Triscribe

Author: ssw15

  • October as the Odd Month

    It’s been an unseasonably warm October. The headlines haven’t been great, and I keep wondering what’s the one bright spot out there.

    Well, okay, the World Series is on – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros. It’s strange to even think of that, since I keep thinking of the Astros as a National League team, but oh, hey, maybe Astros can pull something off for their town (they beat the Yankees to get here, and who had the Yankees in the playoffs this year anyway?). Then again, the Dodgers have been great, so… we’ll see.

    The other strange bright spot – Alma Mater football team beat Dartmouth at homecoming this past weekend. Alma Mater football team hasn’t lost so far at all – a record of 6-0, with the 3-0 in the Ivy League. Sole possession of first place in the league? We haven’t seen this kind of winning season since 1996? Wow. I usually don’t follow college football, except to see how Alma Mater pulls it off, and this is impressive.

    Who would have imagined that the Alma Mater football team would be the winning in town, other than the Yankees? This past Sunday, in the dead tree newspaper, I came across how the NY Daily News even did a two-page article about the Columbia football team – and it’s not about how they’re perennial losers for once.

    The passing of actor Robert Guillaume. I remembered watching the show “Benson” (watching when I was probably too young to watch – but wasn’t it arguably family viewing anyway?), and laughing over his great, witty acting.

    Plus, Guillaume was a pioneer as a black actor who won Emmy awards, as well as Emmy and Tony nominations. His character Benson was more than wisecracks – he was the man who was smarter than everyone and had great arc – rising from a former butler to lieutenant governor – and that unforgettable series finale – the cliffhanger of who won that election for governor was left hanging, but for ABC’s ending the series (I like to think that Benson won, but we’ll never know!). I didn’t fully appreciate “Sports Night” (although that was a great Aaron Sorkin show, pre-West Wing), but Guillaume had quite a career. He’ll be missed.

  • Don’t Back Down

    After it occurred on the night of Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, the tragic Las Vegas shooting causes us as Americans to share our thoughts and prayers, at a time when we have thoughts and prayers for the natural disasters, and our sad state of political affairs and racial divide – at a time when we wonder where are and what are our moral values.

    How strange that we look to our late night tv show hosts for hope and inspiration, and articulation of substance. Stephen Colbert’s right – no one will knock thoughts and prayers. But “Think about what you need to do, and then pray for the courage to do it.” – Stephen Colbert. Pray for the will to do more indeed.

    Meanwhile, the passing of Tom Petty has been confirmed. This one also came to my mind – the moment during the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, when Tom Petty and just about everyone did “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” for George Harrison. Of course, that Prince solo – that was just amazing. I’ll embed the video below. Notably, here at triscribe, FC had shared the link to that same video as the soundtrack of the day when Prince had passed away last year. I like to think that Tom Petty is joining Prince and a whole bunch of other musicians – George Harrison and John Lennon, and all of the caboodle – in making sweet music.

     

    I suppose we all have our favorite song from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I remembered listening to “I Won’t Back Down” (okay, and “Free Fallin’“) a lot back in college, which arguably was the last time that I really listened to music (I’m not much of a music person as it is). “I Won’t Back Down,” wasn’t even a song from the 1990s, but it got me in a mood. Actually, come to think of it, a lot of music from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers got me into moods. I was reminded that the song even got a lot of play back around the time of Sept. 11, 2001, when we probably needed it.

    I hope Petty got to know that his music did/does something for us, especially on a day of horror in Las Vegas – don’t back down, people. Don’t give up and do something right.

  • Taking a Moment to Pause and Reflect 2017

    Try to remember the kind of September

    When life was slow and oh, so mellow.

    Try to remember the kind of September

    When grass was green and grain was yellow.

    -“Try to Remember,” from The Fantasticks.

    Earlier tonight, I walked over to the Brooklyn Promenade after work, to make sure to see the Tribute in Light. I feel sadness, and I reflect where we were then, and where we are now. I wonder.

    Here’s a link to Gothamist’s post today on the Tribute in Light. Gothamist also posted images of the Oculus’ retractable roof opening at 8:46am, and allowing a beam of light at 10:28am, on September 11, 2017.

