Isis Luna

I'm Ba-ack.

2009-08-15T07:28:00.002-04:00

I was just re-reading some of my old posts. Fun.

Been going through a "self-improvement" phase again. I've got to take charge of my life...tired of "going with the flow." Especially when the "flow" is not bringing me where I want/need to go. Okay, so I am getting some yoga dvds and plan to start doing at least 10 minutes of yoga a day to start. I've started these breathing exercises, too. Then I will add some meditation just after the yoga. I've gotten to the point where I can't sleep late, so getting up early seems to be the best time for this. I've been walking about half an hour at least 3 times a week - that goal is to walk every day. So I am going to get up off my fat butt right now and walk. Before it gets too stiflingly hot. :)

More later.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-14T18:15:00.000-05:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Garlic Festival

2007-10-14T14:07:00.000-04:00

Here are links to the vids I recorded at the Garlic Festival. In one of 'em, you can hear Nan Patience talking about the turkeys...one of the funniest things I hear all day!

Garlic Man

Garlic Festival Part Deux

AWOL Soldier

2007-10-02T12:06:00.001-04:00

Apparently, there are many US soldiers who oppose the war. Here is a message from one who went AWOL, talking about what the people of Iraq are like and why he went AWOL. Not graphic.

A freedom of speech issue?

2007-10-01T16:45:00.000-04:00

Here's one for a discussion... What do you think?

Homeless Youth

2007-09-28T11:01:00.001-04:00

This issue might be my next theatrical project. It touches me deeply.

My Brilliant New Career

2007-09-05T17:47:00.001-04:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
I've been taking some dance lessons...check this out!

Battle of the YouTube MomStars!

2007-09-01T13:43:00.000-04:00

Last fall, one of the guys on YouTube held a "contest," the Battle of the YouTube Stars, pitting some "weblebrities" against each other. This spring, another Tuber organized a battle of the YouTube Non-Stars. She paired up a bunch of Tubers with less than 1000 subscribers. It was a lot of fun, and she did another season of it this summer with all new contestants. Well, Now there is the Battle of the YouTube MomStars, organized by TheBennyZone, a twenty-something guy who, as a tribute to his own mom, wanted to celebrate all the moms on YT. Well, I am in that...yep...and I actually won the first round! We are now about to begin the second round. Once all 14 moms (we are paired off so there are 7 battles to vote on) have their video entry in, the voting will begin. We are waiting for 2 more moms. I have added a link over to the right to my channel, where you can watch my entry and other vlogs I have there. I have a series called Backstage Stories" (okay, not a very imaginative title - if you have any ideas, please feel free to share), in which I chronicle assorted behind-the-scenes bloopers from my 25 years in theatre. I respond to other peoples' videos. I now have 80 subscribers! Who'da thunk I'd actually have fans! But it's been great, and through this contest I've met some really interesting and kind people. One of my favorites is MacBraveheart from Scotland. She's in the MomStars, too, and somebody I know you all would like alot.

So, I've probably been spending too much time over there, but the feeling I get must be akin to what explorers feel when discovering a new world. This is the future. I don't believe it's going away. It's become an excellent way to promote your business or talents if you want, too. And it's free! So, I will continue to spend time there, but I am going to try harder to check in here more often, and to post.

If you read my article in LI Pulse about the YouTube gathering in NYC, you will know there is that need to connect in this physical plane of existence. SO - we need to do coffee sometime soon...maybe once Luna settles into her new routine! :)

What Celeb Do You Look Like?

2007-08-24T19:34:00.000-04:00

There is a website at which you can upload your photo and it calculates which celebs you look like. The site also can be a tool for charting your family tree. Check out My Heritage. Here are my results:

You can also morph yourself into any one of the celebs you look like. It's quick and rally funny! Just another play on the computer in our "copious spare time!" ;)

"Minority Report" Could Happen

2007-08-23T05:37:00.000-04:00

I read a disturbing article in Newsday the other day and have been meaning to post about it. "Homeland Security Exploring Mass-scanning System" describes the federal government's efforts to design a technological means to identify someone who is THINKING of committing a terrorist attack! I don't know if you saw the movie, "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise. It envisioned a future in which, through a combination of science and psychics, they could predict if someone would commit a crime in the future, and arrest them before they did it. I thought it was a pretty laughable movie...that is, until I read this article. Here is an excerpt:

Tools to fight terror?
Federal Homeland Security officials are exploring how technology can help screeners identify people entering the U.S. with "hostile intent" through two different programs:

FUTURE ATTRIBUTE SCREENING TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PROJECT SENSOR FUSION
Seeking a system that could detect deceptive behavior through physiological and behavioral cues including heartbeat, respiration and facial expression. Technologies used could include thermal imaging, infrared cameras and audio and eye-tracking.

PROJECT HOSTILE INTENT
Monitoring facial expressions and other behavioral, speech and physiological cues through video monitors to identify people "involved in possible malicious or deceitful acts" before they commit a crime. Would work in real time and be "non-invasive," without disrupting the flow of passengers.

And did you know this?:
"Behavioral detection is already used by specially trained officers in the Transportation Security Administration - with 273 arrests made as a result since June 2004, said spokesman Christopher White. That detection is done by individuals trained to recognize subtle facial expressions. "We're very encouraged by the program and we plan to expand it," White said."

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I'm still here!

2007-08-09T23:20:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know...I haven't been around her much lately. I've been busy with writing and theatre. We have three productions coming up: "Hate Mail" next weekend. It's a hilarious spin-off from "Love Letters." Then mid-September, we have "300 Stories of Sag Harbor." But Stacy's and my latest and biggest project is "Homofiles." We've been developing this play [and here is some text from the intro letter we've developed] with the goal of significantly raising awareness and understanding of gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender life as a normative state; exploring how and why discrimination and violence still exists here; and illuminating what sometimes lies beneath the thin veneer of liberality. The play will be monologue-driven and feature several adult actors portraying a multitude of roles. We plan to use the historic success of “Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues” as the inspiration to create a springboard for dialogue among diverse audiences.

The foundation of the play is built on actual interviews we've been conducting with men and women of wide ranging ages and ethnicities. It will give voice to the various dimensions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender life in America.

So yeah, that's what I've been up to. And looking for a real job. Since theatre just doesn't pay. Just in case anyone wondered...

Farewell, Harry

2007-07-23T16:06:00.000-04:00

And so, the seventh and final book of the great Harry Potter epic tale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, arrived this past weekend. My copy, pre-ordered since March, landed in my PO box on Saturday, and I couldn't wait to dive in. I had re-read the previous two books in anticipation, and opened the treasured tome Saturday afternoon, ready to lose myself in Harry's world of magic and adventure, good and evil, honor and mischief, laughter and tears.

Simply because of its popularity, I resisted the lure of the Harry Potter phenom. Until, that is, just after the third book, Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, was released in 1999. It was then that I finally decided to see what all the hubub was about, since it WAS a favorite genre, and picked up a paperback of the first book, the Sorceror's Stone (1997). I read the whole book in one day. There are books that are so good that when I put them down, they scream out to me so loudly that I can barely focus on anything else. JK Rowling's book was just that kind of book. As soon as I finished it, I went out and bought the hardcover of the next one, HP and the Chamber of Secrets and then the third, and I gobbled them up. Now I had to wait a year with everyone else for the 4th book, but I also had the films (that's for another blog)!

With the 4th, 5th, and 6th books, I tried valiantly to make them last, but read each within a day or two, not having the willpower to put them down for long. Rowling's writing style is very nearly hypnotic. Simple, yet elegant. Easy, yet challenging. Brilliant. As was the intricate, epic, seven-years long plot, not including background and set-ups from several previous generations. The themes are mythic, Joseph Campbell would have been impressed: the hero's journey, good vs. evil, human weaknesses vs human strengths. Wonderful messages imparted, better than in the lame fairy tales we heard as children. "It's not your abilities that make you who you are, it's the choices you make." - one of my favorites from the first book. I hear it's already required reading in some schools. I think that's just a beginning.

And so, here we are at the final book. All the questions over these last few years, the guessing...when Harry finally stands against his nemesis, who will walk away? Who among Harry's loyal friends will die? Is Snape, the seemingly evil Potions Master really Dumbledore's man? Or do his actions tell the truth? So many more questions, but these are at the front of any HP fan's mind. It is a testament to Rowling's talent that we have come to care so much for these characters. She has created such multi-dimensional, REAL people of them that we feel we have lived the last 7 years of their lives with them. We have grown to love them as our own friends and family.

I finished the final 3 chapters and epilogue this morning. I cried a lot during the last quarter of the book...yes, I am emotionally invested. I believe that Rowling ended the book the best possible way. There were other ways she could have ended it, but I am happy with this ending. And it is an ending, I believe. I hope she doesn't give in to the fans who are already starting up a campaign for more HP books. I myself look to the future for what Rowling has to share with us. I am hopeful that there are more wonderful tales from the mind that dreamed up the World of Harry Potter. In the meantime, I plan to go back to the beginning...

The Good News and the Bad News...

2007-07-18T15:15:00.000-04:00

I know, I’ve been gone quite awhile. I feel like I’ve been sick for months! The day after my birthday, right after my second to last post, I had a very weird episode. For some reason, we still don’t know why, my body became dehydrated (despite the three bottles of water I had already drunk) – my heart rate shot up to the 140s (nearly double normal), my blood pressure was nearly inaudible (they eventually got a reading of 90 over 70), I was exhausted and short of breath. Ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. The good news is, turns out my heart is healthy and strong. What most likely happened is that the dehydration triggered a misfire in my heartbeat that started the whole racing heartbeat and low blood pressure. I'm on medication to keep it that way for now...but we still don't know what made me dehydrated. It's a mystery. THEN I came down with a crummy summer cold last week. So this is why I’ve been MIA. I feel like this week I am finally re-entering the world after a long time underground!

The bad news is...here is something scary I recently learned:

INTERNET DOOMSDAY CREEPS CLOSER
Steve Watson, Infowars.net, Monday, June 4, 2007

“Recent proposals in the U.S. Congress are taking a huge swipe at freedom in America once again by aiming to impose multiple different forms of crippling taxation and restriction on users of the internet.

“State and local governments this week resumed a push to lobby Congress for far-reaching changes on two different fronts: gaining the ability to impose sales taxes on Net shopping, and being able to levy new monthly taxes on DSL and other Internet-service connections. One senator is even predicting taxes on e-mail, reports CNet.”

How did I not hear about this until just now? It's bad enough we have to pay to access the Internet, but now they are going to TAX us to get here? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

YouTube...again

2007-07-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I don't mean to harp on it, but since LunaChick brought it up, and since I haven't posted in a bit, I thought I'd just touch on it. Sure, YouTube is certainly a world unto itself. I am writing a story for LI Pulse about the upcoming New York City gathering this Saturday - 7/7/7. YouTubers from around the world are flocking to Washington Square Park to meet each other and have fun. I'm looking forward to it, not only to get enough material for more than one article, but to meet some people I've been watching and corresponding with for nearly a year. Yes, YT is a community, with all the good and bad implications that go with that, but it is even more...I interviewed YT-er from Long Island yesterday for the story, and what a great guy. I'd been a subscriber of his for about six months, and he is just a regular guy who happens to be very talented and loves filmmaking. More than just a community, YT is also a venue for people to express themselves creatively. And people are. And some are getting discovered by more traditional media!

Which brings me to the part where LunaChick said she is more of a music person. YT is a great place to discover musicians who are just starting out! Instead of imbedding bulky videos below, I'm posting links to some of the artists I enjoy, and who you might like. Take notice. You may be hearing them on the radio soon enough!

Ysabellabrave - Maryanne has already been signed by Warner's boutique "E" line

The Velvet Hearts - a duo, piano and guitar, with a Randy Newman-ish-voiced singer who do folky-rock originals. Check out "Peace is a Loaded Gun." It's a powerful war protest song; you may want to just listen - the video images are pretty harsh.

TerraNaomi - she is playing the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium. ALso got signed to somebody recently.

That's it for now. But you can always go to the Musician Channels and discover someone on your own. :)

Laughing Litter

2007-06-25T11:44:00.001-04:00

I DARE you not to laugh out loud!!

But it does make me tired just thinking about having all these at once!

Hip or Dangerous?

2007-06-15T15:44:00.000-04:00

And now on a COMPLETELY different note...here's a fun game I must try myelf sometime. From an episode of a web comedy series, The Burg, set in Williamsburg.

Citizen YouTube!

