August 14th, 2014 → 5:29 am
“I have of late, but
wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth,
forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed,
it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame,
the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory.” – Hamlet
I’ve found the outpouring of grief over Robin Williams‘ suicide to be surprisingly high among my friends. He was a great comedian, no doubt, but I think it must also have something to do with my age group. Anyone in their late thirties/early forties grew up with Robin Williams; I remember watching Mork and Mindy when I came home from school in the afternoons, and of course I saw most of his major movies. It’s hard to imagine comedy without him. Rest in peace, Robin Williams, you have our sympathy, and our love.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
August 11th, 2014 → 6:18 am
“Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou knowest thy estimate.” – Sonnet 87
My boys leave today for a trip to visit the in-laws. I’m going to be rather lonely without them…
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
August 8th, 2014 → 8:02 am
“My salad days,
When I was green in judgement.” – Antony and Cleopatra
An escaped baby squeezed through the White House fences and breached security last night. Secret Service had to hunt him down. The police issued a statement that they want to question the child, but that they’ll have to wait until he learns how to talk. 🙂
August 6th, 2014 → 5:51 am
“My thoughts are whirled like a potter’s wheel.” – Henry VI, Part I
The above quote is one of my favorites (I made sure to use it in my novel, Shakespeare’s Sister). And today, for me, it seems particularly apt I’m in the middle of an exciting research project and can’t stop thinking about comments I’ve received on it, the semester begins again soon and I have to start preparing for classes, my son is transitioning to a new classroom and his new teacher is on my mind as well. No wonder I keep waking up even earlier than usual in the mornings!
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
August 1st, 2014 → 7:55 am
“The summer’s flower is to the summer sweet.” – Sonnet 94
Let the dog days of summer begin! (Note: I’ve always thought that the phrase “dog days of summer” sounded like something Shakespeare would have coined – but, alas, he did not.) I can’t believe it’s August already. Where has the time gone?!?
July 30th, 2014 → 5:36 am
“‘There is no sure foundation set on blood,
no certain life achieved by others’ death.” – King John
There are so many bloody conflicts ongoing in the world right now – Syria, Iraq, Sunnis/Shiites, Israelis/Palestinians, … – that it is worth remembering the above quote.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
July 27th, 2014 → 8:31 am
“The common curse of mankind – folly and ignorance.” – Troilus and Cressida
I thought about saying this was one of the world’s problems, but the more I thought about it, so many of the others derive from folly and ignorance that I’ll keep it singular. I imagine it’s part of the reason I became a teacher.
Filed under: Blog & Stupid/Evil People
July 23rd, 2014 → 7:55 am
“Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.” – Othello
I’ve just returned from vacation and boy did the time go fast. I can’t believe how much happened in the world while I was gone (but more on that later)! Now it’s back to work and, I imagine, time returning to normal.
July 9th, 2014 → 7:46 am
“I have an exposition of sleep come upon me.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A fan fell asleep during a Yankees game and was caught on camera. I guess he’s now suing due to the embarrassment of it. Too funny.
July 6th, 2014 → 7:11 am
“An ill-favoured thing, sir, but mine own.” – As You Like It
I love my house to death, but we’re thinking of selling it to move into a better school district for my son. Our real estate agent came by and pointed out all the things that are wrong with our house. *sigh* It was difficult to hear such criticism, however true!
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life