There is little that is more exciting than getting an acceptance letter from a school that you would like to go to! I hope the remaining seven are just as positive and that the one rogue program that didn't take this "applicant" will be left high and dry with no Alex. The acceptance I received yesterday even spelled my name right and addressed me by name. Much nicer than "Dear Applicant," that's for sure! So I went out and celebrated with my feminists DoMonique, Jason, Gebler, and Joantine yesterday and have pretty much been walking on air.
Today's the last play practice before dress rehearsal. I'm excited about being in a piece about the dominatrix with two other great actresses. (But an open note to all, since I have been asked this question many times. My piece might be about a dominatrix, but I AM NOT A REAL ONE!! I am NOT for hire!!! And neither are the other two women, for that matter. So get that thought out of your head and your mind out of the toilet!) I like doing all those crazy moans; my favorites are the Diva Moan and the Machine-Gun Moan. Ever wondered what they sound like? Then hie thee hence to the Vagina Monologues. It's my fourth year in the play!
Then once the play is done, I will be working on Sex Out Loud health fair with my Feminists and helping to put together the Boneyard festival. I love both dearly. The Sex Out Loud fair will be bigger and better than last year's, and four groups (Ladies Loving Ladies, Students for Choice, YWCA, and Colors of Pride) will be making their debut there. I just hope that we get lots of good publicity and lots of visitors to see the different groups. For the Boneyard, my gallery (Healing Works, the best one) relocated from the African American Center to the Women's Resource Center. I wonder what they'll put in the now-empty cultural house. I know that all the cultural houses do something for the festival, so they're sure to think of something good. My folks are coming down on the third night, and I can't wait to share the festival with them.
This is shaping up to be a perfect end of the semester.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Town, It is a-Changin'
Come gather 'round sudents
It's almost time to go.
Your schooling's almost over,
Can you believe this is so?
This town looks similar,
But some things sure don't
If you've heard what some folks are sayin'.
Then you best pay attention,
In your last months to go
For this town, it is a changin'.
Come DI and Buzz,
Write this down with your pen,
You need some good subject matter,
It won't come again.
Le Shoppe changed owners,
And Impasta had to go,
For Champaign wasn't where it'd be stayin'.
And Luna expanded,
It's in a depot.
For this town, it is a changin'.
Now the feminist folk
Should be pacified
Cause they have a women's center
With new events inside.
Meanwhile the domestics
Learned they had to fight,
For their funding supply was decaying.
And Illini Orange was demolished,
It's now a construction site,
For this campus, it is a-changin'.
PAR has gone trayless,
And Lincoln has too,
And the luxury apartments
Are frighteningly huge.
The co-ops are wild,
And it's certain that you
Have many options of where you'll be staying!
And the South Quad is sporting
A bell tower that's new.
For the campus, it is a-changin'.
Come down, Alumni
Come and reminisce.
Your obnoxious reflections
Will get us all pissed.
Your good old days are over,
Though it's true they are missed,
But they're a time you won't be regaining.
So let's toast our grads,
And wish them all the best,
For without them, UI will be a-changin'!
It's almost time to go.
Your schooling's almost over,
Can you believe this is so?
This town looks similar,
But some things sure don't
If you've heard what some folks are sayin'.
Then you best pay attention,
In your last months to go
For this town, it is a changin'.
Come DI and Buzz,
Write this down with your pen,
You need some good subject matter,
It won't come again.
Le Shoppe changed owners,
And Impasta had to go,
For Champaign wasn't where it'd be stayin'.
And Luna expanded,
It's in a depot.
For this town, it is a changin'.
Now the feminist folk
Should be pacified
Cause they have a women's center
With new events inside.
Meanwhile the domestics
Learned they had to fight,
For their funding supply was decaying.
And Illini Orange was demolished,
It's now a construction site,
For this campus, it is a-changin'.
PAR has gone trayless,
And Lincoln has too,
And the luxury apartments
Are frighteningly huge.
