Subway Blues

Moblog post: subway musician- absolute New York!

I feel very Sara-Jessica-in-Sex-and-the-City right now with my NYC observations...

I was on my way toward Penn Station after volleyball last night (we lost-- BAD!) and this guy was strummin out some blues on his electric guitar. The noise of the subway (why is it so QUIET in Washington DC's subway), the chatter of people talking and scurrying past, the cold wind blowing down from the street and up the tunnels all paint the quintessential NY scene. Maybe the few beers I had after the match loosened up my sentimental side, but it was a really cool moment...

Oh Yeah!

Pay the RENT

If you know me at all, you probably know I have personal and professional connections to the amazing musical RENT. Please click on the following link to find out more about the magic of this hit Broadway show! Ultimate RENT MySpace #3

You can click on the following image to joing the Voices For RENT online community to spread the word and help keep this fabulous show rockin' Broadway for years to come!

First Day Back

Found this outside Dunkin Donuts this morning. It's my first day back from vacation, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Nice to get this heart-message from Mom to remind me she's out there...

Vacation, Day 10

We passed by this in Fort Myers and HAD to stop for a picture. Look closely...

Look at the above picture, then look at the close-ups of the two signs on these two adjoining buildings... (click on the pics to enlarge)

Believe me, I understand the need to have a 2nd job, but... seriously?!

If ol' Alto can't cut the mustard as pastor and overseer, is it REALLY good PR to also run the Bail Bonds shop next door? Or is it really just the best way to cast a broader safety net for his flock?

For Darla

I just stumbled across this while browsing around random blogs online... I have seen variations of this before, and my friend Darla and I share this sentiment with each other regularly. This post is for her...

Black Friday

6 years ago today Mom died.

Matt and I have referred to that day as "Black Friday" after a book by James Patterson with that title that Dad was reading at the time. It was on the table in the family area of Mom's room when she died. It was actually a few years later that we realized we had both made that connection, and I think this is the first time that this date has fallen on a friday since then.

I always buy white roses on this anniversary, as well as her birthday and Mothers Day.

I'm trying not to be grumpy with everyone around me today, but it's hard.

Vacation, Day 6, Matlacha, near Cape Coral, FL

From left to right: Lisa (3rd cousin/step-aunt), Yours Truly, Linda (Larry's girlfriend), Larry (2nd cousin), Kenny (3rd cousin-in-law/step-uncle), Lynne hiding in the back (Cousi-Mom), and Dad

We're all sitting on the same branch of the family tree!

Right after we took this photo, there were some dolphins that swam up near the dock outside... Couldn't get a photo, because they kept going under before I could get the camera to click.

Vacation, Day 4, Ft. Myers

2nd Cousin Sherry and Great Aunt Naomi.

I left Ft. Lauderdale and drove across "Alligator Alley" (yes, I saw MANY alligators but I was past them before I could pull over to stop for a photo) and spent the afternoon with Sherry and Aunt Naomi before meeting Dad and Cousi-mom and Lisa at the airport.

Vacation, Day 3, Ft. Lauderdale

Walking the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. After 2 days at Disney, I drove down to visit a few friends from NY that moved here a few years ago. Steve and Will have a beautiful place a few blocks from the beach with a spectacular panoramic view of the water and city skyline. I also got to see a few friends from volleyball who moved here a few years back, Michael and Peter.

There's nothing like the sound of a blender mixing up a frozen cocktail to really get the vacation going!

Vacation, Day 2, Disney's Animal Kingdom

The End of the Road?

Everest Adventure at Disney's Animal Kingdom-- Very fun. Here's the action shot-- the look on my face is genuine-- we were racing down a steep hill toward a giant Yeti that was reaching for the car.

Hearts on It's a Small World

Mom always loved this ride (eeeesh!) so I posted this one for her.

Vacation, Day 1, Disney's Magic Kingdom

It's a Small World line at Disney World -- posted live via moblog!

