From Jay:
First of all, sorry to Cookie and the fans of this website that I took too long to reply to the questions ... but I am a busy guy.
1. What did you like the most about Costa Rica?
It's hard to pick one best thing in Costa Rica- but I think my favorite was going to the rain forest because I had never been to a rain forest before
2. What five albums should every person hear at least once?
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan
Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
Horses - Patti Smith
Mingus Ah um - Charles Mingus
Legend - Bob Marley
3. What book do you wish you could "unread"?
Usually when I don't like a book, I just stop reading it after 50 pages or so. But one book I read all the way through and wish I hadn't was the Celestine Prophesy (sorry Kath).
4. Jerri and Jerry. If Blank and Seinfeld were ever to meet, what would that be like?
Jerri and Jerry.... Hmmm... that would be hilarious. I think there might be some sexual tension.
5. Favorite memory from Fredonia.
Hard to pick one- but I like Senior Year Fredfest cookout because it was loads of fun and all the important people were in attendance.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Gender
So, I have been thinking about gender and transgender lately. Reading about it and watching a movie. Granted, I was brought to the movie by my new life partner, Lee Pace of Wonderfalls..... pause a moment for a sigh. And moving on.... He plays Calpernia Addams in the movie A Solider's Girl, which is based on a true story. Calpernia is a transgender woman who falls in love with Barry Winchell, a solider in the Army. Barry is tormented at the base and killed there brutally. The military is a whole other beast which I cannot even begin to comprehend in issues like this. Don't ask, don't tell just perpetuates the discrimination and hate even more. But, that is another beast, and not what I want to write about. The book, She's Not There, is written by Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender woman. She writes of her transition and how it affected her life, family, work, etc. It is a very good read, she describes the experience very tactfully, without turning her life or her body into a freak show, no matter how alienated she may feel. I think there is this hidden interest in finding out all the nitty gritty to what goes on physiologically and a neglect to the identity issues. There is a local flare I like, it is set in Maine, she works at Colby College, and I am able to locate many of the places she talks about.
Gender (a person's identity) and sex (physical biology) do not always align. Not only could some one's gender not match their given sex, it is more fluid than just man and woman. I find it amazing and refreshing and admittedly a bit confusing to think of gender as fluid, not a binary. It takes us out of the proverbial box (perhaps poor choice of words there...) and gives us the opportunity for expression. I don't even think I could to begin to understand what it would be like to have been born in a male's body. Would it feel more comfortable? Or would I feel trapped? I identify as a woman, but not in the stereotypical ways. It frustrates me when people think that you are what you are born with: male=man, female=woman, and those who try to think differently are being trendy, or are trying to make being gay easier, etc... I would like the people who think that to spend one month in the body of the other gender they consider themselves in. It's ridiculous to think that it is a whim.... what transgender people do to transform their bodies and lives to become what they have been on the inside to the outside world. It is not an easy life.
I know this sounds preachy... but I am just churning the constructs of gender in my mind. Thinking about what the world will be like, will evolve to in many years . And what gender will mean in the future. What gender means now. It is a lot to handle and process and observe. And that is just me, a woman lucky enough to be born in a female's body.
http://www.calpernia.com/
http://www.colby.edu/personal/j/jfboylan/
Gender (a person's identity) and sex (physical biology) do not always align. Not only could some one's gender not match their given sex, it is more fluid than just man and woman. I find it amazing and refreshing and admittedly a bit confusing to think of gender as fluid, not a binary. It takes us out of the proverbial box (perhaps poor choice of words there...) and gives us the opportunity for expression. I don't even think I could to begin to understand what it would be like to have been born in a male's body. Would it feel more comfortable? Or would I feel trapped? I identify as a woman, but not in the stereotypical ways. It frustrates me when people think that you are what you are born with: male=man, female=woman, and those who try to think differently are being trendy, or are trying to make being gay easier, etc... I would like the people who think that to spend one month in the body of the other gender they consider themselves in. It's ridiculous to think that it is a whim.... what transgender people do to transform their bodies and lives to become what they have been on the inside to the outside world. It is not an easy life.
