here are pictures of the winners:
so, i didn't win the nobel this year. just like i didn't win a macarthur grant. ah, well. if we all be patient, i will someday rule the world.
i won't attempt to explain the winner for this year's peace prize. if you want some smart observations, visit steve clemons' www.thewashingtonnote.com as soon as humanly possible. he's also got some provocative comments about judith miller.
but physics, well, i do know physics.
stop laughing.
i'm serious. cut it out.
at any rate, i had a student last year who majored in physics and drama. he was my "got to" student who got the rest of us thinking differently about science (like, "wow. check out those particles!"). i fired off an email asking the question on everyone's minds: "what the heck are they talking about?"
helpful mike ridgaway responded back with a brief overview:
"Quantum optics, like regular optics, is the study of light and how it behaves. Quantum optics, however, deals withlight on an atomic level. I'm sure you've heard before that light acts as both a wave and a particle. The wave aspect of light has a frequency that corresponds to the color we detect, much like how the frequency of a sound wave correspondsto the tone we hear. These scientist have developed new and incredibly precise ways (within 0.000000000000001 units) to measure the frequency oflight, specifically the kind emitted from atoms. This is what they're talking about when they refer to the color of atoms. Their research extends to applications in atomic time measurements, where atomic emissions and behavior are used as units of time."
got that?
it is just so cool.
here are pictures of the winners:
aren't these guys just darling?
almost as precious as marbury and madison.
cordelia got a fantastic new haircut this weekend -- as soon as i figure out how to scan a picture of her, i'll post an image of the little cutie. she came out of the groomer with a big bow with a pumpkin on it around her neck.
fall break this weekend coming up and i get to go to san francisco for the marriage of the persian and the pollack. we've missed them greatly while they've been in london, but we have full faith and confidence that the event will remind us instantly how much we love them both.
that' s enough for now. be good to each other and light a candle for those poor folks living in pakistan, india and turkey.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Monday, October 03, 2005
Former Students Working Hard!
hello, friends,
while we all ponder the implications of harriet miers and a roberts-led supreme court (and wonder why justice stevens had time to dine with super smart nicholas in new york city on friday, when we all know that red mass was happening on monday...), we are instructed by ms. popcornkernel as to the judiciary act of 1801:
here's what she has to say:
while we all ponder the implications of harriet miers and a roberts-led supreme court (and wonder why justice stevens had time to dine with super smart nicholas in new york city on friday, when we all know that red mass was happening on monday...), we are instructed by ms. popcornkernel as to the judiciary act of 1801:
here's what she has to say:
"Well, to begin at the beginning…
The Constitution declares that there will be three branches of government, but the details were a little vague. For example, the Constitution did not specify how many justices were to sit on the Supreme Court. Shortly after the Constitution was ratified in 1789, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 stating there would be one Supreme Court, three circuit courts, and 13 district courts (one per state). They also specified there would be one Chief justice and five Associate justices, but the scope of their power was undefined.
The judiciary act of 1801 gave Adams, who was at the very end of his presidential term, the power to appoint judges as he saw fit. He planned to fill the nation’s courts with Federalists to stack the courts against the incoming Republican president, Jefferson. He reorganized the district and circuit courts, changing their sizes and adding lifetime positions. The judges that Adams selceted were referred to as Midnight Judges, because it was rumored that these appointments were being signed at midnight before Jefferson could take office. One of these Midnight Judges was William Marbury, appointed on March 3. Keep in mind that Adams made all of his appointments in 19 days.
After Jefferson’s inauguration on March 4, 1801, he and his Secretary of State James Madison treated nearly half of the appointments as void, including Marbury’s. In the 1803 case of Marbury vs. Madison, the court unanimously voted that Marbury had a right to the Supreme Court position, but that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. Marbury never got to sit on the Supreme Court. The case of Marbury vs. Madison was the first time the Supreme Court exercised the power of judicial review, declaring that acts made by Congress years earlier were unconstitutional."
isn't that impressive? i'm so proud of my girl.
ms. popcornkernel says that she's been unable to find concrete evidence that there was no supreme court from 1801 to 1803, but georgetown wouldn't hire someone who didn't know what they were talking about, would they?
absolutely not.
if this were a celebrity death match, who would you vote for?
no fair voting for the guy on the left (marbury) whose picture, due to the limits of this bloggers technical abilities, looks
bigger than james madison.
so, i look forward to seeing who votes for who.
and, finally, oh brother, where art thou?
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
bigger than james madison.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Sad, sad news...
hello, friends,
the theater world has lost a monumental -- and overwhelmingly important figure: august wilson died today after his bout with liver cancer.
wilson, who only recently (august) announced that he had only months to live, had just completed his ten play cycle investigating the african-american experience in the 20th century. from JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, to KING HEDLY II to FENCES, these plays, with poignancy, violence and profound insight, helped to articulate the long struggle from 1900-2000.
my own interaction with mr. wilson was limited, but certainly the highlight was the time he showed up for a performance of KING HEDLEY II at philadelphia theatre company. he had said that he couldn't participate in the "american playwrights in context" discussion, citing work on GEM OF THE OCEAN. i found a wilson scholar to discuss the great man's work. imagine my surprise when i looked out from the stage and saw him sitting there, grinning. we laughed a lot.
he will be so so missed -- and i challenge others out there to keep his memory, and remarkable work, alive.
