Saturday, February 10, 2007
open thread
Because I know you're all just clamoring to know what's on my mind and leave your own comments...
Update, 4:42 PM: I meant to mention this when I wrote the original post, but Leonard Clark, the Iraq War veteran who tried to mount a primary challenge to Jim Pederson for the Senate nomination last year, is working on filing a petition to recall Senator Double-Talk himself. Cliff Schecter's original post mentions that there's no legal mechanism for recalling an elected federal official. Based on a cursory glance at state laws, this does not appear to be true, as Arizona law does apparently provide for the recall of any elected official: see these three statutes (that last one in particular specifies that members of Congress are included among those who may be recalled). If I read the law correctly, Clark would need to get signatures from a number of registered Arizona voters equal to 25% of the number of total votes cast in last year's Senate election for all candidates for the recall to make the ballot at the next statewide consolidated election. The recall would be an almost vertical uphill battle, but it sure could put a dent in the ole Double-Talk Express.
- Everybody sing along..."When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, 'what should I be? Should I be pretty? Should I be smart? Here's what she said to me...'"
- I may have a slight Target problem, but I can quit any time I want. Really.
- For what it's worth 10 months before a single vote will be cast, I'm supporting black horse candidate and current New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for the Democratic nomination for President. His resume is more comprehensive and impressive than any of the other candidates - former member of Congress, former Secretary of Energy, former UN Ambassador and now Governor of a rapidly growing state in the mountain west. I got behind Howard Dean five years ago because of his experience and record as Governor of Vermont.
Also, the last time a Democratic member of Congress won the Presidency, we were at the start of the Cold War and career options for women were limited to nurse, actress, teacher, model, ballet dancer and airline hostess(see item 1 above). Not a reason to vote for Richardson above the others in itself, but history can be instructive. - I can definitely feel the difference when I go to yoga class versus when I don't. I went last night and this morning and I feel better than I have most of the rest of the week when I didn't get to go. So who's joining me tomorrow or next week?
- I'm still house hunting, and very little of what's on Craig's List or in the papers meets my needs. Who wants to go riding around town with me hunting For Rent signs?
- V-Day Tucson 2007 is next Friday and Saturday at the Fox Tucson Theatre. Publicity has been less than visible this year, so please consider purchasing tickets (available through the Fox's website or at various retailers around town). It's for a good cause and some really deserving people are being recognized for their work at intermission on the 16th.
Please note, I no longer manage the V-Day Tucson website, so comments about the layout and/or outdated content can be directed to this year's organizer. - I meant to post before Progressive Lobby Day at the Arizona legislature on Tuesday but didn't get around to it. I have to say I was pretty impressed, having participated in my share of lobby days back in Albany. Giving credit where it's due, AHRF did a hell of a job herding the progressive cats. We were also graced by the presence of a number of legislators from both parties, demonstrating that our common causes may not be as hopeless as we're sometimes led to believe. Thanks to those legislators who broke bread with us, and especially Senator Aboud for introducing our group, which filled the Senate gallery, from the floor.
- Are these not the cutest shoes ever? They're totally mine come next payday.
- My dear sister wins a prize for correctly guessing (or remembering!) who Ilene Graff is, without the assistance of IMDB. I don't know just what that prize is yet, but kudos to you, Deb!
- Speaking of both my musical sibling and fellow IC alums, don't forget to tune into "Grease: You're The One That I Want" tomorrow night (NBC, 7/6c) and vote for Kevin Greene to win the role of Danny in the latest Broadway revival. I'm going to tune in despite the fact that Andrew Lloyd Webber is a guest judge.
- A childhood dream come true.
- Speaking of movies I intend to see when they come out...
- And finally, since I'm on the topic of movies, the SHORTBUS DVD comes out on March 13.
Update, 4:42 PM: I meant to mention this when I wrote the original post, but Leonard Clark, the Iraq War veteran who tried to mount a primary challenge to Jim Pederson for the Senate nomination last year, is working on filing a petition to recall Senator Double-Talk himself. Cliff Schecter's original post mentions that there's no legal mechanism for recalling an elected federal official. Based on a cursory glance at state laws, this does not appear to be true, as Arizona law does apparently provide for the recall of any elected official: see these three statutes (that last one in particular specifies that members of Congress are included among those who may be recalled). If I read the law correctly, Clark would need to get signatures from a number of registered Arizona voters equal to 25% of the number of total votes cast in last year's Senate election for all candidates for the recall to make the ballot at the next statewide consolidated election. The recall would be an almost vertical uphill battle, but it sure could put a dent in the ole Double-Talk Express.
