Show me a day when the world wasn't new.Sister Barbara Hance (1928-1993)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Such a lovely Thanksgiving break, thus far. (I should have known better than to worry about it!) Spent yesterday with Theresa and her fun family at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA! We got to board a replica of the Mayflower (so very nice to be on the ocean), visit the Wompanoag homesite, and then visit the 1627 living museum village of Plimoth. (There was a guy thatching a roof, and some Wampanoag guys were making a mashoon, one of those canoes that's made by burning out the inside of a big fat log. So cool!) We came back to Boston, and I headed to Liz's house for another feast with great folks, good conversation, music and even an art project. And this morning I got my hair cut (went to the nice Aveda place b/c it's been a year so I thought I might splurge. The pre-cut massage is so worth it!) --Just took the pic below so you can check out the new do. So incredibly different than before, hmm? ;)
Anyways. As always, there's tons to be thankful for in this crazy amazing world. My cup runneth over with love and thanks for all of the amazing people in my life, and for the opportunity to be in this community of learning for a year. Hope your Thanksgiving break is yummy and gives you the time to notice who and what you're thankful for, too.
Anyways. As always, there's tons to be thankful for in this crazy amazing world. My cup runneth over with love and thanks for all of the amazing people in my life, and for the opportunity to be in this community of learning for a year. Hope your Thanksgiving break is yummy and gives you the time to notice who and what you're thankful for, too.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sunshine and Love for Alaska:
1. Theme from Elizabethtown2. Shine - Trey Anastasio (the guy from Phish)
3. Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennen
4. Desert Sunrise - Brett Dennen
5. ?? - Clinton Fearon
6. The Fox and the Bee - The Duhks
7. It's a Big Ole Goofy World - John Prine (makes me smile)
8. Rescue Blues - Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown
9. Song to the Self - Shawn Mullins (the summer of 97, I worked at this really intense camp called life adventure camp, where 'at-risk' kids went to have a week in the woods with caring, energetic counselors. it was hard work. i listened to this in the mornings, each session before i got on the camp bus.)
10. All That We Let In - Indigo Girls
11. Don't Forget - Brett Dennen
12. Darlin' Do Not Fear - Brett Dennen
13. I Hear Them All - Old Crow Medicine Show
14. All My Friends - Amos Lee
15. Appalachia Waltz - Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O'Connor, Edgar Mayer
16. Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude - Yo-Yo Ma (please play this nice and loud while driving to Seward or Girdwod!)
17. Shelter, by Ray LaMontagne - sung by Amy Hettinger (was trying to figure out how to record multiple tracks on garageband and this is what came of it-- not a finished product, by any means. just pretend it's live at the golden lion or taproot!)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
This week has flown by. Yesterday and today I got to hear some amazing speakers, and I want to write a tiny bit about them before I forget.
"Muppet Diplomacy: How Sesame Street is Changing the World"
Gary Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop
Sesame Street is amazing!!! Truly. Sesame Workshop is planning their "39th experimental season" (always keeping it fresh), which is going to focus on the environment! They have shows in 146 countries, and each is an incredible model, I think, of community arts programming, in that they "designed the kitchen, and [the] local partners get to decide what to have for dinner." In my media class, we've learned about the real good that Sesame Street does for kids; they're bringing an incredible educational and pro-social message to these countries in ways that really work and are meaningful because local people are integral to the process and because they always integrate research and educators in their planning (Sesame Workshop is well-known and emulated because of this production model). This year will bring "Sesame Tree" in Northern Ireland, which will deal with the real issues between Protestants and Catholics, and is similar to the version in Kosovo... Watch for Electric Company to make a return, too! (with amazing hip hop dudes... Very fun.)
Alan Weisman, journalist, professor at the Uuversity of Arizona and author, discussing his book The World Without Us, a New York Times bestseller
Imagine that all human life is suddenly and totally wiped out. How long would it take for the Earth to 'heal' itself, and what would the process look like? Or, in other words, how long til things looked like they did before we paved them, flattened them, rearranged them, built on them, etc.? Such an interesting thing to think about! (Weirdly hopeful, for me!) Weisman decides, after a good deal of research and questioning of experts, that even though the human impact on the Earth is irreversible, no matter what mayhem we cause, life on earth will always be able to keep going in some always evolving and persistent way. What human creations would last the longest? PLASTIC (scary!). And bronze, and stone houses...
