My son Dan invited me to the Xmas party of the company he's worked at for the past 3 years. Dan, his lovely wife Nicole, whose hair looked like Nefertiti's, and I set out for the new offices of AWeber.com in Huntingdon Valley, PA, I being the only one of the three who'd never been inside.
I was so excited. My son, the businessman.
It's always fun to go to a place when it's closed down. The empty receptionist's desk had a granite countertop. A plaque on the wall pronounced AWeber one of the best places to work in 2009.
The catering company took our coats. I left my backpack in the car so I wouldn't be tempted to smuggle out any booze or tiny creamers.
We ate in the Cafeteria. During the week, they have catered free meals. A cooler is stocked with favorite beverages.
Every morsel of food was delicious. I remarked to one of the adorable guys who worked there - they look like rock musicians - that I hadn't eaten in two days in anticipation on this big event. (I'd actually forgotten about it till I read it on my calendar that morning. Things come around so fast, don't they? Where are you Mr Death?)
The salmon was melt in your mouth. The dips! Artichoke, fennel and spicy something or other. Don't double-dip, Ruthie, I reminded myself as I carefully double-dipped.
I sipped on Dan's beer since I don't drink. My, it was good. I do love my beer sips.
Dan gave us a tour of the office. Huge! They have a Game Room where you play video games on an enormous screen. In the Education Room videos were playing of when Tom started the company in his Bucks County backyard. When I met Tom for the very first time I thanked him for employing my son. Tom is a tall goodlooking man with a friendly grin. His pregnant wife and inlaws were at the party.
The employees are young. The oldest of their children are about 5. I admired Kylie's beautiful maroon Christmas dress, she couldn't talk yet but she was a fast walker, and when I spoke to Ben, his 6-yr-old daughter Mattie was looking at me the whole time, amazing for a child. She's a good big sister to Abbie.
Later on all the kids found each other and were playing some sort of made up game.
Dan has a huge office with a b'ful cherry-colored desk and one of those $800 ergonomic chairs. His computer monitor is huge. In the office is a large white eraserboard on the wall with all sorts of cryptic (to me) writing on it. A framed poster of the Beatles' Abby Road hangs on the wall along with some caricatures made by one of the talented people at his office.
The freedom to think and create and work in a friendly environment is wonderful - dress is casual and bedroom slippers are optional - and helps promote business which has not been affected one iota by the recession. Salaries and bonuses are high and so is the praise and feedback among employees.
Interestingly, my own businessman father created a wonderful place to work back in Cleveland when he managed a women's clothing warehouse. Recently the wife of his second in command died and I wrote a long and lingering love letter to the family saying, the person who should be reading this has gone away for good. This happens frequently. We never saw my father again either though my eighty-seven year old mother resides in the house Harold built with much of his Majestic memorabilia intact.
Look how our memories play such an important role in our lives? As the poet Rilke wrote in his Letters to a Young Poet, all you need is your childhood and you could be locked up in prison and still have enough material for a lifetime of poetry.
I couldn't help dancing to the DJ's music at the Xmas party which was booming from the education room. It was good to hear Roxanne by the Police again. I'd seen them long ago in concert. Remind me to tell you about that awesome day, which I then called the best day of my life.
I was sorry we couldn't stay to play karry-oh-kee but we were all very tired. I find I've been singing a lot lately. Try it! When I was a teenager and in college I used to whistle all the time. Music still plays an enormous role in my life. And - look! - my daughter married a musician. Ethan of The Bad Plus.I'm hoping to see them play at the Village Vanguard round bout New Year's Day.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
My metamorphosis, not exactly Gregor Samsa but close
I've been staying up past my bedtime watching great movies on Turner Classic Films. The Hitchhiker was about a deranged man who would stop motorists at gunpoint and eventually kill them after he had them obey his every direction. He climbs into the back of the car of 2 fishing buddies and we wonder when they'll try to make a break. Great film!
Problem is I'm turning into some of these evil characters. More bout this later on. Remind me to write about my revenge story.
Was noodling about the kitchen yesterday when my favorite song came on the radio. Sure I could've raced into the living room and started dancing. OR I could've attempted to find the name and artist of said song.
DONE! I am listening to it as I blog. Kandi by One Eskimo.
What did he say?
He called me babe. All night long.
From looking at the lead singer I'm getting some fashion ideas for when I attend the bris next week. Bris, by the way, is the Yiddish pronunciation. Brit is the modern Hebrew pronunciation, Cynthia told me. She wouldn't tell me her grandson's name she said until the ceremony is completed. The three names include her late husband Bobby's memorial name. You'll remember he walked into a truck. I'll tell you why he did this. I didn't realize it. He was depressed over his new diagnosis of Parkinson's. You can't think straight when you're depressed. Oy, the things he told me over the phone when last I spoke to him. Darkness unending.
So, you, yourself, may grab a few design ideas from the band. I thought perhaps I could wear multiple bracelets. Currently I only wear a cheap Timex. A client gave me a serenity bracelet. Perhaps I could pop that on my wrist as well.
