In Memory of...

There is a death I haven't written about here that devastated me last year. It is the death of my brother. I am not ready or able to open that up but needed to write briefly about the death of another person I knew.

I got a call Friday night that informed me a dear man who was a wonderful friend for a brief period of my life had died on Continental flight 3407 in Buffalo, NY on February 12. I was heart-broken by the news. I joined a Facebook group honoring those who died and tonight posted the item below which I'm re-posting here. I have so much more to say but he was a private man and in honor of that, I'll keep the rest of my thoughts private as well.

John Roberts was a unique and wonderful man who made a major impact on my life 5 years ago when he shared his time and abundant enthusiasm for Indian food and film, theater (mostly Greek tragedies for us), world travel and also invaluable training knowledge with me. There is a week in particular that I shall never forget and in memory now I still enjoy the moments we spent together. He was interesting, funny and and had a wonderful laugh. He was brilliant and a lovely teacher. Life is much too short is another lesson that sadly all of us have come to learn again.

I was lucky to count him as a mentor for a brief period and thank God for the time we spent together in friendship. He was a man that deserved the high regard in which he was held. We hadn't spoken in a few years but I always hoped our paths would cross again.

I send my regards to his family and friends who loved him and were loved by him. Peace be with you.

I loved you John Roberts and always will.

Simple Gifts: Obama Inauguration

I was inspired to find out more about the song "Simple Gifts" after being so moved by it's melody at the Inauguration of Barack Obama. Below are the lyrics to the song. The original lyrics are italicized and the lyrics that were added sometime later follow.

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,javascript:void(0)
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
(refrain)
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

It is time for Americans to act with the new energy of a nation reborn. We have all asked for change but we must also act with change in mind. I hope not only for this country but for myself, that I can change.

It is January 20, 2009, and I am proud of America.

Year in Review - Concerts and Theater

Hello to anyone who has bothered to check out my blog. It has been abandoned for some time but I'm feeling slightly more like myself than I have in a couple of months and also got curious about something on this, the first day of the new year. I'm sitting at the airport waiting for my delayed flight to board and wondering, how many shows did I see this year? I won't be able to count them all but since I have the time, here's the list:

Jesus Christ Superstar - Jan 3
Garth Brooks - Jan 26
Rogue Wave - Jan 31
Flight to Athena - Feb 28
Elton John - Apr 19
Michael Buble - May 11
Wicked - May 22
Boeing-Boeing - May 23
The Police - May 26
Cats - June 7
George Michael - June 17
Old 97s - June 20
O.A.R. - June 24
Ricky Gervais - July 9
Ricky Gervais - July 12
John Mayer - Aug 1
Phantom of the Opera - Aug 9
A Chorus Line - Aug 13
The Wizard of Oz - Aug 17
Dawn Mitschelle - Aug 19
Jamie Cullum - Aug 20
Davy Jones - Aug 23
Spring Awakening - Aug ?
The Raconteurs - Sep 24
All's Well That Ends Well - Sep 26
Neil Diamond - Oct 2
Jason Mraz - Oct 31
Madonna - Nov 4
Alanis Morissette - Nov 10
Jay Brannan - Nov 17
The Color Purple - Dec 3
Super Diamond - Dec 6
O.A.R. (Sophie's Green Christmas) - Dec 10
Snow Patrol - Dec 13

This is not as impressive as last year and I think the list is a bit incomplete but I'm glad that I'm able to make music and the arts so much a part of my life.

Already lined up this year:
John Legend
Brian Wilson
Elton John and Billy Joel

Here's to 2009!

Prop 8 - Fighting Back

A few friends have inspired me of late. On friend is the woman in the article below who stole "Yes on Prop 8" signs in Carlsbad not because she thought there should be no signs up but because dirving by 22 signs on a daily basis got to be too much. I don't agree with stealing but I get the point. She needed to do something to oppose the proposition that would take away her marriage.

