Haines His Way
Archives => Archive 1 => Topic started by: bk on March 10, 2004, 12:00:55 AM
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Well, you've read the notes, the notes are embedded deep within you consciousness, you are at one with the notes, so post away, my pretties.
Here's me on a short fuse:
(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sauer/angry-smiley-009.gif)
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Well, I logged on just 'cause it's nice to be able to -- and that little red creature made me laugh. That said, goodnight, all.
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Dear esteemed BK: If you are on a short fuse, I cannot recommend dining at the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset. They do not serve fusion food. I don't recall that they serve anything resembling Atkins either, but I could be wrong there.
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DR W Orr: Joe is right, when you see him later today you must be very teflon for him. He's in the wrong environment to have to face grief. Later will have to suffice, for both of you.
I am greatly saddened by the reactions of so much of Joe's family. There are some people who cannot be changed, however, so we must live around them.
Strong supportive waves to you and Joe.
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This, from the IMDB bio on Paul Winfield:
His partner of 30 years, set designer and architect Charles Gillan Jr., has died of a rare bone disease in LA. [5 March 2002]
Sad, yet fitting, that Winfield died two years later almost to the day. How often do we hear of Hollywood couples lasting thirty years?
Oh, we didn't hear of this couple, did we. :'(
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All right, BK, in light of my last post:
What Hollywood couples do you most admire? (Excluding those where one or both partners are involved with this site, of course. We automatically assume you admire all of us. ::))
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I'm either up very late or very early. You decide.
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Very early, JMK!
On my way to the airport, so no questions for Mr BK.
My condolences & thoughts to WFO and Joe! See everybody tomorrow night. Sorry it's not Sattidy MATTH, but I may larn a thang or two nonetheless.
Watch the news MBARNUM!
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Good morning, all! I hope for DRS WFO and George that today is one more step in healing.
Dearest BK, I'm sorry your fuse is about to blow. Would that I were driving down Sunset Blvd with you, on our way to see a movie or show, listening to your rant until your equilibrium is restored. Maybe we could drive through an earthquake again or see a movie at the Directors Guild, or go to Du-Pars for pancakes. This leads to a rant question. since I've witnessed several stunners and been on the receiving end of a couple: if the day on LOST IN BOSTON 1, when everything crashed and work was lost while that moronic overweight lady kept challenging you and justifying her studio's quality, was a 10 on a rant scale of 10, where on this scale is today's hurlyburly?
It's 7:15 am here, I'm listening to Buffy Sainte-Marie sing "The Circle Game," which I first heard in the film THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT. It's 60s and early 70s songs today, folks.
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On the Paul Simon album Lanny Myers was billed as Lan88 how come?
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SHORT FUSE!
Reminds me of one of the punchlines in the film version of The Producers.
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Speaking of THE PRODUCERS, my question for today would be: What is the worst-case scenario CASTING you can think up for the stage musical?
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BK - Did you know the first season of P&T's BULLSHIT was released on DVD last week? Maybe that will help lengthen your fuse.
Any word on when the Larry Blank interview will be up for our reading pleasure? In the 70s when I was business manager of Buffalo's Studio Arena Theatre, Larry was MD for several of our productions including Bonnie Franklin as PETER PAN. While I was thrilled that Bonnie became a big sitcom star, it's a shame she didn't do more Broadway. As for Larry, he was a hell of a nice guy and I am glad that he has been so successful.
For ask BK day --- or any DR who may have the answer:
I was under the impression that when movies are shown today they are on one big reel and shown on one projector instead of being on several 18 minute reels and alternating between projectors. If that is true, why do they still have the "reel change dots" in the upper right corner every eighteen minutes?
Also, it used to be that theatres tried to get as many showings a day of a film in. This was what led to the butchering of Garland's A STAR IS BORN - so there could be an additional showing each day. Now, however, there is often 45 minutes to an hour between the end of one show and the start of the next. Since most theatres are so small and the theatre is usually empty before the end of the credits anyway, they certainly don't need the time to empty, clean and fill the theatre between showings. An extra showing a day could easily be fit in if the between-show time was cut to around ten or fifteen minutes. So why don't they take advantage of this? If a theatre could fit in five showings a day of a film instead of four they could easily raise their income up to 20% on a hit. Does anyone know the reasoning behind all the extra time between films at most theatres today?
Casting for THE PRODUCERS - If Neil Simon can do a reverse sex ODD COUPLE howabout Rosie as Max and Ellen as Leo? You could get B D Wong as Ula, KD Lang as Roger, Melissa Etheridge as Carmen and Angelina Jolie as Franz.
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I just read something interesting on a gossip site. Three of the four AMERICAN IDOL contestants who were set apart last night at the beginning of the show are actually the judges' choices for the finals, and this twist will be revealed tonight. America voted last night only for their one wild card slot. Supposedly, Lisa, Eric, and the other girl who sat out last night's competition are going to be picked tonight by the judges. (Marque was eliminated.)
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All this mention of Paul Winfield and for the life of me I couldn't picture who he was! But then I found out he was on the TV show Julia and it all came back to me! I am sure I have seen him in other things as well, but that show always sticks in my mind...one of my favorites as a kid!
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Good Morning!
Do I have to drive up to DC this afternoon? HUH? Do I have-ta?
DR Matt H - I had heard the same thing about tonight's "American Idol" twist. And, actually, it makes sense. The public will again finalize the final three or two, then the top vote getter will be announced. Then each judge will announce their favorite - and from some of the "set-ups" last night, it's just sadistic enough a stunt for the producers to pull. *I thought last night's eliminations were downright mean - but if there is a chance of redemption, then, who knows? Although, that still means that one person of the four who was eliminated at the top of the show last night will still not get passed on. -But I think you mentioned that Marque would not get passed on anyway, so... We shall see.
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble...[/move]
But as long as this stunt insures that Leah will not get passed on, that's all that matters with me. I didn't like her before, and I certainly didn't like her last night - and if they wanted to point out someone's wardrobe, they should have remarked about hers - a puffy skirt over jeans? It looked like they pulled them off the Clearance racks at Wal-Mart - from two different years!
DR WEL - A friend of mine manages a multi-plex, and he explained to me that it has to with the fire safety laws - thus the staggered start times. Now if a theatre complex has only one or two screens, then the turnaround time can be quicker, but with all these mega-complexes, they have to consider just how much "traffic" there will be at all times - in the bathrooms, at the ticket counter, at the snack bar, etc. *The downtime between showings also gives the projector a chance to rest. And on the economic and publicity side, it's better to have five, sold out showings of a movie on a single screen, rather than six (or seven) half-full showings.
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MBarnum: I have a confession to make: I was a childhood tv theme junkie. One of my faves was "Julia," with all those nice recorders. No joke: I had two piano lessons a week back in those days, my private lesson (which was at some ung-dly hour before school) and a group theory lesson on Tuesday nights, which ended too late for me to get home to hear "Julia" (I didn't care about the show--it was the theme I needed!!). I remember very well screaming at my parents one night, "When am I ever going to have to know about double-flats?" in a futile attempt to get them to let me out of my theory hell.
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Dear BK, I have another question for you. Today I picked up the new 2-disc ALICE IN WONDERLAND from Disney. When does the studio plan to release CINDERELLA to DVD? It seems to me one biggie still waiting.
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They still use changeover marks on film because there are still theaters that project conventionally, and because the film is not shipped to the multiplexes on one big reel - it's shipped on 2000 foot reels like always, and they mount them at the theaters.
I'm editing the Larry Blank interview and it's just gone slower than planned - we'll get it up by Friday or Monday.
I don't know any Hollywood couples, but certainly would vote for the long-lasting duo of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, along with my friends Richard and Margaret.
Today's short fuse isn't like the LIB type rant. It's not rant-oriented. I don't go to the rant place a lot, but when I do, I suppose it's not pretty. It takes a lot to get me there, though.
While Lanny has never really told me the reason for Lan88 (sometimes he's just plain peculiar) I think it had something to do with some problems he was having at the time, and he didn't want his full name on albums for awhile.
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I think Cinderella will be coming - they're very slow and methodical, but I'd bet in the next year, maybe sooner.
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DR Matt H - I had heard the same thing about tonight's "American Idol" twist. And, actually, it makes sense. The public will again finalize the final three or two, then the top vote getter will be announced. Then each judge will announce their favorite - and from some of the "set-ups" last night, it's just sadistic enough a stunt for the producers to pull. *I thought last night's eliminations were downright mean - but if there is a chance of redemption, then, who knows? Although, that still means that one person of the four who was eliminated at the top of the show last night will still not get passed on. -But I think you mentioned that Marque would not get passed on anyway, so... We shall see.
Something's wrong with this scenario. Last night, when Paula was getting all over Simon for dissing Leah's performance, Simon said to Paula, "You can always put her forward as YOUR choice". And Paula agreed.
Given the "gossip item" about them having already selected three of the discarded four, that comment, at the very least, tells me the judges MIGHT change their minds.
I considered last night that they might not be restricted to the "final 8", but the idea that they won't pick from those who performed negates Simon's remark to Paula...and I don't think Simon would have said something that wasn't possible.
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Something's wrong with this scenario. Last night, when Paula was getting all over Simon for dissing Leah's performance, Simon said to Paula, "You can always put her forward as YOUR choice". And Paula agreed.
Given the "gossip item" about them having already selected three of the discarded four, that comment, at the very least, tells me the judges MIGHT change their minds.
I considered last night that they might not be restricted to the "final 8", but the idea that they won't pick from those who performed negates Simon's remark to Paula...and I don't think Simon would have said something that wasn't possible.
I caught that possible "slip" last night too. Interesting, very interesting... And if each judge truly got to pick their own, individual favorite - and least favorite - then there's still a chance that one of the four eliminated ones could get a reprieve.
However, we do know that the public will be pick one, and each judge will each pick one for a total of four contestants to go to the final 12. We'll just have to see who ends up getting picked.
The only other possible "hint" I did wonder about was keeping the four eliminees in the front row of the audience for the rest of the show. Hmmm...
Also, I'm trying to think back to the wording used last night... Did Ryan Seacrest say that those four would not go past tonight, or did he just say that those four would not sing tonight (last night).
Again, we shall see.
-And, yes, I have yet to start packing for my trip up to DC.. and eventually to NYC...
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Bizarre casting for The Producers?
Kelsey Grammer as Max
David Hyde Pierce as Leo
Bebe Neuwirth as Ula
And if I ever have two dogs, I think I'll call them Bialystok and Bloom.
