Gasp!

One Paradigm Shift Needed

Why I think the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but that's just my opinion.

Tarantulas

I know I'm not the only person in the world who has a difficult time watching Charles Manson on T.V. According to recent reports, it looks like they've found grave sites that could be linked to his cult.

I've seen documentaries on Manson. I've seen Geraldo interview him. Still, I can't grasp the fascination. I mean, I could accept it from teenage boys. Maybe.

It seems though that along with fascination, people also tend to laugh at him. Like he's a tarantula trapped in glass. He's fine... now.

It makes me wonder if people think he's truly evil, or just insane. There is a difference, but that's just my opinion.

Maturity

On Saturday night, Jethro and I went to see Mikhail Baryshnikov perform with Hell's Kitchen Dance at Birmingham's Wright Center. The first performance was called "Years Later." It featured Baryshnikov dancing live with a film of his younger self behind him. His movements served as comments to the film. At one point, he held his lower back, as if to say that he was too old for this stuff. It was funny and also poignant. The audience was supposed to assume that he could no longer perform the way he used to, and perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing.

Following two other performances, Baryshnikov once again took the stage. This time, he danced with the company. The theme of the performance was the individual versus community, young versus old. There was a deep sadness to this last dance. Movements reflected a turning away, as if Baryshnikov was daring people to say goodbye. It was moving.

In interviews, he's stated that he felt that it was time to pass the torch to the next generation. It appears that this tour was meant to do exactly that.

Considering that Baryshnikov is almost 60 now, it's amazing that he's continued being a relevant force in dance. Often people in the arts make a big splash in their younger years. Contributions dribble as they get older until, finally, they grow completely silent. Why is that? Do artists exhaust their message? Does our society demean the contributions of the not-so-youthful?

I'm not sure, but I do know that older artists have wisdom and maturity. So much has been written about youth, hopes and "coming-of-age." Maturity is vastly underrated.

But that's just my opinion.

Debt!

Jethro and I are going to see Dave Ramsey tonight. He's a "get rid of debt" guru. I'm the one who is most excited about our adventure, since Jethro doesn't believe in credit cards or the like.

When I lived in NYC, I bought the party line that going into debt for my theater career was a sign that I had confidence. Yes, I even read a how-to book on theater that encouraged people to go into debt.

So I did, and what I found is this: It doesn't help. It tied me to jobs I didn't like, preventing me from doing the things I wanted to do. Plus, I had less time to write in the long run.

Since leaving NYC, I've seen the folly of debt. It doesn't do any good to owe anything to anyone if you can help it.

Throughout history, a number of writers have dealt with debt. They either haven't made enough money from writing or they extended themselves a little too far. Edmund Wilson comes to my mind, only because he's a southern writer who bounced in and out of NYC during a certain point in his life.

The good part about dealing with debt is that I value my writing more. It has made me go out and search for paying writing jobs. I've had to take my writing more seriously as a result. Otherwise, I would spend all day at home, writing stories and plays that only I care about.

Maybe at some point I'll go back to that. Meanwhile, I am a firm believer that the less debt you have, the better for your writing. But that's just my opinion...

Book Critics and the Net

And you thought theater had problems... Since I straddle between books and theater on this blog, I think it's only right to acknowledge the similarities.

I, too, am a member of the National Book Critic Circle. When I got the email, I was ready to jump on board. I'm still supportive, but what oh what are we going to do about this internet thing?

But I still think that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution should keep their book section the same. Don't cut it, don't slash it, just print it. As a major newspaper in the region, they have a responsibility to the Southeast.

But that's just my opinion...

Cracking without Breaking

Of course, you can't get a college degree... But if you'd like to study for life enrichment, these colleges have open courseware: Keio, Kyoto, MIT, John Hopkins, Osaka, Toyko, Utah State, Waseda, Notre Dame, and Tufts.

By the way, have you ever been to a chiropractor? I had my first experience with one this week. Not sure why my back pain started... Maybe it was because I got hit by a car in 2005, stress, who the hell knows why.

