(no subject)
Apr. 4th, 2018 06:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwydion* "Israel reaches agreement with U.N. on African refugees — then suspends it in face of criticism:" http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-un-refugees-20180402-story.html
* "The Guardian view on France’s transport strikes: make or break for Macron:" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/03/the-guardian-view-on-frances-transport-strikes-make-or-break-for-macron
* "Egypt's Sisi wins 97 percent in election with no real opposition:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-election-result/egypts-sisi-wins-97-percent-in-election-with-no-real-opposition-idUSKCN1H916A
* "Former pick for US Ambassador to South Korea on North Korea relations:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/former-pick-for-us-ambassador-to-south-korea-on-north-korea-relations-1200892995560
* "Communications between Trump and Putin raise questions:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-a-block-michael-mcfaul-1200885827866
* "The U.S. and Russia Are Caught in a Downward Spiral:" https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/russia/556826/
* "Report: Russian cyber spy wanted by FBI admits intel sharing:" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article207723644.html
* "Trump Says He'll Deploy Military to Guard U.S.-Mexico Border:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-03/trump-says-he-will-deploy-military-to-guard-u-s-mexico-border
* "The self-interested presidency of Donald Trump:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/the-self-interested-presidency-of-donald-trump-1200819779531
* Re: 45 being "the subject" of an investigation rather than "a target." As far as I can tell that just means they haven't got enough yet to indict. That can change at any time.
* "Alex van der Zwaan, the Lawyer Who Lied to FBI About a Russian Spy, Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/alex-van-der-zwaan-the-lawyer-who-lied-to-fbi-about-a-russian-spy-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail
* "Alex van der Zwaan is first person sentenced in special counsel investigation:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/alex-van-der-zwaan-is-first-person-sentenced-in-robert-mueller-s-special-counsel-investigation-1201935427554
* "Mueller authorized by DOJ to investigate alleged Manafort collusion with Russian government:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/politics/mueller-manafort-rosenstein-memo/index.html
* "Officials remove human role in climate change from report:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/officials-remove-human-role-in-climate-change-from-report-1200843331590
* Trump’s EPA officially starts the fight to lower vehicle emissions standards":" https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/2/17189920/environmental-protection-agency-greenhouse-gas
* "Trump administration moves on two fronts to challenge California environmental protections:" http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-epa-fuel-standards-20180402-story.html
* "Scott Pruitt’s bizarre condo scandal and mounting ethics questions, explained:" https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/4/3/17189462/scott-pruitt-ethics-scandal
* "Scott Pruitt Bypassed the White House to Give Big Raises to Favorite Aides:" https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/04/pruitt-epa/557123/
* "White House considered firing Pruitt:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/02/scott-pruitt-white-house-considered-firing-453381
* "Scott Pruitt’s D.C. Lobbyist Landlord Also Funded His Oklahoma Attorney General Campaign:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/scott-pruitts-dc-lobbyist-landlord-also-funded-his-oklahoma-attorney-general-campaign
* "Trump's EPA chief Scott Pruitt engulfed in scandal:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-s-epa-chief-scott-pruitt-engulfed-in-scandal-1201827395758
* "Cecile Richards on Trump Era activism: "Do more than you ever thought you could.":" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/cecile-richards-president-of-planned-parenthood-on-trump-era-activism-do-more-than-you-ever-thought-you-could-1201940547523
* "The Larger Concerns Behind the Teachers' Strikes:" https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/04/the-larger-concerns-behind-the-teachers-strikes/557171/
* "Kentucky and Oklahoma teachers flood state capitals -- and refuse to back down:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/02/us/oklahoma-kentucky-teachers/index.html
* "Red state teachers launch new labor movement:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/red-state-teachers-launch-new-labor-movement-1200836675963
* "Black students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS want to be heard:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/29/us/parkland-school-black-students-trnd/index.html
* "Female suspect dead in YouTube HQ shooting:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43635864
* "'Affluenza' Texan, who killed four driving drunk, released from jail:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-affluenza/affluenza-texan-who-killed-four-driving-drunk-released-from-jail-idUSKCN1H90QU
* "Sacramento mayor rips sheriff's handling of Stephon Clark protest where deputy hit activist:" http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article207821574.html
* "50th Anniversary Of The 'I've Been To The Mountaintop' Speech:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/04/50th-anniversary-of-ive-been-to.html