Last great meal? Our close friend Clarke died just a year ago, and as a farewell dinner he took us to Scaramouche, one of Toronto's best-established and most expensivo restaurants. The portions are ample and the food imaginative but not of the lamb-poutine-tapas-fusion variety. Scaramouche is at one of the highest points in the city and we had the best window table, looking out at icicled trees and down at the skyline
Many of the ingredients are from Ontario. I remember having a beet salad with four varieties of beets, and fish - exquisitely fresh and simply presented.
http://www.toprestaurants.com/Toronto/Scaramouche.htm
P.S. I haven't had the nerve to try it, but Clarke gave us this tip. He said he got the best table in the house by explaining, when he made the reservation, that it would be his last meal at the restaurant. (Note to concerned Kimlets: I'm fine. I'm fine.)
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Finally, some food!
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DR RLP: The way the judges' phrased it to the three I mentioned (Tiara Purifoy was the other) was, "You won't be singing tonight." That doesn't say eliminated at all.
I see what you're saying, but SImon could merely have said that to mislead the audience, too. Put nothing past those people to keep things jumping at AMERICAN IDOL.
Like DR Jose, I could take almost anyone from last night except Leah. I cannot for the life of me understand their enthusiasm for her, at least Randy and Paula's gushing. Simon, as usual, seems to have a more balanced look at her talents.
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Here's something everyone ought to take notice of -- it's about music and how "personal" it has become:
http://www.liquidgeneration.com/rumormill/ipod_killing.html
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DR RLP: The way the judges' phrased it to the three I mentioned (Tiara Purifoy was the other) was, "You won't be singing tonight." That doesn't say eliminated at all.
I see what you're saying, but SImon could merely have said that to mislead the audience, too. Put nothing past those people to keep things jumping at AMERICAN IDOL.
It could also mean their decisions were not locked beyond the possibility of changing their minds, individually or collectively.
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OK - Now I have to ask...
Did I miss the big announcement about the big sales in tarnation today? Is everyone out shopping?
;)
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I have a long history with the Hamburger Hamlet, the one at the west end of the Sunset Strip, where Beverly Hills begins.
I think we ate there with my grandparents the first time they visited us in California. I recall my grandmother, who'd never previously had anything positive to say about a restaurant other than the Tip-Toe Inn on the Upper West Side, being impressed by it.
In high school, we'd sometimes go there after rehearsals or shows. (Although there was always the suggestion "Ships is a nice place." Its sign still stands, if not its building, with the toasters at every table.) I knew the menu well, and, in those adolescent days of gags about all things gay, I had the balls to order something called "The Sissy Grille." This involved a hot dog, split in two. Friends ridiculed me mercilessly for this order, but at least they were friends. Around the same time, Barney's Beanery had matches that had their name, logo, phone number, and the catchy slogan "No faggots." I kid you not.
Thinking of the present, when comedians have so much fun with the gay marriage issue, (Remember, President Bush thinks the country can be improved by a constitutional ban.) I keep coming back to the WFO and Joe situation. I believe that if WFO was Joe's legal spouse, more headway would be made in getting the needed medical attention. And maybe even time out for the funeral. It makes me angry, and ashamed about how slow this country is to grant freedom and equality to all - the promise of its originators.
Short fuse. Anger. I must channel this into something productive. So, now, I'll try to write another page of my show about America not keeping that promise.
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Good morning. Again. I'm still getting used to this "new and improved " AOL 9.0 set-up. One of the "improvements" is that if I open another window - eg. Google something - HHW disappears and I have to log on all over again. Which is what just happened. On the couples front. I just now asked the DRs something about Charles Boyer, but decided to look it up before I posted. Mistake. So, I'll just ask... I read last night that Charles Boyer committed suicide the day after his wife's death. Tragic, but sadly romantic. Is it true?
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WFO - Thinking of you and Joe.
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Here's something everyone ought to take notice of -- it's about music and how "personal" it has become:
http://www.liquidgeneration.com/rumormill/ipod_killing.html
WOW!!!!
Now I have to wonder if anyone got bludgeoned to death with a Walkman due to a mix-tape dispute?!?!?
;D
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What Hollywood couples do you most admire?
A friend and I used to play a game called "Who Shall We Invite This Weekend?" whenever we went to his family's place at the Jersey Shore. There were no stakes involved--you just had to name a couple who you thought would be fun to spend some time with. I remember that I chose Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas a lot.
A question for BK: Do you own a typewriter and do you ever use it? When was the last time you did use one? (I'm asking 'cause I just came across my old electric Smith-Corona and I have a nostalgic yen to plug it in and use it.)
Bad casting for The Producers? My immediate response is Steven Newport as Max (for those who are unfortunately familiar.)
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The Road to the Producers, a classic Hollywood musical comedy:
Bing Crosby as Max
Bob Hope as Leo
Dorothy Lamour as Ulla
Cary Grant as Roger
Randolph Scott as Carmen
and Jack Benny as Franz.
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Just fixed a couple of computer problems. Hurray!
(And althought the question was for bk - When I was around 12 or 13, I wanted a typewriter more than anything in the world. Was given one - a portable Olympus in a black case - for a birthday or some similar occasion. Held onto it all these years. Got rid of it just before moving back to LA. Probably shouldn't have done that.)
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DR Panni - Be sure that your other window is not just "hiding" behind the new one. Otherwise, the easy workaround is to open an Internet Explorer window "outside" of AOL. I know it's possible to do that on a Mac, I'm just not sure which menu and/or keystrokes you would have to use.
OH!!! And today's mail just came in. And in today's mail was my monthly newsletter from the DC Local of the musician's union (AFM). And on the cover of this month's newsletter is a picture of me(!) with the rest of my Camelot pit mates. And accompanying the picture is the story of how our french horn player had Super-Glue'd his fingers together one night before the show, and how he got his fingers unstuck during the first act. I'm truly LOL-ing!
I'll see if I can get the pic scanned and posted here along with the story.
Oh, and the headline:
LOCAL MUSICIAN 'STUCK ON HIMSELF'
;D
And for my most recent, amazing meal.. Has to be in New York City this past January at Becco. Between me and Steve we supped on:
Antipasti: Octopus, various roasted vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus, red peppers), bononcini (marinated mozarella balls), homemade ricotta cheese with honey and black pepper, caesar salad, etc.
Entrees: Pasta (three types - vegetable canneloni, farfalle with veal bolognese and spaghettini con pomodoro), and a seafood (salmon, shrimp, lobster) "misto" in a saffron cream sauce with polenta.
Dessert: We had the sampler - chocolate zabaglione "cake", cinnamon and walnut gelato, italian bread pudding, vanilla panna cotta, ricotta cheesecake.
And a nice bottle of Est! Est!! Est!! - a nice, reasonably priced white - and one of my favorites since it just about goes with everything - or simply by itself. Oh, and coffee and cappucino too!
YUM!
Hmm... I wonder if I can make reservations for this weekend... Hmm....
NOW I have to get ready and pack!....
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This is a Mac problem, not one with AOL. First of all, just minimize HHW if you open another window, then it won't disappear. Second, you shouldn't have to re-log in if you've checked the proper box. Yes, if you open google and leave HHW behind it, and then you close out google by using the "X" everything behind it will also disappear. So, either use your "back" button to go back to the HHW screen, or, as I said above, minimize it (by using the - button).
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Short Fuses: I have a pretty long fuse, I'll tell you. But it has burned down a lot lately for reasons well known to you. I am spending the morning fielding phone calls from relatives, attorneys, wardens, and the kitchen sink. I may have to drive out to the end of the Island of Long to file an Emergency Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Supreme Court, because that is faster than getting a lawyer to move his tuchis.
In between all that, I have a pleasant way to vent. I opened all the windows (to vent, of course) on the side of our house by the Castle of Evil. I replayed "No One Mourns the Wicked" for about half an hour at loud volume. I am now on repetitions of "No Good Deed". Next will be "Epiphany". I don't know what effect it is having on others, but it is certainly calming me down.
Any other musical requests would be welcome.
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I used an IBM Selectric typewriter until 1997, I think. Then I made the switch to computer and have never looked back.
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Short Fuses: I have a pretty long fuse, I'll tell you. But it has burned down a lot lately for reasons well known to you. I am spending the morning fielding phone calls from relatives, attorneys, wardens, and the kitchen sink. I may have to drive out to the end of the Island of Long to file an Emergency Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Supreme Court, because that is faster than getting a lawyer to move his tuchis.
In between all that, I have a pleasant way to vent. I opened all the windows (to vent, of course) on the side of our house by the Castle of Evil. I replayed "No One Mourns the Wicked" for about half an hour at loud volume. I am now on repetitions of "No Good Deed". Next will be "Epiphany". I don't know what effect it is having on others, but it is certainly calming me down.
Any other musical requests would be welcome.
Orff - Carmina Burana
Britten - War Requiem
Berlioz - Hmm.. almost anything would work...
Night on Bald Mountain - preferably the disco version from Saturday Night Fever!!
Janacek - Sinfonietta - The one with the great opening horn call figures
I'll have to think about other musical theatre related ones...
And if you're interested and need a break - and can take a break - I'll be up in the city from Thursday-Sunday. I can't remember if you live in Manhattan or on Long Island, but if you'd like to grab a dinner someplace... The invitation is extended... And, heck, maybe we could have an impromptu East Coast H/K gathering? Hmmm...
However, I do know that family comes first. And Joe most certainly is your family.
-Hey, didn't I say I was packing?!?!
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MBarnum: I have a confession to make: I was a childhood tv theme junkie. One of my faves was "Julia," with all those nice recorders. No joke: I had two piano lessons a week back in those days, my private lesson (which was at some ung-dly hour before school) and a group theory lesson on Tuesday nights, which ended too late for me to get home to hear "Julia" (I didn't care about the show--it was the theme I needed!!). I remember very well screaming at my parents one night, "When am I ever going to have to know about double-flats?" in a futile attempt to get them to let me out of my theory hell.
LOL! I had to read JMK's post over three times. I kept reading that he had a group therapy lesson on Tuesday nights. I thought it was very brave of JMK to tell us about his early emotional problems.
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LOL! I had to read JMK's post over three times. I kept reading that he had a group therapy lesson on Tuesday nights. I thought it was very brave of JMK to tell us about his early emotional problems.
Hey, as someone who went through all those classes too... Sometimes theory was therapy. Well, at least for me. But I'm weird that way.
OK - NOW I'm packing! -Hmm.. I've heard that before...
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Here's something everyone ought to take notice of -- it's about music and how "personal" it has become:
http://www.liquidgeneration.com/rumormill/ipod_killing.html
I don't know if it changes each time a different person accesses the page, but under "Related News" was this link: "Get great deals on the new Apple iPod mini. Starting at under $250" Is that appropriate?
