This is BO WAH MEI, she's from Viet Nam and now lives on the perch overlooking my Jewbical. Thank you Allie Lipner for bringing her legally into the States.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Coming to America
This is BO WAH MEI, she's from Viet Nam and now lives on the perch overlooking my Jewbical. Thank you Allie Lipner for bringing her legally into the States.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Liberty vs. Something like it...
Liberty has a price most of us will never pay, but enjoy to the fullest. Lately the scuttlebutt over the mosque being built near the 9/11 site has brought people to fisticuffs over whether or not it is appropriate to allow this place of worship to be erected. That it is an offense to the families of those killed in the attack. That somehow the whole of Islam is out to get us and if we let them pray near the World Trade Center, in some bigger picture that only the myopic can see, “they” win.
I’m sorry I guess we’ve all forgotten that this is America and that we do NOT discriminate against other people’s beliefs or where, when & how they worship. We swallow a lot of bullsh*t for this freedom. Think of the Civil Rights Movement which still to this day has to be vigilant in its pursuit of equality. It’s frightening to learn that in Charleston, Mississippi, Charleston High School just had their first integrated Prom in 2008. That’s right ya’ll 2008!!!
However, in America you have the right to be closed minded, bigoted and racist. You can spew your negativity and hate to anyone and on any media outlet who will listen. You also have the right to open your thoughts, to embrace your fellow man, respect his or her rights and try tolerance. Think of it as a lifestyle choice.
“They” only win if we don’t build the mosque. If we fold our arms and say, “no” then we become hypocrites wrapped in a flag of our own indignation. Moralizing that the families of these victims would be hurt or disrespected isn’t consistent with history. Look at Nathan Hale, one of Americas first true patriots, you remember him from 5th grade history class, right? He uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country,” at his hanging which occurred on 66th & Third Avenue there’s no monument or statue of him, only a small plaque that hangs on the Banana Republic occupying that “sacred” ground.
Never forgetting doesn’t mean turning Ground Zero into a tourist attraction and using its sentimentality to bully your way over other people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one said this grand ideal etched in parchment would be easy, it's often a hard pill to take, and we've made mistakes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
I’m sorry I guess we’ve all forgotten that this is America and that we do NOT discriminate against other people’s beliefs or where, when & how they worship. We swallow a lot of bullsh*t for this freedom. Think of the Civil Rights Movement which still to this day has to be vigilant in its pursuit of equality. It’s frightening to learn that in Charleston, Mississippi, Charleston High School just had their first integrated Prom in 2008. That’s right ya’ll 2008!!!
However, in America you have the right to be closed minded, bigoted and racist. You can spew your negativity and hate to anyone and on any media outlet who will listen. You also have the right to open your thoughts, to embrace your fellow man, respect his or her rights and try tolerance. Think of it as a lifestyle choice.
“They” only win if we don’t build the mosque. If we fold our arms and say, “no” then we become hypocrites wrapped in a flag of our own indignation. Moralizing that the families of these victims would be hurt or disrespected isn’t consistent with history. Look at Nathan Hale, one of Americas first true patriots, you remember him from 5th grade history class, right? He uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country,” at his hanging which occurred on 66th & Third Avenue there’s no monument or statue of him, only a small plaque that hangs on the Banana Republic occupying that “sacred” ground.
Never forgetting doesn’t mean turning Ground Zero into a tourist attraction and using its sentimentality to bully your way over other people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one said this grand ideal etched in parchment would be easy, it's often a hard pill to take, and we've made mistakes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
Friday, September 3, 2010
VHS vs. DVD
Time Warner Cable can suck it. Really, after losing my cable last Saturday night and the 5 subsequent days following I have revisited the permanent "disconnect" from the Matrix. After the season finale of Mad Men in early October of course.
However, during that time I filled the void by watching a few of my favorite VHS classics. WOW! VHS does not hold up after years of sitting on a shelf. The pictures were grainy and the color faded. Why I thought tape was forever I don't know, I guess the AFI really does keep cinema alive and well preserved for future generations.