* "What We Learn From 50 Years of Kids Drawing Scientists:" https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/03/what-we-learn-from-50-years-of-asking-children-to-draw-scientists/556025/
* Age is no excuse: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/172584151102/vaspider-mira-jadeamethyst-asymbina
* "Number 8- Rest In Power and Peace Sasha Wall:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/04/number-8-rest-in-power-and-peace-sasha.html
* "The Americanization of an Ancient Faith:" https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/03/coptic-church/555515/
* "Solar power’s greatest challenge was discovered 10 years ago. It looks like a duck.:" https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/20/17128478/solar-duck-curve-nrel-researcher
* "The Eiffel Tower Could Be Repainted Its Original Vibrant Color:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/eiffel-tower-could-be-repainted-its-original-vibrant-color-180968543/
* I adore her. "Glenda Jackson returns to Broadway in all-female play:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43578466
* "Galino & Farnes: Lawyers That Sue Lawyers:"
* "The Scariest, Hairiest Trump Appointment:"
* "John Bolton Is A Madman:"
* "New GoFundMe Project: A Border Wall:"
* "John Bolton's Terrifying Ideas Sung By Michael Bolton:"
* "John Bolton Is Keeping Kids Up At Night:"
* Tuesday's goals were 1. Find out when my dentist is next. 2. Call the Post Office and find out if they had my license. It seems they do not, nor did the Police station, which is where the Post Office sends the ID's, instead of returning them. Sigh. i can't think of anywhere else it could be. I emptied my messenger bag as it needed a good wash and will go over everything a forth time when I put everything back, but I think I'll have to add DMV for a new license to my list. And I'm nearly out of gas which adds to the stress and excitement of the whole driving about illegally thing. (I might have about six dollars on a credit card. I suppose I'll find out tomorrow as doing the long loop up to DMV won't leave me gas for the rest and I blew my cash on the mailers. I keep chipping away at money that's meant to go to the mechanics.
Update: When I put the messenger bag bag together, I was filled with dismay as there continued no sign of my Driver's license. I found it in the medical pouch. I must have had to proffer it at doctor or Dentist at some point in the last month or two (I have a vague memory of doing that, but I go so often...) and absentmindedly tucked it away with my medical cards instead of where it belonged with the bank card and the like for easy grabbing. So that's one less alarming and expensive thing on the list for Wednesday.
* I've started on the live Jesus Christ Superstar. This is one of many, many musicals I grew up with, and is one where I had massive exposure to both Broadway cast album and movie versions, so I not only can sing the whole damned thing, but I often tangle the interps. (It's not as bad as Evita where I have the London, Broadway, and movie versions wrestling in my head when I listen/ sing it). It's not my religion and I have a whole bunch of baggage around it from my first college, which is a whole other long, complex story I've told elsewhere. This is not a show I can watch clean, because of all the pile of memories and experience tangled inextricably with it. (It's not a trigger situation, like Ozzy Osborne/Black Sabbath, particularly "Crazy Train" and "Iron Man;" nor is it a clearly not good for me situation like "The Wall.") It's just not the head space I'm in any more and revisiting more than every half decade or so isn't productive, if that makes sense. Sure, my perspective changes but there's simply not much new I can take from it after all this time. I've learned what I learned from it and the relationships it's tangled with. Rethinking the same thoughts over and over around it is time better used on something I can get more new or useful things from. It's still beautifully designed as a piece of art, which themes woven and explored. The singing and acting etc. are still powerful and speak to some fundamental things, but I'm somewhere else now, if that makes sense. I rewatched the movie version of my childhood in preparation for the live version, so the comparisons are fresh for watching this one.
So far, I'm pretty well blown away by the cleverness of the new one. Part of why the original worked so well was that it blended a host of universal things like unrequited love, pain, confrontations with one's mortality, fear, betrayal, conflicts amoung friends, and the messy responses people have to fame and power with a real attempt to speak to the particular political and social moment of the period in which it was written and performed. That combination gave it an immediacy which faded with time because the political and cultural conversation moved on, leaving only the more universal elements, still strong, but lacking the particular edge they had when they were fresh.
The people who cast and staged this one brought back that original punch by designing this production to speak to this particular and social moment, and damned if it isn't incredibly powerful and fresh when it does. This production is also full of beautiful little touches: fiddle players in the overture who for a moment look like swordswomen, the way the glitter from the temple scene makes the stage look like sunset glinting off water behind Mary Magdalene as she sings her longing, Simon holding hands with what clearly is his boyfriend. I love the redesigned look that feels like now, while keeping the crucial make shift counter culture feel essential to the message. I love the way it speaks to Black Lives Matter and debate within resistance movements in general.