Okay, I get it. I just looked around the rest of the webpage and this whole thing is a joke! Pretty darned funny!
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Jose:
Thanks for the musical suggestions. I am trying to concentrate on loud music with simple, easy to interpret lyrics. If I had a song called "You Butt Cheeks Are the Most Disgusting People in the World", that would be most appropriate.
As for dinner, well I live on the Island of Long, and the wake is Friday, funeral Sunday, and I may have out-of-town relatives staying here, so I'll have to pass. Maybe in happier times, because they will come, you know.
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I just caught up with yesterday afternoon's and evening's posts. Heartfelt condolences to Dear Reader WFO, Joe, Dear Reader George, and their families and loved ones.
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Short Fuses:
Any other musical requests would be welcome.
How about Nobody Steps on Kafritz (Henry Sweet Henry):
Nobody steps on Kafritz
If they do then they must be crushed
Out of my way you half-wits
No-body-steps-on-Kafritz!
Or one of these from Superman:
Revenge
So Long, Big Guy
I'm Not Finished Yet
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Any other musical requests would be welcome.
Well...if you could put a song on continuous play (i.e. a loop), and you were planning to leave the house for several hours or more, you should put on "My Heart Will Go On" and let it rip!
That would drive me to the loony bin REALLY QUICKLY.
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Or, maybe, "You Light Up My Life."
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Any other musical requests would be welcome.
Elektra's dance at the end of Strauss' Elektra should do the trick, for more than one reason.
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I am afraid that I, too, miss yesterday afternoon and evening's posts. My heartfelt sympathties to WFO and Joe, and to George, as well as both of their families. It never ceases to amaze me the way some family members react to tragic situations.
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My finest recent meal was a few weeks ago when I was in Palm Springs. It was at a restaurant called Johannes. The first course was called Menage a Trois, which consisted of pieces of perfectly cooked lobster, shrimp and scallop bound by an outrageously complex citrus mayonnaise dressing. The main course was a thoroughly delicious fan-sliced roasted duck breast, accompanied by grilled pineapple. Dessert was a trio of chocolate delicacies: white chocolate creme brule, milk chocolate mousse and a slice of dark chocolate flourless cake.
I was happy.
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I am wholly intrigued by the Hollywood Couple comprised of Miss Susan Sarandon and Mr. Tim Robbins.
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DR George,
My thoughts are with you and your family.
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I attended a fascinating concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall last night, Dear Readers. The program consisted of excerpts from all three of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts. The Los Angeles Master Chorale was augmented by the Faithful Central Bible Church Heritage Chorale and the Luckman Jazz Orchestra. There were about 135 singers on stage, along with the 16 piece orchestra.
The music was a wonderful amalgam of jazz, swing, blues and gospel, and the house shook with all the joyful noise the musicians made. 75 year old Ardie Bryant and a much younger Channing Cook Holmes performed some amazing tap dance routines in two numbers that had dancing before God as their subject. Nmon Ford and Darius de Haas were terrific male solo vocalists, and Bobette Jamison-Harrison was superb in her renditions of both "The 23rd Psalm" and "Come Sunday."
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My sympathies to both WFO and Joe and the rest of your family.
My curses to the MacBeths and all their kind (btw "I Will Survive" is a pretty good bad song to play on on loop really loud - they will be insane by the third time)
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BK, I think you have a short fuse, because you're not getting enough carbos. Eat a nice big bowl of pasta and chill, man!
Panni, I do know that Charles Boyer did commit suicide right after his wife died. I don't remember whether it was the day after or not, but it was within a week of her death, I believe.
My BK question: So last night you said, once I have my photo on my computer just add it to my profile page. Yeah. Right. I've had the photo on the computer and TD kindly emailed it to me all properly downsized and everything. The question is HOW do I add it to my profile page?
I've looked at my profile page and can't decipher how to do it. Me confused. Me no understand. Remember you're talking to a Luddite here, a technological idiot. Speak slowly and simply and step-by-step with any directions.
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From the NY Times front-page article:
"Now, the Search for the Next Diva of Domesticity"
"This was like a tectonic plate shifting," Dan Gasby, Ms. Smith's [one of the Diva of Domesticity contenders] business partner and husband, said yesterday.
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Now for the big post about my recent "Ms. Emily Goes to Ottawa" Expedition.
It was one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far (which either shows I have lead a relatively boring and uninteresting life or the trip really was that great).
We (i.e. 18 female poli. sci. students from McGill) arrived on Monday where we checked into our spiffy hotel and then went on a tour of Parliament. All of us had been there before but it was nice to get to see the buildings and here the anecdotes about them and the pieces of artwork which are found both inside and on the grounds. The tour guide, who was a poli. student at Carleton was generally dorky and kept treating us like 5 year olds, so we kind of started to talk back to him in the same way which was hilarious - if kind of mean. :(
You Yanks will all be pleased to know that the American Embassy sits right across the street from Parliament and is situated in the ugliest modern monstrosity. Of course, the rest of the buildings around it are mostly constructed in the Neo-Gothic style, so the Embassy really sticks out like a sore thumb. Oh well... I guess you all like it that way ;)
That day we also got to sit in the Public Gallery during the House of Commons' Question Period (and also for part of a very long-winded and poorly attended debate on the decriminalization of marijuana). The Prime Minister wasn't there though so we had to see Deputy PM Anne McLellan get gang-banged instead.
We were then supposed to meet with Sheila Copps but she (understandably after losing her riding nomination battle) was not present. Instead we got Health Minister Caroline Bennett who basically spent her half an hour with us singing the praises of Paul Martin. I wonder how she possibly could have gotten made part of cabinet (cough cough)...
NOW FOR THE BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That night the organizer of the committee was talking to us about how Kofi Annan was going to be giving a speech to the joint House of Commons and Senate the next day when we were supposed to be job-shadowing our parliamentarian. Because the Senator of MP would have had to arrange for seating at the speech for us very early on, we weren't going to be attending but would be able to watch it on close-circuted television in the Government HofC lobby. Everyone was kind of disappointed. But then one of the organizers pulled ME aside and told me that the senator I was to be shadowing had her office had get me a seat in the Government Members' gallery so that I would see it! I literally jumped out of my skin.
Shoot... I have class. I will continue this story later. Believe me when I say it gets better!!!! :D
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My finest recent meal was a few weeks ago when I was in Palm Springs. It was at a restaurant called Johannes. The first course was called Menage a Trois, which consisted of pieces of perfectly cooked lobster, shrimp and scallop bound by an outrageously complex citrus mayonnaise dressing. The main course was a thoroughly delicious fan-sliced roasted duck breast, accompanied by grilled pineapple. Dessert was a trio of chocolate delicacies: white chocolate creme brule, milk chocolate mousse and a slice of dark chocolate flourless cake.
I was happy.
You are NOW on my "list."
Grrrrrr!
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Thank BK and Jose for your answers to my movie theatre questions. BK, I forgot that smaller theatres like Film Forum still use the old 2 projector method. I would have thought that the distributors would send the one reel version to theatres that wanted them and the multi-reel to theatres that used that system. Since there is often no projectionist in the booth, I am surprised that these multiplexes have someone who even knows how to splice the reels together.
And Jose, as for having less shows 100% full instead of more shows not full, I would think it would depend on the film itself. A big popular movie could easily fill up every show whereas a film with less appeal would probably not fill up regardless. I think maybe the real purpose is to sell tickets to other shows that would not sell as well when the big shows are sold out and the customer ends up seeing his or her second choice. Just think... if 1954 theatres didn't want more shows a day Judy might verywell have won the Oscar® she deserved.
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Jose:
Thanks for the musical suggestions. I am trying to concentrate on loud music with simple, easy to interpret lyrics.
How about blasting away with "Uncle F**KA " from South Park-The Movie.
der always-ready-with-a-tastful-suggestion Brucer
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...And tha's how DR Emily wound up in Hull with Kofi Annan...
(You can't leave us hanging like that, Emily!)
For you Yanks - yes it's HULL, not a typo. In my acting days, when we were touring and playing the National Arts Center in Ottawa, after the show the actors would have to go over to Hull (Quebec) to have a good time. (I usually didn't go.) Ottawa was quite boring back then. The city basically closed up at 10.
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A lot of it has to do, too, with leaving plenty of time for patrons to make purchases at the concession stands. That is where the movie theatres really make their money.
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Thank you, Jose and bk for the AOL suggestions. I've got it now.
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How long has Miss Ann-Margret been Mrs. Roger Smith?
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I've looked at my profile page and can't decipher how to do it. Me confused. Me no understand. Remember you're talking to a Luddite here, a technological idiot. Speak slowly and simply and step-by-step with any directions.
Me try helpum.
Click on the "Edit Profile" icon to pull up the page.
Scroll down to where you see the Personalized Picture section:
Check the "Upload own Picture", then click on "Browse" to locate your picture on your Hard Drive, then selct same.
Go to the bottom of the screen and enter your Password in the block provided.
Click on "Update Profile" and should be Avatred!
der Brucer (me thinkum DR CP not no how to brouse his own HD - stay tuned for further updates)
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Evening on the Boardwalk at Rehoboth:
(http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/891350/3691292/47967012.jpg)
Upscale Franchises hit town:
(http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/891350/3691292/47968008.jpg)
der Brucer (Oh, it gets worse!)
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Now lookie who's coming to town:
(http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/891350/3691292/47967092.jpg)
Check out the site and watch the Crabs sing "Hey Big Stemer" (http://www.crabby-dicks.com/).
der not-so crabby Brucer
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OMG (Oh, my G*D in Internet parlance) in reference to DerBrucer's previous post! Singing Crabs. Where is the Qwell when you need it???
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I think the screen shot of instructions about posting a profile picture has put us into widescreen
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Me Thank DerBrucer for kind attempt to help. Me still not sure. Me may need someone to physically walk me through it. Me remain pictureless for now.
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How long has Miss Ann-Margret been Mrs. Roger Smith?
Roger and Ann have been married since 1967.
Mr. and Mrs. Cal Bolder have been married 50 years, and Mr. and Mrs. Van Williams have been married 45 years.
Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds were married married from 1950 until her death in 1992. He has never remarried.
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I think the screen shot of instructions about posting a profile picture has put us into widescreen
I think you're right.
der I have fixed it, already Brucer
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Log Cabin (http://www.logcabin.org/logcabin/news_031004) fires back!
Log Cabin Republicans Launch First-Ever National Advertising Campaign to Defend the Constitution
Television Ad to Begin in Washington, DC and Seven Swing States
March 10, 2004
(Washington, DC)—Log Cabin Republicans today launched an ambitious campaign to defend the Constitution and stop efforts to pass an anti-family Constitutional amendment. The centerpiece of this $1,000,000 effort is a television commercial, which will begin airing on Thursday in the Washington, DC region and swing states around the nation, with plans for national broadcast during the weeks ahead.
