I have been really busy lately, working with my various "volunteer" projects and have been to wiped out to take real time to write anything ( my apologies to Tom who thinks the WORST has happened to me if I don't post something every day)
So here is what I have been meaning to write, but have not;
Friday. Finally. My union voted AGAIN on the contract given to us by the City. It was a NASTY battle. It passed by FOUR votes. I have been taking a lot of abuse, as the Election Committee Chair; first for NOT voicing my opinion and simply urging people to vote T|HEN when I DID state my opinion, I got slammed for that. Oh well..
My Union nominated me for an award from the Harry Bridges Institute for the work that I have done in support of the union. It honors labor leader Cesar Chavez and his work with social justice. I feel honored, but a little embarrassed as I don't think what I do for my union as anything spectacular. I think involvement is necessary as a member of the union. A lot of the "younger generation" think that everything should be done FOR them and they can just sit on their duffs and collect the benefits. I am a child of the Sixties, activism is part of my childhood. As they say, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
Saturday marked the fourth anniversary of my Dad crossing over. I miss him every day and hear him in my head. I lean on some of the talks we had and some of the advice he gave me when I am stressed out, which seems to be a lot these days. My Dad was a very funny guy and some of the things he used to say just fall out of my mouth. It's funny, you don't really look at your parents as people until you become an adult. I look at photos of my parents before they became parents and saw two fun loving young people in love. There IS a photo of my mom with her legs draped over the arm of a chair which had me HOWLING. I can't tell you how many times she yelled at ME not to do that, but there, in black and white, is evidence of HER doing it!
Last night I went out to see Julian Michael, an up-and-coming comic I find very funny. It was at "Inside jokes" at Hollywood and Highland. This is inside the Chinese Six, not to be confused with the theater I will ALWAYS call Graumann's Chinese no matter WHAT they change the name to. We were on the guest list, but there was a two drink minimum at the door, so be aware if you go that's how it works. We went up to the VIP Lounge- really just the bar where you can redeem your tickets for the drinks. two "Adult" beverages were 18 bucks, two soft drinks were 13. The "Adult beverages are better. We sat around talking in a faux "Asian themed lounge ( Chris remarked it was more like a tunnel than a room), then we were herded into the theater for the show.
It was interesting. They turned the movie theater into a nightclub, but I would be willing to bet they still show movies during the day. The new trend in movie houses is to have tables in a VIP area where you can get cocktail service. Dinner and a movie at insane prices. I noticed they were selling a BIG bucket ( their words, not mine) of "Movie style" popcorn for $7.50. Seriously? What the heck is in the popcorn that they can charge that much for a bucket of it? Gold flakes???
I have this to say about the show. I really should have made a note of the Master of Ceremonies name so I will AVOID him in the future. He was nasty and insulting and just plain vulgar. He was so misogynistic, I felt like heckling him ( and I never do that) . The first few comics were ok. Julian KILLED IT! He was funny, engaging and his timing was first rate. This kid is going places. I was impressed at his stage presence. The audience was HOWLING. The next comic was good ( not as good as Julian) and I thought , "ok this is getting better" I was wrong. What is it about comics these days that they feel taking about women's "lady parts" is comedy? I wanted to say to to at least a few of them who talked smack about the women they were dating "and THAT'S why you are still single" ( or are not having intimate relations with anyone, if you catch my drift).
The "headliner" was Theo Vaughn, who has a show on Yahoo that I watch from time to time called "Prime time in no time" He was rude and vulgar and NOT funny. He was late getting there ( although he had been on for the 8 o"clock show.) While waiting, we were treated to more of the comic styling of the MC. He was NOT funny having run through all his material in the early going. When Theo Vaughn made jokes about being molested as a child, it was time to leave. The seats were uncomfortable for Chris and he had an early morning job anyway.
