197 (9 posts behind)
Let me get this straight...
If I can afford health insurance, then I'll pay for mine and your health insurance.
If I can't pay for health insurance, I won't have to pay for my or your health insurance.
Hmmmm...
Can we work a deal like this so I can get cable?
chris
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Moby Dick
198 (8 posts behind)
From a 10th grade lesson about Herman Melville's Moby Dick
"Moby Dick is full of symbolism. Moby Dick is an impersonal force that can represent God or Ahab's futile quest for vengeance. Since we cannot read its thoughts and feelings, Moby Dick is inscrutable. Ahab is unable to defeat the great white whale, and it consistently thwarts Ahab's quest. This ties in as a symbol of God. God's will is inscrutable. There is also physical manifestation of this inscrutability. For most of the novel, we are unable to see the whole whale, most of it is hidden in the depts of the ocean. This inability to really see the whale or to really understand the whale can be seen as humanity's relationship with God."
Barak Obama has stated that Moby Dick is his favorite book...
Ronald Reagan's favorite book was Whittaker Chambers' Witness.
"Perhaps the greatest work of political biography of the 20th century. Chambers spent many years in the Communist underground in Baltimore, supporting a cell of spies and subversives. Eventually he came to the Cross and escaped the despair of the Communist enterprise. His testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities exposed the depth of the Communist penetration of American institutions, and led eventually to the perjury conviction of Alger Hiss, then a respected diplomat, once the founding Secretary General of the UN"
Could it be that your favorite book reflects something about your own heart?
chris
From a 10th grade lesson about Herman Melville's Moby Dick
"Moby Dick is full of symbolism. Moby Dick is an impersonal force that can represent God or Ahab's futile quest for vengeance. Since we cannot read its thoughts and feelings, Moby Dick is inscrutable. Ahab is unable to defeat the great white whale, and it consistently thwarts Ahab's quest. This ties in as a symbol of God. God's will is inscrutable. There is also physical manifestation of this inscrutability. For most of the novel, we are unable to see the whole whale, most of it is hidden in the depts of the ocean. This inability to really see the whale or to really understand the whale can be seen as humanity's relationship with God."
Barak Obama has stated that Moby Dick is his favorite book...
Ronald Reagan's favorite book was Whittaker Chambers' Witness.
"Perhaps the greatest work of political biography of the 20th century. Chambers spent many years in the Communist underground in Baltimore, supporting a cell of spies and subversives. Eventually he came to the Cross and escaped the despair of the Communist enterprise. His testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities exposed the depth of the Communist penetration of American institutions, and led eventually to the perjury conviction of Alger Hiss, then a respected diplomat, once the founding Secretary General of the UN"
Could it be that your favorite book reflects something about your own heart?
chris
Understanding "The Criminal Mind."
199 (10 posts behind)
I learned a valuable lesson from Marty Marsh, (Newton Correctional Facility's psychologist) on afternoon as he had me sit-in while he talked to an inmate who was being considered for release, (let's call him, Larry):
MARTY: Larry, tell me what you've learned while you've been in prison.
LARRY: I've learned a lot about my self and my addictions. I've learned about my triggers and pattens. I've learned to have empathy for others. I've learned that my behavior and actions have been hurtful and illegal....
MARTY: Larry, it it OK to have a Meth-lab in the basement of our house across the street from an elementary school? (Which of course, Larry had an was the reason he was in prison.)
LARRY: No, nope, uh-uh. That's illegal. It's dangerous for the neighborhood, especially the kids at the school, what with the potential for explosions and all...newp...
MARTY: ..........
LARRY: But sometimes you have to do things. I was in debt, and I didn't have a job. I never dealt dope to a kid and I never had an accident in the lab. I was just going to make enough money to get going and then I was going to quit altogether. It's just something I had to do at the time.
MARTY: Hmmmmmmmm....
LARRY: ..........
MARTY: Larry, is it OK to hit your wife? (Which, of course he had a long history of doing.)
LARRY: No, nope, uh-uh. Your wife should be treated with respect. She is a person. Hitting someone hurts them. It is harmful to respond in anger. You should use words to express yourself rather than harmful actions...newwwwwp...
MARTY: ..........