“The radical right wanted a culture war. They’ve got it now. I can proudly say that thousands of Log Cabin Republicans and our allies across America are fighting back—in defense of freedom, fairness, and equality,” said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero. This is the first-ever television advertising campaign in Log Cabin’s 27-year history.
The anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment would turn back the clock on gay and lesbian civil rights by denying not only civil marriage, but also jeopardizing civil unions and possibly even any domestic partner benefits.
“We have launched this unprecedented campaign effort because the exclusion and discrimination embodied in this amendment violates the principles upon which the Republican Party is founded. It’s wrong to use the Constitution as a way of scoring political points in an election year,” continued Guerriero.
Log Cabin’s 30-second television commercial begins airing on Thursday, March 11th in the Washington, DC region and seven crucial swing states: Ohio, Missouri, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. “We will not remain silent as gay and lesbian families are used as wedge issues to divide America.”
…
Log Cabin developed the ad using results from a nationwide poll conducted last month. The commercial uses excerpts from then Vice-Presidential candidate Dick Cheney during his 2000 debate with Senator Joe Lieberman. Referring to the legal recognition of same-sex relationships, Mr. Cheney said, “That matter is regulated by the states. I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions, and that's appropriate. I don't think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area.”
“Vice-President Dick Cheney makes a powerful case against amending our sacred Constitution. His position in 2000 is as true today as it was when he said it,” continued Guerriero.
…
“As Republicans, it is our obligation to stand up and speak out when our party is headed in the wrong direction,” continued Guerriero. “Log Cabin has received unprecedented support from our gay and straight allies around the nation. We also are encouraged by the growing number of courageous GOP members of Congress and Republican leaders around the nation who are speaking out against this amendment. These inclusive voices represent the future of the Republican Party.”
“The Republican Party has a choice. Be the party of Lincoln, Reagan, Schwarzenegger, and Guiliani or be the party of Bauer, Falwell, Robertson, and Buchanan. The choice is clear. Choosing the wrong path will put the Republican Party on the wrong side of history. Fairness and freedom will prevail over intolerance and exclusion,” concluded Guerriero.
der Brucer (enjoying the irony of using Chaney's own words to make the case against the FMA)
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The question is HOW do I add it to my profile page?
I've looked at my profile page and can't decipher how to do it. Me confused. Me no understand. Remember you're talking to a Luddite here, a technological idiot. Speak slowly and simply and step-by-step with any directions.
LOL When I read Bruce's directions I knew you would still be stumped. :)
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George my condolences to you and your family on the loss of your grandmother.
Ann you are way too young to have lost your mother. Even if it has been a long time, I’m sorry. I was 34 when I lost my mother and there are still times I wish I could talk to her. I should mention there were two sides to my mother and I really don’t miss the other side at all, but with time I am able to remember all the good that was in her.
The Western channel is showing Hopalong Cassidy movies this month.
Noel I remember Ships as the only place we would eat cheesecake if it wasn’t my mother’s.
Emily I’m waiting for the rest of your story.
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My celebrity encyclopedia says Boyer reacted to the fact of his wife's death by taking his own life two days before his 81st birthday. It does not say on which day she died.
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Ann you are way too young to have lost your mother. Even if it has been a long time, I’m sorry. I was 34 when I lost my mother and there are still times I wish I could talk to her. I should mention there were two sides to my mother and I really don’t miss the other side at all, but with time I am able to remember all the good that was in her.
Was this directed to me? Good gracious, I hope I didn't accidentally imply that I had lost my own mother. I was merely trying to imagine how awful it would be not to be present at the time of her death. But no no no...my dear mother is alive and well :)
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Or, maybe, "You Light Up My Life."
Or "Feelings."
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Drum roll! ....It's official. My rewrite (of the rewrite of the rewrite of the rewrite) has actually gone in to the network.
I'm actually enjoying just sitting and writing today. Dog's sleeping, birds singing outside, me writing. Nice.
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George - I must have missed the news of your grandmother's death. My condolences.
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DR Panni,
Let me be the first ..........
(Drumming)
Wonderful news!
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Congratulations Anna. Does the final (we hope) rewrite resemble the original at all! Or does it even seem at all similar to your first rewrite? DOes the plot remain the same, do the names of the characters change? What changes the most of the time frame? I am intrigued by the process.
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Check out this site: Godhatesshrimp.com
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Check out this site: Godhatesshrimp.com
Yikes am I in trouble. A gay shrimp at that.
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Or "Feelings."
As sung by Carol Burnett's Eunice, of course.
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Yikes am I in trouble. A gay shrimp at that.
Have you been swimming in ice cold water again? ? ? ? ;)
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Was this directed to me? Good gracious, I hope I didn't accidentally imply that I had lost my own mother. I was merely trying to imagine how awful it would be not to be present at the time of her death. But no no no...my dear mother is alive and well :)
I'm so relieved! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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Just think... if 1954 theatres didn't want more shows a day Judy might verywell have won the Oscar® she deserved.
I've always been a little suspect of that arguement. When I compare the hacked version to the recently (somewhat) restored one, I don't see where there's anything that's missing that would have made her performance more Oscar-worthy. Don't misunderstand me--I fully believe that she should have won in any event. But I don't think the length of the picture had anything to do with her win or loss.
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I think BK's makers of big noise have moved to the alley behind my apartment. Don't know what they're doing out there, but goodness it's loud.
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Charles Pogue, I hesitate to try and explain this since I don’t understand it myself, but here goes. There may be an easier way for you to add your photo to your profile. While sizing Penny O’s photo for her Keith briefly substituted it for mine to see how it looked. Once he did that he discovered her photo then became part of the HHW site and she could simply access the photo herself to attach to her profile. Since Penny was coming here anyway she just waited to let Keith do it for her. But I guessing (sorry Keith isn’t around to help you & he is still working on our computer woes) one of our Dear Readers might be able to assist you with this approach.
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I have never done a page dance-this shall be interesting.
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :) :) :)
:) :) :)[/move]
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I meant to mention this when we were doing classic numbers from MGM musicals, but I forgot to add these comments about one film in particular.
No, it has no outstanding musical numbers, most of them being staged very unimaginatively, and the film itself is very trite and simplistic, but I have to mention it anyway: THE SINGING NUN.
I think Debbie Reynolds' singing of the famous Belgian sister's songs was quite wonderful. I used to play the soundtrack LP over and over, never tiring of these marvelous melodies and of Debbie's effortless and lyrical singing of these tunes. She has never gotten enough credit for her marvelous renditions of those songs in this film.
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Now I know why I have never done a page dance-it's called motion sickness. :P
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Does the final (we hope) rewrite resemble the original at all! Or does it even seem at all similar to your first rewrite? DOes the plot remain the same, do the names of the characters change? What changes the most of the time frame? I am intrigued by the process.
First of all, Tom, it definitely is NOT the final rewrite. No, no. That would be way, way down the line. Ask FS Pogue, I'm sure he has war stories to rival mine. Film (this includes TV) is a collaborative medium. Someone once said that it's usually the kind of "collaboration" one thinks of in terms of the French during WWII. And this, unfortunately, is often the case. If you're lucky enough to be working with good producers and directors, it can be better. In fact, in the best of all possible worlds, it can be an enriching, exciting experience.
At this stage of the game (Second Draft), the rewrites are still making the script better to some degree. Digging deeper into the characters, clarifying motivations, plot, etc. Some of the changes are made in the spirit of compromise - let's make everyone happy and get on with it; others really do improve the script. It's later on that the changes sometimes begin to sink the ship. Draft 7 - when your leading man becomes your leading lady. (I exaggerate to some degree, but this did happen to me once. A mystery in which a son jealous of his father was killing off contestants in a beauty contest the father ran. At the last minute the son was changed to a daughter - I mean, just before shooting began. Nobody wanted to listen to the argument that this made the story totally different and quite unsavory - because it now suggested that the daughter was in love with her dad. Might have worked for the Greeks, but not for this particular story...)
But I digress. So, as much as I may bitch about the process, I think the script, which went in to the network today, is better than it was when I first handed it to the producers. I just wish that it could have been done with one set of notes instead of three - each requiring a new rewrite.
And yes, the plot, characters and story are quite recognizable. Talk to me about it in a few months and we'll see what I say then. (That's assuming that the movie is greenlit and actually goes into production.) I hope this answers your question!
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Dear Canadian Readers do you have Christie Ginger cookies or something like that? They are crisp Swedish style ginger cookies. When we were in Canada last fall I had some and would like to get more. I have written to Kraft several times and they keep saying they will get back to me.
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My daughter phoned a while ago to say she had arrived in Hungary. What a strange feeling for me!
She also just received news that she got the summer position she applied for at the university (in San Francisco). She gets free room and board (an apartment!) and a small salary for the entire summer - and can keep her other job at the university - in exchange for being a kind of den mother to summer students in residence. It's a much coveted job and many people applied. I am a proud mother. (And one who now doesn't have to help out with summer rent.)
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Thanks Anna for the glimpse into your world. I guess the loves of one's chosen field, allows for the compromises you must make in getting to the final draft. I appreciate your taking time (so often) to allow us into your world.
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Panni-GOOD VIBES FOR THE GREEN LIGHT!
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You're quite welcome, Tom. My pleasure.
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Thank you, Jane. I'd really like for this script to be done. Not just for the usual reasons, but also because I think it sheds a tiny light on the plight of the homeless. Personalizes the situation by going into the world of a homeless woman and saying, among other things, "There but for the grace of God, go I.".... It might actually do some good in the world.
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So. Did we decide that Glen Close and Robert Pastorelli were still together, or a past fling?
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Back from my luncheon with Mr. Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, which was delightful. We spoke of many things, which could lead to many things, and that's all good. They are big fans of my albums and I like their songs. Hmmmm.
Pogue, if you call me, I'll talk you through the pic thing. And darling Jane, those weren't MY directions, they were der Brucer's not der Bruce's.
I had a cobb salad (supposedly the large size but it was pretty small).
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Oh, and I scored a really interesting item on eBay. I actually just wrote the seller and asked him to sell it to me (it was cheap) and to shut the auction down, which he graciously did. It's a UK Quad poster for Nudie Musical, a poster I'd never even seen before. As soon as it arrives I'll post a pic of it - it's pretty wacky.
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I would think that much water had flowed under the Close bridge since that time. But that's only my opinion, based on no inside info whatsoever.
(Ooops (Spoo) A number of posts between TCB's question and my reply...)