Judas, is of course brilliant, but really I love all of it so far. The casting of this is so good. I was fascinated by the Alice Cooper's Herod, which is entirely different and incredibly menacing instead of going for comic relief. Ben daniel's singing is not quite at the level of the others, but oh, his acting in Pilot's Dream was haunting. John Legend's Jesus was very John Legend as Jesus, if that makes sense. It wasn't so much acting as casting someone so like what one wants in a Jesus and letting him go. His Gethsemane is really different, but beautiful, but honestly, he was at his best when playing off Brandon Victor Dixon's mesmerizing Judas. The Magdalene was fine, but I think I prefer the movie version. I don't think I've seen Erik Grönwall before, but boy can he sing. Caiaphas and Annas were perfection, and I really liked the updated look.
Of course the baggage lingers, how can it not and I do wander into the usual corridors, but I am glad to be watching it and glad it exists. Likely I'll finish it tomorrow, as it's something I want to give full attention to, but so far? Impressive as hell and genuinely giving the art back the bite it used to have. Bravo.
* The thing I realized watching Jesus Christ Superstar Live was that I'm not sorry. What I mean by this is, at several points in my life I went in to a relationship knowing full well the omens were bad, that it was doomed, that it was a terrible idea for a host of reasons, and we were really not good for each other. I had the self knowledge to spot this in my teens, but not once, at any age, have I been able to risk a temptation that has luckily only come a long a handful of times. In retrospect, knowing exactly how much pain and occasionally real psychological damage that resulted, I'm not sorry. (I'm not talking about domestic abuse, just ordinary fucked each other up car crash sorts of things one has in one's youth). It was worth it. Every single time. Oh the sex was amazing, often world class hall of fame amazing, but also, I walked away with so much. I learned so much, I discovered so much. It was good we called it quits even though in two cases it didn't feel like it at the time, and in one we broke amicably by mutual consent over and over again, and in others I walked away leaving a mess behind me, but it was worth it for me, no matter how much it hurt. Is that wisdom or foolishness? I've no idea, but it's true. I'm not sorry. I think I'll never be sorry for having lived as I did and these are not the choices I regret even though I had a good idea how bad they were when I made them.
* I am doing National Poetry Month again this year, but I'm confining it to Tumblr on the grounds of tired. What the poems I selected? Five or so should turn up daily over here if you want to look them over: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poem
* I used all my money on housing and insurance last month, and this month it's all going to housing and car things. I need the car to get around as I am disabled. I need to raise about $600 to stay afloat. If you'd like to chip in: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/
* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate
* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0
* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net
* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey
* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.
* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386
* Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.
* This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/
* Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/
* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html
* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com
* "The Guardian view on France’s transport strikes: make or break for Macron:" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/03/the-guardian-view-on-frances-transport-strikes-make-or-break-for-macron
* "Egypt's Sisi wins 97 percent in election with no real opposition:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-election-result/egypts-sisi-wins-97-percent-in-election-with-no-real-opposition-idUSKCN1H916A
* "Former pick for US Ambassador to South Korea on North Korea relations:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/former-pick-for-us-ambassador-to-south-korea-on-north-korea-relations-1200892995560
* "Communications between Trump and Putin raise questions:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-a-block-michael-mcfaul-1200885827866
* "The U.S. and Russia Are Caught in a Downward Spiral:" https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/russia/556826/
* "Report: Russian cyber spy wanted by FBI admits intel sharing:" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article207723644.html
* "Trump Says He'll Deploy Military to Guard U.S.-Mexico Border:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-03/trump-says-he-will-deploy-military-to-guard-u-s-mexico-border
* "The self-interested presidency of Donald Trump:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/the-self-interested-presidency-of-donald-trump-1200819779531
* Re: 45 being "the subject" of an investigation rather than "a target." As far as I can tell that just means they haven't got enough yet to indict. That can change at any time.