I also like the lead singer's tattoos on his arm. Perhaps I could get the name of the family tattoodled on my arm along with that medical symbol - what's the word - Yiddish or modern Hebrew will do - somethin like cadeuccas - since the father is a vaccination specialist at a drug company.
The the past week I've been the victim of another sort of virus which does not respond to vaccine. An email virus. The result could be worse certainly but it's supremely annoying. Every day I get at least 40 of the same email inviting me to a an event I do not wanna attend.
When I woke up this morning a line of these emails greeted me. Yes, they are working on the problem they assured us.
Ya know what I did to retaliate?
See, when I like a song I hear on the radio, I send myself an email with its link so I can replay it on YouTube.
So when I did my research this morning about One Eskimo, I merely CCd it to the virus provider as follows.
http://www.oneeskimo.com/
kandi - best one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVIl1LPePI
one eskimo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cri481xXtlU&feature=related
candi staton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oau8PB_AY0&feature=related
info on one eskimo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR6L3Q05BQI
ufo
I know, I know. Gregor Samsa all over again.
Problem is I'm turning into some of these evil characters. More bout this later on. Remind me to write about my revenge story.
Was noodling about the kitchen yesterday when my favorite song came on the radio. Sure I could've raced into the living room and started dancing. OR I could've attempted to find the name and artist of said song.
DONE! I am listening to it as I blog. Kandi by One Eskimo.
What did he say?
He called me babe. All night long.
From looking at the lead singer I'm getting some fashion ideas for when I attend the bris next week. Bris, by the way, is the Yiddish pronunciation. Brit is the modern Hebrew pronunciation, Cynthia told me. She wouldn't tell me her grandson's name she said until the ceremony is completed. The three names include her late husband Bobby's memorial name. You'll remember he walked into a truck. I'll tell you why he did this. I didn't realize it. He was depressed over his new diagnosis of Parkinson's. You can't think straight when you're depressed. Oy, the things he told me over the phone when last I spoke to him. Darkness unending.
So, you, yourself, may grab a few design ideas from the band. I thought perhaps I could wear multiple bracelets. Currently I only wear a cheap Timex. A client gave me a serenity bracelet. Perhaps I could pop that on my wrist as well.
I also like the lead singer's tattoos on his arm. Perhaps I could get the name of the family tattoodled on my arm along with that medical symbol - what's the word - Yiddish or modern Hebrew will do - somethin like cadeuccas - since the father is a vaccination specialist at a drug company.
The the past week I've been the victim of another sort of virus which does not respond to vaccine. An email virus. The result could be worse certainly but it's supremely annoying. Every day I get at least 40 of the same email inviting me to a an event I do not wanna attend.
When I woke up this morning a line of these emails greeted me. Yes, they are working on the problem they assured us.
Ya know what I did to retaliate?
See, when I like a song I hear on the radio, I send myself an email with its link so I can replay it on YouTube.
So when I did my research this morning about One Eskimo, I merely CCd it to the virus provider as follows.
http://www.oneeskimo.com/
kandi - best one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVIl1LPePI
one eskimo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cri481xXtlU&feature=related
candi staton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oau8PB_AY0&feature=related
info on one eskimo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR6L3Q05BQI
ufo
I know, I know. Gregor Samsa all over again.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I'm invited to a bris!
Just before it was time to drive Scott to the train Cynthia called to say her daughter gave birth to a son and I was invited to the bris in his hometown of Princeton. I'll drive down with the newborn's uncle. Cynthia's husband was one of my best friends but never consulted me about his plans to do away with himself. I didn't have time to say g'bye before he walked in front of a truck.
G'bye Bobby g'bye! He couldn't bear the new diagnosis of Parkinson's he was given. Look, I'm all for euthanasia but there were barely any symptoms.
Quite chilly tonite, eh? "37 icy" said my car as I slid in.
You know, Scott, I said, putting my red gloved hands on the wheel, America as we know it is finished. I watched a video last nite on the New Yorker website. The CEO of a huge drug company, Novartis, said he was building a $1 BILLION plant in - guess where?
China, said Scott.
Right. And we let it happen, I said.
I blame the media and the politicians, said Scott. They said nothing about it while it was happening. Ross Perot made a sucking noise about it. Sucking the lifesblood out of us.
We sat in the car while waiting for the train. A great song came on the radio.
Jeez, I'd like to dance to this, I said.
Too cold, said Scott.
I turned up the volume loud, climbed outa the car and danced in the darkness. Scott laffed.
I like to be surprising and daring. It makes me happy.
Soon the lights of the train began reflecting on the train wires and tracks, he undid his seatbelt, kissed me goodbye and headed out, backpack on his back. I drove off reminding myself Call TCM, Call TCM, Call TCM.
Billy answered the phone right away. I'd waited 20 minutes earlier today w/o success. I was ordering Scott's b'day and Xmas presents.
Ya know why I'm calling and not ordering online, Billy? I said. Because I'm too lazy to type in my credit card number.
That's fine, said Billy, who turned out to be a terrible speller. When I told him Scott's last name, I said it's spelled like The General. He mangled it horribly but he was a sweet man.