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Bruce-oops. :D And good vibes on the hmmmm.
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Bruce I'm feeling happy now. That was a very nice story. :)
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Okay I'm back from two very boring classes.
But then again, most things would be boring after comparing them to yesterday!
So...
After learning that I was going to be able to see Kofi Annan speak to the joint HofC and Senate I was beyond excited. Poli. Sci. nerds everywhere wanted to be me!
The next morning I arrived at the East Block (where the Senate offices are) and promptly entered the wrong entrance. Luckily the guards were very nice and phoned up to Senator Milne's office to make sure I wasn't a terrorist and was actually the person I said I was. The finally let me through after much frisking, x-raying and making me swear that I didn't have any electronic devices on me. At least I didn't have the same experience as another girl who had forgotten to take the knitting she was working on the bus out of her bag. They confiscated the needles claiming they were potential weapons.
The Senator's admin. assistant Lisa was very nice and explained to me that it was she who managed to negotiate seats at the big Annan speech not only for me, but also for the other five girls who got Senators. The people who had MPs had to watch from a tv screen. Ha! So much for the Canadian senate being useless! ;)
I then got to meet the Senator and talked to her one on one for about 45 minutes where we touched on such issues as gender empowerment in politics, senate reform and my personal interest in gun control. I was excited to learn that Senator Milne had actually sat on the Senate Committee which had fine-tuned the Firearms Act way back in 1995 and actually made her CRY when she recounted how her son had been caught in the cross-fire of a school shooting - the first in Canadian history - way back in the early 1970s. It definitely was an intense moment.
Then around 9:45 we both whisked off to the HofC for the speech. I got to sit in the Government Members' Gallery which was exciting. I sat next to two very nice people - one of which was the chief of staff for a MP who's name I forget. He pointed out a lot of people I couldn't recognize at first (mainly Senators and backbench MPs). I told him about the Canadian Alliance and their links to the NRA. We then discussed whether Pierre Pettigrew's hair was natural. A good time was had by all. ;) (by the way - his hair is either fake or the 8th wonder of the world)
Then Kofi Annan and Paul Martin walked into the HofC and everyone stood up and applauded. Now the only way to compare it is the same ovation given to a star makes their appearance in a show - but somehow louder (some cheered louder than others... but that's party politics for ya!)
The PM gave a short little address thanking Annan for coming and talking about how proud Canada is to be such an integral part of the UN.
The Annan spoke. The speech itself wasn't all that great - most of it was pretty basic and was generally him going "Yeaaaaa Canada.... Yeaaaaaaa United Nations". What was really great was the respect and dignity this man just creates whenever he opens his mouth. He is without a doubt one of the most outwardly classiest people I have ever seen. Almost royal in his presence.
Sheila Copps' cell phone went off right in the middle of the speech which was pretty darn funny if annoying.
Now for the greatest thing EVER...
The speech ended at 11am. I had been told that the Senator's Policy Advisor would come get me at the Members' Gallery at 11:30 which was when the speech was supposed to end. I figured I would have to wait around for him - so I got comfortable dug in.
About 10 minutes later, the entire HofC was empty. Then the Senator came up to find me and told me that she would be taking me back to her office because I didn't know the way myself.
We were walking back from the HofC to the Senate when we passed by the Hall of Honour. Here, a receiving line of sorts was being made for when Paul Martin and Kofi left, made up of all of the staff of the two houses (clerks, speakers, pages, etc.). Seeing this the Senator asked me if I wanted to shake Kofi Annan's hand.
DID I? But how? I asked.
Oh just go line up with the pages - your about their ages and will blend in.
I just about freaked out and she literally pushed me into the end of the line. The pages were laughing at me and the Senator.
Just then the chief of staff I had been chatting with before the speech walked by and asked me what I was doing. The Senator (who was standing next to me... so there was a line of pages, me and an elderly Senator in beige) explained, he laughed and promptly got in line with me.
The Prime Minister and Annan then walked in, shook everybody's hand, INCLUDING MINE. I will admit he looked a little confused as to who the three people at the end of the line were - but whatever. The Senator, who of course knew Paul Martin well, introduced me to him and we had a three-second talk about the work of "Women in the House".
It was the greatest thrill of my life.
No one else in the program even got CLOSE to Annan or the Prime Minister. Many only got to spend a half an hour or so with the person they were supposed to be shadowing.
I definitely lucked out.
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I've always been a little suspect of that arguement. When I compare the hacked version to the recently (somewhat) restored one, I don't see where there's anything that's missing that would have made her performance more Oscar-worthy. Don't misunderstand me--I fully believe that she should have won in any event. But I don't think the length of the picture had anything to do with her win or loss.
The recording studio scene, itself, adds great power to the film. I remember the film before it was restored (considerably) and always wondered what the original fuss had been about. Now, thank goodness, I know. Garland's performance was brutalized in the cut film. l
Oscars have hinged on single scenes....look at Luise Rainer in "The Great Ziegfeld" -- she had a telephone scene. And it won her an Oscar.
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Hey, Emily, way to go! What a thrilling experience!
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Emily-WOW! How exciting!
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Hey, where has Jennifer been of late!?
BK, that is cool about the poster. I hope you will snap a pic of it for all to see!
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Keith is home with our repaired and much improved computer. Falcon, the company we purchased the computer from kindly upgraded it at no additional fee when they repaired it, under warranty. Keith had a tour of their new facilities in Medford and was very impressed.
I need to get off the laptop now while Keith sets up the other computer.
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Warning: Teenage ramblings ahead. Reader beware.
Today, I went with school (The entire 10th grade and a few 9th graders) to the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park. I was supposed to spend the trip with a retired teacher who had supposedly heard nice things about me and wanted to spend time with me, but she ended up speaking with the other teachers for the entire trip. Before we even left, I knew that I had a miserable day ahead of me. I have a few friends in the senior class at school, but none in my own grade. While waiting at school for the buses to arrive, everyone going on the trip was talking to one another, but I was standing all alone, staring awkwardly at the floor. I am not anti-social and this wasn't by choice. Whenever I approached a group, they backed away. I know that these kids dislike me, but I haven't been in a position where they could express their dislike in a long time, so I sort of forgot. I went over to the table where the one person in my grade who I'm friends with was sitting, and she told me to go away and that I wasn't wanted. Some friend. We boarded the bus; I sat alone and read "Everything Was Possible". When we got to Battery Park, I wandered around the memorial alone, feeling very depressed. Sometime during this point, I had a fairly severe panic attack and almost fainted. As I was having the attack, I recalled the last time I had that feeling. I was in third grade gym class, and the two dodge ball teams were fighting over which would be forced to have me on it. After the main bulk of the trip, we went to South Street Seaport for lunch where I found some lovely ninth graders who, out of charity and pity, allowed me to sit with them. Then we went back on the bus, where I sat alone and eavesdropped as a group of ninth graders discussed flavored condoms.
I honestly don't understand how I became a pariah in my own school. I don't dress differently from the other kids, I'm perfectly nice to them, and I never talk about my "weird" interests around them. In fact, when speaking to other teenagers, I speak in 'their language'! I'm sorry, but I don't understand why they hate me. I never did anything to them, but they treat me as though if they were to talk to me, they would die. Or worse, they would end up like me, however that is. I haven't felt so alone since elementary school. It's a sickening feeling.
This is the least eloquent post I've ever written. I apologize for the poor sentence structure.
...And I don't say things like that to teenagers, so they can't hate me for being a pedant!
(By the way, I spent the entire bus ride back from this trip composing a perfectly phrased paragraph about this day to post on here, but I lost it. Somewhere out there, there is piercing eloquence just waiting to be shared with all of you!)
My head hurts.
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To Bruce, Anna, Charles and all the other wonder professional writers out there.
Do you use programs like Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter or a similar program and if you do why have you chosen this program over the others?
Also there are other programs like Dramatic Pro and Story View that supposely help you in creation of your story. Are you familair with and do you use them. And if you don't why?
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Jenny:
Yikes. You've had a terrible day.
My recommendation: Get your parents and tell them you need a nice, long hug.
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My recommendation: Get your parents and tell them you need a nice, long hug.
My parents are absolutely wonderful people, but they don't understand the effect that this sort of experience has on me. My sister was also hated all through elementary and high school, but it never bothered her at all because she hated them right back. My parents want to me to have that same attitude. As I sat there crying about how rotten my day was, my mother remarked that I bring this sort of thing upon myself. I love my parents very much and they're wonderful, but they truly don't understand this sort of thing.
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Michael Shayne - I use Final Draft. I've used it for years and am used to it - no other reason. Works for me.
No, I don't use programs to help create story - and I would bet my vast fortune that FS Pogue also does not. I do not believe in these things in the same way that I do not believe that there are "rules" to follow for the perfect script.
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Jenny - You're smart and talented. You may try to hide this from your "peers" -- but they smell it the way a shark smells blood. I know this isn't of much comfort today when you feel rotten, but you should look on it as a badge of honor that some of these little MITs (Morons in Training) don't like you. They're afraid of you, they're jealous of you. You represent something they don't understand - but at some very basic level know is better than they are or can ever hope to be.
I'm sure you have a few very special friends who understand and appreciate you (Maya for one?). They may not be classmates, which is too bad, but they exist. Think about it... Would you rather be You - lovely, lively, super-intelligent, talented Jenny - and be disliked by the kids who spend serious time discussing flavored condoms; Or would you rather be one of them?
They do exist, of course, but I doubt you'll meet too many adults in the arts who had blissful childhoods with tons of friends who adored them. Artists are loners. We look in the window from outside. We interpret the world for the rest of them. Just as you did when you wrote down your thoughts about your terrible day.
Rejoice in who you are, Jenny!
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BTW Jenny - If you want to read about a smart, talented kid who was way different, had a few very select friends and was regarded as a bit of a Martian by the rest of the world (although he maintained that it was the rest of the world who were the Martians) -- and who grew up to be an artist, read the Kritzer books.
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Yes, Jenny, you must read the Kritzer books. What I found interesting in your post (I was an outsider, as was Benjamin Kritzer), was the conversation you eavesdropped on - where the ninth graders were discussing flavored condoms.
It's interesting, because a friend of mine who has a fourteen year old daughter, said the "hip" thing in her school has become - wait for it - for the fourteen and fifteen year old girls to perform oral sex on their male schoolmates. To which I say, it's the end of the world. I somehow want to blame all this on the majority of the parents, for allowing their children to have mindsets like this. I know it's all the Britney et al sexually charged videos that present these things to young teens, but the parents who buy (I do hate to harp or, at the very least lute, on this ad nauseum) their children thong underwear at nine years of age (WHAT are they thinking of?) and encourage their little darlings to run around in pants so low you can see their butt, to get tattoos and things that they will have to have forever - I mean, what kind of world has this turned into? End of rant.
