Disqus - Latest Comments for JohnFromVermont

Re: Donate Your Old USB Drives to Fight North Korean Brainwashing

JohnFromVermont — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:07:00 -0000

Koryo Tours (koryogroup.com) brings about 4000 Americans to North Korea each year. I visited there three years ago. They are teaching English in their grade schools. Our male guide asked we give him James Bond and other action films; our female guide asked for music by Justin Bieber. The guides, who work with visitors year round, were quite familiar with the internet and email, but were still trying to understand Facebook and twitter.

Re: UVM fundraising surpasses $60 million for first time

JohnFromVermont — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:06:49 -0000

Since when is fund raising more important than the actual learning and research that goes on up at UVM? I really think this article is focusing on the wrong things.

It would also be good to know how much the Foundation spent on raising this money. Despite the figures quoted in the article, their tax return shows that in 2013 they raised $48 million and spent $19 million in the process. That's a very expensive fund raising operation.

Re: Car renters may hit potholes when they cross borders

JohnFromVermont — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:29:14 -0000

I'm traveling in Europe now and rented my car from Avis. I selected the option of paying for the rental in advance, so I was able to see all of the taxes and fees when I made the original reservation. I don't know if other rental companies offer the same feature, but it may be an easy way to avoid surprises.

Re: Vermont ranks near bottom in 'Small Business Policy Index 2014'

JohnFromVermont — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:48:44 -0000

I think this study is a bit flawed. A better title for it might be "States with tax policies that the authors do not like."

According to the study, South Dakota is the best state for small businesses, and California is the worst. However, when you look at the raw data, both of these states have .09 small businesses per person. And, of the small businesses in each state, roughly 1/3 of them hire employees while the other 2/3 represent self employed folks.

Los Angeles has the most small businesses in the country, even though its population is 1/2 of New York City's. And, San Francisco has the 10th highest number of small businesses in the country while being the 14th largest city.

Vermont, which did not do very well in this report has .11 small businesses per person, 1/4 of which have employees. It would be interesting to see a proper study that might actually help us understand why Vermont is able to create 22% more small businesses than either the best/worst state in this report.

Re: Happy Valentines Day

JohnFromVermont — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:57:51 -0000

Happy 16th Birthday!

Re: SNOWDAY!

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:06:47 -0000

That's some heavy snow! It would make for great cross country skiing but I'd hate to have to shovel it. Enjoy your day off!

Re: http://trentkowalik.com/post/1213814467

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:11:42 -0000

Lucky you! Please tell us about the show; it looks like it should be a great follow-up to Billy Elliot.

Re: Alex, Trent, Dave & Buster’s

JohnFromVermont — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:10:20 -0000

Glad to see you and Alex had such a blast... But what does one do with thousands of tickets?

Re: http://trentkowalik.com/post/676897655

JohnFromVermont — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:28:25 -0000

Great photos; thank you for sharing! David seems so underdressed - no red sneakers, no spinning bow tie... But at least he had on bright green pants. You were also very kind to stoop in each photo; you look to be at least 5' 8" in the pictures from the workshop. Keep growing and having fun!

Re: http://trentkowalik.com/post/473724051

JohnFromVermont — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:38:35 -0000

Cool photo!

Re: ‘Twas a Great Night for the Irish

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:39:30 -0000

Does this mean no more cocoa puffs?

Re: http://trentkowalik.com/post/358473109

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:20:04 -0000

That's a great picture and thank you for sharing Declan's good news that he's now part of LOTD!

I wanted to know if Declan was an award winning Irish Step Dancer like yourself (I already figured he's no slouch), so I googled him. Here's what came up: "PROLIFIC BURGLARS JAILED FOR TARGETING LONDON BUSINESSES." It seems Declan shares a name with someone with a very different set of skills and much less talent.

Cheers!

Re: Goodbye to Keean

JohnFromVermont — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:09:45 -0000

Thank you for sharing these excellent photos. I had the honor of seeing last night's performance and it was absolutely stunning. Trent, your voice is so strong and clear, and your dancing and acting remain simply unbelievable! You and Keean seemed to be having a right blast during Expressing Yourself and your Angry Dance was one of the most dramatic I've ever seen. I felt so bad for Keean at the end of the show as I wasn't sure he was going to be able to say good bye as you walked up the aisle; good thing you took your time.

Thank you again for sharing the great photographs!

Re: What a Week!

JohnFromVermont — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:21:23 -0000

What great pictures! And it looks like it was quite the fun party! Thank you for sharing and I hope you all are having a great new year!!

