He/She

Like many Americans, I was looking forward to the Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner.  I was positively gleeful and was titillated with the impending television special.  If I were still in college, it would have been a cause to gather around the television with friends to giggle and laugh.  What I experienced watching the entire two hours in real time...was something far deeper and unexpected than I ever imagined.

Bruce Jenner was an American icon from my childhood.  A beautiful, strong Olympian that was the first face on a Wheaties box, guest starred on various shows, and became the face of the "perfect" man.  What we didn't know was his private torment and confusion of gender identity.  Who could have possibly imagined that this fine specimen inside felt like a woman?  He had multiple marriages and many children.  Until Keeping Up With the Kardashians, he hadn't been in the public eye in recent years.  He was a peripheral narrative on this weekly reality show, but showed his very strong bond with all of his children.  The best part of him seemed to be his fatherhood.  It was only in the past year or so that the whispers began about him.  

The relentless mocking and hunting of Bruce Jenner was featured in every magazine, TMZ type show, and internet blog.  I can't deny my sheer delight in all the speculation.  Couldn't turn away, like a car crash that you can't turn away from.  When the rumors that the E channel was going to do the Bruce Jenner reality show, the titillation revved up again.  The denials began or the lack of confirmation.  The E channel did confirm that one episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians was going to deal with Bruce's transgender reveal.  More promotion and anticipation.  So, when Diane Sawyer and ABC announced that she had caught the only Bruce Jenner interview, I marked it on my calendar.  I didn't want to watch it after all the talking heads and the Twittersphere analyzed and re-analyzed the conversation.

Friday, April 24, 2015 at 9:00pm, sitting on the couch with my Mom...ready.  Not sure how I was going to feel.  Would it be amusing?  Uncomfortable?  Sad?  Emotional?  It was all that.  I found myself feeling a bit uncomfortable with his obviously more comfortable feminine side.  He was dressed as a man wearing a ponytail and, then, symbolically pulled the tie out to let his long locks flow freely.  He shed tears talking about the pain he didn't want to cause his 10 children.  He was nakedly honest and his bravery was deeply moving.  He has suffered in silence for most of his life.  Knowing since he was a little boy something wasn't right.  How comfortable he felt dressing up in women's clothes when ever he got the chance and publicly being a "he-man."  The ultimate specimen of male-dom.  How completely ironic to feel female in your soul and outwardly the statue of David.  Can you imagine that?  The pain he showed he suffered was palpable.  He wasn't asking for pity.  He really is asking for tolerance and understanding.  

All of his children know and most are showing what unconditional love means.  It can't be easy for any of them, but they love him.  For some, things clicked into place.  Things that they noticed when they were young, now it's like a-ha.  It surely showed that he is loved by his children and it couldn't have been easy.  Ten children, three marriages.  Six biological and four step children.  There in and of itself is cause for bumps in the road.  His first two wives made very loving and beautiful statements.  He had told them during each of their marriages that he had confusion and he liked to put on women's clothes.  He revealed his struggles to all of them, including Kris Jenner.  Kris Jenner is the only one that didn't have a comment.  She had no comment.  Probably waiting for Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  You can say a lot about her, but Kris Jenner is an unparalleled marketer and manager.  So, hopefully, she will share her true feelings on her show, not PC feelings.  It's not about her.  

It is all about him.  Bruce Jenner is gone now.  The interview was the last time we will ever see Bruce Jenner other than in photos and re-runs.  He is gone.  When he returns, he will be She.  She will have a new name.  She will finally be living his truth.  You may ask, "why do all this at 65?"  To that I say, how incredible that after 65 years, she will be able to be the woman she always felt inside before she dies.  Haven't you met people that didn't come out of the closet until their parents passed?  If her courage showed me anything, live your life, be your true self, and surround yourself with those people that love you know matter what.  

Harvey Levin and TMZ, please lead the future and leave Bruce Jenner alone.  Call off your dogs.  Take the high road and maybe others will follow.  That's the part that worries me the most.  The Paparazzi chases him relentlessly.  Leave him be!  I can't imagine handling all of that on top of transitioning.  Now that he has bared his soul to the world, it is time for the late night comics to realize that this is not fodder for jokes anymore. Let him/her be. It's time. 

