tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69584385222569719132024-03-05T08:23:41.318-05:00Choose Your Own Adventure"I always had trouble distinguishing between what happened and what merely might have happened, but I remain unconvinced that the distinction, for my purposes, matters." -Joan DidionHalleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-71538342252926253452011-07-08T13:45:00.000-04:002011-07-08T13:45:05.191-04:00The Lost City<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">So, I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something to the last NASA shuttle being named Atlantis. </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;">Something about how after this boat leaves, space will become something of a lost city.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;">To the Americans, anyway.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;">A place we can visit through tour guides from other places, but no longer any kind of domestic endeavor. </span></span></h6><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyGil5JEusWPywz4TT70gKQYk2UyOcLuWewVwuIU5BiEygiki_1KZdL74Wv4be3OM1btkcV6sTRBW06H9_UlVE7ad8hqn9YmCji04V-xXNAAQDbkI2Jb-7wSkTtjTKfQcVJ5yHpuhhmOU/s1600/Space+Shuttle+Atlantis+last+launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyGil5JEusWPywz4TT70gKQYk2UyOcLuWewVwuIU5BiEygiki_1KZdL74Wv4be3OM1btkcV6sTRBW06H9_UlVE7ad8hqn9YmCji04V-xXNAAQDbkI2Jb-7wSkTtjTKfQcVJ5yHpuhhmOU/s320/Space+Shuttle+Atlantis+last+launch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></h6>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-69645635750126283262011-07-05T23:10:00.000-04:002011-07-05T23:10:05.425-04:00PoMo: An Intellectual Condom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_VQCUnQielzn4AzDEYPfrkPy_Q43uDSVpcz9BdCMZC0WkM6gwJ_QihAb2yb1MgPvkd2tBL3076zgL4i5YSmL_HC0v_O7TF4qax_ttfP1zn5jBtqVBkuEtiRg0BooPUNnDM37UkunulHM/s1600/fucking-daphne.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_VQCUnQielzn4AzDEYPfrkPy_Q43uDSVpcz9BdCMZC0WkM6gwJ_QihAb2yb1MgPvkd2tBL3076zgL4i5YSmL_HC0v_O7TF4qax_ttfP1zn5jBtqVBkuEtiRg0BooPUNnDM37UkunulHM/s1600/fucking-daphne.jpeg" /></a>"Fronting any subject with the knowing wink of postmodern metadiscussion is an easy way to avoid any real connection. Writer's don't have to worry about failing to get the work across, and readers don't have to worry about being moved by an experience that touches them somewhere other than the brain. It's an intellectual condom."<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">-Colin Frangos, "Colin on Colin"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Fucking Daphne</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-87628232811202262952011-07-05T22:48:00.000-04:002011-07-05T22:48:44.175-04:00Haiku: July 4th, in our nation's capitalChildren dragged along<br />
Swarm the monuments, Perform <br />
American pride<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQit8qhuhrZPQid67RQi2Ss6lIIa6M2BH4kvBHf_LL71zxRlemb_MN8d4-9kx2WUIlMf1MYqwhxhS5DuZbfb9WQWh-bhEibaT-BLkKnW1RhYGzz7p5oRkM8X6auBWN1pLX45YlkQ0O8jU/s1600/fourth+of+july+parade+sitters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQit8qhuhrZPQid67RQi2Ss6lIIa6M2BH4kvBHf_LL71zxRlemb_MN8d4-9kx2WUIlMf1MYqwhxhS5DuZbfb9WQWh-bhEibaT-BLkKnW1RhYGzz7p5oRkM8X6auBWN1pLX45YlkQ0O8jU/s200/fourth+of+july+parade+sitters.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-66500726068876299612011-01-08T00:41:00.000-05:002011-01-08T00:41:08.101-05:00Hub of the Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4898613479_4699b794dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4898613479_4699b794dc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dear Boston,<br />
<br />
Your charms beckon.<br />
<br />
I will be back in two weeks. Call the 21st and tell them to have plenty of potato soup on hand/in bowl.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Halley<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRn7LB0UiElmKg-XhFkwqqNw_3pDRD0NywydHlGPsKscmf03QZy" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRn7LB0UiElmKg-XhFkwqqNw_3pDRD0NywydHlGPsKscmf03QZy" width="200" /></a></div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-48160941559468880062011-01-07T23:04:00.000-05:002011-01-07T23:04:24.533-05:00A Love Letter to TV<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/tgoodman/2009/02/24/starbuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/tgoodman/2009/02/24/starbuck.jpg" width="133" /></a>Dear TV,<br />
I love you.<br />
<br />
Right now I am watching the local weather report for the town I grew up in because WGN has a national channel. Right now I am remembering all that snow that I'm not in.<br />
<br />
I switched from BBC America with the British Law and Order, which has Jamie Bamber, whom I every time I see, I call out "Cylon!" even though he wasn't a cylon on <a href="http://www.syfy.com/battlestar/">that show</a>, but I do it for everyone on that show because it seems like the right thing to do, to help out in anyway I can, and really, when I see those who actually were cylons, I call it out much louder; it's more of a greeting for everyone else.<br />
<br />
It should worry me that I greet the TV people. But it doesn't.<br />
<br />
