May 29th, 2014 → 6:17 am
“As imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Rest in peace, Maya Angelou. A fine poet that turned airy imaginings into striking realities and memorable personalities.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
May 27th, 2014 → 3:48 am
“There is a tide in the affairs of men.” – Julius Caesar
It didn’t get much coverage in the U.S. – at least not relative to the truly historic nature of the event – but India has elected a new prime minister from a new party with a new background and a new agenda. The world shifts.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
May 21st, 2014 → 8:08 am
“Then westward ho!” – Twelfth Night
First road trip of the summer begins this Memorial Day weekend. Can’t wait!
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
May 18th, 2014 → 7:33 am
“The ground that gave them first has them again:
Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain.” – Cymbeline
I watched a little bit of the dedication ceremony to the new 9/11 museum as I got ready for work the other day. The little bit I saw made me tear up. God bless everyone, and god bless their memory.
May 13th, 2014 → 6:05 am
“Our revels now are ended.” – The Tempest
The semester is coming to a close this week, and while I look forward to summer, I always feel a bit wistful this time of year. I get attached to my students and I kind of miss them when I stop seeing them every week!
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 11th, 2014 → 6:33 am
Stage Direction: “He holds her by the hand, silent.” – Coriolanus
I’ve read that Coriolanus’ mother, Volumnia (what a name!), can be considered the most notable mother in all of Shakespeare’s plays. In part that is because so many other mothers are, literally, absent. This stage direction describes an important moment between mother and son in Coriolanus. And I have to say, that I just treasure it when my son decides to silently hold my hand as we walk together to school, the park, or wherever. The grip of his thin, delicate fingers in my own is just precious. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 6th, 2014 → 7:57 am
“Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity:
O that estates, degrees, and offices,
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!” – Merchant of Venice
I heard about this commencement speech recently, where the speaker told the graduating students that they were not special. I understand what he was trying to do, and I do think a lot of kids feel entitled nowadays, but in the end I disagree with this approach. You should teach people with carrots, not sticks. Make them feel good, but make them feel good about others as well. Making people feel bad or unimportant is not the best pedagogical approach, in my opinion.
April 30th, 2014 → 5:45 am
“Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.” – King Lear
Apparently Richard Gere was mistaken for a homeless man the other day, and given some leftover restaurant food so he wouldn’t have to dig around in the garbage anymore. What a great story!
April 28th, 2014 → 6:01 am
“Truth will come to light.
Murder cannot be hid long – a man’s son may, but
in the end truth will out.” – Merchant of Venice
Mahmoud Abbas has at last admitted to the horrors of the Holocaust. Progress is possible.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
April 24th, 2014 → 7:48 am
“This is my birthday, as this very day.” – Julius Caesar
Actually, we don’t know exactly when Shakespeare was born. It could have been yesterday, it could have been today. But it was certainly sometime around now, so, happy birthday Mr. Bard!
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art