Prop 8 Sign Theft

Another friend wrote a letter of response to an article that ties human trafficking to Prop 8. Summary: pass Prop 8 to protect the nuclear family. The decline of the traditional family is sending young girls into the sex trade. The guy's view on the world is as limited as his view on prostitution. Only girls? Well, I wrote him back too.

Prop 8 or Prositution article

My reponse:

Dear Mr. Nassif,

I received your article on Proposition 8 from a friend and was not only appalled but was generally unimpressed with your argument that Prop 8 will protect children against child prostitution by solidifying the idea of the traditional nuclear family.

In other countries, where sex tourism is prominent, the children sold into the sex trade are not sold into the trade because the sanctity of the traditional family has not been upheld. Culturally speaking, they believe more in the traditional family than the U.S. does including care for elders, taking in members of the family that cannot care for themselves, etc. Economy, drug addiction, their own prostitution as children, social threats and other factors as well as the high demand (much of it from heterosexual family men who have wives and children at home) all factor into human trafficking. Sex tourism exists not because of homosexuals but because of people.

Your argument is incomplete by they way. Are young girls the only victims of human trafficking in the U.S.? Young boys end up in prostitution too. Again, the main clients are straight men. Does this shock you? Does it appall you? Do you really think that a gay couple getting married will increase this?

I am curious as to how shocking you thought your article would be and how frightened a voter would need to be to agree and be influenced by the argument. That voter, who subscribes to your argument, is far beyond the reach of any sort of rational argument.

I am disgusted at the people who are proponents of Proposition 8. We in California and those outside of California bring shame to our nation each time they vote for and allow to be enacted a law that limits the rights of others for no reason other than bigotry. This is not a safety issue. Do you want to stop human trafficking and sex tourism? Help the impoverished. Give kids who can no longer live at home a place to go. Do not insinuate that you will make any contribution to helping those victims by voting Yes on Proposition 8.

I think that the people who really love each other and are getting married to share a life together will more greatly contribute to the sanctity of marriage and the stability of family than those who enter marriage with no intention or ability to maintain their vows. People make mistakes. There will be divorce and unhappiness but amongst that there will be great and non-judgmental love. That love makes a stable person. Denying that for anyone, child or adult, is ridiculous no matter the person’s sexual preference.

Thank you for reading,

Rabiah Coon


Bottom line: it is almost election day. I'm not going to stand for anything I don't want as part of my state or my country anymore. I'm ready to vote and ready to fight the rest of this week out. It is sad to me that bigotry and small-mindedness even has a chance, and scares me.

Paul Newman, 1925-2008

For me, there is sometimes a slight twinge of pain or a double-take at a headline when someone "famous" passes away but this morning, it was more than that when I read the headline "Screen-actor Paul Newman Dead at 83." I was online checking out news on the debates and saw this news instead.
Paul Newman probably wouldn't refer to himself as a hero but he is. He worked to generously give to children with cancer and families that fell under unfortunate hard times, and in doing so, gave to the world. Everytime a shopper picks up a bottle of dressing or spaghetti sauce at the grocery store, a little more hope is spared for a kid that would get to attend summer camp like any other kid, cancer aside. "Newman's Own" is one of the best charities when it comes to actually getting the money to the cause. All profits go to the cause. There was no selfishness or vanity in it for Newman other than the use of his mug to sell everyting. The products speak for themselves. They are delicious and go to a cause no one could question.
As an actor and personality, Newman displayed a wonderful dramatic depth with a lovely sense of humor. My favorite film is "Cool Hand Luke" as it was the gateway film for me and I was hooked on Newman. "The Sting" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" offer great fun because Newman is teamed up with Robert Redford who bacame his close friend. They were famous for playing pranks on each other. When "Indecent Proposal" was released, Newman said something like, "Hell, I'd sleep with Redford for a million dollars," or so the joke goes.
The irony in the illness that took Newman is clear. He fought to help kids who suffered cancer and in the end it took him. It seems he went privately and quietly and unless his privacy is compromised, me will never know how he suffered but it can be imagined from pictures that cancer did ravage him before it let him go.
I worte a paper on Newman's charitable works during college. Before writing the paper, he was a great film actor that I had a crush on who also sold salad dressing. After researching and completing the paper, he was one of my heroes for the man he was beyone the beautiful face or the films, and he will be missed.

