Brokeback Mountain or To Thine Own Self Be True

Tonight we saw one of the most talked about films of 2005, Brokeback Mountain. It opened in a limited amount of theaters several weeks ago, but now has reached our local AMC megaplex. The film is very rich in image and story. The acting is top notch all the way. My only complaint is that Heath Ledger mumbles an awful lot of his dialogue. Ledger's character is a man of few words, so when he speaks you assume it must be important. Unfortunately, some of it is unintelligible. I can't wait till the DVD version so I can turn on closed captioning!

I really felt for the women in the picture. It must be a terrible feeling when you find out that your husband prefers to be with a man over you! I kept thinking about gay marriage. If society were more accepting of homosexuals, so many men would not have been forced to "live a lie", in a loveless marriage. Society and some religious doctrine have done so much damage when they insist that homosexuality is not an intrinsic part of a person's personality. They dismiss it as sin and thus create a terrible conflict within the child or adult who faces his/her sexuality. If it is sin, then I can choose to be straight. I really wish that heterosexuals could walk in a gay person's shoes for a moment. What would happen if they were confronted with the idea that heterosexual love is wrong and they should choose not pursue it? What if the majority of people they meet were homosexual? How many healthy, happy, heterosexuals would there be? Not many, I'll bet. In contradiction to the best available scientific evidence, I am gonna go way out on a limb here and say that maybe there are some people who actually sit down and make a decision to be gay or straight. I can tell you for certain that I have never met one, and I bet that most people who tell me it is a choice haven't either. The religious right want us to change our behavior, but they can't change who we are inside. Just as in Brokeback Mountain, we can marry, have kids and avoid having sexual relations with who we really want to, but that doesn't change who we are... just our outward appearance. How does supressing the truth we know about ourselves glorify God or help the people we choose to lie too?

The biggest problem I have with the concept of "homosexuality as sin" is that it creates an atmosphere of hatred. If society believes that we are choosing to do things that are "wrong", we are looked upon as immoral or "just plain bad". We are taught from an early age that if we do bad things we will be punished. In some parts of our country, and in some parts of the world, people who do bad things are even executed! Ask yourself. Do you feel upset when a criminal goes to jail? Or a murderer is shot? If these people deserve it, then why shouldn't a Mathew Sheppard or a Teena Brandon? Unfortunately, the concept of "homosexuality as sin" has created many people who think that their deaths were justified. I mean, after all, they were bad people anyway. If we teach that homosexuality is wrong, we are teaching that homosexuals are bad and should be punished, and that it is ok to deny them the their right to happiness. It is sad that situations depicted in Brokeback Mountain actually have happend and continue to happen. Two people should never be denied to express the love they have for one another.

Brokeback Mountain may be a fictional story, but one of its lessons is true whether you are straight or gay... to thine own self be true.

Happy 82nd Birthday Mom

A true American treasure turned 82 today. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, caring, intelligent and loving, mother.

Gay Marriage In Depth

I found this interesting ariticle on gay marriage. I think the writer has really done his homework. For a more in depth look, I really recommend Why Marriage Matters by Evan Wolfson.

Kudos: Scott Bidstrup

Gay Marriage Petition Fraud

I am so outraged! Recently I went to the website, knowthyneighbor.org ,to see which of my "friends" and neighbors had signed a petition to ban marriage and civil unions in Massachusetts. I was shocked to see that my best friend and staunch gay rights supporter had signed the petition! I called her immediately to get the full story. It turns out that the petition taker told her that the petition was in support of marriage for gays and lesbians and was presented alongside a petition to allow the sale of liquor in grocery stores. She is, of course, outraged, and is filling out a form to have her name removed. It has been reported that many signatures where obtained under false pretenses. I am in disbelief as to the magnitude of this situation. If people who are as well meaning as my friend have been duped, how many other people have been manipulated the same way? Why are there no checks and balances to prevent this from happening? I urge anyone reading this in Massachusetts to visit knowthyneighbor.org and find out if people they know have signed the list. Unfortunately, I am sure that many people have signed legitimately, but a phone call or letter to your neighbor might prove otherwise.

Kudos: knowthyneighbor.org

Dismay in December

Dismay in December
by
Betty Ann Fisher

All the rubble 'round me lies,
all shot to Heck before my eyes.
The trigger’s bent on that big gun;
he thinks I'll buy another one.
The poor stuffed dog has lost his nose,
and someone stepped on the turtle's toes.


He broke the pedal of the trike;
the one I was so sure he'd like.
The new rug's all marked up with glue;
those Sparkle paints were something new.
The power saw and bench were nice,
but they're all fouled up from slicing ice.


