Lakers vs. Magic, hmm... Some of the things Republican talking heads are saying about the supreme court nominee are frankly embarassing: "I hope she's not menstruating during deliberations." Really? You actually said that? Get a life... I wonder what percentage of cell calls are people ringing their phones to try to find them... Why on Earth would the GPS decide the place to be at 5pm on a Friday was the Cross-Bronx Expressway? Fail... If the classified pictures actually show sexual assaults I think I might have to stop doing nothing... I'll admit it, during the auditions I sometimes watch "So You Think You Can Dance"... If you ump for little league, do everyone a favor and move the game along... Powell is wrong, the Republican party should not change to represent more people. The values that are the foundation of a party should be the values, they can of course shift with the times, but they ought not pander. It could be that the Republicans are just about to go the way of the Whigs... Not the game one I was hoping for for the Pens... My nephew looks like his great grandfather. My wife says all babies look like old men, or Yoda... Is there a reason that the three people who have invited me to weddings this summer (so far) are all getting married on the same weekend? I hope it isn't personal... I can't stress this enough: if when driving you find yourself scared of the weather, get off the damn road. Some of us are less squeamish... How come when a network drops a good show it doesn't get picked up by a cable channel? Seems like it would be a sure thing with known ratings... So much for AOL/Time Warner. I think everyone not involved with that deal knew it was a bad idea. Too bad they couldn't tell... Is the Times Square ped mall for real or just a trial thing? Can't tell from the reports online... If you were running a tech theatre college program, what sexy gear would you buy? My boss may have knocked over a bank... I missed Jay Leno's last Tonight Show. Truthfully I don't think I ever watched a Jay Leno Tonight Show for more than a few minutes... Are we really that concerned about North Korea? When it comes down to it, isn't it likely their Armed Forces will be much like the Iraqi Republican Guard was? I guess we do have to be concerned about missiles, but I can't help thinking that their own citizens are at greater risk than us... They are adding another commercial break to Mad Men and to Dollhouse and to Fringe. Note to networks: I'm not watching the commercials... Last month I was really ready for football, but in the interim hockey and hoops have captured my attention... Really, does anyone want a cat? We seriously need to thin out our pride...
So I've been digging a little around the LD Licensing legislation in Texas. The latest, by the way, is that the bill was rejected in the other house and has been sent back for more work.
Some shallow Google work lead to this page and after reading it I put up a "but does anyone know why?" comment. That got this response:
The story goes (as reported by Deborah Frankhouser)So next off I emailed the aforementioned Ms. Frankhouser and got this:
that Senator Kip Averitt received a complaint from presumably a donor type constituent who said a Lighting Designer was paid to do some work and ran off with his money. All of the sudden, this language appeared. It was clearly done with no knowledge or our industry or that even professional lighting designers exist. (regardless of their project types) Some disturbing rumors are that he was warned that the language would have unexpected implications and that this was ignored; but that is in fact rumor.
Thanks for your email. The history is as follows: There has been a long standing debate about the role of Engineers vs. Architects in Texas and subsequently several pieces of legislation have been written attempting to reconcile those differences. This bill, HB 2649 was originally written to establish the role of engineers particular to some issues regarding slabs.and then this:
It was written by Rep. Wayne Smith, and it did not contain any language regarding lighting. (For the record, it was endorsed by his fellow engineers and is considered to be a very appropriate piece of legislation.)
Senator Kip Averitt from Waco apparently received a complaint from presumably a donor type constituent who had a grievance with a lighting designer. The language defining lighting design and who could practice it was added into a revised Senate version. It was clearly done with no knowledge of our industry. There are rumors are that he was warned that the language would have unexpected implications and that this was ignored.
The threat it faces to theatrical lighting designers is that the language is extremely broad and does not exempt them. It is clear that they did not intend to include entertainment LD's in this, but from a lawyer's standpoint, there is no legal reason why they would be excluded with the current language.
This senator's issue is with those of us do Architectural Lighting Design (I do both, actually). It is obvious from all who have spoken with Averitt's office that they were completely unaware we made up any kind of professional group or that we have standards by which we are measured. We are not licensed, but depending on your preferences, you can be certified through the NCQLP (www.ncqlp.org), and/or become an IALD (www.iald.org) member which has a very strict code of business ethics and requires a committee review of projects for professional membership. Most of us also belong to the Illuminating Engineering Society, but there are no requirements for membership to the IESNA.
