Gratitude

I have learned a lot about gratitude lately and what it means to be thankful for what I have versus what I wish I had. It isn't the time of year that I'd expect to have these lessons be a part of my life but it is the right time nonetheless. I usually wait until Thanksgiving to say what I'm thankful for but the time is now.

I have a fantastic family. After arguing with my Grandma last week and realizing that it was stupid to do so, I'm grateful to still have her around. She's 85 this year and I vividly remember a horrific day a couple of years ago when I thought she might not be here much longer.
My Sister is a wonderful mother and I have 2 nephews and a niece whom I love, more than any other people in the world. They are the coolest little people and each one has taught me more than the next about love and and what it "unconditional" means.
My Mom is someone that I can't imagine going more than 2-3 days without talking to. She blew me off for the Celebrity Apprentice tonight but I totally understand that. She loves the show. I think that is so cool. There are few shows she truly loves and that is one of them. I don't know why but that entertains me. Also, I watch that show just to make sure we can talk about it.
My Dad is someone that I didn't talk to much over the past 20 years and is my step-dad but in recent years, I have come to love him too. I don't know him well and may never know him well but I've seen in his eyea kindness that though he can't express, I know is there. I think in another time, he would have been the heroic perfect father.

I have excellent friends. I had a party today. It was simple with Kabobs that I skewered with care, Couscous Salad and some fresh veggies with hummus, some yummy (yes, I said "yummy") Tzaziki and Cilantro Yogurt dips. Everything was wonderful. It was a great day. There was no stress and only a little sun, a fun lawn game (kind of like "Toss Across") and Band Hero. Oh...S'mores. Cupcakes. it was all delicious. And the company; we laughed and talked and laughed some more.

I know right now what it means to be grateful. I had a wonderful day.

I miss my brother very deeply today too. I somehow think that he might have been here with me and been a part of it all. I used to think about taking him in and saving him. I didn't. And that, I regret. But, I am grateful for what I have and who I have and tomorrow, I will try to remember that again.

What simple things are you grateful for? Try to remember what those are and try to live with them and celebrate them.

Love.

Sundance Twenty-Ten, Prequel

It was a total fiasco getting to Park City, UT from San Diego today. After proudly booking a flight yesterday and then switching to get the earlier flight that I wanted, I thought everything was great. I was even on time to pick up my friend Amy.

Well, we got to the airport and checked in and when it was time to board, found out our flight was delayed. Within an hour, the flight was cancelled. In fact, all Southwest flights were cancelled at that moment. Then, an hour later, just as we were ready to fork out some cash to Delta, our flight was going to board.

3 hours and 2 Bloody Mary's in, we were ready to go.

Then upon approaching Las Vegas to connect to SLC, we were told we had to circle Vegas but not land. Round and round we went until we spun off to Reno for a refuel. Recall the statement above about the Delta flight? It was a direct flight but I digress.

Reno added an hour to the trip by the time we got fuel and de-iced. It was a bumpy flight back to Vegas with the highlight being plane-shaped graham crackers that were also known as lunch.

So, that Delta flight...we would have been in Salt Lake City instead of Reno...next time, I think I'll just pay the difference. One of those things we couldn't have known before!

Back in Vegas we got a 5 minute reprieve from the seats that had held us close for
4 hours.

Finally, around 8pm, we were in our hotel in Park City. It took 13 hours from the time we arrived at SAN to the time we arrived at our hotel.

Opening Night Party didn't happen. We had the chance to get tickets but it we also didn't feel to well.

I did meet a film critic for US Weekly in the lobby which was awesome. I would love to write and get paid for it. I would love to be an expert on film and to have a job that required it.

Tomorrow, it's on! Movies, movies, movies. We have tickets and we're ready to go.

The Dance is starting...

Sundance Twenty-Ten

I am going to the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. By the grace of some wonderful people, I am going to a place I have dreamed of and am going to see wonderful films and be a part of one of the greatest film festivals in the world.

I am going with a great friend and ready for adventure!

The feeling I have right now is comparable to some of the greatest moments of my life.

So far today:
Flight delayed
Flight cancelled
Flight taking off in 20 minutes!

I am in great hope that I'll make it to Salt Lake City and then Park City asap.

Join me on twitter "rabiahc" as I tweet and here as I blog about my experience.

My first challenge, once I'm there, is getting into the Opening Night Party. I have one ticket and two in my group. It's going to happen.

Tomorrow, the films begin!