    Above that photo I had taken some years ago at the Brooklyn Promenade.
    I had also taken this photo a couple of years ago at the Brooklyn Promenade.
    I took this one on Sept. 10, 2012, via my old phone.
    Photo that I took on Sept. 10, 2012, via my old phone.

    Also, please do check out the previous post of 2016, to access the links to earlier posts here on triscribe on this day.

    — ssw15

    (cross-posted at sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com)

  • Summer is Just Flying By Edition

    Where has the summer gone?  I barely got to see much movies, and read enough books!

    I know that this sounds strange, but to this day, when summer winds down and we get closer to Labor Day, I start thinking about Jerry Lewis and the MDA telethon.  Ironically, Jerry Lewis passed away on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017. I’m reminded that he was more than just a comedian but also an entertainer, filmmaker, and philanthropist who made an impact. The obituary over at Entertainment Weekly by Chris Nashawaty highlighted Jerry Lewis’s film innovations, in addition to his comedy work, MDA work, and his time with Dean Martin as an entertainment duo.

    So, time flies, and we keep moving on. Remember the past, but look to the future – even if the present is a whole load of mess.  Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath over Houston, TX, reminded me of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy – and maybe we haven’t learned much?  NY1’s Bob Hardt raised a good point – you could donate your petty cash, “or you start calling your elected officials and make a real plea for something to get done. Cry all you want when you see something sad on your television this week but save some more tears for our friends in Washington D.C.”

    Maybe it’s high time we develop real policies – but then again, we have a current presidential administration that had our country pulling out of an agreement that was trying to aim for global cooperation against climate change.

    Oh, and Bob Hardt raised a good point in his post about being wary about the American Red Cross. Look, it’s not like I don’t respect the better parts of the American Red Cross’s history, or the successful work it has done or even its good intentions. But, there’s a reason why NPR suggested donating blood but not money to them, per their post on resources to help – the American Red Cross doesn’t know what money will actually go to Harvey relief, according to NPR’s report. So, just consider where your money is going (which, honestly, the American Red Cross has to do a better job themselves about where they put our money).

    Anyway, I’ll link to the Texas Bar info on free legal help and other resources. New York State Bar Association has a webpage up to assist with efforts, as does the ABA. More from the ABA Journal.

    The summer has been weird, as it is, with human tragedy on the one end of the scale, and the “oh, so this is like a stupid tv show?” on the other end with the shenanigans of the current president (I won’t detail that here; you can catch that elsewhere).  But, I’ll share this bright item from ex-Vice President Joe Biden, from earlier this week, when the country was as embroiled as ever on the divisiveness of white supremacists (the very kind of people you’d think we’re all against, despite their having free speech rights), while seeing what would happen with Hurricane Harvey:

    You, me, and the citizens of this country carry a special burden in 2017. We have to do what our president has not. We have to uphold America’s values. We have to do what he will not. We have to defend our Constitution. We have to remember our kids are watching. We have to show the world America is still a beacon of light.

    Perhaps we’ll finally realize that we have to work together for that more perfect union? We do live in interesting times, but that’s surely always has been the case.

    Perhaps I’ll catch up to more blogging as the summer reaches its official end. We shall see!

     

     

  • Happy Independence Day 2017!

    Happy 241st Birthday, America.

    Bear in mind: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” and in the end, when the Founding Fathers declared at the end of the document: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” They were about to do something dangerous, and they knew it. The experiment continues, 241 years later. It hasn’t been easy, but don’t give up.

    And, so NPR did its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Yes, it was the Founding Fathers’ airing of grievances against the King of England, but it was more than that – it was about creating a nation – imperfect, but paving a way for revolution.

    Amid the celebrations, take a moment to reflect on the meaning of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and don’t forget that the Constitution does say we’re “to form a more perfect union.” I was listening to Brian Lehrer’s show on WNYC the other day and he made an interesting point about America’s birthday: like any birthday, acknowledge it, warts and all, and hope (and work) for better. (btw, I’ll link to the Brian Lehrer show segment – it was interesting to hear listeners call in to say how they felt about being American).

    Lots of cool things happened on 7/4. Weirdly: both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4.

    July 4, 1827 is also Emancipation Day for NYS, as the day that slavery was finally abolished in NYS.

    July 4, 2017, is also the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, which transformed NYS and NYC (see here for a WNYC item on this).

