And now for something a little brighter . . . I hope you like it. :P
Here are some stories that are pretty cool, from the web page, Other People's Stories
Friday, January 10, 2003
HELP ! HELP ! HELP ! HELP !I try to limit my pleas for help to the critical, serious things in life. And this dear friends and readers is a genuine plea for help:
Apparently the Carnegie Museum of Art here in Pittsburgh is seeking to discontinue it's Film Series. This month they are featuring a series of movies from two countries: Brazil and the Slovakia (formerly connected with Czech Republic). For some of you, this may be of little import. But for those of us who delightin seeing films from other countries and cultures, this would be a critical loss. Here is the Post Gazette article about the story.
I include a piece here that explains a bit more of what is going on, as well as some contact info for how you may help:
In an off list response to my earlier posting on the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh decision to eliminate the film and video departments, I was
asked to articulate why I thought the Museum was irresponsible. Hence I am including a lengthier piece I wrote regarding this issue. I hope it
further explains why this decision might be detrimental. I welcome a dialogue.
Say, No! To the Closing of the Carnegie Museum of Art FILM and VIDEO DEPARMENT
People who make, teach and exhibit films in many corners of the United States, and I dare say, many communities throughout the globe, are also
equally shocked by the decision of the Carnegie Museum of Art to eliminate its film and video department. This is not an acceptable means to
balance the budget.
Bill Judson and his programming have long been heralded throughout the US film community. For many of us who worked in far smaller venues. the
Carnegie Museum of Art screenings provided a critical window into a broad range of filmworks, which our extremely limited resources prohibited us
to garner on our own. The loss of this programming window to the field is a serious blow.
Secondly, in our post-9-11 world, because visa processing has severely slowed down visits by cultural workers, especially from the Middle East, the
presentation of film becomes a vital force in the expression of different cultural views. Further, in a commercial climate where major media in
the hands of corporate conglomerates provide no cultural distinctions and largely present political status quo, the exhibition of independently produced
media becomes paramount to a public discourse on a range of vital issues----security, democracy, war, peace.
Most critically, this decision by the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is willy-nilly, self-serving, and made in a vacuum. The decision to
eliminate the Film and Video Department, if allowed to stand, portents miserably for the entire field. It sets a signal, and other ignorant boards of
directors follow suit. Far too often, over a thirty year span I have seen this kind of cultural naivete create a tidal wave of cultural problems.
In 2003 it is time to expand the showing of a broad mix of culturally rich media to ensure better understanding of cultural differences. If we
weren¹t so fixated ----via the established media--- on the inevitability of war with Iraq, and the ensuing costs of that war, maybe the funds would still be
there to keep the Film and Video Department open. Maybe the Carnegie Museums¹ directors have to open their checks books, and pull deeper from their
personal resources to keep this vital part of their institution going, vibrant and leading. There are consequences to your actions, if you
allow the Carnegie Film and Video program to die.
Ariel Dougherty
(Co-Founder of Women Make Movies, Inc.)
January 9, 2003
Truth or Consequences, NM
505. 894. 1844 ArielOLive@aol.com
Apparently the Carnegie Museum of Art here in Pittsburgh is seeking to discontinue it's Film Series. This month they are featuring a series of movies from two countries: Brazil and the Slovakia (formerly connected with Czech Republic). For some of you, this may be of little import. But for those of us who delightin seeing films from other countries and cultures, this would be a critical loss. Here is the Post Gazette article about the story.
I include a piece here that explains a bit more of what is going on, as well as some contact info for how you may help:
In an off list response to my earlier posting on the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh decision to eliminate the film and video departments, I was
asked to articulate why I thought the Museum was irresponsible. Hence I am including a lengthier piece I wrote regarding this issue. I hope it
further explains why this decision might be detrimental. I welcome a dialogue.
Say, No! To the Closing of the Carnegie Museum of Art FILM and VIDEO DEPARMENT
People who make, teach and exhibit films in many corners of the United States, and I dare say, many communities throughout the globe, are also
equally shocked by the decision of the Carnegie Museum of Art to eliminate its film and video department. This is not an acceptable means to
balance the budget.
Bill Judson and his programming have long been heralded throughout the US film community. For many of us who worked in far smaller venues. the
Carnegie Museum of Art screenings provided a critical window into a broad range of filmworks, which our extremely limited resources prohibited us
to garner on our own. The loss of this programming window to the field is a serious blow.
Secondly, in our post-9-11 world, because visa processing has severely slowed down visits by cultural workers, especially from the Middle East, the
presentation of film becomes a vital force in the expression of different cultural views. Further, in a commercial climate where major media in
the hands of corporate conglomerates provide no cultural distinctions and largely present political status quo, the exhibition of independently produced
media becomes paramount to a public discourse on a range of vital issues----security, democracy, war, peace.
Most critically, this decision by the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is willy-nilly, self-serving, and made in a vacuum. The decision to
eliminate the Film and Video Department, if allowed to stand, portents miserably for the entire field. It sets a signal, and other ignorant boards of
directors follow suit. Far too often, over a thirty year span I have seen this kind of cultural naivete create a tidal wave of cultural problems.