The chemistry set was just delightful,
but the smell, my dear, was simply frightful!
The test tubes are all broken now.
There's not much left from the awful row
over who was going to eat the cake
that the small guy made with the Easy-Bake.


Santa's gone for another year.
I've had my fill of joy and cheer.
In case he plans on coming back,
he can take the things in his big pack
to someone else's sons and nieces,
or else stay around to mend the pieces.


Yes... I had an Easy-Bake oven as a child. And who says we aren't born gay? Merry Christmas!
This poem is from my mom's book, Please Delay Departure.

Late Again

Late Again
by
Betty Ann Fisher

and set beside the tree.
The greeting cards are written
with messages therein.
Haven’t missed a single soul
on my Christmas list.
I’ve called the friends and kinfolk,
invited them to feast
on turkey, ham, and goodies,
at dinner Christmas Day.
Carols in the background,
as we decorate the tree.
All rooms are clean and shining,
no clutter here in sight.
Oh, dear me, it’s all a lie,
on this year’s Christmas night.

Merry Christmas!
This poem is from my mom's book, Please Delay Departure.

Bah! Humbug or Maybe the Dickens with It

Bah! Humbug or Maybe the Dickens with It
by
Betty Ann Fisher


Though Santa’s on the rooftop
with his reindeer hitched to sleigh,
I’m convinced his trip is non-stop
and he’ll head the other way.


The stores are filled with bustle
and shoppers in a rush,
theirs is a test of muscle
and their manners make me blush.


This year’s cards all leave me cold,
show naught of Season’s meaning.
Angels in modern dress are bold,
some at a lamp post, leaning.


I long for cherubs garbed in white,
with faces which are meek,
and Wise Men of that Holy Night,
not thugs with tongue in cheek.


Where’s the heartfelt spirit told?
The joy of love and giving?
What of the shepherd tending fold?
How come these times we’re living?


It surely will be Christmas, though,
wherever stars come out
to light the way across the snow,
of that there is no doubt.

This poem is from my mom's book, Please Delay Departure.

King Kong or It's Tough To Be A Blonde

When my partner turned to me this morning and said he wanted to go see King Kong today, I let out a whiny groan. “King Kong!”, I said, “You don’t want to see that, do you?”. Well that was a stupid queston since he just asked me if I wanted to go. l could see that my whining was not going to help and given the fact that my partner almost never asks for anything… I bit my tongue and decided to look up showtimes.

All day, I dreaded the fact that I would be attending the 3rd telling of this story. Hasn’t the story been told enough? I thought to myself. Insult to injury was added when my partner volunteered that the movie was over 3 hours long! Would I be able to sit through the thing without a pee break? Would I fall asleep? Would I have enough popcorn and Milk Duds to last throughout the picture? Not only these issues dashed through my mind , I also knew that the movie was directed by Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings. Let me clarify what that means to me in a few words, I call it Bored of the Rings.

Somehow I managed to get through the day without coming down with the bird flu… and before I knew it we were off to the theater. We sat down in our seats and I finished almost all my popcorn and Milk Duds (mixed together, of course) by the end of the previews. Then.. the movie began. There was no escape.

I won’t give you full review or plot synopsis (I am sure there are many people who have, and have done a far better job than I), but I will say that for all my complaining, it wasn’t that bad. The acting for the most part was first rate. I had read that most of the actors had to work with minimal sets and had to react to a whole lot of nothing. Naomi Watts does a fantastic job as the new Fay Wray. Her scenes with the giant ape are wonderful. You really feel that she has made a strong connection to this CGI character. Kyle Chandler is perfect as the dashing matinee idol, Bruce Baxter, and Adrien Brody is passable as the human who falls in love with the beauty. However Brody’s nose is just too much to take in at times on the big screen. Jack Black as Carl Denhem is the weakest of the bunch. He has toned down some of his wild-eyed mugging, but for the most part he is strictly first week at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. The ape was more believable!

The special effects were great, but just as in the previous movies when the ape holds the girl in his hand in a long shot, it looks fake. The gross out was an intense scene with giant bugs! It is definitely not for children under 12. It was terrifying and disgusting. My biggest complaint (other than it being too long) was the way humans get flung around, dashed against rocks, crushed by animals, fall from great heights, and yet somehow manage to survive. This has been a trend in a lot of movies over the last ten years. Apparently Hollywood has never heard of blunt force trauma. Yes I know that I am supposed to suspend disbelief, it is a movie for crying out loud, but keep the things that are real… real. If you fall down you can get hurt. You fall hard, you will get hurt. You fall down really hard, you dead!