    July 4, 2017, is also the 20th anniversary since Pathfinder made it to Mars.

    Well, at least I’m trying to be on the bright side on this holiday.  You should too!

  • Memorial Day 2017

    On Memorial Day: be sure to take a moment to reflect on those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for us and our values.

    And, to those who observe: best wishes for Ramadan.

    I think that Memorial Day and APA Heritage Month make for an interesting combination.  It’s more than enjoying the unofficial start of summer, but to reflect and consider people who don’t always get remembered.

    Consider: NBC News Asian America has an interesting article by Lakshmi Gandhi, profiling Hazel Ying Lee, “Remembering Hazel Lee , the first Chinese-American Female Military Pilot.” She was one of two Asian-American women who were WASPs, when WASPs weren’t necessarily considered part of the military, and when civilians wondered if Chinese people were the Japanese enemy.

    Or consider this NPR item, which aired on “All Things Considered”: “Don’t Say ‘Thank You for Your Service’ This Monday,” as we recognize that those who served are part of the diverse fabric of American life – and they do what they believe in, not to be thanked, and because we should remember their friends who didn’t get to come home.

    I also tend to think that Americans have lost sight of the meaning of both Memorial Day and Veterans Day (aka Armistice Day, aka the day that World War I ended). While you should enjoy the day, it’s not as simple as saying “Have a Happy One,” when there ought to be more reflection or service involved.

    (and as for how we treat those who served, served, and survived – well, that’s another issue, but it’d be nice if we can do better for them; like the article says, saying thanks is nice, but it’s not an end in and of itself).

    And, bearing in mind that Memorial Day was once Decoration Day, it’s also about tending to the tombs and paying respect.  I liked this item over at NPR, about a man’s project to clean the headstones of World War I veterans.

    “Perhaps not imagining a face of an individual is a product of the military culture, one that simply relied on trusting the members of your team, regardless of where they came for or what they looked like. And perhaps seeing the green, blue, white, tan, or khaki uniform is all I really needed to know because people of all races, creeds, color, and religions have fought for our country.” — Art delaCruz.

    delaCruz’s moving essay over at NBC News Asian America is worth a read. In our current charged political climate (then again, when is it not charged?), perhaps it’s more important than ever to reflect on the diversity and commonality of our armed forces and how that represents all of us.  A lot of food for thought.

  • April Begins!

    I saw the Final Four on April 1- well, the 2nd half Game 1 (Gonzaga vs. South Carolina), and the bulk of Game 2 (North Carolina vs. Oregon). I had picked Gonzaga and North Carolina as part of the Final Four, but had also picked Villanova to repeat over North Carolina, so… yeah, busted brackets, as usual, but some good games.  I have a soft spot for Gonzaga, but North Carolina’s on a roll to make up for last year, so we shall see who will win the championship between Gonzaga vs. North Carolina on Monday, April 3.

    I forget that the NCAA tournament would have quite a bunch of commercials – it’s a definitely a different vibe than the Super Bowl or Oscars. In other words: I don’t know whether I’ll watch the Wonder Woman movie or Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” movie or buy Amazon’s Alexa, but the seeds are planted in my mind. Thanks, commercialism!

    I will have to do a full post, but am I glad that FX renewed “Legion.”  The season finale – the tv series overall – a roller coaster of emotion, sound (or in one episode, the lack of sound), and sight.  What will happen next to David Haller, the mutant who has some problems that the rest of us ought to be glad to not have…?

    Otherwise, I’m so behind on everything. Oh, and baseball is back.  I need the distraction anyway…

     

  • APA Stuff to Consider, or Spring 2017 Begins

    There is still snow on the ground, even though it is melting.

    Worthwhile items about Chinese Americans over at NPR, from last week: gentrification of Chinatowns.  When an immigrant community’s next generation assimilates or moves on, or there are changes in the types of jobs available, a community will change. But, gentrification in terms of race and class – that’s not exactly comfortable stuff.

    The story of the Delta Chinese, as fascinatingly portrayed on NPR, is sort of a contrast to the gentrification of Chinatown. It isn’t quite about displacement by class and race, but the evolution of immigration and society is something to remember and reflect on. (btw – definitely worth reading this NPR item, along with the other NPR item on gentrification of Chinatowns).

