Art is an Open Concept

Been having "interviews" this week for two potentially "new" instructors in Art Appreciation at Savannah Technical College. Had four excellent candidates! Reduced that to three just by sheer necessity.

All three "finalists" will now need to do a "class" or "demo class" for the Search Committee. Should be an interesting week next week--with the Speech Position Interviews dovetailing and overlapping the Art Appreciation "finals." At least there "will be blood." And fresh blood at that!

Theatre of the Absurd

Political campaigning in the United States during this 2016 Election campaign has rivalled and exceeded the most "absurd" forms of theatre ever put on stage. Trump uses every kind of logical fallacy -- and repeats ridiculous lies -- until some news organization picks it up, and then by conversation alone, it becomes an issue.

So far in the last few days: Hillary Clinton is a murderer -- though cleared by the hyper-political Benghazi Republican Committee; Hillary is a husband-abuser -- Bill Clinton actually had a black eye while in office; Hillary is a crook, earning billions from Wall Street donations -- Foundation, not her, got money NOT while she was in public office--NGO audited, funds all accounted for, no graft, no "crooked Hillary." More charges and outrageous statements will do doubt follow.

It is (Trump's Campaign is...) ABSURD! Just like Theatre of the Absurd!!!

Happy Birthday to Me

As I tell my students -- I am a thousand years old today. Not too far from the truth.

I remember to treat myself kindly on this day -- I am only human; and thus limited in time, energy, emotion, brains, and just about every other way. Just trying to be the best that I can be; and do the best for others.

Brexit Harming Us All

Great Britain's attempt to return to the "glory days" of pre-Economic Union Europe is harming economies and confidence all over the world. That same decision also is inducing rallies/protests about all the issues that supported the vote (and the exit): fear of immigration, nationalism (loss of British "Sovereignty"), financial issues, the engulfing return to brutal white supremacy, xenophobia, and others.

Trading partners like the United States are worried about their own connections to the industries, trading power, interest rates, and other functions that may be affected. And that worry is translating itself into losses in markets, in profits, and in common sense.

Males --- Rethink Donald Trump

Yes, men of America. You are angry about the way things are. Is that the reason to go outside your own beliefs and vote for a racist, a woman-user, a moron, a bully, a xenophobe, a jerk, and punish the country for not giving "you" what you want (a raise, your guns, a better job)!

Dump Trump now -- in your own mind. Vote for anyone else. Write in your own name. Be a strong human being -- not a "trumpian!"

Dealing, Dealing, Dealing

Everyone's life has a certain degree of complexity. Sometimes issues, demands, and desires stress us out to the most difficult degree possible. Life impedes happiness by blowing up small demands into large ones, and by letting little demands proliferate seemingly while we sleep.

I have seen people thrown into depression, or literally crushed down by such burdens. I have seen this among my friends, and in my colleagues. I have witnessed it among my students, and have felt it in my own simple life. "There is not enough money; there is too little time; I need this now; why aren't you listening to me; etc. etc. etc." And life goes on. And we are free to exhale -- and live another day.

Brexit or Non-Brexit; That is the Question

Voters in the UK will decide on Friday whether their country will begin the slow exodus process from the EU. If they "go" it will mean that the political and economic ties that have held Europe together for the past few decades will be severed, and the currency,trade, and political treaties held around the world will be shaken.

What it "could" mean for America is pressure on the dollar, a recession caused by changing trade patterns, and a loss of buying power in the world against a strengthening currency in the UK. The British Pound would revert back to its prominent Nationalist position in world economics -- and the Euro and related currencies would suffer the indignity of shrinking because of British economic stability. Yikes.

What does all that mean? It means instability in "capitalism" throughout the world, tightening of trade and trade barriers, and a harder environment for political and climate cooperation on a worldwide basis.

Girls in Summer Dresses

One of the real pleasures of the summer is watching people enjoy themselves -- swimming, out walking, running in the early morning before the heat builds in, gardening, dining out at restaurants, and simply being about in comfortable summer clothing. Women in summer dresses -- comfortable, not too short or deliberately revealing -- relaxed and smiling. Men in light summer shirts and slacks, or even (fashion forbid) shorts, if they are comfortable and not too "golf-like" or "frayed into 'holey' messes."

