I don’t get on here much…however, here’s an update. I’m in a theatre production, and adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”, that was recently selected to represent New Mexico at the AACTFest 2013 Region VI competition. We will be competing against 8 other theatre companies from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Our show is April 20th at 10 AM at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette, LA

Ever had to deal with it? It stinks.

I’m struggling with dealing with several emotionally disturbing issues right now. Things that I’ve either never had to deal with, or that I don’t recall how to handle (or my old methods are no longer working).

I honestly don’t know how I’m going to sort all of it out. Especially when the one I am supposed to be able to turn to is not willing to listen or help.

Dear Tom Pierce,

I was out late last night. Thus I was enjoying sleeping in on a Saturday morning. Having your campaigners (two kids, with an adult out at the street in a pickup truck) ring my doorbell I suppose is understandable…the first time. The second, third, and FOURTH…not appreciated. When I answer the door in a robe, hair disheveled, and obviously sleepy from being woken up, you’d have thought they would have gotten the hint. NOOOO…started peppering me with questions, and when I said “just leave the card on the table” and started to shut the door, THEY RING THE DOORBELL AGAIN to get my attention (ever think there are others in the house?). What did they want? To put up a yard sign. You can imagine what I wanted to say, but as they were kids (looked to be about 8 and 12), I politely said “no, I don’t allow yard signs”.

They finally left, after which I called you, Mr. Pierce. I expressed my displeasure, firmly but (I think) civilly, and indicated that this was NOT the way to win my vote. I then hung up. Get the hint? Don’t friggin’ bother me on a Saturday morning? NOOOO, you didn’t…you called back! Maybe when I answered and told you point blank “I am not voting for you, I don’t want to talk to you, don’t call again, GOODBYE!” you got the hint. At that point, you at least didn’t call again.

Let me clue you in to campaigning, Mr. Pierce…rude campaigning is not the way to win votes. Also, having a date some 4 months in the past on the card your campaigners are handing out really doesn’t help (unless, of course, there is a special election next June I’m not aware of, in which case I’ll mark it down as a chance to vote for any opponent you have).

I do, however, now know your phone number (575-390-8700), so if I ever need to list a phone number for some stupid registration of a product that is sure to get me tons of spam phone calls, I know what to put down. Thanks for that, at least.

Sincerely,

Someone who will never support you in an election,

PS: Whoever is running your campaign…fire them. Get someone with a clue. Might I suggest Miss Manners?

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/23/sport/lance-armstrong-investigation/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Here’s the thing…the court dismissed Armstrong’s case not because they consider him guilty, but rather that the judge doesn’t see this is a court matter. The USADA does not have jurisdiction over cycling…the International Cycling Federation and USA Cycling (which is the authority recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, and thus the IOC) have authority here. And added to that…Lance has been tested somewhere between 500 and 600 times, in tests recognized by (and conducted by) the USADA and the ICF and USA Cycling. He has never tested positive…not once.

The USADA claims it has evidence in the form of eyewitness testimony. But they refuse to share that evidence.

I’m not saying Armstrong is innocent…or guilty. But I have to agree that the USADA seems to have a vendetta. The standard in drug testing is a positive result, not heresay. I don’t condone doping in sports, but I also don’t see any evidence that Armstrong did so. The USADA has some secretive statements and a TV interview by another athlete who DID test positive and was stripped of Olympic medals. It really sounds pretty specious.

That being said, Armstrong’s quitting the fight here also seems suspect. If I’d won a record 7 Tour de France wins, I’d stop at nothing to keep my wins and reputation intact. I understand the toll it must take, but at the same time his records are the very pinnacle of human achievement in sport. I’d fight to the bitter end if I were innocent.

I suspect there is a truth here, buried somewhere in the muck of all this BS. I wonder if we’ll ever know it?

Penn State removes Paterno statue – CNN.com.

 

A commenter in this article pointed out that it is strange, in a way, that we have statues of coaches/athletes at universities.  Why?  Go to universities abroad…they have statues of famed academics.  Because that is what college is really about…right?  Not that I don’t enjoy collegiate sports (GO GATORS!), but it was the excessive emphasis on, and near worship of, the Penn State football program that led Paterno (and others) to cover up Sandusky’s crimes.  They were far more worried about the image of the football program than reporting a crime and protecting children from a sexual predator.  I think Paterno’s statue, if left standing, would simply embody this further.  Football became the de facto religion of Penn State (and it’s the same at many other universities…or basketball, but same idea).  Protecting the image of that “religion” was more important to them than doing the right thing.  Sound familiar?  Catholic church, among others.  The institution became more important than doing what was right.  A statue to one who was complicit in the coverup only keeps the problem alive.

PART 2: A short preview of the live performance of “Run Freedom Run” from “Urinetown – The Musical”, currently showing at the Hobbs Community Playhouse. Visit http://www.communityplayersofhobbs.com/ for ticket sales and more information. Three chances left to see “Urinetown”, June 15th, 16th (8 PM), 17th (2 PM)

Video courtesy of Shoshana Howell.

A short preview of the live performance of “Run Freedom Run” from “Urinetown – The Musical”, currently showing at the Hobbs Community Playhouse.  Visit http://www.communityplayersofhobbs.com for ticket sales and more information.  Three chances left to see “Urinetown”, June 15th, 16th (8 PM), 17th (2 PM)

Video courtesy of Shoshana Howell.

Come see “Urinetown – The Musical”, get your tickets at http://www.communityplayersofhobbs.com, and check out the new photos of the show!

What would it be like if a private corporation ran public toilets where you HAD to pay to use in order to take care of your private business? Find out when “Urinetown – The Musical” opens June 7th at the Playhouse in Hobbs. Tickets are available on our website (click the ticket icon on the left side of the page). “Urinetown” shows June 7th, 8th, 9th (8 PM), 10th (2 PM), 14th, 15th, 16th (8 PM), 17th (2 PM). All tickets $15, and check the seating carefully…there are some very unique places to see the show from, seating that is actually in the set. See you at the show!