See it… If you must!

Kudos: Mick Lasalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Romney won't seek re-election

Well, I for one, am glad that Mitt Romney won't be seeking re-election here in Massachusetts. He has gone out of his way to try take away my marriage rights, and it has been obvious from the get-go he was just using Massachusetts as a stepping stone to the presidency.

Kudos: Yahoo! News

Millis Wonderland

Last night we visited Millis Wonderland with our friends Karen and Ron. Millis Wonderland is the brainchild of Kevin Meehan, a local Millis business owner who began putting up Christmas decorations 7 years ago to entertain his neighbors and children. If you live in the Massachusetts area I urge you to check out this award winning Christmas display. It is unbelievable!

Millis Wonderland is located at 60 Causeway Street in Millis, Massachusetts.
Directions

View some photos in my Christmas Collection on Flickr

New Treatment for Sleep Apnea

I suffer from sleep apnea and have just read there is a new treatment for this condition. I use a CPAP machine, but it would be great if this treatment would solve my problems. CPAP is like having a hair dryer blowing up your nose all evening!!

Kudos: Yahoo News

The Wizard of Oz

Tonight The Wizard of Oz was shown on TNT in High Definition. I swore I wasn't going to watch it until I got the new 3 disc set of the film for Christmas, but I couldn't resist taking a peek. I of course... was hooked instantly, and watched the entire thing! The new print is gorgeous. The colors are so rich and the images are very sharp.

As I write this I am pondering why this movie moves me so. I have seen it at least 50 times before, and it has never failed to please. I think when I was a child, I wanted to escape my world and visit my own, "Land of Oz". I was an awkward, overweight kid, who didn't fit in with his peers, and The Wizard of Oz took me away from my worries and troubles. I keenly identified with the role of Dorothy. Judy Garland's performance was so real that I became empathetic to her character. When Dorothy was terrified, I was terrified... and when she cried, I cried.

Okay, I'll admit it, I still cry... but it's different now as an adult. Now at the ripe old age of 42, I find The Wizard of Oz touches me on a different level entirely. The feeling of "I wanna go home" pulls terribly at my heartstrings. I miss my brother, who died at his own hand. I miss my father who lost a brilliant mind to Alzheimer's Disease, and then died. I miss my mother before she had a stroke. I miss the wonderfully talented, loving, friends and family who have passed away due to: aids, cancer, heart disease, and so many other illnesses. I miss the friends that fell by the wayside, but are still living. I miss the wonderful pets I've had... especially my dog Cuddles, and my very own dog named, Toto. I miss the 32 inch waist I had... for a minute! Okay I'll stop, this is starting to sound like a Gilbert O'Sullivan song. I apologize.

All I really want to say is that The Wizard of Oz has something for all of us, no matter what are age. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were 66 years ago, when the movie premiered. I am sure they will be as relevant 100 years from now.

I plan to "never go looking any further than my own backyard," and cherish each moment. I hope that you can too.

Oz Ruby Slippers Denied Insurance Claim

A pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz that were stolen from The Judy Garland Museum have been denied their $1 million insurance claim. I think the thief will turn up eventually anyway. Witnesses say the thief was an older woman who had green skin, she can't hide for much longer.

Kudos: Deluth Tribune News

Ralphie!

One of my favorite Christmas movies is A Christmas Story. My favorite scene occurs near the end of the picture. Warning! Spoiler coming up!
On Christmas day everyone has opened their presents, wrapping paper and toys are strewn everywhere and Ralphie and his parents are sitting on the sofa. His father asks him if he "got everything he wanted, " and Ralphie says "almost," and his dad replies "Almost huh, that's life, well there's always next Christmas." Ralphie sighs and says, "yeah," and his father asks him, "what is over there behind the desk?" And there it is, the prize present Ralphie has been pining for throughout the movie, a Red Ryder BB gun. This scene grabs me every time, because when I was a child my parents would torture me in a similar way on Christmas day. I recall one year it was a bike, another year a vcr. Perhaps Dr Spock wouldn't approve, but I really appreciate all the effort my parents put forth throughout the years at Christmas. They made sure each holiday for my brothers' and me was special. Thank you Mom and Dad!

For a new twist on A Christmas Story, an ad agency has created a new trailer for the movie, A Christmas Gory !

