no, Simon and Garfunkel, the theatre is NOT really dead!

Watched "My Name is Rachel Corrie" at the GC Theater tonight. Quite the compelling show--about a woman who was killed by a bulldozer in Palestine because she was standing between it and the house it was about to demolish. So many thoughts and questions that came out of that, but I didn't get a chance to write them down immediately following the performance (because of a talk-back session and then helping out with the strike/ load up of the traveling set) and I think many of them are gone, now, or at least numbed down a bit. Thats too bad.
But a general question about activism and what I want to do with the rest of my life (common theme). What things would I be willing to die for? Am I even willing to die for things? What are ways that I can help with situations like the Israeli/Palestinian conflict without going there? One of the suggestions was simply to talk to people. I think I need to become more informed about the conflict and world events in general. I've been saying that for a long time. I've done a bit better this past year, but its still not to a level that I'd like it to be. Also, the power of story was demonstrated well with this production. Its not everyone's "call" to go be activists. Maybe being a theatre artist is what you want to do, and what you're good at. And with that, you can tell stories that make people laugh and cry. So basically it gets back to me not knowing what it is that I want to do, and not really knowing what I'm good at. I have too many interests to really want to focus on one thing. Maybe I don't have to.
But, if I want to write: I have to write. I've got to put down words, even if they aren't part of a coherent story or poem or essay. I've just got to write.
If I want to be an architect, I've got to study more. I've got to figure out how things work. Figure out how things look, and how to make them look like I want.
If I want to work with immigration, or refugees, I've got to find a place to start. Goshen has some of those opportunities...how should I get involved?
If I want to rock climb, I've got to climb! Got to get in better shape, and build those forearm muscles.
If I want to dance, I've got to find a place to take lessons. Learn the steps, learn the music. Learn the movements.
If I want to ramble away in a blog entry, I've already got it covered. Time for bed.

college is... over?

Not quite, but its winding down. I keep having these moments -- standing around the kiln during the wood firing talking, roasting hot dogs, and listening to Latin music; hacky-sacking in the lawn; watching choir and performing arts series concerts in the music center; eating cornbread at friends' houses at midnight, having a picnic by the dam, making bad puns in the living room with my house mates-- and I think, "this will all end soon!" Which isn't true, of course, because after graduation, I will still have May term. And After May term I will still have summer. And all these things will kind of be a gradual shift into the next phase of my life. Slowly my friends and I will disperse, maybe by ourselves, maybe in clumps. But close friendships can last. And new friendships can form. And I have to remind myself that just because people tell you that college years are some of the best--and you believe them--doesn't mean that life after college sucks. Its what you make it, I guess. Just like everything else. cliché, cliché. So here's to college, and friends, and moments that last longer than the stress of finals.