It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to some down time. Tomorrow is a holiday ( Cesar Chavez) and I will be sleeping LATE- past 7 a.m for sure!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
The Number 29
I was thinking about the number 29 recently, as it continues to repaet for important dates or years in my family. It's weird, so I will share it.
My Mom and Dad lived in Twenty-Nine Palms.
My Dad was 29 when he met my mother and 29 when they married ( whirlwind courtship!)
My Mom was 29 when she had her first baby. I was 29 when I had Kate.
Both my parents died on the 29th of the month, my Mom in August of 2004 and my Dad in March 2010.
I wonder about numbers and what they might mean, although there is no clear picture of 29 because in Numerology it breaks down to two. I suppose I will look into it a little more, as I look for patterns.
Still I find it oddly comforting, as I look at the fourth anniversary of my Dad's crossing over. I miss him and think of him often. I will write about him tomorrow.
My Mom and Dad lived in Twenty-Nine Palms.
My Dad was 29 when he met my mother and 29 when they married ( whirlwind courtship!)
My Mom was 29 when she had her first baby. I was 29 when I had Kate.
Both my parents died on the 29th of the month, my Mom in August of 2004 and my Dad in March 2010.
I wonder about numbers and what they might mean, although there is no clear picture of 29 because in Numerology it breaks down to two. I suppose I will look into it a little more, as I look for patterns.
Still I find it oddly comforting, as I look at the fourth anniversary of my Dad's crossing over. I miss him and think of him often. I will write about him tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
"The National" at the Shrine
A friend of mine won ticket to the premiere screening of the documentary film "Mistaken for Strangers" which features the band The National ( an indie band who has been around for ten years - yeah I hadn't heard of them either) The film was an intimate look at the relationship between two brothers, the filmmaker and the lead singer. The filmmaker was invited by his brother to be a roadie on their latest world tour. He decided to film the goings on and make a film, rather than do the job he was hired for. One thing does lead to another and he does get sacked, you can see it coming like a MAC truck with halogen headlights. Still the film has poignant moments and the relationship between the two brothers, who are nine years apart, shows through. I recommend seeing it, even if you have never heard of the band.
The film was followed by a concert by the band. I was looking forward to hearing them, I hadn't been to the Shrine in downtown LA in aeons, I think the last time I went, I saw Jackson Browne. The thing I remember about that concert was that they has taken ALL the doors off the bathroom stalls and posted signs saying "this is not a den for smoking opium" Seriously. They had bathroom attendants who looked like Central Casting for sadistic prison guards watching as we used the facility. UGH. Is there a reason I avoided the place?
There was a break between the film and the concert, during which every woman in the place attempted to use the bathroom. The line was incredible, but you know, once you start thinking "I should use the restroom" your bladder kicks in and you HAVE to use the restroom. So I got in line and waited. And Waited. Somewhere along the line, women started coming out saying there was no water in the bathroom. UGH. Now here is an ironic moment. My job is dealing with facilities issues and it seems like some days are all one issue all over the system. YESTERDAY it was bathroom problems. So here I was at the concert in a place with bathroom issues. There WAS water, just plumbing problems ( which IMHO was caused by the restroom attendant giving people paper towels, rather than finding TP) I got back to my seat and the show had already begun.
The band is pretty good, and I will have to go to youtube to really get a sense of them. For a venue as large as the Shrine the sound system was dreadful. We had seats in the balcony and the sound SHOULD have been wonderful, but alas the vocals were so murky, I couldn't make out a word he was singing. It's a shame really, because you got a taste of the showmanship in the film and I was looking forward to the live performance.
Question- WHY do you buy tickets to a show, come in two hours late and take selfies and talk over the music? This couple in front of us annoyingly took about ( and I know I exaggerate sometimes but I think I am close to the mark when I say this) over 50 selfies. My friend and I tried photo-bombing them and commenting, but they were so clueless and drunk it was pointless. They finally got the picture they needed, I suppose, and staggered out of the venue to the delight of those of us who wanted to see the show.
