Sound: "Blind" by the Talking Heads
Dear Dad,
I hereby formally apologize for all those Sundays during which I whined and complained and begged you to change the television and/or radio channel. I apologize for all those times that I said football was boring, or stupid. I was wrong.
FOOTBALL IS FREAKING AWESOME.
I suppose this realization started to dawn on me when you bought me tickets for the Niners-Broncos NFL exhibition game in London. That was a great game. And not just because it was one of the two games the Niners won during that season.
It was exciting! The physicality! The emotion! The narrative!
Dad, I've finally seen the light. It's what I've been missing all along: football is theater. And it's really, really, really good theater. It's awesome theater.
So I'm super sorry for being a little brat when I was young and ignorant, and promise that I will totally not complain the next time you want to watch the game.
In fact, I'll probably be yelling at the television screen along with you.
Because screw those replacement refs. They can't make calls worth squat.
Love,
Morgan
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Om Nom Nom Nom Veggies
Sound: I'm on a Law & Order: SVU kick. Don't judge me.
The summer session has ended, and the summer break is almost over. In a few days, the fall semester will start in full force: classes, teaching fellowship, rehearsal for The Lily's Revenge, and a couple more things I don't know about yet but I'm sure will happen.
I'll be honest; this break did not go how I planned it to. But that's fine. Change is hard, but change is ultimately good. One of the changes I'm implementing in my life right now is a devotion to healthier eating. I'm trying to up my veggie intake, lower (but, for the good of all that is holy, NOT eliminate) my meat intake, and make sure everything is still tasty. This week, I'm making a vegetarian lasagna, a mushroom and tomatillo black bean soup, and for the non-freezer area of life, a chicken and vegetable burrito filling.
Who says meals can't be quick, healthy, and homemade?
The summer session has ended, and the summer break is almost over. In a few days, the fall semester will start in full force: classes, teaching fellowship, rehearsal for The Lily's Revenge, and a couple more things I don't know about yet but I'm sure will happen.
I'll be honest; this break did not go how I planned it to. But that's fine. Change is hard, but change is ultimately good. One of the changes I'm implementing in my life right now is a devotion to healthier eating. I'm trying to up my veggie intake, lower (but, for the good of all that is holy, NOT eliminate) my meat intake, and make sure everything is still tasty. This week, I'm making a vegetarian lasagna, a mushroom and tomatillo black bean soup, and for the non-freezer area of life, a chicken and vegetable burrito filling.
Who says meals can't be quick, healthy, and homemade?
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Someone Call Ozzy, There's a Bat In My House
Sound: "Gloria" by Patti Smith
Actually, I don't think the bat is there anymore. And that's not really what this post is about; I was just using an exciting opener to grab your attention. See? I am TOTALLY learning from my weekly lecture assignments.
"Well, what is this post about?" you may ask. Good question, reader. I'll answer that. This post is about my preparation for the fall semester. The fall semester starts in about two weeks, and I'm really excited for it. It's when my show starts rehearsals, when I get to take a bunch of classes, and when I start working as a Teaching Fellow (what Harvard calls their teaching assistants, because they're fancy like that).
I am super excited for all of this. Especially for teaching. I've met the professor for the class, and he's awesome. It sounds like a great course, I've ordered my books, the syllabus is put together, and everything's falling into place.
Except that I'm terrified.
See, I have a slight issue where I'm terrified of whomever my students are going to be. Will they like me? Will they think I'm smart? Will they think I'm funny? I'M FUNNY, RIGHT?! Thoughts like these fill my empty time in the subway. Students (or at least people who look like they could be students) are starting to return to Cambridge, and I find myself giving them the side-eye as I pass them on the street. YOU WILL LIKE ME, I silently command them. YOU WILL LIKE ME AND YOU WILL GIVE ME A HIGH RATING ON YOUR COURSE EVALUATION.
I'm hoping that this works, and that I don't end up with a bunch of evaluations that contain comments along the lines of "She was okay, except she had this weird habit of staring intently at us in class. It was like she was trying to send us commands through her thoughts or something."
I hope.
Actually, I don't think the bat is there anymore. And that's not really what this post is about; I was just using an exciting opener to grab your attention. See? I am TOTALLY learning from my weekly lecture assignments.
