"When I was thirty-five
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Of independent means
We'd ride in limousines
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five"
-- Ervin Drake
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dancing at Les Mouches
"When I was thirty-five
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Of independent means
We'd ride in limousines
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five"
-- Ervin Drake
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
a happy "energizer bunny"
Well, my blog is up and listed at my beloved: The Transition Network. What is "The Transition Network?" It is a network of women who believe "smart women don't retire, they break free." The Transition Network (TTN), is a vibrant community of more than 2500 women, predominantly from the New York City area, who are facing transitions by dynamically taking control of their lives. Most come from a spectrum of professions in business, government, health care, academia, not-for-profits and the Arts. And "Smart Women Don't Retire" is now a book by Gail Rentsch.
About TTN
TTN Mission
I am receiving E-mails from TTN members who are loving my blog. One E-mailer told me she most enjoyed my posts about my banning at TWoP. How funny is that? She said "(I) could totally identify with the frustrations of their heavy-handed moderating. I appreciate their commitment to keep conversations literate and postings grammatical, which does enhance my reading experience, but they can definitely go overboard." I so appreciated her kind words of validation and support. TTN is a group of women who are proactive, bright, and accomplished. They were in high level diverse career positions for many years in NYC. They are laughing at TWoP with me on this, not at me. And I love it.
I love it when instead of being ridiculed... I am validated, and by a group of bright women I admire and respect and whose opinions are so very appreciated and valued.
I will use every opportunity I get at the peer group meetings to embarrass TWoP and my ban. It ain't over till the fat lady sings and I have a severe case of laryngitis. The E-mails of support I am now receiving are like warm milk and honey.
About TTN
TTN Mission
I am receiving E-mails from TTN members who are loving my blog. One E-mailer told me she most enjoyed my posts about my banning at TWoP. How funny is that? She said "(I) could totally identify with the frustrations of their heavy-handed moderating. I appreciate their commitment to keep conversations literate and postings grammatical, which does enhance my reading experience, but they can definitely go overboard." I so appreciated her kind words of validation and support. TTN is a group of women who are proactive, bright, and accomplished. They were in high level diverse career positions for many years in NYC. They are laughing at TWoP with me on this, not at me. And I love it.
I love it when instead of being ridiculed... I am validated, and by a group of bright women I admire and respect and whose opinions are so very appreciated and valued.
I will use every opportunity I get at the peer group meetings to embarrass TWoP and my ban. It ain't over till the fat lady sings and I have a severe case of laryngitis. The E-mails of support I am now receiving are like warm milk and honey.
Monday, August 18, 2008
me and the two Johns
So... there I was today in the afternoon heat doing my usual schmooze on the corner of the street where I live. I always hook up with one man named John and we talk about old Chelsea and times gone by. Today, his neighbor, also named John, joined us in the schmooze. We talked about how in so many ways the neighborhood changed through the decades. When the first John mentioned that I do stand-up, the second John said so does his nephew, Andy. It sure is a small world.
But what fascinated me most was John's brother-in-law, Morris Engel. "Little Fugitive" had me from the time I saw it on The Early Show. "Joey, a young boy, runs away to Coney Island after he is tricked into believing he has killed his older brother..." The film was made by Morris Engel in 1953. It is a classic. John told me that his brother-in-law is now recognized as a pioneer of independent films and that MOMA did a retrospective of his work. Morris's wife, Ruth Orkin, was also quite a talent and she appeared in several films and is the photographer of "American Girl in Italy, 1951."
I love the past. How many people even know who Long John Nebel was? How many remember the Les Crane show? Who remembers voting for "Miss Rheingold?" Many "Baby Boomers" will have a hard time aging as nostalgia and longing for a world gone by gnaws at the corners of their mind. But, when you find two Johns who can recognize the references and join you in the memories.... it is the day's brass ring.
But what fascinated me most was John's brother-in-law, Morris Engel. "Little Fugitive" had me from the time I saw it on The Early Show. "Joey, a young boy, runs away to Coney Island after he is tricked into believing he has killed his older brother..." The film was made by Morris Engel in 1953. It is a classic. John told me that his brother-in-law is now recognized as a pioneer of independent films and that MOMA did a retrospective of his work. Morris's wife, Ruth Orkin, was also quite a talent and she appeared in several films and is the photographer of "American Girl in Italy, 1951."
I love the past. How many people even know who Long John Nebel was? How many remember the Les Crane show? Who remembers voting for "Miss Rheingold?" Many "Baby Boomers" will have a hard time aging as nostalgia and longing for a world gone by gnaws at the corners of their mind. But, when you find two Johns who can recognize the references and join you in the memories.... it is the day's brass ring.
a new post for a sunny Monday
Let me think of a topic for today. OK, I have a topic: TWoP and "the bans." I will get back to you later with a special rant.
Bravo/NBC should be ashamed of themselves. They banned a retired NYC teacher who created an exceptional learning environment for sixth graders. This shows total disrespect for teachers. And they support learning programs in NYC?! It's all lip service. Based on my career longevity alone, they should have lifted the ban. (And check out that bulletin board) Nuch a mole, a teacher who had such creative bulletin boards they allowed to remain banned. Well, look at who banned me. A little pisher was given more status than me. It's disgraceful.
And a heads' up: I am working on putting this little episode into a human interest piece and submitting it for consideration to New York Magazine. I think the whole city will side with me and say, "If it means so much to the teacher, why don't they just lift her ban and let her go back? It is so ridiculous."
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Join the club, Harvey!
bumped up because it is delicious...
... and I hope you rip NBC/Universal a new a--hole. There is an interesting lead story in today's NY Daily News in the Rush & Molloy column: "'Project' Gunn pay: zip." It seems that Harvey Weinstein is in court battling NBC/ CEO chief Jeff Zucker over some narisha zach about "Project Runway" and the move from Bravo to Lifetime. When Harvey took the stand he testified "he disliked Bravo management." "That would surely mean Bravo president Lauren Zalaznick." More than one source used the H word in describing the relationship: "They hate each other." I cannot stand her either. She doesn't respond to viewer concerns. I sent her a certified letter about all those dopey bannings at TWoP. Did you hear from her? That's how I heard from her. She's gotta go.
