I haven't felt like posting anything lately. I guess because I've been preoccupied. Two doctors appointments this week. One was the D.D.S. a necessary evil. I go back in two weeks for a partial crown. That $$$$ could have been better spent in Vegas. Did I mention I'm planning an excursion?
Clowns don't bother me. I don't get that whole weird clown phobia. It's not like John Wayne Gacy performed as a clown for kids all over the country. My niece had a birthday party this past weekend and the clown was really good. A lot better than I expected. She had a whole routine. "Happy" as she is known, pulls in one hundred and fifty bucks per hour. I'd be happy too at that rate.
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All this Katie Couric preempting is annoying. CBS has even hired an Oscar winning conductor to write a new theme song for the evening news. They are really hustling to clean up after the Dan Rather mess. Photos of Katie are released and completely retouched. Once again ladies the message is clear- no matter how rich, successful and educated you are, you can never be too thin! A passive/aggressive nature in me rears it's ugly head. I hope CBS ratings take a nose dive, just like Paris Hilton's new CD.
He thinks its not kosher
Fundamentally he cant take it.
You know he really hates it. ~ My favorite line from Rock the Casbah
Rock the Casbah from The Clash (1982) was inspired by the banning of rock music in Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini. The song gives a fictitious account of the ban being defied by the population who proceed to "rock the casbah", causing the King to order jet fighters to bomb any people in violation of the ban. The pilots ignore the orders, and instead play rock music on their cockpit radios. The song does not mention Iran, nor does it give the specifics of any Islamic nation, and in fact it uses Arabic terms instead of Persian, mentioning casbah, sharif, bedouin, and sheikh.
Spike Lee made a brilliant film called When the Levees Broke explaining the devastation to New Orleans and the Bush administrations total lack of regard for the people who essentially became refugees. All eyes are on New Orleans as rumors abound that rich land developers will buy up this valuable section of the country and turn it into another money making venture rather then restore people to their homes and in many cases their birth place. The following is an excerpt from an article on the mayor and future plans for the city.
Mayor Nagin
One example of new development Ray Nagin mayor of New Orleans points to is a 68-story Trump Towers condominium complex, a project that makes some critics wary that New Orleans will lose the heritage that made it unique.
"I think you are looking at basically a town that will be a playground for the rich for the next 40 years," Leonard Moore, a professor of African-American history at Louisiana State University, tells Pitts. "I look at the post-Katrina piece as a game of musical chairs….Once the music gets turned off, the white folks have a place to sit down, a place to sleep, a place for their children to go to school. We’re going back to a trailer."
Nagin says he is looking out for the poor, mostly black, residents who are dispersed all over the country, some of whom are waiting to return to the city.
"What I do have a problem with is some entrenched interests that are looking and salivating over certain sections of the city," Nagin says.
The mayor says these interests want him to keep those poor people from coming back so they can get rich developing the land.
People picture compulsive overeaters as sitting on the floor in tears, shoving candy bars in their mouth. Not so. Many compulsive over eaters lead successful lives, just look at Oprah. A more typical example of compulsive overeating might be a girl I once knew who would shove food around her plate with a fork when dining out with others. She would arrange the food just so and eat slowly, however at night she sat home alone in a recliner surrounded by her cats and gorged on high fat junk foods. She was a productive member of society by day, but every night she looked forward to her alone time with TV and food.
Society has been more sympathetic towards the anorexic. In fact a shockingly thin body has been held up to women as something to strive for... a goal of perfection and definitely a beauty asset. Recently, in the film The Devil Wears Prada, a fashion editor is annoyed when the new assistant reveals she is a size six. He informs her that a size zero is the new two and a size six is the new fourteen. Funny? Sure. But only because we all get that message loud and clear and many of us have totally bought into it.