Would you mind if I sing my credit card number? I was amazed I thought of such a great idea.
I did a magnificent creative job and when next we figger out where to have our Coffeeshop Gig I promise to share my phenomenal technique. I have a famed operatic voice (famous within my family and friends)but want to give it to a wider audience.
I spose I was inspired to perform my credit card number cuz I was talking to Turner Classic Films, all of whom are the biggest showoffs and exhibitionsists in the world - movie stars. I wanted to be one when I was 6 years old when I discovered who they were.
Ruth Gabor.
Okay, so now you got me thinking. What exactly does America excel in? off the top of my head I'd say:
Journalism, literature, colleges and universities, medicine, Nobel prizewinners, advertisements, independent movies, independent support groups, gardening, local parks and national parks, and of course FREEDOM. No one can touch us where freedom is concerned. Right Angela Davis?
G'bye Bobby g'bye! He couldn't bear the new diagnosis of Parkinson's he was given. Look, I'm all for euthanasia but there were barely any symptoms.
Quite chilly tonite, eh? "37 icy" said my car as I slid in.
You know, Scott, I said, putting my red gloved hands on the wheel, America as we know it is finished. I watched a video last nite on the New Yorker website. The CEO of a huge drug company, Novartis, said he was building a $1 BILLION plant in - guess where?
China, said Scott.
Right. And we let it happen, I said.
I blame the media and the politicians, said Scott. They said nothing about it while it was happening. Ross Perot made a sucking noise about it. Sucking the lifesblood out of us.
We sat in the car while waiting for the train. A great song came on the radio.
Jeez, I'd like to dance to this, I said.
Too cold, said Scott.
I turned up the volume loud, climbed outa the car and danced in the darkness. Scott laffed.
I like to be surprising and daring. It makes me happy.
Soon the lights of the train began reflecting on the train wires and tracks, he undid his seatbelt, kissed me goodbye and headed out, backpack on his back. I drove off reminding myself Call TCM, Call TCM, Call TCM.
Billy answered the phone right away. I'd waited 20 minutes earlier today w/o success. I was ordering Scott's b'day and Xmas presents.
Ya know why I'm calling and not ordering online, Billy? I said. Because I'm too lazy to type in my credit card number.
That's fine, said Billy, who turned out to be a terrible speller. When I told him Scott's last name, I said it's spelled like The General. He mangled it horribly but he was a sweet man.
Would you mind if I sing my credit card number? I was amazed I thought of such a great idea.
I did a magnificent creative job and when next we figger out where to have our Coffeeshop Gig I promise to share my phenomenal technique. I have a famed operatic voice (famous within my family and friends)but want to give it to a wider audience.
I spose I was inspired to perform my credit card number cuz I was talking to Turner Classic Films, all of whom are the biggest showoffs and exhibitionsists in the world - movie stars. I wanted to be one when I was 6 years old when I discovered who they were.
Ruth Gabor.
Okay, so now you got me thinking. What exactly does America excel in? off the top of my head I'd say:
Journalism, literature, colleges and universities, medicine, Nobel prizewinners, advertisements, independent movies, independent support groups, gardening, local parks and national parks, and of course FREEDOM. No one can touch us where freedom is concerned. Right Angela Davis?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
People will eat any ole crap and ask for more
Nothing like hot Creama Wheat on these chilly pre-winter mornings. I made the bowl sitting in front of me on my desk with dried cranberries, and, per the suggestion of Mary Ann Moylan, my nutritionist, cooked it in CoffeeRich to replace the milk I'm not allowed to drink on account of its high phosphorus content. We had a refresher course the other day further limiting my diet which I'll talk about shortly.
I have very sensitive taste buttons and can taste preservatives a mile away. The creama wheat tastes like crap. Here are the ingredients of CoffeeRich which, after it defrosts shall be flushed away to its final destiny. May it nourish the flailing stink bugs.
Water, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, mono and diglycerides, soy protein isolate, sodium stearoyl, lactylate, polysorbate 80, depotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, artificial flavor, sodium acid pyrophosphate, colored with beta carotene.
Whatever got into me purchasing this makebelieve food? I was swayed perhaps by the new research Mary Ann did on my behalf - previous diets concentrated only on lowered sodium and potassium - but she and I both discovered the necessity to cut back on phosphorus.
Under her spell, I not only bought CoffeeRich but also Thomas English Muffins which stink of preservative when you open the pkg. I'm not allowed to eat whole grains due to high phosphorus content. All this, of course, to protect my ever-diminishing kidney function to avoid dialysis. So now we're low potassium, sodium, phosphorus and protein.
I liken my temporary conversion to buying the CoffeeRich to going into a spiritual Buddhist retreat and becoming a Buddhist. Long ago I proclaimed my strong unwavering atheistic tendencies which are hilariously documented in this Mark Twain piece I'm reading.
Click on Twain's Letters from the Earth. Scroll down and begin with the words The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking.
May God bless and keep you.