I know this sounds preachy... but I am just churning the constructs of gender in my mind. Thinking about what the world will be like, will evolve to in many years . And what gender will mean in the future. What gender means now. It is a lot to handle and process and observe. And that is just me, a woman lucky enough to be born in a female's body.
http://www.calpernia.com/
http://www.colby.edu/personal/j/jfboylan/
Friday, February 25, 2005
Questions ago-go: Jay
This segment's featured interviewee: Jay. Jay, email me your answers and I shall post it.
1. What did you like the most about Costa Rica?
2. What five albums should every person hear at least once?
3. What book do you wish you could "unread"?
4. Jerri and Jerry. If Blank and Seinfeld were ever to meet, what would that be like?
5. Favorite memory from Fredonia.
If others have thoughts on some of these questions, comment away.
1. What did you like the most about Costa Rica?
2. What five albums should every person hear at least once?
3. What book do you wish you could "unread"?
4. Jerri and Jerry. If Blank and Seinfeld were ever to meet, what would that be like?
5. Favorite memory from Fredonia.
If others have thoughts on some of these questions, comment away.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Sara Recommends 4
Champions of Norrath: Return to Arms
Well, I am just a hack and slash video game whore. The first person shooters just do not do it for me. Make me a Shadow Knight Elf with a shadow step power and a killer bow, and I am all over it. Sequel to Champions of Norrath, this one fixed little glitches and has a good story line, with very different worlds. I have not completed it yet - but it has led to great co-op play with Saucier and Joel. Plus, its always good times to play MST3K to a videogame with them.
Men in turtleneck sweaters
It is a weakness. I always like winterwear better than summerwear anyway. But, turtleneck sweaters on men... good lord. Its like my kryptonite. It is number one just above facial hair/stubble and jaunty caps.
Wonderfalls
On one hand, it has been able to be exposed through DVD, not fade away into the night like most brilliant cancelled shows. It only aired 4 episodes. To me that is a crime against quality TV. Shows that might seem a little off the main stream bullshit, the networks put them on these crappy shitty time slots. Same thing happened to Firefly. Anyway, there are 13 episodes that are solid, and create enough of a closure at the end to be statisfying. Quirky characters that you can be comfortable with but still end up suprising you. Talking inanimate objects are always fun! Plus, I am in love with Lee Pace. My only complaint is that they say "soda" several times. No self respecting western New Yorker would every say "soda". It's "pop" Hollywood, "pop".
Scattegories
This is a board game that never, ever gets old for me. It spawns some friendly debate and some very humorous answers. And the creativity it spawns its truly great. Not many board games do that.
Making your bed with clean sheets
Something ordinary, but that first night you sleep on that new bed is just bliss. Making those folds and tucks tight in the sheets -- it feels like you are tucked away in an envelope.
Well, I am just a hack and slash video game whore. The first person shooters just do not do it for me. Make me a Shadow Knight Elf with a shadow step power and a killer bow, and I am all over it. Sequel to Champions of Norrath, this one fixed little glitches and has a good story line, with very different worlds. I have not completed it yet - but it has led to great co-op play with Saucier and Joel. Plus, its always good times to play MST3K to a videogame with them.
Men in turtleneck sweaters
It is a weakness. I always like winterwear better than summerwear anyway. But, turtleneck sweaters on men... good lord. Its like my kryptonite. It is number one just above facial hair/stubble and jaunty caps.
Wonderfalls
On one hand, it has been able to be exposed through DVD, not fade away into the night like most brilliant cancelled shows. It only aired 4 episodes. To me that is a crime against quality TV. Shows that might seem a little off the main stream bullshit, the networks put them on these crappy shitty time slots. Same thing happened to Firefly. Anyway, there are 13 episodes that are solid, and create enough of a closure at the end to be statisfying. Quirky characters that you can be comfortable with but still end up suprising you. Talking inanimate objects are always fun! Plus, I am in love with Lee Pace. My only complaint is that they say "soda" several times. No self respecting western New Yorker would every say "soda". It's "pop" Hollywood, "pop".
Scattegories
This is a board game that never, ever gets old for me. It spawns some friendly debate and some very humorous answers. And the creativity it spawns its truly great. Not many board games do that.
Making your bed with clean sheets
Something ordinary, but that first night you sleep on that new bed is just bliss. Making those folds and tucks tight in the sheets -- it feels like you are tucked away in an envelope.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Let's hope you never get one of these on your car!
http://www.iparklikeanidiot.com/
If I ever did get one, I would be pissed, but I would be admiring the genius of the sticker in the first place. Kudos and damn you in the same breath!