LARRY: But sometimes you have to, I mean, she was yelling at me first...and she wouldn't shut-up.
MARTY: Hmmmmmmmm......
LARRY: ..........
MARTY: OK, I think we're done here.
(Insert your own life lesson here: ___________________________________________________.)
chris
I learned a valuable lesson from Marty Marsh, (Newton Correctional Facility's psychologist) on afternoon as he had me sit-in while he talked to an inmate who was being considered for release, (let's call him, Larry):
MARTY: Larry, tell me what you've learned while you've been in prison.
LARRY: I've learned a lot about my self and my addictions. I've learned about my triggers and pattens. I've learned to have empathy for others. I've learned that my behavior and actions have been hurtful and illegal....
MARTY: Larry, it it OK to have a Meth-lab in the basement of our house across the street from an elementary school? (Which of course, Larry had an was the reason he was in prison.)
LARRY: No, nope, uh-uh. That's illegal. It's dangerous for the neighborhood, especially the kids at the school, what with the potential for explosions and all...newp...
MARTY: ..........
LARRY: But sometimes you have to do things. I was in debt, and I didn't have a job. I never dealt dope to a kid and I never had an accident in the lab. I was just going to make enough money to get going and then I was going to quit altogether. It's just something I had to do at the time.
MARTY: Hmmmmmmmm....
LARRY: ..........
MARTY: Larry, is it OK to hit your wife? (Which, of course he had a long history of doing.)
LARRY: No, nope, uh-uh. Your wife should be treated with respect. She is a person. Hitting someone hurts them. It is harmful to respond in anger. You should use words to express yourself rather than harmful actions...newwwwwp...
MARTY: ..........
LARRY: But sometimes you have to, I mean, she was yelling at me first...and she wouldn't shut-up.
MARTY: Hmmmmmmmm......
LARRY: ..........
MARTY: OK, I think we're done here.
(Insert your own life lesson here: ___________________________________________________.)
chris
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Prison Ministry in Rockwell City, Iowa
200 (9 posts behind)
I know many of the men in the story below, including David Hecht who was in IFI and is now a volunteer @ Rockwell City.
I know many of the men in the story below, including David Hecht who was in IFI and is now a volunteer @ Rockwell City.
chris
Friday, June 22, 2012
Prominent atheist blogger converts to Catholicism
201 (8 posts behind)
Facinating stories...
This-is-my-last-post-for-the-Patheos-Atheist-Portal
Prominent atheist blogger converts to Catholicism
Washington (CNN) – She went from atheist to Catholic in just over 1,000 words.
Leah Libresco, who’d been a prominent atheist blogger for the religion website Patheos, announced on her blog this week that after years of debating many “smart Christians,” she has decided to become one herself, and that she has begun the process of converting to Catholicism.
Libresco, who had long blogged under the banner “Unequally Yoked: A geeky atheist picks fights with her Catholic boyfriend,” said that at the heart of her decision were questions of morality and how one finds a moral compass.
“I had one thing that I was most certain of, which is that morality is something we have a duty to,” Libresco told CNN in an interview this week, a small cross dangling from her neck. “And it is external from us. And when push came to shove, that is the belief I wouldn’t let go of. And that is something I can’t prove.”
According to a Patheos post she wrote on Monday, entitled “This is my last post for the Patheos Atheist Portal,” she began to see parts of Christianity and Catholicism that fit her moral system. Though she now identifies as a Catholic, Libresco questions certain aspects of Catholicism, including the church’s positions on homosexuality, contraception and some aspects of religious liberty.
“There was one religion that seemed like the most promising way to reach back to that living Truth,” Libresco wrote about Catholicism in her conversion announcement post, which has been shared over 18,000 times on Facebook. “I asked my friend what he suggests we do now, and we prayed the night office of the Liturgy of the Hours together.”
At the end of the post, Libresco announces that she is in a Rights of Christian Initiation of Adults class and is preparing for baptism. She will continue to blog for Patheos, but under the banner, “A geeky convert picks fights in good faith.”
According to Dan Welch, director of marketing for Patheos, Libresco’s post has received around 150,000 page views so far.