Jeff Zucker, "a competitive guy"
Jeff Zucker doesn't answer his certified mail from viewers either. So, in my book he may be a billionaire... but he is just a rich schmuck. Go get 'em, Harvey!
Harvey... have your people call my people. We can invite a group and do dinner at DaSilvano and talk shit about Bravo. I will be the keynote speaker. I can read the comments from TWoP banned members that were written at Lee Stranahan's site. And when we hear "Jeff Zucker doesn't give 2 shits" we can raise our glasses and toast.
Oh, who are my people? I will gather a few trolls and sockpuppets and get back to you.
Friday, August 15, 2008
a work in progress
I was going through the materials I collected and saved from all the years I was a teacher. I found some "letters for the file" that were written to a teacher by a principal in one of the schools in which I taught. I was the UFT chapter chairperson and in many cases these are letters that went to "grievance." All quotes are lifted from the letters verbatim. Not one word has been changed. I have only omitted the teacher to whom the letters were addressed and the principal's name who wrote the letters.
Dear Ms. ---
"While you were teaching, I observed that you were teaching with 2 handbags on your arm. You have already been directed to place your handbags away when you are teaching. You are not prepared when you are doing this."
Dear Ms. ---
When I gave you this assignment I told you I did not want to see children running around the room and that I wanted structured lessons and an orderly atmosphere. You replied, "I'll try." I again reiterated my instructions relative to the handling of this class. You again replied, "I'll try." I informed you then and am informing you now that this is not enough... "I'll try" does not meet the standard of accountability for a New York City public scool (sic) teacher."
Dear Ms. ---
You were assigned as a teaching period a lunchtime covetrage on a daily bases (sic). This is not a lunch duty as you are supposed to be effectively supervising and teaching children. While you were waiting to take your group for an instructional period you were observed drinking milk... This constitutes conduct unbecoming a professional teacher, and must be stopped."
I found a copy of a letter I sent to the UFT District Representative to report what a principal told me in a conference: "If I go down, I will not go down alone." She also stated her intention after the holidays to "write three letters a night for the teachers' files."
And this was a kind head's up written in a note to a teacher and signed by 3 students: "the (principal) is trying to fire you"
Dear Ms. ---
"While you were teaching, I observed that you were teaching with 2 handbags on your arm. You have already been directed to place your handbags away when you are teaching. You are not prepared when you are doing this."
Dear Ms. ---
When I gave you this assignment I told you I did not want to see children running around the room and that I wanted structured lessons and an orderly atmosphere. You replied, "I'll try." I again reiterated my instructions relative to the handling of this class. You again replied, "I'll try." I informed you then and am informing you now that this is not enough... "I'll try" does not meet the standard of accountability for a New York City public scool (sic) teacher."
Dear Ms. ---
You were assigned as a teaching period a lunchtime covetrage on a daily bases (sic). This is not a lunch duty as you are supposed to be effectively supervising and teaching children. While you were waiting to take your group for an instructional period you were observed drinking milk... This constitutes conduct unbecoming a professional teacher, and must be stopped."
I found a copy of a letter I sent to the UFT District Representative to report what a principal told me in a conference: "If I go down, I will not go down alone." She also stated her intention after the holidays to "write three letters a night for the teachers' files."
And this was a kind head's up written in a note to a teacher and signed by 3 students: "the (principal) is trying to fire you"
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Da bringah boss, da bringah
Over at the Comedy Soapbox they are still whining about "bringers." An analogy: they are to bringers what I am to bans and TWoP. It all adds up to "Groundhog Day." What a snoozefest the Soapbox is. They bring a lemming mentality to a new level. I see I am missing so much stimulating conversation over there. Get over it, already. Bringers are not going away. I love them! I did three bringers in the last two weeks and the room was packed for each show. I knocked it out of the park every time. Killah sets! Now let me enable the internet a bit.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
"Last night I dreamed I was in Manderley again..."
Last night, I dreamed I was back at TWoP again. I was posting a comment and I was unable to stop violating the "dos and don'ts." I had to appear before a panel of mods who would decide a suitable consequence. After a brief recess, the verdict was rendered. I was found guilty and sentenced to wear mittens after I logged in. I was devastated. I woke up in a cold sweat and I was so upset I did not know if it was morning or evening. I immediately looked at my hands and I was shocked to see on the middle finger of my right hand a strange looking ruby thimble. I tapped it three times and said: "There's no place like home" and the next thing I knew I was eating potato latkes at the old Famous in Brooklyn. Then, I really was awakened by a loud banging on my apartment door. It was the super with the exterminator. Nothing like a swift NYC reality check to break a technicolor fever dream. And instead of latkes, I grabbed a pop tart and went down to tumult with the doorman.
A Little Piece of Imagination
bumped up, because it is the "fever dream" that keeps on giving... it is THAT GOOD!
So satsifyingly good, it shall be given center stage!
Here is my story for today, boys and girls. It is a piece of fiction, based on a scene that played out in my head. I might submit it as segment idea for "SNL." In the world of comedy, this is how the saga might have happened.
