"It Gets Better"

I've written about the abundance of bullying related tragedies before, but it's still weighing heavy on my heart. So, instead of rehashing all of that, I decided to join the ranks of the millions of people who have made videos in hope of helping someone out there. I'll let them speak for themselves:

Listen to this. Truer words were never spoken:

Joan Rivers

She's currently starring in not one but TWO reality shows, "Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" and "How'd You Get So Rich?", which are both, hilarious. She still does "The Fashion Police" every week, she still designs jewelry and clothes and makes regular appearances on QVC to sell it. I have a few, and not only are they beautiful, but they are extremely well made. A Joan Rivers jewelry piece is one that'll last forever.

I've always been in awe of people who are so passionate about what they do that they never stop. Joan literally works 24 hours a day. As she says, "There are no hours in the business". The only other woman I can think of who's under the pressure and work load of Joan is Anna Wintour, another lady I adore and admire. These women made some significant cracks in that glass ceiling and they are STILL opening doors, not just for women but for all of us! They've paved the way for so much. It's hard to imagine we'd have a Kathy Griffin if it wasn't for Joan Rivers. So, as easy as it is to make fun of and dismiss these "Divas" (a word I'm really starting to hate which is never used properly), it's just as easy to take a second to wonder why they're still here and if you could do what they do and even half as well. Just to name a few of Joan's accomplishments, she was the first and LAST woman to have her own late night talk show, she pretty much invented the red carpet. NO ONE watched before Joan. She m ade it okay for women to talk about things that were taboo, like plastic surgery, and her no nonsense attitude makes her attractive because she tells it like it is; but at the same time, she still has a soft and sensitive side like every comedienne. As a performer myself, I can tell you, it's much harder to be funny than serious, and she is ALWAYS funny! She's a true star and deserves whatever praise she gets. I'm so glad her career is at a high point right now because no one deserves it more! So, to Joan I say, YOU GO GIRL!

Two nights ago, I attended the world premiere of "In a Daughter's Eyes", a the riveting story of two women. One, a black woman, who's father is a former black panther and resides in prison to this day. He was accused of killing a cop back in the 1980's. The story takes place in Rahema Salaam's office. She's the daughter of the man in prison. The story's plot is basically Rahema trying to prove her father's innocence with the help of Kathryn Tinney, the daughter of the officer who was killed. The dynamic between these two women hooks you from beginning to end. There aren't many two women shows that can hold an audience for two hours just by themselves. During the course of the show, you experience their ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies and the idea that it's based on fact makes it that much more interesting to watch. I attended with my friend, Erica, who always takes me along when she gets press passes for these things. Her blurb about it is below this post. It's running until June 19th and if you're looking for a good night of really fascinating theatre and/or a good human story with a little dark comedy mixed in, I'd strongly recommend "In a Daughter's Eyes".

Erica Minutella:
http://www.uwishunu.com/2011/06/interact-theatre-company-presents-in-a-daughters-eyes-based-on-a-philadelphia-story-on-stage-through-june-19/


In a Daughter’s Eyes
When: Now–June 19
Where: Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street
Cost: Tickets range from $18-$32

"Saturn Returns" a play by Noah Haidle

Tonight, I was invited to the theater by my dear friend, Erica Minutella, who writes for Philly.com. Her review should pop up online in a day or two. We had press tickets, but unfortunately, they didn't have reserved press seating! Anyway, the play, took place in a renovated "theater" in a Church, which made both of us a bit skeptical.

I must say I was impressed with the concept of the story. The cast consisted of 4 people, three of them being the main character, a man at different stages in his life, and the other a woman playing the triple role of wife, daughter, and nurse/caretaker.

The story was well constructed. There were a few monologues and scenes that were completely unnecessary, but the message was abundantly clear. This was a story about an insufferable man who's been set in his ways all his life and now he's old, alone, and terribly, terribly lonely. The acting wasn't the best I've ever seen, but it wasn't bad either. Speaking of which, the director and producer made a speech before the show announcing that their actors get health care and all these great benefits... I was livid! They're performing in a church! I've never been treated that well in the theatre or paid that well!

At any rate, we had an enjoyable evening and despite the few short comings, I'd recommend seeing it if you're looking for something to do and/or enjoy live theatre. Again, the story and it's construction really interested me, though some of the writing could have been tweaked a bit. I also appreciated the way the story went back and forth in time through the memories of the heroine.

It's presented by Theatre Exile in the second building of the church on 2nd and Market. It's running until March 22.

"Furious Love" by Sam Kashner & Nancy Schoenberger

As most of you know, I've been a huge Elizabeth Taylor fan all of my life. I've read a few books chronicling her life including, "Elizabeth" and "My Love Affair With Jewelry". This book was published a few months prior to Elizabeth's death and focuses on her relationship with Richard Burton.

