The Congo Penis Theft Panic

Chat Pack Question

What "moment of glory" have you watched another person celebrate that you too would love to experience if you could?




My answer: Being nominated for a Tony or an Oscar. If course I'd like to win, but it's an honor just to be nominated.

Post your answer as a comment below. :)

Martin's Monday Morning Movie Musings

Lions for Lambs- Thought provoking, frustrating, overly simplistic in its analysis of the issues. But it made me think a little more about our approach to "the war on terror."

I found myself thinking that this movie must have been a stage play that was not translating so well on to the big screen, but it wasn't--I checked the credits. I was picturing how powerful the staging could be transitioning from one scene to the next, each of three involving a different look at the modern world, all occuring simultaneously over a 90 minute period on opposite ends of the world: 1) A college professor and his star student debate the role of higher education in shaping the minds of our future leaders, and how youngsters seem to be becoming more and more apathetic and unengaged; 2) A powerful GOP polititian meets with a journalist who is frustrated with the advent of entertainment schlock as news to provide an exclusive on a "new initiative" in Afghanistan. The scene explores the relationship between the media and politics/politicians, and how journalism has become more of a codependant relationship with its subjects thereby creating a self-sustaining circle of propaganda at the expense of 'truth'; and 3) the military's attempts to carry out their orders without the best intelligence or technology to support the mission.

Into the Wild- (Title info from Netflix): Sean Penn directs this feature based on best-selling author Jon Krakauer's true story of a young man who gives up everything to lead a solitary life in the wild. Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a middle-class college graduate, abandons his safe existence to trek across the harsh yet beautiful terrain of Alaska. William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden co-star, along with Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook (in an Oscar-nominated role).

Loved it. Long and slow moving, but in a meaningful way, not boring. A strong statement about being disollusioned with the material excesses of the world, and literally giving it all up to follow your true bliss, and the wonderful characters you may meet along the journey.

MASH- I'm a huge fan of the TV show, and I'm a huge fan of Robert Altman (especially Short Cuts, and The Player), but I wasn't particulary fond of this movie.

I can see where it was a "masterpiece of 70's cinema" and I respect its position on many "best ever" lists, but it's not for me.

(Note: Click on the titles to go to the Netflix page for each movie.)

Springtime

In the past 10 days, the trees around my apartment have gone from completely bare to in full bloom-- it's STUNNING! Here's a little video showing the transition.

I'm just sayin'...

" President Bush made an appearance on the TV show 'Deal or No Deal.' I guess he got turned down for 'Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?' "
--Jay Leno

" You know that since George Bush has become president, gas has basically tripled in price. Now Bush is an oil man. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I'm just saying that if we had elected Colonel Sanders president, and the price of chicken had tripled, I'd be a little suspicious."
--Bill Maher

Jennifer Holliday at Heartworks

Here's the video of Jennifer Holliday at the HeARTworks Gala last week. I was going to edit out my silliness at the beginning while Jennifer is speaking, because, I admit, it is slightly embarrassing. But--- the person I am "carrying on" with is Bebe Neuwirth, and if SHE can get so excited about the performance, I can certainly allow myself a little unbridled giddiness.

Bebe was lovely. She asked a lot of great questions about Marfan syndrome, showing true concern and desire to understand the condition. And it helps that she was as excited as I was to hear that Jennifer Holliday was performing!

Karen Murray, Me, Michelle Smith (Miss Teen Maine International and volunteer extraordinaire) and Bebe Neuwirth

VICTORY

I have been trying to figure out a way to add some color to my all-white apartment, and what better way than window treatments. I want to get rid of the ugly pull-down blinds-- tacky!

I have been struggling with trying to get this tension-wire curtain line hung for the past 10 days. I was trying to use this product from IKEA, but it wasn't as easy as it probably should have been. After 3 trips to IKEA, and 3 trips to Ace Hardware, I came up with a plan B and just used simple eye hooks and wire clamps to achieve the same end result.

Now I just need the curtains.

I blame Darla for the frustration because it was her suggustion that I try this approach. However, I also fully credit her because I think she has done wonders with her studio in the City, and hope that my place will look HALF as finished as hers when I am done.

I It sure felt good just to claim victory over this annoying aspect of the project. Now for the fun/creative part.... I plan to make the curtains.

HeARTworks Gala Fundraiser

We held our Annual HeARTworks Gala on Thursday night, raising over $1,000,000 for the NMF. Here's a little video with a few highlights. Jennifer Holliday performed, but I will post a seperate video of that in a few days.

HeARTworks Heart

I found this on the steps of Cipriani 42nd Street before our Annual HeARTworks Gala.

The REAL Rosie O'Donnell

She is the REAL DEAL!

