Single What? Female...

I'm not dead yet...!

Just completely overtired. And I have no one to blame but myself, being the queen of overcommitment. Though, the one-act play I directed for the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival has advanced to the next round so the sleep depravation continues this weekend!

In other happy news, George Bush's approval rating, according to an AP poll has dropped once again. Apparently at the time of his Inauguration, folks were evenly divided about his performance. Now, %54 of folk disapprove of of his job performance a month into it all and %58 think he's leading us in the wrong direction. Now if only these people could have figured this out BEFORE LAST YEAR'S ELECTION?!?!? You get what you vote for, folks.

IN THE MEANTIME...

On Larry King Live not too long ago, Donald Rumsfeld mentioned that he tried to resign not once, but TWICE...TWICE, but George wouldn't let him leave. Bet Rummy wishes he tried a third time as today, he's back in Iraq for a "surprise visit", checking in this time on Iraqi forces and letting them know it's their turn now to keep insurgents from blowing up things and each other. Essentially he's saying "It's your country now, we're backing off..."

And of course, while North Korea makes the formal announcement that they have nuclear weapons (not like Kim Jong Il hasn't been jumping up and down waving his arms going "We're making nuclear arms! We're making nuclear arms! and we're aiming them at YOU!" for the past year or so) Condi Rice says "Iran..." - "Hey, we're trying to do a nuclear power program, nothin' else?" - "You better not be building weapons..." - "It's just for power I swear!" - "You know what happened in Iraq..." *meanwhile Kim Jong Il is jumping up and down saying "I have nuclear weapons! I have them!" to which Ms. Rice responds "we'll talk to you later. Right now I'm talking to Iran..."

And speaking of ignoring the obvious...In the latest 9/11 report it is noted that before Sept 11th, the FAA "failed to pursue" warnings given them about suicide hijackings, like this one: "the intent of the hijacker is not to exchange hostages for prisoners, but to commit suicide in a spectacular explosion, a domestic hijacking would probably be preferable." Yep this is our government at work, people.

And speaking of our government at work...the FDA has decided NOT to ban an ADHD drug called Adderall XR despite the fact that is has caused 20 deaths and 20 strokes, some among children. Canada said, you know, I think drug needs to be looked at further. We're banning it for now.." But not us. Nope, doesn't matter what happened with Vioxx or Celebrex or Meridia...Adderall XR causing problems? Bring it on!

And speaking of bringing things on, The Dems are saying just that to the Speaker of the House. Reps Nancy Pelosi and Steny H, Hoyer are trying to get Texas Reps Lamar Smith and Tom DeLay booted from the Ethics Committee due to their issues with, well ethics. And of course, Dennis Hastert's spokesperson is saying that the Dems are trying to "politicize the ethics committee." Um...DeLay tried to singlehandedly redistrict Texas so the Republicans could get more votes and has some serious fraud charges against him that are still pending-that's not politicizing?!?!?

Just glad that the Dems are kicking in and keeping up the fight, man. Perhaps you ought to send a note to your Reps and Senators and say THANK YOU and KEEP IT UP!!!

OKAY, let's leave this and talk about some beauty. Here in NYC, a new public work will not just be unveiled but unfurled tomorrow at sunrise. Christo and Jeanne-Claude's piece The Gates opens in Central Park. It is over 7500 saffron colored gates with flowing awnings winding through the entire expanse of the Park. Basically, it is to add some color to a drab winter scene and needless to say that as I work near the park I can't wait :) If you find yourself in town for the rest of the month, you gotta come take a look. :)

And speaking of the art world, there is some sad news. Playwright Arthur Miller has passed away at the age of 89. He had many great works, but his most well known will always be The Crucible, based on the Salem Witch Trials, but influenced by the McCarthy era. The play was revived a couple of years back and it appears ever more timely with this administration.

HENCE, KEEP E-MAILING! In memory of Mr. Miller, fight the power and E-mail, call, write, fax your friends, your family, the press, and your congressfolk and make sure that they know that you are PAYING ATTENTION!!! And, as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on, no matter how sleep deprived you are :)

Peace --Alex

PS Curt Schilling has donated his bloody sock from Game 2 of the World Series to the Baseball Hall of Fame for a special exhibit on the Red Sox four game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. I was wondering when one of those Sox would get framed. Personally, as A Sox fan living in New York, I would prefer to see the one from Game 6 of the ALCS, but that's just me :p

ALSO - the one-act I directed for the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival here in NYC has moved on to the next round. Woo Hoo! Wish us luck in the semi-finals! We'll be at the Bernie West Theatre at Baruch College 2/12 and 2/13 at 5p and it's the first show of the series so get there early! The play is Well Laid Desert by Walter Brandes and if you have your Equity Card you can get in free, otherwise it's $15.

posted by funkweee @ 7:28 AM