Little League

Here are a couple of clips of my nephew playing baseball. I went up to Windham, ME yesterday to watch him play. The first clip is long, but I think it captures the day. I never realized how devoted an auntie you must be to watch little league. Needless to say, not much by way of hitting or fielding occurs throughout most of the game. These are little boys, indeed, attempting to play a rather complex game.

They are darling, though. Many funny events occurred, like the boy who yelled to his teammate: "Well, don't swing at everything!" Another boy was wearing a cup so large it looked like he had a Roman shield in his pants. A boy at third simply screamed when a pop up fly came towards him.

Watch my nephew Zack on first base showing off for his aunties. My sister and I offer much amusing banter in the background peanut gallery as we are watching. As you can tell, my sister is rather down on baseball, though she's willing to watch her nephew. Later, in the second video, Zack hits a single.

The Good, the Bad, and the Marty

My friend Melissa Tomey participated in making a movie this past weekend, as part of the 48 hour Boston Film Race. She's the corporate lady in this clip. I've participated in the past on the 12 hour and 24 hour film races. It's a lot of fun. The requirements this year were:
Character: Marty or Mary Quinzani, Second-in-Command
Prop: a magnet
Line of Dialogue: "Yes! I mean, I hope so."

I Could Have Told You Vincent

I've always had a soft spot and fascination with Vincent Van Vogh. Still to this day, I cannot believe that I was in Amsterdam during the time The Van Gogh Museum was being renovated (closed to the public). I never got to see inside a whole museum devoted to one of my artistic heroes! Alas.

I think I like Vincent because he seemed an extremely sensitive person, like me. This sensitivity allowed him to capture beauty, yet at the same time see the grotesque in life. Vincent soaked in and felt emotions deeply. And yet though I can censor myself, and 'control' my emotions, Vincent let his passions fly. The acuteness of his passions went to extremes, both ultimate joy to the depths of utter despair.

Given all of what we know of his character, it's never been surprising that Vincent Van Gogh sliced off his own ear in a fit of passion. He certainly was capable of other forms of self-abuse, heavy drinking, and eventual suicide at the age of 37.

However, two German art historians have a new explanation for what happened to Van Gogh's ear. Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans, in their book "Van Gogh's Ear: Paul Gauguin and the Pact of Silence," contend that Paul Gauguin (an able fencer) cut off Van Gogh's ear during a disagreement. For years, the two men had experienced a passionate love/ hate relationship. Van Gogh had invited Gauguin to stay with him in Arles. The two authors postulate that since Van Gogh revered Gauguin, he concocted his self-mutilation story to spare Gauguin from prosecution.

I'm not sure I buy the theory, but since it's a crime mystery of sorts, I'd like to read the book.

Van Gogh's last recorded words to Gauguin were: "You are quiet; I will be, too."

How G.W.B. Spends His Time

Here's a graph I created on the I Can Has Cheezburger website. Fun Stuff.


moar funny pictures

More on Selma, Alabama

My friend Jackie Taylor has written a bit more about her experiences growing up in Selma, Alabama. Earlier I posted some of the pictures of her family.

In 1965, when she was 8 years old, she was present during Martin Luther King's Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. She remembers seeing Dr. Martin Luther King standing in front of the Brown Chapel. She also witnessed some violence, and had to flee the crowds with her mother and brother.

On that day in 1965, about 600 civil rights protesters were attacked by police with tear gas and billy clubs. Five months later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Here are Jackie's words, and a few pictures.

"In March of 1965, I was 8 years old when Dr. Martin Luther King came to Selma, Alabama the small Southern town where I grew up. My mother, being a poet and bohemian character in the town, took my brother, Tony, and me to the Edmund Pettus Bridge to see, as she described it to us, "history in the making." One of the law enforcement officers came over to us, and told my mother she better get her kids and herself out of there. I can't remember my mother's exact words, but she "smart-mouthed" back to the officer.
When the marchers got to the other side of the bridge, we could hear yelling starting, and folks starting to run back over the bridge. Then there was tear gas, and police going through with billy clubs. My mother, holding us both by the hands, ran. I remember running, my brother, my mother and me, and hearing people yelling. The civil rights marchers on the other side of the bridge had been forced back by law enforcement, and the day would become known as, "Bloody Sunday."

One of the sayings I live my life by is, don't judge someone by the color of their skin ( or other prejudices ), but instead by the content of their character."

"This is my vivid memory of the march. Dr. King walking right past me." -J.T.

