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Friday, July 17th, 2009
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10:05 am - CSU to join UC in cutting pay, raising tuition
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Oh boy, oh boy. SFSU hasn't posted the fall schedule yet but it looks like my chances of getting that second degree are fading by the minute. I downloaded the worksheet for a BA in Art History and discovered that I would have to take at least four more upper division courses plus do a senior project plus take a class in art materials in order to graduate. Since I'm the last person allowed to register, I am always having to ask the teacher if I can be added to the class. This will make that more and more difficult. I really feel sorry for the people who work there - already overburdened and now, with a pay cut on top of a huge work load.
I also just read that the woman who was the Dean of the Art Department will be stepping down next semester. The guy who will replace her is the one who told me that "you are not 19 any more" when I went to him for advisising about what studio art classes to take. Needless to say, I haven't been able to get into any painting classes so my first plan for a dual major was scrapped. Furthermore, I didn't WANT to study art with any of the teachers that I met. They were not very interested in teaching a 60+ year old woman who had painted all her life. They only wanted the young, the impressionable and the cute to be in their classes.
So, it just may be that the decision to continue with college will be made for me. I'm glad that I'm auditing the summer class in modern art but I really don't want to do the school work - the papers, the projects and sti through the lectures filled with students who have to be told to turn off their cell phones and take the iPod buds from their ears. I want to focus on MY writing and MY painting. The library at State was a big draw for me but, due to construction, it won't be open until 2011. When it does reopen, students won't be able to browse in the stacks and they are adding a huge, noisy cafeteria on the first floor.
Oh joy. More noise in places that should be quiet enough for people to read and study. Tell me again why I'm doing this?
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| Thursday, July 16th, 2009
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12:16 pm - Culture on a budget
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I just posted an article on all of the Bay Area museums that I could think of that have free days and/or free admission for kids under 12. I never realized that a "simple" newspaper article could be so much work. I had to check and double check my spelling and my facts. The good thing is that I can post to a "real" newspaper web site. The bad thing is that I don't have an fact checker/outsider eye making sure I don't goof up before the fact. I'm reading Lillian Ross' book "Reporting Back: Notes on Journalism" which makes me very nostalgic for the good old days. She had superb editors who helped her develop her skills but she also pays tribute to the fact-checking department of the magazine where she worked for so many years. Remember to click on the link - I'm aiming for one happy meal a month.
http://www.examiner.com/x-13996-SF-Museum-Examiner
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| Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
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8:54 pm - The First Amendment
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The reason I'm boycotting the sponsors of Fox news (list from previous post)
Should there be a price, some consequences for Bill O'Reilly's repetitious rant against Kansas abortionist, Dr. George Tiller? At least two-dozen times on his Fox television talk show, O'Reilly, attacked Tiller with incendiary language, accusing him of being a "baby killer," who "will execute babies for $5,000," and "has killed thousands of babies...without explanation."
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| Sunday, July 12th, 2009
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4:10 pm - Boycott
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Please boycott the sponsors of Fox News.
Crest Whitestrips ...|||... Delphi ...|||... Mercedes Benz ...|||... Comcast ...|||... Subaru
GMC Suv's ...|||... Best Buy ...|||... Travelocity ...|||... Capzasin ...|||... New Phase
Orbitz ...|||... Ditech.com ...|||... eloan.com ...|||... Dawn ...|||... Toyota ...|||... Centrum
Nextel ...|||... Vehix.com ...|||... Gold Bond ...|||... Aspercreme ...|||... webmd.com
American Express ...|||... Holiday Inn Express ...|||... M Professional ...|||... priceline.com
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| Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
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2:35 pm - Stuff and things on my blogs
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| Sunday, July 5th, 2009
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4:29 pm - She's DONE!
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Josh Marshall on Sarah Palin: She's Done
The astonishing thing about Sarah Palin is her claim that Sean Parnell will be a better governor of Alaska than she would be.