Jeff Harumph, NBC lawyer, receives my communications to NBC regarding my "banning" from TWoP. He storms into Don Meeny's office and he tells him the whole thing is ridiculous. He tells Don Meeny to lift the ban. Don marches into the room where Glirk, Wung, and Sirs are busy reading replies at the TWoP message boards and laughing while in a gleeful frantic frenzy banning members like mad. He shows them my letters and asks them to review the case. They say they will get back to him. A few days later, they have dug in their heels and refuse to change the mod's decision who banned me. They support the mod. Don goes back to Jeff Harumph and gives him the news. Jeff Harumph looks perplexed. He says: "Just put her back and let this end. Let it be over. It's so stupid. Who cares, what does it matter? She will just continue. Do we want this? Do we need it? It's so idiotic." Don goes back to the room where Glirk, Wung, and Sirs are found laughing, eating pizza, and carrying on over their antics. When he goes in, he catches them by surprise. He tells them that the heat is on. Put the crazy old lady back. They are angry. They say: "If you force our hand on this, we will quit." Don Meeny doesn't get it. He is perplexed. What's the big deal? He goes back to Jeff Harumph. He tells him the bans are what gives TWoP it's quirky appeal. Jeff Harumph cannot believe it. He goes in himself and tells the "big three" to put the insane teacher back. After all, she was a teacher right around the corner from 30 Rock and this falls under the umbrella of a good-neighbor policy. They adamantly refuse and they say if they are forced, they will leave. Quit. Say "adios." He leaves exasperated and tells Don himself to put me back. The big three then give Bravo notice they are resigning. A few days later, they pack up their stuff and head out for new horizons. They announce their departure, without fanfare, at the TWoP website. Jeff and Don go to Miss Addi and ask her to put me back. She won't do it. She remains loyal to the site's "strict rules" and two weeks later, the fourth "big cheese" joins her friends on the unemployment line. What a fiasco! TPTB decide I will not be allowed back. It will set bad precedent. Everybody loses. Morale of the story: "he who is stubborn is sometimes hoisted on his own petard." And the crazy old lady is, in the end, exactly where she started. She is a different kind of cheese. She is "the cheese who stands alone." I walk out on the empty stage and I deliver my line, in true Woody Allen style: "What's the big tsimmes? All they had to do was put me back."
Hey, it could have happened that way. It did in my imagination. I really have to stop empowering myself. It is so not healthy. "Sockpuppet" comments to be added later.
So satsifyingly good, it shall be given center stage!
Here is my story for today, boys and girls. It is a piece of fiction, based on a scene that played out in my head. I might submit it as segment idea for "SNL." In the world of comedy, this is how the saga might have happened.
Jeff Harumph, NBC lawyer, receives my communications to NBC regarding my "banning" from TWoP. He storms into Don Meeny's office and he tells him the whole thing is ridiculous. He tells Don Meeny to lift the ban. Don marches into the room where Glirk, Wung, and Sirs are busy reading replies at the TWoP message boards and laughing while in a gleeful frantic frenzy banning members like mad. He shows them my letters and asks them to review the case. They say they will get back to him. A few days later, they have dug in their heels and refuse to change the mod's decision who banned me. They support the mod. Don goes back to Jeff Harumph and gives him the news. Jeff Harumph looks perplexed. He says: "Just put her back and let this end. Let it be over. It's so stupid. Who cares, what does it matter? She will just continue. Do we want this? Do we need it? It's so idiotic." Don goes back to the room where Glirk, Wung, and Sirs are found laughing, eating pizza, and carrying on over their antics. When he goes in, he catches them by surprise. He tells them that the heat is on. Put the crazy old lady back. They are angry. They say: "If you force our hand on this, we will quit." Don Meeny doesn't get it. He is perplexed. What's the big deal? He goes back to Jeff Harumph. He tells him the bans are what gives TWoP it's quirky appeal. Jeff Harumph cannot believe it. He goes in himself and tells the "big three" to put the insane teacher back. After all, she was a teacher right around the corner from 30 Rock and this falls under the umbrella of a good-neighbor policy. They adamantly refuse and they say if they are forced, they will leave. Quit. Say "adios." He leaves exasperated and tells Don himself to put me back. The big three then give Bravo notice they are resigning. A few days later, they pack up their stuff and head out for new horizons. They announce their departure, without fanfare, at the TWoP website. Jeff and Don go to Miss Addi and ask her to put me back. She won't do it. She remains loyal to the site's "strict rules" and two weeks later, the fourth "big cheese" joins her friends on the unemployment line. What a fiasco! TPTB decide I will not be allowed back. It will set bad precedent. Everybody loses. Morale of the story: "he who is stubborn is sometimes hoisted on his own petard." And the crazy old lady is, in the end, exactly where she started. She is a different kind of cheese. She is "the cheese who stands alone." I walk out on the empty stage and I deliver my line, in true Woody Allen style: "What's the big tsimmes? All they had to do was put me back."
Hey, it could have happened that way. It did in my imagination. I really have to stop empowering myself. It is so not healthy. "Sockpuppet" comments to be added later.
Jeff Zucker gets more letters?
It looks like I am not the only one writing letters to Jeff Zucker.
from the NY Daily News 5/14:
(www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/05/14/2008-05-14_my_word_sue_simmons_is_back_on_wnbc_afte.html)
"As previously reported, Lynda Baquero is expected to come off the station's 6 p.m. newscast at the end of the month. The New York Chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition has sent a letter to Jeff Zucker, chairman of parent company NBC Universal, seeking to keep Baquero on the air."
Jeff Zucker... get busy and REPLY to that letter from The New York Chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. It was OK to ignore me, but they are important and ignoring them will not be good for NBC's public image! You do care about public image, don't you?
Here's a poem:
Roses are red and violets are blue,
Putz, answer your mail
It's the right thing to do!
In today's NY Daily News:
"My word! Sue Simmons is back on WNBC after grade-F slip"
By Richard Huff. DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
Sue Simmons
"Veteran WNBC/Ch. 4 anchor Sue Simmons was back on the air Tuesday, a day after dropping an F-bomb on live TV."
(They just love those expletives at NBC don't they?)
And it now appears that the NBC lawyers will have a more substantial issue with which to deal:
"Meanwhile, on Tuesday Ch. 4's legal eagles were trying to stop the spread of a clip of Simmons' expletive, citing copyright infringement."
awww, copyright infringement? Get busy and stop the spread of that clip! Get busy, I said! Is Jeff Hoeh one of the lawyers involved in this case? As the expression goes, "Now you will really have something to handle." It makes my little episode about TWoP look like peanuts. Well, it always was peanuts, but answering my calls made for an easier work day.
(and by the way, it is "Simmons's." Form the possessive of the proper noun ending in 's' correctly. Follow the rules, or ye shall be BANNED!)
from the NY Daily News 5/14:
(www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/05/14/2008-05-14_my_word_sue_simmons_is_back_on_wnbc_afte.html)
"As previously reported, Lynda Baquero is expected to come off the station's 6 p.m. newscast at the end of the month. The New York Chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition has sent a letter to Jeff Zucker, chairman of parent company NBC Universal, seeking to keep Baquero on the air."