We left before the encore as it was a "School night" and it was a long drive home. Still it was fun to get out and hang out with my friend. As a side note, the Shrine was the first place we saw a concert, back in 1972. We saw James Taylor. We were Jr High kids. I still remember it. I came home reeking of pot, even if I didn't smoke it , I am sure I had a contact high..
The film was followed by a concert by the band. I was looking forward to hearing them, I hadn't been to the Shrine in downtown LA in aeons, I think the last time I went, I saw Jackson Browne. The thing I remember about that concert was that they has taken ALL the doors off the bathroom stalls and posted signs saying "this is not a den for smoking opium" Seriously. They had bathroom attendants who looked like Central Casting for sadistic prison guards watching as we used the facility. UGH. Is there a reason I avoided the place?
There was a break between the film and the concert, during which every woman in the place attempted to use the bathroom. The line was incredible, but you know, once you start thinking "I should use the restroom" your bladder kicks in and you HAVE to use the restroom. So I got in line and waited. And Waited. Somewhere along the line, women started coming out saying there was no water in the bathroom. UGH. Now here is an ironic moment. My job is dealing with facilities issues and it seems like some days are all one issue all over the system. YESTERDAY it was bathroom problems. So here I was at the concert in a place with bathroom issues. There WAS water, just plumbing problems ( which IMHO was caused by the restroom attendant giving people paper towels, rather than finding TP) I got back to my seat and the show had already begun.
The band is pretty good, and I will have to go to youtube to really get a sense of them. For a venue as large as the Shrine the sound system was dreadful. We had seats in the balcony and the sound SHOULD have been wonderful, but alas the vocals were so murky, I couldn't make out a word he was singing. It's a shame really, because you got a taste of the showmanship in the film and I was looking forward to the live performance.
Question- WHY do you buy tickets to a show, come in two hours late and take selfies and talk over the music? This couple in front of us annoyingly took about ( and I know I exaggerate sometimes but I think I am close to the mark when I say this) over 50 selfies. My friend and I tried photo-bombing them and commenting, but they were so clueless and drunk it was pointless. They finally got the picture they needed, I suppose, and staggered out of the venue to the delight of those of us who wanted to see the show.
We left before the encore as it was a "School night" and it was a long drive home. Still it was fun to get out and hang out with my friend. As a side note, the Shrine was the first place we saw a concert, back in 1972. We saw James Taylor. We were Jr High kids. I still remember it. I came home reeking of pot, even if I didn't smoke it , I am sure I had a contact high..
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
"It's an expression"
I've been thinking of things my Dad used to say. He was something of a collector of "country phrases" and they sometimes come out of my mouth, like:
"Your rights end at my nose" I have said that more than a few times lately. I don't think I understood it as a child, but as an adult it makes a lot of sense. People these days think they have the "right" to do whatever they want and try to force their rights down your throat. I am getting tired of being overly careful not to tread on anyone while not getting the same courtesy.
I woke up the other morning thinking "Things are seldom what they seem, when skim milk masquerades as cream" That really applies to a situation recently that may or may not be concluded. This person pretended to be "cream" but wasn't even 2% milk, if you get what I mean. The hardest part is that due to rules I must adhere to, I can't say anything. I just hope to never have to deal with this person again. Ever. I also hope that, as my Dad used to say "the truth will out"
I have been pondering the expression "a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse" well, OBVIOUSLY , but what the HECK does that mean? Going to look it up. BRB. Aha! It means that you can't get some people to take a hint! Oh I KNOW some people like that. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them think!
"Your rights end at my nose" I have said that more than a few times lately. I don't think I understood it as a child, but as an adult it makes a lot of sense. People these days think they have the "right" to do whatever they want and try to force their rights down your throat. I am getting tired of being overly careful not to tread on anyone while not getting the same courtesy.