If I ever did get one, I would be pissed, but I would be admiring the genius of the sticker in the first place. Kudos and damn you in the same breath!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Dream from October
I had this written down from last year and I just stumbled across it. So, because I find it so amusing, I am sharing it again.
I had a dream where I was swimming in a pool -- like a high school inside type -- with Ben stiller -- and we got to talking about Joss. And he said I would kill to work with him. And I said me too!! Then it cuts over to this film shoot where Joss Whedon is directing with Ben and Will Ferrell and this woman who kind of looks like Holly Hunter -- but its still not her. Well the movie is called wolfenstein and Will Ferrell is playing this mad scientist and Ben is playing his scientist side kick. Then some people start getting murdered. and there is this board full of tiles that has clues on it: spatters of blood, axes, weapons etc. and I am in the movie wearing a cape and then someone else gets murdered and Ben stiller and I have to grab the correct tile and try to solve it, so we grab a tile with the blood spatters and start running down this crazy hallway and we are being steady-camed the whole way through. Then at the end is a catering room. I go in there and try to find water, but there is only booze, and I go thirsty. And then I go to this other room (sans cape) and there are some people -- who look like they would be extras and crew members and we start talking about Joss and what he has worked on. And I was like "oh have you read fray" and "oh have you heard of common rotation" and so on. then this guy leans over to me and says "you know Joss likes a critical mind, so if you want to work with him you need to sound smarter then you are coming off right now" and I said "thanks for the info but you are a jerk." and then there is a cut to scene of Holly Hunterish and will fighting and she is winning and she is in a costume where her skin is painted all white and she has the letters on her chest and she has a blue cape and green hair and she is defeating Will and her costume is kind of disturbing because it outlines her womanness. Then fight and she wins the formula, but then they end up having sex.
I had a dream where I was swimming in a pool -- like a high school inside type -- with Ben stiller -- and we got to talking about Joss. And he said I would kill to work with him. And I said me too!! Then it cuts over to this film shoot where Joss Whedon is directing with Ben and Will Ferrell and this woman who kind of looks like Holly Hunter -- but its still not her. Well the movie is called wolfenstein and Will Ferrell is playing this mad scientist and Ben is playing his scientist side kick. Then some people start getting murdered. and there is this board full of tiles that has clues on it: spatters of blood, axes, weapons etc. and I am in the movie wearing a cape and then someone else gets murdered and Ben stiller and I have to grab the correct tile and try to solve it, so we grab a tile with the blood spatters and start running down this crazy hallway and we are being steady-camed the whole way through. Then at the end is a catering room. I go in there and try to find water, but there is only booze, and I go thirsty. And then I go to this other room (sans cape) and there are some people -- who look like they would be extras and crew members and we start talking about Joss and what he has worked on. And I was like "oh have you read fray" and "oh have you heard of common rotation" and so on. then this guy leans over to me and says "you know Joss likes a critical mind, so if you want to work with him you need to sound smarter then you are coming off right now" and I said "thanks for the info but you are a jerk." and then there is a cut to scene of Holly Hunterish and will fighting and she is winning and she is in a costume where her skin is painted all white and she has the letters on her chest and she has a blue cape and green hair and she is defeating Will and her costume is kind of disturbing because it outlines her womanness. Then fight and she wins the formula, but then they end up having sex.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The part of me that Torrey is scared of
My horoscope for the day:
It's often been said that you Sagittarians are the 'favorites of the Gods' because you're their clowns. Well, that might or might not be true, but that clownish way certainly has gotten you out of more than one difficult situation with mere mortals in the past, hasn't it? You might want to pull that talent out of the closet today, if a tough situation comes up, it will work wonders.
It's often been said that you Sagittarians are the 'favorites of the Gods' because you're their clowns. Well, that might or might not be true, but that clownish way certainly has gotten you out of more than one difficult situation with mere mortals in the past, hasn't it? You might want to pull that talent out of the closet today, if a tough situation comes up, it will work wonders.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Random Friday Night Thoughts in the Burbs
Housesitting at Mike's, with the dogs and the cats and the garage and the snowbanks higher than my head. Had this moment yesterday when I started to panic, realizing that since getting back from the residency nearly a month ago (where the hell did that time go, I ask you? a blur of snow and cold peppered with drunken nights with the Stonecoast crowd, all of us just trying to survive until warmth returns to this godforsaken state), I have yet to write more than five damned pages in a row on that goddamn thing I like to call The Novel.