The co-ops are wild,
And it's certain that you
Have many options of where you'll be staying!
And the South Quad is sporting
A bell tower that's new.
For the campus, it is a-changin'.
Come down, Alumni
Come and reminisce.
Your obnoxious reflections
Will get us all pissed.
Your good old days are over,
Though it's true they are missed,
But they're a time you won't be regaining.
So let's toast our grads,
And wish them all the best,
For without them, UI will be a-changin'!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Last laugh
I dance with you in the sparkling lights,
You say I'm pretty and we talk all night.
Your words and moves are smooth, but frankly,
You know nothing about me.
So what was it that made you act this way?
Anything in particular that made you say
That you liked the way I made you feel
And that you weren't going home without me.
You're not what I wanted that particular time.
But you're what I would have since you looked so sublime.
You were more familiar than that party was,
But would I forget you all the same?
Sentimental attachment is hardly for me.
When I want something, I want it immediately.
It doesn't matter if it's for a night or a year,
To me, it's only a game.
Well, there was something about the look on your face
That convinced me to spend the night at your place.
I made you scream, and you made me wonder
How so much trouble could look so damned fine.
The next morning I'm off and back to normal life.
You told me you'd call me as you kissed me goodbye.
You may have last night but I have the last laugh
Cause the number I gave wasn't mine.
You say I'm pretty and we talk all night.
Your words and moves are smooth, but frankly,
You know nothing about me.
So what was it that made you act this way?
Anything in particular that made you say
That you liked the way I made you feel
And that you weren't going home without me.
You're not what I wanted that particular time.
But you're what I would have since you looked so sublime.
You were more familiar than that party was,
But would I forget you all the same?
Sentimental attachment is hardly for me.
When I want something, I want it immediately.
It doesn't matter if it's for a night or a year,
To me, it's only a game.
Well, there was something about the look on your face
That convinced me to spend the night at your place.
I made you scream, and you made me wonder
How so much trouble could look so damned fine.
The next morning I'm off and back to normal life.
You told me you'd call me as you kissed me goodbye.
You may have last night but I have the last laugh
Cause the number I gave wasn't mine.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
200 unaccompanied women!!! OMG!!!
More fun in the microfilm room for today!
So for my Queer Studies class, I decided to look up some of the LGBT student groups of the 1970s. Since radicalism is somewhat fascinating to me (I might not identify as a radical feminist anymore, since I am now a material one, but I still find 'em cool), I decided to look up the really wildly extreme ones. So what did I find? Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis started as somewhat moderate but then began to get strong and powerful. But the one that really held my attention was the Lavender Menace. Named for a terribly derogatory term for lesbians (coined by Betty Friedan when she tried to limit NOW membership to hetero women), the Menace was a radical lesbian group. And they apparantly had a following on the U of I campus.
Now here is where the fun begins. So I found an article about the Lavender Menace in the Courier newspaper of Urbana, and it dealt with a conference they held for feminists and lesbians at the U of I. I kept reading, I attended a women's conference soph year, was the entertainment at the LGBT conference last year (woohoo! go monologues!), and have presented papers at conferences before. Tres intersante, to be sure...
Then I saw it. The editorial.
Some guy (presumably a student wrote in), shocked to discover "two hundred unaccompanied, unchaperoned women on the U of I campus!" He was going on and on about how shocking it was to find so many women there! He closed the letter by saying that "soldiers to the cause are needed." Poor poor unenlightened soul. Apparantly he doesn't know:
(1) They're college age. They can take care of themselves.
(2) Girls exist. Yes, they are real and in great numbers.
(3) Most of those women wouldn't want a man in the first place! Lavender Menace is a group for lesbians.
That just about cracked me up.
So for my Queer Studies class, I decided to look up some of the LGBT student groups of the 1970s. Since radicalism is somewhat fascinating to me (I might not identify as a radical feminist anymore, since I am now a material one, but I still find 'em cool), I decided to look up the really wildly extreme ones. So what did I find? Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis started as somewhat moderate but then began to get strong and powerful. But the one that really held my attention was the Lavender Menace. Named for a terribly derogatory term for lesbians (coined by Betty Friedan when she tried to limit NOW membership to hetero women), the Menace was a radical lesbian group. And they apparantly had a following on the U of I campus.
