Out with the old

So as we speak the Bruns theater, calshakes wonderful venue, is being torn up and old "temporary" buildings are being pulled down to make room for new structures. This is all very exciting but of course majorly stressful for those involved. I was a small part of it but even my back and legs are killing me from moving and cleaning last night. But it's all good as the kids say.

Sigh, I miss the season already. It was probably the easiest to work for me, shows were short, August show was lightly sold (Beckett can clear a room now can't he?) and final show was positive crowd pleaser. But of course having full weekends is nice too. Will be back in 7 months too, it goes quick. As young staffer was saying last night, the holidays whiz by and then it's spring and then summer creeps up.

Rumors of my demise were vastly over rated

Well it's been a long strange trip. I survived the beginning of semester barely. It was rocky and busy and scary but here we are! October 2. Already Oct. University life is a tad more stable. Everyone has taken their licks so far. It's far from over as my union is fighting the furlough plan. Shall see what happens.

The walk out was actually very stimulating. I arrived on campus at about 11:30 and things were eerily quiet at first, and I was thinking "so Berkeley calls a rally and no one shows up" but at the strike of Noon the crowds appeared in Sproul. I couldn't hear the speakers but it was still a good vibe.

I was there for public education. I have no issue with my department itself. I work for very sane responsible people. I just question if the UC Regents are the same.

What is public education? It's not exclusive. It's for the public good. It's for everyone. And that dream is fading. California came up with a "Master plan" in 60s about this dream, which is being dismantled as we speak. Sure change is inevitable. but what we can lose is sad. That is what we were rallying for that day.

Anyways, more later.

These feet are made for walkin...

I am joining the walk out on Thurs Sept 24th. Wow, what a month or so it's been.

And you...cough cough, may know if you live on this planet, the state of California is in peril. And everything is being cut. The University is taking some drastic measures, including possible 32 percent fee increases, eliminating programs. My pay has been cut, as well as some department lay offs. The University is leaning toward privatization more and more. What does this all mean? It's scary, the dream, the beauty of public higher education is waning. Change is inevitable but what will we lose? Will it be education for all anymore? Or just for those that can pay? Dismantling of the humanities is looming on horizon for instance, they are talking about doing something called "differential fees" meaning you would pay more for like Business and Engineering courses. My dept EECS is proposing a
"private masters program" that would require fees of the same weight as Stanford. They need the cash.

Now while i admit I am scared for my job, and just scared in general. (what's that line in Charlie Brown "I have the fear of everything..."?) But still there comes a time where you have to join in and say "What is going on here"? So we are closing the center I run for the day next Thurs and I will be attending rallies etc.

On a lighter note, Calshakes is opening Midsummer. Can't wait to see it on Sat.

Every Silver Lining has a Touch of Apple

I don't know why, but for some odd reason seeing the arrival of the new apple mega computers for the lab next door is putting me in a good mood. My boss Dan,the wizard with a thousand faces, has managed to get Apple to donate a lot of equipment to our new lab next door. They are setting them up now.

What would Beckett say? Oh another gadget, another reason to distract myself from the real nothingness of the universe?.... Ok yeah...maybe...But sometimes existentialism just doesnt do it like a new Apple ...I am sorry but if God did still hang around and he had a computer, it would look like this. Can't I gaze at it for a bit? Is that so wrong? I promise to not forget the bad stuff too...

So one week til school starts, not really ready but is one ever?

Speaking of carrying on, Happy Days opened at Calshakes, loved being there opening night. I forget how lively opening is, with the press there and the excitement. Anyways, it's an unforgettable show. I mean truly, here is a shot of the show. I think I was just in the mood to see a woman "up to her neck" which apparently was a favorite term of Beckett's "up to your neck" in something.

So she is just in sand, talking and using her hands and her face to create this character that only talks to you and a mostly unseen husband, masterfully played by Dan Hiatt. It's a show that just lives with you after. I felt oddly purged too after seeing it. It was the right play at the right time for me that's for sure.

Ok so as Beckett would say ...well either say or he wouldn't say. "it's always something"

The Melancholy Dame

I was just thinking last summer at this time, the theater was set to open Vanya. And it seems it would fit more to have him around this summer somehow. I could really use hearing his opening rant right about now, bitching and complaining. Last summer it was more hopeful with Obama looking strong and nothing had quite crashed yet. This summer has that melancholy feel to it. Like all this weed pulling, dead things are being pulled up and of course that means new things will replace it but right now all I can do is look at that landscape. Sigh.