2007-06-14T10:52:00.000-04:00

You may or may not know that many, if not all, candidates running in the next big elections have their own YT accounts, making themselves accessible in ways never before imagined. They will be running the most personal, one-on-one campaigns in history. Here is one more example of how this website is bringing new opportunities to us "common folk." YouTube Debates

"The First Day of My Life"

2007-06-10T13:34:00.000-04:00

by Bright Eyes - not a new song. But what a sweet hopeful little ditty, and what a sweet hopeful little video.

Feist

2007-05-30T19:25:00.000-04:00

Here is another, more established singer/songwriter, although she still isn't as well-known as she should/will be. She has a different sound and I love her dancing in her videos. You can see all her videos at her YouTube site. Let me know what you think.

Memorial Day

2007-05-28T09:33:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning, Jim and I were hanging back in bed and listening to a radio show from Connecticut on 600AM called the Italian House Party with John LaBarca. It’s this old-timey show with this guy who grew up in Brooklyn in an old world Italian neighborhood with his old world Italian family. He plays anything from Italian opera to Frank Sinatra and it reminds me of my own childhood, even though my grandparents never lived in Brooklyn. When they came over from Sicily, they ended up in New Jersey on a farm. My grandfather grew grapes and made his own wine.

But anyway, Jim enjoys it, too, so we sorta snuggle and talk and listen to this hokey radio show. And since it is Memorial Day weekend, good old John began the show with “Stars and Stripes, Forever.” Boy, I haven’t heard that song in quite a while. When it was over, he got up on his soapbox and basically, the essence of what he was saying was that patriotism has nothing to do with political affiliation. That this weekend, we should try to remember the people throughout our history who have fought for our freedom and to honor them and be grateful. That regardless of how we feel about what our leaders are doing at the moment, this is still our country and it’s the best country in the world.

Umm. Yeah….I mostly feel that way, too, I guess. Yes. Surely, there is a lot wrong here, but I mean, there is a lot wrong everywhere. I really don’t think I’d want to live anywhere else. And there are good things. People tend to forget about the good things. So I will take my buddy John’s advice and take a moment to thank and honor those men and women who have fought for the freedom we enjoy today. I will, however, continue to dream of a future in which all war will be unnecessary.

Reincarnation Station

2007-05-22T17:52:00.001-04:00

Wanna have a little fun? Go to Reincarnation Station and take the quiz. Once you complete it, hit "Reincarnate Me" and it will tell you what animal you will come back as. I guess all the answers are animals. BUT you MUST be honest. Answer the questions as truthfully as you can, otherwise you won't have fun with the answer.

Funny, I took the quiz once as myself. I answered as honestly as I could and I got one answer. I then went back and answered all the answers the exact same way, but as a man. Heh heh...as a woman, I came back on a higher level. Hmmm.....I wonder who wrote this thing....

Serious Woodworking Magazine...?

2007-05-21T12:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, the below cartoon was in Woodshop News, a magazine for professional woodworkers. It's a cartoon called 60 Grit, Rough humor by Steve Spiro. It happened to be lying open in the bathroom one day and when I glanced down and saw this, well, let's just say I'm glad it was in the bathroom...

I mentioned it to some friends and they made me promise to post it. I don't think one needs to be from any particular generation or have any particular history to be able to laugh at this one!

"Stan always felt paranoid when in possession of a joint."

Terra Naomi

2007-05-19T22:26:00.000-04:00

She's a YouTuber, a singer-songwriter who's been picked up by Island Records. Her new CD is being released next month and this is the "official video" of her first single, "Say It's Possible." I've been following her progress since last fall. I predict she is going to be big...you can say you saw her here first...

Terra Naomi

Drunk Driving

2007-05-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

This isn't pretty. But if you have any kids who are getting to the age of either driving drunk or having the opportunity to make a decision to get in the car with a drunk driver, this may or may not be something you want them to see. The Scared Straight program was proven to have some value in deterring youth from crime. I think this might have some value in deterring them from driving drunk or even letting a friend drive drunk. I'm sure you'll let me know if you disagree...

See what happens when you don't think!

Judgements

2007-05-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

This video says it all...how we make split second judgements about people based on either our ignorance or experience. That old cliche, "you can't judge a book by its cover" is a cliche because it's based in truth. Aren't all cliches? Check this out.

Standing Women Report

2007-05-14T11:15:00.000-04:00

Well, I went down to the river yesterday to "stand to save the world" as part of the Standing Women. It was such a beautiful day, I was going to walk the dog down there, but I couldn't find his leash and ended up driving. I didn't expect a crowd, but I thought there would be SOME people. At ten to one, there was no one! I took a seat on a bench facing the river and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my face. Since I don't sunbathe (haven't since my early 30s), it felt decadently good. There was a cool breeze and birds calling and it just felt good to be outside after being cooped up all week in my office.

I figured, oh well, so it will just be me. It was worth a try. It wasn't mine, but it was a good idea and I was going to see it through. I looked around, and a few minutes later, I noticed a small band of four women and a young boy walking along the boardwalk. I could hear their voices clearly. One of them said that "it's supposed to be behind Sears" and I knew I was not to be alone. I got up and approached them.

"You're here for the Standing Women?" I asked.
"Yes"
"Great! I thought I was going to be the only one!"

Introductions were made and they laid out their lunches on a picnic table. They had heard about it from someone who had emailed them from the city! That must have come from my original email blast. But they also saw it in the paper. One woman brought several bells to share.

On the stroke of 1:00pm (I used my cell phone for correct time), we rang the bells and I struck my chime, and we just stood in silence. I focused my thoughts on words that evoked feelings for me: peace, abundance, health, love, acceptance, friendship, respect...and also the planet enveloped in radiant white light. I was aware of the sun, the breeze, the birds, the "green" smell...that all helped to focus on the good stuff. I only checked the time once before the five minutes were up. When I did, I also looked up and saw our small band of women and one small boy just standing there, separate but together. I wasn't disappointed anymore. At 1:05, I struck my chime. My fellow standers rang their bells, and I turned and saw two other friends who had arrived a bit late. We all talked a little about what we had visioned. We talked about being moms and how we should do this again. I wonder if it had not been Mother's Day, if more people would have come. I wonder if this were more successful in more urban areas. There are still many people who don't "get" positive visualization and the power it can have.

In the end, I left the river that afternoon with a sense of both having done something positive, but also of having not done enough.

For Jeanne

2007-05-05T18:19:00.000-04:00

I was doing some spring cleaning today and happened upon a box of old stuff. I found this thing I wrote about my mom three months before she passed away. It was meant to be a tribute to her, one she could read before she died. And yes, I did give it to her. I’d forgotten all about it. I thought it was kind of synchronistic…me finding this now. Not only is Mother’s Day (May 13) approaching, but the anniversary of her death is, too. May 12. Next weekend is going to be rough, so if I’m going to do this, I better do it now…

Whenever I read a tribute to someone, it’s to someone who has died. The other night, I was driving to a rehearsal for a play I’m in and I started thinking about my mother’s situation. About how I was going to dedicate my performance in this play to her. And then I thought about writing a tribute to her before she dies. A way to express my gratitude and love. She was diagnosed as having inoperable cancer January of 1993. They gave her three to six months. Here it is, February of 1994 and Mom is still hanging in there. Am I surprised? Not really. I learned early on that in this struggle of life, I am a survivor. No matter what curve ball comes my way, now matter how awful it gets, I refuse to be beaten. Now I know where I got that quality from. From both my parents, actually. But I think mostly from Mom.

All my life, one thing was very clear to me about my parents. They were not only very much in love, but they were always there for each other. Most marriages have rough patches, but I know my parents had some abnormally difficult times. And they stuck with it because, I suppose, it was worth it to them. They have traveled that road for more than 40 years together. And now, as they are facing the imminent death of one of them, the “finite-ness” of their “couple-ness,” to coin a couple of words, it is ever more clear what a symbiotic relationship they have. And it is ever more clear the strength my mother holds within her.

I remember mom when I was a child. I remember how pretty she was and how gentle and kind and understanding she was. She has never failed to be there for me when I needed her. Now that I am a mother myself, I can say with some certainty that she would disagree with that. But if she were right, the times she failed were not important, because I have no memory of them.

I remember her comforting me when I was sick, or was in any kind of emotional turmoil. Some cruel children would make fun of my skinny, flat-chested adolescent body and painfully shy self. She kept assuring me that I was like her, a “late bloomer.” “Wait until you get a little older,” she’d say. “The boys won’t know what hit ‘em!” She was right, too. Oh, no, I didn’t turn out to be a bombshell or anything like that, but those hormones eventually did work their magic and I did eventually become a woman…wonder of wonders.

During my high school years, she dispensed wisdom, warmth and advice to many of my girlfriends, who found it easier to talk to her than to their own mothers. It was she who advised against fighting with my best friend over a boy. “Boys will come and go in your life, but good friends last a lifetime.” That struck a chord deep inside of me and I and I took that lesson to heart. She gave me my first inkling that there was a “sisterhood” among women, and I liked that. I am still friends with that 4^th grade girl. It is rewarding and comforting to have someone who has known you for over 30 years and still calls you her friend.

You can always confide in her about anything and never feel you are being judged. She has always had a kind of healing aura, loving and nurturing, and completely selfless. She has a highly refined sense of empathy and has always been extra sensitive…you could say she is psychic. She is an “old soul,” as they say, and has been known to predict the future or read your mind.

Some people are givers and some are takers and some are in between. Mom is all giver. A little later in life, she finally learned to take a little, and my sister and brother and I cheer her on. Always a big supporter of her children’s creative side, now she delves more deeply into her own, which was always sort of simmering on the back burner. She makes ceramic figures and paints them. She has painted portraits of the whole family, but her favorite subjects are animals (especially young ones). Her landscapes are my favorite. There is a wistfulness in them, a dreaminess that makes me want to escape into them. And her poetry! It is because of her that all three of her children are so right-brained, I think.

When she was diagnosed as terminal, my sister and I flew from New York to Florida to visit her. It was really hard, but, in keeping with the open communication we always shared, we talked about her death. We decided that we were all very lucky, because none of us had any “issues,” as they say, to deal with. Mom is ready. Of course, she would prefer to stick around a lot longer, but she has lived a good and rewarding life, and she has no unfinished business to hurry up and deal with. And she isn’t afraid of what comes after death. We know she is going to a better place. And no one deserves that more than she does, in my opinion. She faces every day with a sense of humor and a courage that I don’t know if I could ever have. She is just afraid of the pain. Who wouldn’t be? But she knows we will all do anything we can to make sure this doesn’t happen. We will do anything she asks.

My mother has a spirit that is very special. A rare combination of wisdom and innocence, of strength and fragility, that captures most everyone she meets. This world has been blessed by her presence. And I have been especially blessed to have her as my mother. Because much of what I like most about me comes from her. Just having a chance to know her and be loved by her is a gift unlike any other. I don’t know any woman who doesn’t have some complaint about their mother. You see endless magazine articles about the problems between mothers and daughters. I know how lucky I am to have Jeanne as my mother. I love you, Mom, and I’ll miss you. But I will carry you in my heart until we connect again. I know we will.

Standing Women

2007-04-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

Standing Women Please stand with us for five minutes of silence on Sunday, May 13, at 1 p.m. in Riverhead on the riverfront behind Main Street towards where Sears used to be to signify your agreement with the statement below. We ask you to invite the men who you care about to join you. We ask that you bring bells to ring at 1 p.m. to signify the beginning of the five minutes of silence and to ring again to signify the end of the period of silence. During the silence, please think about what you individually and we collectively can do to attain this world. If you need to sit rather than stand, please feel free to do so. Afterwards, hopefully you and your loved ones can talk together about how we can bring about this world.

"We are standing for the world’s children and grandchildren, and for the seven generations beyond them.
We dream of a world where all of our children have safe drinking water, clean air to breathe, and enough food to eat.
A world where they have access to a basic education to develop their minds and healthcare to nurture their growing bodies.
A world where they have a warm, safe and loving place to call home.
A world where they don’t live in fear of violence – in their home, in their neighborhood, in their school or in their world.This is the world of which we dream.This is the cause for which we stand."

I can't imagine anyone not choosing this future vision for their children and grandchildren. I believe what sets this event apart from others is that it keys in on the power of many people gathering to focus on the solution rather than the problem or placing blame. Anyone want to help? All you need to do is help spread the word by email or any other way you want. I'm going to send out an email blast. This is not an anti-war protest! This is a "positive future manifestation/visualization." I hope you will join me, either at the river or wherever you happen to be that day at that time!