But in that case, why run for office in the first place? Why did she not simply support Parnell in 2006? My head spins.
Josh Marshall:
She's Done | TPM: TPM Reader MC checks in ...
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| Saturday, July 4th, 2009
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10:33 am - Happy 4th!
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The country and government that emerged from the first Independence Day in 1776 is currently in distress, as it has often been since its inception. But one of the markers of a sustainable revolution such as ours is its ability to adapt and survive.
We have always viewed Independence Day as a celebration of The Declaration of Independence -- which is precisely how it ought to be viewed versus simply an excuse to take the family out to watch fireworks. Of course this interpretation must allow for historical context and acknowledge that in 1776 "all men" was culturally defined as Protestant men -- not Jews, Catholics, women or people of color. Despite this cultural anomaly of the time, the document is timeless and brilliant -- arguably the most important non-religious text ever put to paper or parchment. We believe the foundation it paved ultimately allowed for the future inclusion of all men and women from all corners of the world. And we should read it in that context 233 years hence.
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| Monday, June 29th, 2009
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4:30 pm - Two Umbrellas
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Before I retired, I had this vision of working non-stop into the wee hours of the morning to create a body of work. It did not work out that way. I find that I work in spurts, starting a piece in my home office, living with it for a while and then, carting it off to my "public" office to to finish off with oils. Or leave alone as the case may be.
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11:21 am - Betraying the planet
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Unfortunately it didn't take long for the nay-sayers, scoffers and insults to start flying. What is WITH these people? I have read some projections by what I consider to be reliable sources that are even direr than the ones Krugman commented on. In fact, it’s possible that a place like Paul Broun’s Georgia may be all but uninhabitable. The extreme deadly heat waves mentioned may be of long duration and in fact become part of the yearly cycle lasting weeks or months.
Not mentioned here is what are the people of the nation going to do for water? What are the people going to do for energy, electricity? What are they going to do for food? If half the country is arid where is the population to live? Furthermore, what will happen when the earth's population doubles and doubles again? Even without global warming, that's a scenario for complete disaster.
Of the 212 representatives who voted against the bill I’d like to know what their relationship is to big business and lobbyists and what kind of donations their campaigns have accepted in the past and from whom.
People won't "act" on this issue until they are forced to do so. Probably until it's too late. You ask, Where's the leadership? Al Gore has been sounding the alarm for 30 years and he was mocked and called Mr. Ozone. Krugman's calls may go unheeded as well unless Congress gets a spine and stands up to the oil industry and other corporate interests.
It's been argued that the best thing that can happen to our planet (and humans) is a series of catastrophic natural events and changes that reduce the human population and force us to change (that is, if we survive). At this point, it doesn't seem that we humans deserve to live on this beautiful planet. Collectively we have not demonstrated that we are capable of respecting our planet and the life that inhabits it.
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| Sunday, June 28th, 2009
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12:44 pm - Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five
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| Friday, June 26th, 2009
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10:26 am - Walk like an Egyptian
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The mother of all bling returns to Golden Gate Park with more publicity, more photos and pronouncements from the ubiquitous Egyptian Director of Antiquities, more parties for the posh and more frothy natterings. There will be lines, there will be expensive tickets and there will be hordes of people trying to see every shiny item. For many, what gets lost are all the complex and still unknown issues of his life, as well as that of his much more important father Akhenaton. But it's a big money maker and museums need that in these difficult times. I understand that much of the profit will be going to the Cairo Museum where I hope it will be spent wisely. So, here's a closer look at some of the precious which you will probably not be able to get a close up of if you attend the show in person.
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| Thursday, June 25th, 2009
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3:00 pm - Farrah Fawcett - RIP
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I was never a Charlie's Angel's fan or, indeed, a fan of her when she was the uber-sexy icon of a whole generation. I gained a new respect for her as she battled Cancer. Now, I'm simply glad that she's not suffering any more.