“Leah's blog has gotten steadily more popular since she arrived at Patheos, but a typical post on her blog is probably closer to the range of 5,000 page views,” Welch wrote in an email. “Even now, a few days later, her blog is probably getting 20-30 times its normal traffic.”
Libresco’s announcement has left some atheists scratching their heads.
“I think atheists were surprised that she went with Catholicism, which seems like a very specific choice,” Hemant Mehta, an atheist blogger at Patheos, told CNN. “I have a hard time believing how someone could jump from I don’t believe in God to a very specific church and a very specific God.”
Mehta says that Libresco’s conversion is a “one-off thing” and not something that signals any trend in atheism. “The trends are very clear, the conversions from Catholicism to atheism are much more likely to happen than the other way around,” he said.
But while atheists were puzzled by the conversion, others commended Libresco.
“I know I’ve prayed for her conversion several times, always thinking she would make a great Catholic,” wrote Brandon Vogt, a Catholic blogger. “And with this news, it looks like that will happen. Today heaven is roaring with joy.”
Thomas L. McDonald, a Catholic Patheos blogger, welcomed Libresco to the fold: “Welcome. I know this was hard, and will continue to be so. Don’t worry if the Catholics make it as for difficult for you as the atheists. We only do it to people we love.”
Libresco says one of the most common questions she has received is how she'll deal with atheists now.
“The great thing about a lot of the atheist and skeptic community is that people talk more critically about ideas and want to see proof provided,” Libresco said. “That kind of analytical thinking is completely useful and the Catholic Church doesn’t need to and should not be afraid of because if you’ve got the facts on your side, you hope they win.”
Libresco is just switching the side she thinks the facts are on.
Facinating stories...
This-is-my-last-post-for-the-Patheos-Atheist-Portal
Prominent atheist blogger converts to Catholicism
Leah Libresco, an atheist blogger, is converting to Catholicism.
By Dan Merica, CNN
Washington (CNN) – She went from atheist to Catholic in just over 1,000 words.
Leah Libresco, who’d been a prominent atheist blogger for the religion website Patheos, announced on her blog this week that after years of debating many “smart Christians,” she has decided to become one herself, and that she has begun the process of converting to Catholicism.
Libresco, who had long blogged under the banner “Unequally Yoked: A geeky atheist picks fights with her Catholic boyfriend,” said that at the heart of her decision were questions of morality and how one finds a moral compass.
“I had one thing that I was most certain of, which is that morality is something we have a duty to,” Libresco told CNN in an interview this week, a small cross dangling from her neck. “And it is external from us. And when push came to shove, that is the belief I wouldn’t let go of. And that is something I can’t prove.”
According to a Patheos post she wrote on Monday, entitled “This is my last post for the Patheos Atheist Portal,” she began to see parts of Christianity and Catholicism that fit her moral system. Though she now identifies as a Catholic, Libresco questions certain aspects of Catholicism, including the church’s positions on homosexuality, contraception and some aspects of religious liberty.
“There was one religion that seemed like the most promising way to reach back to that living Truth,” Libresco wrote about Catholicism in her conversion announcement post, which has been shared over 18,000 times on Facebook. “I asked my friend what he suggests we do now, and we prayed the night office of the Liturgy of the Hours together.”
At the end of the post, Libresco announces that she is in a Rights of Christian Initiation of Adults class and is preparing for baptism. She will continue to blog for Patheos, but under the banner, “A geeky convert picks fights in good faith.”
According to Dan Welch, director of marketing for Patheos, Libresco’s post has received around 150,000 page views so far.
“Leah's blog has gotten steadily more popular since she arrived at Patheos, but a typical post on her blog is probably closer to the range of 5,000 page views,” Welch wrote in an email. “Even now, a few days later, her blog is probably getting 20-30 times its normal traffic.”
Libresco’s announcement has left some atheists scratching their heads.
“I think atheists were surprised that she went with Catholicism, which seems like a very specific choice,” Hemant Mehta, an atheist blogger at Patheos, told CNN. “I have a hard time believing how someone could jump from I don’t believe in God to a very specific church and a very specific God.”
Mehta says that Libresco’s conversion is a “one-off thing” and not something that signals any trend in atheism. “The trends are very clear, the conversions from Catholicism to atheism are much more likely to happen than the other way around,” he said.
