Month: May 2005

I had a nice, long weekend. A couple of things: Pulp Fiction is still a great movie. So is L.A. Story (“THERE ARE MORE THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH, HARRIS, THAN ARE DREAMT OF N YOUR PHILOSOPHY.”) Hamlet meets L.A. freeway signpost. I think this tops my list of “magical movies.” What are your favorite magical movies?

I met some distant cousins, both retired lawyers. They gave me an interesting perspective on some life choices I’m considering. I had a good time with family and friends despite Amy‘s observation that my father and I make each other uncomfortable. I don’t know. I want to be more of a family person.

It looks like it’s going to be great outside today. The high will be 77 degrees. I’m only working five hours today. This is a good thing because it will be less time that I have to listen to my cube neighbor’s radio that plays 80% annoying commercials, 10% annoying deejays and 10% a little less-annoying R&B.

When advocates for the arts talk about the benefits of education in this particular field, they often frame their discussion with respect to its instrumental benefits rather than intrinsic. People believe it will be easier to convince others if they show them how an arts education benefits an individual’s life in ways other than in the arts. A broad example of this would be the argument that studying music helps an individual to understand mathematical and physical constructs.

The RAND Organization put together a report last year that underlines some of the fallacies in this line of reasoning and pushes for a reframing of the benefits of an arts education. The bottom line is that arts should be studies for arts’ sake. Here is more information on the report and you can also download the report [pdf].

Conan O’Brien ruminates on the future of Television for Newsweek Magazine. His prediction involved production facilities on Mars (it’s cheaper than New York and Canada) and Broadway making a comeback.

I dragged Amy out to see Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith this weekend. Usually I write quick reviews of movies, such as “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it.” First of all, I liked Episode III. It was definitely better than Episodes I and II in so many ways.

The problem I’ve had with the prequel trilogy is with the characters. Han Solo and Princess Leia, from the original Star Wars trilogy, were incredibly strong characters with good actors playing the parts. Also, Episodes IV through VI had enough breathing room in the plots for the characters to develop. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fischer as Han and Leia didn’t take their roles too seriously. It’s my understanding that there was a bit of improv and it even looked like the actors were having fun.

The prequels were incredibly serious. There was no room for the characters to enjoy themselves. Ewan McGregor was good at playing Alec Guinness (“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”). Natalie Portman had such a horrible character that her normally good acting was nowhere to be seen. Hayden Christensen was uneffective. The story was supposed to make the viewer feel sorry for the way Anakin was manipulated by Palpatine, but I just couldn’t feel it.

These people clearly had no fun making these movies, and it was glaring.

In other news, Amy and I also caught Hamlet at McCarter Theater. It was a mildy interesting interpretation with stark, modern design. The actors were great, of course.

We decided not to stick around for the discussion with the cast afterwards, and opted instead for ice cream from Halo Pub. While walking around Palmer Square we passed by Shakespeare in the Square by the Princeton Rep Company. They were hosting some kind of Shakespeare-a-Thon, with a competition. I probably would have signed up to read something if I knew about it in advance.

We also passed an advertisement for free movies in the park this summer. I’m looking forward to this and hopefully I’ll remember about it in June.

Star Wars Episode III has finally been leaked to the internet. It’s a “workprint” of the movie with timecodes on every frame. Here’s more information. I’ll probably see the movie this weekend. How could I not?

Everyone seems to be talking about the political statement George Lucas is trying to make and how it reflects his views on the current administration in the United States. But Lucas came up with the premise of the fallen Republic at least prior to writing The Empire Strikes Back. Well, I’ll watch the movie and come to my own conclusion.

One of my students from last year initiated a chat with me online tonight. She said:

u know what [principal] is leaving this yr so that only calls for better! that would be awesome i don’t why though .. like when i talk to [friend] and the other people we really liked having u for band directr because everyone knew that u really cared … i guess we don’t feel that way with [other band director]

It’s nice to hear, that’s all.

When I last redesigned this website I had good intentions. I was going to write deeper things than just quick updates on my life and bits from the web. But I guess other things often get in the way of that. Visitors (and income) keep increasing at other sites, so I’ve spent more time with those. On top of that, there’s working, class, and living life.

Speaking of work, I’m leaving shortly to dial for dollars. I’m volunteering for a phone-a-thon fundraiser for those guys I used to work for.

A little while ago, I arrived home from the concert (Young Concert Artists) for which Stacey and I had second row seats in the new Rose Theater. The three solo performers were very talented, but what is still sticking out in my mind is the amazing Marimba Concerto by the YCA’s composer-in-residence, Kevin Puts. It was a difficult and beautiful piece with an amazing blend between the soloist and orchestra. The sonority of the instruments melted from marimba to strings and back to marimba.

Afterwards Stacey and I wandered around the Time Warner Center and played with some interactive guides designed by Samsung that allow you to control a virtual tour of the city by moving your hands in different directions on top of a monitor.

It’s almost 1:00 am now. It’ll be nice to get to sleep earlier than usual. Thanks for the ticket to the concert, Stacey! :>

That’s right, I’m going to see and hear live music tomorrow night. Stacey and I will be seeing the Young Concert Artists “Irene Diamond Concert.” It’s in Jazz at Lincoln Center‘s new venue (the Rose Theater) where the acoustics are supposedly great, and this will be the only non-amplified concert there this season. The concert will feature three concertos (marimba, trumpet and cello) performed by exceptional young musicians, accompanied by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.

Stacey was nice and hooked me up with tickets. Yeah Stacey!