My cute neice

Isn't Ella adorable?
wow, she got a big dose of the cuteness!

I really love this next one. I think she was surprised by the flash. Her sneaky parents shared this one with me & I just can't stop giggling!!!

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

I recently saw another documentary. I know, I’ve been seeing a lot of them recently. This one is called “You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train”. It is a special feature on Howard Zinn. Now, I don’t know about you….but I’ve heard this man’s name for quite a while. HOWARD ZINN. Remember it. I’ve heard AMAZING things about his book "A People's History of the United States"…and I’m not sure what has taken me so long to get off my duff and check him out for myself. Well, I started by renting this documentary. Thanks to my boss, Nick, for bringing it up…again.

Wow! What a powerful speaker. What an educated, peace-loving person. What a political visionary. The film features interviews with Noam Chomsky and Alice Walker, just to name a few...or couple. :)

This is a guy to get acquainted with. I could go on & on…but I believe the article and interview printed in the Boston Globe below says it better. To find out more info on Howard Zinn, go to http://www.howardzinn.org/ .



QUESTIONS FOR HOWARD ZINN
The people's historian
By Joshua Glenn | November 14, 2004

IN 1980, WHEN Boston University historian Howard Zinn published "A People's History of the United States" -- a lively, anti-triumphalist retelling of the story of America from the perspective of the disenfranchised -- it "changed the consciousness of a generation," as Noam Chomsky has put it. Nor has Zinn been content just to write about history. As the recent documentary biography "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train" reminds us, he was active in the early civil rights movement in the South, and in the `60s -- while teaching at BU -- he became a leader of the antiwar movement in Boston.


"A People's History" has sold over a million copies. Now Zinn and co-editor Anthony Arnove bring us "Voices of a People's History of the United States" (Seven Stories), an anthology of speeches, letters, poems, petitions, and songs by Native Americans, fugitive slaves, feminists, activists, and workers -- from a 1542 eyewitness account of the annihilation of the Arawak Indians to statements by families of 9/11 victims opposing the invasion of Iraq. Zinn, 81, spoke with Ideas via telephone from his home in Auburndale.

IDEAS: "Voices" has provocative chapter titles like "Half a Revolution" and "Bush II and the `War on Terror."' Is it fair to say that your version of US history remains as fiercely partisan as ever?

ZINN: Long before I decided to write "A People's History," my partisanship was shaped by my upbringing in a working-class immigrant family, by my three years as a shipyard worker, by my experience as a bombardier in World War II, and by the civil rights movement in the South and the movement against the war in Vietnam. Educators and politicians may say that students ought to learn pure facts, innocent of interpretation, but there's no such thing! So I've chosen to emphasize voices of resistance -- to class oppression, racial injustice, sexual inequality, nationalist arrogance -- left out of the orthodox histories.

IDEAS: One of the chapters in your new book is titled "Challenging Bill Clinton." Clinton is a hero to many Democrats today -- in your opinion, did the left go too easy on Clinton?

ZINN: The moderate left -- liberals -- had high hopes for Clinton and were not prepared to battle against his policies. As a result, Clinton got away with a lot, from the passage of so-called welfare reform to his foreign policy -- he was the first to raise the specter of weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to bomb Iraq. . .. But I was certainly critical of Clinton, and so were others. One of the documents in that chapter is Adrienne Rich's letter refusing the 1997 National Medal for the Arts in protest of the dismantling of welfare.

IDEAS: What's the social effect of leaving "voices of resistance" out of mainstream American histories and standard textbooks?

ZINN: The problem is that when we only hear the voices of important people -- when we only read about presidential policy, congressional legislation, Supreme Court decisions, when we only see wars from the standpoint of generals and admirals, when we only see economic developments through the eyes of the financiers and industrialists -- it suggests that these are the people who will decide what happens to the country. The average person is left in a position of passivity.

IDEAS: Don't presidential elections reflect the will of the people as much as protest movements do?

ZINN: More important, I think, than who sits in the White House is who sits outside it. Whenever social injustices have had to be rectified, they were rectified not at the initiative of the president or Congress or the Supreme Court but because of social movements. . .. Only after thousands of black Americans demonstrated and were beaten, jailed, and killed was segregation in the South done away with. Despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize for it, it was not only Kissinger alone who ended the Vietnam War, but the antiwar movement. . .. The point of publishing the voices of mutineers, rebellious women, labor organizers, pacifists, socialists, is to remind readers that social movements can have an important effect on events -- and that you, too, can join or even lead one.