"Well, what is this post about?" you may ask. Good question, reader. I'll answer that. This post is about my preparation for the fall semester. The fall semester starts in about two weeks, and I'm really excited for it. It's when my show starts rehearsals, when I get to take a bunch of classes, and when I start working as a Teaching Fellow (what Harvard calls their teaching assistants, because they're fancy like that).
I am super excited for all of this. Especially for teaching. I've met the professor for the class, and he's awesome. It sounds like a great course, I've ordered my books, the syllabus is put together, and everything's falling into place.
Except that I'm terrified.
See, I have a slight issue where I'm terrified of whomever my students are going to be. Will they like me? Will they think I'm smart? Will they think I'm funny? I'M FUNNY, RIGHT?! Thoughts like these fill my empty time in the subway. Students (or at least people who look like they could be students) are starting to return to Cambridge, and I find myself giving them the side-eye as I pass them on the street. YOU WILL LIKE ME, I silently command them. YOU WILL LIKE ME AND YOU WILL GIVE ME A HIGH RATING ON YOUR COURSE EVALUATION.
I'm hoping that this works, and that I don't end up with a bunch of evaluations that contain comments along the lines of "She was okay, except she had this weird habit of staring intently at us in class. It was like she was trying to send us commands through her thoughts or something."
I hope.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
When Conducting An Interview, Always Use Multiple Tape Recorders
Sound: "Side to Side" by Blackalicious (feat. Lateef & Pigeon John)
Today I had the great pleasure of interviewing Taylor Mac, an amazing person, theater artist, and the mastermind behind The Lily's Revenge, the show that I'm dramaturging for the A.R.T. I had a company tape recorder with which to record the interview, and, after multiple tests, I called up Taylor (he's currently in New York), and hit "record." We spent forty-five minutes talking about Taylor's life, his work as an artist, his philosophy, and, of course, Lily. It was the ideal interview experience.
Unbeknownst to me, the tape recorder decided not to cooperate.
I discovered this when I went to listen to and transcribe the tapes and discovered that, after one ringtone, the tape completely cut out. And so I did what any person would do: I freaked out.
The completed, edited, print-ready interview had a 4:00pm deadline, and it was already 10:00am. Obviously, I needed to figure out how to fix this, and I need to figure out how to fix this NOW. Fortunately, I had another tape recorder (which I might have borrowed from someone - a parent, a professor, I'm not sure. Sorry, original owner, it's mine now). I grabbed it, tested it, said a little prayer, and called Taylor back to explain what had happened and beg him to do another interview. He graciously agreed, and I made my deadline with some time to spare.
In the future, though, I'm using at least two tape recorders to record every interview.
Today I had the great pleasure of interviewing Taylor Mac, an amazing person, theater artist, and the mastermind behind The Lily's Revenge, the show that I'm dramaturging for the A.R.T. I had a company tape recorder with which to record the interview, and, after multiple tests, I called up Taylor (he's currently in New York), and hit "record." We spent forty-five minutes talking about Taylor's life, his work as an artist, his philosophy, and, of course, Lily. It was the ideal interview experience.
Unbeknownst to me, the tape recorder decided not to cooperate.
I discovered this when I went to listen to and transcribe the tapes and discovered that, after one ringtone, the tape completely cut out. And so I did what any person would do: I freaked out.
The completed, edited, print-ready interview had a 4:00pm deadline, and it was already 10:00am. Obviously, I needed to figure out how to fix this, and I need to figure out how to fix this NOW. Fortunately, I had another tape recorder (which I might have borrowed from someone - a parent, a professor, I'm not sure. Sorry, original owner, it's mine now). I grabbed it, tested it, said a little prayer, and called Taylor back to explain what had happened and beg him to do another interview. He graciously agreed, and I made my deadline with some time to spare.
In the future, though, I'm using at least two tape recorders to record every interview.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Russians Are Genetic Mutants: Or, The Vodka Party
Sound: "Who's That Lady" by the Isley Brothers
Last weekend the first-year Institute students hosted a party for our Russian faculty members. We were given very strict instructions on what was required for the party - what food to get, what music to play, and, of course, what vodka to buy. For future reference, if you are throwing a party for Russians, you do not buy Smirnoff. You do not even buy Absolut or Grey Goose. You buy Russian Standard, so help you Comrade Lenin. You also need to buy a lot of pickled foods; cucumbers, mushrooms, and fish are a good start.
