My Reading List for 03/25/10

Hello! Welcome to this "My Reading List for..." snippet. I finally finished reading Moby Dick. Actually, my professor told the class that one never really "finishes" reading books like Moby Dick and The Scarlet Letter. I totally concur with that statement. I also think this is the case with most of the works on our syllabus. Nineteenth-century American literature is so "loaded" in terms of content and symbolism (ex.: the multi-ethnic crew of the Pequod as an analogy for global diversity), and that's exactly why I love it. The discussion never gets boring! Anyway, I'm currently working on a presentation for April 6 in which I will compare and contrast Herman Melville's war-themed writings with those of Walt Whitman. In addition to discussing MD and reading some of Melville's other works, including Bartleby the Scrivener and Billy Budd, Sailor, I will examine some of Whitman's war poems, especially "The Wound-dresser." I will also discuss the lives and careers of both men. According to what I've already learned, Melville and Whitman were controversial figures, to say the least. Well, that's all for this snippet. Stay tuned for near-future installments of this series.

Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style, Saturday Edition 2

Howdy, folks! I haven't written in a few days, since I've been characteristically uber-busy, juggling the demands of grad school, teaching, and life in general. That said, I've got a plethora of political, entertainment, and Ashleyverse news to report on this lovely, early spring day.

Okay, first the breaking political news: Congress is set to vote on the all-important health-care reform bill tomorrow. According to the most recent press releases, things look good for President Obama's agenda. Also, this weekend marks the seventh anniversary of the Iraq War, which has been commemorated with little fanfare (hmm... wonder why!). We must urge the president and Congress to put an end to this little "police action" as promptly and honorably as possible. (Between y'all and me, I'm getting so sick and tired of writing about dangblasted wars. If I were in charge, I'd try to pass Lysistrata legislation in order to limit our involvement in "police actions" of any kind. LOL!!!)

Secondly, in entertainment news, the late, great axmaster Jimi Hendrix has beaten Elvis' long-standing Billboard music chart record, by becoming the first artist since Presley to score a top-5 album posthumously. Hendrix's compilation of never-before-released "experimental" music-- Valleys of Neptune-- has been released nearly 40 years after his death. The King's last album was released in 2003, about 25 years after his passing. (Clarification: Hendrix broke Presley's record by scoring a top-5 album a longer period after his death than Presley.) I've always been a huge Jimi fan, and I especially love the songs "Purple Haze," "Fire," "Angel," "Foxey Lady," "Little Wing," "Bold as Love," "Snowcastles in the Sand," "The Wind Cries Mary," and Jimi's kickass cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower." Of course, who can resist Jimi's Woodstock performance of "The Star-spangled Banner"?

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm still reading Moby Dick. I hope to be done with it by tomorrow. As for that spring cleaning project, well, I think I made a little headway with that endeavor today. Still, with everything else I've got going on, a perfectly clean house is just not a top priority right now. Anyway, I guess the big Ashleyverse news is that I'm awaiting some possible good news from alma mater concerning my very near future. If I am delivered said good news, I'll share it with y'all right here. Until then, it's top secret. (I don't want to jinx it!)

And, on that positive note, I conclude yet another "special Saturday" edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. Peace, Love, & Happiness, y'all!

An Invitation to Join the Coffee Party

For the past year, we progressives/Obama supporters have longed for an alternative to the vitriolic Tea Party Movement and its idiotic Townhall Meetings. Well, we finally have it in the form of the Coffee Party Movement. For more info about this group, which officially kicked off at coffeeshops nationwide on Saturday, March 13, log onto: http://www.chattahbox.com/us/2010/03/15/coffee-party-groups-seek-change-without-the-hate. Let's start the change, have real public discourse, and stop the hate today!

Latest Health-care Reform News

The latest health-care reform news is in: According to an ABC News blurb released earlier today, the Senate may be able to get the health-care reform bill passed after all. As I've said before, we have to keep our fingers crossed and be vigilant. (Aside: There's some reform going on in the Ashleyverse as well in the form of, um, environmental improvements. Yes, folks, I've embarked upon a little spring cleaning project. More info on both these items later.)

Wacky Wednesday News, "Spring Break" Edition

Okay, I've got some more wacky Wednesday news to share with y'all today. First of all, there's some rather sad Hollyweird news to report: Former teen heartthrob and Lost Boys star Corey Haim was found dead at age 38. He had struggled with lifelong addictions to drugs and alcohol. Shame! Secondly, in political news, we may be in the homestretch in regards to health-care reform. In impassioned appeals reminiscent of the 2008 campaign, President Obama is doing his best to rally support for this much-needed legislation all over the country. Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I got an A on that mid-term exam. I'm also on "spring break" from work this week. I've been super-busy with Eurotrip-related stuff the past couple days, but I'm otherwise enjoying myself. That said, I had class from 3:30-9:30 last night, so I'm a little beat and don't have much more to say. So, for those of you on spring break, stay safe and just chillax, and those of you who aren't off this week, peace out anyway.