Kudos: Biz Stone

Don't Lose Your Car at Disneyworld

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are truly the happiest places on earth, but they certainly can be tiring. There is nothing more disconcerting than after a long day at the park not being able to locate your car. On a recent family reunion to Disneyworld, my sister-in-law came up with a great idea. Use your digital camera to take a picture of the row you parked your car in! Since it is digital, you can just delete it once you get back to your car. It's a true f00t saver!

The Un-American Family Association Wins Boycott Against Ford

God, yes I said God, I hate this group. They are the biggest bunch of hypocrites on the planet. I have come to the conclusion that any group with the name family in their title is really the Anti-Christ! The American Family Association goes out of their way to destroy gay and lesbian families. They, and many other groups like them, keep stating that homosexuality is somehow against families. Gay people love families! We have them, we come from them, and we are them. The AFA is now hot on the tail of companies that advertise in gay publications. They are now not only against a certain segment of the population, but against companies trying to make a buck. Can you say unamerican? These groups have done so much damage to people looking for a kind and just God. Hypocrites... all of them.

Another company in the crosshairs of an anti-gay group is Ford, which was threatened with a boycott from the American Family Association last spring due to its pro-gay policies. The American Family Association suspended the boycott when Ford engaged the group in discussions in June, and last week lifted the boycott completely -- just after Ford decided not to renew advertising campaigns for its Jaguar and Land Rover brands in gay publications, including the Advocate and Out magazines. Full Story

And another thing! Shame on Ford for cow-towing to the demands of this group. I am glad that I dumped their recall ridden Escape, and bought my Toyota Prius.

Kudos: PlanetOut

Time is Running Out Georgie

I saw this on another site and just had to have one for my blog! George Bush has got to go down in history as the worst president we have ever had. I still can't get over the fact that the man cannot, and will not, say NUCLEAR correctly. And he has command of the largest nuclear arsenal on the planet! Sheer stupidity and arrogance.



Kudos: Jewggle and Backwardsbush

The new "A Bear's Life" is out.

The new A Bear's Life is out. You can read about it in their newest newsletter. This is a great magazine that all bears and cubs should subscribe to!




Kudos: A Bears Life

Penny Robinson... a lesbian?

As many of you know I am a big fan of the old TV Show Lost in Space. I even built my own robot from the show! For once someone has come up with a gay twist other than the requisite Dr. Smith!

Kudos: Robocub

Rudolph the Young-Gay Reindeer

Ok, admit it. Every year you watch the Rankin/Bass version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and so do I. It is one of those classic Christmas flicks that we watch every year along with A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. One thing that probably didn't occur to you though, was that Rudolph was gay.

As a child growing up I identified with little gay Rudolph. I knew I was different from the other children at a young age, just like Rudolph. I was awkward at sports, kids "called me names" and did not want me to play in their "reindeer games". I had a gal pal, like Clarice-still do today, and I had my share of other misfit friends like Hermy. While my father was alway supportive of me, Rudolph's father is ashamed of him and even tries to "cover up" his flamboyant tendencies. Even Santa in the beginning of the story is not supportive of poor Rudolph. Santa could be thought to represent the government, the religious right, or even mainstream society. One might even make the case that Yukon Cornelius would be known in gay culture as a "bear". Bears are hairy, husky, usually bearded, gay men. Just as Rudolph, I have hung out with my share of Yukons.

Do I think that the creators really meant to portray Rudolph as a gay youth? Probably not, but I can assure you that the experiences and feelings that this character suffered have been felt by many a gay child. All children... whatever their difference... should be encouraged to "take flight" and express their natural "glow".

New Disney Quiz

I found this on another blog site.

Here are my results:


Mickey Mouse


Which DISNEY character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

Happy Birthday John Fricke!

Today John Fricke is 55. John Fricke is the world renowned author and expert on The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland. I first met John in June of 1989 at the Judy Garland Fesival in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He had just produced a great documentary, Judy Garland: The Concert Years, and was a featured guest speaker at the event. John was and is, one of the most personable and articulate people I have ever met. A group of us befriended him and spent evenings watching rare Judy Garland television appearances back at his hotel room using my old clunky VHS camrecorder. John would give us a history about the appearance and speak of Judy with great knowledge and reverence. Over the years John and I became friends and I have a special place in my heart for this man. Happy Birthday John!


There is an interesting biography and interview with John here and another here.

