November 30th, 2012 → 8:53 am
“I see, as in a map, the end of all.” – Richard III
Another semester at school is ending and, as always, it feels weird. Weird that I won’t see the same student faces every Monday and Wednesday, bright and eager and ready with questions, weird that I won’t continue my lectures on these important topics… The semester always ends too early, just as I’ve gotten to know my students and begun a friendly rapor with them, just as some of our knotty policy issues have begun to unravel. It always feels so abrupt to me, that it just ends one day. But, as in a map I suppose, roads eventually do.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
November 28th, 2012 → 8:50 am
The Onion did a satire on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, calling him the Sexiest Man Alive for 2012. But apparently, not everyone realized it was a joke! China’s People’s Daily newspaper picked up the piece and went with it. How funny!!
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
November 26th, 2012 → 5:52 am
“My nearest and dearest enemy.” – Henry IV, Part I
I chose this quote because it is actually spoken by the king to and of his son, the future Henry V. Meaning, sometimes our closest friends, neighbors, and even relatives, can seem like our enemies – but they’re not. The future Henry V redeemed himself (at least in Shakespeare’s plays) from a scapegrace to a decent king. What seems like our enemy one day, may be our future the next. Who knows what this latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict will bring, but I continue to hold out hope that something good can eventually be worked out…
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
November 22nd, 2012 → 5:57 am
I really, really liked the op-ed this morning in The New York Times on not being dead. It rang so heart-felt and true to me. Here’s to not being dead. One day, we all will be, and when our day comes it may even be a kind of relief. But until then, give thanks and enjoy life, even the traffic lights.
November 19th, 2012 → 4:20 pm
“[This] island of England breeds very valiant creatures.” – Henry V
Today was my trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s birthplace, burial place, and the house he lived in in-between. Long exhausting day, but totally worth it. Shakespeare is one-of-a-kind. Whether he is valiant or not, I don’t know, but he is certainly worth celebrating. Below is a picture, not of his house (because that’s plastered everywhere), but of the guildhall where he went to school as a young boy:
Thought for the day:
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life
November 17th, 2012 → 5:40 pm
“Is not their climate foggy, raw and dull?” – Henry V
Well, yes, but the people are nice! I was in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, trying to take a picture of myself (because you aren’t allowed to take one in the Abbey itself – too bad as I couldn’t get Shakespeare’s monument in the Poet’s Corner either), when a really nice guy came up and offered to take my picture for me. I think I must have looked rather pathetic with outstretched arms and pressed back face, trying to take my own silly picture. Thank goodness Mr. Random Londoner came by and saved the day.
Thoughts on London so far:
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
November 16th, 2012 → 6:15 am
“This is a way to kill a wife with kindness.” – Taming of the Shrew
So my birthday was in October, but my present from my husband was working things out so I could go to London for a long weekend in November and see the once-in-a-lifetime Shakespeare exhibit at the British Museum. Can you believe it? How spectacular. I never imagined I’d be able to go! Stay tuned because, if possible, my next post will be from Shakespeare’s own town…
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life
November 14th, 2012 → 6:33 am
“Reputation, reputation, reputation!”– Othello
I have to hand it over to Maureen Dowd today, who this morning titled her op-ed piece in The New York Times with the above Shakespeare quote (which continues: “Oh, I have lost my reputation!”). I had no idea David Petraeus’ nickname was Peaches?!
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
November 12th, 2012 → 5:24 am
John Boehner was very disappointing last year; completely unable to get his House Republicans under control. He needs to do better this time around, in particluar with the fiscal cliff that’s coming up. I know he has to balance a lot of buckets (and probably, a lot of tears), but here’s hoping he figures out how to be a leader before December 31, 2012.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
November 10th, 2012 → 8:21 am
“My dearest partner of greatness.” – Macbeth
I’ve been travelling this week for work. And next week I leave town again. In between I’ve got a million errands and appointments. Here’s a shout-out to my husband for helping make this crazy schedule possible! For flexibly taking care of our son while I travel for work, and for being supportive all around. Bottom line: I truly don’t know how single mothers do it.
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life