My Reading List for 03/09/10

Howdy, faithful readers! I've just fulfilled my quota of assigned reading for tonight for 19th-century Am. lit.-- the first 38 chapters of Moby Dick, to be exact. Throughout those 144 pages, I discovered a number of critical plot nuances in the novel. Accordingly, I will share a few of them with you.

First, many of the characters have Biblical names. I feel that this device is symbolic of the importance of religion in 19th-century America. Secondly, narrator Ishmael makes some very interesting observations about his fellow shipmates, especially Queequeg, Tashtego, and Daggoo-- all men of color. More specifically, while he comes off as being a bit condescending to them, Ishmael also seems to imply that these men appear to be more devout in their spiritual practices and rituals than many white Western Christians. This global perspectivism is a major theme of literature of this time period. Finally, all of Melville's characters have a great deal of pathos, or emotion-- another characteristic of 19th-century American literature. One example of this is the misunderstood Captain Ahab. We learn that he has been depressed since losing a leg to the eponymous beast shortly before the story takes place and that he actually has quite a nice life on land, including a supposedly happy marriage to a "sweet girl" and a child. These are just a few of the things I've discovered while reading this once-maligned classic.

This has been another installment of "My Reading List for..." Stay tuned for many more to come.

Manic Monday News Round-up for 03/08/10

Hey, y'all! For starters today, I want to briefly discuss the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, which aired last night on ABC. Sandra Bullock proved her critics wrong and beat out the formidable Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren in order to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Blind Side. The Hurt Locker won Best Picture (I'm actually not surprised). The film's director, Katherine Bigelow (ex-wife of also-nominated Avatar director James Cameron!), made history for becoming the first woman to win in this category. Jeff Bridges won for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Crazy Heart, and Mo'Nique won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her riveting performance in Precious. Also, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher became the first African-American Best Adapted Screenplay award winner for that movie, which is based on the novel Push, written by Sapphire. All in all, it was a decent-- if not a bit lackluster-- telecast, and hosts Baldwin and Martin were very funny. I was most interested in the less-decorated nominees, especially the Coen Brothers (Fargo; O, Brother Where Art Thou?; Burn After Reading) film The Serious Man, which was nominated for best picture.

Now, for some more Ashleyverse news: I think that my naysayers have shut up and realized that it's futile to even try to quell my ambitions and aspirations. Aside from that, I'm just trying to enjoy my "spring break." Once again, on a positive note, I'm signing off. Namaste!

Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style, 03/07/10 Edition

Hello! I've got some political, Oscar-related, and Ashleyverse news and views to share with everyone today.

First off, in political news, elections were held in Iraq amid sectarian violence, which has been caused largely by U.S. presence in the country since 2003. Know what? It's been seven years since we invaded the once-sovereign nation of Iraq, and we've done much more harm than good. Needless to say, it's time to leave Vietraq for good. (Aside: Vice President Biden is leading a push to revive Middle East peace talks, which makes me feel a little bit better about everything.)

Secondly, in Oscar-related news, yes, tonight is Oscar night once again. Uber-talented Meryl Streep's hilarious It's Complicated co-stars Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are hosting. Best actress nominee Sandra Bullock "won" a Razzie award for her performance in The Blind Side-- a role she actually won a Golden Globe for. Whatever! Anyway, for best picture, I predict Precious will win. It's perhaps the most-buzzed-about film of the year, director Lee Daniels is the man, and the cast, including star Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz (IMHO, one of the most beautiful men on the planet), is absolutely stellar. We shall see if this prediction is correct!

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, some toxic personalities in the form of "dreamkillers" have invaded my sphere. Once again, whatever! Still, enough with all the negativity, people! Okay, I just need to think positive thoughts, perform positive actions, and positive things will more than likely happen.

And, with those happy notions, I conclude this "broadcast." Stay tuned for the next edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style.

Some Interesting Findings

I often discuss interesting findings, articles, and/or info on this blog. Well, I found an article with some very interesting scientific findings that reaffirms one of my long-held theories.

That said, here goes: According to one of my beloved Yahoo! articles, scientists have concluded that happy people are 70% more talkative and tend to talk about much more substantive things than unhappy ones. Hmm... Perhaps I'm on to something with this! LOL! Seriously, though, I've always believed, based on my personal observations on and interactions with others, that this is definitely the case. I've found that a key sign of unhappiness is a general inability to discuss substantive things or think beyond the perimeters of one's own sphere. (Incidentally, I think I'm relatively talkative and often discuss basically substantive things; therefore, I consider myself relatively happy.) Anyway, I thought I'd just share these findings with y'all. Stay tuned for more "Interesting Findings" posts. Peace, Love, & Happiness!

Friday Focus: The Health-care Reform Debate and Possible Solutions to It

Health-care reform is undeniably one of the "hottest" issues on the American political scene today. Well, I have a few solutions to the problem. These proposed solutions may seem a little "pie in the sky," but I think they could be a step in the right direction. First, the president needs to continue talking tough to those who knock health-care reform. Secondly, we need a public option-- no ifs, ands, or buts. In addition, both sides must reach a compromise and think on behalf of the greater good of the country in regards to get this all-important legislation passed through the Senate. Also, Dems and Repubs need to cut the pork, so to speak, and only include those parts of a health-care bill that are truly beneficial to the American people. Most importantly, those who oppose any reform whatsoever need to-- as I said last week-- grow up and get over themselves! Each of these things will facilitate the passage of a health-care reform bill.