Recommended Books by John Fricke:

The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History
Judy Garland: World's Greatest Entertainer
100 Years of Oz : A Century of Classic Images
Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art & Anecdote

Gays Banned as Priests

Well the attack on gay priests has begun in the Catholic church. If there was any hope of me feeling welcome there, it is now lost. Full Story

Kudos: PlanetOut

New CPR Guidlines

Yahoo! News
"Push hard, push fast" next time you give CPR to someone having cardiac arrest, say new, simpler guidelines in a radical departure from past advice. Putting the emphasis on chest compressions instead of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the American Heart Association now urges people to give 30 compressions — instead of 15 — for every two rescue breaths." Full Story

Great Blogging Book

I am reading a great book on blogging called Who Let the Blogs Out? by Biz Stone. It answers a lot of questions about the history of blogging and it is a must reference for anyone who blogs or is just getting started. What I find interesting is that his blog is so simple and isn't put together well. There is little information about him, no contact information, no comments allowed, and if you leave his front page there is no easy way to get back to the top! I expected much more from him after reading his book. You can read his blog here.

Survey on gay marriage

Just took a new survey on gay marriage. I don't know how long it will be up, but why don't you take it.

Mass Bay Bears visit IKEA

From the Mass Bay Bears site

Join the Mass Bay Bears on our excursion to reasonably-priced swedish-contemporary furniture & housewares. IKEA in other cities is a hugely popular Bear-spotting spot, let's kick off our local one in Stoughton. By Dec. 2nd the crowds should be under control & the shelves restocked. We'll be meeting in the front lobby at 7pm for shopping, then reconnecting at 8pm in the trés chic café for $5 Swedish Meatballs dinners & $6 salmon ones. This will be a fun casual way to meet new Bears & stock up for the holidays.

Full Story

Family Guy

Just watched another episode of this crazy show. I can't believe the things they say on this show sometimes! Fox News may be conservative, but Family Guy sure isn't! My favorite character is Stewie. He reminds me of Sir John Gielgud in childlike form.

Marriage ban likely to appear on Mass. ballot

Yahoo! News

"The proposed amendment seeks to undo a November 2003 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that deemed it unconstitutional to deny marriage licenses to gays and lesbians."

Full Story

Well here we go again. I am so upset that people I don't know, and don't know me, might get a chance to decide whether I can visit my partner in the hospital, obtain joint healthcare, have bereavment leave should one of us die, and over 1000 other benefits heterosexual couples take for granted. But does anyone marry because of benefits? Perhaps...but we got married because we love each other. We were married after nine years on May 28th, 2004. Why is this anyone else's business other than our own? Why do people want to deny me the right to happiness that they so richly enjoy? Do you believe in your heart that some people are more deserving of basic rights than others?

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
                                          --Rev. Martin Niemoller

Please Support Marriage for Gays and Lesbians
Especially if you live in Massachusetts!
Equalmarriage.org
Massequality.org

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I cooked dinner for my mom, brother and aunt. Boy, am I tired! How my mother and mothers everywhere do this year after year is amazing. It is so much work. I feel guilty for all the times I just sat around and let my mother do everything. Not only that, I never really appreciated what an art form it really was. What I find so difficult is trying to get everything out at the same time! I really needed an extra 4 burners or 3 more microwaves. Not to mention I was exhausted from the day before... preparing stuffing, baking pies, and cutting vegetables. And after you get all this done, and everyone sits down to eat, it is over in about 30 minutes! Days of preparation, shopping, organizing, all for a 30 minute meal. It really is a little surreal. What happens next is even worse! Piles of pans, grease drippings on the floor, utensils strewn all over the counter, thermometers and food stuck all over your good china lie in wait for you to clean. There is so much stuff it all won't fit in the dishwasher and you are forced to wash some stuff by hand. All the while you are bursting at the seams from the recent stuffing you gave yourself and either want to lie down or throw up! Just when you have cleaned up, made space in the fridge for leftovers that seem not to fit and are ready to press the button on the dishwasher you remember that you will mess the place up all over again when you bring out the leftovers and everyone makes turkey sandwiches! I tell you it is insanity! Go out next year!

Bear Article in New York Magazine

Grizzly Men - Otters and wolves and bears. Oh my!
Who knew that bears would become so mainstream as to warrant an article in a popular New York magazine! I kind of liked it when we were more underground...sort of a secret society. Well that's progress.

Please Delay Departure

Please Delay Departure
by
Betty Ann Fisher


I thank the Lord for every day
That I am here on earth, and pray
He wont decide to let me go
Before I see the Autumn glow.


And after that I pray again
That I can stay around for when
The earth is blanketed in white
And then to see each starry night.


He knows I 'll ask for one more thing
That I'll be here to see the Spring
To greet each morning bright and new
And then, of course, there's Summer too.


When warm winds whisper in the trees
And flowers are a-hum with bees
I'll want to hear the church bells chime
Oh yes, I like the summer time.