Jeff Zucker... get busy and REPLY to that letter from The New York Chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. It was OK to ignore me, but they are important and ignoring them will not be good for NBC's public image! You do care about public image, don't you?
Here's a poem:
Roses are red and violets are blue,
Putz, answer your mail
It's the right thing to do!
In today's NY Daily News:
"My word! Sue Simmons is back on WNBC after grade-F slip"
By Richard Huff. DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
Sue Simmons
"Veteran WNBC/Ch. 4 anchor Sue Simmons was back on the air Tuesday, a day after dropping an F-bomb on live TV."
(They just love those expletives at NBC don't they?)
And it now appears that the NBC lawyers will have a more substantial issue with which to deal:
"Meanwhile, on Tuesday Ch. 4's legal eagles were trying to stop the spread of a clip of Simmons' expletive, citing copyright infringement."
awww, copyright infringement? Get busy and stop the spread of that clip! Get busy, I said! Is Jeff Hoeh one of the lawyers involved in this case? As the expression goes, "Now you will really have something to handle." It makes my little episode about TWoP look like peanuts. Well, it always was peanuts, but answering my calls made for an easier work day.
(and by the way, it is "Simmons's." Form the possessive of the proper noun ending in 's' correctly. Follow the rules, or ye shall be BANNED!)
"Bartleby" at Lee Stranahan's site replies to me again re: TWoP
and here is my response:
Thank-you very much for your reply. I agree completely. I get it. I really do. It’s not even the “mods” with whom I am angry. They are what they are. It’s Bravo/NBC that riles me. They are the ones who should have properly addressed this after it was called to their attention.
At NBC’s official web page there is a link to “NBC Universal in the Community.”
They state: “NBC Universal is proud to support hundreds of programs and partnerships that have made a positive impact in our community. Committed to contributing funds, expertise and time, NBC Universal strives to improve our communities and the world around us.”
In 2007, the NBC Universal Foundation awarded $1.35MM in grants to the following non-profit organizations:
(in) NEW YORK
Abyssinian Development Corporation
Asian Professional Extension
ASPIRA of New Jersey
ASPIRA of New York
Learning Leaders
NAACP NYC ACT-SO
ThinkQuest NYC
(more organizations in other cities listed at their site)
Then I found this (about TWoP) at http://www.journalfen.net: “I was banned also. I had a warning about using proper grammar and punctuation. I e-mailed them and told them I had a learning disability and wouldn’t post anymore. Instead of answering my e-mail I was banned.”
What’s wrong with this picture? NBCU supports educational learning programs all over the country and when it is pointed out that somebody was “banned” for what appeared to be a learning disability, they do not address the matter? THIS is what I tried to expose!!! It was not my anger over losing the ability to contribute at the site. The bottom line to me is that a huge corporation like NBCU did not care to respond correctly to what is a real concern. They did not care and they did not care to “get it.” I still hope the right person shines a stronger light on what goes on over there, because all those absurd “bannings” are insulting and indeed hurtful to many who do not deliberately violate the “rules.”
(I was a teacher for 34 years and I am now retired. It’s amusing to me in an odd way that I taught 6th grade in Manhattan just 5 blocks from 30 Rock. TWoP, owned by NBC the great supporter of educational programs in the community, “banned” a 61 year old retired teacher for not beginning a sentence with a capital letter and not reading the 10 pages that came before her query. That is such irony to me that I shake my head in disbelief and laugh… at them, not me. They should be embarrassed.)
There are over 200 comments about TWoP and the mods' "bannings" at Lee Stranahan's website:
here
Thank-you very much for your reply. I agree completely. I get it. I really do. It’s not even the “mods” with whom I am angry. They are what they are. It’s Bravo/NBC that riles me. They are the ones who should have properly addressed this after it was called to their attention.
At NBC’s official web page there is a link to “NBC Universal in the Community.”
They state: “NBC Universal is proud to support hundreds of programs and partnerships that have made a positive impact in our community. Committed to contributing funds, expertise and time, NBC Universal strives to improve our communities and the world around us.”
In 2007, the NBC Universal Foundation awarded $1.35MM in grants to the following non-profit organizations:
(in) NEW YORK
Abyssinian Development Corporation
Asian Professional Extension
ASPIRA of New Jersey
ASPIRA of New York
Learning Leaders
NAACP NYC ACT-SO
ThinkQuest NYC
(more organizations in other cities listed at their site)
Then I found this (about TWoP) at http://www.journalfen.net: “I was banned also. I had a warning about using proper grammar and punctuation. I e-mailed them and told them I had a learning disability and wouldn’t post anymore. Instead of answering my e-mail I was banned.”
What’s wrong with this picture? NBCU supports educational learning programs all over the country and when it is pointed out that somebody was “banned” for what appeared to be a learning disability, they do not address the matter? THIS is what I tried to expose!!! It was not my anger over losing the ability to contribute at the site. The bottom line to me is that a huge corporation like NBCU did not care to respond correctly to what is a real concern. They did not care and they did not care to “get it.” I still hope the right person shines a stronger light on what goes on over there, because all those absurd “bannings” are insulting and indeed hurtful to many who do not deliberately violate the “rules.”
(I was a teacher for 34 years and I am now retired. It’s amusing to me in an odd way that I taught 6th grade in Manhattan just 5 blocks from 30 Rock. TWoP, owned by NBC the great supporter of educational programs in the community, “banned” a 61 year old retired teacher for not beginning a sentence with a capital letter and not reading the 10 pages that came before her query. That is such irony to me that I shake my head in disbelief and laugh… at them, not me. They should be embarrassed.)
