Author: Maria Johnson

well, it’s done

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Vicky had to report at 5 o’clock today to begin the transition to Basic Training. She ran inside, checked in, and then ran right back out so we could go to dinner together, along with her closest friend, Meredith.  We had a pleasant dinner, and then dropped her off for good. Oh. I have no words.

Too soon! Too soon! Even though we’ve had months to prepare. It seems like only yesterday she was taking her first steps, and now she has finally taken her own steps into total independence.  I think she was torn between throwing up or cartwheels. Maybe both. Especially if she was doing the cartwheels first. I know which one I’m going to do. Hint: I’m in no shape for cartwheels.

I watched her as she was giving her things one final pass.  She tucked her St. Michael medal in her shirt, and packed the olive drab twine rosary in the new digital camo back pack.  That’s all she takes with her–that, and a couple of changes of clothes. And a piece of my heart.

Anyway, here I sit. Contemplating boxes of memories that she’s packed up. Piles of clothes to be taken to St. Vincent de Paul.  Mementos left behind. I’ll get to them. Just not yet.

Bego’s Examination Axiom

Given a classroom of 28 students, 2 hours, and an essay exam, one person will finish in under 30 minutes, over 90% will finish within 90 minutes, and 2 will drag out their misery and mine, right up until I call for the papers, whereupon one will sigh and turn it in, and the other will disregard me and keep writing. I like that one. I pick up my things and leave. Without the exam.

I am giddy with joy, in the nerdiest kind of way

I went to see Star Trek for Mother’s Day. Here’s the big observation–everyone else in the theater was middle-aged, balding or graying, and paunchy-looking. Well, not all of us. I looked hot. Remember the middle age thing? Yeah, I was hot, as in hot flash.

Anyway, during the ridiculously long trailers and other advertisemnts taking up all my time, Vicky and I were noting the demographics in the theater. There were a lot of folks my age who had grown up with Star Trek, and then there were our kids, who either went as some weird bonding exprience, or were truly interested in Trek. I’m not sure which. Here’s the thing–it was a Trek movie that was true to Trek (sorry for the alliteration) but engaged the younger generation. It was spectacular. I loved it.

JJ Abrams is my new hero. We finally got some Star Trek that delivered. In a big way. LOL. The special effects were spectacular. There was actually a decent plot, although the time travel/alternate reality tends to get a bit old in sci-fi (still, Spock manages to address that in an amusing way at the end). There were liberties with the story line that were a bit out there, but I suppose it was resolved with the excuse that it was an alternate reality, but still–. I can totally see how a purist would be annoyed, and yet, as far as the story goes, I get it.

Things I could have done without–um, besides changing some history? Nothing. I liked it.

Things that were very well done for this Trekkie:

The characters were believable. Kirk behaved like Kirk. Spock behaved like Spock. Sulu was terrific. Chekov stole the show on the bridge. Scotty was fantastic. Uhura, who had been my favorite as a kid (I used to shove my brother’s crib spring in my ear and pretend to be on the bridge) came through very well, too, although Nichelle Nichols had a whole lot more sensuality. And in a final nod, the actor who played Sarek was wonderful.

I appreciate the nods to the canon. The references to the characters’ quirks in the series were awesome. Sulu fencing was particularly amusing. McCoy was brilliant.

The final scene on the bridge was reminiscent of the show, and the actors seemed to get it right. Kirk, especially, was Kirk without being campy. A feat even Shatner rarely pulled off.

Nicely done.

Happy Mother’s Day!

My favorite mom in the whole universe. This is a classic pose. Note that she has been collecting wrapping paper and such after my niece, Luly, opened some gifts. My favorite part, of course, is her extreme surprise over something. My mother, if anything else, is the most expressive person I know.

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I love you Mami!!!

um, really? REALLY?

I enjoy listening to Pandora Radio at work. Somehow, it has escaped the filters, and it gives my little Philips mp3 player a break. Anyway, I have this station that plays Maroon 5-ish music. Whatever, you go listen to what you want to, this rant isn’t about Maroon 5. Well, at least not directly.

Last year I bought the Beatles hijacked music as interpreted by some Cuban musicians. The album is pretty cool. It either inflames the hardcore Beatles fans, or fascinates folks. Either way, it’s a pretty neat album.

Back to Pandora. I’m listening to “She Will Be Loved” but it has a very Cuban beat and musical tones to it that arenot quite right. Clearly, it is Maroon 5, but the drums, not so much. Since my mp3 player is hooked up to the computer to charge it, I think that I have somehow set two things playing. Only, no. It’s this new album by Buena Vista Sound that mashes the contemporary song with Cuban Rhythms, aptly name: Rhythms del Mundo: Cuba.

Whatever. Coldplay, Sting, and U2 with Cuban undertones. Anathema.

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sometime you just have to say what’s on your mind when discussing hacks…

Re: Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare

Dear Jeffrey Jeffrey Jeffrey,

I am writing to invite you to please join Sir Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Irons, Mark Rylance, Michael York, myself, and more than 1,400 others, including over 250 faculty members, in signing the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare. It can be signed online at the website of the Shakespeare Authorship Coalition (SAC) at: www.DoubtAboutWill.org

Orthodox Shakespeare scholars claim that there is “no room for doubt” about the author’s identity. They say that the authorship controversy is therefore not legitimate, and should not be seen as an appropriate topic for research, or classroom discussion. It is often regarded as a taboo subject, which professors and students pursue at their peril. We believe that an objective assessment of the evidence shows that there are good reasons to doubt the traditional attribution, and the issue should therefore be regarded as legitimate.

The Declaration was written to clarify why so many outstanding thinkers have expressed doubt about the author’s identity. It also provides a convenient way for prominent people to take a moderate, reasonable position on the issue, while putting their doubts on record. It provides a brief, yet definitive statement of the evidence and arguments for and against William Shakspere of Stratford, but it takes no position on the true identity of the author. Thus, doubters of any persuasion can sign it, and even some traditionalists have done so. It has been fully vetted, with not one factual error identified, even by orthodox scholars.

your friend,

Bego