There were so many layers and reveals to this interview.  If you missed it, I think it is thoroughly worth the time.  You may never see anything more raw and courageous again. It may not be easy for us to accept, but stay strong, stay true, and we look forward to meeting you.

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@DianaPodolsky

#GettheMoneyOut

With all the 2016 Presidential candidates running around talking to voters and supporters, it dawned on me again, how money has absolutely hijacked and ruined our democratic process.  Every candidate is trying to get elected and the only way to get elected is to not speak the truth to their supporters!  How incredibly ridiculous is that?  I know that campaigning often brings out the liar in them all, but with the kowtowing that goes on to get the backing from the donors, lobbyists, and bribers, truth is lost.  Can't the people see that?  Can't the people rise up and demand Citizens United be obliterated?  Look how incredible the people did voicing their dismay and anti Comcast/Time-Warner merger.  The people stood up against that, loud and clear, with the guidance and help of John Oliver.  Can't we, the people, stand up against the Koch Brothers and the Sheldon Adelson's of America and say, no more?!  They are the famous names but there are many more in the shadows.  The lies and hedging answers that the candidates spew are insulting to the process but that has become both common and acceptable.  I am not, I repeat not, putting this on one party or the other, but I will say that the Republicans have excelled at changing their spots to try to get elected.  

Look at Mitt Romney.  He had to completely change his position on so many important topics to twist himself into whom the Party wanted him to be.  No one bought it.  He had a record as Governor of Massachusetts.  He did some good things as Governor, but when he ran for President?  All that went out the window and he had to tap dance around all of his previous achievements.  How stupid is that?  How dumb are people  that accept all that?  It's happening now all over again.  Candidates don't want or can't say how they really feel;  what they really stand for or would fight for.  It's a mockery of democracy.  

We have important issues that need to be debated and discussed openly and honestly.  Climate change; check.  Equal Pay for Women; check.  Gun regulation; check. Foreign policy; check.  Immigration; check.  Are they?  Not so much.  Look, do I think there wasn't all this truthiness always in elections?  Of course, there was, but now with all the ridiculous and outrageous money spent on elections nationwide, it is far more egregious.  If you have to answer to people that are backing your campaign financially, then you are beholden to them.  For anyone to think otherwise, is hiding his head in the sand.  

So where is the outrage from the people?  We have shown that when it matters to us, we can make a difference.  Just tell that to Comcast.  Do we have to have John Oliver or Jon Stewart show us the way? Can we not see what's going on by ourselves and make our voices heard?  Lobbyists will always exist, but they once used the power of persuasion and debate, now it's all about the money.  They have illustrated the corruption of money in politics very well on The Good Wife, but we need to fight for the survival of our Democracy now.  We need to fight for we, the people, of the United States of America.  

Sidebars:  Today in the New York Post there was a big headline that Tom Brady was a no-show with his team, the New England Patriots, at the White House.  I thought it was unconscionable that the big star wasn't there.  The only explanation was he had a family commitment.  I need more than that.  My spouse felt I was too harsh and who cares about going to the White House.  Well, it's symbolic.  It's the perceived disrespect or snub.  If Tom Brady's wife was in labor,  then he should miss the White House, but very few excuses seem good enough.  Okay, enough on that.  Dancing With the Stars has gotten so over-produced.  The Voice is on that same path.  Watch it producers.  Something Rotten opened on Broadway.  I saw it before opening and had the best time.  Many, many belly laughs. Ben Brantley of The New York Times sharpened his pen and was so nasty.  I have to say I was stunned by the vitriol.  It may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is an audience pleaser.  I can't believe that The Heidi Chronicles is closing.  Wendy Wasserstein's play deserved better than that.  I'm guessing the ticket prices are making it harder and harder to swallow.  Is there a limit?  Will you be home watching the Bruce Jenner interview tonight on ABC?  I am fascinated by all of it.  I will be watching.  It's Friday. TGIF.  Enjoy everyone.

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@DianaPodolsky

Give 'em Hell, Hillary!

