Friday, May 31, 2013
Minimum
6 projects done so far today. Hope to do a few more this evening. Some good work! They learned something.
Quotation of the day
From The Passive Voice:
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible......Vladimir Nabakov
Legacy
Putting my screenwriting tutorial online for free access is probably the most consequential thing I've done in my career. I feel damn good about it. I have no memory of doing the incredible amount of work it took to write and code this. I look at it in awe. Can it be true? I created this?
Newspapers
Until recently my newspaper habit included 2 subscriptions, LA Times and SF Chronicle, and The Guardian free 5 times a week via a service, all on Kindle. I decided to downsize, preparing for lack of a teaching income. The subs were $16/mo.
I dropped them. I found a free app for The Guardian and changed the 5x freebie to the LA Times. Every day but TuTh. Now I save the sub $. Should work out fine. I can live with what I'm missing.
I dropped them. I found a free app for The Guardian and changed the 5x freebie to the LA Times. Every day but TuTh. Now I save the sub $. Should work out fine. I can live with what I'm missing.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Screenshots
Screenshots from my course. The rewriting area is spectacular because I can turn script changes into hyperlinks and explain WHY the changes were made! Invaluable tool in education. I can't believe this device has been around for 15 years now and isn't being utilized.
Quality over quantity
An actor friend wrote, expressing worry about the effects of eating scrapple on my health. Ah, yes! I know the argument well.
Here's the deal: if someone, a doctor perhaps, said to me, "If you stop eating scrapple, I can guarantee you that you'll live x years longer", there is no value of x that would make me stop eating scrapple.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. Yours truly is going to die eating scrapple!
But probably not. I'll probably get run over by a truck.
Here's the deal: if someone, a doctor perhaps, said to me, "If you stop eating scrapple, I can guarantee you that you'll live x years longer", there is no value of x that would make me stop eating scrapple.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. Yours truly is going to die eating scrapple!
But probably not. I'll probably get run over by a truck.
Good morning
Off bright and early to mail Wonder Boy his check. Grabbed an iced coffee, jazz on radio sounding so good I cruised a bit, home to read student paper, now time to kill until I head off to the university.
Feeling damn good about my recent decisions. Making Screenwright free is probably the most satisfying, rewarding thing I've ever done as a writer. I feel like I've made a genuine contribution to a better education for budding screenwriters. Now to get the word out.
Some complications in getting the app into the Amazon and Google stores, has to to do with image support resolution. I can't find the original drama masks I commissioned in 1996 ha ha! Which I'd need. Or change the image in the app, which I'm asking Wonder Boy to do. Hope he will. Otherwise not sure how to resolve the issue.
Offered app to Creative Screenwriting to give away, too. Hope they agree, the natural audience will be there.
Today I pick up projects for final pre-grade evaluation. The next 7 days are the hardest of the term for me. I get tired just thinking about it. I rather wish I had decided to retire from teaching earlier, so I wouldn't be facing one more year, but that's the breaks. My last term I might use the online tutorial, or at least make it an option.
Life is good for me. That's what I'm thinking today.
Interesting. Almost no support about putting Screenwright online for free. Everybody has alternative advice, you should do this, you should do that -- with the exception of one person, who got it immediately. We live in such a buy & sell culture, the possibility of "avoiding" making money has become incomprehensible! Why on earth would anyone consider such a thing?
Missed my old friends Dick and Ger this morning, only two people I know who were ready to go to breakfast at 6 a.m. Not the same thing going out alone.
Feeling damn good about my recent decisions. Making Screenwright free is probably the most satisfying, rewarding thing I've ever done as a writer. I feel like I've made a genuine contribution to a better education for budding screenwriters. Now to get the word out.
Some complications in getting the app into the Amazon and Google stores, has to to do with image support resolution. I can't find the original drama masks I commissioned in 1996 ha ha! Which I'd need. Or change the image in the app, which I'm asking Wonder Boy to do. Hope he will. Otherwise not sure how to resolve the issue.
Offered app to Creative Screenwriting to give away, too. Hope they agree, the natural audience will be there.
Today I pick up projects for final pre-grade evaluation. The next 7 days are the hardest of the term for me. I get tired just thinking about it. I rather wish I had decided to retire from teaching earlier, so I wouldn't be facing one more year, but that's the breaks. My last term I might use the online tutorial, or at least make it an option.
Life is good for me. That's what I'm thinking today.
Interesting. Almost no support about putting Screenwright online for free. Everybody has alternative advice, you should do this, you should do that -- with the exception of one person, who got it immediately. We live in such a buy & sell culture, the possibility of "avoiding" making money has become incomprehensible! Why on earth would anyone consider such a thing?
Missed my old friends Dick and Ger this morning, only two people I know who were ready to go to breakfast at 6 a.m. Not the same thing going out alone.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
My Screenwriting App
I now have a wonderful screenwriting app for my course. Next I have to prepare various screen shots to get it in the Amazon store. After grades are in. Since I've maintained my relationship with Creative Screenwriting, maybe they can help me distribute it. Perfect audience.
A productive day for being so mellow!
A productive day for being so mellow!
Wonder Boy
Update from the ex-actor geek doing my app, cool exciting things he is doing! Meanwhile I think I figured out how to get into Amazon app store. Costs $25 to get into Google Play ... why? Probably pass on that one.
I'm very excited about this. It feels a little like a legacy. A gift to future screenwriters.
I'm very excited about this. It feels a little like a legacy. A gift to future screenwriters.
A day with the geeks
What a strange, fascinating, educational and revealing day! Decided to make the screenwriting course free, access at my archive online. Thought a little app to get there would be nice -- not necessary certainly, but convenient, cool, good publicity. I couldn't figure out how to make one myself, though. Another ad on C list. Wow. Many, many responses, from India, Russia, US, roughly in that order. Estimates from Americans, $1000-2000. Ridiculous! What I want is so SIMPLE, I couldn't believe there wasn't a template somewhere to do it. Est from others, $500-1000.
Then I get the strangest email. What exactly do you want? I tell him. He says, I can do it in 5 minutes for $20. Not 2 grand but TWENTY DOLLARS! Come on, what if I don't like it? Then don't pay me. OK, I'll bite. 5 mins later .. and it is almost perfect! It is so cool! So now I'm ordering a few frills, and this guy is a whiz. Ends up he's unemployed geek, former actor, in Estacada just down the road. Why are people asking 2 grand? I ask him. Because people will pay it, he says. What I wanted is indeed like a template, "it's just a wrapper" is how he put it. I mean, in five minutes, it was 90% perfect. Absolutely amazing.
They charge because people will pay it. They don't know any better.
BUYER BEWARE!
Then I get the strangest email. What exactly do you want? I tell him. He says, I can do it in 5 minutes for $20. Not 2 grand but TWENTY DOLLARS! Come on, what if I don't like it? Then don't pay me. OK, I'll bite. 5 mins later .. and it is almost perfect! It is so cool! So now I'm ordering a few frills, and this guy is a whiz. Ends up he's unemployed geek, former actor, in Estacada just down the road. Why are people asking 2 grand? I ask him. Because people will pay it, he says. What I wanted is indeed like a template, "it's just a wrapper" is how he put it. I mean, in five minutes, it was 90% perfect. Absolutely amazing.
They charge because people will pay it. They don't know any better.
BUYER BEWARE!
The Last Mellow Day
...for a while. I pick up ALL projects tomorrow for comments before final submission for grade. Hardest weekend of the term. Return and immediately pick up finals.
So today I move slowly!
Eager to get serious about "stories in overdrive." Also decided not to use pseudonym, just a different email. Greene went both ways, so can I ha ha!
So today I move slowly!