I found it compelling and fascinating. The whole "Liz & Dick" scandal was handled, I thought with great respect and the authors managed to make this more than just another tell all piece of trash. I understand it was written with the cooperation of Elizabeth herself, which is a good sign. She's always been very honest and candid about her personal relationships (particularly with Burton, who I believe was the true love of her life).

The book goes into great detail about what it was like to be the super stars they became. No celebrity or celebrity couple can compare to what these two went through together. Things are so sterilized today. Remember, this all took place at a time when scandal wasn't exactly accepted by the public. These were two people who literally had to live in a bubble for their entire married (and unmarried) life. They fell in love in Rome on the set of "Cleopatra" and as in all great love stories, didn't seem to like each other very much. Obviously, that quickly changed. At the time, they were both also married to other people. Elizabeth to Eddie Fisher whom she "stole" from Debbie Reynolds and Richard to Sybil Burton, who, even through his well known philandering, he refused to divorce.

This is a love story greater than any work of fiction. The sex, the passion, the jewelry... it's all here in one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. Not for a moment does it drag. These two were the first real Hollywood couple born from scandal and then transformed into American royalty. Simply put, it's one of the best biographies I've ever read.

"I'm Over All That" By Shirley MaClaine

I've been reading Shirley's books for years. This newest one is probably one of her best! She tackles every subject with her own brand of wit which makes the book impossible to put down. She's always been extremely honest and candid and this newest book is no exception. She touches on everything from past lives to fame to sex to close mindedness. She's brave, outspoken, and she keeps it very real, which is what I've always admired about her as a person, not to mention her incredible talent as an actress. Even after reading so many of her books and going beyond those to research and study what she writes about, I still found myself learning more and becoming even more fascinated with these subjects, like UFOs and reincarnation. Shirley MaClaine is an extremely smart woman who knows there's always more to learn and that's what I admire about her. Life is merely a learning experience and we never stop learning (if we allow ourselves and open ourselves up to it). All in all, it's a fabulous book by a fabulous woman and I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind and an eagerness to learn.

My Belief System...yes, I do have one...

This entry, I'm sure will cause a bit of controversy if anyone actually reads it, but then, I can't make it to the powder room and back without causing some kind of controversy, so, who cares.

Several people seem to be under the impression that I don't believe in a God or a higher power and so on and so forth... My question is, why? I make a joke here and there and enjoy pretty things so this makes me an atheist of some kind? I have a lot of beliefs. Some conventional, some not so conventional (for America). For starters, my number one belief is that I don't believe in telling others what they're SUPPOSED to believe in and what's "right" and "wrong". This rule, and it's gone so far as to be scientifically proven, is what you send out, you get back (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). Karma plays a big part in our lives weather you chose to believe it or not. It's not up to us.

Now, God. Do I believe in God? Yes. Do I pray? More than anyone would imagine. Do I flaunt it and put down others who don't or even talk about it? No. It's very personal to me. There is definitely some form of higher being who's content to let the inmates run the asylum and he or she intervenes when necessary.

Now, here's the part where people seem to just roll their eyes...past lives/future lives and lifetimes. Like I said, I do believe in God and I don't think he'd create us, and waste us after a little time on Earth. I truly believe the soul never dies. Does it arrive at a pearly gate with angels and clouds? I don't know. None of this can be proven. It doesn't have to be, at least not for me. We live in such a scientific society that everything has to be physically proven or it's nonsense. Now, two thirds of the world believes in reincarnation,, so when are we going to at least open our minds to it?

My belief is that after we go, we go on to the higher for of learning. When we decide it's time to return to the schoolroom (Earth, or maybe another Planet that we haven't discovered yet, which is why our interests may be so peaked in far off planets), we do. The soul never dies and it continues it's journey. Now, I don't know if it comes to an end at some point or if it's infinite. But the way I think we're all connected is by this one God who created and connected us all. We meet people, smell things, see things we recognize that can't possibly be from this lifetime. So, if we'd open up our minds and pay attention to our guts, we may actually remember.

Case in point, Andrew managed to track down a bottle of Ma Griffe perfume for me (Judy's perfume). I've never smelled it in my life and have been trying to find it for years. The moment I smelled it, it gave me chills. I know this smell. I don't know where or when I've smelled it before, but it's a very distinct smell and I know it well. I'm still trying to think of how I can possibly remember it because nothing smells like it that I've smelled in this lifetime. Could it be some connection between me and Judy? Or even someone else who wore it? It's been around since 1946.

My point is, we're never really finished and I'm going to try not to let the death of someone I admire or love get to me so much because they're not gone, they're learning and living in another reality perhaps not as far from ours as we think.