There are over 200 comments about TWoP and the mods' "bannings" at Lee Stranahan's website:
here
See-Saw Marjorie Daw in fever dreams
The fever dream continues:
My experience at TWoP has been like a see-saw ride: one day up and the next day down. But, I am now "up" and over at TWoP posting like an energizer bunny. By accident, my shift key did not work and I had to immediately go in and edit for capitalization. It's all good. I am making sure I do not interact with anybody because I don't want to be "boards on boards." I made a mistake and wrote this post: "I can't wait for EvEL DiCk to return to Big Brother... Um, he is da shiznit. Anybody who disagrees with me is whack and a jerk. Can somebody list the new HGs for BB10?" Then I got a PM from a member and she told me I was not following the "dos and don'ts," so I scrutinized those "dos and don'ts" more than William Jennings Bryan scrutinized the theory of evolution for the Scopes trial. Oh, the joy of it all. I was in like 7 threads having the time of my life. I registered four different user names at four different public computers just to cover my bases. I had so many E-mail addresses from which to choose: comcast, hotmail, earthlink... To catch me those mods will have to get lasik and morph into Dick Traceys. They will need to activate their GPS. I will post in basement threads or try to get lost in wildly popular threads. Duck and dodge, dodge and duck. This fever dream is in technicolor and wide screen. And the denoument is that I am so def the only poster that was banned in such celebrated fanfare and EVER CAME BACK. I pulled it off! TWoP is my site now, I totally own it. All other posters are making mere cameo appearances. Let's be honest. I got back and it was done in greater style than the Greek victory through the ruse of the Trojan horse! Tonight, I made a guest appearance in a "Hell's Kitchen" thread. This was my so spot-on comment: "Omg! What's up with those chefs not wearing gloves and handling food with bare hands? Yuck!" I am so astute. No other poster even comes close. I am the new Kay Gardella. Bow to my fame and glory!
figments of fever dreams, alas just dreams
the above? just a little documented growth spurt...
and now for an update: I have been posting for weeks at TWoP under a new user name. What fun! I never leave my apartment. I am all over those forums. I post here and there and everywhere. I am like a TWoP posting energizer bunny. I registered on another computer with an unrecognizeable E-mail address. Let's see if they can catch a butterfly. I will have a ban news flash when and if. I am back and the experience is like a wicked fever dream. I am deliriously licking my chops! Maybe it is all a fever dream. Maybe it is a figment of my imagination. It feels so surreal.... In any event, I have arrived and my friends are making me a celebration "return to TWoP" party at Le Singe Vert. I will be decked out in a Chloe. I will enter to Dean Martin's "Ain't that a Kick in the Head." And then we will dine on Les Escargots and then L'onglet De Boeuf Sauce Marchand De Vin. And for dessert, the cake will be a chocolate mocha rose tier. Yum!
Let's see if they can find me through some well-placed clues. It can be a game just like "Find Elmo!"
clue #1: I was in "Shear Genius." Hair is so my thing. Then I left footprints in "Cash Cab." They won't ever find me. Or will they? What will be the charge when captured? A font felony? Trespassing? They should have activated an online restraining order! So many delicious forums! So little time! Jeeves, pass me the old fashioned pewter feather pen and ink bottle, my nom de plume has arrived. Oh, the joy! What a great day in cyberspace!
(clue #2: I began a sentence with a noncapitalized letter)
Keesha's laugh
I cannot post at TWoP because my ban was never lifted and I am unable to login with a new user name. They have mad ass GPS over there and won't send the validation E-mail so I can activate a new account. So, I am going to comment here about Big Brother 10. What the hell is with Keesha's laugh? What is that laugh? That sound is not human. It starts out with a loud "Nyeeeehhhhh" and them moves into an even louder sound that mimics a horse's whinny. She may not look ike "Mr. Ed," but there is nobody on this planet that has a laugh like that. Well, maybe a hyena or a dolphin. She should record it and use it as a demo tape for cartoon work. Can we all say "Keesha meet voiceovers, voiceovers meet Keesha." "Nyeeeehhhhh."
Also, April won the HOH window ledge competiton. At the end of it, she took a shower and apparently did not wash her hair. She shook out all that dust and soot that filled her hair and it billowed out in clouds of choking smoke. April? When your hair is covered with so much schmutz, wash your dirty hair.
Oh, the above photo? As I jumped rope, my face looked like her laugh sounds. Gasp! I looked like the child of Cyclops.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Best Movie Quotes
The Streetgirl: And then?
Emma: Then what?
The Streetgirl: What happened after?
Emma: There is no "then." There is no "after."
-- from "That Hamilton Woman"
Commentary on memories
Somebody recently suggested I spend more time at my blog on "commentary." I gave it some thought. I asked myself, "Commentary on what? What other people are doing or writing about or blogging about?" I am just not interested. I leave that to Gawker or forums with message boards designed for that relentless on-going activity. This is not an advice column or a timely blog about my political world views. It is not a pundit's or philosopher's blog. In my blog, I am self-involved. I have strong blog-worthy feelings about my own memories. So, I am always emotionally brought back to... the memories.
And I have strong memories of a hot summer day in 1961, when the girls of my summer camp on Martha's Vineyard went to a magical rehearsal of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at The Hilltop Summer Theater.
On one rainy winter Sunday about two years ago, I tried to locate some of those actors from so long ago. After a bit of research, I found Julia Curry and rang her up. She was most receptive and gracious and she enthralled me with her own memories of her experience playing "Stella." She had quite an interesting tale to tell of opening night.
Long ago, on one afternoon in time two people were in The Hilltop Summer Theater. One was a gorgeous and mesmerizing actress and the other was on that day a teenage camper in the rehearsal audience. And they came together 50 years later... and shared their memories.
After that phone call and with the information Miss Curry provided, I wrote and sent a fan letter to the actor who played Stanley Kowalski in that production.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
a comment, a reply, another comment, and another
Blogger nickyskye said...
Dear Marjorie,
On one of those Google-nostalgia whims, I looked up Kathleen Hinni tonight and found your wonderfully written blog story.
Miss Hinni, as I knew her, was a gym teacher at Nightingale Bamford School, where I went from 1962 to 1969. I liked her and felt liked by her. She got me interested in gymnastics early on and is the reason I still sit with my back straight. I still love watching gymnastics and now the Olympics are coming up this month, look eagerly forward to that, which she inspired my interest in.
Perhaps I've completely misremembered but I think Miss Hinni briefly gave a class in sewing, embroidery, which seems so odd. In that class I made a little doll for my sister, who was in the hospital having her tonsils out and a little blue-green pillow with fish and seaweed embroidered on it. Funny, the old memories.
Her smoker's hack both amused and horrified me. It seemed so unlikely for someone teaching dance, gymnastics and exercise. But those were the days when everyone smoked.