Now here is where the fun begins. So I found an article about the Lavender Menace in the Courier newspaper of Urbana, and it dealt with a conference they held for feminists and lesbians at the U of I. I kept reading, I attended a women's conference soph year, was the entertainment at the LGBT conference last year (woohoo! go monologues!), and have presented papers at conferences before. Tres intersante, to be sure...
Then I saw it. The editorial.
Some guy (presumably a student wrote in), shocked to discover "two hundred unaccompanied, unchaperoned women on the U of I campus!" He was going on and on about how shocking it was to find so many women there! He closed the letter by saying that "soldiers to the cause are needed." Poor poor unenlightened soul. Apparantly he doesn't know:
(1) They're college age. They can take care of themselves.
(2) Girls exist. Yes, they are real and in great numbers.
(3) Most of those women wouldn't want a man in the first place! Lavender Menace is a group for lesbians.
That just about cracked me up.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Twenty-[FIVE]*
I honestly don't understand groups like "Operation Rescue." I know I'm pro-choice and am all for women being able to decide what to do with themselves and their bodies. But I also completely am aware that some folks don't share my views. And that's fine, they can believe anything they like. It's a free country, isn't it? As long as those views don't infringe on other women's rights, I don't have much of an issue with folks who are pro-life/anti-choice/however you want to phrase it. They don't have to have that procedure if they don't want to, but their views shouldn't infringe on the rights of those who do have it or need to have it.
That said, I really don't get groups like Operation Rescue. Or Army of God for that matter. They're the lovely (note my sarcasm) motley crew who has brought you the support for the premeditated murders and threats made on the lives of OB/GYNs who happen to perform abortions. Even many folks who don't like the procedure do not even condone the actions of these groups. David Gunn was the first of these professionals to be murdered by anti-abortion extremists, even though that procedure was not the only one he performed (he was also a gynecologist and obstetrician for lower-income women). Then after his death, six more OB/GYNs were threatened and then killed. Seventeen more of them (or plain old clinic workers like receptionists, counselors, and the like) have received death threats or attempted murders.
I honestly think that's such a huge hypocrisy. I know not every pro-lifer would do that (in fact, I'm sure most would be disgusted as well), but it strikes me as so hypocritical and disgusting. If someone wants to protect human/unborn life, then what makes it somehow acceptable to kill someone who's already living? That simply doesn't make sense.
*I hate to be a downer, but recently, a college-aged Planned Parenthood employee named Johanna Justin-Jinich was murdered by a stalker who drove across the country to commit this terrible crime. What will it take to make it stop? Guaranteed, her campus police took swift action to catch her assassin, but even one murder/attempted murder is one too many! I don't see how you can "choose life" and then kill a full-grown adult. As a college-aged activist, that strikes a little too close to home for me. My heart goes out to her and her family.
That said, I really don't get groups like Operation Rescue. Or Army of God for that matter. They're the lovely (note my sarcasm) motley crew who has brought you the support for the premeditated murders and threats made on the lives of OB/GYNs who happen to perform abortions. Even many folks who don't like the procedure do not even condone the actions of these groups. David Gunn was the first of these professionals to be murdered by anti-abortion extremists, even though that procedure was not the only one he performed (he was also a gynecologist and obstetrician for lower-income women). Then after his death, six more OB/GYNs were threatened and then killed. Seventeen more of them (or plain old clinic workers like receptionists, counselors, and the like) have received death threats or attempted murders.
I honestly think that's such a huge hypocrisy. I know not every pro-lifer would do that (in fact, I'm sure most would be disgusted as well), but it strikes me as so hypocritical and disgusting. If someone wants to protect human/unborn life, then what makes it somehow acceptable to kill someone who's already living? That simply doesn't make sense.