And, finally, as part of the Cambridge Forum series, which can be heard on NPR (and online!):
"Unriddling the World: Fantasy and Children"
Susan Cooper, author of the Dark Is Rising series, etc.
This felt like church-- the good kind. Cooper started off by saying how writers like herself (and J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling) try to "unriddle the world for children, through fantasy." She said there are five great mysteries that we're all trying to get at: Life, Death, Time, Good and Evil. (Her discussion of time- "The 4-year-old skates around in time."- really got me. It's on my mind a lot these days-- what to do with my limited time here, how to be fully present, etc.) Cooper talked about the importance of stories (and art, I think!) in helping us work these things out, and stories and art as metaphors for the bigger things that we just don't talk about-- because we aren't equipped, don't know how to articulate. If you have time, I completely recommend listening (or watching) by clicking the link above... (Mom and Nat, you would LOVE this. Seriously.)
Shew!
"Muppet Diplomacy: How Sesame Street is Changing the World"
Gary Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop
Sesame Street is amazing!!! Truly. Sesame Workshop is planning their "39th experimental season" (always keeping it fresh), which is going to focus on the environment! They have shows in 146 countries, and each is an incredible model, I think, of community arts programming, in that they "designed the kitchen, and [the] local partners get to decide what to have for dinner." In my media class, we've learned about the real good that Sesame Street does for kids; they're bringing an incredible educational and pro-social message to these countries in ways that really work and are meaningful because local people are integral to the process and because they always integrate research and educators in their planning (Sesame Workshop is well-known and emulated because of this production model). This year will bring "Sesame Tree" in Northern Ireland, which will deal with the real issues between Protestants and Catholics, and is similar to the version in Kosovo... Watch for Electric Company to make a return, too! (with amazing hip hop dudes... Very fun.)
Alan Weisman, journalist, professor at the Uuversity of Arizona and author, discussing his book The World Without Us, a New York Times bestseller
Imagine that all human life is suddenly and totally wiped out. How long would it take for the Earth to 'heal' itself, and what would the process look like? Or, in other words, how long til things looked like they did before we paved them, flattened them, rearranged them, built on them, etc.? Such an interesting thing to think about! (Weirdly hopeful, for me!) Weisman decides, after a good deal of research and questioning of experts, that even though the human impact on the Earth is irreversible, no matter what mayhem we cause, life on earth will always be able to keep going in some always evolving and persistent way. What human creations would last the longest? PLASTIC (scary!). And bronze, and stone houses...
And, finally, as part of the Cambridge Forum series, which can be heard on NPR (and online!):
"Unriddling the World: Fantasy and Children"
Susan Cooper, author of the Dark Is Rising series, etc.
This felt like church-- the good kind. Cooper started off by saying how writers like herself (and J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling) try to "unriddle the world for children, through fantasy." She said there are five great mysteries that we're all trying to get at: Life, Death, Time, Good and Evil. (Her discussion of time- "The 4-year-old skates around in time."- really got me. It's on my mind a lot these days-- what to do with my limited time here, how to be fully present, etc.) Cooper talked about the importance of stories (and art, I think!) in helping us work these things out, and stories and art as metaphors for the bigger things that we just don't talk about-- because we aren't equipped, don't know how to articulate. If you have time, I completely recommend listening (or watching) by clicking the link above... (Mom and Nat, you would LOVE this. Seriously.)
Shew!
Monday, November 12, 2007
finally got to have a pumpkin carving party!!
watching the world series in Harvard Square
Harvard just inaugurated its very first female president. Very exciting! This is Harvard Yard all dolled up for the occasion.
Vanessa, me and Anna at the fabulous 80s party this weekend. I started off with a side ponytail, a pink off-the-shoulder t-shirt (that Anna's wearing in the picture) with silver belt, a twirly skirt and black leggings. But we danced for hours and it was hot (can you see the sweat? ugh.) so we traded a bit. You might still be able to see the sparkly eye makeup, though :). Such a fun night! Didn't realize I knew so much 80s music or that it's so fun to dance to.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
I like these! They seem viable to me, now, living here in Boston. But I think they're pretty applicable (and hopefully inspiring!) for anybody who reads them.
1) Team up with your neighbors. Take advantage of the power of collaboration with other committed, energetic, expert (think of all the know-how in your neighborhood!) folks.