Historically, architectural lighting designers have fought licensing. This may have to be a debate we take up again, but for now, our goal is to get the language removed from the bill before it goes to Gov. Perry's desk. Because the bill originated in the House, the original writers have to approve this language before it can go forward, and we understand from Rep. Smith's office that they are working to remove it. It is a waiting game now, but we will know by tomorrow at the latest.
Also, anyone can get on our Yahoo site to follow the status.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NOHB2649/ The site contains excerpts from the bill as well as documentation published by the IALD, including legislative contact information. John Martin, Public Relations with the IALD and I are moderating the group and will be posting new information as it comes available. Anyone can post their ideas, opinions, or let us know what they have been told by the legislative offices. You can also just watch and select 'Daily Digest' in your settings so you don't get a lot of emails should we get busy. We have several out of state lighting designers on the site who are just interested in how this will unfold.
If for some reason the link doesn't work, anyone can email me for an invitation.
Our effort to gather folks has been very successful and there is a conference meeting scheduled between Rep Smith's office, Senator Averitt's office and possibly the governor's office. They will be discussing altering or removing the language.which suggests the legislators have gotten the message and are working on cleaning things up.
I have spoken with the public relations rep for the IALD, John Martin, and he feels it is very important at this point to back off and let them try to get it fixed. Rep. Smith DID NOT write the language pertaining to the lighting, but because he authored the original bill, his office has been overwhelmed with calls and some of them have apparently become rude. John is worried this will have a backlash on our efforts.
The story from the legislators who proposed this is that they were trying to deal with substandard design work foisted on residential hurricane recovery projects... It is really the Architectural Lighting professionals (i.e. non licensed) who will be affected by the current language.and then this:
Apparently the backlash from the Architectural and Theatrical lighting design world has caught the legislature by surprise and word is that there will be some considerable re-writing in conference before this will reach the Governor for signature. Even Disney Theatrical is apparently upset and is threatening to pull their tours from the state.
Mostly this is all rumors so far. The first I or everyone else I know that heard of this was yesterday afternoon as the vote was underway in the Texas Senate.
Update is that State Senator Kip Averitt of Waco added the LD amendment at midnight before the vote. Apparently he has a problem of some sort with "Lighting Designers" (the architectural kind.) He/his office appears to be intractable.So there you go, a consumer protection law intended to protect hurricane victims potentially derails several other industries as collateral damage. Only in America.
The legislation is likely to go through since it is very important to Sen. Smith of Houston who is trying to protect storm victims.
Stage Directions - Texas Legislation Impacts Lighting Design: "The Texas state legislature passed a bill this morning that could seriously impact the profession of “lighting designer.” While most likely intended to regulate the permanent installations of architectural lighting on the interior and exterior of buildings, the language of Texas HB 2649 is vague and could be interpreted to mean theatrical installations as well (i.e. theatre, dance, music, concerts, opera, festivals, etc). One can only ask “what were they thinking?”"I concur: what's up with that?
I had to go buy a replacement mop head today. Hardly seems like enough reason to go to the store actually. Since I was by myself I figured I would do a little recreational shopping - the kind where getting out the door without buying something is "winning."
Although I guess since I actually needed something I couldn't actually win this time.
Row by row through the tool department at Loews isn't something I've done for a while. American's do have a love affair with tools, don't they? The range and options available for something as narrow as a stud-finder are frankly bewildering.
Have you ever heard of a chalk line anchor? I might be getting old, but back in the day we called that a "nail." Check out this thing:
Isn't that what that tapered hole on the clip at the end of the line is for? Kids today...
Here's another thing that caught my eye:
I think this is a cordless, rechargeable matt-knife. Now, if it works, I could see this as a decent tool to have in your bag if you are someone that does linoleum or carpet work often. Those two items always seem to be more than a match for a standard utility knife. But that's a *big* if it works. Even then, $50 seems like a bit much for this application (I can't help but notice only one company makes the thing too.)
