Questions from the email and elsewhere

Some nagging questions coming my way from email…and also my kids, my husband…the dog…

What do you think of that Taser Guy?
I think “Don’t tase me, bro” will very quickly enter our lexicon. Talk show hosts will use it for a punchline, tee shirts and key chains and bottle openers will carry the legend, and…in about six months…anyone who still says “Don’t tase me, bro” will be hopelessly passe.

Why are you writing so much about Hillary Clinton?
I don’t want to. I’d rather not, really. But she is everywhere in the news. I think she must be getting more press than any other candidate by about 4-1 (all of it glowing or deeply protective). Funnily enough, she is everywhere IN the news and NOT in the news. By which I mean we’re being inundated with “Hillary-all-the-time,” but some stories, like the Norman Hsu scandal, are simply not getting much coverage, and old coverage, like the Michael Kelly piece, Saint Hillary, is so difficult to find it leaves one almost breathless. Hillary will always be a complex contradiction.

You haven’t commented on Bryn the Cancel canceling the Ring at the ROH
I’m torn about it. On one hand, his little son’s hand was crushed, necessitating two surgeries, and any parent might consider that pretty stressful and want to focus on the family. On the other hand, it’s no small thing to back out of a brand new production of a Ring cycle at the Royal Opera House – one that had been heavily promoted on the basis of promising a historic Bryn/Wotan participation – two months before curtain. It’s important to let your children know they mean everything to you, and come first in your life. But it’s also important to let them see you keeping commitments, even under high pressure. It’s a balancing act. I’ve had sick and injured kids to deal with while my husband was traveling on business, and it is not nice for any of us, but the living must still be earned. Preparing for an outsized role demands strenuous discipline and focus and I think Bryn felt he couldn’t do justice to the work under the distractions of the home circumstances, and that could be an admirable admission to make…but on the other hand…well as you see. I’m torn. And I’m glad I didn’t have tickets! :-)

Aren’t you disgusted by Kathy Griffin’s Emmy speech?
No. I think it was two parts publicity gimmick, one part “I say ‘suck it’ to everyone all the time,” and one part perpetual adolescence. I rarely take great offense at someone making fools of themselves about the Christ because the reality of Him is so much larger than any of their constructs and conceits. Because he is the gift freely given, the abuse they try to heap on him simply defeats them. And because I’m a sinner and I’ll likely do something this week – by dint of my personality and behavior – that will shame the name of Christians. I won’t have Griffin’s audience, but whoever witnesses it will still think, “oh yeah…those Christians.” The only difference between me and Kathy Griffin is that when I make an ass of myself I have the opportunity to talk to Jesus about it and seek out his mercy and consolation. I feel sort of bad for her, that she does not have that. But if she wants it, she knows where to go. Lauren Green addresses it all very well.

You haven’t written anything at all about OJ!
You’re right.

How is Buster doing at college?
He’s taking 20 credits and has extra music commitments that leave little free time, but he is doing well in his classes, making lots of friends and loving it. He sounds very happy.

What do you think of this Newsweek article that enthusiastically seems to call this woman a Catholic priest?
I think people in the press are largely ignorant about many things, including Catholicism. And Curt Jester is funny.

Are you almost finished with that reading-for-pay job?
Ummm…almost…I got a little distracted yesterday because pianogirl sent me pictures of wedding dresses made from toilet paper, and that made me want to google more of the same…and then I wanted to look at real wedding dresses, because I’m a sucker for them. And that made me want to look at beautiful saris, because beautiful fabric makes me happy. I lost a little time. Sorry. I’ll work very hard today, and blog less!

You said you’d post more nun news!
Later today. Must now read-for-pay. If you’re looking for a pretty fascinating read, though, head over here and read about desegregation in Arkansas in the mid-to-late 1950’s. It’s not what you think you know. Interesting stuff.