Now for some Adult Swim on my hip and happening Friday night.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-37391717095423027222010-09-25T12:27:00.001-04:002010-09-25T17:57:52.189-04:00"There's no law against poor people being on Boards of Trustees."<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gaFbmuEUdwI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gaFbmuEUdwI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
(Cross-posted from <a href="http://artsmanagementsurvey.blogspot.com/">Musings on Arts Management</a>)<br />
<br />
A professor of mine posted this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/pinkyshow">delightful Pinky Show video</a> and <a href="http://artsmanagementsurvey.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-creates-value.html">asked</a> readers (ostensibly, arts managers):<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #666666;">"Who creates value? How? What is the role of the arts manager (perhaps more than you might think?) in creating value and in deciding what we want to remember and what we want to forget?" </div><br />
In all areas of the arts, I think the most responsive organizations are changing the subtle indictments charged in the video. Just because we want alternatives to the behemoths, does not mean the behemoths shouldn't exist. (Though, when they show they value these alternatives, it does bestow added value to them, for better or worse.) Still, whatever one is curating (museums, a concert, a literary festival), the thing is only going to be as good as the goals and chosen aesthetic of the person behind it. (And the artists whose schedules you can wrangle to coincide with one's own. But that's another story.)<br />
<br />
On one hand, with the democratizing influence of the Internet, of course more people can reach more people, on every subject. On the other hand, arts funding often sucks. This is not news. Organizations with funding have more options than a person with neither a sheltering organization nor funding.<br />
<br />
When Kim (in the video) talks about education teaching one what to think and what to value, of course there is some truth to that. But before one can change the system, one should be well-versed in it. (Duh.)<br />
<br />
I am encouraged by the variety of art and artists who are showing up in DC these days. Some of it is weird and great. Some of it is weird and crap. These are my judgments. Support what you love.<br />
<br />
Of course we create value when we stick a microphone in front of someone, or put them under a spotlight. That's why the more people get involved in creating that value, the better. I will likely never be able to open a wing of museum or donate a million dollars, but I can - from my own specific, culturally-situated perspective - choose which voices I want others to hear.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-9290448229942097602010-09-22T22:32:00.000-04:002010-09-22T22:32:19.492-04:00Which is the gay one?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs101.ash2/38410_145774985435624_100000093711432_420863_4539667_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs101.ash2/38410_145774985435624_100000093711432_420863_4539667_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-89059118147363081672010-09-22T21:02:00.000-04:002010-09-22T21:02:29.390-04:00science lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Heard on my walk home:<br />
<br />
"That's why tornadoes rarely rip through the middle of cities, but just kind of bounce around them."<br />
<br />
I have no idea what the "why" is. So this is less of a lesson than an opportunity to make up science.<br />
<a href="http://max-metal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/elk-mountain-storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://max-metal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/elk-mountain-storm.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
I imagined the city like a mountain, and the tornado bouncing off of it as some immovable bit of topography, like the Appalachians, and the tornado spun off in another direction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Maybe the tornadoes bounce around the cities because all our collective energy, concentrated in this concrete pocket, is more than any tornado wants to deal with.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-53869021875439070682010-09-18T23:50:00.024-04:002010-09-19T15:06:17.262-04:00Feed Shelter Dogs in 125 words(Thanks, <a href="http://stephaniefeldstein.com/myblog/">Stephanie</a>, for sending this along. And thanks for being such a pal to pups.)<br />
<br />
Mention the <a href="http://www.pedigreefoundation.org/" target="_self">Pedigree Adoption Drive</a> in a blog post (by 9/19), and Pedigree will donate a bag of food to shelter dogs. Just for this they'll give 20 lbs of food to a shelter. (Wish I'd known sooner.)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5v5Ui8HUuN8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5v5Ui8HUuN8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Also, become <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Pedigree">a fan of Pedigree on Facebook</a>, and they'll donate a bowl of food (and you'll hear about new cool things they're doing to help dogs).<br />
<br />