This is scary for me...I've never done anything like this before. Any support/kind words/handholding would be really appreciated!! :)

Watch out for this one...

2007-04-17T17:19:00.000-04:00

There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand.

This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

Please share this warning with your friends. If you do not have friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

Meditation

2007-04-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

Here is a short video clip from Jack Kornfield that was sent to me from my Sis. "He's a wonderful pundit - psychologist and buddhist monk (and an all-round cool guy) whom I had the pleasure of meditating with, for a week up at Omega," she wrote. "I've also read a couple of his books, both great: 'After the Ecstasy the Laundry' and 'A Path With Heart'. He gives a short but sweet synopsis of how mindfulness meditation can make a difference in your life." This whole website, actually, is pretty interesting. Ebb & Flow is a personal videoblog that focuses on social change and issues of inner peace / outer action. If you have time, let me know what you think...

Freedom of Healthcare Choice

2007-04-16T09:10:00.000-04:00

I receive daily empowering and inspirational emails from Anita Pathick Law - I guess you could call her a spiritually-based life coach. Somehow I got on her email list and I stayed on because I liked her messages. Anyway, I got this email today and it was disturbing. Just another example of "Big Brother" trying to take more control over our lives.

"If you are interested in Health Freedom, take vitamins or supplements and/or utilize and/or deliver alternative healing methods, you may want to check into this U.S. Gov't and Big Business effort to take over this industry and read this posting and some replies in its entirety: Health Freedom (and others) in Crisis."

Standing at the Edge

2007-04-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

Nancy's perfect, short but sweet tribute to Kurt Vonnegut, one of the greatest American writers, recently gone from us, inspired me to post one of my own.

I've posted some favorite quotes attributed to him below. Some are from his books, and those are noted as such. Norman Mailer hailed him as our generations' Mark Twain. "He was sort of like nobody else," said another fellow author, Gore Vidal. "Kurt was never dull." Indeed.

Asked in a 1974 interview why he was so popular on college campuses, Vonnegut said, "Well, I'm screamingly funny. I really am in the books. And I talk about stuff Billy Graham won't talk about, for instance, you know, is it wrong to kill?" And I think that was the key to his brilliance. He wrote odd and funny stories that challenged you not only to think but to examine life from outside the realm of one's own little world.

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

Who is more to be pitied, a writer bound and gagged by policemen or one living in perfect freedom who has nothing more to say?

Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.

Let us devote to unselfishness the frenzy we once gave gold and underpants.

I think that novels that leave out technology misrepresent life as badly as Victorians misrepresented life by leaving out sex. (A Man Without a Country)

Just because some of us can read and write and do a little math, that doesn't mean we deserve to conquer the Universe. (Hocus Pocus)

The waitress brought me another drink. She wanted to light my hurricane lamp again. I wouldn't let her. "Can you see anything in the dark, with your sunglasses on?" she asked me.
"The big show is inside my head," I said (Breakfast of Champions)

We are human only to the extent that our ideas remain humane. (Breakfast of Champions)

I am eternally grateful.. for my knack of finding in great books, some of them very funny books, reason enough to feel honored to be alive, no matter what else might be going on. (Timequake)

I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.

Kurt, you will be missed...the world may be a tiny bit duller without you, but your words live on, helping to keep us standing at the edge.

Spring Cleaning

2007-04-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

After what seems like a couple of gloomy rainy days, but what I THINK was really only one day, (right?), the sun is shining! Even though it's still ridiculously cold out, it feels good to have sun shining through my windows, and when I logged on this morning to check out to see what and if my fellow bloggers posted, I just had the urge to "redesign" for the spring. I wish we had more options, though.

The past few weeks, I have been itchin' with an itch that is just not normal. Well, not for me, anyway. As soon as the weather is warm enough for windows to be open, I am doing a serious spring cleaning. I plan on starting three big piles: Keep, Giveaway, Throwaway. I have so much STUFF that I don't use, wear, read, look at, or whatever, and this old house could use some nice empty SPACE. Removing the clutter in my home will perhaps remove the clutter from my brain? I think that is going to be my mantra for the spring..."I need space!"

Feeling Peevish?

2007-04-11T07:21:00.000-04:00

One of the nice things about blogging is being able to blow off some steam every once in a while. I really have to start checking in here more often. I mean, I read my regulars every day or so, and post replies, but for some reason I have felt singularly uninspired lately when it comes to topics. But once again, Life of a Lunachick gave me an idea for this post...those adorable little pet peeves. Yeah, you know, those seemingly tiny things other people do that, in the grand scheme of things really have very little impact on your life or the world in general, but for some reason just push that button, YOUR button, and irritate the CARP (that's right, I'm trying to be family-friendly here) outta you?

Yep, I'm right with you, Lunachick, with the word "irregardless." NO such word, never has been, and I wish I could say never will be. But this world we live in bends to the popular masses, so it may someday be, simply due to "popular" use. And by popular use I mean consistent misuse. Ugh. Although at this moment, an example escapes me. Please feel free to post one.

The first of my two main peeves: there is a grammatical error that I see and hear ALL the time, but it really only makes me want to scream when I read it in a newspaper or hear someone who should know better screw up the use of "I" and "me." It's not all that hard to remember! I don't know why this is, but whenever I hear someone say something like, "The president wanted to be sure he gave the books to the vice-president and I," ARGH!!!!! I am assuming the people who regularly read this know the proper use, but for those who don't, I feel compelled (if you think that's a strong word, you don't know me) to explain. Just take out the "vice-president and" and use whatever fits. Would you say, "The president wanted to be sure he gave the books to I?" NO.

The second thing that bugs me is when people say "I could care less." Huh? When people use that phrase, they use it when they are trying to make the point that they don't care. The correct phrase it "I couldn't care less." If you could care less, that means you care SOME, because you have room to care even less.

Okay, all that being said (and satisfying as it was)...generally, in recent years, I've lived my life in pursuit of letting go - of not "sweating the small stuff." And generally, I've been pretty successful. I don't go nuts, I don't scream, I don't rant and rail when these buttons are pushed. I actually have gotten to a place now where these things really don't get to me the way they once did...the way I presented them above. Usually, when faced with one of these "button pushers," I now sort of inwardly roll my eyes and picture it rolling off my back, just letting it go, and that feeling of wanting to scream is gone. Usually. And that feels just as good as screaming. I wonder what Yoda would say... [see The Greatest Philosopher]

What's a Feminist to Do?

2007-03-30T09:29:00.000-04:00

I know, it's been a while since I've posted. Been getting some gentle nudging...but it's been a while since I've really had anything to write about, plus I've been super busy. I recently had the opportunity to attend an introductory class at The S Factor in Roslyn for an article I wrote about them/it. It is a fitness program based on the art of striptease and pole dancing. And before I go any further, let me make this very clear - it IS an art, and it requires enormous skill and control over one's body, which must be strong and limber. If I learned anything in that class, it was that.

When I was younger, I went to a moderately nice strip club with my mate (at his request, and which turned out to be something I really didn't care to share with him, but hey, I tried). What struck me so strongly was the surprising realization that the women were in power there; they held all the cards. They loved seeing women come in, and they behaved almost as though we were sharing a private joke that the men weren't in on. When I took the intro class at the S Factor, something clicked for me, and my respect for these women "kicked up a notch."

Let me also say that I am sitting here three days later, STILL sore all over. When I got there, the instructor welcomed us into a high ceilinged room with four poles. There were no lights at all, just a few candles, no mirrors at all, and the atmosphere was very friendly and safe. The exercises themselves were Yoga and Pilates based, but done very slowly and sinuously. Which means a lot more work for muscles that aren't used to it. After about an hour, we learned how to walk a slow, sexy walk, sort of dragging the top of our toes on the floor as we moved that foot forward. I found that wasn't easy either, trying to do that, sway my hips and keep my balance all at once...you've seen those dancers in movies (or perhaps in real life) walk out on stage and up to the pole with that slow, liquid walk, eyes half shut, touching their own bodies, and then rolling around on the floor, hanging off the pole...I'll bet you've made a judgement - she's on something, some drug or booze. Admit it. Hey, I have. Well, I can now tell you, from the perspective of experience, that walk would be difficult at best, and everything else she does up there would be pretty near impossible unless she were stone cold sober. Especially the pole tricks! Strength, coordination, flexibility, and stamina - all necessary.

ANYWAY, beyond the obvious physical benefits, this fitness program is perfect for any woman who has never connected with her sexual self, and just as perfect for someone who needs to "get her sexy back." They swear you learn to love your body, no matter what it looks like. Who can't use that!! But, as a feminist, thinking about this in terms away from personal gain...placing it into the public arena...this once again sparked that internal debate in me: strip clubs - good or bad?

Like I said before, it's quite apparent that these women have the upper hand (if they want it). So, for the "small picture" I think it's great. The woman is in control, gets to be the sexual creature she is, makes good money, provides a service, and everyone is happy. But the big picture, that one I'm not too sure about. For the big picture, do they allow men to continue to see women as "things," without feelings, without humanity? Have men been able to evolve by now to know better? Do these kind of activities really dehumanize women in men's eyes? Do they promote violence against women? I wonder...

Sisters

2007-02-22T22:00:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to give a shout out to my sister...I've added her new blogsite to my Links section - "Lady Guru." Karen is a very talented artist, in more ways than one. Check out her blog if you have a moment...you may find it different and interesting. Artsy-fartsy runs in the family :)

Vision Statement

2007-02-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of The Secret? How about manifestation technology? I'm sure you've heard of positive visualization. These are all pretty much the same things, but basically, it boils down to creating your own reality through the untapped power of the brain. We have the ability to make something happen simply by believing it.

Whether you buy into this or not, the concept is nothing if not provocative. If you have about 15 minutes, get a cup of tea or coffee and click to this link. Watch both video clips. Myself? I buy it. I just think that, sadly, it's easier for most people to poo-poo this idea and sit and complain about the way things are than to admit this could work, go ahead and imagine what it would be like if things were better and focus all their/our energy on that.

Malcolm Cohan

I'd really like to hear what you think after you watch these.

If this really grabbed you like it did me, you can go to this link below, click on "friends" and you can see the videos that people made in response to Malcolm's suggestion.

VisionStatement

And now, on the positive side of humanity

2007-02-19T11:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, this seems pretty bizarre, but here is an article I ran across online about how we may be able to help people who have lost not only a digit, but even a limb. I call that amazing and wonderful. It may seem frivolous, but I'm sure it sounds like a gift from heaven to that person who has lost a finger or limb in an accident. The way they do it? Okay, I guess it's fair game for one of those debates we've been talking about...

Science Finds New Way to Regrow Fingers!

Buttons

2007-02-18T17:49:00.000-05:00

Wow, that last topic really pushed some peoples' buttons...which brings me to another topic that I discussed with a friend on the way to a concert this afternoon. I was on my way to Sag Harbor to get some Sunday cultchuh...classical music and original compositions by a composer friend.

Anyway, we talked about this topic below, the media, and the buttons it pushed, which led our conversation to how it has often been noted that one should never discuss politics and religion (especially when you don't know the other people's leanings). My friend said that her boyfriend recently bemoaned the dwindling opportunity for people to do just that without practically coming to blows, and I agree with him. I was raised in a loud Italian family that argued and debated ideas at dinnertime. Maybe it wasn't so great for the digestion, but what it did give me was the ability to listen to other people's opinions with an open mind and, if not respect those opinions, then certainly respect the right of that person to HAVE and VOICE those opinions. It's not really a problem for me to discuss a potentially volatile topic and walk away agreeing to disagree. I don't become enraged when I can't make you change your mind and agree with me, and I don't hate you for not agreeing with me. Okay, so MAYBE you'd annoy me some...I'm not saying I'm perfect here. I'm just saying that's the way I am, coming from my background. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if we never discuss important things in life, if we never share our opinions and concerns and beliefs, and more importantly, if we never LISTEN to others' opinions and concerns and beliefs, how can we ever begin moving towards understanding others and ourselves, which is the first step, I think, towards tolerance, and ultimately peace. Okay, am I just talking out of me arse here?

ANYWAY, so, here is another question... if everyone could learn to join together in a heated debate and still walk away, if not friends, at least agreeing to disagree, would peace be more easily reached on a global level? I guess the easy answer would be yes, but is that even possible anymore? Are we too far gone for that?

As for here in this blogdom, I enjoy reading everyone's opinions and personal takes on issues. It certainly has given me perspectives I otherwise may not have had, and I learn alot, so thanks for letting me be a part of the neighborhood!