Job front is still whacky as it is for everyone in the state but I do have a job and will have a summer job next year I just learned. My summer job at Cal is different than my regular school year one. i thought it was over after this-in fact I didn't know I could work this July until they didn't tell me not to come in July 1st. BUT I got the courage up to talk to my boss and I do indeed have a summer job 2010. A lot change going on. My office mate is retiring early.
a couple of people are being laid off, no one knows who. So there you have it. The news that I do have a job prompted joy and relaxation on my mini vacation a week ago, I went to Santa Cruz shakes and enjoyed a couple of their shows. I got misty at the end of their midsummer cause they came so close to not being there this year.

We moved our lab at work to our new space. I can't believe how nice it is. This is slightly embarrassing but I really have never worked in nice spaces. Before Cal I ran after school programs for kids and it was always in portable buildings. My lab has been in funky "extra space" since I started. But now it's right next to a new cyber cafe and it's just lovely. We have access to an outdoor area where we can take students. this is great. I cried when we moved in.

The theater is closing second show and next is Beckett. Ah Beckett. Who can't love him, ok many don't get him. I personally do love him. And love the thought we are doing something different. So August should be fun (is fun the right word here?...). I am moving to working it Saturday nights this show-needed a change.

On sadder notes, it's just tough times and I had to see a friend sort of lose it lately. I hope after some rest she finds peace. I feel like road kill is amongst us. It's sad and rough.

So I will carry on as Beckett says. My fav line in Godot "I can't go on like this" "That's what you think" I mean of course we will go on like this. and on and on. And as some other famous bard says "and we will eat and read and go to Trader Joes..." (I said that) Anyways, ta ta.

Days of summer..days of reckoning...

Well I can't lie. I have to admit something. Ok...here it is...., I am a state employee. Yes we all knew this but now i feel I have to say it under my breath, like some weird admission. Yes a University employee is indeed a state employee and that ain't easy folks lately. Maybe you read the local papers? What does this mean for my day to day life? A lot of whispers at the water cooler. A lot of self doubts, a lot of people pondering their futures. Well pay cuts and unpaid furloughs are now hitting us, yes the sacred cow of the University. My gosh you know things are bad when the Profs in Engineering give up their paid Monday catered lunches (yep they brown bagged it! a friggen miracle.. you have NO idea) Anyways, well it's all still in rumor stage but no one knows what is their future. Lay offs are happening, the Uni has a "transition" page now on their HR web site (then you KNOW people are losing their jobs) Pay cuts FOR SURE. I mean I was already on a budget, guess I can even be THAT much more creative with that-money is just for the weak minded...yeah right.

We are all united in feeling happy we have a job. ...at least for NOW. Is that the root of potential evil? Perhaps...shall blog more about that...
oh and here is a dilemma... the dept is pondering a new Masters degree. One where people would pay like they do at Stanford, one that is gasp NOT just research oriented. One that is Industry, market oriented. They are doing research (I am helping them...is that wrong...? gasp) into whether there is a "market " out there for this. Would people who didn't get into Berkeley one way be willing to PAY big bucks to get in the other way? The way say Harvard people do? I mean would the Rothchilds and the Bush's go to Berkeley if they could PAY their way in? And then become potential alumni donors? Is this wrong or just.. a real wave of real life? Is this a Daniel Webster moment or just what happens (I mean there are serious arguments that the car ruined the American family...but does anyone not want their car?) Is public education going under or is it just being tweaked? Keep posted on this folks..I have it's pulse!

Anyways, so much to think about , so much to rationalize. And thusly...I am writing a play! I have my hero, an old school, third generation professor...dealing with it all. Is public education over? is it's spirit..over? Did it ever really have a spirit? Who invented liquid soap and why? (homage to "Sure thing" rent it if you haven't seen it...good summer fun)

Anyways, well I am back blogging, let's see what happens next!
Cheers
Carol

So many updates...so little time

Well I haven't blogged in forever. I think this is the problem with this multiple updates thing, facebook, twitter AND blogs, you feel like you are just constantly updating so your forget one...or the other. Anyways, so what is new? I will put in catagories.

Good news: In my quest to remain optimistic about the economy, I asked Jay Yamada, our calshakes board member and uber volunteer if he was behind the Geitner plan, or had issues with them not taking over the banks like Krugman. See Jay has a BA in economy and is a very intelligent fellow. WELL he isn't with Krugman on this one and so that was a good sign for me. He is behind Mr G. Ok, so good news.

Bad news: The Univ is probably going to start the mandatory furloughs thing. one day unpaid a month basically. It's looking very likely. So I will need to figure out how I am going to work with that. And once again remain optimistic it won't be forever. but it's what everyone talks about at work, and of course possible lay offs.

Good thing: I discovered the sf city guides walking tours. I took one yesterday in the waterfront. It was fantastic.

Good thing from the bad: To deal with various anxieties, I am exercing more. So I may be stressed, but at least I will look great. Oh and I am also writing a play. A full length play. It helps. If I finish it and it doesn't suck I will post it here.

So doing my best. What else can I do?