But, uh, not for <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/content/article/2008/08/01/marijuana.html?hpid=topnews">[THIS]</a>

or <a href="http://rawstory.com/news/2008/SWAT_team_kills_2_dogs_in_0731.html">[THIS]</a>

 *sigh*

<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/31/AR2008073101505.html">[NEVERMIND]</a>

Greetings Earthlings!

I have set up a page featuring my publications in print media - soon to include the editorial cartoons featured in the Student Press Law Center's publication REPORT. [www.splc.org]

Currently it has City Limits(Blueday Media) and my letters to the Editor of the Alpena News.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Off to perform for the Thunder Bay Theatre's production of Curious Savage

-b

To my friends and family back home fighting the good fight - Watch your back. The Police are:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071701287_pf.html

 Police Spied on Activists In Md.
Officers Infiltrated Groups During Ehrlich Years

By Lisa Rein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 18, 2008; A01

I can now add ACTOR to my resume - and will once i get more than a moment or two of free time to update my website.

The Curious Savage opened at the Thunder Bay Theatre to a pretty good sized house (I'm told, I couldn't see past the lip of the stage with all those lights in my eyes).  A line or two was tripped - I even fubbed a little - and there were some minor technical issues (they had one rehearsal, and weren't given the best tools to start with) but there was laughter and tears and a good time was had by all.

Afterwards, we went accross the street to JJ's and had a drink or two and a snack thanks to one of the board members and her husband. 

The best part of the whole thing:

This morning. I got to sleep in. 

 I had July 4th off, but that's been it for a while, and waking up for early rehearsal all day, then running a show at night was wearing me thin.

Today:

Laundry, and packing and moving as much of my room's stuff as I can - minus the mattress and dressers (though the drawers I can take myself).

And then of course, there's the show tonight.

Dr. EMMETT:

"For as Byron says, 'And if I laugh at any mortal thing - tis that I may not weep."

In addition to being published in the Alpena News (scan of editorial to follow when I move to the new house completely) - I have been up to my eyeballs in the Thunder Bay Theatre.

 State Fair is closed, including previously unreleased death metal version "Enemy of the State Fair" - still, admittedly a work in progress - and Curious Savage is mostly built on stage.

What does that involve, you ask?

 State Fair closed at 9:30. Handshakes and congratulations, and a very late-in-the-game photo call ended around 12, midnight.  Then strike - ending at about 3am, including bringing in platforms for Curious Savage.  In again this morning at 9, the platforms were secured, and flats put up.

 Then rehearsal...

For rehearsal dinner, the board brought in Sushi and Pad Thai.  I made a batch of Fruishi (thanks for the name, Liz!) and it was a huge success.  What is Fruishi, you also ask? ... so many questions, grasshopper.

Fruishi (Strawberry and creamcheese rolls, atleast) are 5 things:  Rice, Sugar, Seaweed (nori), strawberries, creamcheese.    Throw together into sushi... er.. fruishi.   The mango and raspberry nigiri fruishi didn't get made due to a lack of time.  Bummer.

Now, exhausted and very sore, I rest my achy muscles for another day of building, rehearsal and possibly a haircut... possibly.  Curious Savage opens on Wed. Tickets are availible, please call the box office.

Alpena News:

http://www.thealpenanews.com/page/content.detail/id/502047.html?nav=5041

A letter written to the Indiana Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Indiana Department of Education HR Director.  I have included their emails - I suggest you write them too.

to rregnier@doe.in.gov
cc sreed@doe.in.gov,
jzaring@doe.in.gov
Thu, Jul 3, 2008

RE:Wrongful suspension of Connie Heermann for teaching Freedom Writers Diary

Dear Board of Education, Superintendent of Education and Director of Human Resources for the State of Indiana Department of Education:

I humbly request the immediate reinstatement of Connie Heermann to her teaching position. Allowing school boards to ban books sets a dangerous precedent: it begins following patterns of oppression modeled by the Nazi party. Although an extreme example, it is none the less hypocritical and difficult to justify banning classroom teaching of a book that has won awards, has a movie made about it, features a classroom appropriate topic and is still avalible in the very same school's library. Ms. Heermann was using the text to motivate her students on the subject of writing, showing them the power of words to change their situation.

By allowing the banning of this very valuable book, and the continuance of Ms. Heermann's suspension, you are failing your duties as stewards of education. You are failing to teach children useful tools to make the best of their situations through responsible, intellectual and powerful forms of writing. You are failing to show them the diversity of thought they will encounter and need to navigate outside the sheltered confines of the public school system. You are failing to help mold them in to well-rounded citizens capable of balancing rationality, morality and justice.

Every student has "the one teacher" that was able to speak to them and motivate them to excell in their own way through school. That teacher found creative, sometimes unorthadox ways to connect to her students and provide them with an opportunity to actually learn, and not just regurgitate material for passing required exams. Please don't silence this teacher who could be "the one" for someone because she found a literary voice that didn't - and couldn't - please everybody.

Thank you for your time. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Robert Gandy