Then there was this:
I almost, just barely almost, purchased this thing. When you see it in the display it appears to be some kind of speed-square, but it isn't.
What it is is a piece of 1/4 plate set up with various perforations in it sized to different shapes and sizes of stick stock. There's a hole for 1x2, and another for 1/2" conduit, one for 2x4's, and another for 1-1/2" pipe. The idea is that this thing becomes your foot for when you are cutting something on the floor. You know? When you need to cut that board and you run it over your foot and then cut it off on the end? So instead of using your foot, you use this thing, which is good for your foot.
Beyond being good for your foot though, the holes are sized such that you get some cam-action from the plate as it settles to an angle between itself and the stock. This not only holds it up, but also according to the display can keep round stock from turning. Pretty slick.
I get the feeling that in the smaller stock sizes one could wind up with more of a bender here than a vise, but maybe not. And for the larger sizes it seems like a really cool idea.
Pamela's pancakes rise to the Obamas' occasion: "Ms. Cohen and Ms. Klingensmith, owners of six Pamela's P&G Diners, are working feverishly this morning inside the White House kitchen to prepare their thin, plate-sized, crispy-edged pancakes for President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and 80 military veterans for a Memorial Day extravaganza."
Terminator Salvation :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews: "Anyway, most of the running time is occupied by action sequences, chase sequences, motorcycle sequences, plow-truck sequences, helicopter sequences, fighter-plane sequences, towering android sequences and fistfights. It gives you all the pleasure of a video game without the bother of having to play it."
I am doing this presentation for some of the University admissions people that go out to college fairs. They're going through the whole School of Drama and I am supposed to bring them up to speed on PTM. Here's what I've got:
Anyone recognize whose gear this is? Wondering if it is off the shelf or custom. It's for Disney's Hall of Presidents...
The hidden hand of Dick Cheney | Salon: "But don't dismiss Dick Cheney as a fading punch line, or as tragedy reprised as comedy. While the Obama administration has adopted large numbers of policies that directly contradict Cheney's positions, it would be a mistake to overlook Cheney's continued influence on the executive branch through the precedents set by the Bush administration. Among the former vice-president's most important legacies is increased government secrecy. Obama's Department of Justice continues to rely on an alleged "state secrets" privilege. It has thus tried to block lawsuits by victims who alleged they were kidnapped and tortured by U.S. intelligence even though they were innocent of wrongdoing, on the grounds that such trials would reveal state secrets. The same state secrets doctrine was used by Obama's DOJ in an attempt to block investigations of Bush-Cheney warrantless wiretaps. Likewise, the DOJ has attempted to block lawsuits seeking the release of Bush-era e-mails and to prevent prisoners held at Bagram air base in Afghanistan from appearing before a judge to challenge their imprisonment."
Commencement in the morning. I hope it doesn't rain... Anyone out there know anything about fixing dishwashers? The last bit of water isn't draining from ours... Today at Best Buy we waited like 15 minutes for help. Not sure anything at Best Buy is worth waiting 15 minutes for... We need like the mother of all garage cleanouts - even if it is too late for true spring cleaning... Just about finished at work... I had to give someone genuinely bad news today. That was no fun at all... Anyone want a cat? Or two? Or three? If you do, send me a message... Really I think I am overdue for reading a book... I think soon I will turn off comment moderation... My medication vacation is officially over, back to being a responsible person... Dollhouse got re-upped. Who'd-a-thunk-it? Still, likely be a while 'til the next episode... Why-o-why did Celeste, April, and Kristen pick the same weekend? That's just not fair... Today I called the cable people and they couldn't save me any money without adding channels. That business is whack... I forgot to register for summer league. Guess I will have to find some pick-up... I'm old, the other night we left the place and it was empty, but after we'd got the car it was jumpin'... What a lame week in the news. At least we have the Penguins... My sister had her baby, early. She never does anything early. Congrats to her!
“MADE IN PITTSBURGH”
Graduating (Drama) design students’ showcase in the Wells Studio Theatre
Saturday May 16th, from noon to 4:00pm
We would love you to come and share in the celebration!