For the most part, its been a good experience. Except that I think its mighty odd that bones can crack that loud without breaking. Seems sort of... unnatural. But that's just my opinion.

Life in 1963

“Even the young lady who isn’t really interested in a career – only in the title of “Mrs.” – finds shorthand and secretarial training valuable. Thousands of young women continue to work even after they are married – to help earn money for a new home, to save for vacation travel, or to help meet unexpected expenses.”

--A quote from Gregg Shorthand, copyright 1963, page 15.

As much as I like the culture, fashion and art from the mid 1900s, if I actually lived back then I’m certain I would’ve killed myself. But that's just my opinion...

Why I Read Blogs

My reasons for reading blogs have changed. A long time ago, I enjoyed reading about life experiences. My blogroll included the journals of soldiers, teachers, drunk college students. I was fascinated with the story of life, as told by a variety of people.

Then I became interested in discussion. Those blogs invited argument, and I participated with gusto. I discovered a great deal about myself during that time. It was fun to defend a position. I also learned that I didn’t have to agree with everyone, and in turn, people didn’t always have to agree with me.

Nowadays, the blogs I read are written by people who are passionate. They love the focus of their blogs and want to share their love with others.

Through them, I learn. They have broadened my horizons when it comes to history, art, music, writing, and books. Plus, they’re comfortable with themselves. They don’t have to know everything, and occasionally, they slip in a personal detail about themselves. It lets their readers know that there’s an actual human behind the blog.

In reading blogs I’m looking to learn and discover. I also know what I don’t want.

I stopped reading blogs by people who are interested in creating fan clubs. I’m happy for your success, but it isn’t all that interesting. But I do wish you the best of luck with it all.

I’m highly suspicious of people who are too opinionated. If every entry is an opinion, especially a negative one, I start to feel tired. Having a reaction to everything has got to be exhausting. Besides, I can’t take someone seriously who has an opinion about everything.

I don’t like blogs written by people who are phony. By adopting a certain tone, you can manipulate readers for self-serving purposes. It always amazes me when the audience of these bloggers react like trained puppies.

What else has changed? Well, my comments have dwindled. I don’t necessarily think that I should comment each time I have a strong reaction. It’s best to be quiet, especially if commenting is pointless. Am I going to change someone’s mind? Am I going to contribute to the discussion, or am I whistling in the dark?

The changes I’ve listed coincide with changes I’ve made in my daily life. Since moving to Alabama, I’ve been more aware of making positive choices. It’s been a slow process, but it’s an infinitely rewarding one… But that’s just my opinion.

Bastard Poem #001

A theater company that doesn't include writers
and doesn't perform new plays
is leeching off the work and courage
of others.

A strong statement
But that's just my opinion.

Racism and Conformity

I’ve been combing the Internet, looking for a different perspective on Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s been tough to find. I, too, could write self-congratulatory, pat-myself-on-the-back-because-I’m-not-a-racist tripe, but what’s the point when you can find it elsewhere.

It’s hard to take all the sanctimoniousness seriously. I’m willing to bet that there are many, many people out there who wouldn’t consider themselves racists, and yet, seem to hang out with people who are exactly like them. You know, they think the same way, believe the same things, and perhaps, are even the same color as you are. If you’re a liberal, just how many conservative friends do you have? And if you’re an atheist or agnostic, are you giving people shit because of their beliefs?

I recently read Rebecca Walker’s book, Black, White and Jewish – a book about her balancing act between cultures and coasts. The book acts as a prism. Each incident written is a reflection on the rigid parameters of racism. When I finished the book, I was more convinced than ever that when you take the race out of racism, you are left with conformity – the demand that everyone believe and behave the same way.

Think about it next time you’re going to flame someone who disagrees with you. But that's just my opinion...

BTW, if you’re looking for an interesting perspective on MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech, look no further than Dave Dellinger’s book, From Yale to Jail. He describes the final months of King’s life, with death threats against both himself and King at one protest. He also describes in detail how King worked up to the “I Have a Dream” speech, practicing the phrasing in other speeches. With the exception of the ending, Dellinger found the beginning and the middle of the speech to be somewhat boring.