Dalai Lama

This morning I went to see the Dalai Lama speak at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. I admit, it was a bit odd to view his holiness at a football stadium. (The Budweiser ads looked a bit out of place, or he did) The Dalai Lama was wrapped in an orange robe and sitting on a temple-like structure that looked like a pagoda. The stadium smelled like incense.
Unfortunately, I missed the first few several minutes of his lecture. He spoke about the existence of God, the illusion of the self, mind and what it is, and the four noble truths. He also talked about suffering, and what causes it: karma, and the illusions of the mind.
The Dalai Lama also compared various religions and made some funny comments about Christianity. He said, "Majority go up to heaven. Minority go down to hell. You don't want to look down." He also said that all religions or traditions deserve mutual respect. He talked about the old Buddhist masters, and it's clear that he's read a lot of texts. Sometimes, he was above my head, or blowing my mind when he talked about cause and effect and conditional existence. For example, every thing has a cause. Therefore, it's illogical that a God created us because something had to create God. At the same time, how can we explain this beginningless beginning?
At least the good news is that the Buddhist belief is that part of our mind, not the sensory part but the consciousness or soul, is permanent. This is also difficult to understand, since in everyday life we see that everything eventually passes.

Cheddar Cheese Is the Local Favorite!

Here are my nephews Gavin and Zach, their cousin Connor, friend Glen, and my niece on the trampoline. I can't imagine anything more fun for kids than a trampoline. They were bouncing up and down, with small breaks, for literally hours. For some reason, my nephew Zach yelled out: "Cheddar cheese is the local favorite!" There were other equally odd comments.
Perhaps being all bouncy bouncy loosens the brain cells and the funny bones.... I went on the trampoline too, but I'll spare you that footage....

The Gay Storm

Apparently there's a hilarious ad out about same-sex marriage, created by N.O.M. (The National Organization for Marriage (Heterosexual, that is). I don't think N.O.M. intended for their ad to be so hilarious, but many a parody has 'come out' in reaction to the ad. Below is the N.O.M. ad, and Stephen Colbert's commentary and parody ad on 'The Colbert Report".....

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Colbert Coalition's Anti-Gay Marriage Ad
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Gay Marriage Commercial

Early America

For some good reads concerning early America, here are some books I've read or will read.....

1. Ladies of Liberty "The Women Who Shaped Our Nation," by Cookie Roberts
2. Savage Kingdom "True Story of Jamestown, 1607, & the Settlement of America," by Benjamin Woolley

3. First Generations "Women in Colonial America," by Carol Berkin
4. A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard," by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

5. Love & Hate in Jamestown, "John Smith, Pocahontas, & the Start of the New Nation," by David A. Price
6. Founding Mothers, "The Women Who Raised Our Nation," by Cookie Roberts

7. Voyagers to the West, "A Passage in the Peopling of America on the Eve of the Revolution," by Bernard Bailyn
8. Mayflower, "A Story of Courage, Community, and War," by Nathaniel Philbrick

Battle of Lexington & Concord

On Monday morning I left the house on my trusty scooter at 5 am, to see the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It was very foggy and spooky. This year it was less crowded than last year, and I got there earlier. Perhaps the weather kept more people away. I missed the little Zack man this year. (He was with me last year).

By the way, the real battle was fought at 4 am! The Americans were very outnumbered and lost several men. It was certainly not the most triumphant battle of the American Revolution, but it was the first. And it happened here, in Massachusetts! Here are the British marching on to the green.....

Top 100 Female Finishers

When I see this list, it inspires me to run. Look at the accomplishments here! Finishing 8th is a 45 year old Colleen De Reuck from Colorado. Some local gals include Simonetta Piergentili, of Wilmington, Diona Fulton, of Somerville, and Amy Gosztyla, of Cambridge. The oldest woman in the top 100 is a 54 year old Christine Kennedy from California! In fact, out of the 100 top women, 53 were age 30 or over. Perhaps I don't have to 'throw in the towel' yet! Congratulations to all the women listed here!