I'm not a fan of hi-def anything, I want to watch the movie or show not “be” in it. Occasionally it even makes me queasy. DVD’s are by far a better product; they are smaller, if you spill something on them you just wipe it off, scratching seems to be the only nemesis haunting the avid collector. Only, you know there’s something in the wings waiting to take its place. Blue Ray is just an enhanced DVD right? It’s not actually a ray that projects images in your mind.
I will say this though, my VHS copy of Soapdish has the classic continuity flub, of Sally Fields going from heels to tennis shoes….makes me laugh every time so I think I’ll hold onto it.
However, during that time I filled the void by watching a few of my favorite VHS classics. WOW! VHS does not hold up after years of sitting on a shelf. The pictures were grainy and the color faded. Why I thought tape was forever I don't know, I guess the AFI really does keep cinema alive and well preserved for future generations.
I'm not a fan of hi-def anything, I want to watch the movie or show not “be” in it. Occasionally it even makes me queasy. DVD’s are by far a better product; they are smaller, if you spill something on them you just wipe it off, scratching seems to be the only nemesis haunting the avid collector. Only, you know there’s something in the wings waiting to take its place. Blue Ray is just an enhanced DVD right? It’s not actually a ray that projects images in your mind.
I will say this though, my VHS copy of Soapdish has the classic continuity flub, of Sally Fields going from heels to tennis shoes….makes me laugh every time so I think I’ll hold onto it.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Handy Capping the Tony's
After looking over the latest Theatrical Index my mind is wondering where are all these shows going to go? I mean there are only so many Broadway theaters and as it stands for the 2010-2011 Tony Season there seems to be like 25 New Musicals/Revivals and 5 or 6 New Plays allegedly opening.
My best friend and partner in crime and other lascivious activities is in SPIDER MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, so naturally I wanted to know what is coming down the pike in competition for BEST MUSICAL!
The biggest rival seems to be WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, which is opening at the newly renovated Belasco Theatre. All I can say is I hope they removed the "curse" as well at the worn out carpet in the process. Nothing runs at the Belasco, at least not since I've been in New York. If your show opens there you might as well turn around and start auditioning because the curtain won't stay up long. The last decade isn't exactly riddled with hits.....
2000: James Joyce's The Dead
2001: Follies
2002: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
2004: Dracula, the Musical
2005: Julius Caesar
2006: Awake and Sing!
2007: Journey's End
2008: Passing Strange; American Buffalo
2009: Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune & Joe Turner's Come and Gone were limited runs and Passing Strange while an AMAZING show never really found an audience!
I guess it all depends on when the cut-off date for Tony eligibility for the 2010-2011 Broadway season — the final day a production can open and still be eligible for Tony nominations — which has still YET to be decided. Makes me think the "Producers" are up to some shenanigans. It had been narrowed to down to April 21 or April 28, 2011. Someone must be trying to get in under the wire.
WE SHALL SEE!!!!
My best friend and partner in crime and other lascivious activities is in SPIDER MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, so naturally I wanted to know what is coming down the pike in competition for BEST MUSICAL!
The biggest rival seems to be WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, which is opening at the newly renovated Belasco Theatre. All I can say is I hope they removed the "curse" as well at the worn out carpet in the process. Nothing runs at the Belasco, at least not since I've been in New York. If your show opens there you might as well turn around and start auditioning because the curtain won't stay up long. The last decade isn't exactly riddled with hits.....
2000: James Joyce's The Dead
2001: Follies
2002: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
2004: Dracula, the Musical
2005: Julius Caesar
2006: Awake and Sing!
2007: Journey's End
2008: Passing Strange; American Buffalo
2009: Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune & Joe Turner's Come and Gone were limited runs and Passing Strange while an AMAZING show never really found an audience!
I guess it all depends on when the cut-off date for Tony eligibility for the 2010-2011 Broadway season — the final day a production can open and still be eligible for Tony nominations — which has still YET to be decided. Makes me think the "Producers" are up to some shenanigans. It had been narrowed to down to April 21 or April 28, 2011. Someone must be trying to get in under the wire.
WE SHALL SEE!!!!
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