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Jenny, Panni as usual nailed it with her response to you. All I can do is give you support and say I know and understand how you feel. I remember how sick I often felt at the end of the school day. Honestly it does get better.
I also suspect your sister’s attitude was to cover up her real feelings. My sister always acted tough. When I grew up I found out it was only anger, not strength and I was the strong one, not her.
Best of vibes to you.
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Dearest BK, that was the best rant of all! I agree with you totally. How is your short fuse day developing? Things seem better.
DR Jenny, another voice from the Outside Looking In. My first comment is that you remind me so much of my 14 year-old goddaughter and her feelings about growing up in the Horace Mann school. She has her dance and theatre friends as a support and she's a beautiful young lady regarded as a freak/geek by shallow people who don't deserve to wipe her butt. I like DR Panni's MIT appellation.
As to my tortured childhood, get out the violins: poor going to a wealthy school, a lonely dreamer unable to relate to my peer group, a reader, a sissy, a crazy mother; it wasn't a pretty picture. I had a few friends but I wanted to be in the In Crowd, as the song tells us, and I envied the jocks and the cheerleaders. A few liked me, but I think more were just used to me from being in school with me from grade 1. Later, while I was trying to find my way in the world doing stupid jobs and driving my mother crazier, I taught creative dramatics to some of my classmates' children. Most of the ones I sought approval and recognition from between 1951-1964 were divorced, on their second or third marriage, or having an affair behind their spouse's back. I remember running into one of my classmates, head cheerleader as I recall, around 1976. She had a big house, two children, a drinking problem and an ugly divorce. I thank God I never got caught in that trap. Enjoy the book, find new worlds, dream and escape. That's the best revenge.
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Thank you so much for your beautiful and kind posts. I'm so happy that I discovered this board!
(Even if your comments about the Kritzer books were shameless plugs, BK! ;) )
What I found interesting in your post (I was an outsider, as was Benjamin Kritzer), was the conversation you eavesdropped on - where the ninth graders were discussing flavored condoms.
It's interesting, because a friend of mine who has a fourteen year old daughter, said the "hip" thing in her school has become - wait for it - for the fourteen and fifteen year old girls to perform oral sex on their male schoolmates. To which I say, it's the end of the world. I somehow want to blame all this on the majority of the parents, for allowing their children to have mindsets like this. I know it's all the Britney et al sexually charged videos that present these things to young teens, but the parents who buy (I do hate to harp or, at the very least lute, on this ad nauseum) their children thong underwear at nine years of age (WHAT are they thinking of?) and encourage their little darlings to run around in pants so low you can see their butt, to get tattoos and things that they will have to have forever - I mean, what kind of world has this turned into? End of rant.
Teenage girls are, as a whole, the most vulgar creatures on the planet (No wonder they dislike me!). Though there are certainly exceptions, many are cruel, slutty, disgraces to their entire gender who act as though they're complete morons to impress the moron boys, barely wear any clothing, and, as you mentioned, perform sexual favors for male friends out of sympathy or mere friendliness. The recent fashion is for teenage girls to wear their pants so that their pubic hair is exposed. I have never seen anything so vulgar in my life. I don't blame the media for this, but rather, I blame parents and teachers. I was exposed to the exact same media a pop culture growing up as these girls were, but I'm not like them. The same is true for Maya. Clearly there was something else in our upbringing that derailed us from a similar fate. Teenage girls also do quite a bit of drugs now, which I only recently found out (Apparently they take viagra? I don't even want to know what sort of affects that must have on a female!). The New York Times recently ran an article saying that many teenage boys are opting to remain virgins, and it's the teenage girls who are pressuring them into sex! I was at first surprised to see that, but it actually makes sense when I consider my school's population. I also realized recently that out of all my female friends, only two have not experienced some severe form of sexual abuse. I'm sure that there's a connection between that and girls being sexually active at a young age, though I'm not sure exactly what the connection is. Perhaps an abusive experience causes a woman to not appreciate her body? Or perhaps other girls' loose attitude in regards to sex causes boys to think that it's okay to take advantage of women? But that's a different issue, I think.
Have you seen "Thirteen"? Disturbingly truthful.
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The portion of A STAR IS BORN that could have made the difference in winning Judy the Oscar® was the juxtaposition of the dressing room scene with the cut "Long Face" number. The scene is much less effective without the contrast between desperate Vicky offscreen and perky Vicki onscreen. I agree that the other scenes probably wouldn't have made a difference with the Academy members, but that scene/song combination could have done it for her.
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Wow! I tried to get onto this site a moment ago, and a little message popped up saying that 52 users were on this site and it was overcrowded! Business is booming, eh, BK?
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It shouldn't matter if there were 52 or 552, that was the point of going with a higher bandwidth company. I e-mailed them - it was very temporary, though, thank goodness.
Jenny, it occurs to me - tell Maya to bring you the Kritzer books, she's got both of them.
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As far as Jenny saying that the new trend is for young girls to wear their pants so low that their pubic hair is exposed - I was under the impression that the new trend was to not have any pubic hair at all - which I find thoroughly disgusting. In fact, dear reader Pogue and I had a most amusing conversation about same at Musso and Frank a couple of months ago.
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All right, everyone, new question for the day: How many of us have been the outsiders, like Jenny has found herself to be?
Or like Bruce K. has admitted?
Or, hey, like myself?
Yep, always was, always will be. There are people who admire me, but I'll never be, and never have been, at any time or place a part of the "popular" crowd.
Think in terms of the gay scene in Los Angeles. I never felt that I belonged in West Hollywood. I always was much more comfortable in Silverlake, which is by far a more ecclectic crowd. (They still have piano bars! Try finding anyone in West Hollywood who even knows, or will admit to knowing, where middle C is located!)
Softball, as in gay softball leagues? Count on me to be there, but not as a player. I was always the scorekeeper, and a damn good one. But who cheers for the scorekeeper?
And so on and so forth, blah blah blah.
Jenny, if it's any consolation, there was a certain moment when I graduated from High School, up in the hills at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank, the only place large enough to hold the entire graduating class and families and friends. (Ron Howard, same graduating class but in the "other" high school in Burbank, had to graduate in a football stadium.) After the speeches, we-the-graduating-class were lined up down the hill (and it was a steep one; Starlight Bowl overlooks the entire San Fernando Valley) in height order, shortest to tallest. Natch, at 6'2", I was way towards the back. And the accoustics of the valleylet that the Bowl is set in were good enough that we could hear what was going on, as each name was called and that person crossed the stage to accept his or her diploma.
When my name was called, the largest, loudest cheer came from my fellow students. Yeah, sure, a lot of that was because more of my fellows (and gal-lows) had already retaken their seats, but they all could have cheered for someone else just as loudly. For some reason, they cheered for me. I've never been sure if it was because I remained myself, or because I represented the underdogs in my entire class.
But it felt good.
Jenny, there are people in your own class that do admire you, but can't figure out how to say so. Take my word on that one.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again this weekend. But don't bring your chem homework with you! You and der Brucer can work on that later, or on Friday nite. ;D
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Good Evening!
-Just finished watching the "American Idol" decision show... And all I want to say right now is:
"Take the gum out of your mouth!!!!"
-Hope that's not giving away anything. ;)
Time to read the latest posts...
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...Teenage girls also do quite a bit of drugs now, which I only recently found out (Apparently they take viagra? I don't even want to know what sort of affects that must have on a female!). ...
Teenage girls walking around with stiffies? At that age, their boyfriends are lucky to be walking around without them! ;D
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The portion of A STAR IS BORN that could have made the difference in winning Judy the Oscar® was the juxtaposition of the dressing room scene with the cut "Long Face" number. The scene is much less effective without the contrast between desperate Vicky offscreen and perky Vicki onscreen. I agree that the other scenes probably wouldn't have made a difference with the Academy members, but that scene/song combination could have done it for her.
That's also a very exquisite scene. I disagree that other scenes would NOT have done the trick, but this one was a tour de force for Judy.
I was thinking more of Mason and Garland together. The brilliance of the film is only on view in the restoration of the film...and what was restored is exceedingly cherce material.
But
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Evening all.
Don’t worry about those girls, Jenny. Your talking to another “outcast” when I was in school. If I had penny for every time I rode the bus home crying, I would be a rich person right now. My crime? (cover your eyes here, guys) I developed faster than the other girls did and I wore coke bottle thick glasses. I hated my body. Top that off with being painfully shy (still am) and I was a very easy target. Now when I think back, at least when I turned sideways and you were a block away, you didn’t have squint to see if I was a female. LOL. Sorry guys. What I didn’t know was the reason they teased me was because they were jealous of me.
Any who, got some nice comments today form the directors secretary She said, “Oh, you’ve reached your goal.” I had to tell her, no, I still have over 20 lbs to go if I decide to go for 115. She couldn’t believe it.
I’m trying to hold off on clothes shopping but I may have to get an item or two. My pants are getting a little baggy. No pity parties, please. :)
Laugh of the day came from a co-worker. We were crammed on the elevator when it opened and a lady said, “Do you have room for a baby?”. My friend piped up and said, “A baby, yeah, but not the Mama!”. ;D
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SWW - I was an outsider, natch. But I was also from another country, a different culture, a different language. So I actually never much noticed. It seemed perfectly natural to me. And frankly (or Georgely) I don't know what I would've done if I'd suddenly become popular. I really couldn't figure out most of the kids in my school(s) - I went to MANY different schools - and thought they were really childish. Didn't much like them, certainly didn't want to hang out with them.
I felt like a grown-up by the time I was 8. Had gone through numerous life and death experiences which tend to make you mature - fast. All I cared about was acting and as long as I could do that, read, run stories through my head, and talk to my dog, Gypsy, I was happy. And I was also working professionally by the time I was 14 - having experiences that my high school classmates couldn't even have imagined -- so who needed to be in the in-crowd. For me,I was the in-crowd.
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Re the pubic hair shaving (there's an opening line) - one of the best lines in the season's premiere of THE SOPRANOS had to do with that.
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Did anyone see JUDAS on ABC on Monday? I've taped it, haven't watched it yet. The producer asked me for feedback, so if you have anything you want to pass on, let me know.
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Wow! I tried to get onto this site a moment ago, and a little message popped up saying that 52 users were on this site and it was overcrowded! Business is booming, eh, BK?
Ah, sorry Jenny, but I think they were talking about my waist measurement.
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Michael Shayne, though I have final draft on my computer, I have yet to really start using it...I still type my scripts in an old DOS Worperfect macro program that the guy who set me up with my first computer in the late eighties devised. I think a lot of writers at Disney may have used it at the time.