Women's Top Finishers 2009 Boston Marathon

Place	Name	Age	Home	Official time
1	Salina Kosgei	32	El Marakwet, Kenya	2:32:16
2	Dire Tune	23	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	2:32:17
3	Kara Goucher	30	Portland, Ore.	2:32:25
4	Bezunesh Bekele	26	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	2:33:08
5	Helena Kirop	32	Kapenguria, Kenya	2:33:24
6	Lidiya Grigoryeva	35	Cheboksary, Russia	2:34:20
7	Atsede Habtamu	21	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	2:35:34
8	Colleen De Reuck	45	Boulder, Colo.	2:35:37
9	Alice Timbilili	26	Moiben, Kenya	2:36:25
10	Alina Ivanova	40	Tampa, Fla.	2:36:50
11	Sheri Piers	37	Falmouth, Maine	2:37:04
12	Elva Dryer	37	Gunnison, Colo.	2:38:50
13	Mary Akor	32	Lomita, Calif.	2:41:09
14	Heidi Westerling	28	Acworth, N.H.	2:43:11
15	Anzhelika Averkova	40	Miami, Fla.	2:44:19
16	Veena C. Reddy	30	Arlington, Va.	2:45:46
17	Jennifer Feenstra	28	Duluth, Ga.	2:46:16
18	Adanech Zekiros	27	Tigray, Ethiopia	2:46:51
19	Nathalie Vasseur	43	Gouesnou, France	2:47:04
20	Tomoe Yokoyama	32	Tokyo, Japan	2:47:57
21	Denise C. Robson	40	Dartmouth, Nova Scotia	2:48:15
22	Allison J. Kerr	32	Vacaville, Calif.	2:49:34
23	Hiroko Sho	38	Chiba, Japan	2:49:37
24	Meghan Arbogast	48	Corvallis, Ore.	2:49:46
25	Tamara Karrh	39	Marietta, Ga.	2:49:50
26	Jutta M. Merilainen	37	Batawa, Ontario	2:49:51
27	Sheila A. Casey	39	Park Ridge, N.J.	2:50:02
28	Christa Benton	25	St. Petersburg, Fla.	2:50:05
29	Andrea Pomaranski	26	Farmington Hills, Mich.	2:50:55
30	Shelby Joslyn	24	Rochester, Mich.	2:51:29
31	Diona J. Fulton	29	Somerville, Mass.	2:52:05
32	Kim L. Pawelek	35	Jacksonville, Fla.	2:52:18
33	Amy E. Gosztyla	29	Cambridge, Mass.	2:52:23
34	Sarah J. Graves	31	Ballantine, Mont.	2:52:42
35	Heather C. Parks	34	Bruceton Mills, W.V.	2:52:45
36	Devon M. Crosby-Helms	26	Seattle, Wash.	2:53:20
37	Allison S. Krausen	29	Edwards, Colo.	2:53:28
38	Lori A. Kingsley	43	Wysox, Pa.	2:54:03
39	Sarah R. Flament	33	Poland, Ohio	2:54:09
40	Simonetta Piergentili	44	Wilmington, Mass.	2:54:48
41	Caroline White	23	College Park, Md.	2:55:14
42	Martha I. Nelson	27	Washington, D.C.	2:55:22
43	Tammie Robie	34	Milford, N.H.	2:55:39
44	Christine Kennedy	54	Los Gatos, Calif.	2:56:32
45	Sumner A. Fletcher	23	Uxbridge, Mass.	2:56:44
46	Christina M. Vullo	25	Omaha, Neb.	2:56:45
47	Suet-Fei Li	33	San Jose, Calif.	2:57:05
48	Tara M. Vance	26	Jamaica Plain, Mass.	2:57:12
49	Patricia R. Vargas	37	Ennis, Texas	2:57:28
50	Michelle D. Harburg	26	Washington, D.C.	2:57:31
51	Judit Pettko-Szandtner	39	Budakeszi, Hungary	2:57:58
52	Kate Gorry	25	Houston, Texas	2:57:59
53	Mary D. Bertram	21	Salisbury, N.C.	2:58:19
54	Christy M. Carrara	33	Hudson, Mass.	2:58:19
55	Lara C. Johnson	28	Boston, Mass.	2:58:33
56	Maria Clara A. Castro	34	Belo Horizonte, Brazil	2:58:36
57	Laura Onderko	22	Philadelphia, Pa.	2:58:46
58	Kathryn E. Bowser	22	Philadelphia, Pa.	2:58:46
59	Jaclyn Truncellito	26	Baltimore, Md.	2:58:49
60	Kelly B. Calway	25	Mililani, Hawaii	2:59:05
61	Lisa M. Goldsmith	44	Nederland, Colo.	2:59:08
62	Marybeth A. Reader	40	Bloomfield, Mich.	2:59:08
63	Bridget A. McCarthy	29	Brooklyn, N.Y.	2:59:16
64	Katie Snowden	23	Toronto, Ontario	2:59:19
65	Mary Gill	30	Carrboro, N.C.	2:59:30
66	Lia O. Slemons	29	Seattle, Wash.	2:59:36
67	Tara M. Cardi	40	Warwick, R.I.	2:59:40
68	Michelle Kelley	39	Moab, Utah	2:59:54
69	Beth M. St. John	32	Brooklyn, N.Y.	3:00:25
70	Stephanie D. Summers	33	Whitby, Ontario	3:00:27
71	Yiou Wang	24	Cambridge, Mass.	3:00:38
72	Samantha Johnson	28	Cambridge, Mass.	3:00:49
73	Suzi Harvey	46	Sparks, Nevada	3:00:53
74	Beth Y. Coughlin	30	Newton, Mass.	3:00:54
75	Jenny Hitchings	45	Sacramento, Calif.	3:00:57
76	Heather M. Backer	34	Crestview Hills, Kent.	3:01:07
77	Tina D. Senft	25	Groton, Conn.	3:01:27
78	Dori A. Downey	38	Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.	3:01:58
79	Elizabeth L. Abbey	28	Blacksburg, Va.	3:02:02
80	Kathryn Jarocki	23	Bridgewater, Mass.	3:02:03
81	Jen Gwin	25	Vienna, W.V.	3:02:05
82	Molly Watcke	38	New Bremen, Ohio	3:02:13
83	Emily S. Bryans	41	Schenectady, N.Y.	3:02:18
84	Aviva M. Goldstein	23	Brookline, Mass.	3:02:20
85	Laura A. Gaughan	34	Smithtown, N.Y.	3:02:23
86	Corinne E. Roberts	24	San Francisco, Calif.	3:02:32
87	Katie A. Churchill	32	North Easton, Mass.	3:02:50
88	Arien N. O'Connell	25	Brooklyn, N.Y.	3:02:52
89	Beth Schreader	28	Georgetown, Cayman Islands	3:03:12
90	Claire Gadrow	39	South Kingstown, R.I.	3:03:16
91	Beth A. August	35	Dublin, Ohio	3:03:21
92	Camille Moseley	24	Spangle, Wash.	3:03:25
93	Mary S. Palmore	28	Merizo, Guam	3:03:35
94	Lynde C. Johnson	31	Denver, Colo.	3:03:39
95	Erin E. Kister	28	Centerville, Ohio	3:04:00
96	Justyna Wilson	33	Philadelphia, Pa.	3:04:15
97	Megan A. Peterson	26	Fairfield, Conn.	3:04:22
98	Erin M. Heslin	28	Newtonville, Mass.	3:04:25
99	Karen Lockyer	31	Lafayette, La.	3:04:43
100	Faith R. Korbel	30	Arlington, Va.	3:04:51