Palin's Place (in History)

I hope that Sarah Palin's place is as the 2nd woman to be on a major ticket but nowhere near the first woman President of the United States. Someone said that my loyalty to Obama was "sudden" as though it was unexpected and maybe it was given my support of Hillary but basically, my ideals are my ideals and Obama and Hillary were never that far apart. I am not one of those women who will vote for a woman just because she is a woman. McCain chose Palin because he is relying on women to be so vain and shallow that they will do so. There are some Hillary "supporters" who will do just that. I am an issues person especially when it comes to social issues however and will not.

I feel very deeply sorry for the pregnancy of Palin's daughter. I think she is probably getting married because her parents and maybe even his parents said to. He seems like kind of a tool. She is also having the kid, by the way. She has to. Her mom believes in only getting an abortion in cases where the mother's life is in danger. It has to be in danger at that time. Rape isn't a good reason. Your life can't have been in danger before. It must be in danger at present. I think that if someone feels they are not capable of being a parent, they learn their child will not be healthy or they otherwise do not want to have a child because of their circumstances they should have the right to an abortion. I do have a problem with late-term abortions but otherwise am very stringent in the right to a woman's choice.

I also feel that there should be sex education in schools and free condoms so that young people are protected and making the best informed decisions they can. Parents can't be relied on to talk to their teens. We need educators to do so. Clearly Palin's abstinence only policies are great considering her teenage daughter is pregnant. That was sarcastic by the way. Clearly her ignorant ideals are not valid and her own flesh and blood proved that.

Regarding gay marriage, which California allows, Palin is anti and with the number of gay friends I have who would eventually want to marry the person they feel they are ready to commit their livea to, I think that is an atrocity.

I know that McCain is saying America First and trying to straddle party-lines but Palin is more "Alaska First" and was entwined in a political movement to have Alaska secede from the union. This was a while back and I know people change but it is still interesting.

All in all, I am for the Obama-Biden ticket and am proud of it. I think that Sarah Palin's stances on issues that are major to me are much different than mine and for that reason, I am still against McCain. McCain is not a conservative Republican but he's afraid to talk about anything other than war and being a POW and won't even confront head on the issues of sex ed in schools. He's also pretty much a pro-lifer. There are other things like gun-control, death penalty, drugs, science education, global warming, environmental law, foreign policy, health care, stem-cell research and some economic issues where I agree sometimes with McCain but disagree too often and certainly disagree with Palin. I'll keep the choices I have as long as I can but have already madd my choice for President.

Palin Around

I'm not a fan of Governor Palin. She makes me certain that McCain is not ready to be President. She is not a good choice for the America that lets people have a choice. More later but I had to say something about the completed Republican ticket.

Peace and safety be with New Orleans and the South as the await the fate of another hurricane. Let's pray they are more fortunate than with Katrina, theatrics by the Republicans and President Bush aside.

Unity

I just saw an appalling woman on television and had to find her website and write to her via the site. She is co-founder of an organization (PUMA - Party Unity My Ass) against the Democratic Party's adopted "Unity" between Clinton and Obama supporters. She is involved or a founder of other pro-Hillary organizations and I think a really immature and bitter woman.