But oddly enough, my producers called me today to see if I could emailed them my latest draft (it's been greenlit). I told them not only could I not email it to them, I could not even send them a disk because they probably wouldn't be able to open it or at least open it any adaptable format they have.
It's sort of one of the reasons I stick with this archaic system...simply because the idea of emailing a script or sending a disk suddenly gives people too easy an access to tinker around on your script without you're knowing...
But even today I was out looking at some computer enhancements. As it stands now, if I upgrade beyond Windows 98, my old DOS Wordperfect system will be rendered inoperable and so will all the files and old scripts logged in it. So I'm trying to find out if I buy a WORDPERFECT windows program, whether I can then transfer my old Wordperfect DOS files into a new Wordperfect windows file and whether my macros will hold up and the formats not be jostled around. I'm also trying to get a scanner that works with my antiquated windows 98 program and my un-UBS ports computer. Unfortunately, most of these jerks who work at these computer stores are not computer experts and cannot answer my questions intelligently. I thought I might try the Writer's Store out here and even call Wordperfect for some advice, short of calling some $200 dollar a hour guy.
I never use how-to-make-a-story programs. I sit down with a yeller legal pad, a well-gnawed pencil, and my li'l olde thinking cap.
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You know, Charles, I called one of those $200.00 an hour guys, but, I am pretty sure he didn't know anything about computers. Okay, except maybe hard drives.
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All right, everyone, new question for the day: How many of us have been the outsiders, like Jenny has found herself to be?
Or like Bruce K. has admitted?
Or, hey, like myself?
Yep, always was, always will be. There are people who admire me, but I'll never be, and never have been, at any time or place a part of the "popular" crowd.
Yes. Indeed. I was. I was a total outcast. Wrong side of the tunnel. Which is indeed on a par with Belle Poitrine's "The Other Side of the Tracks," as it was a railroad tunnel. . .but, THAT'S another story. Like the other story of growing up (in residential sub-sub-sub-urbia) with a glaring streetlamp only a few feet from my bedroom window. But, that's not the point.
Back to the ooint: mostly due to prescription drugs (cortisone based), in and around the third grade my girth began to expand; it continued to expand throughout junior and senior high, until upon graduation, I weighed in at 325 pounds! It wasn't altogether a matter of overeating, though I was known to devour a bag of Fritos in one sitting, but a combination of scorn and ridicule from most peers, including relatives of the same age.
Once I was accepted to colleges, I began to shape up, shedding the pounds and gaining some self respect, until on the first day of classes, I weighed in at a fit, though probably not firm, 185lbs. I was a new man, but not Paul. ;)
Through the years, I've mostly maintained a 190 lb weigh-in, but have been known to weigh in at 135 lbs. My waist went from a 48 to a 36 (at one time, it was actually a 29!), and now that middle-aged girth has approached, I'm sticking at a comfortable median between 36 and 38.
There's the basic portion of my outsider status; add to that the fact that I was a vociferous reader, was involved in the arts, was part of a team of intelligent students on a weekly local junior high school quiz television show, played piano, sang and went to church religiously on Sundays. . . .
I'm not that guy anymore. . .often I related to CHESS' "someone else's story," because most of the time, I can't believe that the me who used to be actually was.
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Just so we don't condemn all young types... The following story was related to me today by a writer friend in his late fifties in Victoria, British Columbia. He was taking the bus somewhere and went to the bus shelter to wait -- and there he saw the most horrible homophobic graffiti.
Two obviously straight young men, students probably, arrived at the bus shelter. He watched to see what their reaction would be. They read some of the stuff and laughed in a kind of disbelieving way. And then, to his amazement, one of them took out a black marker and blacked it all out!
The bus came. As they boarded together, my friend said to them, "As a gay man, I appreciate what you just did." The young men were at first taken aback, then looked pleased.
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FS Pogue - Greenlit for production? Congratulations!
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I write everything in Word. I have Windows XP and Word does it all for me. I set up my little indent shortcuts for dialogue, stage direction, character names, etc. for scripts - for the novels, I just merrily type away.
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Panni, that is an absolutely wonderful story. I hope that there are many more young men out there like them!
Thank you all for the kind words. I'm sorry to hear that so many of you had similar experiences when you were my age, but it gives me some sort of hope because you all seem to be fairly sane human beings! ;)
BK, I will ask Maya to lend me the Kritzer books because I truly feel like a heathen for having not read them. Besides, it'll give me something to do during the next field trip! (Which is tomorrow, by the way! ::) )
I'm looking forward to seeing you again this weekend.
What's stranger: That my mom is going to meet derBrucer and SWW? Or that derBrucer and SWW are going to meet my mom?! :o
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Jenny...This too shall pass. Though it may seem like it now, High School is not the world. I was a rather weird kid myself in high school, I did have a good group of friends, but was never what you would call in the IN crowd. My class was also rather small...168 kids...so everyone knew everyone.
But I've also remembered something my High School creative writing teacher told me my senior year when I was going off to college. He said: "The next foour years of your life are going to bring changes in so many ways you cannot perceive." He was absolutely right. It was where I found myself, the people I belonged with, the people I enjoyed, my true calling, as it were. In college, all those small-time cliques and petty jealousies and all those things you thought were do or die become as nothing and put in their proper perspective. Nobody in the big world has time for that, pardon the phrase, "high school shit".
I must tell you also that I've been back to every one of my high school reunions since the twentieth (just went to my 35th in October) and I've enjoyed every one of them. And what I found out was that all those popular kids were just as afraid and insecure as the rest of us. Some had terrible secrets, some had bad luck, some found out that in real life no one cares whether you won the big game or not. You also found out that most of us couldn't really know each other because we didn't really know ourselves yet.
After the 20th I wrote a class newsletter for about five years, because going back had been a seminal experience for me. Here's something I wrote in that first issue: "In the ensuing months, everytime I spoke or wrote to the old cronies or renewed acquaintances, we'd end up enthusiastically rehashing the events of the reunion...delighting in the warmth and worth and camaraderie we found. Pleased that the old strictures and stereotypes imposed by an oft-times insensitive adolescent society had, if not totally faded into oblivion, at least been relegated to the insignificance they deserved. There was the wonderful realization that we had all grown up and gone past what we were and the satisfying recognition that what we were had helped to shape what we now are...a pretty okay bunch of rather decent, interesting individuals."
You may never have that sort of reconcillation with your old high school mates, but you will grow past them. You're too smart and attractive and talented not to. These experiences are only the beginning, far from the end. It gets better and more exciting. Those who stay stuck in their glory days of high school lead very sad lives.
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Oh, and for the ideas, I write everything down on whatever legal pad I happen to be near (I keep them everywhere). For the novels, I sat down and made a huge list of everything I want to write about - I then type up that list, and keep it handy. I also add to it constantly as things come to me.
It's worked very well for me.
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Jenny,
Who else on that bus could have expressed herself so well? You were able to take me back in time. Sure, your honesty and gentle humor made me recall some miserable experiences. But more importantly it made me remember what I privately liked about myself.
Thank you.
By the way, it was in tenth grade that I was lucky enough to meet my friend Patty. We're still talking about those obnoxious classmates.
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Reading these posts makes me reiterate once again (and I'm NOT boasting, really) - there is no finer group of people than those that frequent this here website. I've never seen anything like it really. Dudes and dudettes - I'm just going to say We Rock and if the Uncouth Interlopers have a problem with that they can just eat a rancid fig.
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I have to say that I'm truly overwhelmed by the kindness on this board. I'm truly lucky to have found it and all of you. :)
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And we you. Okay, GROUP HUG.
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FS Pogue - You didn't answer... Are you greenlit for production? Details, please!
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And we you. Okay, GROUP HUG.
::Cues the "Full House" theme song::
:-*
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Well, following the group hug, some of us can step to the rear and enjoy a group grope - - are you listening, TCB? ? ? ;)
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BK, I too write novels in Word, But aside from indenting and double-spacing, the novel format is relatively simple compared to screenplay format, which has a lot of crap. So does the play format.
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If you are a fan of Exotica, I highly recommend the Dominic Frontiere two-fer from Collectables. I got it on a lark to qualify for "buy 2 get 1 free" with my recent Percy Faith purchases. The Frontiere is some of the most luscious orchestral writing I've heard--imagine Les Baxter on steroids or the soundtrack to that movie about pagan virgin sacrifices you've never seen.
Oooh--the second album just started--it's Mancini-esque bluesy jazz. Great fun.
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Panni, yes, I are greenlit for production...with hoped- for air date of May sweeps, 2005. But I still don't want to talk too much about it, much can always happen from now till then.
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Well, following the group hug, some of us can step to the rear and enjoy a group grope - - are you listening, TCB? ? ? ;)
You got my attention, td. ;D ;)
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You got my attention, td. ;D ;)
Well, now that I've got it, what am I supposed to do with it :o
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JMK,
I recently acquired, and recommend, Percy Faith's Subways Are For Sleeping/Do I Hear A Waltz. (Did you know PF was Canadian?)
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I think the loss of BOTH parts of "Lose That Long Face" were detrimental to Judy's Oscar chances. First, the song is great, and she does a wonderful job with it. But when she comes back after her masterful breakdown scene in the dressing room and retakes the end of the number that we've just seen, we see the same performance only different, this time ACTING while her heart is breaking, and our knowledge of what's going on inside her makes her fake camera smile all the more touching and memorable. That number wrapping around that stunning dramatic scene is a tour de force very, very few people could have ever pulled off the way she did it.
BTW, even though A STAR IS BORN was a Warner film, Judy wouldn't have had the entire studio behind her. Grace Kelly had made DIAL "M" for MURDER that in 1954, too, and I suspect some Warner employees voted for her even though THE COUNTRY GIRL was a Paramount picture. Having an Oscar winner in their studio's film could help greatly publicize it. Grace also had Paramount and her home lot MGM voting for her.
EVen with all that, Hedda Hopper famously told the story that Judy lost by 4 votes. Of course, dear Hedda was prone to say (write) anything that popped into her head if she thought it made a juicy story.
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Good evening!
OOPPSS!!! I had typed out a post about my own horrible high school experiences, then went to track down the Barbara Cook quote, then hit "copy".. then realized that I had ended up "copy"-ing over my own post... Oopss!! Ah, well.. Must be a sign...
In short... DR Jenny - As others have stated, "It does get better." I look back at my own high school years, and I'm amazed I made it out of those so-called "hallowed halls". In fact, my mission my senior year was to get out of high school - not necessarily to graduate. Heck, I wasn't even too keen on colllege, I just wanted that piece of paper in my hand... And on graduation day when I moved that tassle over from one side to the other, the biggest sigh of relief came over me... and one of the most heartfelt cries came out of my system. Sooo much "stuff" in that one moment. Even my parents could not believe how much I was crying at my graduation.