Elite Women

I caught the lead women's pack running by on Monday at Coolidge Corner, at the Boston Marathon. (They let the women run first this year..... ) Note Kara Goucher (tall, in red) in the pack, the only American, who ended up coming in third. Though I certainly applaud the Kenyans and Ethiopians for their superb domination of the marathoning world, it would be a happy thing to see an American woman win. No American woman has won since Lisa Larsen Weindenbach in 1985! Joan Benoit, the only woman from Massachusetts, won the marathon in 1983. Kara Goucher, of Portland, Ore., with a strong showing, has a very excellent chance in the future.

Goodbye Texas?

Governor Rick Perry of Texas has recently made some (I consider) outrageous statements about state rights, the 'oppressive' federal government, and, dare I say the word: succession. Is this man actually serious about the idea of Texas succeeding from the Union? I understand there are similar grassroots movements in Alaska.

Funny, how a few months after we elect our first black president, we see extremist, right wing politics coming to the forefront. Underlying Perry's rhetoric, do you hear: "We ain't gonna let this ____________ in Washington tell us what to do."

Being a Civil War history buff, and reenactor, I guess I personally find the word succession shocking. Abraham Lincoln is my American hero because, besides freeing the slaves, he preserved the Union. But I'm willing to debate other possibilities. Have times changed? Would the country be better off split up? Is New England so radically different from Texas that we should be separate countries?

I personally don't think so, and I think Texans' arguments for succession are whiny and nebulous. Just what federal government 'oppression' are they talking about? The millions of dollars in federal aid to Texas supplied every year by federal taxes? I think the translation for 'federal oppression' is short for 'damn, the democratic liberals are back in power after 8 years.'

Should the liberals have spoken out seriously about succession during Bush's reign of terror, we would have been labeled UnAmerican socialist traitors. Yet Gov. Perry's 'don't tread on me' comments are bravely American. I say 'bullshit', but let Gov. Rick Perry speak for himself.

