May 4th, 2012 → 8:10 am
“The jewel that we find, we stoop and take it
Because we see it; but what we do not see
We tread upon, and never think of it.” – Measure for Measure
If you haven’t heard yet, Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” sold for $119.9 million this past Wednesday at Sotheby’s in New York. That’s certainly a fabulous price but I disagree with art critic Holland Cotter who said that it was too much – if I had an extra $119.9 million lying around I’d totally have bid on it. But I do agree with the common complaint that everyday art isn’t appreciated enough. I have a neighbor across the street who is an artist (primarily) and a bookkeeper (to pay the rent). She isn’t famous, as far as I know, but her work really is very good. Too bad it’s so hard for such “unknowns” to make a living.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Other
May 2nd, 2012 → 6:58 am
“In spring-time, the only pretty ring-time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding,
Sweet lovers love the spring.” – As You Like It
The weather is turning nice (if a bit rainy) and I love it. Happy spring time!
April 24th, 2012 → 6:16 am
“Is this the promised end?” – King Lear
It’s not just me, I can see it in my student’s eyes – “Are we almost there yet? Are there really just two weeks of classes left?” Hello, summer break! Now if I can just get through all this grading…
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
April 22nd, 2012 → 7:32 am
“The art itself is Nature.” – The Winter’s Tale
Happy Earth Day!!
April 20th, 2012 → 7:58 am
“I am no breeching scholar in the schools;
I’ll not be tied to hours nor ‘pointed themes,
But learn my lessons as I please myself.” – The Taming of the Shrew
We’ve been hearing for a long time about problems in the K-12 school system in the U.S. Increasingly, we’re hearing it with regards to secondary education as well (though for a positive outlook, look here). I don’t doubt that there are problems with both, but I do maintain that the problems are not entirely the fault of the teachers or the schools. Students have to be prepared to be in school and they have to want to be there. You can’t teach to a student who either never shows up for class, or who insists from day one that schools have nothing to teach them and they shall ‘learn their lessons as they please themselves.’ There’s responsibility to go around for everyone here in explaining the problems we face.
April 12th, 2012 → 6:12 am
“His complexion is perfect gallows.” – The Tempest
First it was the Trayvon Martin shooting. Now it’s the Tulsa, Oklahoma shooting. I’m starting to fear I won’t be able to tell my son (who is African American) that he is growing up in a better world than I did. A person’s skin color should not be a reason for the gallows.
April 10th, 2012 → 6:27 am
“Mislike me not for my complexion.” – Merchant of Venice
The special prosecutor announced yesterday that there won’t be a grand jury investigation into the Trayvon Martin shooting. It’s my understanding that his shooter, George Zimmerman, can still be prosecuted, just not any longer by a grand jury. All I know is that he shouldn’t have pursued the boy after the police dispatcher told him not to, and that it appears to me as though he judged Trayvon primarily on his looks and his hoodie. For the love of god, why can’t we as a society get past such behavior?!?!
March 21st, 2012 → 5:58 am
“If all the year were playing holidays,
To sport would be as tedious as to work;
But when they seldom come, they wished-for come.” – Henry IV, Part I
Thank goodness for spring break. I’ll be taking some time off myself, so this will be my last post for a few days…but I’ll be back next week with some good quotes about family vacations!
March 3rd, 2012 → 8:26 am
“Your heart’s desires be with you!” – As You Like It
I figured it was about time for something positive, with all the not-so-positive posts lately. So here’s to happiness, health, and a fun weekend!!
February 14th, 2012 → 7:20 am
“My affection hath an unknown bottom, like the Bay of Portugal.” – As You Like It
Who knew? But in Shakespeare’s day the Bay of Portugal was considered the deepest point on earth. Funny, knowing what we know now, but I like how it sounds as an homage to love, for some reason…