I wonder if He'll think it fair
If I send up another prayr
That after I have romped in clover
I'll still be here when Summer's over.


I'd like to witness, Autumn's show
And then I really love the snow
And then Spring sunlight on my cheek
It's just Eternal life I seek

Title poem from my mom's book, Please Delay Departure.

Super Nanny

What a great show! I just watched my first episode tonight of Supernanny and I really enjoyed it. I didn't think I would with all the stupid promos I saw for it. The nanny, Jo Frost, is quite good and seems to really know her stuff. She takes a deep look at the family dynamics and is very aware of the messages we send our children. I expected a piece of fluff, but found myself fascinated by the psychology of it all. The way our parents handle the simplest things really can affect how we turn out as adults. It should be required watching for all parents and parents to be.

Remember When

Check out a clip from my latest Disney trip video.

The song is sung by LeAnn Rimes to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland. You may order it here.

The Lion King

Tonight I saw the touring company of The Lion King, at the Providence Performing Arts Center. What can I say? I must be insane. I didn’t like it. Maybe it is because I really loved the animated film and know it so well…or maybe it’s because I have seen two staged shows of it at Walt Disney World…one of them, even with puppets!
Firstly, I really had a hard time figuring out whether I should look at the actor or the puppet. I found myself longing for an all puppet show…where I couldn’t see the actors, or an all actor show, like Cats. I also didn’t like the fact that the puppet/costumes were inconsistent throughout the different characters. For instance, the lions had intricate headpieces (especially Scar); while the lionesses had faces that sat on top of their heads. I also couldn’t figure out why Mufasa and Simba didn’t have claws, when Scar had them on his hands, or should I say paws. See what I mean! And why do lions pull out swords when they fight, and then only sometimes…oh I am so confused!
My next gripe is that I feel that the new songs lay there like lead! For the most part, they were uninspiring and in my opinion slowed down the pace of the show. While I am on the subject of songs I would also say that there is way too much “Swahili” or whatever the language many of the songs were in. While the voices were pretty, I have no idea what a good portion of several of the numbers were about. Sure, give me some African flavor, but please…I only know English!
From an acting standpoint, the show is a challenge. How do you act and not just come across as just indicating thought and action when you have a puppet in your hand? I think you don’t. I felt that there was very little real communicating between the actors on stage, probably do to the fact that they have to concentrate on making the puppets indicate that they are the ones communicating. Puppet and actor onstage together just cancel each other out in my opinion. This splitting of focus keeps the audience at bay and we are just not pulled into the story.
There was also far too much, what I like to call, Uncle Tom’s Cabin staging, in reference to the ballet in the musical The King and I. Many characters run in place, react to unseen forces and the whole time I am thinking l am watching someone act out something at a charades party.
Did I like anything? Let’s see…some of the costumes where quite clever and colorful. I especially liked the woman/panther costume, her head controlled the panther’s head and it was really a cool design. Some of the staging was interesting. The wildebeest stampede was very clever given the limitations of using a stage. The voices were fine for the most part, but the principal actors seemed to not have much emotion behind their songs. There was a lot more life and enthusiasm from the chorus. The one exception I would say was the women who played Rafeeki, she was first rate all around.
Well that’s my impression. Yes, I know that it won a ton of Tony awards and thousands have seen the show and loved it. I also know that I have seen a lot of theatre, both on Broadway and off, and that this particular show was a challenge for me to stay awake… and from the 3rd row no less! Perhaps if it were a different story, and not from an animated film that I know very well I might have enjoyed it more.
I don’t think so.

US used white phosphorus in Iraq

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | US used white phosphorus in Iraq
When will the lies end! Just last week I heard some offical denying that we used this stuff over there. I thought that we weren't like Saddam Hussein and didn't use chemical weapons!

Disney World readies Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is nearing completion at Walt Disney World! Check out this article on it's progress.

I can't wait to ride this thing!

Kudos: Disney Insider

Mass Bay Bear Brunch

The Mass Bay Bears will be holding a chinese buffet next Sunday, November 20th, 11:30 A.M. at East Manor in Saugus, Massachusetts. For more info you may read about it at their website.

A beautiful day

I usually am depressed around this time of year because winter is apon us. Today was a different story. It was quite mild out today and beautiful. I had to do the various errands of life, but I took pause to note how really nice the day was. I must try to look for more good days in the dark ones ahead. Usually I just want to sleep and eat all winter. If I could only get myself moving a little earlier in the day I would probably benefit from the limited sunshine that occurs this time of year. I wish I wasn't such a nite owl. Oh well, enjoy your lives, but make sure you find some joy each and every day!