I'm sorry about Cindy, her committing infanticide. It sounds like she suffered from severe depression and post-natal depression. Most emotional illness was not wisely treated in the 1960's and I can't imagine her being sent home would have made much difference at that time. Perhaps her parents were the cause of her depression and keeping her there was more wise? Who knows? But I'm sorry for her and for the infant, who was murdered.
I always felt Miss Hinni had a rebellious, brave spirit, which was, I think, part of why she associated with Isadora Duncan. She had a mischievous sense of humor too, which I liked, a twinkle and a joie de vivre. There was something inherently subversive about her, which I found comforting in contrast with the suffocating smugness, arthritic rigidity and materialism of the teachers and staff at Nightingale.
She could be stern too about girls in class behaving without focus, having lousy posture. Nothing any gym teacher or coach wouldn't say, I don't think. But I was aware that some of my classmates also didn't like her. I don't know why.
I'm curious why you felt so unhappy at the dance camp/school you went to. Why you and others "hated the place." It certainly sounds like a remarkable way to spend the summer, packed with educated, creative people, some of whom were global innovators.
In any case, I think fondly of Miss Hinni, miss her and wanted to thank you for sharing your own memories of her.
August 1, 2008 9:23 PM
Blogger Marjorie said...
Nicky,
Thank-you so much for your comment at my blog. This is so meaningful to me. In just the past few weeks, I have connected with two other SOCA alumni. It seems many of us are nostalgic with regard to the past.
Lana organized a SOCA reunion in 1999, and although I was enthusiastic about it, I was unable to attend because it was on Martha's Vineyard and it was a long trip at the time.
We were unhappy at camp because KT created a very very strict and rigid setting. We were deprived of many comforts. We were not allowed to shower regularly and we all felt food deprived. She monitored our behavior and interactions and subjected us to stern lectures. I can recall one night when we were so hungry we ate toothpaste. And we all emotionally longed for home.
It was wonderful having you leave a message here. If you would like to speak more, please E-mail me at the address provided in my profile.
Marjorie
August 1, 2008 10:58 PM
Blogger nickyskye said...
Hello again Marjorie,
A nice surprise to hear from you so soon.
It's one of the great joys of the internet connecting with others from the past, people one thought were long gone into the big unknown. Or finding out about people, like Kathleen Hinni. I was always curious about her and recently learned on the web about her connection with Anita Zahn, who was one of Isadora Duncan's adopted daughters.
Aww, I'm sorry she was so harsh to you and the other students. Strict and rigid are really not fun experiences and especially for a kid during the summer. Sad too that you were starved to the point of eating toothpaste. Miss Hinni was thin and smoked. Perhaps she projected her own lack on interest in food onto her students? Whatever, that sounds like her mistreatment of you in depriving you of food was near criminal. And it's an outrage you weren't allowed to shower more often. Yikes.
One year, in 1966, I went to a summer camp in Nova Scotia, called Camp Arcadie. It was pretty simple and rugged compared with what kids are used to now and the Bay of Fundy was incredibly cold for swimming, which was compulsory. Perhaps children in general were treated more harshly in those years?
Interestingly, with the painful home environment I grew up in, I so appreciated Miss Hinni's stern and intense guidance. I needed parenting and felt cared about by her.
Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about Miss Hinni and your experiences with her.
August 1, 2008 11:03 PM
and this just in from "anonymous" Laurie...
thank you! I was probably living in the big house when you were in the cabin. I was looking for any informaton regarding the school and was so thrilled to find your blog.
I remember Margaret Bourke-White, her photographs lining the walls of the stair well...birds, shadows on the ocean from above, miners in South Africa.
I remember Burl Ives, Charles Weidman, Homesickness, the smell of Ben-Gay, dancing for hours, searching for my older handicapped sister one night on the beach, by moonlight, after Lana and Betty Sue came to get me to help them find her...I think I was ten.
Who was the blind pianist? Thanks again.
Laurie
August 2, 2008 9:40 PM
Dear Marjorie,
On one of those Google-nostalgia whims, I looked up Kathleen Hinni tonight and found your wonderfully written blog story.
Miss Hinni, as I knew her, was a gym teacher at Nightingale Bamford School, where I went from 1962 to 1969. I liked her and felt liked by her. She got me interested in gymnastics early on and is the reason I still sit with my back straight. I still love watching gymnastics and now the Olympics are coming up this month, look eagerly forward to that, which she inspired my interest in.
Perhaps I've completely misremembered but I think Miss Hinni briefly gave a class in sewing, embroidery, which seems so odd. In that class I made a little doll for my sister, who was in the hospital having her tonsils out and a little blue-green pillow with fish and seaweed embroidered on it. Funny, the old memories.
Her smoker's hack both amused and horrified me. It seemed so unlikely for someone teaching dance, gymnastics and exercise. But those were the days when everyone smoked.
I'm sorry about Cindy, her committing infanticide. It sounds like she suffered from severe depression and post-natal depression. Most emotional illness was not wisely treated in the 1960's and I can't imagine her being sent home would have made much difference at that time. Perhaps her parents were the cause of her depression and keeping her there was more wise? Who knows? But I'm sorry for her and for the infant, who was murdered.
I always felt Miss Hinni had a rebellious, brave spirit, which was, I think, part of why she associated with Isadora Duncan. She had a mischievous sense of humor too, which I liked, a twinkle and a joie de vivre. There was something inherently subversive about her, which I found comforting in contrast with the suffocating smugness, arthritic rigidity and materialism of the teachers and staff at Nightingale.
She could be stern too about girls in class behaving without focus, having lousy posture. Nothing any gym teacher or coach wouldn't say, I don't think. But I was aware that some of my classmates also didn't like her. I don't know why.
I'm curious why you felt so unhappy at the dance camp/school you went to. Why you and others "hated the place." It certainly sounds like a remarkable way to spend the summer, packed with educated, creative people, some of whom were global innovators.
In any case, I think fondly of Miss Hinni, miss her and wanted to thank you for sharing your own memories of her.
August 1, 2008 9:23 PM
Blogger Marjorie said...
Nicky,
Thank-you so much for your comment at my blog. This is so meaningful to me. In just the past few weeks, I have connected with two other SOCA alumni. It seems many of us are nostalgic with regard to the past.
