Have you ever had that feeling?

http://simulatedcomicproduct.com/2008/03/13/dexterity-roll/

The legendary Crocodile Hunter is dead, snatched from this world in an instant in exactly the way he would have wanted it – working with the animals he loved.

He will be missed.

I said before that I wouldn’t write about politics on these pages, but I’m outraged by the reactions to the Danish newspaper’s (Jyllands Posten) printing of several editorial cartoons that show the Muslim prophet Mohammed in a disparaging light. I mean, burning down the Danish Embassy? I suppose it’s okay for the militants in the East to carry signs showing our leaders as devils, but the free West can’t publish a simple caricature.

There are those who believe that incidents like this are moving us directly toward a third World War… only this time it will be one of religion, Christian vs. Muslim… or, at least, non-Muslim vs. Muslim. Just think of the countless innocents who will suffer at the hands of a few who’s entire world-view centers on hate and intolerance (and I’m not just talking about Muslim here).

Regardless of your religious or political beliefs, it is important to remember that our country in particular is founded on the idea of freedom; that free speech, the right to dissenting opinion, is not just one of the Bill of Rights, but the basis of our society. We should all support Denmark and those who would say the dangerous thing…. We must not allow the rights of any individual to be eroded through inaction or fear.
It is Benjamin Franklin who said, “Those who give up freedom for security deserve neither.”

I know a lot of my friends and family wonder why I take so long to post things on this site, that is, if I ever do… well… Continue reading →

I sold my bike today. It was a pretty hard thing to do. You see, it was Shawn’s bike. I kept it after he died, paid it off and learned to ride. I’ve been riding it off and on for three years now, and it’s always a lot of fun. But i realized a few months ago that it was a pretty expensive toy to keep around when I was only riding it about once a month or so. The money was more important — more necessary — than the bike. Between student loans and Sheridan’s school, I’m pretty tapped out.

So I sold the bike to a lady who’s a lot like me. She has a 12 year old daughter, and is looking forward to riding. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did. A few tears, letting go of a memory, but I’m over it.

So I’m working this summer on a video project for Mike Hussey of the Interactive Media Lab, which is way cool and lots more fun than sitting in a German classroom 3 hours a day reviewing stuff I already know. I’m also going to be working with C.B. Davis on my writing, looking at a few of my papers to see if they have the potential to be turned into articles worthy of submission.

Next week Kevin, Sheridan, and I are headed down to Tampa for Memorial Weekend. We’ll be on the beach by Thursday evening! MMMM, sand, surf…. No Worries! Then on the 31st I’m taking Sheridan and the Girl Scout Troop to the Atlanta Zoo for an overnight trip… I’m sure that will be interesting!

I’m looking forward to the summer…. It’s going to be a lot of work, taking classes, reading for comps, and working the publicity office, but it will be fun! Different classes, hands-on stuff.

So that’s the way my summer is looking.

… the logic behind weblog comment spam? I mean, how many people (of the three or four who actually read this thing )are really going to visit a poker site after seeing the comment in my personal weblog? After the issue I had with the spam a few months back, using Greymatter weblog, I had thought I had fixed the problem. Well, I was wrong.

I have now changed to WordPress weblog/journaling software, and ported all my old “Ramblings and Odd Thoughts” to this site. I would love to receive comments from my friends, and this software allows me to do that without worrying about spam… only “registered” users can leave comments, and I have to approve the first comment a user makes. That should keep out the poker, porn, and phenterazine hawkers out there.

Well I FINALLY got my “flags” cleared up and was able to register for classes. This is a good thing, as I can continue to get behind in my reading and stay up late at nights to finish writing, etc. All in the name of academe! …

I found out yesterday that the Second City traveling troupe will be on campus on Monday, performing at the Tate Center. *sigh* Wish we had known about it earlier…. seeing as how our New Script class is improv-based and working with Second City. — Right Hand, meet Left Hand — What a missed opportunity! Hopefully we’ll still be able to at least go see the show.

The five PhD students are meeting weekly to discuss PhD matters and to have a writing workshop. We’re each bringing in a paper to trade with the others. I’m bringing my Barbie paper, which I’d like to publish. Let’s see what happens.

Sheridan’s birthday is next week! Can’t believe she’s 8. She’s having a skating party… 20-odd preadolescents at Skate-A-Round for four hours… whee, fun!

So until next installment….

Well, classes for Spring term start in two days and I still haven’t registered…. But it’s not my fault….

I’m still waiting for my transcript from BGSU so that I can register. I called the Registrar’s Office at BGSU and according to them, sealed transcripts were sent out to me on Thursday the 30th. It’s now 1/8 and I haven’t gotten them yet. I’m beginning to get a little worried. I have to get registered or I’ll lose my assistantship, my place in the department, and everything. I’m more than a little upset at the whole mess.

On the brighter side, I’m giving my first conference paper in February! My paper on the impact of technology on the live theatre (some of my first research into Postmodern Theatre) was accepted at University of Toronto’s FOOT 2005 (Festival of Original Theatre). I’ll be there February 9-13. I’m a little nervous, and it looks like I’ll be going by myself.

I’m also directing for our “Producing the New Script” class: “The Ticket” by Dan Zellner of Chicago’s Second City. It’s an improv piece done in commedia style, with a great cast of MFA acting students and Commedia Troupe undergrads. In March we’ll take the production to Chicago and perform at the Second City. After that we’ll take the show to area venues, honing and experimenting.

So that’s it for the weekend update. More later!