I have very sensitive taste buttons and can taste preservatives a mile away. The creama wheat tastes like crap. Here are the ingredients of CoffeeRich which, after it defrosts shall be flushed away to its final destiny. May it nourish the flailing stink bugs.
Water, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, mono and diglycerides, soy protein isolate, sodium stearoyl, lactylate, polysorbate 80, depotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, artificial flavor, sodium acid pyrophosphate, colored with beta carotene.
Whatever got into me purchasing this makebelieve food? I was swayed perhaps by the new research Mary Ann did on my behalf - previous diets concentrated only on lowered sodium and potassium - but she and I both discovered the necessity to cut back on phosphorus.
Under her spell, I not only bought CoffeeRich but also Thomas English Muffins which stink of preservative when you open the pkg. I'm not allowed to eat whole grains due to high phosphorus content. All this, of course, to protect my ever-diminishing kidney function to avoid dialysis. So now we're low potassium, sodium, phosphorus and protein.
I liken my temporary conversion to buying the CoffeeRich to going into a spiritual Buddhist retreat and becoming a Buddhist. Long ago I proclaimed my strong unwavering atheistic tendencies which are hilariously documented in this Mark Twain piece I'm reading.
Click on Twain's Letters from the Earth. Scroll down and begin with the words The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking.
May God bless and keep you.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Goodbye darling goodbye!
The main downside of being a union member is the importance of seniority. Scott has worked at the Philly transit authority Septa for 13 years and there's many another mechanic ahead of him on the schedule pickings. Thus Scott lost his day-shift and returned to the night-shift which poses a hazard to one's health, among other things, like you can't see your girlfriend every nite and lay beside her snuggling together.
Scott, can you please pass me the remote. Scott, would you mind getting up and getting me a drink of water. Scott, I forgot to take the phone off the hook, would you mind.....
I drove him to the train station to catch the 8:22 pm train. He likes to get there good n early.
Let's stop at the Valenza's Xmas House, I suggested. Fort'ly he agreed. It's 5 minutes down Terwood Road.
We parked the car and got out. The house door was open and a revolving Santa peeked out. People were in the background. Clearly, they cared about people enjoying their spectacular lights.
I don't care if he IS a Republican I mumbled to myself, the man is a good person (even tho he never returned my phone calls). Now, if I were Bill Hess, I would've brought my camera and shot some film for my loyal readers. How to describe the extravaganza of lights lights lights and all those moving parts. I think the moving parts makes it so much moore interesting.
Would you believe a twirling ferris wheel! Santa riding his sleigh on the rooftop? A panda coming out of a jack-in-the-box? Very original, very creative. That man can't be all bad.
Look, I'm so impressed I'll even share his website with you of the paratransit company he owns.
I said to Scott, I can't believe I'm not cold. My car read 37 icy.
That's cuz you dressed in layers, he said. I have to teach you everything.
When I went to NY I had the choice of dressing warm or looking nice and dressed up. I chose to wear my new Chico's coat which - get this! - the buttons are so far apart you can't even button them. So okay I froze my ass. The sore throat I woke up with has gone away. True.
Then we drove to the Willow Grove train station and sat in the car talking until the train came.
You'll be alright sleeping alone? he said.
I'll be fine, Scott, but I'll miss you.
Scott's new hours are 10 pm until 6:30 a.m. Imagine staying awake all nite long. They forbid their mechanics to fall asleep. If they find them asleep they give them a warning. This, even tho there's no work to do. Asinine.
Well, wish me luck. I've got 3 good books to lay by my side. I sleep in my socks. Do you?
Scott, can you please pass me the remote. Scott, would you mind getting up and getting me a drink of water. Scott, I forgot to take the phone off the hook, would you mind.....
I drove him to the train station to catch the 8:22 pm train. He likes to get there good n early.
Let's stop at the Valenza's Xmas House, I suggested. Fort'ly he agreed. It's 5 minutes down Terwood Road.
We parked the car and got out. The house door was open and a revolving Santa peeked out. People were in the background. Clearly, they cared about people enjoying their spectacular lights.
I don't care if he IS a Republican I mumbled to myself, the man is a good person (even tho he never returned my phone calls). Now, if I were Bill Hess, I would've brought my camera and shot some film for my loyal readers. How to describe the extravaganza of lights lights lights and all those moving parts. I think the moving parts makes it so much moore interesting.
Would you believe a twirling ferris wheel! Santa riding his sleigh on the rooftop? A panda coming out of a jack-in-the-box? Very original, very creative. That man can't be all bad.
Look, I'm so impressed I'll even share his website with you of the paratransit company he owns.
I said to Scott, I can't believe I'm not cold. My car read 37 icy.
That's cuz you dressed in layers, he said. I have to teach you everything.
When I went to NY I had the choice of dressing warm or looking nice and dressed up. I chose to wear my new Chico's coat which - get this! - the buttons are so far apart you can't even button them. So okay I froze my ass. The sore throat I woke up with has gone away. True.
Then we drove to the Willow Grove train station and sat in the car talking until the train came.
You'll be alright sleeping alone? he said.
I'll be fine, Scott, but I'll miss you.
