I have officially decided that I like anything with the word “public” in it.
And, while I’m pretty sure my rePUBLICan readers may officially label me a democrat for my love of all things PUBLIC (for the record – I am a registered “independent”)… I am willing to take that risk and BEG that they hear me out. Lets start with a few of the basics:
PUBLIC transportation simply cannot be beat – it saves me an insane amount of money, and as a 25-year-old without a driver’s license (go ahead and mock me with laughter… I’m used to it) I don’t know how I would get from point-A to point-B without it.
PUBLIC schools get a bad rap these days. I, myself, was a private school girl; but after visiting an African nation where PUBLIC education is minimal at best (only provided through elementary school), you start to understand the value of a “free” education system that is [nearly] fully functional.
PUBLIC Theatre may be one of the coolest of the PUBLICs – where else can you see your neighbor in tights reciting Hamlet? (p.s. If you have an alternative answer to that, I would like to PUBLICally announce my concern)
National PUBLIC radio is my primary news source (this may be the moment where I have officially lost my rePUBLICan readers). And, beyond that, it is the broadcaster of hidden entertainment gems like Saturday morning’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell me!” (if you have yet to enjoy this program, PLEASE listen to it HERE asap!)
And, while I’m pretty sure my rePUBLICan readers may officially label me a democrat for my love of all things PUBLIC (for the record – I am a registered “independent”)… I am willing to take that risk and BEG that they hear me out. Lets start with a few of the basics:
PUBLIC transportation simply cannot be beat – it saves me an insane amount of money, and as a 25-year-old without a driver’s license (go ahead and mock me with laughter… I’m used to it) I don’t know how I would get from point-A to point-B without it.
PUBLIC schools get a bad rap these days. I, myself, was a private school girl; but after visiting an African nation where PUBLIC education is minimal at best (only provided through elementary school), you start to understand the value of a “free” education system that is [nearly] fully functional.
PUBLIC Theatre may be one of the coolest of the PUBLICs – where else can you see your neighbor in tights reciting Hamlet? (p.s. If you have an alternative answer to that, I would like to PUBLICally announce my concern)
National PUBLIC radio is my primary news source (this may be the moment where I have officially lost my rePUBLICan readers). And, beyond that, it is the broadcaster of hidden entertainment gems like Saturday morning’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell me!” (if you have yet to enjoy this program, PLEASE listen to it HERE asap!)
PUBLIC restrooms are notoriously disgusting... but then again, where would we be (or, more accurately, where would we pee) without them?
PBS (PUBLIC Broadcasting Service) is undisputedly loved. Because, lets face it, Mister Roger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street make up for all the years of Barney and the hours upon hours of their Fundraising Drives.
Hey, I even don’t mind PUBLIC Enemy! I mean, what would the world be like without Flava Flav? Sure, there would be a lot less crappy reality dating shows, but we also would have never thought of using wall clocks as accessories… and thats not a world I care to imagine.
But, my absolute favorite has to be the PUBLIC library.
Have you been to these places? You sign up for a Library Card and you instantly have access to free books, movies, CD’s, internet access… you can even use $300+ online Rosetta Stone language curriculum for FREE (seriously! I’ve done it!). Every time I stop by one I am instantly mesmerized and wondering how it can all be FREE.
Of course, PUBLIC services have their drawbacks.
Trips to the PUBLIC library are often quite eventful. You may find yourself glancing over at the computer monitor next to yours, only to find the man at your side is silently scrolling through page after page of pornography (although, at least he was doing so silently, right?). On another visit, you may stumble into the restroom and find a homeless woman washing her hair in the sink. Perhaps you will suddenly find there are headphones on your head and be invited by the young man to your right to give feedback on the “sick beat” he recently laid and placed on his MySpace page. Or, upon checkout, you may just find out that you have $58.00 in library fines (which makes me wonder… is the library like Blockbuster? Are they in business because of late fees?).
PBS (PUBLIC Broadcasting Service) is undisputedly loved. Because, lets face it, Mister Roger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street make up for all the years of Barney and the hours upon hours of their Fundraising Drives.
Hey, I even don’t mind PUBLIC Enemy! I mean, what would the world be like without Flava Flav? Sure, there would be a lot less crappy reality dating shows, but we also would have never thought of using wall clocks as accessories… and thats not a world I care to imagine.
But, my absolute favorite has to be the PUBLIC library.
Have you been to these places? You sign up for a Library Card and you instantly have access to free books, movies, CD’s, internet access… you can even use $300+ online Rosetta Stone language curriculum for FREE (seriously! I’ve done it!). Every time I stop by one I am instantly mesmerized and wondering how it can all be FREE.
Of course, PUBLIC services have their drawbacks.
Trips to the PUBLIC library are often quite eventful. You may find yourself glancing over at the computer monitor next to yours, only to find the man at your side is silently scrolling through page after page of pornography (although, at least he was doing so silently, right?). On another visit, you may stumble into the restroom and find a homeless woman washing her hair in the sink. Perhaps you will suddenly find there are headphones on your head and be invited by the young man to your right to give feedback on the “sick beat” he recently laid and placed on his MySpace page. Or, upon checkout, you may just find out that you have $58.00 in library fines (which makes me wonder… is the library like Blockbuster? Are they in business because of late fees?).
Whatever may happen on your adventure (and, in case you were wondering, those ARE all things that have actually happened to me during library visits)… I can promise it will be worth the trip. Cause you can take PUBLIC transit down to the PUBLIC library while listening to a National PUBLIC Radio podcast so that you can get some books to help you research your next PUBLIC Theatre role!
And, that, my friends, deserves some PUBLICity.
you need to submit that---i'm sending that to my former producer/editor @ PBS>>>>very witty my dear.
ReplyDeletedo you like public displays of affection? Cause I do! That's quality people watching opportunity.
ReplyDeletei really want to come spend the day with you!
ReplyDelete