Eager to get serious about "stories in overdrive." Also decided not to use pseudonym, just a different email. Greene went both ways, so can I ha ha!
Rested
Sleep! It does wonders.
Close to a decision on screening course: to give it away. Good Karma to the universe. Drives my few capitalist friends crazy. Later I'll put marketing energy into the narrative experiment.The cottage industry of screenwriting education is corrupt. Its best product offered free!? What a concept!
Close to a decision on screening course: to give it away. Good Karma to the universe. Drives my few capitalist friends crazy. Later I'll put marketing energy into the narrative experiment.The cottage industry of screenwriting education is corrupt. Its best product offered free!? What a concept!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Little sleep
Restless night, brooding about what to do with the course. Kindle is gorgeous but expensive, and the Russian guy is a fraction of what an American programmer charges. If I were younger, I'd do it but I have no energy to market it to make sure I get my money back. I just want it out there because it remains the best product for students to learn screenwriting in a real-world environment. Decisions, decisions.
I may decide to give it away. Be a radical.
I may decide to give it away. Be a radical.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Raves for Gatsby in 3D
Blown away. I admit it. I went as H's date, expecting nothing. I thought it was poorly cast. I'd read some bad reviews.
Well, I think this film - extravagant, loud, artsy, over the top - captures the very soul of the novel. American excess, American wealth, American detachment, American Dream, American delusion - even the 3D, which I normally dislike, adds to the surrealistic impact. Caraway's journey becomes our own in this perfectly acted, courageously interpreted film. A major achievement!
Well, I think this film - extravagant, loud, artsy, over the top - captures the very soul of the novel. American excess, American wealth, American detachment, American Dream, American delusion - even the 3D, which I normally dislike, adds to the surrealistic impact. Caraway's journey becomes our own in this perfectly acted, courageously interpreted film. A major achievement!
Waiting for a bid
Hope it is something I can accept. I am raring to go, just about done with the minor revisions and updates, I believe. This is so cool.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Thawing the Cold War
This geek in Russia fixed the file, which looks and works fantastic everywhere. I await his bid, hoping I can afford him. This went pretty quickly for him, might be an easy task if you know what you are doing.
This product is so damn cool! I have to figure out how to market it right. First time around was helped by fact that I hosted the first website for screenwriters. I was defining the territory. Now I'm lost in it, just another joe.
What an exciting project.
This product is so damn cool! I have to figure out how to market it right. First time around was helped by fact that I hosted the first website for screenwriters. I was defining the territory. Now I'm lost in it, just another joe.
What an exciting project.
Tom Lehrer, 1967
PBS here showing Lehrer performing in Oslo, June 4. Check schedule, not to be missed.
Geeky
2 dummies submitted tonight. First sucks, worse than what I did. I can't believe anyone would submit this crap.
Then the 2nd. Download and look on netbook with Kindle app. It is gorgeous! It looks great and works great, this is what I had in mind. Very exciting. I send to my Kindles.
Then on both K3 and Fire, looks crappy and links don't work. Back to drawing boards. But I see its possibility! Man, do I!
Then the 2nd. Download and look on netbook with Kindle app. It is gorgeous! It looks great and works great, this is what I had in mind. Very exciting. I send to my Kindles.
Then on both K3 and Fire, looks crappy and links don't work. Back to drawing boards. But I see its possibility! Man, do I!
Perils of ...
Somehow I managed to reset the Fire to factory settings. Have to reinstall everything. On the bright side, it's downsizing!
Memorial Day
My childhood memory is of dad listening to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio. What a strange sport for radio! Zoooooom zoooooom zoooooom, endlessly for a couple hours. Dad was really into it, rooting for Billy Vukovich.
Whitehouse: 'There Is Only One Leg On Which Climate Change Denial Stands: Money.' | ThinkProgress
Whitehouse: 'There Is Only One Leg On Which Climate Change Denial Stands: Money.' | ThinkProgress:
"In our arrogance, we here in Congress think that we can somehow ignore or trump Earth’s natural laws, laws of chemistry, laws of physics, laws of science, with our own political lawmaking, with our own political influence. But we’re fools to think that. The laws of chemistry and the laws of physics neither know, nor care, what we say or do here. So we need to wake up. "
Hear, hear!
"In our arrogance, we here in Congress think that we can somehow ignore or trump Earth’s natural laws, laws of chemistry, laws of physics, laws of science, with our own political lawmaking, with our own political influence. But we’re fools to think that. The laws of chemistry and the laws of physics neither know, nor care, what we say or do here. So we need to wake up. "
Hear, hear!
Comfort
Feeling unusually good. Work progress will do that. Caruso and scrapple for breakfast.
Two students to deal with. Today or tomorrow.
Two students to deal with. Today or tomorrow.
Project
Need to make Kindle book with active links from 467 html files. No time to figure it out after several failures, accepting bids from geeks, who will design 18 file dummy. Using Craig's list & guru.com ... will try tech desk at school. A tad exciting.
The Worlds: Deemer's poetry
The Worlds - lite: Deemer's poetry:
"What I like is that he's engaging with the dying zeitgeist of our country, and the world at large. Humanity is going down a hole, and it will never find its way out. Deemer sees this and tries to find peace and creativity, without forgetting the (needless, ugly) pain that is going on everywhere. "
Nice to find someone on the same wave length.
"What I like is that he's engaging with the dying zeitgeist of our country, and the world at large. Humanity is going down a hole, and it will never find its way out. Deemer sees this and tries to find peace and creativity, without forgetting the (needless, ugly) pain that is going on everywhere. "
Nice to find someone on the same wave length.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Art Scatter lives!
Art Scatter:
"Art Scatter lives! We admit, we’ve been remiss. We haven’t filed a post since July 28 of 2012, for heaven’s sake. That’s 10 months."
"Art Scatter lives! We admit, we’ve been remiss. We haven’t filed a post since July 28 of 2012, for heaven’s sake. That’s 10 months."
A distinctive tenderness | TLS
A distinctive tenderness | TLS: about Sherwood Anderson.
"He is, in fact, the creator of the modern American short story; the John the Baptist who prepared the way for (and influenced) writers as different as Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty and Ray Bradbury."
"He is, in fact, the creator of the modern American short story; the John the Baptist who prepared the way for (and influenced) writers as different as Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty and Ray Bradbury."
Planning the future
Fiddling with cover branding for the new series ...
Ha ha, I'd never do anything like this in a zillion years if I had to WRITE these ... but they are already written as screenplays, so it's just mindless computer work to prepare them, with minor touching up. An adventure! Never done anything like this in my life.
Using a pseudonym with my initials, for new email address.
Ha ha, I'd never do anything like this in a zillion years if I had to WRITE these ... but they are already written as screenplays, so it's just mindless computer work to prepare them, with minor touching up. An adventure! Never done anything like this in my life.
Once a geek ...
Relearning various programs as I prep the 470 files (!) in my screenwriting course. Xenu a cool program to check links. Now fiddling with Calibre, maybe I can create workable mobi file myself.
This will be something if I can get it together.
This will be something if I can get it together.
Blown away
It's great when your own past work blows you away but that's the case as I inspect my 1997 digital screenwriting tutorial. All those praises are right, there still is nothing on the market like it. Getting it ready to market it as app or maybe Kindle book ... looking into options. It is not an ebook really ... more like an interactive website. Quite amazing! Over 1000 pages if printed out, unique features. Must get this out there again. Incredible. Can't believe I did this much work.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Strange day
Looking into turning my digital tutorial into an app ... exchanges with geek in Ukraine, found via guru.com ... might happen, might not ... also worked on cover design for new book brand ... a commercial day! Will try hard to generate income from previous work, for post teaching life.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Qantas Airlines Book Series, 'Stories For Every Journey' Last The Duration Of Your Flight | The Passive Voice |
Qantas Airlines Book Series, 'Stories For Every Journey' Last The Duration Of Your Flight | The Passive Voice | Writers, Writing, Self-Publishing, Disruptive Innovation and the Universe:
"They’ve developed a series of novels for their passengers called “Stories For Every Journey.” Each book varies in length and is meant to last only as long as the duration of your flight, based on the average reading speed."