But while atheists were puzzled by the conversion, others commended Libresco.
“I know I’ve prayed for her conversion several times, always thinking she would make a great Catholic,” wrote Brandon Vogt, a Catholic blogger. “And with this news, it looks like that will happen. Today heaven is roaring with joy.”
Thomas L. McDonald, a Catholic Patheos blogger, welcomed Libresco to the fold: “Welcome. I know this was hard, and will continue to be so. Don’t worry if the Catholics make it as for difficult for you as the atheists. We only do it to people we love.”
Libresco says one of the most common questions she has received is how she'll deal with atheists now.
“The great thing about a lot of the atheist and skeptic community is that people talk more critically about ideas and want to see proof provided,” Libresco said. “That kind of analytical thinking is completely useful and the Catholic Church doesn’t need to and should not be afraid of because if you’ve got the facts on your side, you hope they win.”
Libresco is just switching the side she thinks the facts are on.
Political Feudalism
202 ("yes"...still 9 posts behind, and "no"...the orangutan on an iPad video did not count as a post.)
I was reading the last chapter of Christian's Heritage Studies (Yes, we do school all the time) a couple days ago and the subject was Feudalism:
The Feudal System was introduced to England following the invasion and conquest of the country by William I (The Conqueror/from France...of course.)
The system had been used in France by the Normans from the time they first settled there in about 900AD. It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the King. One quarter was kept by the King as his personal property, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out under strict controls.
A simple plan showing how the Feudal System works
The King was in complete control under the Feudal System. He owned all the land in the country and decided who he would lease land to. He therefore only allowed those men he could trust to lease land from him. However, before they were given any land they had to swear an oath to remain faithful to the King at all times. The men who leased land from the King were known as Barons, they were wealthy, powerful and had complete control of the land they leased from the King.
Barons leased land from the King which was known as a manor. They were known as the Lord of the Manor and were in complete control of this land. They established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own taxes. In return for the land they had been given by the King, the Barons had to serve on the royal council, pay rent and provide the King with Knights for military service when he demanded it. They also had to provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they travelled around the country. The Barons kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights. Barons were very rich.
Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. They also had to protect the Baron and his family, as well as the Manor, from attack. The Knights kept as much of the land as they wished for their own personal use and distributed the rest to villeins (serfs). Although not as rich as the Barons, Knights were quite wealthy.
Villeins, sometimes known as serfs, were given land by Knights. They had to provide the Knight with free labour, food and service whenever it was demanded. Villeins had no rights. They were not allowed to leave the Manor and had to ask their Lord's permission before they could marry. Villeins were poor.
As I read this with Christian, I was struck with how similar it is to our current political system, Instead of brokering land (which was the most important commodity in the Middle Ages) it is now the brokering of power, will and influence.
There are a limited number of people who actually wield "power" because we, as a nation, resist that through our general DNA of oppositional/defiance. We are, however, deeply influenced by the power of suggestion through the media. If we think it's our idea, then we'll "go to the wall" fighting for it.
Fealty. Nobles would swear "fealty" to other conquering Nobles in exchange for resources. This is so much the fabric of our political system now there is no rooting it out. But instead of swearing fealty to an individual or family, you must swear fealty to a set of political/moral/cultural positions. Often times there are only two choices of an issue on extreme ends of a spectrum.
For instance: Abortion
You are either Pro-choice (meaning a woman can chose to end her pregnancy for any and all reasons through all 9+ months of pregnancy/and it's a healthcare "right"/and it should be funded through insurance and the government)
or
You are Pro-life (meaning a pregnancy must be preserved by all medical means necessary throughout all 9+ months of pregnancy. There are no justifiable reasons to end a pregnancy through medical means.)
Same w/ Gay Marriage, and Taxes, and the Military, and 100 other issues.
These positions are defined for the candidate ahead of time and cannot shape them him/herself.
I would never run for office in this environment. Which is why we're running out the Bozos that we are in congress and for the White House.
chris
Thursday, June 21, 2012
"Apps for Apes"
203 (Still 9 posts behind)
Fill in your own joke here: ____________________
HOUSTON, June 21 (UPI) -- Officials at the Houston Zoo said the "Apps for Apes" program, which provides apes with iPad apps designed for children, helps mentally stimulate the primates.