    The NPR item on gentrification of Chinatowns, notably, quoted Peter Kwong, Hunter College professor, and Asian American studies pioneer, who observed that New York City’s Chinatowns may be the last stand of a working class, viable Chinatown.  Sadly, Kwong passed away last Friday, as announced in the news.  (h/t Asian American Writers’ Workshop‘s Facebook page post).  Things to think about, as we consider the history of Chinese in America, and how do we go forward.

     

  • TV Observations

    From March 10: Happy 20th tv series premiere anniversary, Buffy. You saved the world a lot. (ok, I’m paraphrasing the line from one of the season finales – the third or fourth one? The one of many where Buffy sacrifices herself? The tone was just the right tone).

    Thank you, Joss Whedon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the rest of the Scooby team of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

    I realized that it was the 20th anniversary when A.V Club featured their Buffy Week special. Check it out. A lot of good stuff.

    And, goodness, I’m old. I can’t believe that it’s been 20 years?

    Entertainment Weekly posted on Sarah Michelle Gellar’s thanks via Twitter, to the fandom for their support.

    Vox ranked the episodes of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

    Constance Grady over at Vox wrote on the subversiveness of Buffy’s feminism. I thought it was interesting how Grady noted that Buffy, the very feminine ex-cheerleader, was very much the beholder of what was the traditional masculine protagonist’s burden of saving the world. And, if I remembered one of the key Slayer mythos episodes correctly, as the slayer, she shook off being chained to the male Watchers (while acknowledging the familial bonds to at least Giles, the senior Scooby member).

    David Sims over at The Atlantic wrote on how Buffy, the tv series, was the pioneer of the current Golden Age of tv storytelling – that whole balance of serialization and Monster Of The Week stuff was because of Buffy (in fact, I think “Monster Of The Week” was because of Buffy the tv series, either because tv critics or fans referenced to that, or the producers themselves acknowledged that).  I thought that this article was a fascinating look at television history, anyway.

    Here’s where I talked about the series finale of Buffy, through the lenses of an episode of “Angel” (which, yes, if you watched the Buffy series, you should watch “Angel.”).

    Speaking of television, lately, it seems like I watch just two shows: “Elementary” (oh, the craziness that constitutes the adventures of Holmes and Watson) and “Legion.”  I’ll have to post separately on “Legion,” but talk about odd storytelling.  It’s tied to the X-Men, but I’m still not sure how or when, if ever, that this will be shown or told.  It’s just been strangely compelling to watch, for me, anyway.

    Over at Startrek.com: an interesting post by Timothy Harvie, a philosophy and ethics professor, on the importance of friendship in Star Trek. (I really do not read items that reference Aristotle. Not since college, anyway, and the reference in there to Aristotle – weirdly interesting). Come to think of it, the old ST episodes of McCoy and Spock being ridiculously nasty to each other (strange how I don’t realize how ridiculous they were until I really pay attention) is such a big difference from how they become in the movies – when Spock sacrifices himself for McCoy, McCoy carries Spock’s soul, and Kirk keeps trying to balance them – the evolution of friendship is real.

    Actually, one of the biggest morals of ST is how friendship is the biggest and best thing of all (because the things we do for our friends…).

    To be even broader: television tends to show how friends become family – how or ties to each other may help rather than hurt us.  Well, good dramatized fictional tv, anyway.  (I do not have an analysis for what we’re supposed to derive from so-called reality television).  Ultimately, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its spinoff, “Angel,” showed how friends working together overcome challenges, whether it was getting through high school, growing up, and maybe saving the world.  The universe of Buffy, much like Star Trek, ends up impacting the fandom – and hopefully has brought people together.

    See? Television isn’t all that bad.

     

  • OMG! OSCARS!

    Mind blown. This was real, live, what the hell tv. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway did what?! This is crazy! (and if you do not know what I’m talking about, go online, go read/watch/whatever – the Best Picture category has made for some ridiculous historical tv!).  I was giggling like an idiot, watching what was happening.  Sorry to Jimmy Kimmel – it was a decent hosting gig, and ABC as a network was dealing with the length of the broadcast (as usual), and the end – we will be talking about that end for awhile!

    (cross-posted with sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com).