About A Boy...and the Media

2007-02-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

Once again, Lunachick has posted an eloquent rant on one of the (many) things that are currently wrong with society, this time related to the parents of the Missouri boy missing for missing for 4 years who was recently found. His parents brought him on Oprah. I responded to her site. You can read her post at the link here:

Life of a Lunachick

Lunachick wrote: We live in a society where the media rules.

I wrote" The media rules? Does a bear **** in the woods?

Now I would like to pose a two-part question: If the media rules...
1) Who gave them their power?
2) How did it happen?

Tawk amongst yahselves...

(Late) Valentine to My Young "Sisters"

2007-02-15T08:04:00.001-05:00

St. Valentine's Day vs St. Gregor's Day

2007-02-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

Another interesting post on YouTube, but instead of imbedding it here, I will just put the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f2-ET0y_vc

It is from a young woman from, as she says, Slovenia. She compares her country's holiday, St. Gregor's Day, which celebrates the days getting longer again in the spring, and it is also the "day the birds get married." And just 4 years ago, no one ever heard about St. Valentine's Day there. And how absurd it is to have one day to tell someone you love them. And spend money. And how American it is. You Tube. Live Video. Revver. They really are making this world smaller. And expanding our ability to see ourselves from the outside on a one-to-one basis. A real global community.

That being said, I don't think that anything to do with remembering to be aware of love can be a bad thing. :)

Forgiveness

2007-01-31T17:20:00.000-05:00

Carrying around a grudge can really drag us down. It gets heavier with time. After a while, we get used to the weight, almost dependent on it. But when we allow ourselves to let go of that grudge, that anger, our load (and lordy knows we all have a load to carry around in this life) is suddenly lighter. It might be weird, it might even be uncomfortable at first. But believe me...in the long run, it's WAY better. And yes, I am speaking from experience (said the old woman).

This beautiful "subtitled" music video says it all. I defy you not to cry.

This Picture

WASH your cat??

2007-01-30T12:04:00.000-05:00

Cute and funny video on how to wash a cat for my cat-loving friends out there. The note attached to it at the site reads:
Instructional Video on how to wash a cat. The cat is stuffed folks. Relax, I wouldn't hurt my babies. And PS, If you've never owned a persian then you are not aware they get crap stuck in their fur and can't get it out alone.

Kitty Bath

Recipe For Peace

2007-01-24T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here is another YouTube 15 Seconds contest entry. Ah, if only 'twere this easy.

Another Shout Out

2007-01-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

I have to point the way to yet another blog post. Back At the Ranch, my buddy Nancy's blog, is always a good one to visit, but she just posted a really well-written post, the subject being "Greatness." Check it out. http://www.nancyswett.com/blog/

Uh Oh. Religion.

2007-01-22T19:24:00.000-05:00

Got proof?

I love this guy! Whether you agree with him or not, he sure talks perty. And a most of the time, I think he makes a lot of sense. And...he has a knack for sparking some great debates. I've been watching his videos for about 8 months now, and just when I think I have him figured out, he surprises me. But I'm curious...what do YOU think? Oh, and make sure you watch it to the end...he weighs in on the whole Saddam hanging/death penalty issue.

Fifteen Seconds

2007-01-18T13:09:00.000-05:00

My Fave website has this contest running now in cooperation with cbs.com. Make a video - if you had 15 seconds to tell the world WHATEVER YOU WANT - what would it be. Of course, it has to be g-rated for tv. But there are some really cool entries. I am going to post a couple of MY favorites here each week. Here are two:

and my favorite little "talking" cat, Loki, did this one on racisim that is just perfection:

See Life of a LunaChick's "Bizzaro-World"

2007-01-18T12:37:00.001-05:00

http://debcahill.blogspot.com/

Wow! We totally agree here! ;) Although the subject of the death penalty is riddled with controversy. I myself have never been able to take a real stand on it. On the one hand, I don't think I could ever bring myself to kill anyone, yet I now know with certainty that if anyone tried to physically harm or kill me or children, grandson, husband, heck, anyone I love dearly, I would fight back with no thought as to whether the result of that fighting would be the death of my/our attacker. Not a glimmer of a thought, before or after. But I really don't think I could sit on a jury and hand down a death sentence to someone no matter how heinous a crime, as I pretty much don't believe I or anyone else have the right to decide who lives or dies. My faith leans towards Buddism, and karma. Which has always been helpful in my own healing, since I could always take comfort in the belief that "what goes around, comes around."

But, yes, hmm, a "botched" execution. Please. I get what you mean, Lunachick, about any execution being "painful," since the time leading up to it would be, well, I can't even imagine. But if they wanted an even remotely "humane" execution, they wouldn't have selected hanging in the first place! I always thought injection was pretty humane. I mean, that's what they do with animals when they put them down. But (despite my personal beliefs) that just seems too good for some people when you weigh their crimes. Especially those who commit horrible crimes against the weak and helpless, like children or the infirm.

Okay, now I'm working myself up. Anyway, check out Lunachick's post. She is very good at expressing herself, and on this issue, she says it best.

My Wish

2007-01-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

Okay, well, I've been thinking on this a lot. Every time I came up with something, I thought of something that needed to happen first for that wish to happen. Like Lunachick - money could be eliminated, but greed needed to be eliminated first. Someone else said Peace on earth. But something else needed to happen before that. And i guess, in a fantasy world, we don't deed to worry about such things, but I think I went right to the source. For all the crappy things to disappear, one thing, I think, needs to happen first. Unfortunately, while I happen to be a "dopeless hope fiend," I'm not too confident this will ever happen, but if I could wish for one thing in three words or less, it would be "enlightenment for humanity." I believe all goo things would stem from that. And I'm not talking religion. Okay, sticks, stones, cards, and letters, bring 'em on. :)

"Say It's Possible"

2007-01-02T10:31:00.000-05:00

People from around the world filmed themselves and sent their videos to Terra Naomi, a singer songwriter who posts on YouTube. She asked everyone to answer the question "what would you do/want if anything were possible?" in three words or less. "This project is a true reflection of what we can do together." And the song is beautiful.

How would you answer?

Happy New Year 2007

2007-01-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

Well, despite our best efforts, 2007 has arrived. I've been thinking a lot about this fresh, new year spread out before us. For me, the dawning of January first has always been like opening a brand new notebook on the first day of school. The clean, unmarked white pages just waiting to be written on, full of potential, full of what I might write on them. What I could create from nothing but my own imagination.

So, here I sit at my keyboard. I had my usual breakfast. I have my brand new Christmas iPod nano on with headphones listening to my songs on shuffle - having just finished a Nellie McKay song, who Nancy and I discovered around the same time, each on our own, and now Cousteau is singing She Don't Hear Your Prayer (if you haven't discovered them yet, DO look 'em up - you'll thank me - two words UNIQUE and FLUGLEHORN). Jack just left the room. My cat. The one peering out at you at the top of this page. My house is in a holiday shambles and I am about to tackle it this afternoon.

But it's raining and gloomy outside. How inhospitable 2007 is being right off the bat. I mean, at least welcome us with a little sunshine. And if there must be precipitation, Baby New Year, you could at least convince Mother Nature to give us a little SNOW! Just enough to go with that wilting Christmas tree in my living room that now has to stay up until the next dry day. I could put on Christmas music and pretend I'm having a white one.

Ah, now Elton is crooning Your Song in my ears. What a sweet and simple song. I'd forgotten the beauty of listening to music with headphones...the nuances you catch.

Apparently this is turning out to be a streamofconsciousness post. Oooh. Sunshine of Your Love by Cream. Okay...before your time? Eric Clapton on the upswing. Huh, also apparently, I will be updating you on the soundtrack.

Anyway, back to new years. Do you have any resolutions? I'd given up resolutions long ago. I call them goals. Less intimidating. My life has been kind of divided into many, many sections, but most recently, it's before the assault 2 years ago (BA) and after (AA). Here are some of mine.

1) To get organized again. I was so organized BA. It's time to reclaim some things. Organization is one of 'em.
2) Lose this damn weight I gained AA. MyMan and I are off on a low-carb, lower cal diet. I sure hope this works. I've got at least 40 lbs to lose. Also, to walk the dog every day for both our sakes.
**soundtrack alert - Billy Holiday - Embraceable You
3) We are downgrading our television service to save $$. SO - I plan to read more, and I'm actually going to try to knit again. This should be interesting.
4) Work on that book (this one is on every year's goal list - I didn't want it to feel left out)
5) Get some query letters out to some mags
6) Have D&ME shows in at least three venues every month by next January
7) Spend just a tiny bit less time watching youtube. Maybe. But it's so FASCINATING.
8) Mediate at least 5 minutes every day

Okay...those are the only goals I care to share. I have others, but they are only for me and myman.

ooh ooh - now it's Shivaree doing Good Night Moon. Have you ever heard this group? Check them out!

I got some buttons from Northern Sun that speak for or to me. Here are some: "Did you ever stop to think and forget to start?" ""Optimistic - even in the face of reality" "Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult" "Stay in the moment- Damn, it's gone" Well-behaved women seldom make history - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich" and a favorite - "Another dopeless hope fiend"

This is fun...just writing whatever comes into my head. I have no idea how fun it will be to read. But it's probably all just a ploy to put off cleaning. Which makes me think I've got to get going. We actually stayed up until 3am last night. Got up at the ungodly hour of 10am and time's awastin'. So I will leave you with a question and a wish:

We all wish for world peace in the year - that's (should be) a given. What do you hope for yourself?

I wish for you all a safe, healthy, joyous, low-stress, prosperous, peaceful, fulfilling, productive, lesson-filled, love-filled, happy 2007. Pay it forward.

To Silent Visitors

2006-12-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, it's come to my attention that a lot of people I know have been visiting here and not posting. That doesn't really BOTHER me, but it's kinda dissapointing. I sure would like to HEAR from (or should I say, READ) you guys once in a while. Even if you just write something like, hey Toni, just stopped by to see what's up with you. Gimme a call. Drop me an email. Whatever.

So, maybe I will guilt you into posting. Maybe not. But maybe a good New Year's Resolution could be to start your OWN blog and let me know about it. I could be visiting YOU in 2007! :)

Old Friends Update

2006-12-29T11:12:00.000-05:00

Well, go figure. Just when I pretty much wrote off my friend, Robin (see below), we've been in touch recently. She sent me a Christmas card so I wrote to an old email address I had and asked, "Is this still you?" It was, and we've been writing since. Long emails catching up. Yikes. When you don't write/talk for a long time, there sure is a lot to catch up on!

But actually, upon looking back, that seems to be our M.O. No contact for ages. One of us reconnects and it's back to normal until we drift away again. Now that we are old farts and our kids are all grown, maybe we can make it stick this time. :) Anyway, I'm applying that same New Year's goal, adapted from "seeing" to "staying connected."

I'm Back

2006-12-22T06:20:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess I AM back before 2007! I just had to share this. You may have seen it; it's been getting a lot of buzz, but I found out about it when my sis, Karen, sent me hers. It's www.elfyourself.com - it's the funniest thing! You can insert a photo of yourself (and your cat and grandson, if you're like me) or anyone else into a dancing elf's face! Guaranteed to elicit roars of laughter, even if they are your own! Then you can email to all your loved ones for a good laugh on you. It especially works if you can insert a photo of you making a funny face. The dancing is so goofy, it just is too much! Have fun, and happy holidays! Again!

New Link

2006-12-19T09:12:00.000-05:00

You simply MUST visit this website I've just added to favorite links! I discovered them last year around this time. I got some really cool tee shirts for my sone and his family. They have all sorts of buttons, tees, magnets, bumper stickers, etc. with hilarious and topical quotes and sayings. I just ordered a bunch of buttons to serve as inexpensive yet appropriate and fun gifts. Some of my favorite sayings: "What would Scooby do?" and "What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?" and "Humans aren't the only species on earth...we just act like it" and "Every mother is a working mother" and "Knowledge speaks but wisdon listens."(Jimi Hendrix). WAY more political and nonsensical stuff. Check it out!