2) Think globally, eat locally. The power of your fork is incredible! Most food we eat has traveled way over a thousand miles (fossil fuels...), was doused with pesticides, isn't nearly as tasty as fresh, local produce. Go to the farmer's market, or buy in to a CSA- community supported agriculture- where you get a bundle of fresh, locally grown veggies every two weeks or so during the growing season.
3) Become a guerrilla gardener. Take over vacant lots in your suburb or city by making a community green space of some type-- a garden, park, etc. Do it with your neighbors.
4) Transform your neighborhood into a village. Wouldn't it be great to walk 5 minutes or less and be at your library, post office, grocery, park, transit center, school, etc.? Check out the New Urbanist movement.
5) Imagine your neighborhood with half the traffic. "What would your neighborhood look like if people were valued over automobiles?"
6) Cut down on your driving. On average, U.S. households make more than 12 separate car trips a day...! In Boston, 35% of people don't have cars! People in these households get more exercise, feel healthier, know their neighbors better, have more money left over for vacations... (And you know how I love vacations!)
7) Save the Earth by enlivening your neighborhood. (See above!)
Some cool references: www.carsharing.net, www.cnu.org (Congress for the New Urbanism), www. nwei.org (Northwest Earth Institute), www.pps.org (Project for Public Spaces)
Seven Steps to Thinking Globally and Acting Locally
(from The Great Neighborhood Book, by Jay Walljasper, editor of Ode Magazine)
1) Team up with your neighbors. Take advantage of the power of collaboration with other committed, energetic, expert (think of all the know-how in your neighborhood!) folks.
2) Think globally, eat locally. The power of your fork is incredible! Most food we eat has traveled way over a thousand miles (fossil fuels...), was doused with pesticides, isn't nearly as tasty as fresh, local produce. Go to the farmer's market, or buy in to a CSA- community supported agriculture- where you get a bundle of fresh, locally grown veggies every two weeks or so during the growing season.
3) Become a guerrilla gardener. Take over vacant lots in your suburb or city by making a community green space of some type-- a garden, park, etc. Do it with your neighbors.
4) Transform your neighborhood into a village. Wouldn't it be great to walk 5 minutes or less and be at your library, post office, grocery, park, transit center, school, etc.? Check out the New Urbanist movement.
5) Imagine your neighborhood with half the traffic. "What would your neighborhood look like if people were valued over automobiles?"
6) Cut down on your driving. On average, U.S. households make more than 12 separate car trips a day...! In Boston, 35% of people don't have cars! People in these households get more exercise, feel healthier, know their neighbors better, have more money left over for vacations... (And you know how I love vacations!)
7) Save the Earth by enlivening your neighborhood. (See above!)
Some cool references: www.carsharing.net, www.cnu.org (Congress for the New Urbanism), www. nwei.org (Northwest Earth Institute), www.pps.org (Project for Public Spaces)
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Here's a beginning list of documentaries, etc., recently mentioned in class or other conversations that I want to check out someday. A bunch of them are about arts/music, community programming and hip hop culture. I love the habit/community of learning here, and would love to bring it to wherever I end up! This would be a cool way-- to have informal screenings of this stuff and then discuss with whomever comes. (I bet a bunch of these are available online or at the library.) Will update as I get more, I think.
* Soundmix -- documentary - 5 young musicians coming together to play together
Boys of Baracca (sp?) -- documentary - Baltimore boys being shipped to S. Africa to get an education (?)
RIZE -- documentary - clowns and crumping in L.A.
Unpacking the Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh -- article - race issues?
Style Wars -- documentary (available on Google Media?)
Bhutan: The Last Place -- documentary (?) - cable TV coming to Bhutan...
Pedagogy of Poverty -- article (?)
Beyond Beats and Rhymes -- documentary
Playz From the Boombox Gallery -- Hip Hop used in Community arts work?
www.knowmore.org
The Golden Door -- documentary (?)
The Gleaners and I -- French documentary - arts work with senior citizens
Appalachian Media Institute -- Whitesburg, KY. - great documentaries, community work
The World According to Sesame -- documentary - amazing Sesame Street
* Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave -- biography
* The Beauty of Questions -- documentary - installation artist Robert Irwin, contemporary art
* Soundmix -- documentary - 5 young musicians coming together to play together
Boys of Baracca (sp?) -- documentary - Baltimore boys being shipped to S. Africa to get an education (?)
RIZE -- documentary - clowns and crumping in L.A.
Unpacking the Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh -- article - race issues?