Zookeepers said the facility is the first in Texas to participate in the "Apps for Apes" program, which was developed by New York primate advocacy group Orangutan Outreach and pioneered at zoos in Wisconsin and Toronto. The program helps to stimulate the primates mentally in the absence of wild conditions, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.
"Chimps and orangutans and other apes are very intelligent," chimp keeper Helen Boostrom said. "In the wild, the problems they must solve are finding food and shelter. They don't have to do that at the zoo. This is enrichment. It helps them use their minds."
Zoo spokesman Brian Hill said zookeepers have noticed similar reactions in apes and human children when they solve the puzzles on the iPad apps.
"You see the same reaction on their faces when they solve a problem and get something right," he said.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/06/21/Zoo-apes-get-stimulation-from-iPad-apps/UPI-76331340307541/#ixzz1yUWMvPI7
Fill in your own joke here: ____________________
HOUSTON, June 21 (UPI) -- Officials at the Houston Zoo said the "Apps for Apes" program, which provides apes with iPad apps designed for children, helps mentally stimulate the primates.
Zookeepers said the facility is the first in Texas to participate in the "Apps for Apes" program, which was developed by New York primate advocacy group Orangutan Outreach and pioneered at zoos in Wisconsin and Toronto. The program helps to stimulate the primates mentally in the absence of wild conditions, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.
"Chimps and orangutans and other apes are very intelligent," chimp keeper Helen Boostrom said. "In the wild, the problems they must solve are finding food and shelter. They don't have to do that at the zoo. This is enrichment. It helps them use their minds."
Zoo spokesman Brian Hill said zookeepers have noticed similar reactions in apes and human children when they solve the puzzles on the iPad apps.
"You see the same reaction on their faces when they solve a problem and get something right," he said.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/06/21/Zoo-apes-get-stimulation-from-iPad-apps/UPI-76331340307541/#ixzz1yUWMvPI7
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Gruber
THIS POST HAS BEEN DELETED DUE TO INACCURATE AND ERRONEOUS INFORMATION.
ANY CONFUSION AND/OR MISINFORMATION WAS UNINTENTIONAL.
MY APOLOGIES.
CG
ANY CONFUSION AND/OR MISINFORMATION WAS UNINTENTIONAL.
MY APOLOGIES.
CG
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
2 AM
205 (9 posts behind)
We wrapped up "Sweeney Todd" on Sunday night, then had a little get-together at "Old Chicago."
I got to bed at 2 AM...again.
Got a massage on my hip Monday.
Shaved off my whiskers.
Started in on "Urinetown" reherarsals Monday night 6:30-10:30.
Got home at 11:00 PM.
Got to bed at 2:00 AM...again.
I'ts going to be a long summer.
chris
We wrapped up "Sweeney Todd" on Sunday night, then had a little get-together at "Old Chicago."
I got to bed at 2 AM...again.
Got a massage on my hip Monday.
Shaved off my whiskers.
Started in on "Urinetown" reherarsals Monday night 6:30-10:30.
Got home at 11:00 PM.
Got to bed at 2:00 AM...again.
I'ts going to be a long summer.
chris
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
God gives me a "talkin'-to."
207 (8 posts behind)
Within my first 10 months at IFI (see A Very Boring Overview of InnerChange Freedom Initiative ) I was very discouraged. I was "set upon from all sides."
> The guys in the program seemed to be against me.
> Some of the IFI staff were actively and openly speaking against me.
> The IFI national directors were working against the very things I was trying to instill
> Prison Fellowship itself was complaining about the cost of our program
> The Newton Correctional staff looked at us (me) with open hostility and disdain. Some were actively sabotaging our (my) efforts.
> Some volunteers who had thier own agenda were complaining about me at a national level.
> My wife was unhappy.
> My kids were disobeing me.
> I was whining a lot
I don't remember the exact circumstance, but one day I had had it. I left the prison in the following manner:
SHUT DOWN MY COMPUTER: Stupid lap top. Slow, terrible internet connection. How can I get anything done with crappy stuff like this?
OFFICE DOOR: Stupid keys! Why do I need all these keys anyway?
OUT OF "M" BUILDING: Stupid trailers. What a crappy building.
