Month: January 2018

#055–Why do we teach kids to say “I’m Sorry,” even if they don’t mean it, and that it makes everything okay?

5 Comments

I decided to rebel against this shit years ago, and my growing temper will make me keep it up. It hit me when I was a student teacher in the high school and had the classroom to myself for the first time. Well, one kid and his buddies decided to make my life a living … Continue reading #055–Why do we teach kids to say “I’m Sorry,” even if they don’t mean it, and that it makes everything okay?

Moving the penny tickets from the pit to stage level: Drunk Shakespeare today?

Leave a comment

(image from ticketfly.com) I was amazed and laughing my butt off when I read this NPR article. I'd never heard of this, but apparently this is something that's been going on in some form or another for many years. Shakespeare with a plastered actor or two, and an audience that can drink all night, too? … Continue reading Moving the penny tickets from the pit to stage level: Drunk Shakespeare today?

“Richard Duke of York (or, Henry VI, Part III),” from The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works, by W. Shakespeare

2 Comments

My Copy: 9780199267170 I admit, this might be the third (and last) part of Henry VI's reign in a historical context, and the near-middle of Richard III's, but boy, it sure was a long bridge to it. Richard Duke of York (or, Henry VI, Part III) is all about transition. The "Richard" in the title is … Continue reading “Richard Duke of York (or, Henry VI, Part III),” from The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works, by W. Shakespeare

Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance, by Rosanne Bane

4 Comments

My Copy: 9781585428717 (image from amazon.com) If you're in that awful stage called "trying to be a writer," or "want to be a writer," or "I hate writing, it's too hard," because of that brick wall in your head, then this is a book for you. If you've read a dozen books about how to … Continue reading Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance, by Rosanne Bane

#054–Why do guests whose political views differ from their hosts on cable “news” shows even bother to show up?

3 Comments

I refuse to watch most cable news programming. But living where I live, I can't help hearing them once in a while. Last night I was making tea and caught a few minutes of whatever-her-name is and Vicente Fox on a certain network, and it just annoyed the hell out of me. I’m at the … Continue reading #054–Why do guests whose political views differ from their hosts on cable “news” shows even bother to show up?

Wake Me Up When (November 2018) Ends…

1 Comment

There's something about music that reaches in, even when you haven't heard a song (or an album for that matter) in a decade. Then, when things are just right--or wrong--it grabs you out of the blue. That's what happened to me last night. And it led me down some strange avenues of thought. I was … Continue reading Wake Me Up When (November 2018) Ends…

“Henry VI, Part II,” from The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works, by W. Shakespeare.

2 Comments

My Copy: 9780199267170 If you're wondering where the hell Henry VI, Part I went as a review, I haven't done it yet. When tackling this reading-and-reviewing Shakespeare thing, I had a tough job to do. I was initially going to try and get the plays reviewed in chronological order by historical event. However, with the myriad … Continue reading “Henry VI, Part II,” from The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works, by W. Shakespeare.

#053–Does God prefer cash, check or credit card?: or, why the prosperity gospel bugs the hell out of me.

5 Comments

I'm asking for it, I know--posting a religious question on a Sunday of all days, but when the question won't go away, it just won't. The whole "prosperity gospel" thing's been stewing in my mind for weeks (and years) and I finally just had to do some digging. Well, I've had the same opinion about … Continue reading #053–Does God prefer cash, check or credit card?: or, why the prosperity gospel bugs the hell out of me.

The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, & Improving Your Voice by Kate DeVore & Starr Cookman

Leave a comment

My Copy: 9781556528293 (image from amazon.com) I'm trying to remember exactly why I bought this book, but I think it was to help me out when I was starting out as a tour guide and teaching. I have a loud voice, annoyingly loud to me most of the time, but I don't have much strength … Continue reading The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, & Improving Your Voice by Kate DeVore & Starr Cookman