Thanks and we look forward to seeing everyone,
Design Department (and David)
Thesis presentation day. Actually they have sort of trickled in this year for various reasons, but today was the scheduled day and the end. There were four presentations and one of them was a PTM student.
Yi Lin's thesis...
... with a celebratory slide at the end.
In case you are interested in some of the substance (when the slides are mangled, that's scribd, not YiLin):
YiLinThesis
Last round of crits - Senior glory lap. For the first time in my memory there were more graduating PTM students than Design - who knew? Also, looks like I missed Derek's pic while he was playing with his machine - if someone has one, please shoot me a copy.
Beginning with Rico...
... off to New York to do festivals and then intern in a Producing office.
Then Derek (who should not have let me be his Facebook friend)...
... Derek is off to Lexington Scenic to do some project management.
Then there's Ryan...
... who will be joining Matt and Avery at Tait Towers.
And then Aaron...
... who is also off to Lititz, PA and Tait Towers.
Next up is Sarah...
... LA bound job seeking PM/SM.
And then Harriet...
... job seeking PM/SM who would like some info on the upcoming Cirque production in Chicago.
Next up is Maddie...
... opportunity seeking PM/SM who hasn't made the call on the next move yet.
And rounding out the class is Alex...
... graduating TD who is off to Williamstown for the summer, and will figure it out from there.
Congrats to everyone on finishing up. You should be very proud of all of the work you've done.
Last day of standard reviews.
Monday AM:
We have Junior PM/SM Chapel...
... and her semi-annual needlepoint exhibit.
Grad1 TD Sam...
... who might be poached by Dramaturgy.
Monday PM:
Junior PM/SM Alana...
... who will be spending her summer by the pool.
And Grad1 PM/SM Cody...
... black background, black slacks - lousy photography (my fault).
Tomorrow: Job seeking Seniors!
Welcome to Friday Semester Reviews.
AM Session:
Elize, intrepid PM/SM...
...I am right out of pithy sayings.
Candace, multitasking PM/Scene Designer...
... my that's a lot of stuff.
Danielle, grad1 SM...
... who is going to run out of green first.
Naomi, stylish TD...
... with an affinity for the PacMan font.
Bryan, TD with a tie...
... and that's a winch, for winching.
And lastly Joe, newly minted PM/LD...
... blazing the Holcomb track.
PM Session:
Another year, another set of semester reviews. I wound up missing these in the fall, so this was my first set for this year.
Thursday AM:
The first am session featured PTM'ers...
Matt, who is bridging PTM/TD and Design/LD...
... and talked about a high school orientation session that belongs at EPCOT.
and Kevin, intrepid PM...
...who rented a house for a film location where "the last time I rented to college kids I had to chase them off with a shotgun."
Thursday afternoon:
The PM session included these Production Technology & Management students...
Grad1 TD Jimmy, who apparently taught himself 3D Modeling...
... and also found another gear.
Up and coming PM/SM Kelli...
... who managed an unmanageable process.
Formative SM Nicole, started striking her board before I got there...
... and had a good time on her two shows.
and Rebecca, a hybrid PTM/TD and Design/Scene Designer...
... who spent a long time carving something angry looking.
Be back for more tomorrow.
(no shoes this year, taking a year off to refresh - besides Alana doesn't need another t-shirt)
So today I am at a meeting of the Provost's Assessment Taskforce when I heard the coolest thing. This is a cross campus thing, so there are professors there from all over the school and one of the people from Engineering was explaining how its pretty much time for her to make her summer to do list.
I don't think I have ever done such a thing. I am usually so happy to be to the end of the year that by the time I realize I am done we're into Precollege and then someone is inviting me to a top of the academic year cocktail party. She did say that she often had the same experience, that the list pretty much only serves to be a thing to look at come the end of the summer and discover an inventory of all the things she'd meant to do but hadn't.
Now, once again, I can't remember building such a list. Probably I will spend most of the summer clearing the email folder with "Follow Up" on it. Add to that reading the items in my Google Reader "Starred Items Feed" and I think I could stay busy for quite some time.
It's going to be busy. I'm not sure I'll need a list.
But this is why it's the greatest of ideas, see it's a ritual, not a tool. After she writes the "Summer To Do" list, she tears it up and goes home.
Wow.