Scott's new hours are 10 pm until 6:30 a.m. Imagine staying awake all nite long. They forbid their mechanics to fall asleep. If they find them asleep they give them a warning. This, even tho there's no work to do. Asinine.
Well, wish me luck. I've got 3 good books to lay by my side. I sleep in my socks. Do you?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Nice to meet you, Carrie Fisher!
Judy and I attended the 2 pm matinee of Wishful Drinking, the one-woman show created by Carrie Fisher, who is defined by modern audiences as Princess Leia of Star Wars, one of the worst movies I've ever seen. But, hey, that's me!
There were many exciting steps that led up to getting to Manhattan to see the play. Planning of course is crucial. I have a beautiful straw fruit basket in my living room window in which I keep my warm winter beret and also activities that need lotsa planning. In there, I put directions on how to get to Judy's Bucks County house. I was googling her to find our her address and directions and the price of her house came up. It was shocking!
So, I rolled outa bed at 7:30, took my shitload of morning pills - all for my kidney disease - and then packed pills for next week and took em with me in case the snow mandated my staying over at Judy's or Carrie's.
I had my delicious healthy breakfast - protein starch carb - - 2 fried eggs in olive oil, pumpernickel toast and cranberries sweetened with maple syrup. Also packed 2 snacks - apple, walnuts, unsalted pretzels.
I am religious about my diet, thanks to Mary Ann Moylan of the Giant Supermarket. Ya know what she said to me? Just remember, Ruth, everytime you eat too much salt you'll get edema! Geez, Scott won't be attracted to me anymore w/o my tiny ankles.
Found her house with no prob. It's now 9 a.m. Showtime is 2 pm. First I gotta listen to her young son play piano. Ho-hum. Ya know what I did? I started dancing on the carpet. Nice rhythm, easy to dance to.
Then I talked to her husband. He got up early and did rounds at a couple hospitals. I asked him about the Swine Flu. Yes, he said, their office was inundated around Thanksgiving.
So, it's real, I thot to myself. Screw Dr. Mercola, the health fiend, who's trying to convince his subscribers it doesn't exist. What a relief when I unsubscribed from his rants after a week.
We drove to Trenton in her red van. They refurbished the station and it's very nice. Didn't see any homeless people or drug addicts. We parked in a garage and followed David - of Marilyn and David - into the station. Judy wanted to stick by them so we chatted until the train came.
Beautiful NJ Transit train. I haven't been on it in ages since I usually take the bus to NY. The train went frustratingly slow. I don't understand why. Judy loves to talk so I caught up on her very interesting life until I felt a wave of exhaustion rush thru me.
I'll just close my eyes, I said, but you keep talking. I was asleep instantly.
Judy was hugely influenced by Carrie Fisher's book Wishful Drinking which is extensively quoted in the play. She was determined to get Fisher's autograph.
Manhattan was mobbed. We had to be careful not to lose each other. When we got upstairs to the street it was raining. I'm just not an umbrella person so I covered my head with my beret. Judy had her umbrella and we surged thru the crowd looking for a cab.
Harriet had just slid into the backseat of a cab. Judy, who has more chutzpah than I do, asked if we could share it with her. Harriet was leading a tour group from MD. All were to meet independently at Radio City to watch the Rockettes. Harriet is the new grandmom of Macy, 2 and a half. She only asked for $4 for cabfare when the cabbie left us off. Judy gave her 5.
Puddles were accumulating in the streets. Miserable weather. But hey we were going to see a play. Judy was freaking out about where to eat lunch. Judy, I said, this is the theatre district, there are loads of places to eat. We went into an Italian restaurant and sat down next to a friend of Judy's. She's the kind of woman who knows many people.
I ordered Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce. Phee-nominally delicious! What exactly is pesto sauce, Sarah? It was green. I ate every drop. Ah, the green is crushed basil. I actually have fresh basil in my fridge right now. Guess what I'll make for dinner?
I have an acute sense of knowing whether or not we'll be late. I assured Judy we would be on time for the performance.
We had good seats except for the giraffe in front of me. I just kept moving my head so I could see the stage.
The audience loved it. So did I. Hilarious laughter. Carrie spoke very softly but you could hear her. She was taking us into her confidence. Her voice was surprisingly nasal. Is that the right word, Dorothy Sarnoff? Look how ridiculous things come to me when I write.
She wore a lovely black silk pyjama suit covered with a long flowing caftan and walked barefoot across the stage. She sipped on soda or pretend wine during the show while a wonderful backdrop had funny news clippings such as from the NY Times, Carrie Fisher's husband leaves her for a man. They had a daughter together, Billie Catherine.
Lots of audience involvement. The lights would flicker on as she'd ask the audience questions. One question was Who here has been in a mental hospital? Judy tapped me and said, Raise your hand Ruth?
No way.
When the show was over we went out to the stage door where Carrie would emerge, said the sound man, after she'd greeted her guests.
About 8 of us stood behind a yellow metal gate waiting for the star to emerge. She let people take photos of her with their phones. My phone has that feature but I'm just mastering how to make phone calls.
