Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Charlie Wilson
posted at 4:33 PM | Permalink | 0 comment(s)
I don't mean to make light of it but teasing about it feels better than talking about being annoyed when it's not about me and not very polite to say my reactions matter at all. But I am tired of feeling slapped every few days recently and very sad that another person has died who was a compelling, complex, interesting character, a person who added so much in so many unpredictable ways to various corners and aspects of the world. More to the (self-centered) point, another person who profoundly influenced my awareness that grays are very important to see in people - as opposed to blacks and whites.

Charlie Wilson has died and the world is a quieter and less amusing (read: wild and crazy) and less intriguing (in all the meanings of that word) place as a result.

Charlie Wilson's Peace - Washington Post article, 8/2008

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Knitting olympics
posted at 6:39 AM | Permalink | 1 comment(s)
I'd really like to do the knitting olympics this year, as in 2008, but Ravelry co-opted it from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and that seems downright mean so I'm not sure I'll do it. I'm curious as to how that came about since I didn't think the upper echelons of the knitting world were particularly known for back stabbing or anything similarly nefarious and since it's kind of sad actually.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Falling stars
posted at 9:21 AM | Permalink | 0 comment(s)
What is it about celebrityness? What makes it apparently so damaging? Why do many celebrities take many lethal drugs - or least drugs that are lethal in conjunction with each other - and why do they party so unbelievably hard and without let-up? Do you know anyone who can party that much and still function at all? Why do they all seem to forget that what got them their success was almost always dedication and single-minded focus and, oh yes, talent and love of creativity and their art? Do piles of money and vast amounts of fame radiate a blinding light that makes it impossible to see or even remember one's extraordinary talent, artistry and self-discipline? Think Brittany Murphy, Elvis Presley, Jean Seberg, Heath Ledger, Rudolph Valentino, James Dean, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Anna Nicole Smith, River Phoenix, John Belushi, Freddie Prinze, Rebecca Schaeffer, John Kennedy Jr. . . . . Although death isn't always the result, the own-foot-shooting of people like Tiger Woods, Lindsay Lohan, the Olsens, and Michael Jackson are in the same category. It's so very very sad and puzzling and it seems so unnecessary and preventable.

Update. Today's quote of the day: "Talent does what it can; genius does what it must." (Robert Bulwer-Lytton). I'm not sure how it applies but it seems relevant.

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