Here we go again

Senate panel OKs gay marriage ban
Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut Network
Thursday, November 10, 2005 / 04:53 PM
SUMMARY: A proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage was approved by a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday.


A proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage is expected to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week and a likely vote in the Senate next year after a Senate panel approved it Wednesday.

The Marriage Protection Amendment reads: "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any state, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman."

The amendment would also rescind the Massachusetts precedent that made same-sex marriage legal in that state.

"None of us takes amending the Constitution lightly,'' said Kansas Republican Sam Brownback, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution. "The plain fact is this amendment has been exhaustively studied and it really is time to act," he told the Associated Press (AP).

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., called the measure "an extreme and unnecessary reaction" that has little chance of passing. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said those behind the amendment have a political agenda.

Brownback, who is considering a presidential bid, insisted politics had nothing to do with the bill.

But Brad Luna, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), said, "Basically what we saw yesterday was another version of cynical politics, when you see the poll numbers go down and Capitol Hill goes into disarray."

"That's when the radical right wing reaches into their playbook to write discrimination into the Constitution and threaten the security of millions of American families," Luna said.

"The Constitution exists to protect rights, not undermine them," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Washington Legislative Office.

"Congress rightly rejected this measure last year and must reject it again," Fredrickson said, referring to the Federal Marriage Amendment, which failed to get enough Senate votes in July.

Eric Stern, the executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats, told the PlanetOut Network his organization was "extremely disappointed" with the panel's decision. While praising all the Democrats on the committee who voted against the proposed amendment, Stern directed his strongest criticism against Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.

Specter, who cast the deciding 5-4 vote, claimed he opposes the amendment but felt it should not "be bottled up" in committee.

Stern called Specter's decision "hypocritical" and compared it to actions of other "supposedly pro-gay Republicans" such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vetoed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

In order to become law the Marriage Protection Amendment would need to be approved by two-thirds of those voting in the House and Senate and then be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures.


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Happy 40th Birthday Mike !

Well the young kid is finally catching up with me! He is a great guy and one of the most loveable people you will ever meet!

Support our Troops?

I am so sick of the president and other republicans saying that if you are against the war in Iraq then you don't support our troops and are a traitor. It is the craziest spin I think to have ever come down the pike! People who are against the war in Iraq care so much about our troops, we want them home with their families! I also want them to have the best of everything while they are there, with the best armor money can buy. I also want them to have excellent benefits for themselves and their families. How in God's name is that not supporting the troops! The president and republicans have been spinning this for so long they have many people who believe them. I am incredulous. Opinion is an important thing, and to try to squash others who disagree with you I believe is truly anti-american and traitorous.

Website

I am starting to like WordPress now. I have the page the way I like it and am learning a lot. It took forever to get Flickr to validate in the sidebar. I am not totally happy with the way it looks, but it is on it's way! Now I am trying to find out how to add selected items from amazon.com. It will take me a while to figure that out!

Older Che?

I played Che in a Theatre production of Evita in my youth and now I am looking like him in the later years (which he never saw)!

Daisy

Just took this with my Nikon D50. I love this camera. It can use all my lenses that I had from my old Nikon. It is nice to have a camera you can have more control over than my little pentax point and shoot. More to come!

Prius

Well today I brought my new Toyota Prius in for it's first checkup. I brought it in at 3000 miles but after I got there they told me I could have waited till 5000. I guess I should have read my manual before I made the appointment. I really like the car now. At first it was weird being low to the ground after having driven my Ford Escape. I am now used to it and think that it is great. It handles really well and has a lot of room...and of course gets wonderful gas mileage. I have been averaging about 45 miles to the gallon. It works so well I really think that all cars sold should be hybrids. The sooner we get off our dependance on foreign oil the better I think.

St. Catharines, Norwood, Mass.

This is the church that I went to when I was a child. It was very impersonal.

Cannon at Norwood, Mass.

I used to love climbing on this thing when I was a child.

Norwood center

This is the war memorial in Norwood, Mass.

mom

Such a trooper since the stroke!!!

late night at the computer

I am looking so old!

Mike at the Bruins Game!

Love this picture

DVC

Our vacation club! We belong to Old Key West and just love it! The condo is spacious. I wouldn't mind living there permanently!

honeymoon

lost weight headshot

I found this lurking around! Oh to be thin again!

Leg Cramps and Truman Capote

I was up half the night with my mother who was suffering terrible leg cramps! The front of her right foot was stuck in the up position and she was in a lot of pain. I wish I could get a definitive answer as to what is causing it in her. I have heard it could be poor circulation, RLS, or low potassium. So many options.