A great idea.
"They’ve developed a series of novels for their passengers called “Stories For Every Journey.” Each book varies in length and is meant to last only as long as the duration of your flight, based on the average reading speed."
A great idea.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Rainy day movie
4 of us watched Something in the Air, very French, artsy, slow, pretty...I enjoyed it, mainly because the main character was complex and in his teenage angst avoided the cheap shots of some of his friends. And it captured the sixties.
May 22, 1973
Nixon owns up to Watergate. Good riddance. Stone's film is a masterpiece, and for all its layering and parts, is a model of beginning-middle-end storytelling, revealing the power of drama's 3-act paradigm.
Adventure!
Off to spend the day in the city, I mean town, breakfast and a noon movie. Seeing a French film about the sixties, a little surprised it got here. Then coffee and home.
Scene workshop tomorrow, already prepared. No papers this weekend! Calm before storm etc.
Feeling good. Will do grunt work on new narrative form this break. By end of summer, be great if I had three titles.
Scene workshop tomorrow, already prepared. No papers this weekend! Calm before storm etc.
Feeling good. Will do grunt work on new narrative form this break. By end of summer, be great if I had three titles.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
A good deed
Some 18 or so months ago I published a little Kindle booklet called Staying Sober Without AA, which became my most read book at Amazon. I shared my frustration with AA's bias against the intellect, and how I came to use knowledge as power to get my act together. Now and again I get a response, and today's was especially rewarding.
Charles,I wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart! I actually dowloaded your book quite awhile back but didn't actually read it until I came off my last great bender. It gave me a hope I had never had before and has inspired me to create this little grassroots group here in our local community for people like me who only had AA and court ordered classes available along with a handful of therapist that want to charge you an arm and your leg, throw in the shoes to boot. I am founding this group absolutely free and am using your manual as the first group session, but you lead me on a serach for more knowledge and I am using what I find as I find it to help me help others. Here is the link to the group if you are interested http://chemicalcarousel.weebly.com/. I have you to thank for this!!!! I hope life brings you much peace my friend,J.Freedom From the Chemical CarouselCaldwell, Idaho
Let's Fight Big Pharma's Crusade to Turn Eccentricity Into Illness | Wired Opinion | Wired.com
Let's Fight Big Pharma's Crusade to Turn Eccentricity Into Illness | Wired Opinion | Wired.com:
"Turning difference into illness was among the great strokes of marketing genius in our time."
"Turning difference into illness was among the great strokes of marketing genius in our time."
Unknown Mathematician Proves Elusive Property of Prime Numbers | Wired Science | Wired.com
Unknown Mathematician Proves Elusive Property of Prime Numbers | Wired Science | Wired.com:
I love stories like this. The former, young mathematician in me.
I love stories like this. The former, young mathematician in me.
From Mark
 |
| "We heard somebody named Deemer is giving a poetry reading down at the point. Is he just going to appear or is coming by boat? Well he's been writing a lot of poems about Christ. You never know." |
Creating a brand
I have 15 screenplays I am going to try and repackage and market as fiction. I have figured out a way, an approach, to do this without having to do much rewriting. Repackaging, computer grunt work, rather than creative work. It involves pursuing this new notion of narrative that's been bugging me for several years now, how small electronic devices have changed the reading environment, and therefore presenting the opportunity for new forms. This will be one grand experiment that I'll start this summer and pursue in earnest after I retire. If nothing else, it will keep me distracted from the news ha ha.
But I am getting excited about the possibility of this -- that is, to make a few coins doing it. Not getting rich but some reasonable change. I want to think of all 15 of these stories as "a brand," as part of a series of a new kind of narration for electronic devices. This will take a lot of bullshit, as marketing always does, but for a change I have a rather comic and interested attitude about it all.
Because I actually believe I am right, that the time is right for a new kind of storytelling that works better on small screens that traditional prose, and that the screenplay is the rhetorical key to this approach. Pretty wild idea. I love wild ideas. Suddenly I am very excited about getting out of the classroom, ridding myself of other responsibilities, and seeing how far I can take this crazy idea.
Here I am over a year away, already planning.
But I am getting excited about the possibility of this -- that is, to make a few coins doing it. Not getting rich but some reasonable change. I want to think of all 15 of these stories as "a brand," as part of a series of a new kind of narration for electronic devices. This will take a lot of bullshit, as marketing always does, but for a change I have a rather comic and interested attitude about it all.
Because I actually believe I am right, that the time is right for a new kind of storytelling that works better on small screens that traditional prose, and that the screenplay is the rhetorical key to this approach. Pretty wild idea. I love wild ideas. Suddenly I am very excited about getting out of the classroom, ridding myself of other responsibilities, and seeing how far I can take this crazy idea.
Here I am over a year away, already planning.
Drawing the lines in the sand
The right wing is arming itself against the government. Chris Hedges now calls for the left to rise in rebellion, the only way to save the planet. Most Americans still go about their business, as much as possible in a new world filled with great storms and earthquakes.
And I recently wrote what may be the best line of my career, "Nothing changes by writing bad verse."
I am thinking of writing a defense of Pollyanna. I am thinking of creating "a brand" for a new kind of narrative fiction, written to be read on small electronic devices, i.e. tablets and smart phones. The reality of retiring from teaching is sinking in -- one more year! I am going to teach The French Lt's Woman, rather on principle.
I seem to go against the grain often. The world will get worse but I'll get better. Go figure.
And I recently wrote what may be the best line of my career, "Nothing changes by writing bad verse."
I am thinking of writing a defense of Pollyanna. I am thinking of creating "a brand" for a new kind of narrative fiction, written to be read on small electronic devices, i.e. tablets and smart phones. The reality of retiring from teaching is sinking in -- one more year! I am going to teach The French Lt's Woman, rather on principle.
I seem to go against the grain often. The world will get worse but I'll get better. Go figure.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Rise Up or Die | Common Dreams
Rise Up or Die | Common Dreams:
by Chris Hedges
"Corporations write our legislation. They control our systems of information. They manage the political theater of electoral politics and impose our educational curriculum. They have turned the judiciary into one of their wholly owned subsidiaries. They have decimated labor unions and other independent mass organizations, as well as having bought off the Democratic Party, which once defended the rights of workers. With the evisceration of piecemeal and incremental reform—the primary role of liberal, democratic institutions—we are left defenseless against corporate power."
'via Blog this'
by Chris Hedges
"Corporations write our legislation. They control our systems of information. They manage the political theater of electoral politics and impose our educational curriculum. They have turned the judiciary into one of their wholly owned subsidiaries. They have decimated labor unions and other independent mass organizations, as well as having bought off the Democratic Party, which once defended the rights of workers. With the evisceration of piecemeal and incremental reform—the primary role of liberal, democratic institutions—we are left defenseless against corporate power."
'via Blog this'
Thick skin
Shocking. Terrible devastation in Oklahoma today. So much suffering. We are in the Age of Thick Skin ... widespread suffering more and more the norm. A tragedy, the hero's fatal flaw...ignorance, arrogance.
The thing is, Nature wins. We get what we deserve.
The thing is, Nature wins. We get what we deserve.