The summer gives us time to enjoy the warmth and yet still understand that changes are coming. It is our time of peace -- and calm, and love! Enjoy it along with an ice cream treat of your choice -- and taste the difference that is summer, especially in Savannah!

Regrettably, Donald J. Trump

America and the Republican Party (the GOP) -- have been embarrassed by the nomination of Donald Trump to the Presidency. Because of an alliance of underserved, typically-non-voting racists and xenophobes with traditional "conservative" neo-fascist Christian voters  (abortion, abortion, abortion) we are faced with the kind of election that will only be called a nightmare by future generations.

There will be name-calling, and twitter trolling, and ridiculous and insane theories, charges, and rants -- one candidate versus the other; along with a modicum of actual issue-related talk -- and then more trolling, theories, charges, etc. ---- until finally the voters will settle the whole mess in November --- and hopefully the better candidate will win. And let's hope that Hillary Clinton will become as good a President, all things considered, as her husband w

Monday Morning Coming Down

The "Golden Gate" Warriors lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers late last night!  Lots of Americans will be sleepy-eyed this morning due to that fact.

Donald Trump continues to embarrass himself and the country by his fascist candidacy for the GOP nomination for the Presidency of the United States. The politics of the USA is awash with money and split convictions -- it is the best of times; it is the worst of times. And it is Monday --- all day!

The Year of the Woman

Controversies abound this year about women. The shooter in the Orlando killings texted his wife (and she him) during the slaughter. A British MP was killed for stating views about BREXIT just a few days ago. Struggles about "campus rape" (and colleges hiding these Title IX "investigations") proliferate and resurface after the recent "soft" conviction of a rapist in the Stanford swimmer case.
Women are fighting back against abuse by non-Equity theatre companies by misogynistic and even criminal harassment by male actors, directors, and others. One theatre (Profiles Theatre in Chicago) closed suddenly as a result. In LA and NYC the ripples of small theatre sexual abuse (threatening, harassment, intimidation, and even physical harming, etc) are being talked about and prosecuted.

On the world stage -- in many countries, ethnicities, and religions -- women struggle to gain understanding, equal treatment, and permanent recognition as being human. And all these struggles are happening now --at this moment, in this second -- everywhere around the world! Honor women always!

Trump Backer

I have at least one former military personnel who is an avid backer of Donald Trump!  It is frustrating talking to "him" -- there are probably others. In "his" eyes Trump can do no wrong: guns, violence, anti-women, xenophobic, racist, anti-immigrant -- all okay with this "dude." This "guy" is insufferable -- and totally "one-sourced." "He" brags that he doesn't need to read anything, know anything, or listen to anything --- unless it comes from Rush Limbaugh, or Fox News.

"He" is emblematic of the problems the country is facing --- angry young men, who are too stupid to learn anything.

Student Energies

What sometimes restores my faith in "being human" are the thoughts, remarks, and energies of my students. Whether they are in their 20's or pushing 50, they bring a common sense to their discussions, a willingness to be open, and an understanding that "life is not exactly as their parents, or the media" portray it.

These students continue their own quests for life, affection, happiness, health and joy with a common sense approach to all things physical or spiritual. One cannot help, as a teacher, absorbing and growing from such magnanimous love for life. I appreciate every day the quenching of my own thirst for life in theirs.

Sadness Reigns

The death of many; the moronic incomprehension of the few (Donald Trump and all bigots); the passive stupidity of the silent majority ("from my 'cold dead hands'"); the tears of all human -- truly human--Americans!  America is awash with guns -- and God knows that an AR-15 is just the perfect squirrel-huntin' gun!

Got to have that extra large clip for sure -- don't want them squirrels to get away before I can blast them into the nether-more! I am so proud to be an American. We got the right to "arm ourselves" for any possibility. Some "Churchgoers need killin'" -- we got all the right tools for the job! The noise from that "dance club" (who knows what does go on thar') -- we can fix it right quick!  