Judy thrust her copy of Wishful Drinking in front of Carrie who autographed it with a black magic marker. As Judy proudly told me, I know how to get people's autograph. She has a photograph of Bruce Springsteen and herself in her wallet.
I think the only photograph I'd like is if God or Jesus would come into my home and then I'd politely ask if I could take their photo with my Kodak.
Altho I'm not into autographs - other than God's or possibly Yours on the bottom of a check - I did put my Playbill in front of her.
Loved your show, Carrie. I have bipolar disorder, I said.
I'd asked my support group what I should say to Carrie if I met her. Ask her for a donation, they said.
Carrie asked me why I didn't raise my hand during the performance.
What could I say? I mumbled something like I didn't fucking feel like it. Without the F word of course.
She's a short woman, I was surprised. Ordinary looking. A little on the plump side which she mentioned in the show.
Her handlers held umbrellas over her head. Then they escorted her into a black car with a distinctive logo on the back.
What kind of car is that, I asked Judy.
A Mercedes, she said.
Ah! Like our Peggela.
We couldn't get a cab back to Penn Station so we walked 30-some blocks to the station down Seventh Avenue. It was glorious, the lights of the city in the pitch-black dark night. Ads sparkled on both sides of us. Look at this, I said to Judy, showing her an M and M ad. She pointed out the FAO Schwartz toystore with the huge ferris wheel inside.
Pedestrian traffic was about 15 deep at the streetcorners but we forged thru. Judy is a great walker. Snowflakes were descending quickly, thick white flakes that melted into huge puddles. It was glorious.
When I got home, Scott had come over and turned up the heat. I could not wait to be warm. My teeth were chattering.
There were many exciting steps that led up to getting to Manhattan to see the play. Planning of course is crucial. I have a beautiful straw fruit basket in my living room window in which I keep my warm winter beret and also activities that need lotsa planning. In there, I put directions on how to get to Judy's Bucks County house. I was googling her to find our her address and directions and the price of her house came up. It was shocking!
So, I rolled outa bed at 7:30, took my shitload of morning pills - all for my kidney disease - and then packed pills for next week and took em with me in case the snow mandated my staying over at Judy's or Carrie's.
I had my delicious healthy breakfast - protein starch carb - - 2 fried eggs in olive oil, pumpernickel toast and cranberries sweetened with maple syrup. Also packed 2 snacks - apple, walnuts, unsalted pretzels.
I am religious about my diet, thanks to Mary Ann Moylan of the Giant Supermarket. Ya know what she said to me? Just remember, Ruth, everytime you eat too much salt you'll get edema! Geez, Scott won't be attracted to me anymore w/o my tiny ankles.
Found her house with no prob. It's now 9 a.m. Showtime is 2 pm. First I gotta listen to her young son play piano. Ho-hum. Ya know what I did? I started dancing on the carpet. Nice rhythm, easy to dance to.
Then I talked to her husband. He got up early and did rounds at a couple hospitals. I asked him about the Swine Flu. Yes, he said, their office was inundated around Thanksgiving.
So, it's real, I thot to myself. Screw Dr. Mercola, the health fiend, who's trying to convince his subscribers it doesn't exist. What a relief when I unsubscribed from his rants after a week.
We drove to Trenton in her red van. They refurbished the station and it's very nice. Didn't see any homeless people or drug addicts. We parked in a garage and followed David - of Marilyn and David - into the station. Judy wanted to stick by them so we chatted until the train came.
Beautiful NJ Transit train. I haven't been on it in ages since I usually take the bus to NY. The train went frustratingly slow. I don't understand why. Judy loves to talk so I caught up on her very interesting life until I felt a wave of exhaustion rush thru me.
I'll just close my eyes, I said, but you keep talking. I was asleep instantly.
Judy was hugely influenced by Carrie Fisher's book Wishful Drinking which is extensively quoted in the play. She was determined to get Fisher's autograph.
Manhattan was mobbed. We had to be careful not to lose each other. When we got upstairs to the street it was raining. I'm just not an umbrella person so I covered my head with my beret. Judy had her umbrella and we surged thru the crowd looking for a cab.
Harriet had just slid into the backseat of a cab. Judy, who has more chutzpah than I do, asked if we could share it with her. Harriet was leading a tour group from MD. All were to meet independently at Radio City to watch the Rockettes. Harriet is the new grandmom of Macy, 2 and a half. She only asked for $4 for cabfare when the cabbie left us off. Judy gave her 5.
Puddles were accumulating in the streets. Miserable weather. But hey we were going to see a play. Judy was freaking out about where to eat lunch. Judy, I said, this is the theatre district, there are loads of places to eat. We went into an Italian restaurant and sat down next to a friend of Judy's. She's the kind of woman who knows many people.
I ordered Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce. Phee-nominally delicious! What exactly is pesto sauce, Sarah? It was green. I ate every drop. Ah, the green is crushed basil. I actually have fresh basil in my fridge right now. Guess what I'll make for dinner?
I have an acute sense of knowing whether or not we'll be late. I assured Judy we would be on time for the performance.