Four in a row
Mariners took lead in top of tenth but lost it. It's been 32 years since they lost this way to Cleveland. Get out of town, as the announcer said.
Pathetic
Our elected leaders are pathetic. Huge storms raging, and likely will from now on, and we don't act on climate change. Congress is dysfunctional. Obama is a wimp. The storms and their consequences rage on. We are an impotent, pathetic country, an embarrassment to ancestors.
Wait, I forgot! The Rapture is near! Let's all have a good day.
Wait, I forgot! The Rapture is near! Let's all have a good day.
Blew it
M's had it won. 2 outs, a run lead, routine final out ... error, tying run scores. On to 10th.
Early start
Prep done! Rest of day my own.
Early M's game, trying to avoid history, four losses in row to Cleveland for first time in 32 years, being crushed early on. Oh my.
Early M's game, trying to avoid history, four losses in row to Cleveland for first time in 32 years, being crushed early on. Oh my.
Anticipation
The Coen brothers new film, due in the fall, is about a folk singer in 1961 Greenwich Village and, unlike the Christopher Guest parody It's A Mighty Wind, takes the scene very seriously. Hence I look forward to it. Though the character is very different, they optioned Dave Van Ronk's fine memoir of the times. Should be a good one.
Sex sells
I continue to be amazed at the story selection at The Huffington Post, presumably progressive and headed by a woman. It can't get enough of stories and photos about wardrobe malfunctions, side boobs, cleavage, etc. I'm surprised the right wing hasn't made an issue of this. Must enjoy them too much.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Close enough ...
... for jazz, as they say. Did most of what I wanted to do today. Tomorrow is another day etc.
I'm still exhausted.
I'm still exhausted.
May 19, 1971
Ogden Nash dies. Where are the literary wits to replace Nash, Dorothy Parker? Maybe Tom Lehrer was the last.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Old man gets the upset
No TC again ... 50 y/o jockey Gary Stevens celebrated his comeback with a victory on the longshot Oxbow. Orb was 4th. The woman jockey took 3rd.
Preakness
Waiting for the race and rooting for a Triple Crown.
Mariners lose by a run. One day in second was nice.
Mariners lose by a run. One day in second was nice.
35 years later ...
I received a box in the mail earlier in the week. I saw who it was from but had no idea what it might be. The sender is an artist; maybe a work of art? How thoughtful.
But no, it was a book. A hard cover first edition of Love's Body by Norman Brown. Okay. And a note was attached: "You left this behind in Salisbury." Okay.
Readers of this blog may recall that this is a book I hold dear. But I left Salisbury 35 years ago! In no emotional state, I might add, to remember much of anything. Later I bought a paperback of the book. Then early in our relationship, H bought me the same hardcover edition I'd forgotten. Recently I finally found and loaded a digital copy onto my Fire.
"You left this..." 35 years later! Am I the only one who finds this, well, curious? I suppose my ex gave it to him to return but he set it aside and forgot about it. Then he was recently cleaning house and ...
I don't know. Maybe it IS a work of art, a found object, sculpture.
35 years in the making.
But no, it was a book. A hard cover first edition of Love's Body by Norman Brown. Okay. And a note was attached: "You left this behind in Salisbury." Okay.
Readers of this blog may recall that this is a book I hold dear. But I left Salisbury 35 years ago! In no emotional state, I might add, to remember much of anything. Later I bought a paperback of the book. Then early in our relationship, H bought me the same hardcover edition I'd forgotten. Recently I finally found and loaded a digital copy onto my Fire.
"You left this..." 35 years later! Am I the only one who finds this, well, curious? I suppose my ex gave it to him to return but he set it aside and forgot about it. Then he was recently cleaning house and ...
I don't know. Maybe it IS a work of art, a found object, sculpture.
35 years in the making.
May 18, 1981
William Saroyan dies. A remarkable writer with a remarkable career. Most of my students never heard of him. They never heard of Auden either. I encourage them to meet both.
Back to third
Mariners lose in extra innings. A tough loss. Had twice as many hits at end of regulation.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Perspective
Watched the penguins this morning. They spend a lot of time grooming themselves, picking with their beaks. We like that. Shows neatness.
If a human spends time picking and scratching, we don't like that at all. What disease does he have?
If a human spends time picking and scratching, we don't like that at all. What disease does he have?
Earthquakes
There has been a 5 or greater earthquake somewhere in the world almost every day for several weeks now. I know this from the Breaking News app I read. Don't recall this happening before. Has me worried.
Summer wind
I have a folder on my netbook called Current and 3 unfinished projects are in it. First up this summer, finish the two commercial projects there, mostly grunt work. But back burner. Focus on cleaning the basement and downsizing. I want to talk H into getting rid of 2/3 of what we possess.
Another pile
A shorter pile of scripts to read than last weekend. Once again, I'll divide it into smaller piles over four days. I never did figure out how to teach a writing class where no one writes ha ha.
Impressive
What was impressive in the M's win last night is that the bull pen held the lead, especially after the Yankees put a man on third in the bottom of the 9th with only one out. A good fly ball ties the game. It's a marathon season, of course, but these guys are looking competitive.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Mariners win, move into 2nd
Over Yankees 3-2, take first series in Yankee Stadium in a decade. On to Cleveland.
Where the wild thoughts are: in the theater, it’s all political | Oregon ArtsWatch
Where the wild thoughts are: in the theater, it’s all political | Oregon ArtsWatch:
"Maybe this is why we go to the theater. Because here – inside this darkened space that easily enfolds the relative weights and balances of Fugard, Falstaff, and the BodyVox follies; within this artificial circle created for the commission of little acts of controlled impulse – is where we liberate our minds and spirits. And consciously or not, that’s political. In the theater, you can watch. But you can’t hide."
Fine piece by Bob Hicks.
"Maybe this is why we go to the theater. Because here – inside this darkened space that easily enfolds the relative weights and balances of Fugard, Falstaff, and the BodyVox follies; within this artificial circle created for the commission of little acts of controlled impulse – is where we liberate our minds and spirits. And consciously or not, that’s political. In the theater, you can watch. But you can’t hide."
Fine piece by Bob Hicks.
Climate Change Study: Religious Belief In Second Coming Of Christ Could Slow Global Warming Action
Climate Change Study: Religious Belief In Second Coming Of Christ Could Slow Global Warming Action:
"Are religious beliefs in the end of the world holding back climate change action in the U.S.?"
You bet your end times they do.
"Are religious beliefs in the end of the world holding back climate change action in the U.S.?"
You bet your end times they do.
Bob Dylan inducted as honorary member of arts academy by Michael Chabon | OregonLive.com
Bob Dylan inducted as honorary member of arts academy by Michael Chabon | OregonLive.com:
Brings to mind a chat I had long ago with Chabon's literary agent at Fishtrap. She had just sold his first novel, Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and was proud of how she did it.
First, it had been rejected everywhere in the U.S. Then she got a brainstorm. Her college roommate (I believe it was) worked for a London publisher. She got a contract there, then let American publishers know that London was going to be first with a great new American author, and from that she was able to start a bidding war, despite universal rejections earlier.
Just shows you how marketing is more important than content in the real literary world.
Also reminds me of an agent quoted in a documentary I show my students. He said he'd rather sell a bad script than a good script. Anyone can sell a good script. But to sell a piece of shit, that takes talent!
Brings to mind a chat I had long ago with Chabon's literary agent at Fishtrap. She had just sold his first novel, Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and was proud of how she did it.
First, it had been rejected everywhere in the U.S. Then she got a brainstorm. Her college roommate (I believe it was) worked for a London publisher. She got a contract there, then let American publishers know that London was going to be first with a great new American author, and from that she was able to start a bidding war, despite universal rejections earlier.
