Friday, November 14, 2008
MWAH!
Want to blog but have blogger's block. So, I offer up a "Heya!" to my friends in L.A. to remind them that I am thinking of them and praying for them. MWAH!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
No Freedom for Indianapolis Freedom Writers
Consistency in blogging is not my strong suit. I watched a video today about a case involving a teacher in Indianapolis who decided to use the book "Freedom Writers" for her high school English class. The school board stalled on the use of the book as a text so she sent home 150 permission slips before the start of school. 149 came back as yes. I don't know if parents were warned in the permission slips that the book contained profanity/street language. The teacher wanted to use the text because the authors were high school students from the Long Beach, CA area who came from urban neighborhoods and she believed that her students could relate to the journey that the high school students took in "Freedom Writers." She passed out the book and got suspended. The school board ruled that she was not to use the book because of the offensive language.
I have no power over that school board, but I want to express my opinion. I believe that language should be used for beauty and not filth. It should be used to praise God, our great Creator.
The thing is, I had to grow to love language. Shakespeare contains plenty of innuendo. The Groundlings had to understand something (though I'm certain that the nobles enjoyed it just as much).
I've heard the way that some persons from depressed sections of urban, hey, even rural areas speak. It is not "Good morning, Mrs. Cleaver. How nice to see you today." I am sad that the school board did not place confidence in their students to gain a love for language. I am sad that the school board allowed words such as f**king, sh**, etc. to stand in the way of learning. I am willing to presume that many of their students hear and use such language already so much so that they would not find such language shocking. I am sad that such a point is true, but it is. However, when a writer is young, he or she needs to have the opportunity to find his or her voice. I pray for the students in that school to find their voice. Perhaps as they explore writing they will come to find more beautiful phrasing and poetry beyond our imagination. Perhaps God would use a book that contains offensive language to reveal His truth to one of those children. Perhaps one of those children would turn to a Bible to find excellent narratives and poetry to capture their hearts for Him.
But no, the school board says that "Freedom Writers" is too offensive for their school's population to read. Well, this is America. The children have the freedom to find a copy of "Freedom Writers" and read it for themselves if they like. But where could they find a copy of the book that is inexpensive? They could look in the THE SCHOOL LIBRARY since a copy of the book is available to check out there.
Sounds like the school board is clearly demonstrating to the students how to talk out of both sides of their mouths. Talk about offensive language.
I have no power over that school board, but I want to express my opinion. I believe that language should be used for beauty and not filth. It should be used to praise God, our great Creator.
The thing is, I had to grow to love language. Shakespeare contains plenty of innuendo. The Groundlings had to understand something (though I'm certain that the nobles enjoyed it just as much).
I've heard the way that some persons from depressed sections of urban, hey, even rural areas speak. It is not "Good morning, Mrs. Cleaver. How nice to see you today." I am sad that the school board did not place confidence in their students to gain a love for language. I am sad that the school board allowed words such as f**king, sh**, etc. to stand in the way of learning. I am willing to presume that many of their students hear and use such language already so much so that they would not find such language shocking. I am sad that such a point is true, but it is. However, when a writer is young, he or she needs to have the opportunity to find his or her voice. I pray for the students in that school to find their voice. Perhaps as they explore writing they will come to find more beautiful phrasing and poetry beyond our imagination. Perhaps God would use a book that contains offensive language to reveal His truth to one of those children. Perhaps one of those children would turn to a Bible to find excellent narratives and poetry to capture their hearts for Him.
But no, the school board says that "Freedom Writers" is too offensive for their school's population to read. Well, this is America. The children have the freedom to find a copy of "Freedom Writers" and read it for themselves if they like. But where could they find a copy of the book that is inexpensive? They could look in the THE SCHOOL LIBRARY since a copy of the book is available to check out there.
Sounds like the school board is clearly demonstrating to the students how to talk out of both sides of their mouths. Talk about offensive language.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Prayers for Danny Please
A friend from church enlisted in the Marines. His name is Danny (I think he's 19-22) and his mom and family are taking this really hard. He shipped off to boot camp a day or so ago. They are worried for his safety, etc.
Please keep Danny and his family in your prayers. Thanks.
Please keep Danny and his family in your prayers. Thanks.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Warning to Ladies In Search of Love
Though I was never one to believe in subliminal messages, I recently decided to stay away from one product.
Many months ago, I thought that I would treat myself to a more expensive than usual body lotion. I chose "Body Butter" from The Body Shop (R). I used it before two dates both of which turned out to be last dates with my respective suitors.
One morning when I went to put on the butter that felt oh so soft and smelled delicious, I wondered to myself why I felt like men kept leaving me. What kind of message was I sending them? What kind of message was I sending myself? Then as if the heavens parted and the choir started singing, I looked down at jar as I went to remove the lid from my precious body butter. There was my answer.
MAN-GO Body Butter.
I knew I should have went with the Olive Oil scent...Popeye is crazy about her.
Many months ago, I thought that I would treat myself to a more expensive than usual body lotion. I chose "Body Butter" from The Body Shop (R). I used it before two dates both of which turned out to be last dates with my respective suitors.
One morning when I went to put on the butter that felt oh so soft and smelled delicious, I wondered to myself why I felt like men kept leaving me. What kind of message was I sending them? What kind of message was I sending myself? Then as if the heavens parted and the choir started singing, I looked down at jar as I went to remove the lid from my precious body butter. There was my answer.
MAN-GO Body Butter.