Joshua Glenn writes the Examined Life column for Ideas.
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

SOUTHERN COMFORT – PART 2, plus Alexandra Billings

Hi Guys,

I did a little more research on Robert Eads, the Female to Male Transsexual I told you about from the documentary SOUTHERN COMFORT in my last post. His friend, Maxwell, (as seen in the film) has a couple of pieces he wrote posted here:
http://www.ifge.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=210

And it’s so important to read.

I must say, having been friends with the amazing Alexandra Billings, ( http://alexandrabillings.com ), I have learned much about what it is be of transgender. I’m not saying I’m an expert, far from it…but I've been learning much over the past 6 years since I met her. I see a lot of bigotry related to transgender people, from the gay community as well as the straight community and I wish that bigotry would end. I think the best way to do that is to become more educated. read their stories. They are unique individuals, not because of their genitals, but unique in a beautiful way. They are great people.

Plus, Alex and Robert are inspirational people dealing with extraordinary circumstances that most people don’t have to deal with. It’s worth getting to know them.

Enjoy!

SOUTHERN COMFORT- Excellent documentary

I saw this film called SOUTHERN COMFORT this weekend. What a terrific job director Kate Davis did. I can’t believe I never heard of this film before.

The story is touching, ultimately sad, yet uplifting and hopeful. The documentary is about Robert Eads, a female to male transsexual. Just listening to this wise man talk is heart breaking…Robert has so much love and forgiveness; it’s hard not to fall in love with him immediately.

This was a film we just found on the shelf at Blockbuster because I needed to redeem my free coupon before it expired. What a treasure. Please rent it…I promise you will not be disappointed.

SUPER STAMPS!

Wow! Check this out...I just got these today at the post office!

There are the BEST FRICKIN stamps I've EVER seen!





Woo Hoo!

Happy Snail Mailing everyone!

Goodbye Pluto!

Wow guys…read this if you haven’t seen it yet:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5283250.stm

It seems that Pluto is no longer considered a PLANET!

At this point, I don’t even know how many planets we do have because this was released last week:
http://www.startribune.com/722/story/616751.html

Seems like we’re adding more and more planets. This blows my mind!

My childhood astronomy education is shattered.

No more littlest planet Pluto that was farthest from our sun.
Now all we’re stuck with is this:

Have you met my friend, Julie?

Julie is a great friend who happens to write an awesome blog about her journey thru weight loss called FLIP THIS BODY. Here’s the link: http://flipthisbody.blogspot.com/

I love her post today called “Now Change.” If you are an actor, you’ll know exactly what she’s talking about. If you are a person who has ever dreamed about your perfect career, you’ll know what she is talking about. Brilliant piece. And very honest.

Julie not only writes a great blog, but is a wonderful performer & awesome person. Oh yeah, and the most FREQUENT COMMENTER on my blog (Thanks Jules!). In fact, most of the time, she’s the ONLY commenter on my blog. not always, but sometimes!

Geez, does anybody even read this thing? :)
If you do, check her out!

Let’s be honest…

This is what it feels like sometimes:

ANOTHER RAVE REVIEW for TRAMPS LIKE US!

Wow! We had a wonderful show for TRAMPS LIKE US last Tuesday and a reviewer from cabaret hotline came to see it, unbeknownst to me. Carla Gordon, Thank you so much!

Here’s the site:
cabarethotlineonline.com/

Here’s the review!


CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS


ALANDA COON IN "TRAMPS LIKE US": THIS LADY IS NO TRAMP

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

While I happily listen to rock music on radio, I avoid rock concerts. Rock concerts I attended stimulated senses. My preference is live cabaret performance that stimulates emotions.

These personal, (admittedly subjective as hell) opinions are why Alanda Coon's "Tramps Like Us" is remarkable. "Tramps"(Performed at Katerina's, is entirely music written by Bruce Springsteen. Of course, I have heard "The Boss" sing on records and television. His presence is intense, but my middle aged ears struggled to hear each word. What Alanda Coon brings to Tramps Like Us is the commitment of cabaret; namely that the words and the emotional journey take no back seat to rhythm or volume.

This is noteworthy because Coon brings a powerhouse vocal instrument. Her voice is smooth, flawlessly pitched and rich. She moves seamlessly from growl, to croon, to belt, to whisper. This brings life to Springsteen's story oriented tunes and variety to the program. Alanda is among few singers who creates vocal whisper with resonance to fill both air and lyrical meaning.

A pitfall with single composer shows is that tunes begin to sound the same. Little comedy operates in Springsteen's compositions, but arranger, Mike Descoteaux overcame that obstacle. His arrangement of the classic "Fire" transported us into a hilarious love triangle with both the desired boyfriend (guitarist Tim Meade) and nerdy pursuer (Descoteaux) both praising the fire of Alanda's kiss. Reacting positively to Meade and indifferently to Descoteaux created needed laughter in a program of otherwise intense material.