Style Wars -- documentary (available on Google Media?)
Bhutan: The Last Place -- documentary (?) - cable TV coming to Bhutan...
Pedagogy of Poverty -- article (?)
Beyond Beats and Rhymes -- documentary
Playz From the Boombox Gallery -- Hip Hop used in Community arts work?
www.knowmore.org
The Golden Door -- documentary (?)
The Gleaners and I -- French documentary - arts work with senior citizens
Appalachian Media Institute -- Whitesburg, KY. - great documentaries, community work
The World According to Sesame -- documentary - amazing Sesame Street
* Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave -- biography
* The Beauty of Questions -- documentary - installation artist Robert Irwin, contemporary art
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Here's my new room! I love the way the sun comes through the windows in the morning. I love the little nook for my desk (that's the corner on the left), love the warm wood floor, love the blank walls that are being filled with maps, people's sketches from the museum drawing class, posters from concerts, etc. Yesterday there was horrible weather outside, and I didn't leave the house for the entire day! My research group came here to work, then I cooked, read, talked on the phone, did laundry. It was so nice to not have to go anywhere and to just enjoy this place. Perfect :).
Thursday, November 01, 2007
I am walking around feeling so blessed and inspired, these days!
For starters, every day since I moved, I walk through Harvard Yard on my way to class. It's beautiful, and impressive, and reminds me what a lucky girl I am to be in this place.
Second-- I got to hear Yo Yo Ma, Lynn Chang and Richard Kogan (and two of their children!) play on Tuesday at Memorial Hall. It was edifying. It left me happy for a day and a half, all the way through getting very little sleep and writing a hard paper. We sat in the third row! The performers were witty, playful, passionate and so obviously enjoying the music, one another's company and the chance to play together. The program-- Beethoven, Bernstein, Brahms-- and the entire experience felt fresh and real. SO, so good for my heart!
And tonight, Anna and I got to hear some spoken word, rap, hip hop guys at the Middle East. Amazing!!! I've never heard anything like it. I loved it. Really! (I knew I was going to appreciate it, but I didn't know how much I'd really like it, and feel comfortable in it.) It was smart, musically impressive truth-telling. With a heart beat. There were five acts-- my favorites were Jared Paul, Bernard Dolan and Sage Francis (the guy we went to hear). Crazy how there are these themes in my thinking, these days, that run through everything. Today it was foster care/child welfare, minstrel shows and poetry. The guys also did some great stuff about overpopulation and the whole pro-choice pro-life thing ("cause I'm pro-choice...for life."), the war, American bigots...
p.s. Today's my friend Beth's birthday! We were roommates (with Andrea!) in college, and she's one of my favorite people-- truly kind, an amazing mom, a dedicated teacher and friend. She's got this beautiful smile that truly lights up a room. :) Happy birthday, Beth!
For starters, every day since I moved, I walk through Harvard Yard on my way to class. It's beautiful, and impressive, and reminds me what a lucky girl I am to be in this place.
Second-- I got to hear Yo Yo Ma, Lynn Chang and Richard Kogan (and two of their children!) play on Tuesday at Memorial Hall. It was edifying. It left me happy for a day and a half, all the way through getting very little sleep and writing a hard paper. We sat in the third row! The performers were witty, playful, passionate and so obviously enjoying the music, one another's company and the chance to play together. The program-- Beethoven, Bernstein, Brahms-- and the entire experience felt fresh and real. SO, so good for my heart!
And tonight, Anna and I got to hear some spoken word, rap, hip hop guys at the Middle East. Amazing!!! I've never heard anything like it. I loved it. Really! (I knew I was going to appreciate it, but I didn't know how much I'd really like it, and feel comfortable in it.) It was smart, musically impressive truth-telling. With a heart beat. There were five acts-- my favorites were Jared Paul, Bernard Dolan and Sage Francis (the guy we went to hear). Crazy how there are these themes in my thinking, these days, that run through everything. Today it was foster care/child welfare, minstrel shows and poetry. The guys also did some great stuff about overpopulation and the whole pro-choice pro-life thing ("cause I'm pro-choice...for life."), the war, American bigots...
p.s. Today's my friend Beth's birthday! We were roommates (with Andrea!) in college, and she's one of my favorite people-- truly kind, an amazing mom, a dedicated teacher and friend. She's got this beautiful smile that truly lights up a room. :) Happy birthday, Beth!
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