And Michael Jackson as well - that's a shock! Well, maybe now he can also be at peace but I wonder what will happen to his kids and what's left of his estate?
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| Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
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12:43 pm - New reviews (mine and one from the Powell's Book newsletter)
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I am not all that happy with this review; I'm trying to emulate the best art critics/journalists that I know about and this one just doesn't make it for me. But I really couldn't figure out how to write about calligraphy. However, I need to be more patient with myself. I just started my "new" career as a journalist last week. I don't have an editor so I'm learning as I go.
New revew and images up at : http://cheznamastenancy.blogspot.com/
as well as up at my page at the SF Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-13996-SF-Museum-Examiner
Donald E. Westlake understood how the radical right takeover of America that began with Reagan (and may have ended last November) meant the destruction of the security most Americans expected would see them to the end of their lives. The Ax dramatizes Margaret Thatcher's notorious remark, "There is no such thing as society." It feels like a classic American novel waiting to be discovered. Though given the fear coming off the news every day, who could be blamed for not wanting to face up to it?
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| Saturday, June 20th, 2009
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1:06 pm - Art and Power in the African Savanna
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| Thursday, June 18th, 2009
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12:55 pm - Busy morning at ChezNancy
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I have just come back from a press preview of an African art exhibit at the De Young; not my thing but a good topic to sharpen my writing skills. I asked their PR person about a preview of the King Tut exhibit and was told that that was reserved for the "real" press, i.e., newspapers and magazines. They also didn't serve any coffee, tea or water or have chairs for us to sit in as the introductions and ass kissing for the powerful donors went on. And on. And on. And on...
I got there a bit early and was bawled out by a surly guard for asking to go in. The press preview was at 9 AM and I was not allowed in before hand. Plus, did I mention surly and rude?
There was also NO BLING! Pout and sulk. Oh, there was a flash drive with images and a print out of the objects in the collection but no catalogue, bulletin or anything special.
I am not impressed by the De Young. The stench of class and power is too obvious but I will smile and take what I can get and keep on plugging away until I get invited to the "real' press previews where there is REAL BLING! Walking through an exhibit of crude and frightening African art at 9 AM (!!!!!!) is not my idea of REAL BLING. Obviously, I am not sold on African art.
And the curator that they had to lead us through the exhibit talked and talked and talked and talked. And talked some more. I felt that he was trying to compress a seminar in African art into the 30-45 minute walk through. But as I looked around, I wasn't the only one with glazed eyes.
I fled around 10:30. I needed to go to the bathroom, sit down and have some tea and some protein. But in the cafeteria, I met another refugee from the exhibit. Michelle was
originally from Glasgow. She lives here now, has three kids, and now freelances for various travel magazines. She is a very bubbly and friendly person who gave me addresses and Internet sites where I can register as a freelance journalist so that I can get "authentic" press credentials.
So, nothing is ever a waste. I find it very interesting that as soon as I gave up on the idea of somehow making a volunteer or teaching assistant space for myself in the academic world, all these wonderful things are coming my way. Do you suppose that I'm being given a message that the academic world is not where I belong at this stage of my life and that the kinds of opportunities that I seek - to write, to make connections in the wider world and to do very interesting things - are outside the classroom and the library.
Ya thunk?
Now I need a nap. It's been an exhausting morning but the day is absolutely gorgeous, blue skies, warm but with a hint of cooling breeze. Sometimes the Bay Area is so beautiful that it's worth all the hassles to live here.
namaste!
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| Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
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11:47 am - Matisse at SF MOMA
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| Sunday, June 14th, 2009
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10:56 pm - NamasteNancy, Intrepid Reporter.