RIP...
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Rabbit Holes
hello, friends,
i've felt the need lately to blog a bit more, perhaps because i am wanting to continue to connect with all of you who come by and visit (and whose number is over 1500!), and perhaps because the weather is turning cooler and i'm thinking of hibernation once again.
as mentioned, there have been some clouds around lately, but as sister sue pointed out in a pointed voicemail today, "you have a great job that you adore, you have family and friends who love you and you don't live in the gulf region. now, come out of that rabbit hole and call me back, dammit."
sometimes, a rabbit hole is a good thing. sometimes there are cakes and snacks and juice.
the rabbit hole to which she was referring is not that.
d.p. introduced me to the term and it is just appropriate. sometimes you just want to get lost in a world of your own, under the busy earth and away from even those you most like.
the message was, as stated, rather direct and somewhat stern (there's a reason why young people in montoursville march in line whenever she looks their way), but totally right.
i do have many many good things and for all of it (and you), i am grateful. thanks so much for being around.
now before this gets too sentimental, i'm going to switch gears.
remember this guy?come on, you know...
it's been quite a long time since anyone has heard from big brother tommy, said to be hiding out in mary and ted's guest house in LA. this is where my mind goes: LA? guest house? lovely cheekbones? somewhat jaded?
good god, my big brother tommy has turned from remarkable playwright to kato kaelin.
if you've seen or heard from him, please ask him to check in with his peeps in philly.
no one has yet to turn in their extra credit essay from yesterday. remember, if you fail to answer, the terrorists will have won.
be good to each other.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
Education
hello, friends,
skies are a little bluer here in volanskyland, but there is still a bit of rain with chance of fog. we thought for a brief time that there would be the much-feared "damaging wind and hail." but we hope for sunny skies as fall really sets in.
at any rate, as one can clearly see, i've been thinking a lot about the water lately, as well (and this isn't all that apparent) as the federal judiciary.
well, as i sat on my porch in chestertown, feeling the rain fall and looking at the catholic church across the street while talking on the phone to professor nick (whew), i got to thinking about all that was going on in our world:
1. weather
2. gays in the priesthood
3. marbury v. madison
it all seemed to come together.
and i learned something:
so, we all know that the judiciary act of 1789 created the US court system as we (almost) know it today, complete with districts, circuits, the office of the AG, the supremes and a few other things.
we know that the landmark "judicial review" holding from marbury v. madison essentially made the judiciary a solid 3rd branch of the US government.
this case was landmark because, as john stewart points out in:
skies are a little bluer here in volanskyland, but there is still a bit of rain with chance of fog. we thought for a brief time that there would be the much-feared "damaging wind and hail." but we hope for sunny skies as fall really sets in.
at any rate, as one can clearly see, i've been thinking a lot about the water lately, as well (and this isn't all that apparent) as the federal judiciary.
well, as i sat on my porch in chestertown, feeling the rain fall and looking at the catholic church across the street while talking on the phone to professor nick (whew), i got to thinking about all that was going on in our world:
1. weather
2. gays in the priesthood
3. marbury v. madison
it all seemed to come together.
and i learned something:
so, we all know that the judiciary act of 1789 created the US court system as we (almost) know it today, complete with districts, circuits, the office of the AG, the supremes and a few other things.
we know that the landmark "judicial review" holding from marbury v. madison essentially made the judiciary a solid 3rd branch of the US government.
this case was landmark because, as john stewart points out in:
prior to this, the judges were permitted only to make decisions on spelling and punctuation.
i love john stewart.
at any rate, what i did not know, and what the really smart professor nick informed me of (hey kids, if you want to go to law school, check out these folks: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/ )
they seem to know what they are doing.
gosh, the digressions.
what i learned was the there was no US judiciary from 1801 to 1803!
those who know me know that i do not acknowledge the punctuation mark (see how it all comes around?) called the "exclamation point." you get one in your life, but, at this time in my life, i think i'd like to buy a punctuation, alex.
imagine if that were the case now. a bunch of judges sitting around for about a year and a half, with nothing to do but think about their lives.
for those of you who know jose rivera's short play TAPE, you'll know why this image makes me so happy.
there's obviously a lot more to the judiciary act of 1801 and then the judiciary act of 1803, but nick's great teaching has made me turn my head with curiousity. check it out.
and the person who presents the best report gets extra credit.
i didn't figure in the catholic church. i'll figure that one out later.
in the meantime, be good to each other, and...
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky
ps there are some great comments about the "sexy" stay-at-home moms on the, um, comments page. check it out.
pps though i do agree with the problems with biore and wine coolers, i do have to gush a bit about flicka's emmy. yay!
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