No witty title, just happy happy

2006-12-16T15:53:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since my last post...been pretty busy. Now with the holidays upon us and this ridiculous weather. How can I get in the festive Christmas mood when it's 60 degrees outside? My grandson flew into town with his mom, my son's girlfriend, a real doll, so tomorrow they will be joining us to decorate our tree. I'm really looking forward to that. Saw Janice again today! We were joking about seeing each other twice in a few weeks already. She and her friend Diane came to a performance of A Roaring Twenties Holiday with Dorothy Parker and Daisy Buchanan today. I was Dorothy Parker. She is really a great character to play. Of course, since it's dinner theatre (or really, more like lunch theatre), it's not really acting, more like performing, but it's a lot of fun. Especially since I am more than a bit tipsy. But it was great to see her. And hoo boy, they confirmed how "hefty" I've been getting lately. I do plan on getting strict about losing the weight again after the holidays. I feel very matronly these days and I can't have that.

So, if I don't post beforehand, I'd like to wish everyone a peaceful, joyful and meaningful Christmas, Channukah, Winter Solstice, or whatever you may be celebrating this time of year, and also a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. For all, I wish for peace in 2007.

Old Friends- Short Life

2006-11-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had the occasion...okay, I got off my fat lazy ass and made it a point to call an old friend and get together with her. It just blows my mind to think that we met 33 years ago!! There were five of us who all started work at the same place, IRS (ugh, I know, but they paid a lot for those days). We were 19, single and up to a lot of mischief back then. It's been at least a couple of years since Janice and I got together and we did a lot of catching up. She is still with her hubby and she has four kids (yikes). The oldest is a nurse, 23, and the youngest is 15 and has inherited her talent and interest in photography. She was a cheerleader type in high school (the type I always despised), but what won me over was her artsy side and her big, kind heart and goofy sense of humor. Then there was Robin, the glowing nature girl with no make-up and long flowing blond hair, dimples. You know the kind, the girl who would walk into the room and all the guys looked at...well, back then anyway. I considered myself a hippy back then, in deed and thought, but I wouldn't go anywhere without my mascara, and I wouldn't give up meat. Robin was a vegitarian and always got the best, hmmmm, how shall I put this...as they called it in a recent That 70s Show, "film." If you don't know what I'm talking about, then forget it. :) Jan, Robin and I were all 19 and they were the ones I felt the closest to. Robin had the most interesting story. She followed her boyfriend, Cat (how perfect for the hippie goddess), to Idaho. Ended up marrying him for all the wrong reasons, divorced, became a telephone linewoman, met and married a multi-millionaire for the RIGHT reasons, and became the antithesis to a hippy. Go figure. We kept in touch for a very long time, but things got very superficial and eventually dwindled away.

There was Deb, the die-hard hearty party-er, always with a beer in her hand, kind of a tomboy. Never really opened up to anyone, but always there to back you up. But we were never really close and I never stayed in touch.

And Trina, very cool, sweet, and special. I also stayed in touch with Trina after she moved down south through one husband and one boy friend (both mine), but we seemed to lose touch somehow. I often wonder what she is doing with herself. Last I heard from her, she had one son.

So, Janice. She is such a doll and we always have such a great time talking. Every time I see her, I wonder why the heck we don't do this more often. So my early New Year's Resolution (or, how about "rest of my life resolution") is to make sure I don't waste any more time NOT seeing my good friends who I dont' see more often. Life is too damn short.

Thankful?

2006-11-23T11:35:00.000-05:00

Okay, looking at today as simply a day that we take stock of what we are thankful for, I thought I'd see if I could do just that. The first thing that comes to mind is I am VERY thankful for a husband who not only cooks, but is creative about it and enjoys it. He;s been cooking and baking for the last couple of days and I can't wait to dig in!

I am thankful that my son is happy with his little family and has a girlfriend (soon to be a wife, I hope) who I adore, and who seems to be turning out to be a truly wonderful mom. When I text messaged Devin this morning, he called me back right away. I was surprised because it was pretty early in AZ. The three of them were out delivering meals on wheels to homebound old folks. How cool a tradition is that for them to create for their son?! Later this afternoon they are going to her aunt's house for a big family dinner. This Christmas , they aren't flying here, but staying home to have their first family Christmas in their own home. That's as it should be, but I will miss them alot.

I am also thankful that my Dad has a companion for holidays down in Florida. That's too darn far away, but that's where he wants to be.

I am thankful that the worst thing that happened to us this year was my broken foot.

Other things I feel thankful for:

my beloved kids, Devin and Marisa
Zeppelin, my adorable, brilliant and multi-talented (but of course) grandson and his beautiful and brilliant mom, Rachel
my cat, Jack (he's my baby) and a giant dog, King, to protect me
my friends (they are the best)
that husband I mentioned earlier (he's the bestest)
the extra pumpkin pie stuff he baked in a dish and I'm eating right now (yum!)
that I have a home and enough to eat
that I can start listening to Christmas songs soon!! (they put me in such a good mood)
my (basically good) health
getting to work on the Teeny Awards
that I have a working vehicle
music, theatre, art, books, films
being able to walk, talk, see, hear, feel, smell, taste...I don't often think about these things, but it kind of just hit me now, trying to think of things. Life would be so hard without these things. Oh, and my hands, too.
my childhood
my family
did I say my friends?
I'm sure there are more things, but I think I've listed the most important ones. So, have you given any thought today to what you are most thankful for?

Musings on the "Forbidden Topic"

2006-11-12T17:57:00.000-05:00

Nancy's (Back at the Ranch) mention of a memorial service/party she attended today inspired this post. People are so odd. The only thing we can be sure of in this life is that we will eventually die (forget taxes, rich folks can evade 'em), and it's the one thing most people refuse to talk or think about. But the more you talk/think about something, even when you cannot come to any conclusive determination, the easier it is to face, because after all that thinking and talking, one usually has come to a kind of acceptance, I think. At least, I have.

I think it's important that, when someone you love is dying and if they are willing, you talk to them about it. Believe me, I've been there and it does help. I hope that if I am blessed with the gift of dying in my bed with some notice, that my loved ones won't tip toe around and ignore the fact that I am dying.

Faith is a comfort in these times, too. I may not believe in the more accepted Western religions, but I do believe that our spirits or souls live beyond our bodies. I don't know how I could survive without believing that. I know people who think that once you die, that's it...done...nothing...no more. Yikes! I'd be terrified of death! I don't know how anyone can look around at the wonders of nature and space and even our own human bodies and not believe that we have to be a part of a plan, of something bigger. What that plan is may be beyond our understanding, but that doesn't mean its not there.

I myself believe in reincarnation. I know, that may go against a lot of people's beliefs, but all I can say is I know I've been here before. It's my truth. It's not a belief. I've known it since I was little. I have no idea if I will be back, but I sure hope not. But, according to the religion that is nearest to own my beliefs, Buddhism, there is no way that I have achieved enlightenment, so I guess I will be back to continue to learn what I need to learn until I have, and can finally become one with all, or God, or the Universal Mind, or whatever you want to call it/him/her. I got a long way to go and lots to learn.

Well, the blogs I read regularly here have really gotten into politics lately. I wonder where it would go if we got into faith/religion/science? I read a few years ago that quantum physicists say they are getting very close to proving the existence of a god - meaning the existence of an architect of the reality we know. I find all that fascinating. You?

Halloweening

2006-10-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

Went to a grown-up Halloween party last night. As usual, I dressed up as a vampire, only this time, I got these great fangs that I customized, so they clicked right in place and stayed. I wore all black and my hair was long and stringy and I wore red contact lenses, which really looked creepy. MyMan wore fake bite marks on his neck and lots of blood dripping down his t-shirt. On the back was written: When she said she wanted to suck me, this isn't quite what I had in mind.
HO HO HO.

The hostess was, as she called it, a slutty pirate, but she just looked very cute, with her short outfit and poofy detached sleeves and pirate hat. Oh yeah, and she had a whip. A really tall man came as a pirate and he looked great, wig and all. There was a penguin, a goth chick, that football player who crashed his motorcycle while drunk (I don't follow football), a choirboy, a cowgirl fairy, and um....that's about it. Why people go to a Halloween party and don't dress up is beyond me. One guy said he didn't get the whole dress up thing about Halloween. Huh? It's all about living the fantasy! Bringing out your alter ego. Make believe. Going out in public and freeing yourself of YOU. It can even be about making a statement. Or scaring people. Or entertaining them.

Maybe it's just the actor in me that has always loved dressing up. Or maybe it's the child in me. Most children love to dress up and pretend, don't they? If you want to strip it down to the bone, that's pretty much what actors are doing. I mean, it's really a lot more complex than that, but that surely could pass as the simple explanation.

I guess it's also a way to be creative. I really appreciate it when I see a costume that took some time to create, or a unique idea. Like MyMan's t-shirt...easy to make, but a great idea (his). I heard about this one couple - the husband came as a baby being born, his head coming out from between two fake legs, and his wife was dressed in medical scrubs! At one party, there was a guy who made a great Moses. He brought cardboard tablets and had the other guests write their own commandments on them. The funniest thing about that night was that he ended up hanging out with another guest who had come as Satan! Satan and Moses hanging out, smoking a blunt outside. That was a sight, let me tell you! One of my favorites from my own past Halloween partying was a pregnant girl scout (I wasn't "prepared"). Also, Casper's friend Spooky. I wore a huge sheet, tie around my neck, freckles, and a derby. It's a lot of fun when no one can tell who you are!

I remember hearing about one guy who came to a party wearing nothing but roller skates. He was a pull toy. Hmmm...urban legend...or TRUTH!? You decide.

Another idea that was funny (but rejected due to the fact that it would hinder any fun for the wearer) was wearing black and white splotched sweats and an udder and lying on his side all night. He'd be a ......tipped cow! A new one this year for a group - everyone dresses up as items you can no longer carry onto planes. My old standby is a vampire, because a) it's easy, and b) I love all things vampiric. I won't go down that road, I'll be here all day.

So, what are your ideas?

November Movies!

2006-10-28T14:21:00.000-04:00

But first, a few for Halloween: The Grudge 2, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, and Saw III. I saw Saw 1 and it was excellent. Not as gory as you would think...more a psychological thriller. Oh, and Night of the Living Dead...in 3D!!

NOVEMBER

Deja Vu, directed by Tony Scott. A sci-fi thriller about an ATF agent played by Denzel Washington, who uses the sensation of deja vu to help lead him to clues. It was the first film shot in New Orleans after Katrina. Also starring Val Kilmer and Jim Caviezel.

The Fountain, written and directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, another one you should see), and starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn. According to EW, it's "a trippy meditation on love and death."

Candy, with Heath Ledger. A love triangle between a free-spirited poet, an art student and heroin.

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny. For Jack Black fans - searching for a guitar pick that has rock-god-giving powers.

The Return, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sam Shepard (sigh). Eerie thriller.

Fur, with Nicole Kidman (love her), Robert Downey, Jr. (love him). It is a fictional account of three months in the life of photographer Diane Arbus.

For Your Consideration, by that crazy gang who were responsible for Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind. This time it's about an indie, Home For Purin, that unexplainedly starts picking up Oscar buzz. Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey. Can't wait!

The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus finds our hero (Tim Allen) fighting Jack Frost (Martin Short). Loved the first two...good family shows that are fun for the parents, too.

The Hoax is based on a true story about a con man who convinces publishers that he has obtained exclusive access to the reclusive Howard Hughes for an autobiography. Richard Gere, Marcia Gay Harden. Gere is quoted in EW, "It's this weird mix of serious drama and real humor, and it has a kind of Beatles-esque quality to it."

In Stranger Than Fiction, Will Ferrell tries his hand at dramady. His character hears a voice and realizes that a woman is narrating his life. Also with Maggie Gyllenhall, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson (one of the greats). This is one I'm really looking forward to.

Ali G fans will like Borat, which also stars Pamela Anderson. Sacha Baron Cohen brings his Kazakhstani TV personality, Borat, to the big screen.

and in DECEMBER...

Dreamgirls, a film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical, which is loosley based on the Supremes career . Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy.

The Good German, directed Steven Soderbergh. George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire. Black and white. According to EW, set in devastated post-WWII Berlin, "the murder mystery traces an American journalist (Clooney) assigned to cover the Potsdam conference between Hurchill, Stalin, and Truman.

Rocky Balboa. Um...'nuff said.

The Good Shepherd, with Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Robert DiNiro, who also directs. A Cold War spy tale.

Okay, last but not least, a remake of the 1974 slasher flick, Black Christmas, opens on Christmas day. I saw this movie, with Olivia Hussey and Keir Dullea, in a drive-in in New Hampsire that was basically a field surrounded by woods. It was SOOOOOO scary. At the time, it was called Silent Night, Evil Night. If it's at all as scary as the first one, it should be a great one to go to with your best friend or S.O. and clutch each other and scream to!

link-a-dink

2006-10-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

As you may or may not know, I've become hooked on youtube lately. It's truly amazing what people will put online for the world to see. A lot of it is simply dreadful or boring, but there is also quite a lot that is hilarious. My current favorites are listed below. Enjoy!