Here's what I wrote (keep in mind it is almost 1am in New Jersey and I should be asleep) to her website which she probably won't see but I had to vent:

I just saw Elizabeth Joyce (Liz on this site) on Larry King and had she not mentioned the emails she would get, I probably wouldn't have bothered to look her up and find this site. I think that Democrats writing to her are not unaccepting of ideas different from theirs but more unaccepting of her willingness to deny Barack Obama her vote because he hasn't "asked her" for her vote. I can't speak for all Democrats but I can speak for myself. She sounded incredibly juvenile on Larry King Live and her arguement started to lose steam when she was asked what Obama could do to get her vote. Also, in saying the Obama supporters weren't welcoming her, she was equally immature. Do you talk to them? I was in Texas during their primary and caucus election and worked with Obama supporters in a very hostile situation. I think she is the one who is close-minded. She should think about her ideals and what is important to her. If it was just that Hillary is a woman and Barack isn't, her vote is probably not something anyone but another woman could win. If her vote is for the policy stances of the candidate or party, she should realize that Barack and Hillary have never been far apart where that is concerned. I'm pretty annoyed and wish I hadn't heard or seen Liz Joyce. Quit whining. Shoes aren't important. People are.

Here is what she said according to The Denver Post:
Elizabeth Joyce of Boston, a staunch Clinton supporter and a co-founder of PUMA, or Party Unity My Ass, said she hadn't committeed to McCain but was listening to him.

"Ironically, Sen. Obama has not asked for my vote," Joyce said. "If I vote for Sen. McCain, it would be a protest vote.

"I thought the Democrats were the good guys."

I think that it is time for everyone to unite. I understand people being bitter and also fuly agree that the primary and caucus processes were totally unfair. That battle needs to be fought but not at the expense of the election, not at the cost that a McCain presidency will bring. It may be true that Hillary isn't the nominee because she is a woman or maybe because of President Clinton but regardless, those are not reasons either to vote for McCain.

Democrats, let's get it together.

Hillary for Obama

Hillary isn't quite done speaking but her speech so far has been poignant and positive and I am proud for working for her, if only for a little while. I'm also so glad I got home from a superfluous meal in time to see the speech.

Obama, '08, it is time. We as Democrats HAVE to come together and fight. Clinton is right. A thought from her: "I want you to ask yourselves, "Were you in this campaign just for me...or were you in in for all the people in this country who feel invisible?""

Senator Kennedy at the DNC

I didn't see as much of the convention as I wanted to because I was in a plane and driving but I did get to watch Senator Kennedy's speech online. The speech is in excerpts but it is inspiring. I saw it but didn't hear it when it aired and I could tell it was impassioned. It was.
I can't write more now but just want to make sure people see this.
I have finally gotten over the fact that Clinton isn't going to be President this time. I am ready to vote for Barack Obama.

Back on the Ground

At one point, I found the peace that comes in silence and mindfulness. It was pure silence, inside and out. It was awe for the beauty in breathing. It was uninterrupted for a moment. There was no noise; no crickets singing, no voices speaking, no cars passing by. I was floating in mid-air just less than a mile above Lake Elsinore and I felt it. I was present in that moment and acutely aware of the grandness of the world and the simplicity of it, when it is allowed to be simple. I saw the big picture for a moment and realized how small is the frame I try to fit it in.

It was one of those moments best described in the film "American Beauty". "Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart is just going to cave in."

I was skydiving when I felt this. First we went up to 12,500 free above the ground. Then, my partner and I jumped. Then, we sank at 120mph for over 1 mile during free-fall. I was scared but I knew I was safe. I wasn't scared that I'd die or that the parachute wouldn't open. I was scared that I was actually going through with something that I never thought I would and that might lead to me doing it again. At 5,000 feet, I pulled the cord and the parachute opened. I really thought I wouldn't have the wits to pull the cord but I had control. I think for the first time in months, I had control of something.

Jumping out of a plane was simple compared to making some of the changes I want to make in my life. In all honesty, I might not have been in that plane had someone not pushed me and I might not have jumped out had I not been pushed. I need to be the force on the ground though. There is no push, there is only the shove and there is only me to do it. What a lovely metaphor skydiving would be for my life right now if only I hadn't gone tandem and hadn't been pushed. Still, I did something I never though that I would do and I know I have it in me to do that again, even if it is on a smaller scale. I want to feel that rush of adrenaline and the calm afterwards.

I think I was happy as I floated above the Earth and I think that on Saturday, I was given the gift of perspective that is just now coming into focus.