I work far too long tweaking this site. I love changing this and then changing that.

I think I want to go to the new Truman Capote movie that is playing at our premium movie theatre. I think the movie takes place during Capote's In Cold Blood years. It might be interesting, although I think his "party time" in later years was probably more interesting!

XHTML validation

Well I was really happy with having a Flickr banner in my heading, but it will not validate if I place it there. I really liked having the changing pictures in my header so I will keep looking for a way to intergrate it. I really am not that great at designing without WYSIWYG !

Rosie

It was Rosie O'Donnell's blog that got me started blogging. I really had never seen a blog and it seemed like so much fun after I saw hers.

Creating my Theme

I still am not getting how to manipulate my theme very well. I would like to have stuff in the far margins but I have not been able to figure out how to get it there yet! I wish that there was a theme editor that you could just load in and move stuff around with WYSIWYG, but alas I have not found that!

Autumn

Koeeoaddi There


Originally uploaded by Elkhead.

I just saw this and though it was so pretty

get started

Found this picture in my collection. I can't believe I was so young! And thin!

The Patty Duke Show

I am in the process of transferring the entire series of episodes to DVD. I really enjoy this show. Patty Duke really gets to do a lot in this series. Who knew that she had such a miserable childhood. So may child stars have been through so much.

tommy d's mugshot

God, I can't stand this smuug bastard!

Uploading photos

Well I just joined Flikr for a year. It seems like a really cool place to store pictures on the web. I still haven't found and easy way to just insert a small picture here on Wordpress. None of the plugins seem that easy. I am up again too late. I must get some rest. I wonder if this blogging thing is just a fad for me. I seem to go through so many fads! I don't think that anyone will read this anyway. I guess it is really just like my journal that I have kept over the years. Sometimes I just put an entry in there every couple of years. Well I am gonna do some more research then hit the hay.

Mom's Book

This is my mother's book of poems. You can order it here.

High court nixes Kan. teen sodomy charge - Yahoo! News

High court nixes Kan. teen sodomy charge - Yahoo! News

Walt Disney World Closing

Florida-Based Disney Destinations Hurricane Update

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005



Walt Disney World Resort

Due to the potential of tropical storm force winds associated with Hurricane Wilma, all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, the Downtown Disney area and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex will not open tomorrow morning, Monday, Oct. 24, 2005.

Weather permitting, the Walt Disney World Resort may reopen one or more Theme Parks after the storm passes on Monday to entertain the tens of thousands of Guests currently staying in our resort hotels.

We have made this decision with an abundance of caution based on information from the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center and local emergency preparedness officials, all of whom currently expect the storm to pass more than 100 miles south of the resort.

All resort hotels will remain open, though Guests staying at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground have been relocated to other hotels on property.

The Walt Disney World Resort has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan and is prepared for a realm of possible impacts that this type of weather could have on our property.

As a reminder, a temporary cancellation and "No Show" policy has been adopted for Travel Agents who have booked reservations through Walt Disney World or the Walt Disney Travel Company. (Agents who have booked through another tour operator should contact that company for its specific cancellation policy.)

"No Show" penalties will be waived for any Guest arrivals between Friday, Oct. 21, and Monday, Oct. 24, 2005.

Me

Three Wishes

Three Wishes. What a great show! I have tears streaming down my face.

I'm Too Fat!!

Well I can't stand it anymore! I gotta lose this weight (about 80 lbs). Nothing fits, I'm gasping for breath...when is enough, enough! I have tried every diet. I just want to eat large portions! I can eat six cups of vegetables! I took phentramine this morning to help supress my appetite (It's a prescription). I need to eat 2000 cals a day, and that is it! I eat from 3000 to 4000 a day. Food is just so enjoyable! I gotta find a new passion! I really am looking middle aged now and I hate that. I hope I stick to this, this time around!

I am going to go make lunch.

Olivia Newton-John

Went to her concert tonight at Foxwoods. She looks fantastic! The only problem was the audience . I tipped the maitre 'd 50 bucks and got in the 4th row. Great seats! The people around us were drunk, talked during the songs, and were just so rude! Concerts have gotten so bad over the years. When I met Liza Minnelli this summer backstage it was the same way. People were so rude of her time. I was embarassed by them and didn't want to be in the same room with them. ONJ has been through so much over the years. I wonder if her boyfriend will ever turn up. He has been missing for 3 months. Probably sleeping with the fishes. How sad.

Blog #1

This is it! my first entry! I hope many more to come!!