* "Alex van der Zwaan, the Lawyer Who Lied to FBI About a Russian Spy, Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/alex-van-der-zwaan-the-lawyer-who-lied-to-fbi-about-a-russian-spy-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail
* "Alex van der Zwaan is first person sentenced in special counsel investigation:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/alex-van-der-zwaan-is-first-person-sentenced-in-robert-mueller-s-special-counsel-investigation-1201935427554
* "Mueller authorized by DOJ to investigate alleged Manafort collusion with Russian government:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/politics/mueller-manafort-rosenstein-memo/index.html
* "Officials remove human role in climate change from report:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/officials-remove-human-role-in-climate-change-from-report-1200843331590
* Trump’s EPA officially starts the fight to lower vehicle emissions standards":" https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/2/17189920/environmental-protection-agency-greenhouse-gas
* "Trump administration moves on two fronts to challenge California environmental protections:" http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-epa-fuel-standards-20180402-story.html
* "Scott Pruitt’s bizarre condo scandal and mounting ethics questions, explained:" https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/4/3/17189462/scott-pruitt-ethics-scandal
* "Scott Pruitt Bypassed the White House to Give Big Raises to Favorite Aides:" https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/04/pruitt-epa/557123/
* "White House considered firing Pruitt:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/02/scott-pruitt-white-house-considered-firing-453381
* "Scott Pruitt’s D.C. Lobbyist Landlord Also Funded His Oklahoma Attorney General Campaign:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/scott-pruitts-dc-lobbyist-landlord-also-funded-his-oklahoma-attorney-general-campaign
* "Trump's EPA chief Scott Pruitt engulfed in scandal:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-s-epa-chief-scott-pruitt-engulfed-in-scandal-1201827395758
* "Cecile Richards on Trump Era activism: "Do more than you ever thought you could.":" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/cecile-richards-president-of-planned-parenthood-on-trump-era-activism-do-more-than-you-ever-thought-you-could-1201940547523
* "The Larger Concerns Behind the Teachers' Strikes:" https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/04/the-larger-concerns-behind-the-teachers-strikes/557171/
* "Kentucky and Oklahoma teachers flood state capitals -- and refuse to back down:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/02/us/oklahoma-kentucky-teachers/index.html
* "Red state teachers launch new labor movement:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/red-state-teachers-launch-new-labor-movement-1200836675963
* "Black students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS want to be heard:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/29/us/parkland-school-black-students-trnd/index.html
* "Female suspect dead in YouTube HQ shooting:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43635864
* "'Affluenza' Texan, who killed four driving drunk, released from jail:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-affluenza/affluenza-texan-who-killed-four-driving-drunk-released-from-jail-idUSKCN1H90QU
* "Sacramento mayor rips sheriff's handling of Stephon Clark protest where deputy hit activist:" http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article207821574.html
* "50th Anniversary Of The 'I've Been To The Mountaintop' Speech:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/04/50th-anniversary-of-ive-been-to.html
* "What We Learn From 50 Years of Kids Drawing Scientists:" https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/03/what-we-learn-from-50-years-of-asking-children-to-draw-scientists/556025/
* Age is no excuse: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/172584151102/vaspider-mira-jadeamethyst-asymbina
* "Number 8- Rest In Power and Peace Sasha Wall:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/04/number-8-rest-in-power-and-peace-sasha.html
* "The Americanization of an Ancient Faith:" https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/03/coptic-church/555515/
* "Solar power’s greatest challenge was discovered 10 years ago. It looks like a duck.:" https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/20/17128478/solar-duck-curve-nrel-researcher
* "The Eiffel Tower Could Be Repainted Its Original Vibrant Color:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/eiffel-tower-could-be-repainted-its-original-vibrant-color-180968543/
* I adore her. "Glenda Jackson returns to Broadway in all-female play:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43578466
* "Galino & Farnes: Lawyers That Sue Lawyers:"
* "The Scariest, Hairiest Trump Appointment:"
* "John Bolton Is A Madman:"
* "New GoFundMe Project: A Border Wall:"
* "John Bolton's Terrifying Ideas Sung By Michael Bolton:"
* "John Bolton Is Keeping Kids Up At Night:"
* Tuesday's goals were 1. Find out when my dentist is next. 2. Call the Post Office and find out if they had my license. It seems they do not, nor did the Police station, which is where the Post Office sends the ID's, instead of returning them. Sigh. i can't think of anywhere else it could be. I emptied my messenger bag as it needed a good wash and will go over everything a forth time when I put everything back, but I think I'll have to add DMV for a new license to my list. And I'm nearly out of gas which adds to the stress and excitement of the whole driving about illegally thing. (I might have about six dollars on a credit card. I suppose I'll find out tomorrow as doing the long loop up to DMV won't leave me gas for the rest and I blew my cash on the mailers. I keep chipping away at money that's meant to go to the mechanics.
Update: When I put the messenger bag bag together, I was filled with dismay as there continued no sign of my Driver's license. I found it in the medical pouch. I must have had to proffer it at doctor or Dentist at some point in the last month or two (I have a vague memory of doing that, but I go so often...) and absentmindedly tucked it away with my medical cards instead of where it belonged with the bank card and the like for easy grabbing. So that's one less alarming and expensive thing on the list for Wednesday.