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I just uploaded my first "real" newspaper article - an art review to the SF Examiner Web site. I applied for the "job" as Museum/Art reviewer and got it - of course, they aren't risking anything because the pay is marginal (10 cents per 1,000 clicks) which is probably not enough for a cup of coffee. I am really curious to see how much editing it will require. I procrastinated all day because I got cold feet. In fact, I did my usual thing when faced with a challenge; I went to the library and checked out a ton of books. When I got them home, I realized that there was no substitute for just sitting down and editing and reediting the article that I'd already written for my blog, making it tighter and more "newsworthy." I had to edit out all my scholarly references because I don't think they have any place in a daily newspaper. Once I sat down and started working, it only took me about an hour and then, there was the struggling with the Examiner on line template. But it was fun and when it stops being fun, I'll stop doing in.
I'm still amazed at the doors that are opening - I never in a million years expected this to happen. When I look back to my first year or so of retirement, I'm astonished at what I've accomplished, the things that I've tried, the successes and the failures. But the exploring, the searching, the struggles, the learning - is not over, not by a long shot. Or, at least, if I have anything to say about it. Now, if I give in to my mother who wants me to move to Santa Maria and spend the rest of my days being an unpaid servant, then my real life will be over. But, frankly, I'd rather commit suicide. It would be a faster way to die.
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| Friday, June 12th, 2009
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12:31 pm - Adieu Analog TV..
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| Monday, June 8th, 2009
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10:30 am - A day at the museum
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It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny but with a hint of wind so it wasn't too hot. I got up early and spent a lovely morning at SF MOMA - got there early so as to miss the crowds. I think that the Robert Frank exhibit is not particularly interesting or gutsy. I didn't see how it was supposed to reveal US racism, poverty, etc. etc etc. He liked to photograph with the emotion of the moment and there are some nice photos but they are shown out of his intended order. The book, originally published in 1955, had photos in a certain sequence and cropped in such a way so as to form a loose narrative. Well, good old SF MOMA had them up, totally out of order so that there was no sequence or emotional build up. They did have a tiny glass case with several European photographers who influenced Frank and whose work I thought was probably a lot more intense and interesting. Frank's had a fascinating career and I guess he's the flavor of the moment but the exhibit left me cold.
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| Saturday, June 6th, 2009
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10:50 am - An American Hero
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I needed to wait a while and calm down before commenting on the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kan. on Sunday. Dr. Tiller was one of the few American doctors who still perform late-term abortions. He (and his co-workers) have long been exposed to continuing violence and harassment by so-called "pro-life" advocates who oppose women's right to have an abortion. Now there is one less doctor who will perform them and scores of doctors who are frightened away from even thinking about standing up to these terrorists to provide health care for women.
I have always been disgusted by the hypocrisy of these alleged protectors of "life" who have tormented women who want to choose to have an abortion. No pregnant woman casually decides to have an abortion. It is a traumatic decision invariably based on personal tragic circumstances. And in the case of late-term abortions, these are very rarely performed and only because of critical medical factors that threaten the mother's health or the viability of the fetus. But their philosophy holds that the "life" of a piece of protoplam is sacred, even if it takes the life of the mother or forces her to give birth to a dead infant or a severely deformed one. Their real purpose is clear - control women, control them completely unto death.
I am unimpressed by the leaders of the anti-abortion organizations who have denounced Dr. Tiller's murder. It is their hysterical, extremist efforts to block a woman's right to choose to have an abortion that emboldened a fanatical crackpot like Dr. Tiller's murderer.They created an atmosphere with the hateful rhetoric that encouraged this so-called "pro-lifer" to take another man's life.
Dr. Tiller was murdered during religious services in a Christian church. It is an extraordinary irony that anti-abortionists base their opposition to abortion on their own religious beliefs.
A good organization to donate to is Medical Students For Choice (http://www.ms4c.org/). These are the future doctors that will take the place of Dr. Tiller and continue his work. They need our support, and they need to know Americans support physicians who choose to provide *comprehensive* reproductive health care, even when it's hard--and even when their lives are on the line.
http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2009/05/jesuss-jihadis.html
http://octogenarian.blogspot.com/
and for a bit of history:
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