If you haven't yet seen it, check out SITA SINGS THE BLUES
Sita Sings the Blues is a film by Nina Paley's re-telling of the Ramayana. I know very little about Hinduism yet found this both educational and entertaining. Ms. Paley has pointed out in an interview that when she finally read the Ramayana she couldn't believe how much of her life she was ignorant of a story most the world knows. If learning about another cultural story doesn't sell it, let me tell you about the amazing computer animation created almost entirely by Ms. Paley which combines several animation styles along with songs by the late Anne Hanshaw to create a very unique story telling experience. Finally, Ms. Paley gave her movie to the world. What I mean is she specifically uses a open license which allows anyone to copy, share, distribute, publish and view the film. In turn Ms. Paley does not make money directly from the film, you can donate or by some of her merchandise or even create your on merchandise from the film. While her attitude is quite revolutionary interims of American Copyright law, considering how the internet is changing the way people get exposed to art, music, television and film, she just might represent the future model of how art is created. Though Ms. Paley reason for the open license is that "This story comes from the shared culture who am I to own this version of it."
Note - both quotes come from interviews Ms. Paley has done and can be found on her website.
This really isn't a joke it was the last dance in the American Ball Room Professional Latin Competition airing on pbs. I shit you not, only in America. :) [I take that back, perhaps japan]
Well this is it folks, I still have two weeks of finals ahead of me, but by 6pm tonight I will have gone to my last class. Whatever happens during finals I wanted to say a few things things,
1) Thanks to everyone who has stood by and supported me, I know I have been crazy, stressed, emotional ect... and worst of all not a very good friend this year. I appreciate all the love that has been shown to me this year, it means so much to me and I hope some day to make everyone of you feel as blessed as you have made me feel.
2) I did it, I didn't quite or back out when things got tough. I struggled but made it. I am actually proud of myself, surveying was an accomplishment all on its own.
3) I look back and can't believe how far I have come, not just in law school but how far I have grown as a human being this year. Each challenge was meant to be, no matter how hard and how much it stunk. I appreciate all of you who have carefully held my hand when I needed balance, and help pick me up when I have fallen.
"On the campus of Northern Illinois University Thursday afternoon with a shotgun and two pistols, shot the teacher and then began indiscriminately firing into the crowd, murdering five students and injuring several others before killing himself, authorities said...The shooting was the fourth at a U.S. school within a week. On Feb. 8, a woman shot two fellow students to death before committing suicide at Louisiana Technical College in Baton Rouge. In Memphis, Tenn., a 17-year-old is accused of shooting and critically wounding a fellow student Monday during a high school gym class, and the 15-year-old victim of a shooting at an Oxnard, Calif., junior high school has been declared brain dead." - Douglas Belkin & Lauren Etter, Gunman Kills Students, Himself in Illinois, Wall St. J., Feb 15, 2008, at A4. This winter brake while studying in Israel my roommate there as well as a few other students go to Northern Illinois U. So for the first time after hearing one of these shooting on the news it hit me right in the gut. They are all ok, thank g-d for Facebook and instance mass communication. What is going on in colleges? What scares me is that many people around me didn't even know of this shooting because it's not getting much air time on the t.v. news. Have we hit that point, where its not news? When did it become "dog bites hand"? I'm actually a bit scared. Yesterday morning there was a surprise inspection of my dorm, where this women walked in while I was in bed sleeping (yep in bed) and walked in looked around and walked out. I was not the only one, and many of us where more than a bit annoyed at the rudeness of the way it was conducted. After a fellow student finished complaining I said you know w/ all the crazy campus shootings It makes me feel better that they are trying. Only later do I turn on the news to see kids being loaded onto an ambulance. I know this is selfish, but I'm actually a bit worried here on my beautiful campus. What is causing this? I wish I had some answer. In the mean time my prays and thoughts are with the grieving students, friends, and family of Illinois U.
I loved it. I lOVED IT. Wow. The show doesn't just hit close to home, it is my home. Wow. And what a great day to boot. I got to introduce cynthtastic and saintdani to the best shawarma and falafel in NYC. They didn't even mind me when I made them walk two avenues over my mistake. Speaking of such things, something is still off from me, I managed to get lost near timesquare later on that evening, I know that area better than my hometown. I don't know but something is defiantly up or wrong. Anyone know a karma cleaner? Perhaps that's what i need. Anyways I had soo much fun plus it was nice to see saintdani and revvoice and jeff w/ out his mustache. I don't see those folks nearly enough. Well back to contracts I think...
Having a shitty day. Literally, some bird pooped all over my head on my way to class this morning and I had to go back home and take another shower. I really don't know what's up w/ me these days.
Well folks yet again coffee has managed to spill all over my lab top. I'm amazed its still working, but I know better Its going to take a few days to see the extent of the the damage to my computer, although the iii key is sticking which is not a good sign. "But, Allison didn't this just happened to you in December", Yes, Yes it just did, only that time it was my fault, this time someone walked buy and hit my coffee cup on the desk, it was an accident, I understand that, the least they could have done was turn around and say I'm sorry. They didn't. I'm not entirely sure who did it otherwise I would call them out on it. Two cups of coffee on my poor mac. I'm so lucky it's not fried out.... only time will tell me the rest of the damage. I know asking for prays for inanimate objects is silly but never the less please, please pray for me as I seem to be falling apart. (the other-day my water-bottle leaked all over my text books.)
Well this has been a wonderful and challenging trip. As I'm aboutto spend my last night shopping on Ben Yahoda street,I decied to drop in to this internet cafe to say Hi. Yesterday After getting into an armmerd bus with two isreali armed gards we went into the west bank to the city of Hebron to see where Sara, Jacob, Abraham and Leah were buryied. We coudn't see the spot of Adamo and Eve because it's in a mosques and Jews are not allowed. I also saw the tomb of Reachel. The experince was very moving and also a bit terrifing. I'm not entirally sure I have digested everything I have experinced in the last few days. But I'm alive and Ok!. I will be back the 9th and hope to see all of you. Ok I need to go these internet chats are expensive.
accomplished
sick
enraged