Dogs rule.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-49534643869418580572010-09-16T22:48:00.001-04:002010-09-22T23:44:01.087-04:00Is this why writers shouldn't date outside the writer species?<h5>(cross-posted from: <a href="http://agrammar.tumblr.com/post/1127991128/offended-by-rank-objectification-of-writers">here</a>) </h5><h5>offended by rank OBJECTIFICATION of writers</h5>There is this thing currently going around tumblr about why dating a writer is good. I think it’s nice that this thing is going around, because I like writers, and lots of us could use more dates. As a writer who has dated people, though — including other writers — I would like to offer some correctives to this list.<br />
The items in bold are the alleged reasons to date a writer. I have replaced the original commentary with my bleak corrective, in lightface.<br />
<ol><li> <b>Writers will romance you with words.</b> We probably won’t. We write for ourselves or for money and by the time we’re done we’re sick of it. If we have to write you something there’s a good chance it’ll take us two days and we’ll be really snippy and grumpy about the process.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will write about you.</b> You don’t want this. Trust me.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will take you to interesting events.</b> No. We will not. We are busy writing. Leave us alone about these “interesting events.” I know one person who dates a terrific writer. He goes out alone. She is busy writing.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will remind you that money doesn’t matter so much.</b> Yes. We will do this by borrowing money from you. Constantly.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will acknowledge you and dedicate things to you.</b> A better way to ensure this would be to become an agent. That way you’d actually make money off of talking people through their neuroses.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will offer you an interesting perspective on things. </b>Yes. Constantly. While you’re trying to watch TV or take a shower. You will have to listen to observations all day long, in addition to being asked to read the observations we wrote about when you were at work and unavailable for bothering. It will be almost as annoying as dating a stand-up comedian, except if you don’t find these observations scintillating we will think you’re dumb, instead of uptight.</li>
<li> <b>Writers are smart.</b> The moment you realize this is not true, your relationship with a writer will develop a significant problem.</li>
<li> <b>Writers are really passionate.</b> About writing. Not necessarily about you. Are you writing?</li>
<li> <b>Writers can think through their feelings.</b> So don’t start an argument unless you’re ready for a very, very lengthy explication of our position, our feelings about your position, and what scenes from our recent fiction the whole thing is reminding us of.<a href="http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/160802/1/Woman-Writing-At-A-Table.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/160802/1/Woman-Writing-At-A-Table.jpg" width="320" /></a> </li>
<li> <b>Writers enjoy their solitude. </b>So get lost, will you?</li>
<li> <b>Writers are creative.</b> This is why we have such good reasons why you should lend us $300 and/or leave us alone, we’re writing.</li>
<li> <b>Writers wear their hearts on their sleeves.</b> Serious advice: if you meet a writer who’s actually <i>demonstrative</i>, be careful.</li>
<li> <b>Writers will teach you cool new words.</b> This is possibly true! We may also expect you to remember them, correct your grammar, and look pained after reading mundane notes you’ve left for us.</li>
<li> <b>Writers may be able to adjust their schedules for you.</b> Writers may be able to adjust their schedules <i>for writing</i>. Are you writing? Get in line, then.</li>
<li> <b>Writers can find 1000 ways to tell you why they like you.</b> By the 108th you’ll be pretty sure we’re just making them up for fun.</li>
<li> <b>Writers communicate in a bunch of different ways.</b> But mostly writing. Hope you don’t like talking on the phone — that shit is <i>rough</i>.</li>
<li> <b>Writers can work from anywhere.</b> So you might want to pass on that tandem bike rental when you’re on vacation.</li>
<li> <b>Writers are surrounded by interesting people.</b> Every last one of whom is imaginary.</li>
<li> <b>Writers are easy to buy gifts for.</b> This is true. Keep it in mind when your birthday rolls around, okay?</li>
<li> <b>Writers are sexy.</b> No argument. Some people think this about heroin addicts, too.</li>
</ol>Alternate solution: it will be pretty much like dating anyone else who likes to do a particular thing, you know?Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-87187961401212953292010-09-16T02:03:00.000-04:002010-09-16T02:03:36.676-04:00In DC DragI saw my people today.<br />
Lots of them, milling around the lobby of the Center.<br />
I smiled, but they did not recognize me as one of theirs.<br />
I was confused and then I remembered what I was wearing, what I generally looked like today. Most days. <br />
It made more sense, but still.<br />
Fuck DC.<br />
<br />
Or maybe they were just bitches.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-90997272656731994812010-09-11T23:57:00.002-04:002010-09-16T01:48:27.623-04:00The "where were you" post<i>Note: I don't think my story is particularly special, but there's something to be valued in having many experiences of the day entering into a collected, public mass of stories. A group story. </i><br />
<br />