So, yesterday went into full resolution mode. Put away my Alias DVDs, stashed all Buffy paraphernalia, got out my Ellis Paul CDs and my go-to when writer's block sets in: The Last Good Kiss. Reveled for a while in the wonder that is Crumley, thought about getting myself a hard-drinkin' bulldog, and set to work.
Now, twenty-four hours later, I'm happy to say that the writer's block is - knock on wood, spin three times, spit into the wind and toss some salt over my shoulder for good measure - past. Got twenty pages done between last night and today, figured out who I needed to kill next and why they had to die (ah, the power of the novelist), and even managed a line or two that could pass for pretty fair prose. Then trudged through a fresh dusting of snow along the Back Bay this afternoon, and got back to find a fresh email from Dom, of the stylin' glasses and crooked grin. A good day, all the way around.
And what am I doing to celebrate? Well, I'm sitting in my brother's basement with Harvest the Dog snoring softly at my feet and Moon the Wonder Mutt settled in a snowbank outside (her preference), listening to U2, sorting postcards and - of course - writing this. The U2 thing is new... Well, not new, because of course once upon a time I was infatuated with them, but it's been renewed of late, and I'm not entirely sure why. When I was a kid, I got The Joshua Tree on vinyl for Christmas one year - my first rock n' roll album. I listened to it until I nearly wore through the grooves, obsessed with One Tree Hill (a much better song than that godawful show on the WB).
Now, listening to the CD, I'm reminded of sitting with Mike in his unheated bedroom (mine was unheated, too, but he had a better record player and a miniature pool table), shivering, shooting pool with tiny plastic cues and drinking root beer while Bono sang about wars we didn't know the first thing about. Yeah, we were bad-ass. My brother's basement office now has more pictures in it than my entire apartment: Mike and I in footed pajamas under the Christmas tree back in 1978, shots of Mike with baby Katie in his arms, Mike with his high school buddies reunited for a recent trip to Foxwoods... I think back to those days in his room, before boyfriends for me or girlfriends for him, before the folks got divorced, before we had any idea life might have some obstacles in mind rather than just letting us take over the world unimpeded. And I can't help but wonder...
What the hell happened to that pool table?
Because I think it would make a good addition to my apartment now, and I bet it's stashed in the back barn someplace at mom's. I'll have to check that out.
Okay, that's it. That's my post, those are my deep thoughts, think of them what you will. I have now done my duty as the less-productive half of this extraordinary blogging experiment, at least for this week.
So, yesterday went into full resolution mode. Put away my Alias DVDs, stashed all Buffy paraphernalia, got out my Ellis Paul CDs and my go-to when writer's block sets in: The Last Good Kiss. Reveled for a while in the wonder that is Crumley, thought about getting myself a hard-drinkin' bulldog, and set to work.
Now, twenty-four hours later, I'm happy to say that the writer's block is - knock on wood, spin three times, spit into the wind and toss some salt over my shoulder for good measure - past. Got twenty pages done between last night and today, figured out who I needed to kill next and why they had to die (ah, the power of the novelist), and even managed a line or two that could pass for pretty fair prose. Then trudged through a fresh dusting of snow along the Back Bay this afternoon, and got back to find a fresh email from Dom, of the stylin' glasses and crooked grin. A good day, all the way around.
And what am I doing to celebrate? Well, I'm sitting in my brother's basement with Harvest the Dog snoring softly at my feet and Moon the Wonder Mutt settled in a snowbank outside (her preference), listening to U2, sorting postcards and - of course - writing this. The U2 thing is new... Well, not new, because of course once upon a time I was infatuated with them, but it's been renewed of late, and I'm not entirely sure why. When I was a kid, I got The Joshua Tree on vinyl for Christmas one year - my first rock n' roll album. I listened to it until I nearly wore through the grooves, obsessed with One Tree Hill (a much better song than that godawful show on the WB).