Just shows you how marketing is more important than content in the real literary world.
Also reminds me of an agent quoted in a documentary I show my students. He said he'd rather sell a bad script than a good script. Anyone can sell a good script. But to sell a piece of shit, that takes talent!
Fish Are Fleeing Climate-Warmed Waters And Heading For The Earth's Poles | ThinkProgress
May 16 News: Fish Are Fleeing Climate-Warmed Waters And Heading For The Earth's Poles | ThinkProgress:
"For more than 30 years, ocean fish and mammals have migrated away from warming equatorial waters and toward the poles, providing more evidence climate change has already had broad global consequences."
"For more than 30 years, ocean fish and mammals have migrated away from warming equatorial waters and toward the poles, providing more evidence climate change has already had broad global consequences."
May 16, 1955
James Agee dies. Author of Let Us Now Praise Famous Men and A Death in the Family.
I once made a special trip to Frenchtown, New Jersey, just to stand in front of the rooming house where Agee lived while working on Famous Men. Ah, the magic of literature.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Impossible dream
You'd think it would be easy to live a quiet life, minding your own business. It isn't.
Mariners!
Exploding in top of first against Yankees. They lost close one yesterday. Today in top of first, 7 runs and still batting!
Out of scrapple
Fell behind usual routine and found myself out of scrapple this morning. Making up for it now.
Sent off my contract to Creative Screenwriting and quickly received my first article assignment. I think this will be fun. Erik is starting with an online mag with a print version to follow. He'll be reprinting old articles as well.
Maybe this will develop into a small new adventure.
Sent off my contract to Creative Screenwriting and quickly received my first article assignment. I think this will be fun. Erik is starting with an online mag with a print version to follow. He'll be reprinting old articles as well.
Maybe this will develop into a small new adventure.
The Fire Next Time: Media Advice for Reporting this Year’s Climate Change Stories | Common Dreams
The Fire Next Time: Media Advice for Reporting this Year’s Climate Change Stories | Common Dreams:
"This is the time. You are the hope of civilization. You can rise to the ideals and canons that once shaped the field of journalism and help us save ourselves, or you can continue with irresponsible faux balance and infotainment and doom us all."
"This is the time. You are the hope of civilization. You can rise to the ideals and canons that once shaped the field of journalism and help us save ourselves, or you can continue with irresponsible faux balance and infotainment and doom us all."
Revised opinion
China Daily strikes me as a propaganda organ for doing business in China. While it has many interesting stories, it seems to avoid human rights issues, stories pursued by the Guardian and elsewhere. My trial is over but I won't subscribe.
May 15, 1953
Rocky Marciano defeats Jersey Joe Walcott for the heavyweight crown, defending his title. This would have been on the radio in our house in Pasadena.
Boxing was a bigger deal in those days, just like horse racing. Baseball was much bigger than football or basketball.
Boxing was a bigger deal in those days, just like horse racing. Baseball was much bigger than football or basketball.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
A Sad Moment on Jeopardy
College championship, and three smart kids couldn't answer an easy question about "people's historian" Howard Zinn. Speaks volumes about education today.
Rebooting Creative Screenwriting magazine
In 1994 Erik Bauer founded what through the decade and beyond became the best magazine for screenwriters, and I became an early and regular contributor. Then Bauer left and became a producer. I, too, went on to other things. CS went downhill.
But I just received an email from Erik. He bought the mag back and is determined to return it to its old glory and beyond. And he sent along a contract, hoping I'd be part of it again. I like working for him and think I will. This could be fun - and writing about screenwriting is a natural extension of teaching.
I'm excited. Or as my brother used to say as a kid, I'm so exciting!
But I just received an email from Erik. He bought the mag back and is determined to return it to its old glory and beyond. And he sent along a contract, hoping I'd be part of it again. I like working for him and think I will. This could be fun - and writing about screenwriting is a natural extension of teaching.
I'm excited. Or as my brother used to say as a kid, I'm so exciting!
New principle may help explain why nature is quantum
New principle may help explain why nature is quantum:
"We know that things that follow quantum rules, such as atoms, electrons or the photons that make up light, are full of surprises. They can exist in more than one place at once, for instance, or exist in a shared state where the properties of two particles show what Einstein called "spooky action at a distance", no matter what their physical separation. Because such things have been confirmed in experiments, researchers are confident the theory is right. But it would still be easier to swallow if it could be shown that quantum physics itself sprang from intuitive underlying principles."
"We know that things that follow quantum rules, such as atoms, electrons or the photons that make up light, are full of surprises. They can exist in more than one place at once, for instance, or exist in a shared state where the properties of two particles show what Einstein called "spooky action at a distance", no matter what their physical separation. Because such things have been confirmed in experiments, researchers are confident the theory is right. But it would still be easier to swallow if it could be shown that quantum physics itself sprang from intuitive underlying principles."
Fight to close California oyster farm divides community and gains national attention
Fight to close California oyster farm divides community and gains national attention | The Ticket - Yahoo! News:
"For more than 50 years, the modest farm, which looks like nothing more than a cluster of shacks, has been one of California’s leading producers of shellfish. Grown in the clear blue waters of what is known as Drakes Estero, Drakes Bay oysters make up a third of California’s annual shellfish production and are on the menu at some of the Bay Area’s top restaurants.
But the Lunny family, which purchased the farm in 2004, has been reluctant to begin planning cultivation for future seasons because they aren’t sure they will be here for much longer. For months, the Lunnys have been locked in an intense legal fight to keep the Interior Department from closing their farm—a closely watched case that heads before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Tuesday."
"For more than 50 years, the modest farm, which looks like nothing more than a cluster of shacks, has been one of California’s leading producers of shellfish. Grown in the clear blue waters of what is known as Drakes Estero, Drakes Bay oysters make up a third of California’s annual shellfish production and are on the menu at some of the Bay Area’s top restaurants.
But the Lunny family, which purchased the farm in 2004, has been reluctant to begin planning cultivation for future seasons because they aren’t sure they will be here for much longer. For months, the Lunnys have been locked in an intense legal fight to keep the Interior Department from closing their farm—a closely watched case that heads before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Tuesday."
The future is now
News from The Associated Press:
"The Navy for the first time Tuesday launched an unmanned aircraft the size of a fighter jet from a warship in the Atlantic Ocean, as it wades deeper into America's drone program amid growing concerns over the legality of its escalating surveillance and lethal strikes."
"The Navy for the first time Tuesday launched an unmanned aircraft the size of a fighter jet from a warship in the Atlantic Ocean, as it wades deeper into America's drone program amid growing concerns over the legality of its escalating surveillance and lethal strikes."
Daily Kos: It's official: The civil war has started.
Daily Kos: It's official: The civil war has started.:
"Each day forward, it keeps getting ratcheted up, little by little, day after day. We passed the point of no return several years ago. Like the calm waters before the waterfall, too many failed to see the horror on the horizon. There is no reversing it. Like being stuck the horizon of a black hole, our warnings cannot escape. Buckle you seats."
"Each day forward, it keeps getting ratcheted up, little by little, day after day. We passed the point of no return several years ago. Like the calm waters before the waterfall, too many failed to see the horror on the horizon. There is no reversing it. Like being stuck the horizon of a black hole, our warnings cannot escape. Buckle you seats."
Nathan Heller: Is College Moving Online? : The New Yorker
Nathan Heller: Is College Moving Online? : The New Yorker:
"Has the future of college moved online?"