When the second plane hits at <a href="http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/11/chronology.attack/">9:03 am</a>, I am still in my apartment in Hyde Park, at 51st and Dorchester.<br />
8:03 am Central Standard Time.<br />
I am up early (for me) because it is the second day of my first grad program.<br />
(I had turned on the TV to help wake up.) <br />
I watch the second plane hit, live. It is not surreal. <br />
I call the school to see if it is still open.<br />
The Pentagon has not yet been hit. <br />
The woman gives me attitude, as if I'm some whiny freshman trying to get out of class. "Of course we're still open." "But the planes." "We're open."<br />
Either she hasn't heard yet or the whole thing is still just some freak accident in New York.<br />
I go to school.<br />
We sit in a lecture hall and are told if we need to leave, it's okay.<br />
A new friend without a TV hadn't heard anything.<br />
I hear myself say, "Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York." "Oh my god." "I know."<br />
Our conversation is quiet and sounds idiotic to me.<br />
I feel generally safe where I am because, who would attack the south side of Chicago? <br />
Unless they were aiming for the Sears Tower and missed. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teachersatrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://www.teachersatrisk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The next night, watching the endlessly-looping news, I see Diane Sawyer in a rumpled white dress shirt. Her hair is a small mess.<br />
I think how attractive she looks.<br />
I think I am a terrible person for having dirty thoughts about Diane Sawyer right now.<br />
I stop watching television, or only put on children's shows because everything else is news.<br />
All alternative images are welcome. <br />
I don't remember calling anyone to talk about it, and definitely not anyone one from my program because we hardly know each other and I am feeling shy, though most of us live nearby.<br />
In the month between the attack and the start of war, it seems everyone here signs petitions to stop it, knowing our signatures will do no good.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-53354342776556717622010-09-11T23:43:00.000-04:002010-09-11T23:43:37.633-04:00Truth on torture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/090910/tipsy-the-novel-assistant.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/090910/tipsy-the-novel-assistant.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/">marriedtothesea</a>)</span></div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-34452604182929956622010-09-11T22:08:00.000-04:002010-09-11T22:08:47.317-04:00Where everybody knows your nameOne of the "uses" of the new year (if we're going to look at it as a thing, and as a thing who we measure by its functions) is as a time of self-reflection. What we have done. Who we have wronged. What challenges have been met. How we can serve ourselves, our families, our communities better.<br />
<br />
Go inside and seek our unspoken thoughts.<br />
<br />
I am not someone who has to be told to go inside. I could be accused (by myself) of often living inside. I am such a regular guest inside my own head, they have a cocktail waiting for me in front of my bar stool when I arrive.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.milwaukeehillel.org/atf/Account20027/images/Apples_and_honey_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.milwaukeehillel.org/atf/Account20027/images/Apples_and_honey_2.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you have prayers that float your boat, great. Everyone's relationship to all those things that could be labeled "faith" is, of course, different. What is most useful and resonant to me is mindfulness. Take a law and use it for what it reminds me to be aware of: kindness, justice, peace for all other living beings - all in practical ways that sound significantly less floaty and foofy when one stops eating animals and pretending not to see homeless people. It is not about divine pronouncements, as written by men. I think traditions can be <i>equally</i> functional on multiple levels.<br />
<br />
So in these days where I spend hours in services with family, not particularly paying attention though still participating, it seems wrong to follow the advice of taking these days to go inside. If this time is supposed to be different or special, going inside does not make it so. I could use those days to stay out of my head by being further engaged in the service for those few hours. That seems like a false solution, though.<br />
<br />
Perfect practice (of any kind) isn't my goal.<br />
But.<br />
If I'm going to maintain that I celebrate these holidays, something more functional has to emerge. Or else, it's just one more moment to press the "reset" button - something we can do at any time, anyway.<br />
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Happy new year - may you all figure out what you want to use it for.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-8903887129041347172010-09-02T23:08:00.000-04:002010-09-02T23:08:03.124-04:00The WTF file: Politics & Prose and Market Day<a href="http://books.torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/market_day_cover_really_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://books.torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/market_day_cover_really_big.jpg" width="217" /></a>I loved <i>Market Day</i>.<br />