I woke up the other morning thinking "Things are seldom what they seem, when skim milk masquerades as cream" That really applies to a situation recently that may or may not be concluded. This person pretended to be "cream" but wasn't even 2% milk, if you get what I mean. The hardest part is that due to rules I must adhere to, I can't say anything. I just hope to never have to deal with this person again. Ever. I also hope that, as my Dad used to say "the truth will out"
I have been pondering the expression "a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse" well, OBVIOUSLY , but what the HECK does that mean? Going to look it up. BRB. Aha! It means that you can't get some people to take a hint! Oh I KNOW some people like that. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them think!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Poetry
I went to a poetry recital on Sunday. I found myself wondering about the influence of Beat poets on our current crop of poets. One or two of them could have been the great grandchildren of Ginsberg and Kerouac. Some of it was very good. Local poet Joe DeCenzo moved me to tears and I wondered if it were the combination of his reading AND the work; it's a bit like separating the dancer from the dance, I suppose. One poet I just didn't get, but his was a visual work and he did not have the right equipment to present it so maybe I was missing something. Maybe I should go to more poetry readings.
It takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude ( that's a fancy word for guts) to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and read your poetry. Poetry is the most personal of art forms, at least for me. Words written on my heart, then laid bare for the world to see and judge or discard. As a writer of what I think of as "bad poetry" I find the act of presenting it to be an act of bravery. I know I couldn't do it. I may write later on this week, if I have time and something to say; but I offer you this poem I wrote a while ago. It does not apply to where I am today, but that fact makes it no less true.
Love leaves.
You want to scream
or drive
or slit your wrists
But you don't.
Instead
You
cook a meal you don't eat
play music you don't hear
sit in the dark
knees drawn to your chest
waiting for the dawn.
It takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude ( that's a fancy word for guts) to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and read your poetry. Poetry is the most personal of art forms, at least for me. Words written on my heart, then laid bare for the world to see and judge or discard. As a writer of what I think of as "bad poetry" I find the act of presenting it to be an act of bravery. I know I couldn't do it. I may write later on this week, if I have time and something to say; but I offer you this poem I wrote a while ago. It does not apply to where I am today, but that fact makes it no less true.
Love leaves.
You want to scream
or drive
or slit your wrists
But you don't.
Instead
You
cook a meal you don't eat
play music you don't hear
sit in the dark
knees drawn to your chest
waiting for the dawn.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Erin Go Bragh!
I always say if you are at a McCue family reunion and you don't know the woman's name, if you call her "Margaret" you have a 75% chance of being right! It's a BIG clan, even if only 9 of the eighteen lived to maturity, they took that "be fruitful and multiply" thing from the Bible very seriously!
So celebrate a day when everyone is Irish. I think that must piss off "the Brit" as my Grandfather used to call them ( although I am Brit on one side of my family and LOVE my Brit family) They tried to wipe us off the planet for years ( not anymore, but historically speaking). I also think there are a lot more people who actually DO have a bit of Irish blood in them. We traveled the globe and are a friendly lot!
Sláinte!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sarah Palin and other thoughts on religion and the law of the land
So, I posted a meme on my Facebook page, showing Sarah Palin saying we should "base our laws on the God of the Bible" It then says "yes Sarah, then we can stone your daughter to death for having premarital sex and your husband can beat you for trying to have authority over men" ( well something like that.) I thought it was funny, for reasons I will detail in a moment, but it sparked a lively discussion on my page.
When she talks about the "God of the Bible" which God does she mean? The vengeful, often pissed off God we encounter in the Old Testament, or the loving forgiving one we find in the new Testament? For that matter, which version of the BIBLE are we going to use to frame the laws; King James? Good News? New American Standard? Heck, there are more translations of the Bible than there are sectors of Christianity. As Christians, we can't even agree on some of the finer points of the faith we all claim to follow; the Catholics and the Southern Baptists would tell me I am going to Hell, the Protestants aren't so sure, The Lutherans say I'm ok and I think the Unitarians do too.
