Hello all! I've snuck back into my office and hooked up the computer so I could once again enlighten you on what's happening with J2. I now have 2 followers, so Hi to Aunt Carol and the other Jimmy (Actually I signed him up so make that 1 1/2 followers).
Last Night we shot into the city to meet our newest friend, Toni, and her husband Mike (and Winston, a gorgeous black lab assistance dog). Toni rang us up earlier in the week from Ohio to let us know she'd be in town this week. Toni is a fanatical Michael Feinstein fan. Michael was performing at Feinstein's at the Regency, and Toni was in to catch 6 of the shows. At least she took a break to go see "Next to Normal" on Broadway. I've seen the show and I can't rave about it enough. It is clearly the best Bi-polar, disfunctional family musical I've ever seen (No, I can't name another one, that's how I know I'm not exaggerating). If you might be interested, I suggest going to Itunes and sampling "Superboy and the Invisible Girl", "I'm Alive", and "I Miss the Mountains". We made a last minute booking to meet Toni and catch Michael and Christine Ebersole (Tony Winner for Grey Gardens). Doors opened at 6:30 and we got on line by 6:45, and we're seated promptly, actually by Toni who commandeered our table right up front. We were joined by Page from Atlanta, and we're quickly served our drinks (I was doing sparkling water). Last time we were there our waiter was Ceaser, who was so terrible I was forced to complain, but this time our wonderful waiter would be... Oh that's right Ceaser!!! 20 minutes after our drinks came, we were able to place our order (7:20 and the show begins at 8). The timing was impeccable, Michael came out with Christine behind him and Our 2 beef Tenderloins right behind them. It was impossible to enjoy the food, having the 2 performers looking directly at you while you try to daintly cut your food. The show was funny, sweet and worth every cent. Christine reminds me of Streisand; she speaks with such a distinctive accent, but when she sings she literally floats the note on air. As an intro to a Bye Bye Birdie song, Michael did a Paul Lynde impersonation (It was a dead ringer for him, which works since he's dead, dead, dead). My favorite line of Paul's Hollywood Squares days was when he was asked "Why do Motorcyclists where Leather?"; "Because Chiffon wrinkles" Paul answered. Our desert tray came out near the end of the performance, with Michael eyeing it from stage. He pointed out he'd love 1 but he'a a vegan, which I believe means you can't eat anything an animal has ever looked at. After the show, we paid the bill, and left a well deserved tip (Hope you caught the sarcasm, because if Ceaser is your waiter don't walk RUN for the exit!). Jessica the Hostess manager once again appologized profoundly, and explained there was trouble in the kitchen (which I think means Ceaser spends all his time in the kitchen). I love every show at Feinstein's but in the future will dine elsewhere and have cocktails at the show. We had cocktails in the Regency's bar afterward and finally met Michael, Toni's husband. He was a very generous host, who has a way of making you feel you've known him for awhile. We then said our goodbyes, while Toni and Michael headed in for the 2nd show.
Today we headed off to the first annual GLBT Expo at the Holiday Inn (We now can say we haven't missed one). There were plenty of vendors, and a very good showing of the community. James especially enjoyed the Long Island Gay Film Festival center (which was sponsored by V2 Vodka, if you get my drift). I unwittingly entered a raffle for a free cleansing, which was so not what I thought it was (Bottoms Up!). With my luck that's the raffle we'll win (so clean you could serve food off it, I think not). We also got to hear the "L.I. Men's Gay Chorus" who after their first year have grown in to a nice little group. They ended with "If you were Gay" from Avenue Q. It was a little amatuerish, but really cute. We got back home for an hour before James had to head off to work. His sister Claire is heading in to town on Wednesday, so he needed to get caught up so he could take off for a few days.
The other day, I answered an innocuous question on Facebook on whether English should become the official language of the United States. I only answered No and made no comments otherwise. Well so much for that! A friend of mine "Sgt. John-Boy" answers the question Yes and replies it's not Anti-American to think this way and if you don't like it go back to where you came from (Levittown?). He gets someone to support his vote by saying that our ancestors learned English when they came here. Well where do I start. Firstly, I actually can see an intelligent argument to support the view of English-only, but the definitive word is intelligent. It seems to me I am not being Un-American thinking that it's our diversity that makes us unique among other nations. With no current official language it would seem to make me on the side of American values. I know John was just breaking my chops, but is there a rash of problems that have arose from our current system. In this day and age, where computers have the ability to translate and print forms in any language, is there some hardship caused by offering forms in all languages. With our children learning their Language skills fom IM'ing and texting, I see a greater threat to a degraded society, then my poor attempts to understand someone Spanish speaking. As for the twit who says that our ancestors had to learn the language is a complete lie. So many Italian, Chinese, and other immigrants had a very poor handling of English and they only adapted by having their children learn English and translate for them. To make English-only sound patriotic, is a guise for some to support their anti-Hispanic agenda, plain and simple. How many of us have attepted to learn the basics in any language before we travel abroard? I tried Italian for our cruise and it wasn't easy. We expect the other nations to learn our language "if they want our money", and those are countries with official languages. I know this issue goes hand in hand with illegal immigration, but it shouldn't. One is a crime, the other is the current working system of our society. So for me I'm staying put in Greenlawn, and voicing my opinion, and that is American!
Hopefully I'll be on again soon to rant and inform, if they ever finish this office. Until then Tata for now.
Christine Ebersole as little Edie