Don't know where to begin. Hillary Clinton finally announced her run for the President of the United States.  No surprise to anyone.  She has been the presumptive Democratic frontrunner forever.  What also isn't a surprise is the disgusting rhetoric from the Right, though they may have reached another new low when some artist turned the H in Hillary into the twin towers with a plane hitting it and dark smoke emanating from the H.  Seriously?  As if Hillary Clinton had anything to do with 9/11.  Spread that sort of image and lie, subliminally it will hit ignorant people.  People believe what they want to believe and facts are illusive.  The knives are out and sharpened.  Whether you like her or not, the real question needs to be, "would she be a good leader? a good President?"  You don't have to like her and probably won't if you are already in that camp, but look at her record.  Look at all she has achieved.  

There is no way that I ever thought that she would go on to be one of the most important and influential people in her own right after her eight years as First Lady.  As a matter of fact, when Hillary Clinton came to New York State to run for Senator, I was not happy.  I was bitter and annoyed at the carpetbagging, but, historically speaking, she wasn't the first.  Robert F. Kennedy was accused of being a carpetbagger too, and he ended up representing the State of New York well.  So, she ran and won.  She was a very strong and committed Senator.  Did I agree with every vote, certainly not, but she repped well.  Ran an incredibly terrible Presidential campaign and lost the primary to Barack Obama. I knew she was in trouble when so many intelligent and educated women that I know weren't supporting her election.  She lost handily.  She was chosen by President Obama to be Secretary of State.  She served our Country well with so many naysayers and haters at her heels constantly.  When she retired, who could have blamed her? That job is brutal.  Always on the road trying to put out fires worldwide and the fires are getting far more constant and at the same time.  A terrible way to live but a wonderful way to serve.  

Hillary Clinton let the talking heads and writers bend in the wind for a long time. Would she?  Wouldn't she?  I really could make an argument for either side, but she is.  I think she is a formidable person who happens to be a woman.  The Right can only see a woman and a democrat.  They hate her.  The New York Post is going to reignite all of their misogyny and anti-feminist headlines and columns.  Andrea Peyser has made her career trashing and tearing down women for years now.  She's ready.  The hate will be pervasive from the Right.  They hate her, they hate her husband.  They will spend billions trying to destroy her and bring up every last "scandal" surrounding her.  They will not spend money on truth and qualifications.  On paper, she is without a doubt the most qualified to be President.  The focus will be on all the irrational feelings of hate.  

Former Secretary of State and Senator Clinton may run unopposed.  That is truly unfortunate.  I think it will not serve the democratic process, but the way the system now works, the Parties run the system and money is all that matters. The amount of money projected to be spent on the 2016 Presidential election is nauseating.  The money that the candidates will all raise and the PACS and Super PACS will raise will be in the billions of dollars.  Too bad that money gets wasted and we get so little from it.  That money could be used for the better good, if we had campaign finance reform, if we used public funds only, if the campaign season was two months not two years, if, if, if.   Good people are going untapped and undiscovered.  No more Mr. or Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington.  It can't happen.  

Sidebars:  Spring is finally here.  We can finally say so long to Winter here in the NYC.  Hoping that I'm not jinxing it.  The sun is shining, the grass is green. Broadway is thriving currently. Tons of shows are opening and the streets are packed with tourists and patrons in midtown.  Started watching the PBS production of Wolf Hall.  Figured I'd do better watching in my family room than trying to see the live two-part British production.  The cast is stellar and not too late to give it a try.  For those that have missed seeing Damien Lewis on Homeland, he is now inhabiting Henry the VIII.  The incredible Mark Rylance and Jonathan Price are also starring.  If you saw Love Actually and wondered what happened to the sweet son of Liam Neesom in that movie, he's now a young adult and in this production and still cute.  The Voice is whipping by fast.  Down to the top ten. It's been great fun and far too much talent.  The Good Wife is hanging on by a thread, as far as I am concerned.  Haven't liked most of the season and plot lines and still waiting for Kalinda's exit.  :-( There's much more but it's too beautiful to stay inside.  So enjoy your day and I'll be back soon.