Descoteaux's musical arrangements were layered and volume issues between vocal and instruments resolved after the first few tunes.

"Tramp's" outstanding moment occurs when Coon, puts down her microphone yet fills the room with her sound and Springsteen's words in "City of Ruins:

"There's a blood red circle on the cold, dark ground
And the rain is falling down.
The church door's blown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone."

Alanda's congregation was anything but gone. Her audience was enthralled.

Coon has a genuineness and humility that warms an audience in ways that talent alone can't. She shared with us her family's Springsteen addiction along with their buzz words to describe it ---Bruce Juice! Alanda added interesting anecdotes about Springsteen, the citizen. Springsteen, a liberal, was not thrilled when then President Ronald Reagan (a conservative) helped himself to "Born in the U.S. A." as a campaign theme song. Realizing it inappropriate to offend the office of the presidency, Springsteen increased his own efforts on behalf of causes reflecting his personal beliefs.

I was pleased to see "Tramps Like Us" performed at Katerina's. Katerinas, regarded mainly as a jazz club, is an excellent, intimate cabaret space. There are sofas, restaurant tables, and a sense of homeyness in the eclectic furnishings and dcor. Beyond the cocktails, and the variety of smaller to larger dishes, Katerina's offers the special quality that a few owner-managed clubs capture. Katerina herself is there, greeting audience members as guests in her cozy home; with smiles and hugs. Let's hope more cabaret artists and programs find their way to Katerina's. (Singers: Check into Katerina's jazz open mike each month.)

KATERINA'S CLUB is located at 1920 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL - 773-348-7592 - http://www.katerinas.com/

Copyright, 2006 by Carla Gordon

The Hoff

David Hasselhoff.
The man is ridiculous. I think he knows he's ridiculous. He makes a lot of money being ridiculous...
but I must ask...does he REALLY know just HOW ridiculous he is?

Check out his video version of "Secret Agent Man." There's nothing quite like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuQXGrFSQ0

Lions and Tigers and HATE, oh my!

I love National Public Radio.

They talked about L. Frank Baum this morning. (L. Frank Baum is the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.)
Now, I have always been a fan of the film. The themes are great, the characters are iconic, actors legendary and the filming was brilliant. I can’t say this for many other films. There’s a reason why “The Wizard of Oz” has endured this long and there’s a reason why so many artists since have referenced it.

I learned something totally shocking today.
It seems L. Frank Baum worked for a newspaper in 1890 where he publicly called out for the extermination of Native Americans. The brilliant man who wrote that beautiful story about love, hope and acceptance was filled with hatred of the worst kind, racism.

Now, I know it was 1890 and I know it is naïve to say that hateful people aren’t capable of greatness….but HOLY CRAP! Did you guys know about this? It is interesting to me that he was a supporter of rights for women. “Sure, let’s give rights to women, but kill those bastards over there!” um, WHAT?

There are a bunch of sites on the internet talking about this. Here’s one of them. If you do not have time to read the whole thing, scroll down to WOUNDED KNEE:
http://www.wicocomico-indian-nation.com/pages/genocide.html

It seems that his descendants will be apologizing to the Native American community in South Dakota today. That’s what I heard on NPR this morning. Here’s the link if you’d like to see for yourself:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5662524

This topic makes me think of how many other times we have praised certain American icons without knowing all the information. Think of the history books. Christopher Columbus did his share of slaughtering as well. So he could take their land. Nice guy….so glad we can honor him every year on our national holiday. Ew.

All this really makes me sad.

Closing of TRAMPS LIKE US

Last night was our closing night. I feel very privileged to have worked on this show, to interpret Springsteen’s amazing poetry, and to work with the fantastic musicians Mike Descoteaux and Tim Meade.

This show has a special place in my heart. Springsteen is a very inspirational person to me and yes, I do feel like he is one of the family.

When I first put together the show, I didn’t know how I was going to tackle the political side of what Springsteen offers the world. Ultimately, that has been the most thrilling part for me.

For those of you who have not seen the show, take a look at the following essay that Bruce wrote, published in the NY Times on 8/5/04.

Many thanks to all who have shared their support, those who helped with marketing, postering, getting the word out….thanks for the great features and reviews. Thanks to all who attended. It sure was a fun ride.



“...we gotta get out while we’re young...”