*I hate to be a downer, but recently, a college-aged Planned Parenthood employee named Johanna Justin-Jinich was murdered by a stalker who drove across the country to commit this terrible crime. What will it take to make it stop? Guaranteed, her campus police took swift action to catch her assassin, but even one murder/attempted murder is one too many! I don't see how you can "choose life" and then kill a full-grown adult. As a college-aged activist, that strikes a little too close to home for me. My heart goes out to her and her family.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
My name is not "Applicant."
One down, eight more to go by the end of March.
Hopefully those eight have better results than this one. Sigh. I was really liking that program, but I guess with a record number of admissions, it would be tough to be the one out of goodness-knows-how-many applicants that actually got in. It's so competitive. And their disorganization kind of bothered me from the beginning.
Note to other schools and programs, though. I have a name, and it is not "Applicant." Got it? Good.
Hopefully those eight have better results than this one. Sigh. I was really liking that program, but I guess with a record number of admissions, it would be tough to be the one out of goodness-knows-how-many applicants that actually got in. It's so competitive. And their disorganization kind of bothered me from the beginning.
Note to other schools and programs, though. I have a name, and it is not "Applicant." Got it? Good.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Yes!
Most of the tables are filled!
Most of the fabulous groups are confirmed (three of which are new this year), and the number TOPS, TOPS, TOPS my record from last year!
It's a month till the big day, and my ship is on the horizon!
AV material is rented.
Playlist is created.
Draft of flyers is on my computer.
And turnout at meetings is bigger and better than ever!
Now all we need are the visitors!
YES!!!!! I have got this president thing down to an ART! And I couldn't have done it without such a fantastic group! After all, a good leader goes nowhere without good people for leading.
Most of the fabulous groups are confirmed (three of which are new this year), and the number TOPS, TOPS, TOPS my record from last year!
It's a month till the big day, and my ship is on the horizon!
AV material is rented.
Playlist is created.
Draft of flyers is on my computer.
And turnout at meetings is bigger and better than ever!
Now all we need are the visitors!
YES!!!!! I have got this president thing down to an ART! And I couldn't have done it without such a fantastic group! After all, a good leader goes nowhere without good people for leading.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Out of the blue (and into the black)
My, my, hey, hey
Rock and roll is here to stay.
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away.
My, my, hey, hey.
Out of the blue and into the black
They give you this, but you pay for that.
And once you're gone
You can never come back.
When you're out of the blue and into the black.
The king is gone, but he's not forgotten.
This is the story of Johnny Rotten.
It's better to burn out than it is to rust.
The king is gone, but he's not forgotten.
Hey, hey, my my
Rock and roll can never die.
There is more to a picture
Than meets the eye.
Hey, hey, my, my.
--Neil Young (early version)
Rock and roll is here to stay.
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away.
My, my, hey, hey.
Out of the blue and into the black
They give you this, but you pay for that.
And once you're gone
You can never come back.
When you're out of the blue and into the black.
The king is gone, but he's not forgotten.
This is the story of Johnny Rotten.
It's better to burn out than it is to rust.
The king is gone, but he's not forgotten.
Hey, hey, my my
Rock and roll can never die.
There is more to a picture
Than meets the eye.
Hey, hey, my, my.
--Neil Young (early version)
I don't understand....
I've got the training.
I've got the education.
I've got the practical experience.
I've got the lived experience.
I've been told I can handle these things and even had that skill rewarded in the past.
Then why do some things still shake me up?
I've got the education.
I've got the practical experience.
I've got the lived experience.
I've been told I can handle these things and even had that skill rewarded in the past.
Then why do some things still shake me up?
Monday, February 2, 2009
What's cookin at the Beat Kitchen?
Take some funky grooves, solid strong vocals, a ten-piece band, horns, and a seriously modern twist on classic R&B...
And you have the recipe for the perfect weekend band!