Came to Florida to present at a school nurse conference (it went GREAT!) and taking a nice long vacation while I'm here.

Suzanne is a good friend from the NMF who co-presented with me and hung out for a day at Disney before heading home. Here's a picture to prove to the boss that we were working before the fun began...

My Feature Film Debut...

Well, it's not quite as exciting as that, but I WAS an extra in one small scene, and the camera does pan right past my face.

A few years ago, an independant filmmaker called me at the NMF and asked for a meeting. It turns out that he was in the early stages of producing a movie about the short but inspirational life of his brother, nicknamed "Mo"(also the name of the film) that had died from complications related to Marfan syndrome just weeks before scheduled surgery that would likely have given him the hope of a full life-span.

Not knowing what to expect, I agreed to read the script to be sure that they were accurately representing the Marfan information because they wanted to make sure that the opportunity to educate more people about the disorder was not lost. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the screenplay, as were other people at the Foundation that read it.

As time went on, I was peripherally involved, and arranged for them to come to the NMF annual conference with the actor chosen to play Mo (Erik Per Sullivan) so he could meet teens with Marfan syndrome in preparation for the role. They also invited me to be an extra in the film, and to visit the set. It was very exciting for me to watch the production up close.

Here's a photo of me and Erik with filmmakers Brian and Monica Lederman in Philadelphia last summer.

Most people know Erik from his roles in Malcom in the Middle, Cider House Rules, and Unfaithful, but you can click here to see his full screen bio. It also stars Margo Martindale and Adam LeFevre.

Last sunday I was invited to a special "friends and family" screening of the film. They did such a wonderful job bringing Mo's story to the screen, and I was thrilled to see my name on the closing credits in the special thanks section, along with an acknowledgment of the NMF. I wish them all the luck in the world as they shop the film around the film festival circuit trying to find an audience for it, and I look forward to working with them to take advantage of the potential visibility of the film to raise awareness of Marfan syndrome. You can visit the website for the film to find out more about the project.

Moondance Diner

I happened to pass by the Moondance Diner while I was in the City the other day. It's one of those small and unassuming places that people pass by every day without realizing its significance.

Jonathan Larson, creator of "RENT" worked here as a waiter when he was a struggling artist, living the stereotypical bohemian lifestyle and trying to get his work off the ground. When he found out that "RENT" was going to be produced, he quit his job to focus on the show. Early buzz was mounting, and "RENT" was one of the most anticipated shows of the season in January 0f 1996. Jonathan's world was about to change in a way that most artists only dream about. Unfortunately, he never got to experience the dream.

Jonathan died suddenly of what was later determined to be a ruptured aortic aneurysm caused by Marfan syndrome. He had been to TWO different ERs in the days leading up to his death complaining of massive chest pains, shortness of breath, and nausea -- one diagnosed the flu, the other food poisoning, both sent him home.

In the years since Jonathan's death, the Larson Family (in particular his father Al) has worked with the National Marfan Foundation to raise awareness of the disorder in hospital emergency departments to prevent such unnecessary tragedies. If either hospital had recognized Jonathan's condition for what it was, he very likely would be alive today, and he would have been able to accept the Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize and other critical acclaim that the show received.

Marfan syndrome's connection to "RENT" has afforded us incredible opportunities to raise awareness, and it is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job (see my posting about our public service announcement in my blog archives). In a way, it connects me back to the theatre community that I always dreamed of working in. Maybe I should have been more specific in my dreams...

Hearts-a-plenty

A 2-for-1 special in a store tonight after work. It seems like there is a surge in finding them the past several weeks...

Another heart...

On the sidewalk in NYC this morning.

Polo Black

Hangin' with a friend at Starbucks on a relaxing [not working at the Barne].

Lovin' the Apple

I LOVE living here...

Another heart found me last night at about midnight...

Here's the background on the hearts. It's a long story, but you'll understand what all these heart posts are about...