Here;s the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/05/opinion/05bruce.html?ex=1249444800&en=768bb75ef1018abe&ei=5090&


NYTimes.com

Chords for Change

By BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Published: August 5, 2004


A nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried. I've tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures.

These questions are at the heart of this election: who we are, what we stand for, why we fight. Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. Instead, I have been partisan about a set of ideals: economic justice, civil rights, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. This year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out.

Through my work, I've always tried to ask hard questions. Why is it that the wealthiest nation in the world finds it so hard to keep its promise and faith with its weakest citizens? Why do we continue to find it so difficult to see beyond the veil of race? How do we conduct ourselves during difficult times without killing the things we hold dear? Why does the fulfillment of our promise as a people always seem to be just within grasp yet forever out of reach?

I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America's citizens, courage and faith.

People have different notions of these values, and they live them out in different ways. I've tried to sing about some of them in my songs. But I have my own ideas about what they mean, too. That is why I plan to join with many fellow artists, including the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, in touring the country this October. We will be performing under the umbrella of a new group called Vote for Change. Our goal is to change the direction of the government and change the current administration come November.

Like many others, in the aftermath of 9/11, I felt the country's unity. I don't remember anything quite like it. I supported the decision to enter Afghanistan and I hoped that the seriousness of the times would bring forth strength, humility and wisdom in our leaders. Instead, we dived headlong into an unnecessary war in Iraq, offering up the lives of our young men and women under circumstances that are now discredited. We ran record deficits, while simultaneously cutting and squeezing services like afterschool programs. We granted tax cuts to the richest 1 percent (corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar players), increasing the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation indivisible."

It is through the truthful exercising of the best of human qualities - respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals - that we come to life in God's eyes. It is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.

Bad New Hughes has done it again

Ok, I found this site while browsing some one else’s site that it was linked to so I cannot take full credit for finding this guy.

Nor do I know him.

But he’s quite the writer- dude. And funny as hell. Check out his latest entry at:
http://badnewshughes.blogspot.com/

And if you think that’s funny, search in the archives to find the Christmas post. Oh lord! Hilarity at its best, especially photos of his family. The Christmas post is from 12/27/05, called “Christmas 2005.” Fo’ real. You need to read this post!

Thanks for the laughs Diary of Indignities, Bad News Hughes!

Enjoy Readers!

Toot

I apologize for all the horn tootin' but I just found this today.
Heck, it's printed in the Chicago Free Press on August 9, 2006.
I had to share. Many Thanks to Brian Kirst for the glowing review!
Just click on the image to enlarge.

Feature in Pioneer Press

The newspaper clipping is from The Pioneer Press, printed Wed, 7/26/06.
Simply click on the image and it should enlarge to a readable size.
Many Thanks to Paul Barile!

SAFER than Pre-9/11???

written yesterday, 8/10, but blogger was down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The plot to hijack multiple planes in the UK and head towards the USA came out this morning.
Our leader, President Bush says “The -- this country is safer than it was prior to 9/11.”

Excuse me???? I don’t think I heard you correctly, Mr. Bush.
I beg to differ. This country was safer when we had Clinton in office. Not safe. But safER.

Here’s Bush’s whole speech here, delivered at 11am this morning:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5634210

…and what is this?: “The recent arrests that our fellow citizens are now learning about are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to -- to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation.”

“…Those of us who love freedom”???
Doesn’t that include THEM? Doesn’t that include every person on this earth?

Who wouldn’t want to be free to do what they love? Who wouldn’t want to be free to marry whomever they love? Who wouldn’t want to be free to have authority over their own bodies? Oh, pardon me, I don’t speak of the USA in that statement. Our country must not REALLY be free. We sure talk a lot about it, don’t we?

What is this jargon BS that Mr. Bush is handing us? I certainly hope the American people aren’t buying it anymore. It’s time to wake up and really see and hear what this administration is doing.

Part of the problem is that we are the biggest bullies on the planet. No wonder we are hated. Think about it. Why do we think we can bully the rest of the world and not pay any consequences?

I’m pretty sure that attacking Iraq is not going to stop people from hating us. I believe it FEEDS it.

We need to take some long serious looks at ourselves and figure out a way that we can contribute to the world instead of trying to dominate it. While we’re at it, we might try LISTENING to other nations instead of shutting them out crying “terrorist.” Aren’t we Iraq’s terrorists?

A “terrorist” to one man is another man’s “freedom fighter.” Shall we look to see why we have inspired this other group to employ freedom fighters? Shall we, Mr. Bush?

TRAMPS LIKE US...the music of bruce springsteen- FINAL PERFORMANCE!

LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE SHOW!