Life is beautiful. This is a reminder.

A Serious(ly) Man

I love the Coen Brothers. Joel and Ethan Coen rank among my Top 10, maybe even Top 3 filmmakers/screenwriters. "A Serious Man" was not my favorite movie. After seeing 5 films in one week, I can honestly put this one at the bottom of the 5. If I go back a few weeks or fast-forward a few weeks, it will most likely not be saved from last place unless I take my nephew to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel".

I thought that there were funny parts to this film that looks at the struggle of physics professor Larry Gopnik as his life hits a chaotic wall. His wife is leaving him, his pot-smoking son is becoming a bar mitzvah and his daughter is constantly trying to wash her hair while saving money for a nose job. Richard Kind plays his uncle, who has a cist that he is constantly draining and provides some entertainment. To add to it, a student is trying to extort Gopnik and his neighbors are distracting him.

There were some funny moments and some pretty dramatic moments but in all, I didn't love this film. I wouldn't even recommend it to anyone. It isn't the worst thing I've ever seen but I just didn't get it. I wonder if maybe I don't understand enough about Judaism to really see why it is special or if it just wasn't my cup of tea.

The son and Sy Ableman (the wife's new man) were my favorite characters and did inevitably make me laugh every time they were on screen.

Probably 2/3 into the film, Gopnik seeks the counsel of a few rabbis, one of which was played by Simon Helberg (Walowitz on The Big Bang Theory) and that was a great surprise! I think this happened too late in the film and should have come sooner. He is trying to become a serious man and doesn't think he can do it on his own.

Michael Stuhlbarg did a great job of making Gopnik a character a viewer could only sympathize with and deserves kudos for his acting abilities.

Overall, I give this one a sideways thumb and still can't wait to see what the Coen's have on tap next. If I want to laugh and see a dark comedy, I'll find my Fargo DVD and leave A Serious Man on the shelf.

As I conclude this review, I feel like I really am missing something and am trying to decide if having an awful day before seeing the film led to my lack of patience with it. Maybe you'll really like it. I did laugh and did cringe and that is usually enough but I think I just wanted more. Bummer.

Heavy Films, Heavy Heart

With awards season on the horizon, I have become somewhat obsessed with catching up and keeping up with the films that are available for viewing and in only one case have I been at all disappointed at the theater. I'll review that film later! One night last week, I caught a custom double-feature at the Hillcrest Landmark Theatre and was impressed and crushed twice. "A Single Man" and then "Precious" did me in and I wouldn't change that evening for the world.

"A Single Man" stars a personal favorite, Colin Firth, in a role that displays and challenges his abilities as an actor and he wins. As George Falconer, a homosexual professor who suddenly loses his partner and finds no will to live, Firth portrays sadness beautifully and convincingly. In order to give nothing away, I am being careful here but I held my breath several times and eventually became choked up during the glimpse at one day in the man's life. Julianne Moore's small role was entertaining and impacting and along with some flashback scenes offered a glimpse into Firth's character before the death of his partner. Nicholas Hoult, who you probably remember last from "About a Boy" is grown up and gorgeous as a student who plays a big part in Falconer's last day. The fashion, the actors, the cinematography and the script make A Single Man a unique, quiet and impacting film. The use of color was incredible as well.

"Precious" was difficult because of the subject matter alone. Precious is played by a first-time actress who effectively broke my heart from the start in a painfully authentic and unexaggerated performance as a teenage girl who is pregnant by her father for the 2nd time and still finds the will to try to improve her life. She lives with her terribly abusive mother and is still in Junior High. Things begin to change when she is placed in an alternative school and begins to learn about love. This isn't a typical after-school special or Lifetime-esque movie. This is a gritty and painful story and is very hard to watch but it is worth the time. There is some relief in Precious' daydreams of becoming someone else but otherwise, it is rough. Lee Daniels did an incredible job of telling the story of Precious and made the exact right casting decisions for the title-role. It is said that he initially looked for girls who were just like Precious--living in the projects, uneducated, etc. but then he went with someone who didn't come from that background and that was the best move.

It's Complicated (a Review and Adoration)

I was relieved that this holiday weekend afforded me the opportunity to see the most anticipated film of the season for me personally, "It's Complicated". Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, this newest in Nancy Meyers' catalog of middle-aged rom-com films is possibly her best and most funny story. I loved "Something's Gotta Give" but "It's Complicated" is so much more compelling and dare I say real that it is already one I plan to own and also probably see again in the theater.