Where the hell is Matt? this video was made by a guy from Australia who saved up for a few years, quit his job and went around the world. He recorded himself dancing in every country. This is somehow very uplifting. Please check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNF_P281Uu4

Remember the guy who played Biff inthe Back to the Future movies? He's a stand up comedian, too. Here is a hilarious song he performs about everyone bugging him with questions about the movies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwY5o2fsG7Y

These two guys are brilliant. This isn't the BEST sample of their video antics, but it's the best short one. Look 'em up on youtube under "nobody's watching."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af5E1uLbbx0&mode=user&search =

Watch the car in this very closely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATfpcCYqG4

He tenido bastantes

2006-10-12T14:49:00.000-04:00

I am SO SICK of having the "option" of dealing with my bank/store/whatever in either Spanish or English. This is the USA! Our language is ENGLISH! I am a descendant of Italian immigrants. They came here, became legal citizens and learned English. And come to think of it, since my ancestors are all from Italy, I don't "owe" anything to the Native Americans or descendants of slaves. My ancestors didn't have anything to do with you. They weren't in this country until the turn of the century. And come to think of it, even if my ancestors had cheated the natives or owned slaves, I’ve never been on to believe in the “sins of the father” being paid for by his descendants. So unless anyone out there can give me a reeeeeeally good reason why I should feel otherwise (I have a fairly open mind, even on subjects I feel strongly about), that's where I stand.

Lets be clear about this. I have no problem with immigrants...even more, I welcome them, enjoy them, learn from them. This is my country. As hard as it may be to do at the moment, I still love it. If anyone moved here and became legal citizens, paying taxes and contributing to the pot from which we withdraw social services (and into which they dip so frequently and deeply), I'd welcome them with open arms to enrich our country. I love the mix of peoples and I have never been one for "pure blood." Everyone knows that mutts are saner and healthier than purebreds. :)The main complaints for me are, when you leave your homeland to make a life in a new country, learn the language. It's English here. It is very simply the right thing to do to learn the language and customs. Keep your language and customs in your own home if you want and share them with whoever you want, but "when in Rome..." and 2) pay taxes like everyone else! ESPECIALLY when you are taking advantage of the programs we have set up for the less fortunate!! There has got to be a way to deal with this.

Nostalgia

2006-10-07T19:12:00.000-04:00

I was driving home today from visiting my daughter today and found in my car a CD of 70s tunes. I popped it in and was immediately transported back in time. Todd Rundgren's "Hello, It's Me." I was 20 years old, hanging out at Hot Dog Beach with my boyfriend, Andy. That song will always remind me of him. That whole summer revolved around him. Funny, I just remembered thinking, in my early 20s, that summer was for me a period of lots of experience impacted into a short time, so I thought I did most of my emotional growth during the summer. I don't know if that was true, but it's what it seemed like when I was much younger.

Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years" is another song that brings me back to another boyfriend, one who relentlessly persued me until I broke down and fell for him, and then cruelly broke my heart. I still feel a wave of melancholly when I hear those two songs. It's not that I wish I could go back in time or even that I wish I could be with either of them...it's just that I associate those songs with times of bliss, then ultimately heartache. It's a strange power that music has. And the music that we like becomes the soundtrack to our memories.

The only thing that can bring me back in time like that is scent. Sandalwood and patchouli, pine trees, certain perfumes (or men's colognes)...they all have that power to send me back in time. It's like scratch'n'sniff memories! Who says time-travel is impossible?!

The song that brings me back to my wedding day is Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" Not Rod Stewart's boiled down bland version of Van the Man's composition. Van had strings and brass and such full and beautiful orchestration.

What about you? What songs serve as your own personal time machine?

A New World

2006-10-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

I am not, by a long shot, considered a youth anymore...just stillbarely middle-aged. So it's probably not a suprise that I've only just discovered youtube.com. It is the world of videos...video blogs, video parodies, video everything, and mostly inhabited, it seems, by teens and 20-somethings. So, it was also not a surprise that I have just discovered lonelygirl15, a video blogger on youtube. Her earliest blog was this past June. An adorably cute young girl who goes by the name of Bree and is 16, homeschooled, and "very religious." I couldn't get enough of this kid's videos. Even as I was watching them, I wondered, "Is this all for real? Is this some kind of hoax?" She talked about how she was selected for this secretive religious ceremony, a huge honor and so exclusive that her parents wouldn't even be there. She talked about sneaking out of the house to go to a party ("my first!"). She shared the drama of her first boyfriend, who seemed like a creep, but who seemed to be trying to get her away from what sounded more and more like a cult-ish religion.

Well, it was NOT real. Two guys (funny, it never occurred to me that SHE might have invented lonelygirl15) held auditions that they posted on craigslist, hired her, and began this series of video blogs. As a matter of fact, my suspicions were confirmed online, when an interview with her on the Jay Leno show was posted, along with another interviews of her and one of the creators of the "show." He said that the plotline was developed based on the input from viewers who got caught up in the angst of this young character. All I can say is GENIUS! It's unfortunate that they came clean, because the whole mystery of is she or is she not for real added to the enjoyment of the blogs, but I'll still tune in to see what happens. It's a new art-form, beyond reality shows...audience interactive drama."

I also like youtube because it's so interesting to see what people will share about themselves on video to the world, and for the hilarious videos...go there and search "cats" and be prepared to laugh hard and long.

Paying it Forward - as I see it

2006-09-23T12:57:00.000-04:00

A post at LunaChick's blog inspired the following.

"Letting go" of things over which we have no control is a very common problem. It's certainly a lesson I've been working on for a long time. Hard thing for a control freak. The easy way is to have low expectations of others and to succumb to road rage, or any other kind of rage. No one ever said the road to enlightenment is easy.

Kindness is not to be given for what you will get in return. It is given because that's what is right. Karma doesn't work immediately, nor does it necessarily happen in this lifetime (yep, I believe in reincarnation). But from my experience, yes, it does come back to you. It adds up. Sure, people are going to be a-holes. For many of them, it's their nature and they just can't help it. But being kind and thoughtful and gentle and giving people the benefit of the doubt...it adds up and does eventually come back to you, sometimes when you least expect it. And not always from the people you were kind to. Really. I believe that the universe does take care of any karma - good or bad. It's not our place to mete out justice. Revenge does not release anger. The only way you can release anger is by trusting there is a reason for everything and letting go of that anger. If you don't, the anger will own you.

I believe that if we are ever to live in a world without war, a world of true peace, we ALL have to let go of our needfulness to control, punish, or hurt others (or ourselves), for whatever reason. I think that this is much more do-able for humans than to try to "love" everyone. "Let it Be" as a theme song for the world? I can't think of a better one.

But that's just me.

Beginnings

2006-09-20T11:28:00.000-04:00

Nancy (Back at the Ranch) wrote a sweet goodbye to summer on her blog, but I am happily looking forward to Fall. I love wearing sweaters and cuddling in the evening without sweating...excuse me, make that "glistening." I think the sunlight in autumn is the prettiest, along with the icy-silver winter light. We may lose the vibrant greens of summer, but we gain all the reds and golds of leaves falling from trees that are preparing for their annual winter-long nap. Fall and spring have always been my favorite seasons...maybe because I can't tolerate extreme temps easily. But I associate Fall with new: clothes, beginnings, friends, opportunities. The laziness of summer gives way to the hustle of getting things done after all the procrastination. Same thing with Spring...I sort of wake up out of my own kind of psycholological and physical hibernation. I enjoy walking in the Fall...just being outdoors. I just can't stand getting physical in the humid summer heat. But a brisk walk in the brisk cool air just can't be beat. Now maybe I can get my butt up and out of the house to walk the poor dog! :)

I'm hoping I can walk through the "door" that is Fall and begin the ending of this year with a positive change in my life. Exactly what that is? Maybe it will come to me on one of those walks!

Blog to Blog - What About Women?

2006-09-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

This is something I just don't get - women being women's worst enemy. My mom raised me with a sense of sistserhood. I found out the hard way that not all women shared my sense of sisterhood - a friend aggressively pursued my ex-husband, which ultimately ended out marriage. Of course, in the long run, she did me a huge favor. But I find that if you are sincere and open and treat other women the way you expect to be treated, for the most part, they treat you in kind. Are there women out there who are competetive and mean to other women? Of course. But I think most reasonably intelligent women can spot that kind - just avoid them if you can. If not, then kill 'em with kindness. I think my method is very successful. I am blessed with many good female friends. My best friends from grade school and high school are still dear friends. Of course, I have had experience with women being evil woman-haters, but I believe that if that's what you expect from women, then that's what you will find.

I was 16 when "women's lib" hit the headlines. But as soon as I started hearing about it, I knew that it was a great thing. I was a kid who wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up (that, and a writer, actress, and horse trainer). I was 16 in a very un-feminist (or people-ist) world. I remember. It most certainly was NOT better than this. It seems that the word feminist has gotten a lot of bad press, but to me, all it means is equality. Men and women are different (vive la difference!), but EQUAL - in value, in potential, in what they can contribute to the world and their families. Neither men nor women should have to be denied an opportunity because of their gender. It has nothing to do with behaving like a man or dressing like one or toning down our femininity to achieve those opportunities. Yeah, that's what it meant to some women during the "revolution," but not the majority, I think. It meant freedom to be who they were and that was especially good if they were not women who enjoyed being a subservient, passive, susy homemaker who had to dumb down for a man. AND freedom to enjoy SEX! I always like to say that I was a young woman in the golden age of sex - after the pill and before AIDS.

Man-hating lesbians? Oh, yeah, they are out there. Even man-hating heteros. And woman-hating heteros and woman-hating gays. There are a lot of people-hating people; we see it every day. I don't think this has anything to do with feminism. It's just insecurity and downright mean-ness, among a probable plethora of psychological crap.

I'm sad if visions of man-hating lesbians enter people's heads when they think of feminists, but I imagine these people are not very enlightened. Another blogger, Lunachick, posed a very interesting question about how helpful it was to encourage women to have careers, becasue today they still are the ones doing the majority of housework and child-raising while working outside the home. But I think it was necessary. No revolution (and believe me, it was just as much a revolution as other civil rights activism) can be won without mistakes. The hope, at least mine, is that someday, men and women can live and work together using each of their own individual attributes to their best in a balanced way. Not all women want to stay home with the kids and not all men want to be the breadwinners. [Not all women WANT kids, and don't even get me started on that one. I know some really fine women who have to take crap from this society on a fairly regular basis for not wanting children. What, better to have unwanted kids just to meet some societal norm? Right.] I hope those people find each other. I don't think there needs to be a "traditional" format of a family - the Father Knows Best kind - but as long as family members have defined roles and everyone is happy with those roles, I think then you have a formula for a successful family and world.

I think there are several reasons women are still holding most of the bag all these years after being "liberated." Mainly, the media (yeah, the usual whipping post), AND I think it's our own fault for buying into it. Very few women can "have it all," and if they do, they have the support of a very understanding, giving and enlightened partner. J9, who posted on Lundachick's blog, quoted her friend, "We as women can have it all..just not at the same time." This is the truth. And maybe from now on, I'll consider myself as a people-ist with a side of feminism.
Great topin, Lunachick! I'd love to hear from more people on this.

Buffy

2006-08-23T08:33:00.000-04:00

I used to be a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan-atic. Well, I kinda still am. I became a fan the first season, and I have one season on DVD here at home. I know there are a lot of fans like me out there, and the show wasn't a critics' darling for nothing! The writing was brilliant - there's just no better word to describe it. The characters were multi-dimensional and you really became attached to them (much the same way I became emotionally invested in another brilliant series, Northern Exposure). In the first few seasons, it blended the horror of supernatural evil with the horror of every day high school so well that you could see the supernatural battles were metaphors for high school, and later, when the Scooby gang (that's what Buffy and her sidekicks called themselves) graduated, it became a metaphor for the big bad grownup "real world." One of the highlights of the series was during the 6th season, with an episode that was produced as a big budget 40s style musical. Joss Whedon, creator and writer of Buffy, not only wrote the episode, but the music and lyrics as well. With tongue never leaving cheek, the plot followed our friends as a demon comes to town and causes people to burst spontaneously into song and dance, spilling the beans about their most secret truths. It stood apart, yet worked perfectly to move the season's main plot along to the next level.