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@DianaPodolsky

Batter Up

Did you realize that yesterday was Opening Day of the 2015 Baseball Season?  Do you care?  I do.  Surprisingly, I really do.  The older I get, the more comforting I find baseball.  Look, for all you freakish, brilliant stat-heads, I'm not at all.  I understand the game at its simplest form, but I love it.  I love all the traditions and the history of the game.  Of course, it's easy when you live in New York City and you have the rich history of the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Giants, and, yes, the Mets.  Of course, I do mock Mets fans.  Not the Mets fans that were born and raised Mets fans, no, I am talking about the Mets fans who choose to be Mets fans.  Why in the world would you if you could choose the Yankees.  I never get that.  

Anyway, yesterday all the teams started their new seasons.  Many new players, new coaches, new uniforms, clean slates.  It's anyone's game once again.  Hope is in the air for awhile.  Yankee fans started off with a terrible loss and could be the theme of the season, but the die hard fans will always stay around, which can't be said for Florida Marlin fans.  That's part of what makes the Yankees so great.  Nothing like NY fans for better and for worse.  Other teams have that same devotion but they are the original teams. You know who they are, don't you?  Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, Cardinals, White Sox, Tigers, Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox.  There are a few more, but you get the drift.  The history.  The long suffering seasons.  The stories of the Chicago White Sox scandal.  The curse of the bambino which lived on for decades and has since been crushed.  There's so much. 

Many older fans have been outraged in recent years with the so-called steroid era.  I've had many a disagreement with others over the position that the players are scum, at fault, their records shouldn't count, they should be hogtied in the public square and flogged.  How dare they tarnish the greatness of those before them!  I never felt that way.  My position has always been and will always be, until someone can definitively prove otherwise, the owners, the commissioner, the managers, and the trainers knew that there were artificial enhancement drugs being taken, but they turned the other cheek, hid their head in the sand.  Baseball suffered a terrible blow with a players strike in the '80s and getting people back in the stands and watching TV was all that mattered.  Didn't matter how.  Offense went crazy.  There were home runs everywhere and it was exciting.  It worked.  The people came back and were following the competitions around the league.  

After the success was greater than anyone could've possibly dreamed, that's when the "outrage" starting to get louder.  The records that were being broken were tainted.  The sportswriters were hopping mad at the players.  Calling foul.  Illegal drugs was what generated all the runs.  The baseball writers were calling foul.  What was baseball to do?  Well, they went after Barry Bonds tooth an nail.  He was an easy target, not a well-liked man, some may say hated.  He didn't play the "game" the way "they" wanted him to so they were going to take him down for steroids or HGH or anything they could.  It was more like Capone, they couldn't get him on the steroid use so the Feds got him on some other cockamamie charge.  I can hear people yelling at me already, but he wasn't the enemy.  I have no great love of Barry Bonds, don't get me wrong.  I just don't think it was he that was the problem, just a good public villain.  There were tons of players that were found guilty by association, by whispers, by that pillar of the community, Jose Conseco's bio.  Their careers couldn't recover.  They were branded with the letter "S" for steroids. 

As baseball started "cleaning up" the drugs, guess what has happened over the years?  Home runs have slowed down.  All this past week, the papers are starting to write about how the game has gotten too strong defensively and they'll have to figure out how to get more offense.  Really?  Again?  Is there anyone out there who thinks that if baseball starts losing money/ratings that they won't do something drastic?  Stinking their heads in the sand made them all rich.  How do you think that future looks?

I love to watch it on TV, listen to it, check the scores on my computer, go to the ballpark.  I love it.  It's peaceful. Don't always like the announcers.  If they, as a group would realize, less is more.  Silence is a beautiful thing.  I don't need to hear about the 2 seam and 4 seam fastball.  Just let the beauty of the game speak for itself.  

This season much to my fellow San Francisco Giants fans dismay...I am also watching/rooting for the Dodgers.  A high school classmate's son is the new phenom for the Dodgers, Joc Pedersen. Totally exciting!  My heart is with the Giants and the Yankees, but I will definitely keep an eye on Joc.  Batter Up!!

Sidebars:  The Apollo Theatre in NY honored Bille Holiday by giving her a plaque in their walk of fame celebrating what would've been her 100th birthday.  Really?  Just now?  Who else has a plaque?  Though glad she finally got the honor seems very delayed and a bit embarrassing.  If you missed John Oliver's Sunday night HBO show, catch it.  It's not to be believed.  It makes "journalists" look like fools.  John Oliver is an entertainment show and is doing more than anyone else uncovering and unfolding important topics.  You should definitely put it on your DVR schedule.  April showers bring May flowers.  That's where we are in NYC this week. Enjoy Spring wherever you are.  