Despite what some people believe, the U.S .is NOT a "Christian Nation" Please take a look at the Constitution. It's pretty clear about it. We are a country, supposedly founded on Freedom of religion. I will take it a step further, we are also allowed freedom FROM religion. I live my life based on Christian principals as I understand them. There is also a good mix of Buddhism in there too. I don't believe there is ONE WAY that everyone should live, as long as no one else is hurt in the process. I will talk about my philosophy with you, but I am not arrogant enough to believe that MY belief should be law ( except for my kid when she was little, but that's another story) I like to say, "all Children see their father differently" Don't believe me? Ask your siblings to talk about your Dad. You will meet a totally different person than the one you know. Are they wrong? Not for them.
Back to the meme about Palin. I think she's a first class twit. Her whole life these days seems to just be fodder for another Tina Fey skit. The more she opens her mouth, the more I am glad she and John McCain were not elected. I kind of like McCain. He seems like a square shooter. He might have made a fine president. The thing that scared me was President Sarah Palin. It COULD have happened. There is a story about Teddy Roosevelt. When he was nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate for William McKinley, someone was reputed to have said "that cowboy is a heartbeat away from the presidency. They were assured that McKinley was healthy. THEN he was assassinated.
I think the founding father's did a fairly good job, for their time, of framing a Constitution. It's a living document, meant to be amended with the times . It purposely separates Church and State and we should leave it at that.
When she talks about the "God of the Bible" which God does she mean? The vengeful, often pissed off God we encounter in the Old Testament, or the loving forgiving one we find in the new Testament? For that matter, which version of the BIBLE are we going to use to frame the laws; King James? Good News? New American Standard? Heck, there are more translations of the Bible than there are sectors of Christianity. As Christians, we can't even agree on some of the finer points of the faith we all claim to follow; the Catholics and the Southern Baptists would tell me I am going to Hell, the Protestants aren't so sure, The Lutherans say I'm ok and I think the Unitarians do too.
Despite what some people believe, the U.S .is NOT a "Christian Nation" Please take a look at the Constitution. It's pretty clear about it. We are a country, supposedly founded on Freedom of religion. I will take it a step further, we are also allowed freedom FROM religion. I live my life based on Christian principals as I understand them. There is also a good mix of Buddhism in there too. I don't believe there is ONE WAY that everyone should live, as long as no one else is hurt in the process. I will talk about my philosophy with you, but I am not arrogant enough to believe that MY belief should be law ( except for my kid when she was little, but that's another story) I like to say, "all Children see their father differently" Don't believe me? Ask your siblings to talk about your Dad. You will meet a totally different person than the one you know. Are they wrong? Not for them.
Back to the meme about Palin. I think she's a first class twit. Her whole life these days seems to just be fodder for another Tina Fey skit. The more she opens her mouth, the more I am glad she and John McCain were not elected. I kind of like McCain. He seems like a square shooter. He might have made a fine president. The thing that scared me was President Sarah Palin. It COULD have happened. There is a story about Teddy Roosevelt. When he was nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate for William McKinley, someone was reputed to have said "that cowboy is a heartbeat away from the presidency. They were assured that McKinley was healthy. THEN he was assassinated.
I think the founding father's did a fairly good job, for their time, of framing a Constitution. It's a living document, meant to be amended with the times . It purposely separates Church and State and we should leave it at that.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Why you should NEVER write a cliffhanger ending to a novel
I am addicted to the Ariana Franklin "Mistress of the Art of Death" series. Sure there are HUGE plot holes and characters act in ways that make you wonder where their senses went, but overall the books are beautifully paced and compelling.
I just finished my last one " aAMurderous Procession" which ended with Rowley Picot clinging to life and everyone trying to get out of Italy. I went to the LAPL catalog to reserve the next one, only to find there IS no next one and never will be! The author, Diana Norman, DIED in 2011. SHOOT! ( well, that's NOT what I said, but you get the gist of it.) NOOOOOOO!!!!! Now we will never know what happens. Did she leave notes? Did she get someone who might finish the series? We NEED one more novel to clear everything up and tie up the loose ends.
