What I'm listening to: U.S. Elevator's version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now"

I mentioned Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now during April's poetry month because I've always felt that her lyrics bordered on the poetic. Mitchell's voice, both in the original version, and as she's aged, give the song added depth. 

U.S. Elevator, a group comprised of singers Sarah Lee Guthrie (yes, that Guthrie -- daughter of Arlo; granddaughter of Woody!) and Johnny Irion, with the Rondo Brothers as production partners, have produced their own version of Joni Mitchell's - Both Sides Now:

It can be found on i-Tunes listed as Moons and Junes, a special split 7 inch that they've released containing Mitchell's - Both Sides Now and Jim Croce's - Spin, Spin, Spin.

You can listen to both songs here.

There's an energy and lightness to the remix of Both Sides Now. Guthrie's voice has an etherial quality that I really like. The harmony on Spin, Spin, Spin is lovely. Well done!

The rush to publish -- to what end?

The NYTimes has an article today on writing output in an e-book age:

In E-Reader Age of Writer's Cramp, a Book a Year is Slacking - Julie Bosman - NYTimes

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The article brings to mind the famous I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel are at the candy factory, boxing candies from the conveyer belt. All goes well until the line speeds up, the candy moves out faster on the conveyor belt, and Lucy and Ethel fail to keep up -- hilarity ensues. Writing faster to accommodate suddenly voracious reading appetites is silly and unsustainable. Who wants to pay real dollars for writing where speed of output becomes a branding factor?  No thanks. 

 

 

 

President Obama: "Gay couples should be able to get married." - ABC News Exclusive

This is an important day for civil rights and equality in this country.  I'm proud of President Obama and will do all that I can to get him re-elected. Here's his interview with ABC News:

 

Gay couples should be able to get married.

 

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 The New York Times editorial:

President Obama's Moment

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Pew Forum - 

Gay Marriage Attitudes over time

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The Washington Post - 

Countries where same-sex marriage is legal

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Politico - 

20 Gay Rights Milestones

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The 2012 campaign starts now! That's why I started my own grassroots fundraising page. Will you support President Obama by making a donation of $5 or more to my page today?
Thanks!
https://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/Therese

 

 

 

 

On screenwriting...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:


Callie Khouri; Eric Roth; Wesley Strick; Phil Alden Robinson; Nicholas Meyer; Dick Clement; Robin Swicord; John August; Scott Frank; Marc Norman; Lawrence Kasden; Brian Helgeland; Billy Ray; Ted Griffin:

Screenwriters on finding an original voice 

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Screenwriters on writer's block 

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Identifying excellence in screenwriting 

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The misconceptions of being a screenwriter 

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Advice from screenwriters 

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Highlights and challenges of being a screenwriter 

 




What I'm reading...

The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film - Michael Ondaatje - Knopf

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Anyone who has written a novel, or a screenplay, will find much to value in these exchanges between Michael Ondaatje and Walter Murch. I'm in the middle of editing my novel, American Gothic Chicago, and this book couldn't be more timely. Highly recommended! 

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Impro - Improvisation and the Theatre  - Keith Johnstone with an introduction by Irving Wardle -  Routledge

Improv plays an important role in the novel I'm currently working on, Under the Picasso. Johnstone provides great exercises and insight into improvisational techniques in this book. I'm grateful to have it in hand.

 

...that you do unto me: The Vatican and its women problem

I'll be putting my money, and prayers, with the nuns:

 

The Vatican assessment of the religious group that represents 80% of America's 57,000 nuns:

Doctrinal Assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

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The beginning of the response:

Bullying the Nuns - Gary Wills - New York Review of Books Blog

We Are All Nuns - Mary E. Hunt - Religion Dispatches

Vatican waging a war on nuns - Carol Marin - Chicago Sun-Times

Bishops Play Church Queens as Pawns - Maureen Dowd - NYTimes

We Are All Nuns  - Nicholas Kristof - NYTimes

In Deeds, Nuns Answer the Call of Duty - NYTimes 

 

What we can do to show our support of the nuns:

Sign this petition: support the sisters 

 

National Catholic Reporter: Mobilize: Support our Catholic sisters

 

Send your regular weekly collection money to a convent:

Benetvision.org