(NOTE: Even though they are probably never going to read this, I need to give a shout-out to my fellow classmates, especially Erin and Marissa, for hosting and expertly organizing what was a fabulous party).
Notice that there is no reference to mixers in that list. That's because Russians don't use mixers when they drink. Russians take shots. Lots of shots. So many shots that you lose count. And they don't get drunk. Because they are genetic mutants.
Here is how to take a shot like a Russian:
1) Pour a shot of vodka. If you are like me, and you know that too many shots of vodka will result in a series of unfortunate events (like demanding that your boyfriend buy you a cookie and then offering pieces of that cookie to random strangers while repeatedly insisting that you are an adult [NOT THAT THAT EVER ACTUALLY HAPPENED, MOM AND DAD]), you ask for only a little shot of vodka, or "choot-choot."
2) Grab a pickle. I prefer pickled cucumbers, but whatever floats your boat'll do the trick.
3) Make a toast. As one of our Russian professors pointed out, drinking without making a toast signifies alcoholism, and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
4) Drink the shot. Don't sip it. Throw it back and swallow that sucker as fast as you can.
5) Sniff the pickle. This gives the vodka a little bit of time to go to your stomach and make an impression.
6) Eat the pickle. It will cancel out any taste of alcohol that the vodka has left behind, leaving you free to drink more vodka.
Although this method might sound a little strange, it is an incredibly effect way to take a shot, and it has my full endorsement.
A few days before the party, we were warned not to try to keep up with the Russians. We were told we wouldn't be able to do it and it was dangerous. I followed that advice; I can't speak for the rest of my classmates, but everyone is still alive and in the program, so I'm guessing that whatever they did worked for them.
But seriously. I have never seen people take that many shots and have no visible reaction. I would like to acquire these magical Russian drinking genes - they could totally come in handy some day.
Last weekend the first-year Institute students hosted a party for our Russian faculty members. We were given very strict instructions on what was required for the party - what food to get, what music to play, and, of course, what vodka to buy. For future reference, if you are throwing a party for Russians, you do not buy Smirnoff. You do not even buy Absolut or Grey Goose. You buy Russian Standard, so help you Comrade Lenin. You also need to buy a lot of pickled foods; cucumbers, mushrooms, and fish are a good start.
(NOTE: Even though they are probably never going to read this, I need to give a shout-out to my fellow classmates, especially Erin and Marissa, for hosting and expertly organizing what was a fabulous party).
Notice that there is no reference to mixers in that list. That's because Russians don't use mixers when they drink. Russians take shots. Lots of shots. So many shots that you lose count. And they don't get drunk. Because they are genetic mutants.
Here is how to take a shot like a Russian:
1) Pour a shot of vodka. If you are like me, and you know that too many shots of vodka will result in a series of unfortunate events (like demanding that your boyfriend buy you a cookie and then offering pieces of that cookie to random strangers while repeatedly insisting that you are an adult [NOT THAT THAT EVER ACTUALLY HAPPENED, MOM AND DAD]), you ask for only a little shot of vodka, or "choot-choot."
2) Grab a pickle. I prefer pickled cucumbers, but whatever floats your boat'll do the trick.
3) Make a toast. As one of our Russian professors pointed out, drinking without making a toast signifies alcoholism, and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
4) Drink the shot. Don't sip it. Throw it back and swallow that sucker as fast as you can.
5) Sniff the pickle. This gives the vodka a little bit of time to go to your stomach and make an impression.
6) Eat the pickle. It will cancel out any taste of alcohol that the vodka has left behind, leaving you free to drink more vodka.
Although this method might sound a little strange, it is an incredibly effect way to take a shot, and it has my full endorsement.
A few days before the party, we were warned not to try to keep up with the Russians. We were told we wouldn't be able to do it and it was dangerous. I followed that advice; I can't speak for the rest of my classmates, but everyone is still alive and in the program, so I'm guessing that whatever they did worked for them.