We had good seats except for the giraffe in front of me. I just kept moving my head so I could see the stage.
The audience loved it. So did I. Hilarious laughter. Carrie spoke very softly but you could hear her. She was taking us into her confidence. Her voice was surprisingly nasal. Is that the right word, Dorothy Sarnoff? Look how ridiculous things come to me when I write.
She wore a lovely black silk pyjama suit covered with a long flowing caftan and walked barefoot across the stage. She sipped on soda or pretend wine during the show while a wonderful backdrop had funny news clippings such as from the NY Times, Carrie Fisher's husband leaves her for a man. They had a daughter together, Billie Catherine.
Lots of audience involvement. The lights would flicker on as she'd ask the audience questions. One question was Who here has been in a mental hospital? Judy tapped me and said, Raise your hand Ruth?
No way.
When the show was over we went out to the stage door where Carrie would emerge, said the sound man, after she'd greeted her guests.
About 8 of us stood behind a yellow metal gate waiting for the star to emerge. She let people take photos of her with their phones. My phone has that feature but I'm just mastering how to make phone calls.
Judy thrust her copy of Wishful Drinking in front of Carrie who autographed it with a black magic marker. As Judy proudly told me, I know how to get people's autograph. She has a photograph of Bruce Springsteen and herself in her wallet.
I think the only photograph I'd like is if God or Jesus would come into my home and then I'd politely ask if I could take their photo with my Kodak.
Altho I'm not into autographs - other than God's or possibly Yours on the bottom of a check - I did put my Playbill in front of her.
Loved your show, Carrie. I have bipolar disorder, I said.
I'd asked my support group what I should say to Carrie if I met her. Ask her for a donation, they said.
Carrie asked me why I didn't raise my hand during the performance.
What could I say? I mumbled something like I didn't fucking feel like it. Without the F word of course.
She's a short woman, I was surprised. Ordinary looking. A little on the plump side which she mentioned in the show.
Her handlers held umbrellas over her head. Then they escorted her into a black car with a distinctive logo on the back.
What kind of car is that, I asked Judy.
A Mercedes, she said.
Ah! Like our Peggela.
We couldn't get a cab back to Penn Station so we walked 30-some blocks to the station down Seventh Avenue. It was glorious, the lights of the city in the pitch-black dark night. Ads sparkled on both sides of us. Look at this, I said to Judy, showing her an M and M ad. She pointed out the FAO Schwartz toystore with the huge ferris wheel inside.
Pedestrian traffic was about 15 deep at the streetcorners but we forged thru. Judy is a great walker. Snowflakes were descending quickly, thick white flakes that melted into huge puddles. It was glorious.
When I got home, Scott had come over and turned up the heat. I could not wait to be warm. My teeth were chattering.
New Directions visits Tom Murt
Three of us drove over to US Representative Tom Murt's office in nearby Hatboro to pay our respects at his Annual Open House. I sat in the heated backseat of Fontaine's Lexus. Ellen sat in the front with her beautiful black curls shining under the lamplights in the night.
Each of us is on a different path. Ellen, recently diagnosed w/bipolar disorder, is learning to be a grownup having never separated from her family. I also came from an enmeshed all-controlling family but began to realize this over time. To be fair, culture plays a huge role in family closeness.
I quickly helped myself to a small bottle of water at Tom's office and then after gulping it down got another bottle. Tom's trademark snack is soft pretzels which he brings in to the pollworkers on election day. He told us he's not eating the pretzels since he and his wife are on a Nutrisystem diet and receive apparently pre-packaged food. YUK! Stop offering your editorial opinions, Ruthie. Sorry, cain't.
Fontaine who's worked for the same firm approx 30 years was recently laid off. But they began rehiring and she went back to work - as a temp! That way they don't have to pay her benefits. She loves begin back at work.
We introduced ourselves to Tom and his staff. The office was crowded with well-wishers. The staff remember everyone's names. Tom asked Ellen an amazing question which I told her later was b/c Tom can't grasp what bipolar people are like... that the vast majority of us come across as normal... "Are you on many meds?" he asked her. She was a bit flabbergasted so I said "She's on the usual amount, we're all on meds. Ellen is doing very well as you can see."
Tom learned she'd been a schoolteacher and found out what parish she belonged to. He's a great conversationalist. For everything you say, he'll reply in kind. "I'm a teacher too - at Penn State."
It was a back n forth gathering of information session. I had a couple things I wanted to bring up. His office had prepared a grant for us and I wondered if we'd get the money for our Compass mag. Forget it, said Tom. The state doesn't have enuf funds. I commended him for getting money for my library - Upper Moreland - plus the new Boileau Park. Before we visited him, I visited his website to see what his interests are.
He's definitely interested in us and presided over our last Suicide Awareness Seminar. I told him money for mental health is getting slimmer. I'd just gotten a rejection from the Douty Foundation which funded us previously saying their priorities have changed and they no longer support mental health issues.