On the flip side, over weight people have had moral labels attached to them such as lazy, greedy or unhygienic. In recent years, magazines and tabloids have less over weight celebs like Roseanne and Kirstie Ally to pick on so have targeted the emaciated, even going as far as photo shopping in more bones or confronting stars like Keira Knightley in press conferences about her weight.
Compulsive over eating and anorexia are different sides of the same coin. Anorexics want to disappear and compulsive overeaters struggle to be enough. Both are eating disorders with profound physical and emotional consequences. More and more help is available and neither situation is without hope if the person suffering wants help. In the meantime, we can stop demonizing or glorifying one or the other because deep down neither is about food. Food is just a symptom.
Eighties icon, Boy George poses on a ciggy break from his court appointed community service duty. Joining the ranks of the once great Whitney Houston and George Michaels I will say this for the fallen star- even a face mask is fashion accessory on the karma chameleon.
I just took this picture of myself because I go back to work next week and I wanted documentation of how good I feel right now. This has been one of the best summers ever. I'm so rested and relaxed and I plan on maintaining that vibe through out the year.
I'm looking forward to returning to work because I'm going to do it better this year. I will manage my time more productively and increase my job skills. I'm excited to see what is in store for me. The reading I did this summer will carry me forward with a positive outlook. I'm working towards goals and still making time for family and friends. That reminds me....... I'll see some of you this Friday! The party isn't over yet.
I just found a great vintage store online. The tee shirts are in good shape even if just worn for sleeping. I ordered a Rage Against the Machine tee with a picture of Emiliano Zapata for ten bucks.
Consider the following story of misplaced priorities. While hiking in the wilderness, I met a man whose T-shirt carried the following message: "He who dies with the most toys, wins."
As I pondered those words, I was sure that the author meant the opposite of what he said. No one on his deathbed ever stated, "I wish I had spent more time at the office." We were put on this earth not to accumulate "toys," but to reap the gifts of the spirit. These gifts come to us when we dedicate our lives to something greater than ourselves - a path of service in the world, the raising of a loving family (or being an amazing single who inspires others), the creation of beauty through art, or any passion that inspires one.
Having lived in this manner, you can look back over your life with a real sense of fulfillment. By following the path of peace, love, and joy, you will discover your true treasure - one that transcends death itself.
Time and time again I get the same message- It's not about the money. Do what you love. I learned a long time ago a job is a means to an end. While I feel good doing a days work and getting the job done, it's not what my self-esteem hinges on. What authority I have at work doesn't carry into my personal life. I'm not the boss at home.
For some people work is the only place they ever felt successful. Maybe they didn't get a lot of attention as a child so a pat on the back from the boss means a lot more than it should. Doing a great job should be an extension of who I am, not my whole identity. Some people talk non stop at home about work. I'm not referring to the normal venting either. Maybe they even use the excuse that they just love their job that much. Fine, but that's not leaving work at work and it's not leaving much room for intimacy with others. Yea, that sounds deep but it's true. That's not keeping priorities straight.
Another gorgeous day here in the Philadelphia and surrounding area. It is 69 degrees and I'm loving it. I went for a walk this morning. I hope we get more of this weather in the weeks to come. Fingers crossed.
how cathartic changing my phone number could be
how emotional I can get over the simple pleasures
how much crap people will dish out and not own up too
Back at home today. I slept so well. I played so hard.
I'm still letting things go...
Eating healthy this summer has been a real eye opener. Getting rid of the refined sugar and mostly eating steak, fish and veggies, I've stepped up my game. I didn't expect to feel this way. Weight lose is just a nice by product. The real gift has been the clarity.
You are what you eat. I'm not junk so I don't eat junk. Dr. Blaine taught me that. Over eating isn't about giving yourself more, it's about giving yourself less. What didn't I do because I was using the money for pit stops on the road called life?
The hats, the bathing suits and the clothing of Melissa Odabash are so sophisticated and comfortable looking. I can't believe the prices either, very affordable for such fine quality. If you are on a diet and need some motivation, look no further than Melissa's site.