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@DianaPodolsky

Struggling

I have been feeling so uneasy for awhile now about religion, but it just keeps getting worse.  The more anti-semitism rears its head worldwide, the more Christianity feels like it's enveloping me from all sides.  It may just be an American thing, but with Mark Burnett producing all of his epic tales of the Bible and going mainstream on NBC this time, I am feeling uncomfortable.  With the anti-LGBT legislation signed into law by the Governor of Indiana, swastikas painted on walls of Synagogues, fraternities, etc., my breathing is getting more and more shallow.  

Look, I have many questions about religion and faith.  I question it all the time, but what I don't do is thrust my opinion, feelings, or beliefs on others.  Why do we have to continually be subjected to so many others' faiths?

This week on The Today Show (I'm sure to promote NBC's The Bible), the team is sharing what faith means to each of them.  Don't want to hear it.  I particularly don't want to hear it as a subtle, covert promotion of a TV show.  But I really don't want to hear it.  Don't care.  Enjoy your faith, privately.  Cherish it, privately. 

I feel that our country has tilted so far towards religiosity, that I feel when I step outside NYC, I don't belong here anymore.  Can you imagine that?  Me?  I was born and raised in America, but in my 55 years, this Country has shifted so much, that I hardly recognize it.  The crazy religious right who espouse Jesus are 100% hypocrites and they and those that believe them don't even see that.  There is no hate in Jesus.  There is only love, acceptance, and tolerance.  That men took those words and twisted them into unacceptable  rhetoric is the problem.  

As I spend my time preparing for our own Passover seder, I have been thinking so much about religion.  Am I being a hypocrite? I don't think so.  If I didn't write it here, you'd never know what the hell I was doing in my home. I am not a religious person. I like tradition.  I like getting together with family and friends and recounting the story of Passover and eating great food.  Am I a spiritual person? Do I think there's something greater than us?  Maybe. I'm open.  I'm open like I am open to mediums.  It's all possible, but will never know truly.  Whatever works to get you through the day.  BUT why do your beliefs trump mine?  I feel that about everything.  I feel that about guns and the NRA.  I feel that way about separation of Church and State.  I feel that way about abortion.  I feel that way about vegans and vegetarians.  I feel that way about the "drug war."  If I'm not bothering you, than why is it anyone's business? 

I have gotten off track a bit here, but more and more I feel like a marginalized person in this country.  With the new anti LGBT law in Indiana and Arkansas right behind them,  what's happening?  How can these laws be interpreted any other way?  I've always felt that those who are racist are also homophobic and anti-semitic.  They follow the same path.  Did you see how fast the President of University of Oklahoma came down on the fraternity that was caught singing racist songs?  Did you see how slowly the Chancellor of UCLA has reacted to the anti-semitic students on the student council?  Have any of the students that asked completely inappropriate questions to a young Jewish student paid any price for their bigotry?  Seems to have been swept up under the rug, even from the national press.  Very little reporting compared to the racist frat boys at Oklahoma.  Anti-semitism has been allowed to simmer for centuries.  The fact that it's on the rise again in the lifetime of World War 2 survivors with little attention is very disturbing.  I am struggling. I am sure you can tell.

Letting Go

I hate change.  Always.  Any kind of change.  I drag my feet.  I put down roots and have to be pulled out to go to the next square. There have been huge milestones in my life that are all about change.  When I was 8 years old, I experienced my first move from one neighborhood to another.  New school, new friends.  Just far enough away from the old school that I really didn't go back to visit much.  When I graduated from high school and went to college, I really wasn't ready to go.  I had a very tough time leaving and struggled my whole first quarter at UCLA.  Homesick.  When I graduated from college and made the move to NYC, it was 100% my idea.  For the first time, I felt I really needed a change.  I struggled again for the first couple of months, but finally found my place.  I stayed in my first job too long.  It was a very unhealthy atmosphere, but I loved the people.  I didn't know where to go or what to do.  One too many office blow-ups and I finally quit.  Opened my own boutique office with another woman and, again, stayed too long.  What was once a thriving and thrilling business, started to turn into another unhealthy atmosphere.  It wasn't easy to make that change.  That was one of the most difficult "letting go's"  I ever had, but what made it easier...