DOWN THE YARD: Why are we on the back end of the joint anyway? Lord, why did you even bring me here with these guys anyway? They don't do anything I say. And every one of them would argue with a rock.
A THE KEY DROP: What is taking so long with the stupid keys? The DOC folks like to just Jack with me anyway. We provide, basically a free service to their failed prison and they hold onto my chit behind their stupid tinted glass...just because they can.
LOCKED DOOR #1: My own counselors are even against me. They don't think I know what I'm talking about.
LOCKED DOOR #2: My kids are running around crazy and disobeying me. Lord, why did you even bring me here. My kids could disobey me in Tennessee where at least it would be warm?
LOCKED GATE TO THE SALLY PORT: Why did you bring me here to fail? I would have been happy to fail in Tennessee where there was at least my wife was happy?
THEN THE LORD SPOKE TO MY SPIRIT:
ME: Yes Sir.
But as it turned out, that wasn't all I got. I received some of the most heart swelling fulfillment of my entire life. He enriched my marriage. He worked in the hearts of my kids. He blossomed the ministry of IFI. He was faithful...even through my whining.
chris
Within my first 10 months at IFI (see A Very Boring Overview of InnerChange Freedom Initiative ) I was very discouraged. I was "set upon from all sides."
> The guys in the program seemed to be against me.
> Some of the IFI staff were actively and openly speaking against me.
> The IFI national directors were working against the very things I was trying to instill
> Prison Fellowship itself was complaining about the cost of our program
> The Newton Correctional staff looked at us (me) with open hostility and disdain. Some were actively sabotaging our (my) efforts.
> Some volunteers who had thier own agenda were complaining about me at a national level.
> My wife was unhappy.
> My kids were disobeing me.
> I was whining a lot
I don't remember the exact circumstance, but one day I had had it. I left the prison in the following manner:
SHUT DOWN MY COMPUTER: Stupid lap top. Slow, terrible internet connection. How can I get anything done with crappy stuff like this?
OFFICE DOOR: Stupid keys! Why do I need all these keys anyway?
OUT OF "M" BUILDING: Stupid trailers. What a crappy building.
DOWN THE YARD: Why are we on the back end of the joint anyway? Lord, why did you even bring me here with these guys anyway? They don't do anything I say. And every one of them would argue with a rock.
A THE KEY DROP: What is taking so long with the stupid keys? The DOC folks like to just Jack with me anyway. We provide, basically a free service to their failed prison and they hold onto my chit behind their stupid tinted glass...just because they can.
LOCKED DOOR #1: My own counselors are even against me. They don't think I know what I'm talking about.
LOCKED DOOR #2: My kids are running around crazy and disobeying me. Lord, why did you even bring me here. My kids could disobey me in Tennessee where at least it would be warm?
LOCKED GATE TO THE SALLY PORT: Why did you bring me here to fail? I would have been happy to fail in Tennessee where there was at least my wife was happy?
THEN THE LORD SPOKE TO MY SPIRIT:
Chris, I sent my one and only Son to the earth, and they killed Him.
I'm letting you walk out of this prison alive.
That is more than I afforded my own Son.
You get to walk out of here alive...and that's all you get.
ME: Yes Sir.
But as it turned out, that wasn't all I got. I received some of the most heart swelling fulfillment of my entire life. He enriched my marriage. He worked in the hearts of my kids. He blossomed the ministry of IFI. He was faithful...even through my whining.
chris
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Having empathy.
BONUS BLOG: (Now only 7 posts behind!)
208
One day at the prison, I talked to one of the guys. Let's call him, "Ray." He urgently wanted to talk to me in my office.
Here was our conversation...
RAY: Chris, I learned something in Criminality today.
ME: Really? What did you learn.
RAY: The things I do affect other people.
ME: Okay?
RAY: For instance. Let's say you say or do something that makes me mad or hurts my feelings.
ME: Go on...
RAY: And then let's say I beat you down (*which was Ray's go-to strategy in all of life, especially the women in his life)
ME: Alright.
RAY: THAT HURTS YOU...it hurts you when I beat you down. Even though I may feel better, it hurts you.
ME: That is correct Ray.