For those of you who only saw the movie, which was fun in its own way, the series was far more intelligent and witty. I know that sounds ridiculous given the context, but it covered subject matter not usually brought to television at the time. One of the main female characters (Willow, played by the immensely likable Allyson Hannigan of 'this one time, at band camp'), fell in love with a female fellow witch. The storyline of two lesbian lovers was handled in almost a matter of fact way, and was one of the most moving star-crossed lovers story I've ever seen. The ravages of addiction was also addressed, although it was Willow and her magicks instead of drugs. Magic and power became to her just as intoxicating and addicting as any drug.

Anyone watching this realizes, of course, that this is all pure fantasy, but I've seen very few television series that has succeeded in not only stretching a viewer's imagination and challenging one's intelligence, but also created a reality that, while utterly impossible, seems totally plausible.

As a side note, the spinoff series, Angel, had all of the wit and twists and humor of it's parent show. A vampire with a soul (ie conscience)...what can be more torturous!

I'd love to hear from anyone else who enjoyed the series as much as I did. And if you have any television shows about which you feel the same way.

Posting Gaps

2006-08-23T08:24:00.000-04:00

Hmmm...I noticed it's been a few days since my last entry. I just finished reading a couple of other blogs - Nancy's, LunaChick's, and Caroline's (who I found through her comment on the blog of someone who posted on LunaChick's blog). I enjoy reading other people's blogs and sharing ideas and opinions. Especially "meeting" people far away. It helps to feel connected to the world this way. You know, being a part of the "global society."

Not much of interest to write about...hence the gap in posts. But I AM hoping to get to see the Pirates movie on Friday, FINALLY!

Coming soon...

2006-08-18T13:07:00.000-04:00

Lots of interesting movies coming this fall. Here are some:

SEPTEMBER
Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). According to Entertainment Weekly, "a futuristic cautionary tale, adapted from PD James' novel, about an impending era in which the human race faces extinction unless a disenchanted former activist (Clive Owen) can deliver the last pregnant woman on Earth to safety. Also starts Julianne Moore and Michael Caine as a Yoda-like pot-smoking hippie encountered on the journey.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated: documentary about the highly secret MPAA's Classification and Ratings Administration.

Sherrybaby - starring one of my favorites, Maggie Gyllenhall, as a former herion user who, upon being released from prison, tries to regain custody of her daughter.

Feast, the horror film made during the final season of Project Greenlight. Can't wait for this one. I watched that series, and it looks like it's going to be a hoot. Made with all former reality show stars.

Hollywoodland, with Alec Balwin, Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins.
About the mystery surrounding the "suicide" of George Reeves (Ben Affleck), the actor who played Superman on the original 1950s tv series.

The Amateurs, with Jeff Bridges and Ted Danson as two friends in a small town who try adult filmmaking.

The Last Kiss with Zach Braff (Garden State...which you GOTTA see if you haven't yet). He lives with his girlfriend and is tempted by a flirty beauty. So what else is new?

OCTOBER

The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, with his new muse, Leonardo DiCaprio (useta be Bobby De Niro), and Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen. A cop goes undercover in the Mob and a gangster who infiltrates the police.

Running With Scissors, with Annette Benning, Brian Cox, Joseph Feinnes, Evan Rachel Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow - based on Augusten Burroughs' best selling memior. Joseph Cross plays the lead character, who is sent by his bipolar mom to live with a shrink.

Breaking and Entering, directed by Anthony Minghella. Jude Law lives with his girlfriend (Robin Wright Penn, another of my faves). He investigates the burglary of his office and winds up in an affair with Juliette Binoche.

Marie Antoinette, written and directed by Sophia Coppola, starring Kursten Dunst. Need I say more?

Babel, with Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal. Four interconnected plotlines: an American couple vacationing in Morocco, a family of Berber goatherds, a wedding and boy-crazed deaf-mute Tokyo teenager.

The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, and....DAVID BOWIE!!! Can you tell I loooovve that guy? This film is about the rivlary between two stage magicians at the turn of the century (1899-1900).

Man of the Year, with Christopher Walken and Lewis Black. Robin Williams plays a stand-up comic who runs for President and WINS!

For Ewan MacGregor fans (see me raise my hand here), there's Stormbreaker, described as a Harry Potter meets James Bond by Entertainment Weekly.

Speaking of Harry Potter, Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) stars in the indy, Driving Lessons, with Laura Linney.

Wrestling With Angels looks at the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America).

Enjoy, and don't forget the popcorn!

Oh, and here are movies that EW says are good for kids AND parents:

Charlotte's Web, with Dakota Fanning - December 20
Eragon - a fantasy adventure - December 5
Flushed Away - animated comedy - November 3
Night at the Museum - a security guard at New York's Museum of Natural History discovers that the exhibits come alive after hours. - December 22

More, Please

2006-08-17T19:43:00.000-04:00

While I am not happy about the way age has changed my metabolism (I used to be able to eat all I wanted and still be skinny...no more!), I do like the interior changes. I seem to have more patience, I'm able to handle change (life's one constant) better, I know what I want and who I am. I've been subscribing to More magazine (see new link) for a few years now, since I first discovered it. A magazine for women over 40. Great articles, fashion, advice, etc. The usual, but without those seamless young faces staring out from the pages. More's models are more weathered, but just as beautiful. Anyway, there is an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis, who seems to me like she would be a really cool girlfriend. She wrote a poem for More, and I wanted to share it here. It's exactly the way I feel. So, here's to all my female friends, my sis, and my beloved late mom:

Ode to women
by Jamie Lee Curtis

If indeed it’s a race
Then the chicks do the most
It isn’t a brag
Or an estrogen boast
It’s the women who’ve led me
With big open hearts
If not for their love
I’d have failed at the start
And it’s not just the mothers
I speak of them all
It’s a woman there first
When somebody falls
The multi of tasking
That’s easy to tease
I dare a great man
To try it all, PLEASE!
So this is my shout out
My rallying cry
To women all over
I hold you up high
And though there are others
Who’ll think this poem strange
It’s the women who plant
The root of big change

Boob Tube Ruminations

2006-08-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

I was just posting a comment on LunaChick's blog. She was writing about how much she liked Entourage. It really is a brilliant show. Entourage, is supposed to be based on Mark Wahlberg's life. It's also been called the "Sex in the City" for men. Beverly D'Angelo as Barbara is the perfect foil for Ari. Good to see her working again. You know, so few meaty parts for women of a "certain age."

Deadwood is another favorite. The second season was a bit rough. The dialogue was as difficult to understand, which made following the plot nearly impossible. But this season, it's slowed down the delivery and once again becomes one of my "not-to-be-missed-or-tivoed" shows.

Remember Ozzie Osborne's reality show? Now Gene Simmons (KISS) has his with his family, "Family Jewels." He's been with former Playboy covergirl Shannon Tweed (of those cheapy soft-core porn of the 70s/80s). They aren't married, andthey have a 13 year old girl and a son, 17. The son, Nick, is incredibly funny and witty beyond his years. It's a very entertaining half hour. Even MyMan enjoys it, and he normally scorns all reality tv.

I am also enjoying "Three Moons Over Milford" on ABC Family, and Eureka on the Sci-Fi channel. And a former Showtime series that I never got to see since we've never gotten that station - Dead Like Me. I'm looking forward to returning to the island on Lost this fall, and a new show, Jericho, looks intriguing.

I saw The Night Listener yesterday. I could have waited for it to come out on DVD. The promos for it said that just when you think you've figured it out, there is a twist. Well, I figured it out, then I tried to come up with the twist. It was what I figured in the first place, and not all that surprising. There are so many movies coming out in the next few months that look good. I know I won't see them all. Guess that's what Net-Flix is for. V for Vendetta is next on my list, as per LunaChick's recommendation.

Guns and Kids

2006-08-12T16:35:00.000-04:00

This article blew my mind. For anyone with small children, it can be an eye opener. No matter how well you train your kids to stay away from them, guns hold an irresistable fascination for them. Read...

http://www.sportshooter.com/features/curiosity_kills.asp

Email Brain Test

2006-08-11T18:13:00.000-04:00

Here is one of those things that goes around by email that I had fun with. I was suprised at what I knew (like #17), but even more surprised that I couldn't come up with the answer for #19! Have fun and I'll post the answers tomorrow. By the way, I got 20 right. At least it's better than 7! I've posted the answers in the comments.

FUN QUIZ!!!
The average person only gets 7 correct. This is based on U.S. info, so use all lobes of your brain. This can be more difficult than it looks - it just shows how little most of us really see!
There are 25 questions about things we see every day or have known about all our lives. How many can you get right? These little simple questions are harder than you think-- it just shows you how little we pay attention to the commonplace things of life.

Put your thinking caps on. No cheating! No looking around! No getting out of your chair! No using anything on or in your desk or computer! Can you beat 20?? (The average is 7) Write down your answers as you go.

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?
2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don't laugh, some people don't know)
3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?
4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?
5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don't have letters by them?
6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg? (Don't you dare get up to see!)
7. How many matches are in a standard pack?
8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or white?
9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?
10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or clockwise ?
11. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?
12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?
13 On which side of a women's blouse are the buttons?
14. Which way do fans rotate?
15 How many sides does a stop sign have?
16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or left side?
17 How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?
18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?
19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?
20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?
21. On which playing card is the card maker's trademark?
22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?
23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?
24. How many curves are there in the standard paper clip?
25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

Watch for the answers in a post tomorrow!

Gram's Bragging Rights

2006-08-09T21:12:00.000-04:00

This is mommy Rachel with Zep and daddy Devin with Zep. Z has his mommy's beautiful big eyes with his dad's eye color of brown. Little rock'n'roll baby digs the drums! He is about 10 months old here. I allow myself to indulge my proudgrandma-itus. If you're a grandparent, you can show off your grandchild...it's allowed. :)

Like the piercings? You can't see them on Devin, but he has two in his lower lip and two in his nose, among others. I think if I were in my 20s, I'd have some piercings myself. It would look pretty bad on a slightly older than middle-aged granny, though. Plus, MyMan would NOT be happy. I think there are definitely certain clothing, haircolors, and body adornments that cease to by edgy and cool once you reach a certain age. Then it becomes like a joke. But I STILL want that tatoo I've been threatening to get all my life!

The Z-Man

2006-08-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

This is my adorable grandson. My son's son. It's still a little bizarre. But he has very devoted and loving parents. His mom, Rachel, is a hoot, really smart and I can tell she is in love with her son the same way I was in love with mine. They were going to name him Laertes, and I'm glad they didn't, but they named him Zeppelin. We call him Zep, or Z. He is a a happy baby. As long as there are people around, he is smiling. This was taken when they were out here from Arizona. I took them to the Children's Museum, and he is crawling through a tunnel (that you can't really see here). He is with the panda I got him when he was born. They named him Sid Friendly (instead of Vicious). I decided I'm allowed grandma's bragging rights. :) When I came home from AZ right after he was born, I decided I needed a baby...so I got Jack, the B&W kitten you see above. Zep is a year old and Jack will be one year next month. It will be fun to see them grow up.

The Musical Cohen Boys

2006-08-05T19:45:00.000-04:00

Remember Leonard Cohen? If you're too young, he was (is) a fantastic songwriter. His most well-known song was "Suzanne" from the early 70s, I think. His songs were really poems set to music. Remember that scene in Animal House during the toga party, and Belushi comes down the stairs and there is this guy playing a guitar and singing with about 5 girls around him? Belushi smashes his guitar? Well, Cohen is kinda that singer, but really brilliant. Interesting life, was with Rebecca DeMornay for years. Well, his son, Adam, is a real chip off the old block. His music isn't quite like his father's. His group is Low Millions and this album I'm listening to, Ex-Girlfriends, has two songs you might have heard...Eleanor and Statue. On one song, Mockingbird, he sings the beginning in a very low voice and sounds, eerily, EXACTLY like his old man. The father, despite the deep voice, writes songs that are kind of ethereal. Adam is more earthy...actually, I like his voice better than Leonard's. There is a really hot song called Nikki Don't Stop. I need to turn up the AC when I listen to that one. Whew!

I still have to see the film about Leonard...it is about his life, I guess, and it has a bunch of today's stars covering his tunes. I think it's called I'm Your Man, after one of his albums from the 90s. If you saw it, let me know what you thought?