But seriously. I have never seen people take that many shots and have no visible reaction. I would like to acquire these magical Russian drinking genes - they could totally come in handy some day.
Monday, July 16, 2012
I'm Really Glad I Didn't Go to Law School
Sound: "Breakfast" by Kreayshawn
Growing up, lots of people told me I should be an attorney. I can easily understand why; I read a lot, I enjoy research, I'm organized, and I like to argue and manipulate people into agreeing with me. But I never wanted to be an attorney. I had first-hand knowledge that a career in law was rarely, if ever, like television made it out to be. It often wasn't that exciting, and a case NEVER wrapped up neatly in a three-day period (you don't even get to settlement negotiations in that amount of time). So, despite encouragement from friends, teachers, and adults I had recently pissed off, I made a conscious decision to not apply to law school.
Fast forward to tonight, when I find myself reading a 500-page book detailing the events of the trial of Captain Wirtz, the Confederate officer in charge of Andersonville POW Camp during the Civil War. I'm trying to understand the brief filed by the JAG officer in response to one of Wirtz's pleas. It reads as follows:
"As to the plea alleging the unconstitutionality of the present proceeding, on the ground that the prisoner has already been once arraigned and has pleaded, counsel did not deem it necessary to consume time in discussion of that question. Nor would he prolong the argument on the motion to quash the charges and specifications, as he had had no time to examine them critically. He would leave the decision of the question to the discretion of the court" (Chipman 42).
Irritated, I call up my resident legal expert - my mom - and read the paragraph to her. I then ask, "So, is he basically saying 'I didn't get around to doing this, Judge, so I'm gonna pass the buck to you?" My mom responds in the affirmative. "Well, why doesn't he just say that?!" My mom pauses, then asks "How do you think that'd go over?"
And that, ladies and gents, is why I can't be a lawyer: despite my aforementioned qualities, I am far too direct.
Growing up, lots of people told me I should be an attorney. I can easily understand why; I read a lot, I enjoy research, I'm organized, and I like to argue and manipulate people into agreeing with me. But I never wanted to be an attorney. I had first-hand knowledge that a career in law was rarely, if ever, like television made it out to be. It often wasn't that exciting, and a case NEVER wrapped up neatly in a three-day period (you don't even get to settlement negotiations in that amount of time). So, despite encouragement from friends, teachers, and adults I had recently pissed off, I made a conscious decision to not apply to law school.
Fast forward to tonight, when I find myself reading a 500-page book detailing the events of the trial of Captain Wirtz, the Confederate officer in charge of Andersonville POW Camp during the Civil War. I'm trying to understand the brief filed by the JAG officer in response to one of Wirtz's pleas. It reads as follows:
"As to the plea alleging the unconstitutionality of the present proceeding, on the ground that the prisoner has already been once arraigned and has pleaded, counsel did not deem it necessary to consume time in discussion of that question. Nor would he prolong the argument on the motion to quash the charges and specifications, as he had had no time to examine them critically. He would leave the decision of the question to the discretion of the court" (Chipman 42).
Irritated, I call up my resident legal expert - my mom - and read the paragraph to her. I then ask, "So, is he basically saying 'I didn't get around to doing this, Judge, so I'm gonna pass the buck to you?" My mom responds in the affirmative. "Well, why doesn't he just say that?!" My mom pauses, then asks "How do you think that'd go over?"
And that, ladies and gents, is why I can't be a lawyer: despite my aforementioned qualities, I am far too direct.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
What Am I Doing Here?
Sound: "I'm A Soul Man" by James Brown
I have completed my first week of graduate school. I did not cry once, and I don't feel like I've made a massive mistake, both of which are good. In fact, I feel even more secure in my decision to study an esoteric aspect of theatre. Yay!
You might be wondering, what classes does one take in the course of earning an MFA in Dramaturgy? Well, funny you should ask, because I have a little handy-dandy list of my classes and required activities right here!