And so, sadly, human dignity and compassion took five giant steps back in America!

Students For ..........Nobody!

I have students who have "opted out" of the whole process of democracy!  They don't vote because "the Federal Government has nothing to do with me!" Or so they say. When questioned they admit that they pay taxes; they expect the Fed Gov to keep the Interstates flowing, and to "save" them from disasters, and to protect them if they are "attacked" by another country, or a terrorist, or whomever.

But they don't know anything else about anything!  Depending on whether they know (or like) immigrants they are for or against Trump's "wall;" they like or don't like a higher minimum wage;
they want higher (or lower) taxes; they just want to be "left alone" and have no involvement with anything that might shake the sameness of their own particular "status quo."

So they are not paying attention; they are not doing any research; and they don't intend to vote! We've gotten to the point that only the KKK and White Supremacists are interested in voting "for their rights." Yikes!

Ms. Clinton the Democratic Nominee for President of the US

History has finally happened. A woman has been chosen as a Presidential Nominee for a Major Political Party in the US. Given our racist past, and our chauvinist tendencies -- a miracle of no small order!

Now the campaign for the Presidency really begins. On one side a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic con man -- on the other, a politically savvy former First Lady, who believes in our systems of government. Selfishness/egoism versus service/empathy! Hmmmm -- what a choice!

Integrated Art

From time to time I am struck with thoughts of art, drama, dance, and the alternate lifestyles that go with these professions. The human spirit -- spiralling upward, striving to be free of earth -- and things -- and mass; lives a life well beyond ordinary living. The art of life is at play.

With a glass of wine and high hopes for experiences that will transform the humdrum into the holy,
the ordinary into the heart of things. A life well lived is a life lived with art in mind -- being artistic means being adventurous.

Colin Has "Left the Building"

As Tropical Storm Colin leaves the greater Savannah area -- it leaves with flooding in some streets, disrupted schedules (school was "called off" in mid-class on Monday at 5:00 PM), anxious locals, wary public officials!

Why? Two Tropical Storms in five days will be enough to make people a bit uncomfortable. Classes get "put behind" as people worry about simple travel across the area, street closures complicating picking up children, and just feeling like "none of us are really in control" during this messy time. All of that is true and raises the level of anxiety for all.

Welcome to Tropical Storm Colin

Yet another huge rainmaker is heading for Savannah, this time from the Gulf Coast side across the narrow nexus that is the Panhandle, then up through Southern Georgia, grazing Savannah as it heads out to sea. We will get lots of rain from it (5-8 inches or more) and plenty of cloudy weather -- but no high winds.

Rain all day Monday; rain all day Tuesday! Flooding all day -- both days -- but especially at high tide!

Welcome to strange springtime weather in the South!

Building the Wall

Some construction, or rather reconstruction, work being completed on my house today of the low-lying wall around the yard. Years and vegetation had eaten away several lengths of wall -- varying from 8 feet to about 1 foot.

Ms. Natalie Henshaw, ace former History Prof at Savannah Tech, and now bricklayer/plasterer extraordinaire is working of that project even as I write this. Thank you Natalie -- you are "worth your weight" in more than just dollars. Kudos to you...

Strange New World

Spending any amount of time "online" one soon discovers that the world has changed. In some ways the knowledge base, constantly growing and progressing, has been overtaken by the informational deluge surrounding it. Machines now talk to each other regularly -- cars to people, cars to dealerships, cars to services, refrigerators to the rest of the "integrated home," the Internet of Things has begun!

And with that -- and all the medical, feedback, and testing devices we can wear on or insert into our bodies -- keeps the information flow about our lives moving. And we can pass on that information to doctors, trainers, caretakers, or anyone we choose. The internet has quietly connected us to, and made us an inseparable part of, the universe.

Not everyone has noticed the change however. Some people still don't understand that the internet actually does exist; and it is not a fad; and it has already written the script for the next 100 years of our lives as humans. And then what?  Artificial intelligence isn't saying!