Back to life.

I stopped posting on this blog nearly three years ago, when my personal website died (see last from 2011 below), and I was planning a return to Seattle.

Fast forward to 2014, now a year after having left Seattle (again--short story: going back didn't work out in any demonstrable way). I returned to Toledo last January to pick up my unfinished academic threads, and am so glad I did. My old website's still dead, but I have found a vital new outlet in working with the incarcerated, which has been something I have attempted to pursue since (re)entering school in 2007.

I may start another blog soon to discuss the rewarding work I do with the inmates (I currently teach acting, and hope to soon be teaching philosophy as part of the Inside-Out program). I think a discrete blog from this one is probably best for that, and I will post here when/if I set that up. However, in the meantime, take a look at the other blog I have just started, Pell Grant Writing Initiative, which is an effort that is shared by myself and prisoners at Toledo Correctional Institution. Only one post is currently up, but look for much, much more to come in the future.

Happy New Year! ~Sasha

Nowhere gal.

I can no longer access my personal website (ascarborough.topcities.com). My login won't work, and my repeated messages to the "contact us" page go unheeded. There's no number I can call, no recourse--as it's a free site. So, now my life is trapped in some sort of weird virtual bubble that floated off on May 12th, 2011.

Perhaps that means the May 12th version of Alexandra died and my parallel self is currently typing this. Even if so--and I suppose that would be sort of cool, in a Source Code-y kind of way--it's still frustrating. My parallel self is still aware of the old self, and I desperately want to sync us up. Hell, just to have a conversation, if nothing else.

This is so frustrating. I can't delete the account, I can't update it. It just sits there, hanging in the ether; trapped like a bug, writhing upside down in a pool of water.

Damn it.

Awesome vid.

I know Em says this album sucks, but I love this song and video. Dark and brilliant and a commentary on his struggle.

3 A.M.

Revelations

After discussing justice, freedom and human rights this week in my Introduction to Philosophy class, we capped it off by watching an episode of 48 Hours Mystery on the West Memphis Three. I was so pleased to experience thoughtful excellent class response and comments, especially given that today was particularly challenging, as I lectured on just war theory and terrorism...a student in my class was involved in the whole Guantanamo Bay affair, so I felt an impulse to tread lightly.  Nevertheless, I got all sides out there, and he didn't respond negatively. It probably helps that he and I have already spoken privately and candidly about his experiences.

Dialogue, different perspectives, seeing things from the other side--that's what this whole philosophy thing is about for me. I'm so glad I chose it!