In 2003 it is time to expand the showing of a broad mix of culturally rich media to ensure better understanding of cultural differences. If we
weren¹t so fixated ----via the established media--- on the inevitability of war with Iraq, and the ensuing costs of that war, maybe the funds would still be
there to keep the Film and Video Department open. Maybe the Carnegie Museums¹ directors have to open their checks books, and pull deeper from their
personal resources to keep this vital part of their institution going, vibrant and leading. There are consequences to your actions, if you
allow the Carnegie Film and Video program to die.
Ariel Dougherty
(Co-Founder of Women Make Movies, Inc.)
January 9, 2003
Truth or Consequences, NM
505. 894. 1844 ArielOLive@aol.com
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Trial One of 2003:
What I mean by that is that I signed up for two classes, only to discover the first was a bit too elementary for me(2nd semester freshman composition), and the second was a bit advanced for me (2nd semester student teacher workshop). Suffice it to say, there is much to be said for consulting an advisor in selecting courses. I am grateful for the one teacher who said, you need this other course, as it will suit your needs perfectly. And so, as of now, I am registered for the appropriate class for my schooling.
Thus far, this week has been generally frustrating. I like to think that it's resistance to inertia: ie the gritty friction that meets change rubbing it the other way. What kinda lube has gotten me through? Nothing that comes in a tube, but some helpful built-in (?) phrases:
Control your thoughts.
Control you mouth.
Control your anger.
Breathe.
and finally,
Timor nolle
Noli timeri
These last two phrases are of course Latin, one meaning "Fear Not", the other meaning "Nothing to Fear." I'm surprised that nobody has capitalized on the idea of putting these phrases across the rear windshield of their blue-underlit Iroc-Z or thier hooptied-up Ford F350. Perhaps that's a bit academic for the average cat on the street. Which brings to mind that Thule, which is apparently a brandname for outdoorsy gear, originally was the name Pytheas had for thick fog in the icy waters North of the British Isles and Scandinavia (probably what we now know as the Norwegian Sea).
One final note: I am thankful for good friends and the good people I know. How fortunate are we who have supportive folks listen, try to understand and help us through difficult stuff. 3 people i would like to thank who (in no particular order / ranking) helped me in thier own capacities yesterday: Jim, Paul, and Madge. Thanks for being good people. :D
What I mean by that is that I signed up for two classes, only to discover the first was a bit too elementary for me(2nd semester freshman composition), and the second was a bit advanced for me (2nd semester student teacher workshop). Suffice it to say, there is much to be said for consulting an advisor in selecting courses. I am grateful for the one teacher who said, you need this other course, as it will suit your needs perfectly. And so, as of now, I am registered for the appropriate class for my schooling.
Thus far, this week has been generally frustrating. I like to think that it's resistance to inertia: ie the gritty friction that meets change rubbing it the other way. What kinda lube has gotten me through? Nothing that comes in a tube, but some helpful built-in (?) phrases:
Control your thoughts.
Control you mouth.
Control your anger.
Breathe.
and finally,
Timor nolle
Noli timeri
These last two phrases are of course Latin, one meaning "Fear Not", the other meaning "Nothing to Fear." I'm surprised that nobody has capitalized on the idea of putting these phrases across the rear windshield of their blue-underlit Iroc-Z or thier hooptied-up Ford F350. Perhaps that's a bit academic for the average cat on the street. Which brings to mind that Thule, which is apparently a brandname for outdoorsy gear, originally was the name Pytheas had for thick fog in the icy waters North of the British Isles and Scandinavia (probably what we now know as the Norwegian Sea).
One final note: I am thankful for good friends and the good people I know. How fortunate are we who have supportive folks listen, try to understand and help us through difficult stuff. 3 people i would like to thank who (in no particular order / ranking) helped me in thier own capacities yesterday: Jim, Paul, and Madge. Thanks for being good people. :D
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Loyal readers . . . after the long hiatus, I have returned. Christmas and New years Eve were pleasant this year, fun and good times were shared by all.
Much thanks to be given to Curt Connolly, his rockin' gift to me this year? a Play Station . . . and my favorite Star Wars game. It's way sweet and tons of fun to play. :P
Guitar and music stuff is going alright, there's some new stuff to emerge over the past few weeks, and new songs are always welcome. And today starts a new semester for me. Wish me luck with school work!
Last night was the end of the holiday season, for me anyways. I de-ornamented or undecorated the tree last night, removed the lights, and Jim helped me tuck the tree in the alley until pickup this Friday. Street cleaning starts in April, so tha'ts cool, but tha'ts the only thing I do't like about spring. Oh well, must be patient. Aside from that, not too much else going on.
I'm looking forward to a new year of good stuff, and I want to wish each and every one of you, peace, success and happiness in 2003. :D
Much thanks to be given to Curt Connolly, his rockin' gift to me this year? a Play Station . . . and my favorite Star Wars game. It's way sweet and tons of fun to play. :P
Guitar and music stuff is going alright, there's some new stuff to emerge over the past few weeks, and new songs are always welcome. And today starts a new semester for me. Wish me luck with school work!
Last night was the end of the holiday season, for me anyways. I de-ornamented or undecorated the tree last night, removed the lights, and Jim helped me tuck the tree in the alley until pickup this Friday. Street cleaning starts in April, so tha'ts cool, but tha'ts the only thing I do't like about spring. Oh well, must be patient. Aside from that, not too much else going on.
I'm looking forward to a new year of good stuff, and I want to wish each and every one of you, peace, success and happiness in 2003. :D
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