Prepare to Dive

I'm going to skydive in the morning. It is about 930pm on the date listed on the post and I'm really excited. I think I'm anticipating the best and not the worst for the first time in a long time. Of course, when you're going to jump out of a plane, that is probably the best is all you should consider.

I'll have more to say later but I just wanted to put it out there that I'm ready to do this. I need to do something. All I've done so far is wait for something to do to me.

Team Griffin

I've watched every season of Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List and this has been the most fun for me mostly due to the presence of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. The guy has an amazing mind when Apple is considered but he is also a really nice, funny guy who is so sweet to Kathy. I was sad to read on Wikipedia that he is no longer dating Kathy and is actually engaged to someone else. I'm glad that he was with her for the time. So cute!

Dems Are Fightin' Back

There is no question about it now, Democrats are supporting Paris Hilton for President. What...what?!? I meant to say Obama. No joke though, if you haven't seen it, you must watch Paris' video response to the McCain campaign's ad depicting Obama as a celebrity like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. It was intelligent, hilarious and a wonderful spoof on the original ad. Paris is back and had made quite a re-entry.

McCain may or may not have made a big mistake with the ad that tried to show Obama wasn't ready to lead but really just annoyed people and brought attention back to Paris Hilton in a summer that has been dominated mostly by news of Lindsey Lohan's romance with DJ Samantha Ronson.

In other Democratic news, Barack Obama extended and speaking invitation to President Clinton who will now appear at the Democratic National Convention. I'm even more jealous of the people who are going there and a little annoyed that I didn't do something get myself there. It is going to be magical this year because though I havne't been into Obama, I'm starting to learn more about him and accept him and I have a feeling I'll be behind him and not just against McCain by the Convention time.

Go Obama! Go Paris! Go Away, McCain!

The Dark Knight

I saw this. Did you? If you didn't, see it. More to come...

John Mayer Goes Topless

I've been in Dallas for a copule of weeks and last night, on my final night here, I got to see John Mayer in concert. It was my third time seeing him, the first being after the release of "Room for Squares" back when I really did think I'd like to run through the halls of my high school too.

It was a great show and it is unbelievable to me that Mayer has become the guitarist he has. He's learned to play the guitar so well, far beyond most popsters and I think is carving out a place for himself in the blues-rock genre. He is no Jack White (missing the darkness, quirkiness and rawness) but he's an outstanding performer and I looked forward to his guitar solos as much as I did hearing my favorite songs.

Summer is almost over but if you happen to have the chance, definitely catch this tour.

Oh, and what does the title mean? John Mayer has also been working out to the point where he didn't even bother with a shirt. He was lucky actually because the weather in Dallas his hot and humid and he was wearing what everyone probably wished they could be wearing. He looked great and I thought I'd mention that too.

The Office - Summer's Here!

The Office, like all other shows, is gone for the summer. The exciting news is that The Office Webisodes are back! The first one, featuring Oscar and Kevin, premiered today.

Check them out weekly. They'll get your through your summer TV blues.

On a side note, I'm still in awe of Ricky Gervais' show from yesterday and am so glad I'm seeing him again Saturday. If you happen to read this and would be able to help me meet him, please contact me. (I am serious though I'm also joking. It makes me sound really lame!) :)

Ricky Gervais Warms Up in L.A.

I had the privilege of seeing British comic genius Ricky Gervais perform stand-up at the intimate Brentwood Theater in Los Angeles this evening and it was one of the most fun evenings I have had, possibly ever. It has been a great while since I have laughed so hard for so long. At one point Gervais had my friend and I in tears and they were the best tears I've shed of late. Laughing until I cry is one of my greatest pleasures for sure.