Lana organized a SOCA reunion in 1999, and although I was enthusiastic about it, I was unable to attend because it was on Martha's Vineyard and it was a long trip at the time.
We were unhappy at camp because KT created a very very strict and rigid setting. We were deprived of many comforts. We were not allowed to shower regularly and we all felt food deprived. She monitored our behavior and interactions and subjected us to stern lectures. I can recall one night when we were so hungry we ate toothpaste. And we all emotionally longed for home.
It was wonderful having you leave a message here. If you would like to speak more, please E-mail me at the address provided in my profile.
Marjorie
August 1, 2008 10:58 PM
Blogger nickyskye said...
Hello again Marjorie,
A nice surprise to hear from you so soon.
It's one of the great joys of the internet connecting with others from the past, people one thought were long gone into the big unknown. Or finding out about people, like Kathleen Hinni. I was always curious about her and recently learned on the web about her connection with Anita Zahn, who was one of Isadora Duncan's adopted daughters.
Aww, I'm sorry she was so harsh to you and the other students. Strict and rigid are really not fun experiences and especially for a kid during the summer. Sad too that you were starved to the point of eating toothpaste. Miss Hinni was thin and smoked. Perhaps she projected her own lack on interest in food onto her students? Whatever, that sounds like her mistreatment of you in depriving you of food was near criminal. And it's an outrage you weren't allowed to shower more often. Yikes.
One year, in 1966, I went to a summer camp in Nova Scotia, called Camp Arcadie. It was pretty simple and rugged compared with what kids are used to now and the Bay of Fundy was incredibly cold for swimming, which was compulsory. Perhaps children in general were treated more harshly in those years?
Interestingly, with the painful home environment I grew up in, I so appreciated Miss Hinni's stern and intense guidance. I needed parenting and felt cared about by her.
Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about Miss Hinni and your experiences with her.
August 1, 2008 11:03 PM
and this just in from "anonymous" Laurie...
thank you! I was probably living in the big house when you were in the cabin. I was looking for any informaton regarding the school and was so thrilled to find your blog.
I remember Margaret Bourke-White, her photographs lining the walls of the stair well...birds, shadows on the ocean from above, miners in South Africa.
I remember Burl Ives, Charles Weidman, Homesickness, the smell of Ben-Gay, dancing for hours, searching for my older handicapped sister one night on the beach, by moonlight, after Lana and Betty Sue came to get me to help them find her...I think I was ten.
Who was the blind pianist? Thanks again.
Laurie
August 2, 2008 9:40 PM
my un-Super Sweet 16 party
It was 1963, and the Valley Stream Park Inn was never the same. Why? I sang a Connie Francis song to my captive audience.
Friday, August 1, 2008
role models
Good grief! What would Freud say? I am so chagrined. I found the photo on the left and I was filled with a variety of emotions and wonder. Was this my mother’s idea of “modeling” for her toddler’s toilet training? The photo on the right shows my father as he arrived at my “sweet 16” party. I am always amazed that I am able to function.
kiddie speedboat ride
KIDDIE RIDES, the poem
I awakened and longed with desperation
To return to Brooklyn.
I wanted to ride until dawn on a creaky
Ferris wheel left behind by a carnival and
To visit the still standing luminous
Chartreuse home of my grandmother.
Memories behind stained glass windows
Beckoned like some naked amnesiac
Who struggles to reach home.
In the air, I could still smell the fullbodied scent
Of burnt potato pancakes that wafted through that
House and I often glimpsed the ghosts of ancestors
Lurking and sucking juice from the backyard peach tree.
I longed with desperation to return to old Brooklyn.
At 5 P.M. I slipped into my car
And drove south through Manhattan streets.
Streets at night eternally bathed
In disconsolate orange moonlight...
Trapped in an endless maze of mirrors.
The pink sun soon sizzled on the Hudson River
And set, to my right, in bright blazing Technicolor.
In the distance, one kittiwake
Seemed to have found the way.
I headed for the elixir of the spinning
Teacups: the kiddie rides at intoxicating
Coney Island...in, the most haunted and
Haunting of places: Brooklyn. ® WGAE 2004
a "punim" compendium
Here we have photos taken at high school graduation, during student-teaching, in my last year of college, and during my first year of teaching: this is indeed a "punim" compendium. In college, I always donned the de rigueur "fall."
Clara Barton School
... to the right is the cover of a brochure from the Bordentown Historical Society of the Clara Barton School. When I was a toddler, I attended a party there. I can still taste the sweet cakes that were served and see the colorful balloons that filled that one-room schoolhouse.
a special "Playbill"
... to the left is the cover of the only "Playbill" I ever saved. I see that today somebody bid 99 cents for this identical "Playbill" on ebay. I feel sad now.
"you've got to have friends"
Bernie (BC) and me, David as Barbra, and Bobbie F. and me... all photos circa 1976.
Your "my sweets" misses you, BC, most of all.
Your "my sweets" misses you, BC, most of all.
I "Speakout" in glorious print
My beloved and prestigious UFT newspaper published my "Speakout" piece regarding the NYC DOE's accountability position. You can read the article in it's original place here.
Above is a photo of my classroom. It was filled with learning centers and age-appropriate educational materials. And my bulletin boards were creative and decorated beautifully. You can even glimpse my leveled-library with books grouped by genre.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A smashing look
My hair had been freshly washed in Lustre Creme shampoo. I wore Coty Pastel Tint makeup. I combed my eyelashes with a Germaine Monteil black mascara and the finishing touch was Hazel Bishop Kissproof lipstick: "stays on you... not on him." I wore a frosted pink Max Factor rouge and I was drenched in Estee Lauder Youth Dew. I had Revlon's Fire and Ice on my manicured nails. Oh, and those earrings (only one is visible) were 18K gold and from Venezuela. I adored them, but I lost them in about 1981 on 42nd Street and 9th Avenue near the old Alps pharmacy.