<br />
It is a beautiful and moving graphic novel. I wanted to bring it to the <a href="http://washingtondcjcc.org/litfest">LitFest</a>, but it just didn't fit, ultimately, for the available slots. <br />
<br />
So when I saw Politics & Prose, local independent bookstore extraordinaire, was <a href="http://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-sturm-market-day">bringing the author and his book to do a reading</a>, I was chuffed. If we can't have him, I'm glad someone else appreciated the book as much as I did and wants to showcase it.<br />
<br />
The story centers around an Eastern European craftsman, Jewish, who provides for his family as a weaver of beautiful rugs. His vision of the world, even in the shtetl, is through that lens.<br />
<br />
Life turned to patterns turned to rugs.<br />
<br />
He struggles; the Industrial Revolution looms large, so to speak. What to do when what one values doesn't feed one's family?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jewishpress.com/UploadedImages/stdImage/450weck-030510-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.jewishpress.com/UploadedImages/stdImage/450weck-030510-bridge.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
But WTF, Politics & Prose?! You schedule this book on Rosh Hashana?! (It's after the second day of services, technically after sundown, but still.) You don't even have the excuse of not being Jewish to say you didn't know. <br />
<br />
First of all, that's just dumb planning. Plenty of your audience will be at big, family dinners.<br />
<br />
Second, you're jerks. I'm a bit crushed.<br />
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Unless...<br />
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Unless this is some kind of commentary on how other, contemporary kinds of lifestyles are also no longer observed or adhered to or are hard to maintain. The assimilation of American Jews. Who would therefore now be free to come to a bookstore reading on Rosh Hashana.<br />
<br />
I tend to doubt it, though.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-35264318146154913112010-09-02T21:42:00.002-04:002010-09-02T23:09:16.551-04:00The evolution of what I wanted to be when I grew up1. Butterfly - There is a photo of little me on Halloween, arms out, drawing the attached streamers into the wind. Chicago Halloweens almost always mean thick, winter coats, but at least my streamers matched the extra layers. A winter butterfly in yellow and red and green.<br />
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2. Ballerina - Except I couldn't say my 'l's, so I'd tell people, my name is Haddey and I wanna be a badderina.<br />
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<a href="http://www1.law.columbia.edu/images/Ginsburg%20-%2010%20Years/ruth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www1.law.columbia.edu/images/Ginsburg%20-%2010%20Years/ruth.jpg" /></a>3. International Animal Rights/Women's Rights Lawyer - I'm sure this shocks no one. I first became vegetarian at age three when I refused to eat anything made of animal. And I got sent to 'time out' in preschool for arguing back to the teacher that you can't say boys have to be one thing in make believe and girls something else. And I kept arguing from the time-out table. <br />
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Turns out, I'm none of these things. Though if made to choose, I'd probably pick butterfly lawyer.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Me and Ruth Bader, we go way back.)</span>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-1423132121100288262010-08-14T14:43:00.000-04:002010-08-14T14:43:09.593-04:00Shocked! Shocked, I say!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/080910/shhhh-i-didnt-see-it.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/080910/shhhh-i-didnt-see-it.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Enjoy the comedy stylings of <a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/">Married to the Sea</a> with me, won't you?Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-11923622357193890632010-08-14T14:19:00.001-04:002010-08-14T14:20:43.358-04:00tinker toys and universality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0zZsWrsIJJXJ34hvkQ2y74kFsYcRbuO5VYblK1nF37lFJe1m15GiINpmyi-QIFUFH9N1AGlIIwdjyJwDP_pL-9NFnIEGuvJv5iP2qUbQRnoL09FuYZS_RbzypBoIO76ZLarSKg93xXn7/s1600/P1010050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0zZsWrsIJJXJ34hvkQ2y74kFsYcRbuO5VYblK1nF37lFJe1m15GiINpmyi-QIFUFH9N1AGlIIwdjyJwDP_pL-9NFnIEGuvJv5iP2qUbQRnoL09FuYZS_RbzypBoIO76ZLarSKg93xXn7/s400/P1010050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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As I try to compose my thoughts on a previous "adventure," every other city pops its head in.<br />
These other cities peek around, find reflections of themselves and tell me, "Me, too! I know that, too."<br />
Every place is different, except for where it isn't.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-72561783091905032452010-08-09T19:10:00.003-04:002010-08-09T20:29:28.323-04:00Overheard in the elevator[Doors close.] <br />
Ohmigod, I can't believe I did that.<br />
That was so dumb.<br />
Why are you talking to yourself?<br />
Out loud.<br />
You should stop.<br />