I was among the first to teach an accredited college course online. When the hell was this? Before I started teaching here, so before 1997, Over 15 years ago, I taught an online screenwriting class accredited by Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
A very telling way it all came together. I had my screenwriting website then, the first of its kind, tons of traffic. I decided I could teach online from a website, using it and a chat room. I started doing this. Some students wanted college credit for the class, so I checked into it. I proposed an online course to every college in the area here. No dice. Everybody was "studying in committee" if online courses were feasible. Blah blah blah. Very discouraging.
Then my old friend from grad school, the late Gerry McNamie, who taught at Eastern, had business in Portland and rode his motorcycle here. We had lunch. Catching up, I vented about my inability to find anyone who believed in online ed. He gave me a name at Eastern, saying, we do lots of distance ed., you might find a more receptive ear here.
So I emailed the guy. He loved the idea! I made my formal proposal. IN .LESS THAN A MONTH I was accepted into the Eastern curriculum, an online screenwriting class taught from the web, the first class there using this method. I even gave a couple of talks there about how I did it. And the class was a great experience but when I started here, it became too much, and I passed it on to an ex-student. Not sure if it still happens or not. The ex-student had to quit when she got a demanding job.
I had an invitation to teach a hyperdrama class online, for a college back east, but when I looked into the interface they used, it was a nightmare, a zillion times more complicated with more hassles than necessary. Something else came up and I was relieved to have to bow out.
Institutions can screw anything up.
"Has the future of college moved online?"
I was among the first to teach an accredited college course online. When the hell was this? Before I started teaching here, so before 1997, Over 15 years ago, I taught an online screenwriting class accredited by Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
A very telling way it all came together. I had my screenwriting website then, the first of its kind, tons of traffic. I decided I could teach online from a website, using it and a chat room. I started doing this. Some students wanted college credit for the class, so I checked into it. I proposed an online course to every college in the area here. No dice. Everybody was "studying in committee" if online courses were feasible. Blah blah blah. Very discouraging.
Then my old friend from grad school, the late Gerry McNamie, who taught at Eastern, had business in Portland and rode his motorcycle here. We had lunch. Catching up, I vented about my inability to find anyone who believed in online ed. He gave me a name at Eastern, saying, we do lots of distance ed., you might find a more receptive ear here.
So I emailed the guy. He loved the idea! I made my formal proposal. IN .LESS THAN A MONTH I was accepted into the Eastern curriculum, an online screenwriting class taught from the web, the first class there using this method. I even gave a couple of talks there about how I did it. And the class was a great experience but when I started here, it became too much, and I passed it on to an ex-student. Not sure if it still happens or not. The ex-student had to quit when she got a demanding job.
I had an invitation to teach a hyperdrama class online, for a college back east, but when I looked into the interface they used, it was a nightmare, a zillion times more complicated with more hassles than necessary. Something else came up and I was relieved to have to bow out.
Institutions can screw anything up.
May 14, 1935
Climate change will displace hundreds of millions—soon
Daily Kos: Open thread for night owls: Climate change will displace hundreds of millions—soon:
""Hundreds of millions of people will be forced to leave their homelands because their crops and animals will have died. The trouble will come when they try to migrate into new lands, however. That will bring them into armed conflict with people already living there. Nor will it be an occasional occurrence. It could become a permanent feature of life on Earth.""
""Hundreds of millions of people will be forced to leave their homelands because their crops and animals will have died. The trouble will come when they try to migrate into new lands, however. That will bring them into armed conflict with people already living there. Nor will it be an occasional occurrence. It could become a permanent feature of life on Earth.""
RNC Director Of Hispanic Outreach Quits Party And Registers As A Democrat | ThinkProgress
RNC Director Of Hispanic Outreach Quits Party And Registers As A Democrat | ThinkProgress:
"Yes, I have changed my political affiliation to the Democratic Party.
It doesn’t take much to see the culture of intolerance surrounding the Republican Party today."
"Yes, I have changed my political affiliation to the Democratic Party.
It doesn’t take much to see the culture of intolerance surrounding the Republican Party today."
Monday, May 13, 2013
Do we really need this?
A new device put in your baby's diaper will send you a tweet when the kid poops!
42
Saw the Jackie Robinson movie yesterday. Not a great movie but an engaging tear-jerker and historic reminder that progress, ever so slowly, can happen. Best thing for me was Harrison Ford's portrayal as Branch Rickey. Worth the price of admission. Not among the best biopics ever made.
Too mellow to work?
Love mellow, slow days like this - except I haven't touched the workshop scenes yet. May not use them until Thurs. so no panic. I'll get a few done and the rest Wed. Meanwhile slow is good.
Great new app
I prefer reading long articles on my old Kindle, not the Fire, especially in daylight. A new app "Push to Kindle" lets me do this with ease. If I find a web page(s) I want to read, I select Share > Push to Kindle, and it soon appears on my old K, perfectly formatted for the device. Love this app. Should be using it almost daily.
Music, two ways
Perhaps nothing in my life has changed more or been more stable than my relationship to music: in the first case, as a performer; in the second, as a listener.
Until I moved to Portland in the late 70s, my guitar was practically an appendage. I took it everywhere - in SoCal, Eugene, the Eastern Shore. In Portland, a stranger now, I traded social playing for a more formal gig. I applied for and got a grant to develop a stage show about Woody Guthrie. I'd be performing this for the next 20 years. I stopped for a variety of reasons, perhaps summed up by "enough is enough." I put down the guitar but soon picked up the banjo, my main instrument in the army. I took clawhammer lessons. When I learned the style, I put down the banjo. I haven't played music in months. Hugh change.
What hasn't changed in 50 years is the music I listen to most of the time. West Coast jazz. It's even on the radio herr all the time. A curious constant among all the changes in my life.
Music, looked at two ways.
Until I moved to Portland in the late 70s, my guitar was practically an appendage. I took it everywhere - in SoCal, Eugene, the Eastern Shore. In Portland, a stranger now, I traded social playing for a more formal gig. I applied for and got a grant to develop a stage show about Woody Guthrie. I'd be performing this for the next 20 years. I stopped for a variety of reasons, perhaps summed up by "enough is enough." I put down the guitar but soon picked up the banjo, my main instrument in the army. I took clawhammer lessons. When I learned the style, I put down the banjo. I haven't played music in months. Hugh change.
What hasn't changed in 50 years is the music I listen to most of the time. West Coast jazz. It's even on the radio herr all the time. A curious constant among all the changes in my life.
Music, looked at two ways.
Round Bend Press: New Work
Round Bend Press: New Work:
TS approves of things going on over at my new website, new poems mainly, and believe me, I appreciate the support. A few others let me know as well. Nice to know this hideaway isn't totally disconnected. Onward.
TS approves of things going on over at my new website, new poems mainly, and believe me, I appreciate the support. A few others let me know as well. Nice to know this hideaway isn't totally disconnected. Onward.
Death is no ending
My best friend died in 1998, 15 years ago. But I have no sense of him being gone, just away, in the same sense we'd go months without seeing one another. Death is a change of form (man, did Lew Welch nail that one!), which requires a different relationship. But not "the end."
As Mondays go ...
... should be a mellow one. Caught up on scripts. Still have scenes to workshop but this is low key, fun labor. Might be a pretty good week.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
A Day for Harriet
Movie, Chinese food.
Mariners 6 outs from victory. Knock on my wooden head.
Student quota met today. Tomorrow look at scenes to workshop in class.
Shitty weather. Back to ... I think I already mentioned that.
Mariners 6 outs from victory. Knock on my wooden head.
Student quota met today. Tomorrow look at scenes to workshop in class.
Shitty weather. Back to ... I think I already mentioned that.
Youth, man
I marvel that I used to do all my student prep in one day. Now I struggle to do it in four days!
