A Return to Innocence

Tired.

· Yesterday: I met with the group that is working to start a big old national tournament in MN. The initial plans are really exciting, but there is so much to do and many complications that are going to make this a pain in the sassafras. I find myself wondering if I really have the gumption to take something like this on and try to lead the group. All Though… the certain huge multi-national corporation that seems frightening willing to bank-roll this throw-down makes the prospect a smidge more palatable.

· Saturday: Saw some dance – I like the dance. Every time I watch the dance I find myself wishing to have more interesting thoughts. It seems there is little grey area in the objectivity of dance. All of it either seems to fall on the far James Joyce/Constructionist side of things or on the far Ron Howard “who needs subtlety” angle. But as an audience member, I found myself wondering if the moment I figure out what the creator was going for is the moment the creation become pedestrian? I simply enjoy dance, and most art I ‘spose, when I my head isn’t big enough to contain it. Maybe I need to start appreciating little ideas more. Concept that fit in the palm of my hand. I also ran into 3 past “girlfriends” (your term, not mine). This unforeseen meeting of twains left me feeling rather skanky and regretting some actions. Btw, Ben and Laura are about as cute as a stupid couple can be. It’s really nice to watch two people being good to each other and not self-mutilating their souls in the process.

· Friday: Bike got stolen, suck it karma. Jenny took me to a bonfire and fooled me into liking people one more gullible time.



This week: Need to study up on the Grand Canyon. Leave in 13 days!

Nationals = Done

Soo... Wichita happened. Animal Farm took second. It was a humdinger to watch them in the final round. Alex won the whole thing in Extemp, Kevin cried... sad little man.

The Fringe show is going well - certainly well outside of the norm for me.

Cheddar Triscuits = tingle-makers

Oh yeah, I also am shopping for a dog.

R.I.P. Mr. Wizard

When I saw this today I got choked up in much the same way that I did when Fred Rogers died. These men weren't just television personalities to me - they were surrogate fathers. Mr. Wizard helped raise me and I owe much of my love for science experiments to him. I have immensely strong memories of sitting on the floor in my living room as Mr. Wizard taught me and the usual multi-ethnic nerd "assistant" the principals of resonance, polarization, inertia or PH. With the added perspective of age, I can see that much of the foundation of my understanding about science I learned from Mr. Herbert.

Once, when playing the question game, someone asked "If you could give a hug to any person right now, who would it be?" Guess who my answer was. I always thought Mr. Wizard looked a little sad that he had to always remain so scientific with the kids on his show... as if perhaps,if one of the kids were to just wrap their arms around him and say;
"I love you Mr. Wizard!"
A quite smile bravely stands guard in front of the man's loneliness.
"Thank you little man... but I can not love you back, for I am a wizard and, as such, we wizards are married to science."
"But, why can't you just..."
"Shhh... go forth young egghead; fall in love with the world and it's mysteries, for they are the most beautiful thing you will ever see."
As the man returns to his red balloon filled with hydrogen tied to a tennis ball, he turns away to hide his betraying eyes. The boy walks away, gets beaten up after Chess Club and goes to Space Camp.

Thank you Mr. Wizard - you made me love questions.

Cutegasm

Good Lord, it's lovely out. Summers here humans, go forth and wear tank-tops.



My dog uterus aches from watching this. I'm totally serious when I say that if anyone needs a dog-sitter - I'm your soldier for love.

Swim Home

Ok, so you think mimes are creepy and/or sad. Frankly, having never seen one I would have been apt to agree with you - but that would make me just as racist as you are Skippy.

Enter the Sunday. Jodi dragged me to see a quite feller named Mikael Rudolph. Whoa nelly - I heart mime! This was one of the more solidly entertaining bits of performing I've seen as of late. The show was framed around him pulling stuff from his suitcase - in other words - there wasn't really much structure. Nonetheless, it didn't really need much. Almost everyone one of his object based 'bits' connected on many levels while bing pretty damn impressive. His one attempted at being poignant, a dancing with a woman's dress to demonstrate his loneliness, did fall flat - but I commend him for scratching the profound.

So, I guess I'm a convert now. Damnit - next I'm prolly going to start liking movement based mesa-storytelling... sorry Sarah.

So