The Whole Fam Damily

From left to right: Matthew, Lynne (Cousi-Mom), Mom, Me, Pop

This is a special shot because it has the whole family, including Mom AND step-mom (a.k.a. Cousi-Mom)

Momofuku Ando

It's a sad day for those of us who starved our way though college because we spent all our money on been and White Mountain Orange Flavored wine coolers: Momofuku Ando, creator of ramen noodles, is dead. Here's a link to the story on National Public Radio that I heard on the way home from work last night. In darker times, the 6 for a dollar specials gave me at least the the illusion that I was eating.

If I click my heals 3 times, can I have my mommy back?

Back in late 80's, Mom and I made a date to go to a museum in Denver for a "Hollywood" exhibit. She drove up from Colorado Springs, and I drove down from college in Boulder. We had lunch and spent the day browsing the exhibits. It was such a wonderful day. The highlight was seeing the actual Scarecrow costume from "The Wizard of Oz."

God, I miss her!

A Hippie Honeymoon

When we were growing up, Mom always told us that this was a picture of she and Dad on their honeymoon... I'm still not 100% sure she was kidding, although I think there was something in there about a visit to Washington, DC too...

Either way, I always loved this picture.

I love the dance...

Can you pick me out of the troop? This is from a dance concert in which I was a featured visiting artist back in 1991-- wow, so LONG AGO! We did an amazing piece examining discrimination and prejudice in society to the music of Leonard Bernstein.

Enjoyed and Discarded or "Yewsed and Abused"

It's always so nice to see the street vendors make their appearance every November-- it's a reminder that Christmas is just around the corner. But it's just as sad to see all the trees cast to the street after the holidays are over. They much some very realistic looking artificial trees these days...

As it lay...

Just came across this one on the carpet at Barnes and Noble this morning! If I think about it, I'll snap a pic on my cell phone camera and moblog them on the spot like this one to show them as they find me...

A broken heart and heart x 2.

A few more I had in my car. Interesting story about the black one: I found it on the sidewalk (don't remember exactly where). It's leather with a hole through it, so I put it on my key clip for "safe keeping" and didn't think about it again. About a week later walking into Starbucks, I found another one exactly like it on the ground by the outside front door. I was momentarily freaked out at the coincidence until I realized that the clip on my key ring had come open and it was first one was missing. I must have really been meant to find this one, because it found me twice!

Also, intereting that I found a "broken heart" (the green one above had a piece chipped out of it.

They keep coming...

Hearts I've found in the past few weeks. The tiny red one on the bottom right was last night, and I pulled these all out and posted this from my phone camera.

Mom must be restless... If you don't know the "heart story" you can read my earlier posting here. (I continue to find small hearts in my path six years -- as of January 26th -- after Mom died.

Weekly "Wizard of Oz" Trivia

1) What was the first studio Judy Garland signed with?

2) Which is the only character in the poppy field not affected by the witches' spells?

3) The hourglass is located where in the witch's castle: tower room or dungeon?

4) On their rescue mission, who is the last to enter the Wicked Witch's castle: Cowardly Lion or Toto?

5) Zeke's last line, "You couldn't forget my _____, could ya?" -- mug, profile, or face?

Couldn't have said it better...

Olbermann: Special comment about ‘sacrifice’
BBC reports Bush will reveal troop surge plan in sacrifice-themed speech
SPECIAL COMMENT
By Keith Olbermann
Anchor, 'Countdown' MSNBC