Summer 2012 Classes at the American Repertory Theatre - MFA Dramaturgy
Acting Observation: This "class" only lasted a week. Apparently it can last up to two weeks, but the head of my program decided about halfway through this week that we had done enough observation/needed more time to sleep/research/cry in a corner while surrounded by mountains of books (I'm hoping that last one hasn't actually happened to anyone yet). Acting observation is just what it sounds like: we observe the MFA Acting students' acting class. The idea is to gain a shared vocabulary with the actors and observe the basics of Stanislavksi's system. I think that happened. Maybe. At the very least, I observed the actors become a human pinball machine (aka the coolest acting exercise ever).
Introduction to Dramaturgy: This is a seminar with Antaoly Smeliansky, the head of the Moscow Art Theatre School and all-around amazing man. I'm not actually sure what we'll be doing in this class. Tolya (Russian nickname for "Anatoly") said we'll "discuss the issues surrounding being a dramaturg and dramaturgy." I'm kind of hoping this turns into a therapy session, like the Dramaturgy Practicum I took as an undergrad.
Stanislavski, Chekhov, and MXAT: This is a theatre history class focusing on the founding and cultural relevance of the Moscow Art Theatre School (MXAT). Also taught by Tolya.
Introduction to Dramatic Structure: Different plays from different eras are structured differently. Here is where we learn about those structures. Right now we're using the Phaedra myth as a basis for learning four different structures - Ancient Greek, Roman, French Neo-Classicism and In-Yer-Face (1990s British theatre - angry, violent, shocking).
Russian Language and Culture: Доброе утро. Что это? Это моя водка!
Icons of Masculinity: What socially constructed roles are men forced into? How are these roles portrayed in the media? These questions, and more, are asked and answered twice a week in Arthur Holmberg's class. We also watch a lot of movies and read a lot of articles about emo music and the crisis of masculinity.
Casebook: This course goes through the major items a dramaturg would research in preparation for a production: the structure of the play, any potential translations of the play, author biography, production history, historical/social/political context, literary criticism about the play, anything the director specifically requests. All this research, in theory, would go into a binder called a casebook, but we're saving paper in this class and instead are presenting the research piecemeal in multiple presentations.
Education and Community Engagement: Or, how to supplement the crappy/nonexistent arts funding available to public schools. Also how to get people to come to the theatre even if they're not the typical theatre-going demographic.
Voice: Dramaturgs are required to talk a lot. So the A.R.T. has given us our own special voice class that's a combination of the voice work actors do (breath control and support, speech, etc.) and public speaking. This week we lay on the floor and let the "golden honey voice" travel to our toes. I'm a fan of this class.
History of Set Design: Analysis and discussion of the developments in set design during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Because people started doing REALLY cool things on the stage.
In addition to these classes, I'm prepping for the main stage production of The Lily's Revenge (an intricate, hilarious, awesome show devised by performance artist Taylor Mac - you can learn more about it here) and researching Andersonville Prison, a Civil War POW camp in Georgia. The A.R.T. and Harvard University (along with Atlanta's Alliance Theater, Baltimore's Centerstage, and Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage) are doing a series of events marking the anniversary of the Civil War. Right now we're in the research/planning stages, so a lot of the events are round-table discussions. Hopefully, these events will eventually culminate in some sort of theatrical event. And, of course, the dramaturgy students are right in the middle of it all.
I have completed my first week of graduate school. I did not cry once, and I don't feel like I've made a massive mistake, both of which are good. In fact, I feel even more secure in my decision to study an esoteric aspect of theatre. Yay!
You might be wondering, what classes does one take in the course of earning an MFA in Dramaturgy? Well, funny you should ask, because I have a little handy-dandy list of my classes and required activities right here!
Summer 2012 Classes at the American Repertory Theatre - MFA Dramaturgy
Acting Observation: This "class" only lasted a week. Apparently it can last up to two weeks, but the head of my program decided about halfway through this week that we had done enough observation/needed more time to sleep/research/cry in a corner while surrounded by mountains of books (I'm hoping that last one hasn't actually happened to anyone yet). Acting observation is just what it sounds like: we observe the MFA Acting students' acting class. The idea is to gain a shared vocabulary with the actors and observe the basics of Stanislavksi's system. I think that happened. Maybe. At the very least, I observed the actors become a human pinball machine (aka the coolest acting exercise ever).