I took a personal day yesterday to camp out and wait for Rosie's book signing for her new family crafting book, Crafty U. Last October, I was #3 in line for the signing of Celebrity Detox . (Click here and here for related postings). This time I secured the #1 spot among loyal fans, and had a great time talking and taking video with my Flip of all the the other "Stranger Friends."

When Rosie called me over, I gave her a decoupaged box I had made (my FIRST decoupage) and she held it up for us to pose for a photo with her holding my gift. The paparazzi flashes went off like a night on the red carpet, and I had an out-of-body experience as I aimed my Flip at the flashing lights. I was standing there, with Rosie, and the flashes blinding me, and she was so wonderful, and giving of herself-- again. As I walked away, I realized I had FORGOTTEN TO PRESS RECORD ON THE FLIP!!!! UGH!! My paparazzi moment NOT captured for posterity.

But then this evening, as I was finishing up creating the video above, I checked her blog, and saw that she included a pic of us together, with her holding her decoupaged box in the video she made from last night! (The posting is the one titled 1 2 1 on Rosie.com if you want to go there and watch!)

What a GREAT night!

WeAreCHANGE meets Rosie O'Donnell with Daniel Sunjata

I'm sitting here waiting for Rosie's book signing, surfing the web, and came across this video from her signing a few days ago in Manhattan. I hope I get a chance to get her with my Flip. :)

Ro, Ro, Ro Your Boat...

Sitting here waiting for my girl Ro--
5-plus hours to go.

Port Washington Sidewalk Heart

Impromptu Starbucks Harmonica Concert

THIS is one of those times when a person is grateful that they have a video camera within reach!

I was sitting in Starbucks near my house doing some work for my FY09 Annual budget at work. NOT fun, but necessary. I've been working on and off since 8am this morning, and was starting to get a little grumpy about it.

Then this nice old guy asked for directions to the library, where I guess there's some sort of free concert today. Another customer and I were giving him directions, but he was having some trouble following what we were saying. The gal at the table next to me said she was heading over there and offered to let him follow her.

The guy was so happy for all the assistance, and I suspect just happy for the conversation, that he offered us a song. He pulled out his harmonica and played away!

Before it was over he treated us to 3-4 different songs, and was clearly happy to have an audience.

I was psyched that I had my Flip camcorder within reach and got the whole thing.

It was a very simple exhange all around, but one that really made me feel good. A rare moment when 4 strangers came together at a point in time and shared something completely simple yet powerful enough to chage the emotional direction of the day for all involved.

I took a break from working on the budget and made a little movie about it. while it's still fresh in my mind. Turn up the sound on your computer-- I'm not sure how clear it all comes through.

Enjoy!

More playing with the Flip and MS MovieMaker

"I'm Cute"

The Animaniacs sing "I'm Cute"

Like a wounded soldier...

On my way to work this morning, about a block from the office, the car in front of me hit a squirrel that was scrambling to get out of the way. The as the car passed over the poor thing was flopping around until it came to rest in the middle of the street, still alive but unable to move. The driver that hit it stopped briefly looking back in her mirror, but left without doing anything.

I stopped my car, stunned, not sure what I could do, but wanting to make sure another car didn't run the poor thing over again. Then, like a wounded soldier on a battlefield, it began pulling itself out of the street with only its front paws, dragging its useless hind legs and tail behind it. It was heartbreaking!

After the squirrel pulled itself out of the street and into the weeds, I drove the last block to the office and got an empty box from the storage room and walked back to find the squirrel. I figured there was probably nothing that could be done, but at least a vet could end his suffering quickly and painlessly instead of letting him lay on the side of the road.

I found him laying in the weeds near the street, breathing, but clearly in distress. He tried to pull itself away from me, but I managed to position the box so that he dragged himself in.

I drove to a vet a few blocks from the office. The receptionist was very nice, and obviously concerned. I said that I thought it might be too late. We opened the box, but he was already dead.

The receptionist thanked me and said that she'd take care of his body.

I haven't been able to focus today. The image of the poor little guy pulling himself out of the street with his limp legs dragging behind is stuck in my mind... How could that person have not even stopped??? It seems so heartless.

It reminded me of a time when I was about 8 or 9 when were driving home from dinner and mom saw a cat get hit in front of us. I didn't see the impact, but I vividly remember seeing the silhouette of the cat flopping dramatically in the glow of oncoming headlights. Nobody else stopped, but Mom ran into the busy street and scooped up the cat and wrapped it in her coat. It died in her arms. Crying, she left it on the grass next to the road, hoping that its owner would find it and not wonder where it had disappeared to.

It was a horrible, horrible experience, but I remember loving Mom so much in that moment. She had a true gift for connecting to animals.