RAY: My actions can hurt other people (*he's getting very excited now) and if I take it out on them by beating them down...THAT...HURTS...THEM!
ME:...
RAY: (*said with tears in his eyes) That's called, "EMPATHY!"
ME: Yes! Good for you Ray! Good for you! Yes, beating people down DOES hurt them. Good insight Ray! I'm proud of you Ray!
It's the little things, really.
chris
208
One day at the prison, I talked to one of the guys. Let's call him, "Ray." He urgently wanted to talk to me in my office.
Here was our conversation...
RAY: Chris, I learned something in Criminality today.
ME: Really? What did you learn.
RAY: The things I do affect other people.
ME: Okay?
RAY: For instance. Let's say you say or do something that makes me mad or hurts my feelings.
ME: Go on...
RAY: And then let's say I beat you down (*which was Ray's go-to strategy in all of life, especially the women in his life)
ME: Alright.
RAY: THAT HURTS YOU...it hurts you when I beat you down. Even though I may feel better, it hurts you.
ME: That is correct Ray.
RAY: My actions can hurt other people (*he's getting very excited now) and if I take it out on them by beating them down...THAT...HURTS...THEM!
ME:...
RAY: (*said with tears in his eyes) That's called, "EMPATHY!"
ME: Yes! Good for you Ray! Good for you! Yes, beating people down DOES hurt them. Good insight Ray! I'm proud of you Ray!
It's the little things, really.
chris
I have whiskers.
208
Now I'm 8 posts behind.
I don't have a beard.
To call what I have on my face "a beard" would be an insult to beards everywhere.
I have whiskers.
They grow in close proximity to each other on my upper lip and my chin.
But on my neck and cheeks it's like beyond the tree line of a mountain. There are individual loners, but no forest.
I started "growing" these whiskers for the show, and unfortunately the make-up guy told me to keep them. So I haven't shaved them since. before Memeorial Day.
I hate them and will be glad when they're gone.
chris
(Not many kisses when you're a whiskery man!)
Now I'm 8 posts behind.
I don't have a beard.
To call what I have on my face "a beard" would be an insult to beards everywhere.
I have whiskers.
They grow in close proximity to each other on my upper lip and my chin.
But on my neck and cheeks it's like beyond the tree line of a mountain. There are individual loners, but no forest.
I started "growing" these whiskers for the show, and unfortunately the make-up guy told me to keep them. So I haven't shaved them since. before Memeorial Day.
I hate them and will be glad when they're gone.
chris
(Not many kisses when you're a whiskery man!)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Late/Early
210
Good rehearsaals Mon and Tues/
It's 2AM and I'm just getting to bed.
Long 2 weeks.
chris
Good rehearsaals Mon and Tues/
It's 2AM and I'm just getting to bed.
Long 2 weeks.
chris
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tech Rehearsal
211
Sunday night was a big "Tech Rehearsal" ( a run of the show adding sets, lights, and sound) for "Sweeney Todd" out at the Theatre in the Park stage.
Tech rehearsals are frustrating, clunky events that are as crucial to the success of a show as any other aspect of the production process...with really no allowance for a learning curve. As singers, we've been rehearsing since April 22, and those first rehearsals were painful at times. The same is true for those involved with tech, except they are not afforded a month to get their "stuff" together. They get a day.
I wish we could have had last night's rehearsal (June 3rd) on our first two nights at the park (May 30th & 31st) but the sets weren't ready and we didn't have a fully staffed backstage crew..what can you do?
Whenever a new element is added is added to a production the performance can take one or two steps back. Set pieces alter entrances and blocking. Adding the orchestra changes the feel of the music and we find we've been listening for particular piano cues that are now played by the bassoon. I've never worn a wireless mic before (that's how long it's been since I've been on stage!) and to be quite honest, wearing it threw me off (and it was out of batteries.) Wearing a costume or make-up can alter the way an actor feels. It can be frustrating on many levels and for many people.
However...
I believe that frustration, aggravation, turmoil, trials, and tribulations are a necessary part of the development of a show (and of course life.) We can blame others, check-out, lash-out, become paralyzed and hopeless, get angry and offended, but that doesn't "make the show happen." I believe to frustration can come from a place of wanting the show to be great and not being able to get there. As an actor (and a person) it can be used to motivate you to draw from a different place within yourself to perform. It can add determination and energy. It adds perseverance and confidence and hope after (let's say tonight's) rehearsal is over and you've overcome 75% of the obstacles.