Still 3rd
M's lose by a run. Left bases loaded in 8th, two on in 9th, so they had their shots. Try again this afternoon.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Tastes so damn good
There's a great moment in the film Sideways when Miles finally gets it right. He's learned that not only has his ex, with whom he's been obsessed, remarried but she's pregnant. His fantasy that they'll get together again crashes. But instead of freaking out he does something for himself. He fetches a rare wine he'd been saving for an anniversary and sneaks it into a fast food restaurant, surreptitiously drinking it in a paper cup. His expression tells us how damn good it tastes.
I thought of this scene while eating a slice of coconut cream pie tonight. I'm sure I looked as ecstatic as Miles.
I thought of this scene while eating a slice of coconut cream pie tonight. I'm sure I looked as ecstatic as Miles.
Big Sky wrap up
Great track meet - loved watching it on the Fire. Like being there, i.e. a camera in the stands with a zoom lens.
Portland State men, small team, in 9th last I heard. Women much better, 2nd last check, lots of good performances.
This meet renewed my faith in college sports. The major schools should perform with such honor.
Portland State men, small team, in 9th last I heard. Women much better, 2nd last check, lots of good performances.
This meet renewed my faith in college sports. The major schools should perform with such honor.
On the deck
We have a great deck that we don't take advantage of as often as we should. Part of it is weather, which sucks most of the time. Really pleasant out here this morning.
Slow start on scripts. Last nice day ... may be a struggle ... catch up in bad weather tomorrow.
Noon some good stuff starts at track meet. And hugh Ms game tonight with win moving them into second place. Wow.
Slow start on scripts. Last nice day ... may be a struggle ... catch up in bad weather tomorrow.
Noon some good stuff starts at track meet. And hugh Ms game tonight with win moving them into second place. Wow.
Rooting for Sharapova
Serena Williams has Sharapova's number so is a big favorite in tomorrow's final in Madrid. I root against Williams no matter the opponent; don't like her attitude (I do like her sister). But I also think the Russian is all class. Starts live at 4 a.m. Go, Maria!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Quota
Met the day's requirements, 6 scripts read, tad of yard work, track meet on Fire. 6 more tomorrow, plus writing comments on 12, plus yard work on our last good day for a while, last day of meet, the best stuff. Hence a busier day tomorrow!
Mariners win 6-3!
Half game out of second. A win tomorrow would do it. Pretty exciting, considering how close the cellar was a while back.
Interface
Nothing more frustrating than a poor interface with a website. America One Sports, where I go for Big Sky streaming video, has a terrible interface, requiring repetitive logging in, a pain in the ass. In contrast, Calif Academy of Science has one of better interfaces I've used. Easy to watch penguins, not so easy to watch a track meet.
Observation
Portland State seems under-represented at the track meet, both M and W. Other schools have more participants in events. Not sure why.
Improvement
Better track coverage with start of running events today ... even with stadium announcer. 800m heats M and W were great. Beats the Super Bowl in my book.
Dubious record
Thursday we passed 400 ppm CO2 in the atmosphere for first time in human history, the symbolic number scientists warned us to avoid. And this little suicide soap opera is still in the second act! What a self-destructive species we are.
Who won?
At Big Sky the 3000m men's steeplechase the best event on Fire so far. Whoever wears blue came in first and third. I think PSU, green, came in sixth and seventh. Must look it up later.
Actual student athletes
Kindle Fire tuned into Big Sky track and field championships for the day. Nothing can be more different from watching the NBA or NFL or major college sports. No hype or ads or bullshit here ... just student jocks trying to beat personal bests. Watching high jump now, at 6-10. This is so refreshing!
Reagan and Berkeley
Excellent article in LAT on how Gov. Reagan ruined the previously outstanding U of Cal tuition free(!!!) higher ed system. Over-reacted to Free Speech Movement but also became the stern conservative father figure against emerging counter-culture.
Two early moments: calls in FBI to investigate students and faculty; ends free tuition, "We will not subsidize curiosity" (!). Cal has never been the same.
Two early moments: calls in FBI to investigate students and faculty; ends free tuition, "We will not subsidize curiosity" (!). Cal has never been the same.
China Daily
Been reading this for a few weeks. Fascinating. A communist country with a booming capitalist economy. Lots of national pride, energy, like 19th C America, confidence that the future is theirs.
One article today scolding the West: stop giving us economic advice! We should be giving you advice! We're the success story here. We don't promote austerity. We promote government spending. Some of our economists say the same but Congress doesn't get it.
We're done.
One article today scolding the West: stop giving us economic advice! We should be giving you advice! We're the success story here. We don't promote austerity. We promote government spending. Some of our economists say the same but Congress doesn't get it.
We're done.
Rivalry
School rivalry goes beyond football. USC just lured away UCLA's top two neuroscientists! Promised more lab support etc. Dozens of grad students are following them.
Not a new story. In the 70s Utah State lured U of O's famed folklore professor over similar issue, more support for archive. My wife had just finished Ph. D. with him or would have followed, as a few grad students did.
We all thought it was shameful that Oregon lost a top prof to ... Utah State!
Not a new story. In the 70s Utah State lured U of O's famed folklore professor over similar issue, more support for archive. My wife had just finished Ph. D. with him or would have followed, as a few grad students did.
We all thought it was shameful that Oregon lost a top prof to ... Utah State!
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Big series
Tomorrow night the Mariners start a home stand against the Athletics, the team ahead of them in 2nd place. A chance to gain - or not.
Big Sky diversion
Caught the 1500 that ended the men's decathlon on Fire with usual home video coverage, this time with sound. But not announcer sound, mic on sound, general sound, so I turned it off. U of Montana guy won, Idaho St guys second and third, in final ten events total.
Watching a track meet on video makes baseball feel like a sprint ha ha. I dig it.
Watching a track meet on video makes baseball feel like a sprint ha ha. I dig it.
A Different Perspective: Citizen Hearing on Disclosure
A Different Perspective: Citizen Hearing on Disclosure:
"What I’m saying is that no one is looking at the information being shared by credible people, no one is asking if the health problems of some of the witnesses is not related to their UFO encounters, and no one is asking to see the evidence and the documentation."
Excellent piece, written before it was over. But it went about as I thought, mostly ridiculed by the mainstream.
"What I’m saying is that no one is looking at the information being shared by credible people, no one is asking if the health problems of some of the witnesses is not related to their UFO encounters, and no one is asking to see the evidence and the documentation."
Excellent piece, written before it was over. But it went about as I thought, mostly ridiculed by the mainstream.
Petition update
Day 1 = 7 signatures
Day 2 = 0
Maybe my revised goal should be 10 ha ha.
Link under title above.
Day 2 = 0
Maybe my revised goal should be 10 ha ha.
Link under title above.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
The art of Thomas Strah
thomasidaho on deviantART:
Check out his new website with paintings and writing.
 |
| Self-portrait, white on black |
Big Sky II
Finally found schedule of events for track championships. My main interest, distance races, mile and longer. Fri and Sat afternoon, eve. Can't wait.
Amit Goswami
Big Sky
Track and field championship starts today at Pacific U. I wish I had time to volunteer. But I can watch on my Fire, the same home movie coverage as before, which I am taking a liking to. Very Zen.
Mariners won!
Mariners won!
Weather
Supposed to be another warm day but not so far. Overcast, just turned up the heat.
Read two excellent script submissions by advanced students. I get high reading good student work. (I get depressed reading poor work.)
One more to go, taking a break.
What a nice rush of poems earlier. Not many recent ones as good as those in book, though. Maybe I'm losing the touch.
Read two excellent script submissions by advanced students. I get high reading good student work. (I get depressed reading poor work.)