I knew I should have went with the Olive Oil scent...Popeye is crazy about her.
Friday, April 11, 2008
My Own Little Corner Relocated
No sooner do I post that I have my own place than we have a family meeting. After discussing the matter with my present "landlords", I decided to stay. When I arrived at work, I learned that talk of another job cut is swirling. I'm the newest kid on the block so I just might be the one on the chopping block so my re-decision came at a very good time. Best not to enter a lease now.
My Own Little Corner
I've been praying for my own place. I appreciate the help that my dad & step-mother have given me since I returned from L.A. and I now need my own space. So I lifted prayers for a place that: is in a safe (relative term) neighborhood (I stated my preferred neighborhood in my prayers), affordable (stated top figure), and had a place to park. Since I still owe on a few evil beings called credit cards, rather than save for a place, I paid extra on one of the cards equivalent to a month's rent and even made an extra payment. Guess what happened. I found a place.
It's a tiny furnished efficiency located about 15 minutes from my dad & step-mother's place so I can continue to help around the house and take each of them to doctor's or chemo appointments. I almost did not take the place because it's not as beautiful as other apartments that I've had. Then when I started looking at the place and calculating it's location, I realized that it was an answer to my prayer. I was basically insulting God's provision.
The apartment is a little place where I can stay on my own, pay down bills, and finish school. I can even stay there after graduation for awhile because it is well located for work in Pittsburgh as well as the Northern suburbs and Beaver County (where I work now).
I'm blessed...it is located near some shops and other places that make wonderful walking desinations.
I learned to keep my eyes open to God's blessings.
It's a tiny furnished efficiency located about 15 minutes from my dad & step-mother's place so I can continue to help around the house and take each of them to doctor's or chemo appointments. I almost did not take the place because it's not as beautiful as other apartments that I've had. Then when I started looking at the place and calculating it's location, I realized that it was an answer to my prayer. I was basically insulting God's provision.
The apartment is a little place where I can stay on my own, pay down bills, and finish school. I can even stay there after graduation for awhile because it is well located for work in Pittsburgh as well as the Northern suburbs and Beaver County (where I work now).
I'm blessed...it is located near some shops and other places that make wonderful walking desinations.
I learned to keep my eyes open to God's blessings.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A NoHo Evening 2.5 years ago
Not much to blog about today. While I was cleaning yesterday, I found a bunch of photos that I took on 10/15/05 when I lived in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, CA. I had some fun with Kodak Easyshare (R) this morning and edited them.
I went out that evening as an "Artist Date". I was reading "The Artist's Way" at the time. I don't believe that I ever finished the book. I think I got stuck around Week 8. Maybe I will return to the structure of the book. Presently, I use what I learned as far as I did in the book.
Examining the original photos and discovering the images that I wanted to share energized me this morning. The edited photos are displayed on my myspace page, which I linked to this blog. I even put together a slide show. Fun!
Here are 4 of my favorites:
I went out that evening as an "Artist Date". I was reading "The Artist's Way" at the time. I don't believe that I ever finished the book. I think I got stuck around Week 8. Maybe I will return to the structure of the book. Presently, I use what I learned as far as I did in the book.
Examining the original photos and discovering the images that I wanted to share energized me this morning. The edited photos are displayed on my myspace page, which I linked to this blog. I even put together a slide show. Fun!
Here are 4 of my favorites:
Sunday, March 30, 2008
The Fight in Flight
I just returned from Pittsburgh City Theatre Company's production of "Flight" by Charlayne Woodard (aka Sister Peg from Law & Order: SVU). The production was beautiful. It runs at the theatre until April 6.
The story surrounds 5 slaves who help an unseen 9 year old slave boy deal with the sale of his mother by telling him stories from their folklore. The play is wonderfully crafted. Rare is it for me to walk away from a production wanting more -- wanting to know more about the lives of the characters and the stories that they shared with me. Today, I want to know more about "Little Jim", his mother "Sadie", his father "Nate" and "Mercy" and the other members of his new family.
In the masters program I attend, we are studying African and African-American culture. One of the points brought out in my studies is the collective nature of the culture and the influence of spirituality. The stories shared in this production illustrate these aspects of the culture.
The actors' connections with the material resonates. The house was brought to its feet at the conclusion of the tales.
As an actor, I vicariously shared in their connection with the material. To be able to share a story that is part of me and to have the opportunity to play roles within roles, takes my breathe away. Much like the company did for me today.
I am honored.
Tickets for "Flight" at: http://www.citytheatrecompany.org/
The story surrounds 5 slaves who help an unseen 9 year old slave boy deal with the sale of his mother by telling him stories from their folklore. The play is wonderfully crafted. Rare is it for me to walk away from a production wanting more -- wanting to know more about the lives of the characters and the stories that they shared with me. Today, I want to know more about "Little Jim", his mother "Sadie", his father "Nate" and "Mercy" and the other members of his new family.
In the masters program I attend, we are studying African and African-American culture. One of the points brought out in my studies is the collective nature of the culture and the influence of spirituality. The stories shared in this production illustrate these aspects of the culture.
The actors' connections with the material resonates. The house was brought to its feet at the conclusion of the tales.
As an actor, I vicariously shared in their connection with the material. To be able to share a story that is part of me and to have the opportunity to play roles within roles, takes my breathe away. Much like the company did for me today.
I am honored.
Tickets for "Flight" at: http://www.citytheatrecompany.org/
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