Vanity Fair's Best-Dressed List
In the current issue of "Vanity Fair" is their International Best-Dressed List. I always had a unique sense of fashion, and I was a total trend-setter. Today, I have a flair all my own. Since it is all about the hair, I do a daily shampoo in the shower with Kerastase Bain Miroir. Next, I moisturize with YSL Temps Majeur. On my perfectly La Prairie made-up face sits my Kata glasses. My lips are stained with Estee Lauder's Black Cherry lipstick and I splash on Jo Malone's Tuberose Cologne.
Then my personal sense of style: I wear Jones New York Signature blue jeans with a yellow Rocawear t-shirt. On my feet are my pale yellow Merrell Waterpro sneakers. I carry a medium-size red Balenciaga bag and I am good to go. I wear the Jones blue jeans and Rocawear t-shirt every day. Every single day. I do a daily wash to make sure the outfit is fresh and clean. It's not just my signature style... it's my trademark uniform!
In the above photo, one can see I alway was perfectly turned out. Please note the well-placed cinch belt.
Monday, July 28, 2008
58 years later
... and I am still telling people to "get off my back."
Detached retinas, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Meniere's! The internet is hazardous to health.
this side, from Minsk
The Levines, circa 1916, in Brooklyn. My father is the little boy on the stoop looking back at his brother.
Friday, July 25, 2008
he goes, she goes, you go, he goes, she goes...
I am adding another TV show to my list in the "Vast Wasteland": Big Brother. What an asinine show. The "Houseguests" sit around and discuss "strategy" all day in their personal game of human dominoes. They whisper to each other like they are discussing the name of the second shooter at the grassy knoll. And millions of people watch which Houseguests will be evicted each week with more eager anticipation than listeners did when trying to tune in to hear "Tokyo Rose."
And from what I understand, when the HGs deviate from that topic... production calls them into the Diary Room and tells them to stick to the discussion of "strategy." So, the show starts out with 13 players and the "game" of human dominoes continues for 3 months... with no intellectual stimulation provided of any kind. I would go into cardiac arrest if once I heard those dolts discussing politics. I wonder if a theoretical physicist or rocket scientist ever applied to be on the show. This year, they have a "mixologist." Bill Paley must be turning in his grave over how his "Tiffany Network" has deteriorated. And to think, this is the same station that once aired "Harvest of Shame."
And from what I understand, when the HGs deviate from that topic... production calls them into the Diary Room and tells them to stick to the discussion of "strategy." So, the show starts out with 13 players and the "game" of human dominoes continues for 3 months... with no intellectual stimulation provided of any kind. I would go into cardiac arrest if once I heard those dolts discussing politics. I wonder if a theoretical physicist or rocket scientist ever applied to be on the show. This year, they have a "mixologist." Bill Paley must be turning in his grave over how his "Tiffany Network" has deteriorated. And to think, this is the same station that once aired "Harvest of Shame."
"A Vast Wasteland"
I write very little commentary on my blog, because basically I am self-involved and try to keep it all about me. I really don't care what crap is on TV. But, this one takes the cake: "Date My Ex: Jo & Slade." What IS that? I mean, what IS that? Jo and Slade? Good grief! "When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better. But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there for a day without a book, magazine, newspaper, profit-and-loss sheet or rating book to distract you — and keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that you will observe a vast wasteland." -- Newton Minow, May 9, 1961.
The Null Set
bumped up from a piece written last January:
There is nothing more satisfying than the null set. In mathematics and more specifically set theory, the empty set is the unique set which contains no {zero} elements. I decided to test this theory on a stage in a comedy club for a "bringer" show. I "brought" eight people. And I was the eighth of ten comics to perform. I was introduced by an enthusiastic MC and I took the stage. And for my entire six minutes, I stood there and said nothing. Correct, I said nothing. When the MC returned to the stage, he vocally wondered if I had stage fright. Did I develop a case of laryngitis? Was I an hysterical mute? An audience member asked me if the cat got my tongue. Did I step on a rusty nail and was this the beginning of lockjaw? Alas, it was none of the above. I was testing a theory. I wanted to see if the booker would give a good strong damn if I said absolutely nothing up on that stage as long as I "brought" in the required amount of bodies. Was it all about getting asses in the seats? Would it even matter as long as I fulfilled my "bringer" requirement? It did not matter. I was invited to return and I was actually given more time! More time to stand there in total silence and push the limits of my theory. Life is strange. It is thundering in January. And I found a way to always "kill." I perform the "null set." Silence is golden and I adore performance art. I had actually been totally nonverbal on the stage, but my nuanced facial expressions spoke volumes. There is nothing better than a well-placed eye twitch. When I exited the club, one drunk slurred, "Great set, Marjorie." I love doing stand-up.
There is nothing more satisfying than the null set. In mathematics and more specifically set theory, the empty set is the unique set which contains no {zero} elements. I decided to test this theory on a stage in a comedy club for a "bringer" show. I "brought" eight people. And I was the eighth of ten comics to perform. I was introduced by an enthusiastic MC and I took the stage. And for my entire six minutes, I stood there and said nothing. Correct, I said nothing. When the MC returned to the stage, he vocally wondered if I had stage fright. Did I develop a case of laryngitis? Was I an hysterical mute? An audience member asked me if the cat got my tongue. Did I step on a rusty nail and was this the beginning of lockjaw? Alas, it was none of the above. I was testing a theory. I wanted to see if the booker would give a good strong damn if I said absolutely nothing up on that stage as long as I "brought" in the required amount of bodies. Was it all about getting asses in the seats? Would it even matter as long as I fulfilled my "bringer" requirement? It did not matter. I was invited to return and I was actually given more time! More time to stand there in total silence and push the limits of my theory. Life is strange. It is thundering in January. And I found a way to always "kill." I perform the "null set." Silence is golden and I adore performance art. I had actually been totally nonverbal on the stage, but my nuanced facial expressions spoke volumes. There is nothing better than a well-placed eye twitch. When I exited the club, one drunk slurred, "Great set, Marjorie." I love doing stand-up.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
June 1966
I took the LIRR from Valley Stream to New York City and walked around (with a friend) seeing the sights. Central Park and the Broadway theater area seemed filled with magical possibilities.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
August 25, 1991
... my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the John Peel Room on Long Island. My mother is on the far left in the top photo. My father is on the far right in the bottom photo.
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