I had the two most wonderful and beautiful twins at home.  They are incredible children and I feel very privileged to have them in my life.  My husband and I struggled for many years to have children, some may call them "synthetic," but I call them the greatest gifts of my life.  We hit the jackpot.  Don't get me wrong, it hasn't always been easy.  No one can say that, but it's been a true joy.  With every change and step in their lives, I have had to adjust.  The safety and comfort of nursery school to kindergarten was huge.  I cried like a baby at their graduation.  It meant starting all over again for me with new friends and a new school.  When they first went to sleep away camp, I couldn't understand it at all.  A foreign thing coming from suburban California.  I didn't know anyone that went away, maybe girl scout camp.  Huge.  Seven weeks without my children.  They wanted to go.  I was never going to send them until they begged me.  I would've never sent them, though I think it was the right thing for a NYC kid. Stepping up from 5th grade to middle school was another big change. From being able to drop the kids off and spend time in the room every morning to them getting on the city bus and going by themselves, as I silently wept at home, onward with this new chapter of our lives. 

When high school began, the challenges were different.  There were many more unsanctioned social events to maneuver.  Very stressful.  As I have often stated, it's worse for my generation because we remember all the things we were doing in high school.  My parents generation either didn't do anything or didn't remember. The terror when your kids start going out to parties of people you don't know, based only on trust.  Yikes!  So they are Seniors.  Things that when I was a kid we didn't do, they do here.  Not that I have to say yes to everything, but I am very clear that a lot of the things are my problem, not theirs.  So it's Spring break.  In the NYC Independent Schools the thing to do is go to the Bahamas for a wild, drinking, dancing, gambling, whatever.  My husband and I really tortured over this decision.  No good comes from alcohol.  I 100% believe that.  I am not a fan of alcohol for the most part.  Been around too many drunks to turn me off for a life time.  Yes, I do drink occasionally, but that over-served situation is disgusting at an age.  The only thing that concerns me more in teenagers is the inexperience of life.  We caved.  

They are currently there with 100's of other Seniors from NYC.  I've been calling it The Parent's Nightmare instead of the Spring Break trip.  Do I think it's a smart idea. Absolutely not.  But as I roam around from room to room, maybe it's a glimpse of what next year will be like for me.  They will be in college and I won't be there to help them out.  The terror and fear of what may happen is ever present, but maybe it will subside little by little.  Maybe this is a practice round for all of us.  This is certainly the most freedom these kids have ever had.  I see all the movies, Natalie Holloway, TV shows, flash through my mind.  I do know at the age of 55 what lurks in the shadows.  I do have an extremely heightened sense of self-preservation, but that doesn't mean that when I was 17, for all my common sense, I didn't get into some scrapes that could've ruined my life.  I remember too much.  Sigh.

This is day two.  I am still breathing.  I am still fearful. I am still hopeful. 

Sidebars:  I wholeheartedly stand by Elton John and his stance on Dolce and Gabbana.  I can't believe that they used such verbiage about same sex couples with children.  They do have the right to their opinions, of course, but the wording was so hurtful to millions of people, gay or straight.  We wouldn't have our children without the help of science.  Synthetic??  As I said, I don't own anything DG, but I won't begin now. As a matter of fact, I was looking at glass frames yesterday and moved right past the DG section. Still loving The Voice more than I can tell you.  The singing is incredible and I can't love Pharell Williams more than I do. The whole line-up is great.  I can't believe that Showtime's Episodes is already over.  That's way to quick.  Again, if you're not watching, you must give it a go.  30 minutes of heaven.  Took the family to see The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway over the weekend.  Still holds up. Wendy Wasserstein died way too soon.  If you are a theatre lover and also lived in NYC in the 80's, I highly recommend Wendy's Boys.  Really good read about Wendy and her life.  Off to see The Audience tonight starring Helen Mirren. Can't wait.  Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day.  Don't drink too much, oh, please.  Erin Go Bragh!

