July 8th, 2012 → 6:15 am
“Good company, good wine, good welcome
Can make good people.” – Henry VIII
It definitely feels like summer now. With all the birthday parties, holidays, and in-law visits, it’s been weeks of picnics, barbeques, parades, and light beer in the sun. This is exactly what summer should feel like.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
July 6th, 2012 → 6:21 am
“There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned.” – Antony and Cleopatra
This time it is my husband who gets the Happy Birthday wish! I chose the quote above because it’s probably the greatest lesson my husband has taught me over the years – not to reckon love. When I first met him I was much more concerned with “evenness” – I cleaned the bathrooms this week, your turn next week, I bought dinner last time, now it’s your turn, etc. It took me awhile, but I finally gave all that up. And in so doing it did change my perspective to be less about “him” and “me”, and more about simply “us.” Happy Birthday baby.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Self/My Life
July 4th, 2012 → 7:44 am
“It is my birthday.” – Antony and Cleopatra
Ok, so that is a lame quote. But I wanted to shout out a happy birthday today to both my country, and my baby, who was born exactly two years ago today. Happy Birthday Loves!!!!!!!
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
July 3rd, 2012 → 4:29 am
“Now these hot days is the mad blood stirring.” – Romeo and Juliet
We’ve had 100 degree temperatures for over a week now in St. Louis. I hear it’s even worse in other parts of the Midwest and in the eastern United States. 1.7 million people apparently don’t have any power. I don’t know if it’s the heat to blame, but I haven’t been able to sleep for a few nights now. Awake at around three in the morning, drinking coffee and eating cookies by four. I sure hope something breaks soon and I can get a cool and complete night’s rest…zzzz….
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
July 1st, 2012 → 7:50 am
“There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch
Without some pleasure now.” – Antony and Cleopatra
It’s weird now that I have tenure and am only working a normal work week. I find it almost difficult to relax and enjoy a lazy summer day. But what is life for? What does it matter if I work an extra hour, or sit in the sun an extra hour? I know my husband, my baby, and even Shakespeare all seem to be telling me to chill and take some pleasure now and again. Maybe I’ll try it today…
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
June 21st, 2012 → 8:01 am
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.” – As You Like It
I’m leaving for New York City (yeah!) to see some shows and celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday. So I won’t be around this next week. But before I go let me note that this week is also the 1-year anniversary of this blog. Wow! It feels like I’ve barely even scratched the surface of all the cool Shakespeare quotes I hope to use…
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
June 17th, 2012 → 6:24 am
“Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor;
As much as child e’er loved, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.” – King Lear
I realize that this speech is disingenuous, said by the conniving Goneril to her unsuspecting father the King. But pretending for a moment that it is real, it could be a nice homage to fathers. And on this father’s day, I wish I could say something as poetic (albeit genuine) to my own father. Happy Father’s Day to all the hard-working, caring, loving fathers out there!
June 15th, 2012 → 8:12 am
“For God’s sake, go not to these wars!” – Henry IV, Part II
I thought it was just me, until I found out that my friend and her husband do it too – they compete over the attention of their child! Mom gets excited when the baby asks for her in the morning; dad gets excited when the baby wants to play with his toys; both fight over who gets to push the stroller in the park. I’ve always called my husband a baby hog, but I swear, it’s true, and apparently he isn’t the only one!
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
June 13th, 2012 → 7:54 am
“Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.” – The Tempest
My husband is out of town right now, which is why I’ve been able to dominate the television with so much Shakespeare this week. Don’t worry, it won’t last much longer… In this, my latest installment of Shakespeare movie reviews, I comment on The Tempest as directed by Julie Taymor and wonderfully acted by Helen Mirren. From what I understanding this movie only got mixed reviews, but personally I found it delightful! I think Prospero as Prospera was a magnificent stroke, and all the cinematography, staging, costumes, etc. were an absolute joy to watch. Forget Rotten Tomatoes, I give it an unhesitating thumbs up!
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
June 11th, 2012 → 7:27 am
“There lives not three good men unhanged in England;
and one of them is fat, and grows old.” – Henry IV
I finally got around to watching the famous – but hard to find – Orson Welles film Chimes at Midnight, that I first blogged about back in January. And all I can say is: 1) I need watch it again, and 2) Welles truly makes an amazing Falstaff.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art