Uma Thurman

I love Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah, kicking butt in Kill Bill, Vol. 2. I personally wish they would just kiss and make up..... But.....

If they insist on fighting this way, somebody's gonna get their eye popped out!

Boston Billy

Today Bill Rodgers ran his first Boston Marathon since 1999. He has run 17 Boston Marathons, and many others. He's 61 years old now, and wanted to run for his 60th birthday, but was thwarted by prostate cancer treatment. He's doing well now.

During the years of 1979- 1981, Bill Rodgers was my hero. It was during these years that I was also a runner myself in high school. I was on the cross-country, indoor, and outdoor Somerville High School Girls Track and Field teams.

Bill Rodgers was a local guy and the winner of four Boston Marathons (and 4 NYC wins) during the years I was running. It was also during these years that I went to see my first Boston Marathon, with the encouragement of our coach. The dream of running the Marathon has always been implanted in my mind since.

I went to view the marathon today, but I didn't see Bill Rodgers. Later I heard on the news that he finished and did well. (just over 4 hours) My hero was somewhat deflated when I asked a marathon official: "Do you know when Bill Rodgers will be coming through?" His curt response was: "Oh, we don't track him like that."

In 1980, I played hooky from school on a rainy Monday and made my way to the Harvard Coop bookstore in Harvard Sq. Bill Rodgers was there signing his new book, "Marathoning." I was so excited that I stood in a long line and bought the book and had him sign it. (the book cost 8.90, which I remember thinking was a hefty price...) He wrote, "Carolyn. Good Luck." Gotta still run that marathon.......

Selma, Alabama--- 1920's & 30's

I have a friend who grew up in Selma, Alabama. She recently posted some old pictures of her family on Facebook. I loved the pics and asked for her permission to post them here. I especially love the pic of her Aunt Johnnie-Neil, the woman who "taught her how to fish and shoot a rifle." These photos reminded me a lot of the post I did earlier of my grandmother and her siblings in the 1930's (only the city version of the same era). Great stuff...... Thanks Jackie!

Aunt Johnnie-Neil

Grandpa & Vamp Woman 1920's
Sisters--My friend's Aunt Johnnie-Neil
& mom Jimmie-Mae

Foxy Brown

"That's my sister, baby, and she's a whole lotta woman!" --Link Brown.

I watched 'Foxy Brown' on Netflix last night, a cult classic from 1974. It stars Pam Grier as the sexy 'Foxy Brown.' It's very campy. Quentin Tarantino masterfully re-created this genre in 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Jackie Brown' years later. (His movies are far better, of course) 'Foxy Brown' is a low budget B movie, but it stands out because of its portrayal of race relations at the time. The movie was made during the "Black Power," "Black is Beautiful" era. Everyone has a big Afro, platform shoes, orange pants, and calls themselves 'cat' and 'brother.'

As for Foxy Brown, I was a little disappointed that she didn't kick more ass. But she does get out of every scrape, wield a gun, and state her case clearly. In other words, it's gratifying to see a strong black woman in film. (At one point, she even gets into a brawl at a dyke bar! The scene is absolutely hilarious!) The film also stands out because there are plenty of dumb white people getting humiliated, which seems a rarity in film, especially in 1974. Foxy says to a white judge: "You pink-ass corrupt honky judge, take your little wet noodle outta here and if you see a man anywhere send him in because I do need a MAN!" Shocking!

"FoxyBrown" is definitely a revenge film. In fact, some of the scenes are disturbingly brutal, and seem out of character for Foxy and others. Some of the language in the film is also by today's standards grossly offensive. Foxy is called a "jigaboo" at one point. But, all in all, this cult classic is worth watching for a 'slice of time,' and (I sheepishly admit) a few laughs.

** Upon further research I discovered that "Foxy Brown," and the earlier "Coffy" (1973)-- also starring Pam Grier, are classic films of the "Blaxploitation" genre. These films, made during the early to mid 1970's, are usually set in urban areas like Los Angeles. The main characters are African Americans, with white people having minor roles. Generally there is an 'anti-drug' message in the film. Pimps and hit man and drug dealers are subdued not by police, but by vigilante black gangs. There's plenty of sex, profanity, and violence. The scores of the films are the soul and funk music of the time.

Many considered "Blaxploitation' films empowering, as they portrayed black actors and African American concerns and culture. The characters in the films (including the women) are strong and take action. But some African American organizations, like the N.A.A.C.P., protested "Blaxploitation' films because of the blatant (and often negative) stereotypes of blacks. A famous film of this genre, for example, is 'Shaft,' 1971.