Because you're still doing it.<br />
Even though you know you're doing it.<br />
Okay.<br />
No more.<br />
Wow. I'm nuts.<br />
[BING! Doors open.]<br />
<div style="color: black; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://meggangould.net/blog/mnt/w0605/d02/s02/a0002vtd/www/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://meggangould.net/blog/mnt/w0605/d02/s02/a0002vtd/www/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/frank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Robert Frank)</span></span></span></div>I was the one talking to myself, out loud, and commenting on the fact that I was doing it. Out loud. Life gets a little meta sometimes 'round these here parts. Or perhaps the word is just crazy.<br />
I would say I worry about my sanity, but I've been doing this for years and the fact that it hasn't gotten any worse probably means that I have just as many filters in place as I did when I would do this, say, ten years ago. Hopefully, I also have slightly better judgment, too, but I wouldn't put too much money on that.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-69290761819731274102010-08-07T21:54:00.000-04:002010-08-07T21:54:51.318-04:00Useless secret of the day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tvboxonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Tudors-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://tvboxonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Tudors-11.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>I can name all the wives of Henry VIII, in order, and tell you their fates.<br />
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Three Catherines, two Annes, and a Jane.<br />
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Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard, Katherine Parr.<br />
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Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, lived. <br />
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Tah-dah!<br />
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The embarrassing part of this secret: My refresher course on the subject comes from watching <i>The Tudors</i>. Which I think is awesome.<br />
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(I mean, horrible, of course, but awesome.)Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-25518804870387938172010-08-05T19:01:00.005-04:002010-08-05T19:42:35.366-04:00Useless secret of the day<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/878484286_1908c31988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/878484286_1908c31988.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Bring me a pack of big, honkin' grape gum and you will have my heart.<br />
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PS- And if afterward you still want to be around me and my obnoxious gum chewing, I must have yours.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-45586828141547606552010-08-04T23:34:00.000-04:002010-08-05T00:34:54.081-04:00An open letter<a href="http://blindgossip.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/women-holding-hands-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://blindgossip.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/women-holding-hands-2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Dear Prop 8 supporters,<br />
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Suck it.<br />
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Love,<br />
HalleyHalleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-54620600921788266322010-08-03T23:59:00.000-04:002010-08-04T00:03:27.969-04:00Recent scenery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L15FAfx6_TOxZGraezj5ZjKhJfk0pSgMVNLD8H8Gj26gZ4Rplow8_OtkBkrqUqumYSK3nDYT2H_WGVq9R-316mnJ97EJRTaVAuUIKrcpdzp23El5ByolhKGTMIPK-onnb_E01dZcfzZd/s1600/Summer+%2710+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L15FAfx6_TOxZGraezj5ZjKhJfk0pSgMVNLD8H8Gj26gZ4Rplow8_OtkBkrqUqumYSK3nDYT2H_WGVq9R-316mnJ97EJRTaVAuUIKrcpdzp23El5ByolhKGTMIPK-onnb_E01dZcfzZd/s400/Summer+%2710+051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sagamore Beach, Cape Cod, July 2010</div>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-41050717910552011422010-08-02T22:38:00.000-04:002010-08-02T22:38:03.798-04:00I love peas! And maps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chzsomuchpun.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/12659178-e4b0-431f-acc6-2d4562f60dc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://chzsomuchpun.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/12659178-e4b0-431f-acc6-2d4562f60dc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(via somuchpun.com)</span>Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958438522256971913.post-2437600824461607342010-08-02T19:11:00.001-04:002010-08-02T19:14:47.160-04:00Useless secret of the day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lbjsbrownbag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/boylans-black-cherry-soda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://lbjsbrownbag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/boylans-black-cherry-soda.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Given the option, I will always choose black cherry soda.Halleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04674376282205979582noreply@blogger.com0