Various Things for This Thursday, March 4

Howdy! I've got lots of various "Thursday things" to share with y'all today. First of all, I still can't get over that story about the Congressman who wants to replace Grant's face with Reagan's on the $50 bill. BTW, said "offender" is Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina). Dang, what a waste of tax payer dollars that would be! You know Olbermann will probably name McHenry one of his "worst people in the world." And did anyone else pick up on the unfunny irony that this jerk wants to honor a president who caused socioeconomic disparity in the 80s during another recession? Then again, Repubs apparently subscribe to their own version of reality.

Secondly, we may have a health-care plan with a public option by Easter. President Obama is trying ardently to persuade Congress to come to an up-or-down vote by that date. Speaking of the prez, I was thumbing through this hip, trendy, magazine-like textbook called Reader's Edge today at work that contains sidebars about what celebrities, including Obama, are reading. It turns out he's really into Emerson's Self-Reliance and Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hmm... Great minds think alike! (Major LOL on that one!)

Finally, I'm still alive and am looking forward to my spring break from work next week. I actually have class at EIU on the 9th. (Eastern's break is the week of March 15-19, but I have to work. Go figure!) Anyway, I have to continue reading Moby Dick and work on homework. So, there's no such thing as a real break in the Ashleyverse. Still, I'm looking forward to having at least a little time off. I have to teach a pretty rigorous lesson tomorrow, so I'm just going to veg out tonight and watch the The Office "baby" episode.

And, with that happy thought, I conclude this "Thursday Things" post. Peace, Love, & Happiness!

More Wacky Wednesday Stuff for Your Entertainment and Information

Where to begin with this "newscast"? Well, there's tons of info I could share with y'all (not too sure about the entertainment part). In political news, for starters, President Obama has brought a comprehensive health-care bill before Congress. I suppose that could prove entertaining for we progressives! Also, while Chile is the current earthquake "hotspot," scientists have their eyes on Eurasia as the next predicted epicenter of plate tectonic movement.

Actually, I stumbled across some rather entertaining political news today. Some GOP Congressman (he's from somewhere down South, I think) wants Reagan's picture on the $50 bill. Please! It's bad enough that we have to see Ulysses S. Grant's worthless, drunken mug everytime we pull out a 50. How's that for entertainment?

Last but certainly not least, in Ashleyverse news, I survived my mid-term exam. No further commentary on that item. And that concludes this edition of Wacky Wednesday News. Peace out!

My Reading List for 03/02/10

Hey! I've read the first few chapters of Moby Dick. So far, what I've read is fascinating, to say the least. Much of these initial chapters of the novel consists of narrator Ishmael's observations of his new surroundings and shipmates, especially those of a "strange, very dark" man named Queequeg. I know you're not supposed to evaluate historical events and value systems in a post-modern context, but 19th-century views of 'individuals of color' are, frankly, crazy and, well, downright ignorant. Of course, I suppose that kind of goes without saying nowadays. And, yes, I will continue my discussion of Herman Melville's loaded masterwork-- which actually began life as a critical flop-- in near-future posts.

More importantly, I'm gearing up for tonight's Am. lit. mid-term essay exam. (I have to write two essays in class and just completed the take-home portion of the test.) For the take-home part, I wrote about how Natty Bumppo, Frederick Douglass, and Hester Prynne all rebel against their societies and what the outcomes of those actions are. For example, I argue that Hawthorne's "proto-feminist heroine (my term!)" needed to rebel against the laws and mores of puritanical Salem, Mass., in order to fulfill her destiny and that she is ultimately successful in doing so. (Aside: I'm feeling very Hester Prynne-ish atm. Those who've read the book will get my drift.) Anyway, I've been hitting the books pretty hard the past few days, and my brain is about to explode. So, since I have to get ready to drag my weary butt up to Chucktown a little later on today, I'm signing off now. Namaste!

Manic Monday News Round-up for 03/01/10

Alright, I'm pretty danged busy today, so I'll keep my coverage of current events as brief as possible. In world news, it has been determined that troops will stay in Marjah, Afghanistan, for months. (Look for a focused post on this later this week.) Also in world news, Chilean earthquake rescue efforts are well underway. It is projected that since Chile's people and government are more united and less corrupt, respectively, than those in Haiti, helping Chile will ultimately prove less daunting than aiding Haiti has. Lastly, the winter olympics ended last night in a very strange manner. NBC abruptly halted its network coverage of closing ceremonies in order to broadcast the premier of its latest "reality" show-- The Marriage Ref (whatever!). The U.S. won the most medals total, and host country Canada won the most golds. In U.S. political news, the health-care debate continues to rage, but President Obama has started talking tough to Senate Repubs in regards to this matter. (I think there's still hope in regards to this matter.) Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm working oh-so diligently on a research/symposium paper proposal revision for literary criticism and theory, as well as prepping for tomorrow's mid-term exam in Am. lit. And that is precisely why this "Manic Monday News Round-up" post is so brief.