Labels: alumni, AZ Legislature, Bill Richardson, gift giving, Ithaca College, moving, musicals, personal, Pres-08, Progressive Lobby Day, self-care, social justice, Target, V-Day, women's rights, yoga
Saturday, February 03, 2007
ithaca pride
I just got done giving my about page a long-overdue overhaul. In clicking through the links to make sure they all work, I headed over to my alma mater's website.
Ithaca College produces some kick-ass graduates (if I do say so myself). Two of them are currently in very unique and distinct spotlights:
Gino Bona '95 is the winner of the first-ever NFL's "Pitch Us Your Idea for the Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever. Seriously" contest, and his ad will air at the two minute warning in the fourth quarter tomorrow. I may actually tune into the Super Bowl for the first time ever to try and catch a glimpse.
Kevin Greene '06 is one of the finalists currently appearing on NBC's reality show "Grease: You're The One That I Want" about the casting process for this summer's new Broadway revival of the most popular musical ever. "Grease" isn't my favorite musical, but it's cute and fun and I'll start watching the show so I can vote for Kevin. I don't know him, but we Ithacans have to stick together. This isn't the first audience-selected casting that an Ithaca alumnus has participated in.
Speaking of Ithaca alumni and "Grease", there's another notable alumni who I DO know. Matt Cavenaugh '01 is currently appearing on Broadway in "Grey Gardens" as Joe Kennedy. Matt and I were the same year at IC until he took a year off to appear in the national tour of "Grease". We really didn't know each other until my senior year, when he was cast in the lead role in the mainstage production of "Babes in Arms" and I happened to be the Wardrobe Supervisor and his personal dresser. He certainly deserves all the success he's earned so far. You really couldn't ask for an easier actor to work with.
And to think, the most famous IC alumni I used to brag about were Gavin MacLeod '52 and Ilene Graff '70 (you get extra points if you can identify in the comments who she is and what she's known for). There are now many other notable IC alumni doing wonderful things all over the country. I'm proud to be one of them.
I'm still not willing, however, to publicly admit that Bob Iger '73 is one of ours too.
Ithaca College produces some kick-ass graduates (if I do say so myself). Two of them are currently in very unique and distinct spotlights:
Gino Bona '95 is the winner of the first-ever NFL's "Pitch Us Your Idea for the Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever. Seriously" contest, and his ad will air at the two minute warning in the fourth quarter tomorrow. I may actually tune into the Super Bowl for the first time ever to try and catch a glimpse.
Kevin Greene '06 is one of the finalists currently appearing on NBC's reality show "Grease: You're The One That I Want" about the casting process for this summer's new Broadway revival of the most popular musical ever. "Grease" isn't my favorite musical, but it's cute and fun and I'll start watching the show so I can vote for Kevin. I don't know him, but we Ithacans have to stick together. This isn't the first audience-selected casting that an Ithaca alumnus has participated in.
Speaking of Ithaca alumni and "Grease", there's another notable alumni who I DO know. Matt Cavenaugh '01 is currently appearing on Broadway in "Grey Gardens" as Joe Kennedy. Matt and I were the same year at IC until he took a year off to appear in the national tour of "Grease". We really didn't know each other until my senior year, when he was cast in the lead role in the mainstage production of "Babes in Arms" and I happened to be the Wardrobe Supervisor and his personal dresser. He certainly deserves all the success he's earned so far. You really couldn't ask for an easier actor to work with.
And to think, the most famous IC alumni I used to brag about were Gavin MacLeod '52 and Ilene Graff '70 (you get extra points if you can identify in the comments who she is and what she's known for). There are now many other notable IC alumni doing wonderful things all over the country. I'm proud to be one of them.
I'm still not willing, however, to publicly admit that Bob Iger '73 is one of ours too.
Labels: alumni, fame, Ithaca College, personal, pride, success