The entire crowd was laughing so hard at one point that the 2nd half of a punchline wasn't audible.

In addition to a storyline that was entertaining, relateable (yeah, maybe I'm a little young to really relate but I won't be forever), the cast was perfect from the leads to the more minor characters.

Meryl Streep is like a fine wine...as amazing as she was 30 years ago, she has only gotten more interesting to watch and I can see her only getting better. She was sexy and vulnerable and bold as the woman who begins an affair with her ex-husband ten years after their divorce and even few years since she could say she had really moved on. Moments featured in the trailer that show her with her girlfriends are entertaining and compelling where they could have been otherwise.

Alec Baldwin is like a fine...whiskey. I saw him on Letterman the other night and he talked about having a "butt double" in the film. Despite not really showing his own broadside, he showed many other sides as the 57-year old ex-husband who married a much younger woman only to find himself back in bed with his first. He was pitch-perfect when comic-timing was key and authentic in his portrayal. Given Baldwin's handsomeness and my real-live crush on him, I thought about his on-screen marriage and wondered how true the relationship rang to those that are so prevalent everywhere; the younger woman and older man. It was done so well in this film and I'm sure not everyone who sees it would be laughing!

Steve Martin is rarely 2nd chair when it comes to playing the funny guy but in "It's Complicated", he was more complicated than hilarious and it was refreshing. His ability to do slapstick is as compelling as his ability to conjure the character of a vulnerable divorcee which he does here.

It's Complicated but it's also fun and touching and worth the trip to the theater!

St. Patrick's Cathedral

A favorite place of mine in all of NYC is St. Patrick's Cathedral. Very easy to check out by way of Rockefeller Center, I try to always at least walk by when I'm in the city or on a good day, make it inside.

I don't know what drives my fascination with cathedrals but I think they are often beautiful structures with a mysterious darkness given they are supposed to hold so much light.

The statues representing saints all around the cathedral are mysterious to me. I wasn't raised Catholic or with any religion at all so I learn about each saint every time I go, reading the placards before the statues and deciding who to light a candle in front of.

I pay my $2 and light a candle each time I go. This time, the list for whom I lit the candle had grown beyond what I had expected when I was last there. I usually feel tears well up and take a moment to remember some people I loved but this time, tears came and I didn't stop them. I lit the candle first for my brother. It is the first time I talked to God since he died in October. I have said that I'm unsure as to whether God exists but in that uncertainty, there is hope that someone was listening to me. I lit the candle for my dear friend Rich, a Catholic, who I lost in 2002 and some more people who have passed but who are also living today.

I find the ritual cleansing and though the power may only be in the feeling I get from expressing my wishes for some that I hold dear, I look forward to it every time.

I had an excellent trip to NYC this past weekend and enjoyed so much sound and color but also the silence which is extraordinary when coming off of the busy city streets.

First Play at Citi Field: Sir Paul McCartney's 2nd NYC Debut

Tonight's Paul McCartney concert was more than I had hoped for when I got on a plane bound for JFK in San Diego last night. The mix of songs highlighted McCartney's rather brilliant career as a Beatle, a Wingman, a Knight and a Fireman.

The band started the night off with fan favorite "Drive My Car", followed that with "Jet" and kept everyone on their feet for the next two and a half hours. At age 67, McCartney is still a force and brings fireworks (literally) to his performance. "Live and Let Die" was incredible live with pyrotechnics adding to the drama of the composition. "Give Peace a Chance" was a great audience moment with everyone instantly singing along. That message, like so many of the messages in McCartney (and Lennon in this case and Harrison) songs, is still very relevant today. "Hey Jude" was another sing-along opportunity as well!

Songs from the latest Fireman album went over quite well and brought up conversations about this week's other first, McCartney's first ever performance on The Late Show with David Letterman.

A tribute to John Lennon and then an even more moving tribute to George Harrison reminded everyone of the greatness of his bandmates who performed at Shea Statdium so many years ago. Paul introduced "Something in the Way She Moves" by first introducing the ukelele he was going to play--a gift from George.

Personally, I choked up during "Let It Be" and allowed a few tears to flow. It was perfect. A later ovation from the audience brought some emotion to Paul too who was playful and jovial for the most part but also grateful to the audience and graceful.

Billy Joel joined Paul for "I Saw Her Standing There" during the encore bookending Paul's appearance at Joel's "Last Play at Shea" performance this past Fall. That definitely a defining NY moment.

