tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11644202986021343162024-03-18T20:15:18.182-07:00Building Me a HomeSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-29356718453561752202010-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:002010-05-13T08:10:45.858-07:00Spring Cleaning - 2010Matho Teacherus BabbleoniaIt seems to hit almost at once,From the moment they begin to talk,Unfortunately, there’s no vaccineyet engineered by that famous Dr. Salk.I’d like to tell my math teacherShe bores me quite to death,but the result would only beone giant fat red “F.”And so this incurable diseasewill continue through the ages,The only thing one can do isblankly stare at the assigned Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-74231060798720230892009-12-26T08:10:00.000-08:002009-12-26T08:14:15.500-08:00Always a Favorite -- "Mauricio's Song" by Eugene GloriaFrom Mobil Gas he emergesLike a Mack truck from the desert horizon.You might think of bluefin tunasCoursing the algid sea.A man with a singular purposeAlways walks with his best foot forward-Leans in to dusk, moon heavy on his back.Mauricio has punched out at the station.If you happen to see himYou might remark on the butterflies-The small cloud of yellow, speckled wingsFluttering like wayward Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-86641361961248352572009-12-12T09:34:00.000-08:002009-12-12T11:04:30.051-08:00It's Still A Man's WorldFanboys can't understand female existential problems unless women are wearing skin tight catsuits. The Dark Knight? Really?The AV Club's list of the best movies of the 00's• indicates I’ve seen this movie:50. Oldboy49. Gerry48. Crimson Gold47. Moulin Rouge • (this was fun, but, in the style of Amy Poehler, "Really?")46. Adaptation • (I concur. Meryl Streep was phenomenal.)45. Audition44. 4Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-68542461915305625822009-12-11T17:19:00.000-08:002009-12-11T17:57:55.512-08:00Nobody Inches As Fiercely As This TurtleSaturday, December 5, 2009 -- I moved as quickly as lightnin' molasses. Only time-capture photography could permanently document my promenade from the bottom of the Hill to the Au Bon Pain across the street. Blink, and I would be in the same damn spot. Blink, drop off some clothes at the dry cleaner, order a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, and I would be in the same damn spot. All for a hotSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-64873652844918295802009-12-08T09:04:00.000-08:002009-12-08T09:17:13.298-08:00The Sky Is Not FallingPhoto Credit Link: A View On CitiesI think humans can be amazing, brilliant and loving creatures, but I would say one of our greatest flaws is our horrible communication skills.Imagine being told awesome news, but still wobbling home semi-hysterical and having no choice but to nap because it feels like the Pru just fell on you.Thank heavens for patience, dogs and the ability to slumber during theSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-6323673350880452772008-08-08T06:26:00.000-07:002008-08-08T09:15:25.829-07:00ICA - Live music, silent meditation, and Anish KapoorI found myself at the ICA last week experiencing music and art. At first, I lounged on The Back Patio watching the water while listening to live music. The atmosphere was great despite the stuffy air. I wish I lived closer because I would definitely take advantage of the free music and the beautiful surroundings on Thursday nights. I was with others, but I spotted people by themselves just Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-58194259029406343442008-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:002008-08-08T06:23:40.367-07:00At least I didn't have my firebomb scenario...I went to see Step Brothers starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. It was surprisingly glorious. I have to say the man-chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly is so awesome. They just made it onto my man-couples list:1. Peter Falk - Alan Arkin2. Vince Vaughn - Jon Favreau3. George Clooney - Brad Pitt4. Will Ferrell - John C. Reilly5. John Amos - Jimmie Walker6. Paul Newman - Robert Redford7. Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-43780048735859657252008-07-25T08:14:00.000-07:002008-07-25T09:07:15.470-07:00His name is Salvatore...can't be coincidence.I just finished reading Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan. If you're from the Eighties, have any affinity for the Eighties, or you're addicted to romance--you should read this book. A key character in the story is "Salvatore," which is a name I love. One of my favorite poems features a "Salvatore." [The poet and his book are quite obscure, and I will nowSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-2224202260534998722008-03-27T05:51:00.000-07:002008-03-27T06:31:25.072-07:00When You Caught Between the Moon and Chi-TownAwesome wedding pictures! Matt & Bjork-- Eat your hearts out! Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-75664056396092074882008-03-26T18:57:00.000-07:002008-03-27T06:37:17.322-07:00Sure Signs of SpringI was walking down the street and got that sweet, strong whiff of doo doo. People with kids and dogs know that smell. Looking around, I spied that a crew had spread new peat around the trees by the sidewalk. Aaaah! The peat signals that someone has expectations of growth. Winter tension just unraveled from my shoulders. Left it on the curb.I stepped off the train. Warm air. Blue skies andSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-22340732094922635082008-03-16T05:04:00.000-07:002008-03-16T08:13:48.233-07:00Good morning, SunshineAnother space shuttle mission is underway. The mission crew along with the space station personnel are going to add the first part of a Japanese module to the station. Also being assembled on the outside of the station is Dextre. He's a Canadian robot with arms and gripper hands. He'll cut down on the amount of time a EVA takes up. (E.V.A. - Extra Vehicular Activity or a space walk.) His Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-25073067170141132052008-03-14T13:46:00.001-07:002008-03-15T21:47:15.686-07:00Meeting President Susan ScrimshawAfter the first forum meeting to discuss the hate mail (see previous posts) sent to a Simmons professor, I made an appointment to meet President Susan Scrimshaw. Only ten minutes were allotted for the time with the President, so I wanted to have at least three points to bring up from my side of the table. This is what I came up with:The library is not an unwelcoming place, at least, not Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-30589175065435963232008-03-10T16:10:00.000-07:002008-03-11T06:05:50.557-07:00Essential Blog for MA Artists & Art LoversI discovered a new blog at the Massachusetts Cultural Council called ArtSake. I've already discovered two great items: weekend passes for the CRAFTBOSTON show will be available at 200 public libraries AND the heartening news of a grant for women artists over 35. First ItemThanks to a very generous donation by CRAFTBOSTON, 200 public libraries throughout Massachusetts will have 10 weekend passes Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-9638368749504575612008-02-17T12:26:00.000-08:002008-02-17T14:01:36.824-08:00Simmons College update - response to hate mailThe open meeting that divulged the details about the hate mail sent to an African-American professor at Simmons College occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. The campus newspaper, The Simmons Voice, appears weekly on Thursdays. I had little expectation of my letter being printed in the Feb. 14 issue. And, it wasn't. News of the incident did make it to the front page. It was located in the Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-30781210752495490572008-02-17T11:42:00.000-08:002008-02-17T12:25:52.761-08:00Two of my favorite things: space and footballOn a positive note, it should be recognized that there is an African-American on the shuttle space team that's currently orbiting earth. His name is Leland Melvin, a former football player that turned to science when an injury ended his pro football career. He has an excellent entry on the NASA web page that explains how playing football gave him skills he utilizes on space missions. So cool!Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-86120235046841532742008-02-13T13:33:00.000-08:002008-02-13T13:49:25.594-08:00Taking My Share of the LoadSomeone tried to take down a faculty member of my college this week with a piece of vicious hate mail. I won't repeat verbatim what was written in this post, but I will just say the phrases "Go back to Africa" and "Remember the Jena 6" were used. An open meeting was held to address the situation. Professors, college staff, and administrators flocked to the meeting. Indeed, the room wasn't big Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-81988997820012149022007-12-02T07:27:00.000-08:002007-12-02T08:14:57.302-08:00Apples, cranberries, and stuffing! Oh my!During the summer, my favorite snack was splitting up a Granny Smith apple, spritzing it with fresh lime juice, and tossing it all up with dried cranberries. Yummdiddilyumptious!Early fall, this evolved into the sliced Granny Smith being slathered with cinnamon-raisin peanut butter and sprinkling