Introduction to Dramaturgy: This is a seminar with Antaoly Smeliansky, the head of the Moscow Art Theatre School and all-around amazing man. I'm not actually sure what we'll be doing in this class. Tolya (Russian nickname for "Anatoly") said we'll "discuss the issues surrounding being a dramaturg and dramaturgy." I'm kind of hoping this turns into a therapy session, like the Dramaturgy Practicum I took as an undergrad.
Stanislavski, Chekhov, and MXAT: This is a theatre history class focusing on the founding and cultural relevance of the Moscow Art Theatre School (MXAT). Also taught by Tolya.
Introduction to Dramatic Structure: Different plays from different eras are structured differently. Here is where we learn about those structures. Right now we're using the Phaedra myth as a basis for learning four different structures - Ancient Greek, Roman, French Neo-Classicism and In-Yer-Face (1990s British theatre - angry, violent, shocking).
Russian Language and Culture: Доброе утро. Что это? Это моя водка!
Icons of Masculinity: What socially constructed roles are men forced into? How are these roles portrayed in the media? These questions, and more, are asked and answered twice a week in Arthur Holmberg's class. We also watch a lot of movies and read a lot of articles about emo music and the crisis of masculinity.
Casebook: This course goes through the major items a dramaturg would research in preparation for a production: the structure of the play, any potential translations of the play, author biography, production history, historical/social/political context, literary criticism about the play, anything the director specifically requests. All this research, in theory, would go into a binder called a casebook, but we're saving paper in this class and instead are presenting the research piecemeal in multiple presentations.
Education and Community Engagement: Or, how to supplement the crappy/nonexistent arts funding available to public schools. Also how to get people to come to the theatre even if they're not the typical theatre-going demographic.
Voice: Dramaturgs are required to talk a lot. So the A.R.T. has given us our own special voice class that's a combination of the voice work actors do (breath control and support, speech, etc.) and public speaking. This week we lay on the floor and let the "golden honey voice" travel to our toes. I'm a fan of this class.
History of Set Design: Analysis and discussion of the developments in set design during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Because people started doing REALLY cool things on the stage.
In addition to these classes, I'm prepping for the main stage production of The Lily's Revenge (an intricate, hilarious, awesome show devised by performance artist Taylor Mac - you can learn more about it here) and researching Andersonville Prison, a Civil War POW camp in Georgia. The A.R.T. and Harvard University (along with Atlanta's Alliance Theater, Baltimore's Centerstage, and Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage) are doing a series of events marking the anniversary of the Civil War. Right now we're in the research/planning stages, so a lot of the events are round-table discussions. Hopefully, these events will eventually culminate in some sort of theatrical event. And, of course, the dramaturgy students are right in the middle of it all.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The Trials and Tribulations of Fancy TV
Sound: "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie
I have a fancy TV. Actually, to be more accurate: I have Fancy TV. The television set itself is not that fancy; it's nice and does the job, but it has nothing on those 60" HD plasma surround sound magic television sets.
But my cable package? That's some fancy stuff right there.
For a little context: I haven't really had TV in my life for the past four years. When I went home, my parents had cable, but it wasn't at all like what my house has right now. I mean, not to go crazy or anything, but WE HAVE HBO, YOU GUYS! HBO! NOW I CAN WATCH GAME OF THRONES AND TRUE BLOOD AND REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER AND THEN YELL AT THE TELEVISION SET BECAUSE BILL MAHER DOESN'T SUPPORT THE ARTS AND IS KIND OF A MISOGYNIST!
Sorry.
I have come to realize, that, as a result of this Fancy TV, my greatest challenge at the Institute (the abbreviation of my grad program) will not be completing my work with the utmost excellence, but completing my work. Because who wants to read about frontier masculinity and Alaskan wildlife laws when they could be watching Paula Deen* mix 5 pounds of butter with some sugar and meat, fry it, and call it a meal?
Actually, the frontier masculinity article was pretty interesting. But you get my point. I like to think that I have the strength to ignore the siren song of Fancy TV, put on my big girl pants, and turn off the set and study. I definitely have several incentives to do so. But we'll have to see how it goes.
Stay tuned for further developments in Morgan vs. Fancy TV.
*For more on Paula Deen (because that woman is a star), I urge you to check out one of my favorite websites.