Now, listening to the CD, I'm reminded of sitting with Mike in his unheated bedroom (mine was unheated, too, but he had a better record player and a miniature pool table), shivering, shooting pool with tiny plastic cues and drinking root beer while Bono sang about wars we didn't know the first thing about. Yeah, we were bad-ass. My brother's basement office now has more pictures in it than my entire apartment: Mike and I in footed pajamas under the Christmas tree back in 1978, shots of Mike with baby Katie in his arms, Mike with his high school buddies reunited for a recent trip to Foxwoods... I think back to those days in his room, before boyfriends for me or girlfriends for him, before the folks got divorced, before we had any idea life might have some obstacles in mind rather than just letting us take over the world unimpeded. And I can't help but wonder...
What the hell happened to that pool table?
Because I think it would make a good addition to my apartment now, and I bet it's stashed in the back barn someplace at mom's. I'll have to check that out.
Okay, that's it. That's my post, those are my deep thoughts, think of them what you will. I have now done my duty as the less-productive half of this extraordinary blogging experiment, at least for this week.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Sara Recommends 3
Jimmy, waiter from the South Portland Governor's restaurant
Yes, its a cheesy local family food chain, but its good eats with big portions, how American right? But the highlight was Jimmy, waiter extraordinaire. He has energy, charisma, and walks the fine line between amusing and annoying when it comes to the waiter-customer relationship. He tends to fall on the amusing side if you just let yourself go with it. Be responsive and not a grumpy bastard and he will be great. Hell, he called Joel "cupcake", and if you know Joel that is damn funny. He works there Wednesday to Sunday 11 to close. He let us know that!
Not procrastinating
It seems amazing that doing things ahead of time leaves you time to goof off and just enjoy yourself later on and not stress about deadlines. It's hilarious how I never seem to do that.
The random text message
People who have whole conversations over texting is just going to give them hand cramps. But the random quirky funny text is always a pleasant surprise on your phone
Emails & voice mails from Jen Blood
If you do not get them, then you are missing out. Because not only are they well written, they are a hoot. You get a glimpse into the quirky genius that is Jen Blood. Someday, I will transcribe a voice mail for the blog. There is often some kind of singing involved or an elaborate scene about her fabulous future. She is at no lack for imagination.
www.richfancher.com
Complete with headshots and videos! It's exciting! He is my favorite extra in the whole world. Plus I have very incriminating pictures of him. Rich in a box. Rich in a Niagara Falls hotel room with harlots. Rich in my sister's bed.
Peanut butter and celery
A classic from childhood that is extremely satisfying. Its the crunching that is the best part. Eating an obnoxious vegetable is reviving the 6 year old in me that blew bubbles in my milk. Ok, ok, it was last Tuesday, but at least I did not spill it this time.
Yes, its a cheesy local family food chain, but its good eats with big portions, how American right? But the highlight was Jimmy, waiter extraordinaire. He has energy, charisma, and walks the fine line between amusing and annoying when it comes to the waiter-customer relationship. He tends to fall on the amusing side if you just let yourself go with it. Be responsive and not a grumpy bastard and he will be great. Hell, he called Joel "cupcake", and if you know Joel that is damn funny. He works there Wednesday to Sunday 11 to close. He let us know that!
Not procrastinating
It seems amazing that doing things ahead of time leaves you time to goof off and just enjoy yourself later on and not stress about deadlines. It's hilarious how I never seem to do that.
The random text message
People who have whole conversations over texting is just going to give them hand cramps. But the random quirky funny text is always a pleasant surprise on your phone
Emails & voice mails from Jen Blood
If you do not get them, then you are missing out. Because not only are they well written, they are a hoot. You get a glimpse into the quirky genius that is Jen Blood. Someday, I will transcribe a voice mail for the blog. There is often some kind of singing involved or an elaborate scene about her fabulous future. She is at no lack for imagination.
www.richfancher.com
Complete with headshots and videos! It's exciting! He is my favorite extra in the whole world. Plus I have very incriminating pictures of him. Rich in a box. Rich in a Niagara Falls hotel room with harlots. Rich in my sister's bed.
Peanut butter and celery
A classic from childhood that is extremely satisfying. Its the crunching that is the best part. Eating an obnoxious vegetable is reviving the 6 year old in me that blew bubbles in my milk. Ok, ok, it was last Tuesday, but at least I did not spill it this time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