In the interest of keeping my sanity, I humbly offer the following summary of what takes place in the next novel:
After a long sea voyage, Adelia realizes that Rowley is a whiny brat who will never ever accept that Adelia has brains and should be allowed to use them. She dumps him in favor of The O'Donnell, who loves the fact that she can think for herself and actually encourages her. He loves her for who she is, not who he wants her to be. They go back to England and take up residence in the house that Emma built for Adelia. He does not give up his seafaring ways and the relationship works just fine for them. She continues her practice, now with her father and mother who move into the castle with Emma. No one is murdered but a few annoying clerics from earlier novels fall in the mud. A lot.
Adelia and Rowley's daughter Allie grows up and married Emma's son Phillip ( aka "Pippi") .As a lady of the manor, she is allowed to pursue her interest in animals and is often called upon to asssist with sick livestock, which helps her community. No one thinks it's odd, they are just grateful to her for her skill.
Ulf becomes a knight, after spending some time sailing with The O'Donnell. Rutger teaches him everything he knows about being a knight. He manages to avoid getting sent on Crusade with Richard the Lionheart, but settles in nicely to protect Emma and Rutger's land. He marries Boggart and they have a lot of children.
Mansur and Gyltha settle down to domestic bliss. The townspeople, thinking Mansur is a eunuch don't mind the arrangement at all.
There. I feel better now. I really hope there is a draft of the final novel somewhere in her papers, but everything I read says no. This will have to do, I suppose.
Note to authors everywhere, if you are going to end your novel on a cliffhanger, do the decent thing and leave some notes for someone else to complete the tale!
I just finished my last one " aAMurderous Procession" which ended with Rowley Picot clinging to life and everyone trying to get out of Italy. I went to the LAPL catalog to reserve the next one, only to find there IS no next one and never will be! The author, Diana Norman, DIED in 2011. SHOOT! ( well, that's NOT what I said, but you get the gist of it.) NOOOOOOO!!!!! Now we will never know what happens. Did she leave notes? Did she get someone who might finish the series? We NEED one more novel to clear everything up and tie up the loose ends.
In the interest of keeping my sanity, I humbly offer the following summary of what takes place in the next novel:
After a long sea voyage, Adelia realizes that Rowley is a whiny brat who will never ever accept that Adelia has brains and should be allowed to use them. She dumps him in favor of The O'Donnell, who loves the fact that she can think for herself and actually encourages her. He loves her for who she is, not who he wants her to be. They go back to England and take up residence in the house that Emma built for Adelia. He does not give up his seafaring ways and the relationship works just fine for them. She continues her practice, now with her father and mother who move into the castle with Emma. No one is murdered but a few annoying clerics from earlier novels fall in the mud. A lot.
Adelia and Rowley's daughter Allie grows up and married Emma's son Phillip ( aka "Pippi") .As a lady of the manor, she is allowed to pursue her interest in animals and is often called upon to asssist with sick livestock, which helps her community. No one thinks it's odd, they are just grateful to her for her skill.
Ulf becomes a knight, after spending some time sailing with The O'Donnell. Rutger teaches him everything he knows about being a knight. He manages to avoid getting sent on Crusade with Richard the Lionheart, but settles in nicely to protect Emma and Rutger's land. He marries Boggart and they have a lot of children.
Mansur and Gyltha settle down to domestic bliss. The townspeople, thinking Mansur is a eunuch don't mind the arrangement at all.
There. I feel better now. I really hope there is a draft of the final novel somewhere in her papers, but everything I read says no. This will have to do, I suppose.
Note to authors everywhere, if you are going to end your novel on a cliffhanger, do the decent thing and leave some notes for someone else to complete the tale!
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