Meet the Beat Kitchen. They're ten folks from Champaign-Urbana (there is also a restaurant in Chytown with that name, but this article isn't about them), and can they play! They play some R&B/funk with some solid, danceable grooves, and their songs get everybody up and dancing. Most of the songs are originals, but they've been known to do a funkified cover or two (think an R&B cover of Radiohead's "Karma Police" for starters!). My friend DoMonique and I went to see them, and their worldbeat co-headliner Mhondoro, this Saturday. We were in for a fabulous double act, as both groups did not disappoint. They just kept us dancing and singing along, and the crowd in the whole bar, the Iron Post, was on its feet. I've liked R&B for a while now, but this only cemented my love for it. This band really knew how to work a crowd while also staying soulful and emotive. And that singer has a terrific set of pipes! He has a big deep voice, with a wide range for a guy.
The rhythm and blues crowd also knows how to behave, think the manners of the folk crowd mixed with the good exuberance of the rock one. Sure, the Iron Post was crowded and a small venue. But, there was no shoving, moshing, feeling-up when you don't want to be felt up, or creepies being creepy like I've seen at other shows. The fans behave, but that doesn't mean they can't get excited and energized. And their dancing is so much fun. You don't have to know any particular steps or anything, but rather to find your own groove. Some folks were doing West African style dancing to Mhondoro, since that group does have Zimbabwean and Guinea influences, but the rest of us were simply doing what we liked. Our friends Jane and Megan, who are more into social dances with lots of rules and steps (Megan's been known to ballroom and swing dance during punk shows--and pull it off), also could find their groove. It wasn't hard at all.
Only drawback is that the "comfortable" boots we both had on turned out to be not so comfortable after dancing for four hours straight! The bus ride we took to IHOP and then back home provided a welcome opportunity to sit down for once that night! Definitely a fantastic night and show, and one to hopefully be repeated!
And if you would like to cook up some grooves at the Beat Kitchen, hie thee hence to http://www.myspace.com/beatkitchenfunk, and find out when you can see them next!
And you have the recipe for the perfect weekend band!
Meet the Beat Kitchen. They're ten folks from Champaign-Urbana (there is also a restaurant in Chytown with that name, but this article isn't about them), and can they play! They play some R&B/funk with some solid, danceable grooves, and their songs get everybody up and dancing. Most of the songs are originals, but they've been known to do a funkified cover or two (think an R&B cover of Radiohead's "Karma Police" for starters!). My friend DoMonique and I went to see them, and their worldbeat co-headliner Mhondoro, this Saturday. We were in for a fabulous double act, as both groups did not disappoint. They just kept us dancing and singing along, and the crowd in the whole bar, the Iron Post, was on its feet. I've liked R&B for a while now, but this only cemented my love for it. This band really knew how to work a crowd while also staying soulful and emotive. And that singer has a terrific set of pipes! He has a big deep voice, with a wide range for a guy.
The rhythm and blues crowd also knows how to behave, think the manners of the folk crowd mixed with the good exuberance of the rock one. Sure, the Iron Post was crowded and a small venue. But, there was no shoving, moshing, feeling-up when you don't want to be felt up, or creepies being creepy like I've seen at other shows. The fans behave, but that doesn't mean they can't get excited and energized. And their dancing is so much fun. You don't have to know any particular steps or anything, but rather to find your own groove. Some folks were doing West African style dancing to Mhondoro, since that group does have Zimbabwean and Guinea influences, but the rest of us were simply doing what we liked. Our friends Jane and Megan, who are more into social dances with lots of rules and steps (Megan's been known to ballroom and swing dance during punk shows--and pull it off), also could find their groove. It wasn't hard at all.
Only drawback is that the "comfortable" boots we both had on turned out to be not so comfortable after dancing for four hours straight! The bus ride we took to IHOP and then back home provided a welcome opportunity to sit down for once that night! Definitely a fantastic night and show, and one to hopefully be repeated!
And if you would like to cook up some grooves at the Beat Kitchen, hie thee hence to http://www.myspace.com/beatkitchenfunk, and find out when you can see them next!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