This was a great week for Paul McCartney and turned out to be a great week for me as well. I can't imagine that catching tonight's show didn't take a sad song and make it better for a lot more people at the sold out Citi Field.

The sound was great on the floor and in the stands. Paul's band provided a good vocal backing and a solid musical accompaniment. The drummer was particularly impressive though I can't say that I wasn't hoping to see Ringo pop up on stage at some point. Though I hadn't seen Paul perform live before, his voice was strong and given the duration and energy of the show, age or time haven't affected his ability to lay it all down on the stage. If you have a chance, you must see him in this lifetime.

The Beatles, Wings, Paul McCartney and The Fireman were all on stage tonight for the first time at NYC's Citi Field and it was brilliant. It was an honor to be a New Yorker, even for a day.

Training

I have been working with a trainer off and on for the past 6 months and have been spending more time at the gym than I ever have in my life. Travel over the past month has thrown me way off my game and I just don't feel like doing it. I don't feel like working out and don't feel like watching what I eat.

Even though I can't focus on it as much, I am still a lot more careful about what I eat and I still work out even more than I did before.

I'm disappointed with how slow my progress is and need to get back into the game, but I'm still proud of some of the changes I have made that seem a little more than temporary.

I'm saying all of this because I started training for the MS 3-day Challenge Walk which is coming up in September. I have 16 weeks to get ready to walk 50 miles over 3 days. I'm looking forward to doing the walk but also excited about the time between now and then. I have the opportunity to get into decent shape and have a goal that is much bigger than losing a few pounds. I am working to achieve a goal in a walk for a cause that is so important to me. The money I raise for this walk could actually contribute to a cure that ultimately saves my life.

Pretty cool, right?

So, I'm officially training. I hope that the changes I'm making over the next few weeks, in activity and diet, lead me to permanent changes.

Wish me luck! And, if you have a goal you're working towards, good luck to you.

If you're interested in helping me with the MS 3-day; please donate by clicking here. In addition to the training challenge, I also have the fundraising challenge to contend with!

Decision Made

I'll be posting a blog from time to time about the MS 3-day walk. This is blog number one.

I have thought about doing this walk for a few years and have done the normal 5K MS Walk for the last 7 years. I did the first walk I could after being diagnosed and my teams have raised over $100K. I am still worried about the challenge of raising just $2500. I can't let that stop me or be an excuse to NOT do this.

When I was asked to join my friends, I said yes and am now part of their team. I am proud of this and ready for the challenges; physical, emotional and financial. I have never trained for an event before but know that is a MUST this time. I have never raised this much money on my own but know that is a requirement.

I sent out my emails today. That was Step 3. So, here were are; Decision made, Registration completed and now the emails are out.

In 6 months and 3 days, I'll be hitting the road!

Blues (Taylor Hicks), Jazz (Jane Monheit) and MS (Me)

This has been a great week. I got to interview Taylor Hicks and that interview will be posted soon. He is a great guy and even with a crazy-busy schedule gave me the time to ask questions.

Jane Monheit is coming up this week.

Blues and Jazz -- gotta love them.

The other big thing is the MS Walk. I signed up for the 3-day.
Please read below and see if you can help me:

When I was diagnosed with MS 8 years ago, I didn't know what my life would be like today. I immediately thought I'd become disabled and wouldn't have much time. I was so wrong and since then have met so many challenges that I didn't think I'd ever have the strength or courage to meet. MS has helped me more than it has hurt me and in some ways I am thankful that the disease arrived when it did because at times when an opportunity to really live has come up, I've taken the chance rather than let is pass me by. When? White-water rafting, Skydiving and saying "I love you" when I feel like it are just examples of the places in my life where I haven't stood still.

Now it is time to push for a cure again and accept another challenge. The MS 3-day will be unlike any other physical event I've participated in.

Be a part of this.

Help me reach my fundraising goal by going here and giving what you can: 3-Day in September.

I will go the distance.

If you're in San Diego and want to walk 5K with my team or can donate to that walk, go to: MS Walk - Team ProFlowers.

Please donate to one or both of my walking efforts. I need to raise $2500 by September to make it in the 3-day and have a team goal of $15K for the 5K.
These are tough times but I know that together, we can help fund a cure!

I am asking you for any amount; $5 for each walk, more to just one...whatever you can do! You donation to Team ProFlowers will be matched and your donation to the 3-Day will help me meet a personal goal I've set for later this year.

Thank you,

Rabiah

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?""