My daughter is gonna write a couple more grants after she finishes reworking her latest novel. She writes em and I polish em off. She just sent Scott a fantastic cheese basket from Murray's Cheese Shop. When the mailman delivered it he thought they'd sent it to the wrong address. He never gets gifts in the mail. It's quite a thrill. We're gonna munch on the cheese and Carr crackers later on today when we watch my Upper Moreland library videos including Tess by Roman Polanski.
I told Tom members of New Directions, including Fontaine, whose bipolar daughter is doing very well in college, volunteered for Moms For Marines at the Upper Moreland Intermediate School. He was familiar with this.
It made me wanna volunteer to be a pen pal with a soldier, I said. Do you know anyone I can have a letter correspondence with?
He produced a sheet of paper with the name of a captain serving in Iraq. I shall write him forthwith.
Afterwards we trooped down the street in the freezing cold night and went into Ming's restaurant for a delicious dinner. Two guitar-playing singers were serenading the many pedestrians who had come out on Hatboro's First Friday nite.
When we got back into the car Fontaine said, "You want me to heat up your seat, baby?" I sure do, I said. I sure do. She had some Xmas toys in the backseat for her godsons. I told her she's got to take them to see the Valenza house on Terwood Road which is better than ever this year.
Well, then, let's drive over, she said. I ain't gotta be anywhere tonite.
The house is stunning. Valenza is a Republican commissioner and owner of the local Paratransit company. In the past, he never returned my phone calls and said he never received them. Who knows?
People get outa their cars and walk around the huge corner lot. Makes you wanna have little kids to share the glory with. Maybe Fontaine'll let me ride with her godssons. Ya think?
Each of us is on a different path. Ellen, recently diagnosed w/bipolar disorder, is learning to be a grownup having never separated from her family. I also came from an enmeshed all-controlling family but began to realize this over time. To be fair, culture plays a huge role in family closeness.
I quickly helped myself to a small bottle of water at Tom's office and then after gulping it down got another bottle. Tom's trademark snack is soft pretzels which he brings in to the pollworkers on election day. He told us he's not eating the pretzels since he and his wife are on a Nutrisystem diet and receive apparently pre-packaged food. YUK! Stop offering your editorial opinions, Ruthie. Sorry, cain't.
Fontaine who's worked for the same firm approx 30 years was recently laid off. But they began rehiring and she went back to work - as a temp! That way they don't have to pay her benefits. She loves begin back at work.
We introduced ourselves to Tom and his staff. The office was crowded with well-wishers. The staff remember everyone's names. Tom asked Ellen an amazing question which I told her later was b/c Tom can't grasp what bipolar people are like... that the vast majority of us come across as normal... "Are you on many meds?" he asked her. She was a bit flabbergasted so I said "She's on the usual amount, we're all on meds. Ellen is doing very well as you can see."
Tom learned she'd been a schoolteacher and found out what parish she belonged to. He's a great conversationalist. For everything you say, he'll reply in kind. "I'm a teacher too - at Penn State."
It was a back n forth gathering of information session. I had a couple things I wanted to bring up. His office had prepared a grant for us and I wondered if we'd get the money for our Compass mag. Forget it, said Tom. The state doesn't have enuf funds. I commended him for getting money for my library - Upper Moreland - plus the new Boileau Park. Before we visited him, I visited his website to see what his interests are.
He's definitely interested in us and presided over our last Suicide Awareness Seminar. I told him money for mental health is getting slimmer. I'd just gotten a rejection from the Douty Foundation which funded us previously saying their priorities have changed and they no longer support mental health issues.
My daughter is gonna write a couple more grants after she finishes reworking her latest novel. She writes em and I polish em off. She just sent Scott a fantastic cheese basket from Murray's Cheese Shop. When the mailman delivered it he thought they'd sent it to the wrong address. He never gets gifts in the mail. It's quite a thrill. We're gonna munch on the cheese and Carr crackers later on today when we watch my Upper Moreland library videos including Tess by Roman Polanski.
I told Tom members of New Directions, including Fontaine, whose bipolar daughter is doing very well in college, volunteered for Moms For Marines at the Upper Moreland Intermediate School. He was familiar with this.
It made me wanna volunteer to be a pen pal with a soldier, I said. Do you know anyone I can have a letter correspondence with?
He produced a sheet of paper with the name of a captain serving in Iraq. I shall write him forthwith.
Afterwards we trooped down the street in the freezing cold night and went into Ming's restaurant for a delicious dinner. Two guitar-playing singers were serenading the many pedestrians who had come out on Hatboro's First Friday nite.
When we got back into the car Fontaine said, "You want me to heat up your seat, baby?" I sure do, I said. I sure do. She had some Xmas toys in the backseat for her godsons. I told her she's got to take them to see the Valenza house on Terwood Road which is better than ever this year.
Well, then, let's drive over, she said. I ain't gotta be anywhere tonite.
The house is stunning. Valenza is a Republican commissioner and owner of the local Paratransit company. In the past, he never returned my phone calls and said he never received them. Who knows?
People get outa their cars and walk around the huge corner lot. Makes you wanna have little kids to share the glory with. Maybe Fontaine'll let me ride with her godssons. Ya think?
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