-In short, I went to a private, Catholic high school in the Washington, DC suburbs. Kids from all economic, social, cultural, political, and, yes, even religious backgrounds. However, for the most part, it was a school of "rich kids" and "jocks". I was also part of a generation where the girls were supposed to be smart ones, and the boys were just supposed to get by grade-wise. Smart guys were automatically called "faggots". Soo... Into the middle of this sociological cross-section, plop a chubby, smart, Filipino teenage boy... And to make matters even "worse", this teenage boy had already begun to realize that he was "different" - gay - about two years earlier. Remember, I said "Catholic" high school... a Catholic high school full of jocks.
But here I am almost 15 years later, and I'm doing OK. Actually more than OK. And even though my high school years were not the most positive experience, I did learn a life-worthy lessons:
It's OK not to be popular.
It's OK not to have lots of friends.
It's OK not to be a part of the "in" crowd.
It's OK to be comfortable with yourself.
It's OK to have people like you for who you really are - and not who you think they want you to be.
It's OK to like yourself.
And just ONE dear, close friend is worth more than a whole bunch of "buds" and "gal pals".
-And, yes, everyone else are the "weirdos". ;)
So, before this ramble turns into more of a ramble, here's the Barbara Cook quote I mentioned at the top of my post. She passes these great words of wisdom and comfort during her master classes:
"It's so hard to believe that what the world wants is us. It's hard to believe, whatever you're doing, that you're enough. We are ALL, always, enough."--- Barbara Cook
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My comments about AMERICAN IDOL including one spoiler:
ALl four people selected tonight came from the 8 whom we heard sing last night. So that gossip about the 4 eliminated at the start of the competition was just that: gossip.
Let me just say that Randy's choice was not a surprise. Simon's choice was not a surprise. Paula's choice made me ill but is typical of her tin ear and erratic judging criteria. America's choice was not really a surprise either.
One of the four who was left out got royally screwed. I will also predict right now that we will have two divas battling it out by the end of the competition. There will be NO men anywhere in sight.
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Great post, Jose!
FS Pogue - That's all the detail needed. Once again, congrats!
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Hey, maybe HHW could be "subtitled" OA: Outsiders Anonymous... Or maybe that should be OUnA: Outsiders UnAnonymous... Or should that be ONonA: Outsiders NonAnonymous... Or maybe even OFA: Outsiders Formerly Anonymous... Well, you get the point...
AND YEAH!!! I just chatted with my conductor, and he wasn't expecting me until the afternoon tomorrow in NYC. So.... I don't have to take the 5:00AM train. YEAH!!!!! SLEEP!!!
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Nope, no outsiders we. We are what's happening, we are now, we are the world, we are our children, we are the dawning of the age of Aquarius, we are cool, man, cool, and others can only look in and either be envious or laugh with derision, but it is we who will have the last laugh, that much I can assure you of.
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Hey, maybe HHW could be "subtitled" OA: Outsiders Anonymous... Or maybe that should be OUnA: Outsiders UnAnonymous... Or should that be ONonA: Outsiders NonAnonymous... Or maybe even OFA: Outsiders Formerly Anonymous... Well, you get the point...
Hi, everybody. My name is Dan and I’m a recovering outsider, too.
Jenny, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a particularly bad day in what sounds like a tough stretch for you at school. But I think that it’s great that you realize that you have a safe place here that you can vent your sadness, anger, frustrations and loneliness and that there are a lot of people here that will listen and support you. Most young people at your age never allow themselves to open up to others like that out of the typical fear that they’ll be open to ridicule. But I think you should give yourself a pat on the back for having the courage to take a chance and letting us all know about your shitty days along with the terrific ones.
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Great post, Jose!
Thank you.
I've actually always had a "feeling" that somewhere down the line I'm going to write a book, play, musical etc. about everything. Once I'm far enough removed from all of "it" and can be objective about it. And it may just one really long(!) journal entry that only I will ever read, but it will get in print somewhere down the line. So...
DR Jenny - If you are not keeping a journal already...
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"American Idol" SPOILERS:
Read no further if you don't want to find out something that might give tonight's results away!
You were warned!
First, I'll state baldly that MattH's prediction about the final two are Fantasia and LaToya. No contest.
Second, I had four names down last night that I thought were the best. Three of them advanced tonight. Only Suzy Valaca didn't make it. And the worst thing about that is Paula Abdul's horrendous choice of Leah LaBelle -- horrible wannabe singer! Can't stay on pitch to save her life. Paula's confusing that as a "style" of singing. Leah will be one of the first three voted OUTTA THERE!
Simon's choice of George was not as surprising as George made it out to be. Simon said some good things about him last night.
Amercia's choice floored me....very happily. I know I voted for him, but I figured America would go for pretty boy Metzger.
If it came down to Suzy and Jon Peter, I'd be hard put to have chosen, but I'm glad he made it.
I think someone at that "American Idol" chat board MattH referred to earlier today was too clever for his or her own good....by hearing them say "You wont' be singing tonight" that person thought he or she had cued in on a telltale clue of how the judges would go.
Jennifer needs to stay away from pastels, high heels and short jackets....lordy lord, she looked like an overstuffed burrito up there on that stage tonight.
And no, looks/size are not important, but careful choices in self-presentation can sure help if you want a show biz career.
DR J.S. Piano: I'm sorry, but your clue didn't register with me. Was the "put out your gum" comment something a judge said to one of the four selected tonight?
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Having an Oscar winner in their studio's film could help greatly publicize it. Grace also had Paramount and her home lot MGM voting for her.
EVen with all that, Hedda Hopper famously told the story that Judy lost by 4 votes. Of course, dear Hedda was prone to say (write) anything that popped into her head if she thought it made a juicy story.
Grace Kelly's performance in "The Country Girl" is one of Oscar's least-effective choices for Best Actress. She's adequate, but hardly special in that film.
The story I've read was that MGM's boss put the word out to all MGM employees that they would NOT vote for Garland. Whether they were instructed to vote for Kelly or not, I have no idea, but it's telling that even in 1954, the studio bosses had the clout to instruct their employees how to vote. I guess anyone not following those orders could have been fired, but I can't help wondering how the shirts would know....weren't the votes private, or could they find out how their employees voted?
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I think you should give yourself a pat on the back for having the courage to take a chance and letting us all know about your shitty days along with the terrific ones.
And having said that, I would like to add that I know that I tend to hold back about reporting about my own shitty days and otherwise here at HHW and that my posts have been pretty much on an arms-length level. I suppose that I'm used to the conditions at RATM and that it was never really safe to allow yourself to be vulnerable there.
But you know what? Screw it! From what I've seen in the short time I've been here, you people are a wonderful bunch who emit fantastic positive energy, and I come away feeling so much better than I do after trudging through RATM. So I just want to say thanks for you all being here, people. And thanks for having me.
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TD: I just sent the transcribed lyrics to "The Last Great Waltz" to der Brucer. Hopefully he'll be sending them your way as well, in some form.
Jennifer's singing on the song is exactly right. As is her timing!
And now everyone else is going to be wondering "What the fu.....?"
(That's "What the futon?" if anyone is wondering about what I just wrote.)
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OH! And DR Jenny - It's kind of funny that your field trip today was to the Irish Famine Memorial... I had never heard of it before I read about it in this month's "Gourmet" magazine - which is about all things New York City! In any case, I added the memorial to my "list", and I will try to get down there when I'm up there this weekend. -And then I can head over to Grand Street and get a treat at the Donut Plant! -Yes, a bit of a hike, but it'll be worth it!
-OK - what's wrong with this picture? Famine, Donut - ??? That's New York for ya'!
And those donuts are amazing! Over-sized, fully-hand-dipped in their glazes (the pistachio ones are my favorite), all organic ingredients, and they're cooked just a tad longer than usual so they develop a little crispy, crunchy crust. Sooo good.
Carbs? Who said carbs?
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"American Idol" SPOILERS:
DR J.S. Piano: I'm sorry, but your clue didn't register with me. Was the "put out your gum" comment something a judge said to one of the four selected tonight?
OH, I was just referring to when Matt (?) the Football Guy came out. He was chewing gum! And he was chewing gum when they interviewed him. And he was still chewing gum when he was dancing at the end of the show! -Maybe an oversight, but still... *I'm a "chewing gum nazi" when it comes to singers I work with.
However, it actually looks like he's lost some weight since we last saw him. And I like his hair a little more grown out like it was tonight. -I guess he'll get the "Bears and Cubs" votes. ;)
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I'm sorry to hear that so many of you had similar experiences when you were my age, but it gives me some sort of hope because you all seem to be fairly sane human beings! ;)
You obviously don't know the group all that well yet! :D
Reading these posts makes me reiterate once again (and I'm NOT boasting, really) - there is no finer group of people than those that frequent this here website. I've never seen anything like it really.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. Amazing how often I stop to think what a fantastic group we have here. Thanks to one and all, and also all and one, for making HHW such a wonderful place to be.
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The portion of A STAR IS BORN that could have made the difference in winning Judy the Oscar® was the juxtaposition of the dressing room scene with the cut "Long Face" number. The scene is much less effective without the contrast between desperate Vicky offscreen and perky Vicki onscreen. I agree that the other scenes probably wouldn't have made a difference with the Academy members, but that scene/song combination could have done it for her.
It's been a while since I've seen the hacked version and I guess I mis-remembered and thought that both the "Long Face" and dressing room scenes were there. You're right--that very well would have pulled more Oscar voters to her favor. But now I'm curious about how long the original version ran in theatres before the studio gutted it. Or did it run at all (besides at the premier?)
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Well, even thought I don't have to be on the 5:00AM train, I still want to try to get on the 8:00AM train, so...
OH - DR elmoore - Coffee? Snack? -Then we can dish about our "favorites"... ;)
Goodnight.
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Sad to be all alone in the world. I've just spent over two hours editing the Larry Blank interview, so hopefully Craig will have it up by Friday.
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I'm gonna wussburger tonight (hey, it's already past 2 where I am!) and cuddle up with the pups. Buster is filching slurps from my wine glass, so he's bound to be extra affectionate tonight!
Oh, dinner tonight was a classic cheese fondue, with Italian sausages and salad on the side. Not very high on the Atkins list, but I'm not dieting. Sorry.
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My computer insists that it's currently 10:53 tomorrow morning. 11-1/2 hours off, and it doesn't want me to fix it. That's not even Newfoundland time! A bit bizarre.