it with dried cranberries. Awesome!Late fall, I completely jumped off the tracks with the discoverySpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-79001456237588670162007-11-27T17:04:00.000-08:002007-11-27T19:30:35.809-08:00Wowsa, Wowsa!I had a conversation today about how the postmodern Western world was catching up to the African experience of art. In traditional African art (the distinction must be made), an object was made to be used and transformed by the owner. It could be transformed by the adding of color, using the object in a ceremonial function, or performing with the object. But, the art was not made with the idea ofSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-70136593008139196892007-11-19T18:47:00.000-08:002007-11-19T19:49:45.178-08:00The Strange Thing Is...I'm reading this review of various vegetarian/vegan restaurants in San Francisco (because of the Bean & FGN). I'm very tempted to try Millennium. I love evoo, which is always pushing the balls against the wall with the myriad ingredients in their dishes. When they pull it off, the food sings and I'm having Sally-fits and declaring my undying love. As some of you have witnessed, I'm pledged toSpinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-32625062812343477112007-11-17T15:39:00.000-08:002007-11-18T07:50:13.162-08:00Biting Into MahlerWhile riding the T, I have often made room for the crowds emptying out of Symphony Hall after a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Thursday night, I finally became one of the chattering throng pushing their way home via the “E” Line.To be honest, the thought of sitting and listening to orchestral music unaccompanied by a vocal or dance performance had never appealed to me. I’d rather Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-73942223682951549202007-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:002007-11-27T18:00:14.227-08:00I'm lost in the supermarket...I would like to thank The Clash for picking me up off the floor. I also have to thank that bag of Ritz Cheese Sandwich Snacks. And, I can't forget the woman who fluffed up my hot chocolate. I want to thank my mom for believing in me when others wouldn't. That's why I had the courage to add three packets of sugar, Domino's sugar, to my chocolate drink. Before long I was munching and bobbing while Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-66037152463106007532007-11-11T09:17:00.000-08:002007-11-11T09:32:18.198-08:00"Seen" during first half of NovemberLeaving the marble counter one night.Dark street, nearly deserted.Me, dim light, and a swirling mass of fluff.On the sidewalk.Were they alive?What happened here?Tip toe. Tip toe. Preserve life when you can.Pretty magic in the dark.Approaching the marble counter this morning.Aaahh. This path must be taken.Sunlight and yellow leaves beckon.Can't tell where branches end, and ground begins.Head Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-44012572975143441312007-11-10T10:28:00.000-08:002007-11-10T10:58:29.840-08:00Coffee tongueI woke up at 3:00 a.m. in the morning with the sweats and hot flashes. If it had been a cold sweat, I would have known it was the ancestors telling me the world was out of balance. Because the icky feeling had heat, I knew it was either my health or my environment. I stumbled out of bed (weird thing: my dog was crotchety, too, and couldn't settle down) and made it to the kitchen. Clutching Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-76338001127497415002007-11-05T15:09:00.000-08:002007-11-05T15:52:05.065-08:00Albino FrogIt's cold enough now for me to stuff a knit cap on my head and wrap a scarf around my neck. The effect squashes my features and I look like an albino frog (at least in the reflections on a moving T). I debated using "frog" versus "toad." I decided on frog because I resemble a genteel and intellectual creature. Not that toads aren't intellectual but I doubt they appreciate fine porcelain. My Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164420298602134316.post-3295516433125468062007-10-06T09:43:00.000-07:002007-10-07T07:37:08.276-07:00ODD JOBS: Portraits of Unusual OccupationsSchiff, Nancy Rica. Odd Jobs Portraits of Unusual Occupations. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2002.Examples - Condom TesterPage TurnerBaby HandlerBra DesignerDinosaur DusterTampon Tester (he' a man)I, myself, was very intrigued by the clockmaster. If only I didn't have a fear of heights.Or, the solfeggist sounded like a cool job. But, I'm half-deaf from years of walkmans and ipods.Then, there was Spinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459607433735308228noreply@blogger.com1