What was so great about it? Well, first off, I am going to see Gervais perform again on Saturday night at the Kodak Theater where he is doing a full set similar (from what I understand) to the stage show he did in the UK. If tonight was any indication at all, there is nothing lost in translation from this coast to his coast and I am in for the largest laughs I've ever achieved. Tonight and tomorrow night's shows are called "warm ups" and I'd imagine an opportunity for Gervais to test out his material on the So Cal audience he does not usually perform stand up in front of. Secondly, Gervais is fantastic at moving between topics and circling back and he tied his show together quite well. It was easy to stay engaged though he wasn't so smooth that the show seemed over-rehearsed. It just worked very, very well. Third, Gervais is such an incredibly humorous guy that he often cracks himself up. Any fan who has seen outtakes from BBC's The Office will know exactly what I mean. He has a wonderful and infectious laugh. The anticipation for what he was going to say next grew when he was laughing just at the thought or at times couldn't proceed for a moment because he was laughing. Forth, Gervais gets dirty and politically incorrect but in such a way that he is not really offensive but just "wrong". His jokes or comments could seem more offensive but there is something about his personality, the playfulness, and his delivery that makes what could be gross or crude in some cases or rude in other cases, just funny. Fifth (for good measure), Gervais has a great way of using his body in his act creating visuals that are fun to imagine and making gestures or faces that make it even more difficult to control your laughter.

If you happen to read this and will find yourself in L.A. anytime through Saturday, I highly recommend and almost insist that you go and see this man perform.

Another cool thing about the warm-up shows is that the proceeds are going to the American Cancer Society. Gervais went on about his charity work and made light of it but really, it is so terribly important that attention is brought to issues. One of the greatest bits tonight was about a charity for the obese. I was seriously dying!

I could go on and on because I had so much fun tonight and felt so incredibly alive. I also think I got a great ab workout during my isometric laughs as well as some cardio from rocking in my chair.

In case you don't know, Gervais created BBC's The Office, NBC's The Office, Extras, hosts podcasts, writes books and acts in films. In addition, he is, as described, an outstanding stand-up comic.

The only thing that would have made this night any better is meeting the man who I respect and admire. Another time I hope.

Bravo, Mr. Gervais and thank you from bringing your comedy to us in-person.

When Did You Last See Your Father?

This is not a question you have to answer but if you can't remember, it may be something to think about. It got me thinking, as I watched the film of this title.

Starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent as son and father, And When Did You Last See Your Father? is a film based on an autobiographical novel and takes place between the 60s and the late 80's as a son looks to flashbacks to reconcile his relationship with his father as his father lays dying.

The film is sentimental at times and uncomfortable at others as the difficult nature of the father-son relationship is revealed from Firth's early childhood through his adulthood. There is nothing outrageous that occurs which makes the film all the better because it is slightly easy to relate to unless you claim the perfect relationship with your father or have had an colorfully volatile one.

All in all the film is quiet with Broadbrent adding the most color. He was in stark contrast to the brooding son Blake played by Firth as an adult and Matthew Beard as a teenager. The son's angst and anger at his father was understandable though Broadbent's gentle, jovial and vulnerable portrayal made him likable too.

This is one that a viewer can rent. I did enjoy the film and recommend it to any Firth fans or anyone who has ever had doubts or questions about a father's love. It was somewhat anti-climactic but sometimes that's how life is.

Coming Later this summer: Colin Firth in Mamma Mia! Only 2 weeks to go.

Ricky Gervais times 2!!!

One of the best things about this otherwise ordinary and mundane week is that I get to see Ricky Gervais two times. So much for worrying about gas prices as I have to make two trips to LA. I figure that is adding $100 to the ticket prices but it doesn't matter. His highly-successful stand-up show is crossing the pond and thank you very much, heading to LA. I was worried I'd have to hop on a plane and hit up NYC but no, he's much closer.

Prior to the big show at the Kodak Theatre, Gervais is doing some warm-up shows at smaller LA venue and so I'm lucky to catch one of each.

Who is this Gervais fellow?
The genius creator (along with Stephen Merchant) of the BBC and America's The Office and HBO's Extras
The original boss in The Office, David Brent. Michael Scott is the beloved American version.
An actor in many films including For Your Consideration and Night at the Museum
One of my top 5 guys right now...