Actually, I came away from last night's rehearsal very hopeful. We will have four full run-throughs before we open on Friday.
I'm confident we'll be ready.
chris
Sunday night was a big "Tech Rehearsal" ( a run of the show adding sets, lights, and sound) for "Sweeney Todd" out at the Theatre in the Park stage.
Tech rehearsals are frustrating, clunky events that are as crucial to the success of a show as any other aspect of the production process...with really no allowance for a learning curve. As singers, we've been rehearsing since April 22, and those first rehearsals were painful at times. The same is true for those involved with tech, except they are not afforded a month to get their "stuff" together. They get a day.
I wish we could have had last night's rehearsal (June 3rd) on our first two nights at the park (May 30th & 31st) but the sets weren't ready and we didn't have a fully staffed backstage crew..what can you do?
Whenever a new element is added is added to a production the performance can take one or two steps back. Set pieces alter entrances and blocking. Adding the orchestra changes the feel of the music and we find we've been listening for particular piano cues that are now played by the bassoon. I've never worn a wireless mic before (that's how long it's been since I've been on stage!) and to be quite honest, wearing it threw me off (and it was out of batteries.) Wearing a costume or make-up can alter the way an actor feels. It can be frustrating on many levels and for many people.
However...
I believe that frustration, aggravation, turmoil, trials, and tribulations are a necessary part of the development of a show (and of course life.) We can blame others, check-out, lash-out, become paralyzed and hopeless, get angry and offended, but that doesn't "make the show happen." I believe to frustration can come from a place of wanting the show to be great and not being able to get there. As an actor (and a person) it can be used to motivate you to draw from a different place within yourself to perform. It can add determination and energy. It adds perseverance and confidence and hope after (let's say tonight's) rehearsal is over and you've overcome 75% of the obstacles.
Actually, I came away from last night's rehearsal very hopeful. We will have four full run-throughs before we open on Friday.
I'm confident we'll be ready.
chris
A Busy Sunday...
212
Picked up Eric from the Airport. (He's home for the summer.)
Fixed his bed, (It's about 30 years old and in falling apart.)
Painted a couple of doors. (3 sides out of 10 actually.)
Went to the "Sweeney Todd" tech rehearsal out at the Park. (Which was long. I was there from 6:30-11:30)
Got to bed about 1:00 AM. (Again. I can't keep this-up all summer.)
chris
Picked up Eric from the Airport. (He's home for the summer.)
Fixed his bed, (It's about 30 years old and in falling apart.)
Painted a couple of doors. (3 sides out of 10 actually.)
Went to the "Sweeney Todd" tech rehearsal out at the Park. (Which was long. I was there from 6:30-11:30)
Got to bed about 1:00 AM. (Again. I can't keep this-up all summer.)
chris
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Lowes
213
We bought this grill today...
...and 6 doors,
...and some shelves,
...and some drapery rods,
...and a this trimmer,
(it came with a ribbon)
I have work to do.
chris
(...and grilling)
We bought this grill today...
...and some shelves,
...and some drapery rods,
...and a this trimmer,
I have work to do.
chris
(...and grilling)
Friday, June 1, 2012
My Shoes' Resume'
214
Backstage at "Sweeney Todd" another actor commented on how much he liked the shoes I was wearing.
As I thought about it further, these shoes have a pretty nice resume'.
Here is my Shoe's Resume':
As I thought about it further, these shoes have a pretty nice resume'.
Here is my Shoe's Resume':
Sweeney Todd, 2012 (7 performances)
Tom Sawyer, 2011 (7 performances)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 2011 (7 performances)
Oliver!, 2010 (7 performances)
HONK!, 2009 (7 performances)
Beauty and the Beast, 2009 (7 performances)
Pocahontas, 2008 (7 performances)
The Wizard of Oz, 2008 (7 performances)
The Phantom Tollbooth, 2008 (7 performances)
Les Miserables, 2007 (12 performances)
(75 performances/Skad-zillion rehearsals)
chris
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