I have a fancy TV. Actually, to be more accurate: I have Fancy TV. The television set itself is not that fancy; it's nice and does the job, but it has nothing on those 60" HD plasma surround sound magic television sets.
But my cable package? That's some fancy stuff right there.
For a little context: I haven't really had TV in my life for the past four years. When I went home, my parents had cable, but it wasn't at all like what my house has right now. I mean, not to go crazy or anything, but WE HAVE HBO, YOU GUYS! HBO! NOW I CAN WATCH GAME OF THRONES AND TRUE BLOOD AND REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER AND THEN YELL AT THE TELEVISION SET BECAUSE BILL MAHER DOESN'T SUPPORT THE ARTS AND IS KIND OF A MISOGYNIST!
Sorry.
I have come to realize, that, as a result of this Fancy TV, my greatest challenge at the Institute (the abbreviation of my grad program) will not be completing my work with the utmost excellence, but completing my work. Because who wants to read about frontier masculinity and Alaskan wildlife laws when they could be watching Paula Deen* mix 5 pounds of butter with some sugar and meat, fry it, and call it a meal?
Actually, the frontier masculinity article was pretty interesting. But you get my point. I like to think that I have the strength to ignore the siren song of Fancy TV, put on my big girl pants, and turn off the set and study. I definitely have several incentives to do so. But we'll have to see how it goes.
Stay tuned for further developments in Morgan vs. Fancy TV.
*For more on Paula Deen (because that woman is a star), I urge you to check out one of my favorite websites.
I'm back...
Sound: "More Than A Feeling" by Boston
This morning, I woke up at 7:30am. All on my own. I didn't need to be awake until 10:30am, because I have nothing going on today until roughly 11:30am, when the Murdock clan arrives to pick me up for our journey to Plymouth [Rock] (to quote my favorite Murdock: "We have to look for the rock. But the pilgrims found it okay without GPS."). So I decided to clean the bathroom. But then that was done, and I still had a couple hours to kill before I needed to get ready for my day. And I found myself reminiscing about my time in London, and the blog I kept. And I thought to myself, "Self, people liked that blog, and you're at another high-paced interesting point in your life. You should start blogging again." And then I thought to myself, "You know what, Self? That's a great idea. I will start blogging again." So here I am.
What's happened since I last put my fingers to the keys and blasted my life onto the internet? Well, I tricked Ithaca College into giving me a bachelor's degree. And I tricked the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theatre/Harvard University into accepting me into their Dramaturgy MFA program (or maybe they tricked me - I am giving them a good chunk of change). Now I'm living in the Greater Boston Area, studying things like Dramatic Structure, Icons of Masculinity, and Russian Language and Culture, and also pretending that I'm an adult. It's pretty awesome.
Welcome back, folks. It's been a while.
Also, who the heck bought Chinese Democracy on the shared itunes account?! Dad, Connor: I'm judging you a little bit.
This morning, I woke up at 7:30am. All on my own. I didn't need to be awake until 10:30am, because I have nothing going on today until roughly 11:30am, when the Murdock clan arrives to pick me up for our journey to Plymouth [Rock] (to quote my favorite Murdock: "We have to look for the rock. But the pilgrims found it okay without GPS."). So I decided to clean the bathroom. But then that was done, and I still had a couple hours to kill before I needed to get ready for my day. And I found myself reminiscing about my time in London, and the blog I kept. And I thought to myself, "Self, people liked that blog, and you're at another high-paced interesting point in your life. You should start blogging again." And then I thought to myself, "You know what, Self? That's a great idea. I will start blogging again." So here I am.
What's happened since I last put my fingers to the keys and blasted my life onto the internet? Well, I tricked Ithaca College into giving me a bachelor's degree. And I tricked the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theatre/Harvard University into accepting me into their Dramaturgy MFA program (or maybe they tricked me - I am giving them a good chunk of change). Now I'm living in the Greater Boston Area, studying things like Dramatic Structure, Icons of Masculinity, and Russian Language and Culture, and also pretending that I'm an adult. It's pretty awesome.
Welcome back, folks. It's been a while.
Also, who the heck bought Chinese Democracy on the shared itunes account?! Dad, Connor: I'm judging you a little bit.
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