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@DianaPodolsky

The Thaw Begins

I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I never really thought about it. Winter's are often a challenge but, this year, it's been a killer.  I'm sure that for those of us in the Northeast the collective S.A.D. has be on the rise.  Do you think they came up with the acronym first and put words to fit or just a coincidence?  Anyway, this past Sunday was our first glimpse of Spring.  It was a palpable shift in mood.  The sun was shining, the coats got lighter, and moods were brighter.  It's only on Sunday that I realized how depressed I have been.  

Now, honestly, there's so much to be depressed about.  The news is so bleak.  For every great human interest story, there are ten crappy stories.  Our Congress sucks.  There's no two ways about it.  Our Republican Congress sucks more.  Their latest stunt writing to the Iranian leader is a National disgrace.  Since when do we air our dirty laundry?  And internationally?  Where are you now, Rudy Guiliani?  Is that patriotic and love of country?  That not one prominent Republican went to honor the anniversary in Selma is disgusting.  Former President G.W.Bush and Laura Bush were present, but also made it more glaring that John Boehner and Mitch McConnell weren't there.  What the hell?  What can the Republican leadership be thinking?  Jeb Bush is the most moderate Republican running for President '16.  Can you imagine that?  And because he is for comprehensive immigration reform, he probably won't make it past New Hampshire.  The Southern arm of the party don't like it, don't want it, will not vote.  Okay, so the Democrats don't really have anyone either to run, but seems that no matter who runs will beat any Republican candidate.  The majority of the country is moderate.  Period.  

I wanted to write about Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress last week, but that really got me down.  I think that the standing ovations have got to stop.  It's ridiculous.  The Republicans stood for the story of Purim!  Really?  That's how predictable the standing ovations have become, but that particular one was so dumb.  The story of Queen Esther and Haman?  Standing O???????????  Netanyahu's speech was thoughtful and moving.  I am not criticizing the words, but I do criticize the timing.  Would have been far less controversial if it had happened after the Israel elections.  It lessened its impact and the mechanical applause didn't help.  And honestly, I was afraid to tackle this subject head on.  Emotions are so high about Israel and people see things in black or white.  I don't have the facility of language to attack this, but I do know that nothing is black and white.  Everyone has skin in the game.  Everyone has their own perspective on every angle.  There are always back room deals that we never know about.  We have friends in "enemy" countries because of many reasons: oil, land, security, etc.  Nothing is simple.  The only thing I do know...Israel must continue to exist for the Jewish people.  That's it.  How we accomplish that is far less clear.

I posted my delight at the beginning of daylight savings time on Facebook.  I got some heat for that, though many others agreed with me.  I know that John Oliver ripped DST to shreds on Sunday night's show.  All I know is that I like and need sunlight and daylight.  After this winter, more than ever. So if we don't "Fall back," would it still happen?  I know that no one likes mornings to be dark, but I love that Sunday evening the sun was still shining at 6:12pm and the sky was blue.  I don't really care how we get there.

This is a mish-mash.  My head has been swirling.  Though I haven't posted in a week, my mind never turns off.  Putting things together is getting harder.  I don't want to be Debbie Downer.

Sidebars:  The Voice is the best television.  The judges are so much more than that.  Even those singers that don't make it on the show, get valuable critiques to help them move forward and maybe return to the show. The Bachelor ended last night.  Chris Soules picked Whitney Bischoff.  I have claimed that whomever gets picked in the end would never make it.  I may be wrong.  After last night's finale, Whitney may be willing to throw all her accomplishments away and become a farm wife and mother in the middle of nowhere, Iowa.  If you're not DVRing the Graham Norton Show on BBCAmerica on Saturday nights, you are truly missing the best talk show on the air.  Give it a go.  You will not be sorry.  Ditto for John Oliver on Sunday night's on HBO.  Did you see the news item that two California twenty- something women were arrested in Rome because they carved their initials in the Roman Colisseum???!!!!  Another National embarrassment. Throw away the key. Take away their passports. There are so many more things I want to discuss but, I will save for another day.  Get outside, take a walk, take a breath.

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@DianaPodolsky