Please join us this Tuesday, August 15th @ 9pm @ 1920 W Irving Park Rd
Please reserve your tickets for Katerina’s at (773)348-7592

Come for food or drinks or both….heck, just JOIN US!
Katerina’s has great food & a full bar!
Please note, this show is 21 and over only!

For more information, please visit www.alandacoon.com


ALSO LOOK FOR A FEATURE ARTICLE ON ALANDA COON IN THE PIONEER PRESS on Wed, 7/26!!!


TRAMPS LIKE US
the music of bruce springsteen….as sung by alanda coon


Featuring: Alanda Coon, Mike Descoteaux and Tim Meade


The rock icon Bruce Springsteen, is celebrated in this critically acclaimed one hour cabaret, acoustic rock performance.
Alanda Coon interprets Springsteen with a feminine perspective, giving his poetry simplicity. Through heightened language and generous musical support, the audience is welcomed to hear his lyrics as if heard for the very first time.
Ms. Coon takes you on a journey through Springsteen’s musical life while inviting the audience to reminisce about how The Boss’ music has affected their lives.


One Night Only at Katerina’s on Tuesday, August 15th @ 9pm
Katerina’s is located at 1920 W Irving Park Rd
Tickets are $5
They are GREAT food & a full bar!
Reservations strongly recommended: (773) 348. 7592


For more information, please visit www.alandacoon.com


“…we gotta get out while we’re young…”

Cos I gotta have Faith...

Yes, just like that tune by George Michael, I too, gotta have faith.

My awesome friend, Clover, sent me an interesting and challenging email the other day. We have a great relationship, she & I, where we can ponder philosophy, creative endeavors and life's challenges.



Here's what she wrote me:

"faith is a powerful thing.
there are the people that DO and the people that don't.
the difference is everything.
it takes faith to DO, especially without reason.
without faith, there is no point.
so, what to believe in? what makes it ALL worth it?
self? other selves? society? god?

Ms. Coon... what GIVES you faith??"



wow. what a doozy!

After thinking long and hard about this topic, I replied with:

"Faith.

I believe that I get my faith from trusting that everything works out the way it should. This does not mean that I sit back & let life pass me by...no no. This means I get to go forth and do what I want to do or go forth doing what I HAVE to do, knowing that there is a reason that it works out that way. I believe it is because of my sense of self that it will work because in the long run, there is always something to be learned from any situation. I may not like certain situations as they are happening but can often look back after time has passed and see a reason for it happening. I have faith in myself to be as good of a person as I can be because I like being a good person...not out of fear of punishment, a god or judgement but because it feels good to be good. It is just to be good. It is respectful to self as well as respectful to the world. It feels good to have respect for self. (will the next question be "what do you define as 'good' or 'respect'?" :)

Faith feeds more faith.

Faith is ethereal. Faith is bigger than me. My faith encompasses my world. I have faith in self but also have faith in other people. Faith that they will go on their own journeys learning their own paths and being the best people they can be. Faith that they are whomever/whatever they are for a reason. It brings people together.

Faith suggests community.

Faith is intangible in a physical sense. Faith is tangible in an emotional sense. I imagine people who live with little faith as people who are extremely scared for most of their lives. I do not think it is possible to live without ANY faith. Why exist? A life without faith would be so filled with fear and doubt that you wouldn't be able to even function in the smallest sense. Eating would be impossible as you would have no faith that it would sustain you. Shelter would be impossible as you would never trust your landlord, mortgage (assuming you have money at all) or even the EARTH that supports your body.

One cannot live without SOME faith.

So, how do we measure our faith? By how much fear we possess? Maybe. I have fear. I lack faith and trust in our society, in this "mankind" at many turns. Funny that it's called "manKIND" because we aren't kind very often, are we? or ARE WE? When I really think about it...my faith in mankind gets restored as often as it is taken away. MORE so restored than it is taken away. I just tend to focus on when it is taken away because it hurts. But it is restored more often than not, otherwise, I'd be curled up under a rock somewhere...isolated.

Lack of faith feeds depression.

Faith is Security, Confidence and Hope all rolled into one. Faith is essential to life, to continue, to grow. Faith is inside expressed outward. Faith is a kiss in the dark.

I am very lucky for such plentiful faith in my life."



I think I could have written a novel on the subject, never knowing that I felt so strongly about it and never fully ackowledging my intimate relationship with my faith.

Clover gave me a great gift. Thanks girl.

So, I'm spreading the love to you, readers....what gives YOU faith?

Welcome!

Welcome to my NEW blog! It seems that myspace was having too many problems with viruses n such. This feels much better!
Stay tuned...