Finally tonight, a Special Comment about “Sacrifice.”
If in your presence an individual tried to sacrifice an American serviceman or woman, would you intervene?
Would you at least protest?
What if he had already sacrificed 3,003 of them?
What if he had already sacrificed 3,003 of them — and was then to announce his intention to sacrifice hundreds, maybe thousands, more?
This is where we stand tonight with the BBC report of President Bush’s “new Iraq strategy” and his impending speech to the nation, which it quotes a senior American official, will be about troop increases and “sacrifice.”
The President has delayed, dawdled, and deferred for the month since the release of the Iraq Study Group.
He has seemingly heard out everybody… and listened to none of them.
If the BBC is right — and we can only pray it is not — he has settled on the only solution all the true experts agree, cannot possibly work: more American personnel in Iraq, not as trainers for Iraqi troops, but as part of some flabby plan for “sacrifice.”
Sacrifice!
More American servicemen and women will have their lives risked.
More American servicemen and women will have their lives ended.
More American families will have to bear the unbearable, and rationalize the unforgivable — “sacrifice” — sacrifice now, sacrifice tomorrow, sacrifice forever.
And more Americans — more even than the two-thirds who already believe we need fewer troops in Iraq, not more — will have to conclude the President does not have any idea what he’s doing - and that other Americans will have to die for that reason.
It must now be branded as propaganda — for even the President cannot truly feel that very many people still believe him to be competent in this area, let alone “the decider.”
But from our impeccable reporter at the Pentagon, Jim Miklaszewski, tonight comes confirmation of something called “surge and accelerate” — as many as 20-thousand additional troops — for “political purposes”…
This, in line with what we had previously heard, that this will be proclaimed a short-term measure, for the stated purpose of increasing security in and around Baghdad, and giving an Iraqi government a chance to establish some kind of order.
This is palpable nonsense, Mr. Bush.
If this is your intention — if the centerpiece of your announcement next week will be “sacrifice” — sacrifice your intention, not more American lives!
As Senator Biden has pointed out, the new troops might improve the ratio our forces, face relative to those living in Baghdad (friend and foe), from 200 to 1, to just 100 to 1.
“Sacrifice?”
No.
A drop in the bucket.
The additional men and women you have sentenced to go there, sir, will serve only as targets.
They will not be there “short-term,” Mr. Bush; for many it will mean a year or more in death’s shadow.
This is not temporary, Mr. Bush.
For the Americans who will die because of you… it will be as permanent as it gets.
The various rationales for what Mr. Bush will reportedly re-christen “sacrifice,” constitute a very thin gruel, indeed.
The former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, says Senator McCain told him that the “surge” would help the “morale” of the troops already in Iraq.
If Mr. McCain truly said that, and truly believes it, he has either forgotten completely his own experience in Vietnam… or he is unaware of the recent Military Times poll indicating only 38 percent of our active military want to see more troops sent… or Mr. McCain has departed from reality.
Then there is the argument that to take any steps towards reducing troop numbers would show weakness to the enemy in Iraq, or to the terrorists around the world.
This simplistic logic ignores the inescapable fact that we have indeed already showed weakness to the enemy, and to the terrorists.
We have shown them that we will let our own people be killed, for no good reason.
We have now shown them that we will continue to do so.
We have shown them our stupidity.
Mr. Bush, your judgment about Iraq — and now about “sacrifice” — is at variance with your people’s, to the point of delusion.
Your most respected generals see no value in a “surge” — they could not possibly see it in this madness of “sacrifice.”
The Iraq Study Group told you it would be a mistake.
Perhaps dozens more have told you it would be a mistake.
And you threw their wisdom back, until you finally heard what you wanted to hear, like some child drawing straws and then saying “best two out of three… best three out of five… Hundredth one counts.”
Your citizens, the people for whom you work, have told you they do not want this, and more over, they do not want you to do this.
Yet once again, sir, you have ignored all of us.
Mr. Bush, you do not own this country!

dixie chicks not ready to make nice

Dixie Chicks ROCK!

I LOVE this song!!! And SO right on!

I'm not ready to make nice either!

Lame Dick-- I mean DUCK! LAME DUCK!

Credit: John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune

Click on the image to see it bigger)

Hangin' with LL Cool J

(Moblog post, sent from my cell phone.)