So because of being covered in itchy red splotches (which I have still not rid myself of) and being on medication that makes me tired, my life has slowed down quite a bit. I'm cooking for myself more. (weird dishes containing no corn, soy, peanuts or wheat) and I'm spending a lot of time at home. I've lost weight because I've stopped drinking beer and eating reeses peanut butter cups. So I am arguably living healthier. I am unable to write really but at the same time I'm sort of enjoying the vacation. I forgot what it was like to go home after work or to leave parties early. Being less frantic can be ok. And the work is piling up sure. there is lots I want to write and rewrite but maybe I don't need to do it right now. Maybe I can let the plays be out there being read and relax a little, at the very least for a few weeks, right? Maybe. Buy my friend Jodi's book. Available on the 26th. Or buy my plays. available now. and go see Local Story already. Jesus. You haven't gone yet?

one of my plays was mentioned in this theater podcast

http://yourneighborhoodstage.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=286435

I didn't know they existed. check it out.

if it's not on broadway (who cares)

http://playgoer.blogspot.com/2007/12/brantley-slept-while-broadway-struck.html

this weekend

From an email from MCC. Hope to see you there! Every month we have a reading of a new play, but in December we have a reading of lots of new plays. (Short plays – don’t worry.) All by members of the MCC Playwrights’ Coalition, all written for the occasion, and all on a holiday theme. This December is no different – it’s time for the MCC PlayLab to get festive. With a twist. Sunday December 16, 5pm Holiday Dis-Ease short plays by: Ashlin Halfnight, Ann Marie Healy, Rami Metal, Mark Schultz , Julian Sheppard. Blair Singer, Gary Sunshine, & Adam Szymkowicz What is Holiday Dis-Ease? Uncomfortable family gatherings? Christmastide plague? Dunno. Hopefully the playwrights do – we’ll be hearing their interpretations of and musings on this theme in their plays. The plays and the party (after the plays, as is our fashion) are at: Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch College 25th Street between Lexington and Third (closer to Lex, on the south side of the street) Hope you can make it. Bring friends!

last night

I saw Is He Dead last night.

It was a good time.

If you want to see a fun and very funny comedy, I highly recommmend.

from Andrew Sullivan

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/12/this-is-a-banan.html

"We live in a country where the government can detain indefinitely,
torture in secret, and then secretly destroy the tapes of torture
sessions to protect its own staff"

h/t daisey

http://www.mikedaisey.com/

from daisey

http://www.mikedaisey.com/2007/12/katrina-911-and-disaster-capitalism.sht

". . .disasters -- unnatural ones like military coups (Pinochet's
Chile) and war (Iraq) as well as natural ones (the Asian tsunami and
Hurricane Katrina) -- allow governments and multinationals to take
advantage of citizen shock and swiftly impose corporate-friendly
policies. The result: a wealthier elite and more-beleaguered middle
and lower classes."

good morning

I finally saw Sicko last night and it depressed the hell out of me. How is it possible that we've let the very rich take over this much? (Not all the very rich. Bill Gates is doing good with his money.) But Jesus, the gun lobbyists make sure anyone can get ahold of automatic weapons, while the insurance companies are literally killing people to save money. And the worst part of it is that Hillary is on their payroll!! After the Jungle came out there was a public outcry and the FDA was created to make food companies accountable. How is it that the HMOs are not accountable to anyone? Why hasn't there been a major outcry? I am one of the last people to see this film. Why has this problem not been solved? Watching the way people live in other countries makes me want to move to France or Canada or England or someplace with socalized medicine. France is like a dream. I could be making more money, working less, getting vacations... Life is good elsewhere. Not that I want to leave New York, but how long can I keep going? I'm saddled with 600 a month in college debt. I am in my day job because of that debt and because I need the insurance and I feel trapped and am often miserable and always exhausted. And I still have hives, unfortunately. And I'm freaking glad I have insurance right about now. But I want more time to write and less time in public transportation and in an overcrowded office at my cubicle doing tasks that daily seem more and more pointless.