* I've started on the live Jesus Christ Superstar. This is one of many, many musicals I grew up with, and is one where I had massive exposure to both Broadway cast album and movie versions, so I not only can sing the whole damned thing, but I often tangle the interps. (It's not as bad as Evita where I have the London, Broadway, and movie versions wrestling in my head when I listen/ sing it). It's not my religion and I have a whole bunch of baggage around it from my first college, which is a whole other long, complex story I've told elsewhere. This is not a show I can watch clean, because of all the pile of memories and experience tangled inextricably with it. (It's not a trigger situation, like Ozzy Osborne/Black Sabbath, particularly "Crazy Train" and "Iron Man;" nor is it a clearly not good for me situation like "The Wall.") It's just not the head space I'm in any more and revisiting more than every half decade or so isn't productive, if that makes sense. Sure, my perspective changes but there's simply not much new I can take from it after all this time. I've learned what I learned from it and the relationships it's tangled with. Rethinking the same thoughts over and over around it is time better used on something I can get more new or useful things from. It's still beautifully designed as a piece of art, which themes woven and explored. The singing and acting etc. are still powerful and speak to some fundamental things, but I'm somewhere else now, if that makes sense. I rewatched the movie version of my childhood in preparation for the live version, so the comparisons are fresh for watching this one.
So far, I'm pretty well blown away by the cleverness of the new one. Part of why the original worked so well was that it blended a host of universal things like unrequited love, pain, confrontations with one's mortality, fear, betrayal, conflicts amoung friends, and the messy responses people have to fame and power with a real attempt to speak to the particular political and social moment of the period in which it was written and performed. That combination gave it an immediacy which faded with time because the political and cultural conversation moved on, leaving only the more universal elements, still strong, but lacking the particular edge they had when they were fresh.
The people who cast and staged this one brought back that original punch by designing this production to speak to this particular and social moment, and damned if it isn't incredibly powerful and fresh when it does. This production is also full of beautiful little touches: fiddle players in the overture who for a moment look like swordswomen, the way the glitter from the temple scene makes the stage look like sunset glinting off water behind Mary Magdalene as she sings her longing, Simon holding hands with what clearly is his boyfriend. I love the redesigned look that feels like now, while keeping the crucial make shift counter culture feel essential to the message. I love the way it speaks to Black Lives Matter and debate within resistance movements in general.
Judas, is of course brilliant, but really I love all of it so far. The casting of this is so good. I was fascinated by the Alice Cooper's Herod, which is entirely different and incredibly menacing instead of going for comic relief. Ben daniel's singing is not quite at the level of the others, but oh, his acting in Pilot's Dream was haunting. John Legend's Jesus was very John Legend as Jesus, if that makes sense. It wasn't so much acting as casting someone so like what one wants in a Jesus and letting him go. His Gethsemane is really different, but beautiful, but honestly, he was at his best when playing off Brandon Victor Dixon's mesmerizing Judas. The Magdalene was fine, but I think I prefer the movie version. I don't think I've seen Erik Grönwall before, but boy can he sing. Caiaphas and Annas were perfection, and I really liked the updated look.
Of course the baggage lingers, how can it not and I do wander into the usual corridors, but I am glad to be watching it and glad it exists. Likely I'll finish it tomorrow, as it's something I want to give full attention to, but so far? Impressive as hell and genuinely giving the art back the bite it used to have. Bravo.
* The thing I realized watching Jesus Christ Superstar Live was that I'm not sorry. What I mean by this is, at several points in my life I went in to a relationship knowing full well the omens were bad, that it was doomed, that it was a terrible idea for a host of reasons, and we were really not good for each other. I had the self knowledge to spot this in my teens, but not once, at any age, have I been able to risk a temptation that has luckily only come a long a handful of times. In retrospect, knowing exactly how much pain and occasionally real psychological damage that resulted, I'm not sorry. (I'm not talking about domestic abuse, just ordinary fucked each other up car crash sorts of things one has in one's youth). It was worth it. Every single time. Oh the sex was amazing, often world class hall of fame amazing, but also, I walked away with so much. I learned so much, I discovered so much. It was good we called it quits even though in two cases it didn't feel like it at the time, and in one we broke amicably by mutual consent over and over again, and in others I walked away leaving a mess behind me, but it was worth it for me, no matter how much it hurt. Is that wisdom or foolishness? I've no idea, but it's true. I'm not sorry. I think I'll never be sorry for having lived as I did and these are not the choices I regret even though I had a good idea how bad they were when I made them.
* I am doing National Poetry Month again this year, but I'm confining it to Tumblr on the grounds of tired. What the poems I selected? Five or so should turn up daily over here if you want to look them over: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poem
* I used all my money on housing and insurance last month, and this month it's all going to housing and car things. I need the car to get around as I am disabled. I need to raise about $600 to stay afloat. If you'd like to chip in: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
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* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/
* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate
* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0
* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net
* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey
* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.
* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386
* Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.
* This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/
* Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/
* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html
* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com