I came across a cool web page that explains feminist theory on the poses women strike for print ads and how silly men look doing the exact same thing. One of the joys of reading feminist publications like Venus or Bitch and reading Dr. Diana's blog is getting a new way of looking at the world around me and how it relates to women. Best of all I gain more insight into myself and others.
I've come across two wonderful classics that I want to share with you...
First via Netflix is Sudden Fear starring Joan Crawford.
Myra Hudson (Joan Crawford) is a successful playwright who puts her mystery-writing skills to good use when she suspects that her husband (Jack Palance) and his ex-girlfriend (Gloria Grahame) are plotting against her. This noir thriller afforded Crawford a brief comeback during the 1950s as well as a third (and final) Oscar nomination. The film also received nominations for cinematography, costumes and supporting actor (Palance).
People, this one is a real nail biter. I couldn't believe the suspense and the tricky plot for a movie made in 1952. Have people over or enjoy this one yourself with a bowl of popcorn.
Next I recommend I'll Cry Tomorrow via Turner Classic Movies. This one stars Susan Hayward.
Despite the sappy title, this is no sappy movie. Based on the real life of Lillian Roth. Roth was a star of stage musicals who had appeared in several successful films in the early sound era, including The Love Parade (1929), and the Marx Brothers' Animal Crackers (1930). But her career was ruined by alcoholism and disastrous marriages. Alcoholics Anonymous saved her life, and Roth told the whole sordid story in her 1954 best-selling autobiography, I'll Cry Tomorrow.
Lillian Roth lived the life of a low bottom alcoholic and this 1955 film much to it's credit, doesn't spare any details. The film also gives an excellent , realistic portrayal of Alcoholics Anonymous that I rarely see in films today. Susan Hayward (Lillian Roth) was nominated for an Academy Award and she is wonderful in this role.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all made over one hundred thousand dollars a year, had a college education and a summer home in the Hamptons? Wouldn't it be beautiful if we all came from functional families that taught us how to meet and marry the perfect mate who could support our every whim. Would it be idyllic if we were all caucasian, straight and blonde and life went according to our every plan? How lovely to live in such a utopia but I wouldn't know. My world isn't black and white the way it is for some people.
I was telling Jimmi the other night on one of our late night phone chats that he has to see Dead Ringer starring Bette Davis because there are these great scenes where Bette (whose character is mourning a dead husband) is wearing a hat with a black veil. I love that look! What an attention grabber in your hour of grief.
"I wish that look would come back, I want to wear that." I bemoaned to The Divine One.
Today I clicked on a Socialite's Life, low and behold Babs herself is sporting the look. Doesn't it figure? I think she should have went all out and done it with a black hat.
* The Jews will never let Mel Gibson live this mess down and I don't blame them. What if he said the "N" word? Once people cross these lines you can never erase those words from people's minds. Of course I really hate seeing a multi million dollar celebrity (especially the religious kind) crash and burn.
* Cirque du Soleil was air-conditioned in the big tent but the shopping tent was not. I had tickets for last nights show here in Philly. I couldn't even think straight in this heat but the show was great anyway.
* Fidel Castro's condition is touch and go and now I'm wondering if I will I finally be able to visit Cuba? Yes, I really would love too.
* I think I want to see U2 in concert. It's very rare that I consider any concerts unless I am someones guest.
* MTV is 25 years old. WOW. They started the year I graduated HS and I loved MTV. My friend was the first person I knew with cable TV and a VCR. We taped videos like crazy and watched them over and over. Checkered shoes, skinny neck ties and straight leg black pants were so cool. I use to wear my dad's cardigan too.
* Scoop (The new Woody Allen movie) is really funny... very entertaining. Scarlett Johansson was doing an excellent Julie Kavner (Radio Days, Hannah and Her Sisters) impression throughout the whole movie. I like Scarlett. She is more talented than people think.