One more to go, taking a break.
What a nice rush of poems earlier. Not many recent ones as good as those in book, though. Maybe I'm losing the touch.
Against the law
I swear, it should be against the law to enjoy anything as much as I enjoy my signature Comfort Breakfast: milk toast, fried scrapple, eggs up. Never lets me down. As reliable as Sketch. Yum!
Petition
A new prediction after one day of action. Since I'm not selling this on Facebook and Twitter etc, I figure 50 tops. Not many. Well, let's play the elitist's card and say we have an exclusive club of clear thinking folks here. Or not.
A good day
I expect a good day. A few scripts from advanced students to read, always engaging. A morning Mariners game, a treat. Tomorrow in class mostly settled. Yard work in afternoon. Barbecue dinner.
First, breakfast.
First, breakfast.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Daily Kos: Belief in the Second Coming is Stifling Climate Progress
Daily Kos: Belief in the Second Coming is Stifling Climate Progress:
"A new study suggests that the United States has been impeded, in part, by the Biblical “end time” belief. Research by University of Pittsburgh’s David C. Barker and David H. Bearce of the University of Colorado revealed that the belief, held by a large number of Americans, that the earth has a predetermined expiration date, is a motivating factor behind resistance to addressing climate change."
Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy to me. Let's end the earth to prove that it's end times!
"A new study suggests that the United States has been impeded, in part, by the Biblical “end time” belief. Research by University of Pittsburgh’s David C. Barker and David H. Bearce of the University of Colorado revealed that the belief, held by a large number of Americans, that the earth has a predetermined expiration date, is a motivating factor behind resistance to addressing climate change."
Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy to me. Let's end the earth to prove that it's end times!
Daily Kos: Anti-Intellectualism Is Destroying Democracy In America
Daily Kos: Anti-Intellectualism Is Destroying Democracy In America:
"Anti-intellectualism and anti-rationalism have become almost epidemic in America. In fact, a talented writer by the name of Susan Jacoby wrote an important book several years ago titled The Age of American Unreason. "
This is a very, very old story, a very old tradition. Hofstadter's monumental book on this came out in 1966. It was an old story then when he wrote about it.
"Anti-intellectualism and anti-rationalism have become almost epidemic in America. In fact, a talented writer by the name of Susan Jacoby wrote an important book several years ago titled The Age of American Unreason. "
This is a very, very old story, a very old tradition. Hofstadter's monumental book on this came out in 1966. It was an old story then when he wrote about it.
99 One-Liners Rebutting Denier Talking Points — With Links To The Full Climate Science | ThinkProgress
99 One-Liners Rebutting Denier Talking Points — With Links To The Full Climate Science | ThinkProgress:
"Physicist John Cook has done us a great service by posting good one-line responses and then updating them as the science evolves and as people offer better ways of phrasing. Below I have reposted the top 99 with links to the science. You can find even more here. Everybody should know the first 20 or so."
"Physicist John Cook has done us a great service by posting good one-line responses and then updating them as the science evolves and as people offer better ways of phrasing. Below I have reposted the top 99 with links to the science. You can find even more here. Everybody should know the first 20 or so."
The trouble with petitions
I keep checking to see if anybody signed it ha ha. Need to forget about it, especially since there's no way in hell anything will come of this. Easier said than done in these early moments, however.
Vultures
Article in Huffington Post about vultures taking only 45 minutes to eat body of woman hiker who fell from a cliff in France - and the local horror at this outcome.
A far cry from Lew Welch's decision to instigate similar outcome, re-entering the food chain in a new form, "not the bronze casket but the brazen wing."
See my screenplay, The Brazen Wing (formerly "Billy & Gramps")
A far cry from Lew Welch's decision to instigate similar outcome, re-entering the food chain in a new form, "not the bronze casket but the brazen wing."
See my screenplay, The Brazen Wing (formerly "Billy & Gramps")
Monday, May 06, 2013
National Death With Dignity Act
| At age 75 any American citizen is eligible to receive a medical prescription for a "peaceful pill" with which to terminate life. No questions asked, age being the only requirement. ---------- This is my petition to the White House. The site is down at the moment. Hmm. I'll keep trying. |
Natural blood bath
Orcas have arrived on the Oregon coast in order to feed on baby whales in migration with their parents. Often not a pretty sight. There's natural behavior for you.
We the People
At the White House website is a section where citizens can start a petition on any issue. 100,000 signatures online in 30 days get an official response.
What a haven for nuts! Most active now are about stopping white genocide or innocence of Boston bombers.
For kicks, I am drafting one regarding a national death with dignity act. Join the nuts!
What a haven for nuts! Most active now are about stopping white genocide or innocence of Boston bombers.
For kicks, I am drafting one regarding a national death with dignity act. Join the nuts!
Betrayal of vets
Our treatment of returning vets is shameful. Not only in health matters but in job security. An article in morning LA Times gives case after case of National Guard troops returning to find old jobs unavailable or changed, which is against the law.
If we had a draft, more families would be affected and outrage greater. Our private military gets away with murder.
If we had a draft, more families would be affected and outrage greater. Our private military gets away with murder.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Russian radio
Tracked down the station playing gypsy, one of many categories of Internet music it provides - and if I read their stats right, I am only person in world listening to their gypsy station now. Martian!
Oregon women 4-peat!
NCAA indoor track & field champs for 4th year in a row -- every year Jordon Hasay has been on the team. Congrats, Ducks!
Superior tech
Wish I knew why the webcam at the Calif Academy of Sciences is so superior to any others I've seen. Quicker to load, better image. Everyone should be doing what they're doing.
Still a few more midterms.
Grill steak tonight.
Love the weather. Too bad I have so much work.
Still a few more midterms.
Grill steak tonight.
Love the weather. Too bad I have so much work.
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Historic after all
Not a jockey but a hall of fame trainer made history with first Derby win. Female jockey just missed third.
Jockeys
In some ways this is a jockey's Kentucky Derby, with several historic outcomes possible: the first female jockey to win; the first black jockey in over a century; a hall-of-fame jockey making an extraordinary comeback. Any of those results would make this one special.
One down
Did my grading-mowing quotas yesterday. Same today, with more interruptions: out to breakfast, Mariners day game, Kentucky Derby. Onward.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Track II
Checked back on track meet and much more coherent coverage. Saw some sprints and middle distance races. Women's high jump interesting: no one could make 5-3... one cleared in a couple dozen tries. These are true blue student-athletes! I really enjoyed watching them.
Strange video
It looked like a good deal. A Big Sky track meet, Montana hosting, live streaming video, free. Yes! So I check it out. No sound and video with a definite random home movie feel. No sense of order or focus. Pretty scenery. Jocks doing various things, the circus feel of a track meet. And much video random disorder. Bye.
Something in the Air
Really eager to see this new French film, coming of age story set against Paris student revolts of 1970s. Not even sure it will make Portland unless in festival.
4x
Four warm days forecast ... if true, four days of reading midterms and mowing lawn, spread out so no single day is a chore.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Better late than never
After all this time I figured out how to read a Google book on Kindle Fire. You don't download it and convert it, you just access the website on the Fire and read! Duh. There are comments galore and complicated fixes for conversions etc, but this is direct and easy. Why didn't I read this somewhere? I just tried it on a whim, after accessing on computer, I thought, well, the Fire accesses websites, what would happen if ...? Maybe there's a downside I haven't discovered yet. Like maybe I can't take notes or something. At any rate, this is GREAT because I want to reread Love's Body but was trying to figure out how on the Fire, and it's a Google book as well as paperback. I also have a first edition hard cover, that H gave me as a present years ago, the sweetie.
Can't wait to start!
Can't wait to start!
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