Musical Musings

2006-08-04T16:42:00.000-04:00

What are you listening to these days? I've just rediscovered Sondre Lerche. He's really young, and I THINK he's German, but his music is very catchy. I spend a lot of time at Yahoo music, and I've discovered Neko Case (although I've heard OF her, until recently I haven't heard her work), Ivy (dreamy-voiced female lead singer), and Jonatha Brook (I used to hear her on WFUV when I worked 50 miles west of home). Also, been listening to Nellie McKay again. I've heard from someone who met her that she is very weird, and in a not so nice way, but who cares. I love her music and her lyrics are unique and incredibly witty. And Dresden Dolls, the cabaret rockers. Several other artists I have nearly forgotten about and have been enjoying lately - Honeydogs, Badly Drawn Boy (his video for Year of the Rat is so sweet...he did the music for the film About a Boy with Hugh Grant), and some oldies but goodies: Meat Puppets, David Bowie, T Rex, Mott the Hoople (can you tell me I dug "glitter rock?"), and now Jackson Browne. I still don't get tired of his earlier works, especially his first 4 albums...before his music became political instead of personal. His lyrics are so simple but so powerful.

Oh, I nearly forgot, there's Frank Zappa! And Counting Crows and Crash Test Dummies, their first two albums.

When it comes to music, even though I stay pretty up to date, sometimes I feel so old. I don't have an Ipod (too expensive), and there are now adults who have never seen a vinyl record in their life! I miss records. I loved listening to the album while scouring the album cover notes and artwork, and reading the lyrics. Now, you can't even read some of the writing on CDs, and forget about trying to read lyrics IF they include them. Yep...I am officially an old folk now. By gum.

Stupid

2006-08-04T16:29:00.000-04:00

What is it that makes smart people do stupid things? I remember when my son was growing up and he would do something dumb, he would direct this fierce anger towards himself, saying he was so stupid. I always tried to comfort him the same way. I'd tell him he was smart, but even smart people do dumb things. Smart people learn from their mistakes.

I've always been a solutions-oriented person. When I did something stupid, I'd struggle to find a way to make it right, and most of the time I do find a way to correct it, but I almost always learn from the process. That's what makes us human. I recently did something wrong, innocently without intention, but very stupidly. It was one of those times when I should have known better but didn't? Please tell me I'm not the only one. So what do you do when that stupid thing (and nope, I ain't tellin' you what it was...too humiliating) is so bad that it has the power to ruin a respectable reputation? How do you fix that? I've always believed that things happen for a reason, and you can find something good in the bad. So, how do you make the lemonade from the lemon? I've been struggling with this all week. I'd love to hear how others overcame a stupid move, regained your self-respect, and moved forward in a healthy manner.

Indie Films

2006-08-03T14:54:00.000-04:00

I just added yet another link on the sidebar. It's to the Independent Film Channel website. If you go there and click on Short Films, you can watch literally hundreds of short films and trailers submitted by aspiring filmmakers. Granted, some are unbearable to watch. Any kid with a cheap camera can upload stuff, but there is also a lot of very good and interesting work. Check it out!

Also, I didn't add it as a link, but Theatremania.com gives you all the info you need when you are looking for a play to go to.

Insomnia

2006-08-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Can't sleep. Can't get my brain to shut off. Decided to add a couple more links...one to WLIU, the public radio station that broadcasts out of the college formerly know as Southampton College. Also, Drug Digest. No, it's not a website for stoners. You can go to this page and punch in two medications and it will tell you if there is any interaction. I believe in being proactive regarding your health.

Saw "Scoop" tonight with my friend, Bonnie. Woody Allen's newest. Not even going into the whole marrying his step -daughter-ish, someone really needs to tell this man to stop making movies. The acting ranged from mediocre to awful, and I think the only one to blame is the director. Neither Scarlet Johansen nor Hugh Jackman were very good, when they have given exceptional performances in other movies. There were a few laughs, though, and some of them pretty obscure. I don't know what 'thing' Allen has about midgets...excuse me, little people (and how is that term not as offensive as midgets?), but in a scene where SJ and WA are talking, two little people walk by in the background. It was so out of context we started laughing and couldn't stop, like a couple of 14-year-olds. Later, Allen's character tries to remember a code by giving each number a visual...one of which was "12 spinning midgets."

I hope to see Lady in the Water soon. I know it got bad reviews. I keep going to Shamylan's films with high hopes that continue to be dashed. ALso, Pirates. But there were some really interesting films in the previews.

Well, back to bed to try to sleep.

Links

2006-08-02T06:12:00.000-04:00

Well, my buddy, Nancy, came over and figured out for me how to add links, so here they are. First, of course, is her blog...the thing that got ME started. She's an awesome writer and great wit, so check it out. Next is my theatre biz with my partner, Stacy. She is an awesome writer and a great wit. See a pattern?

Internet Movie Database (IMDB) will give you all the info on films that you want. Same for IBDB for Broadway. Have you ever found yourself watching a movie and recognizing an actor and wracking your brains but not connecting where you've seen him or her before? Or chatting with someone about a movie and you just can't remember who directed it and it's driving you crazy? Okay, maybe this doesn't happen to everyone, but it does to me, so...just go to IMBD and look it up. Handy.

East End Arts Council is a great resource for anything to do with the arts. And one of my real favorites, Hoaxbusters. Whenever I get an email warning me about a virus or about anything, or a petition, or whatever, I always go to Hoaxbusters before sending it on. Nine times out of ten, it's confirmed as a hoax. That still amazes me...that people actually sit around thinking of ways to waste other peoples' time and that they even START these things. Really. Get a life, dude.

Melaleuca is a great company that manufactures high quality, environmentally friendly, all natural products, from skin care to home cleaning products to toothpaste. Check it out.

US Women Without Borders works to end violence against women. So does V-Day. And Femina Web search provides a directory of links to female friendly sites.

If you have any links that belong here, feel free to suggest.

Technology, Music, and Ducks

2006-07-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

I've gotten feedback that this format makes my blog hard to read. Did you have that problem? I've bolded my posts, maybe that will help, but I can't yet bold the rest. A friend who's been doing this for awhile is supposed to come over and help me, but this blog site is pretty easy...I've gotten THIS far on my own. And it's free!

So, it's Sunday morning and MyMan is HOME! So what am I doing in front of the computer? Hey, we all still need alone time, and we both have stuff that needs to be done. Anyway, this evening, we are going to a Ducks game. Believe it or not, I really enjoy these games, even though the last time, he got bonked on the head with a foul ball! It's so close, very clean, and way cheaper than the majors. It will be like a double date. We're meeting my good old friend Deb and her fiance, Christopher, who is a computer genius. It sure is handy to have a computer genius as a friend when you are plagued by 'puter problems. He's a very generous genius, too. Anyway, they are our Ducks buddies. Debbie and I eat one of everything they sell...hot dogs, crackerjacks, ice cream...it's an important part of the whole live baseball game experience, dontcha know.

I bet you were wondering what ducks and technology had in common! What do you think of the Ducks (if you think of them at all), and about friends sharing their expertise.

Earlier, I was listening to an old favorite that I very nearly forgot - Al Stewart! Remember "Year of the Cat?" That isn't anywhere near his best song. It's really bringing back memories...mostly of my sister when she was a teenager. She turned me on to him. Now I'm listening to Low Millions. The lead singer is Adam Cohen, Leonard Cohen's son! His voice is his own, though at times reminiscent of his dad's. Now I need to get crackin' on those things that need to be done.

Mommy Wars?

2006-07-29T19:24:00.000-04:00

I just received my Long Island Women's Agenda newsletter, and there is an interesting article. I am quoting the article below. Apparently, the media has been using the term "mommy wars" when describing issues relating to mothers and work.

"The MOTHERS Initiative of the National Association of Mothers' Centers (NAMC) launched its Ceasefire in the "Mommy Wars" Campaign...This effort is focused on the media...

"This isn't a playground and we don't have to choose sides...At issue is the perceived battle between mothers who work and mothers who stay home. In reality, women aren't just one or the other. Many women are in one category for a time, transition to the other, and perhaps transition back again at another stage in their family's development. The real issue is the lack of societal supports for the caregiving work that still falls most heavily on women's shoulders. This work can be the care of children, of elderly parents, of a partner who has taken ill, or of oneself.

"Framing the conversation with this devisive rhetoric promotes the notion that women are against each other when the opposite is true. The same policies, practices, customs, and laws that would benefit at-home moms would also benefit at work moms and all those in between who cobble together some kind of schedule to make a living and care for their families and themselves. Of course this would include fathers and non-parents, too!

"Join the campaign! Respond to those who try to divide women unnecessarily."

The campaign materials can be found at www.MothersOughtToHaveEqualRights.org.

Thanks, LIWA, for this interesting and informative article. I have been out of the Mommy loop, with my chicks out of the nest for some time now. But I have friends who are dealing with this issue, an important one, I think. While this could certainly be called the Age of Communication, and the media can definitely be an asset, it also can really add unnecessary fuel to the flames of just about any issue. Off my soapbox now. What do you think?

Books and Music

2006-07-29T08:57:00.000-04:00

I got up early with My Man...who went to work. I fed King (his dog) and Jack (my kitty...see photo), made myself an Herbalife shake (still one of the best breakfasts ever), went through my morning ritual of checking all four email addresses I have, playing my ongoing scrabble games, and then played a few rounds of internet hearts. I am so addicted to card games online. And I found a good game of poker online, too - the kind you that you play with fake money.

Last night, I watched one of the two episodes of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes. It was the third of four sets of two one-hour shows a week. I think it's on TNT. I think he's been slipping lately. His stories are still pretty fresh, but I've been thoroughly dissapointed by his endings lately. His last book, "Cell," was great. Suspenseful, excellently fleshed out characters (as always), but it just ended. It was a cliffhanger ending and it was very frustrating. I don't have to have every book or story tied up neatly in the end for me, but I do need some sort of explanation of why everyone got zapped by their cell phones and became something else. Grrr.

I read (or I should say listened to) another book by Dean Koontz, "The Taking." Many people thought it was too heavy handed, but I enjoyed it. It was an alien invasion story, but with a twist. Maybe it had a stronger impact because I listened to it on a road trip taken at night, but I thought it was clever. I like his other books very much, although I remember not reading him for awhile because his books started seeming the same. I guess that can happen when you read the only one author for too long.

ANYWAY, here I am sitting at my computer and listening to music. I get Yahoo music, so I can listen to whatever I want on my computer. I listened to Nellie McKay, and they always suggest some similar artists, so I explored Neko Case, Ivy, and now I'm listening to St. Etienne. There was one song by each that I've heard on the radio, and was happily surprised. Before that, I listened to My Morning Jacket. They are so good...sort of early NeilYoung-ish. One song, in particular, "Golden," is so beautiful. They have a sort of nostalgic sound that brings you back (if you're old enough) to the early 70s mellow rock. Like I said, early NY.

Music has so much power to affect our thoughts, emotions, and spirit. I love so many different types, but I guess mostly what they call adult alternative. Although I like groups like Sublime and Gorillaz.

Well, I should get away from this desk for awhile and get something done. Tell me what music you're listening to. :)

I Caved

2006-07-28T23:05:00.000-04:00

My friend, Nancy, has been hounding me to start a blog. I've resisted. I mean, why do I want what is essentially a diary made public? Yesterday, when I gave her my usual excuses, she shot back, "It can be whatever you want! Write about movies and books." Hmmm. Now she had my interest. So, I finally caved. It's 11pm on a Friday night, my honey is sound asleep after working a long hard day in this heat, and I can't sleep. Nothin' on TV and even computer games have me bored.

And here I sit trying to think of something to write. I haven't seen many films lately. Some fun stuff on TV. I am about 2/3 finished with Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I think I like it better that DaVinci Code. A student of mine (I teach acting) is going to lend me her copy of Sean Astin's bio. She's nearly finished and she says it's really interesting. Titled something like "And Actor's Tale. Half the book is about his experiences working on Lord of the Rings. Gotta tell my friend, Bonnie, about that one. She is a hardcore Rings fan.

I did see an interesting film a while back called "Thumbsucker." Odd, but pretty interesting. And "History of Violence" with Viggo Mortenson and Maria Bello. When the film finally explodes into the inevitable, it's kind of hard to watch. But the acting was amazing...everyone.

You see, that's the trick about these things. You start writing about stuff, and it starts to turn into sharing very personal things you wouldn't share with strangers. But the solitary act of writing on your computer can make your forget that what you are writing will go to a place where anyone in the world can stumble upon it. Don't you think that's kind of scary?

Well, before I start philosophizin', I'll end this now. Next time I post, maybe I'll have more "kulchuh" to write about. :)