Actually, with a Wii for the theatre and everything else, it sounds like you are off to a great start!

Re: TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:19:36 -0000

Hey Trent - Congratulations on the one year anniversary! I wish I had been able to attend the performance; from everything I've heard it was absolutely stunning! I'm glad you are still having fun with the role, even if time is flying. Thank you for posting the pictures from the party (as well as all of the other pictures you've posted recently). Cheers!

Re: emilgh: Trent Kowalik, Tony Award winner and star... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:02:15 -0000

MLW - you know, Trent is really well spoken. When he answers questions, he is always very thoughtful and does a great job of explaining things. He also seems to handle pressure quite well. And, from what I hear from the rest of the cast and staff, he's a natural leader. If he sets his mind to it, I have no doubt he'd make it to the Oval Office!

Re: Pre-show fog check, August 8, 2009, matinee. - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:10:29 -0000

It looks more like a painting!

Re: Billy-Leapin’ - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:42:21 -0000

What a great idea for a picture! Thank you for sharing such fun photos!

As they say up here in Ben & Jerry's land - "If it's not fun, why do it?"

Enjoy!

Re: Follow the Live Tony Awards Updates

JohnFromVermont — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:22:43 -0000

Congratulations on your first Tony Award! Your acceptance speech was fantastic and from the heart! I was pleased to see you thank your teachers, family, and the many behind the scene folks. Congratulations to David and Kiril as well, and to the entire cast and crew for winning Best Musical!

Thank you for posing for David's picture after the show; he's already posted it on the Forum. Thank you also for that great and unique Angry Dance! You folks reworked quite a bit and it came across quite strongly! I've read so many comments about how people cannot wait to see the show because of your performance.

Thank you also to your cousin Caitlin for all of the tweets during the evening. I was hiking in California with a cell phone, far away from TV and the Internet, so it was great to be kept up-to-date. I made it back to my hotel just a few minutes before your Angry Dance.

Re: Sunday Routine - Three Billy Elliots - Offstage, a Swirl of Activities for the 3 Stars of ‘Billy Elliot’ | NYTimes.com - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:50:06 -0000

Great article, quotes, and photos!

I'm traveling and the mobile version of the NY Times has yet to bring up this article (maybe it's planned for Sunday), so I really appreciate your sharing the link.

Re: Theatre World Awards - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:48:38 -0000

Congratulations! You're going to need a separate apartment just for all of your awards!

There's a story hear you're not sharing... If I understand correctly, you attended this award ceremony (was Sims3 one of the prizes?) on a Tuesday afternoon. You then went back to the Imperial Theatre and gave one of your most impressive performances to date. And then you hung out after the show signing autographs and chatting with folks from all over the world. I don't know how you manage to do it!

Thanks for sharing the pictures from the ceremony and for such a wonderful performance last Tuesday!

Re: Watch Trent’s episode of “We Are Billy Elliot”... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:53:55 -0000

Thanks for letting us know about your turn in "We Are Billy Elliot." You are so well spoken and I love that we finally get to see you solve a Rubick's Cube! The WABE videos have been both educational and inspirational. It's great to see this gigantic family that you've helped create. Thank you again for all you're doing!

Re: Trying on Tony tuxes. - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:37:49 -0000

Looking sharp!

Re: Tonys Approve One ‘Elliot’ Viewing for 3-Way Vote | NYTimes.com - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:53:30 -0000

Trent - Thanks for sharing this article. Despite the complexities and politics of the Tony Awards, I felt you, David, and Kiril, did a great job of answering questions and look quite respectable in the accompanying photo.

I'm in London right now and had a chance to see your old show on the West End. I sat next to Drew, the small boy, and his Mom. He was quite proud of the fact that he performed at your final performance in London and can't wait to come to New York to see you perform there. He's working hard on his dancing and can't wait until he turns ten and can audition again for Billy Elliot.

Your dialect coach also sends her love. She misses "the American boys."

Finally, I met a bunch of Brits who have tickets to the Tony Awards as well as many Broadway Billy performances that they can afford.

I hope you are having fun with all of the awards and competitions! Congratulations on being nominated for so many different awards and have fun breaking legs with each of them!

Re: The Boys of Billy on CBS’ “The Early Show” - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

JohnFromVermont — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:23:18 -0000

Congratulations Trent! This is fantastic news! And thank you so much for sharing the video. I love your comment about "it's what I want to do." It makes sense and you (as do the other Billies) prove it every time you step out on to that stage, practice, or rehearse.

Have fun with the show and I hope you enjoy all of the upcoming award shows!