Balancing Medical Decisions

The Friday appointment with the attorney had to be cancelled due to emergency transfusion on Friday morning. I am sure she wasn’t a happy camper when she learned that news. Couldn’t be helped.

Went into full crash mode on Thursday afternoon, so when I called the Center for advice, they told me 2 units were already ordered while we were speaking and since I was already in a crash scenario just continue to chill, rest and do as little physical activity as I could get away with until I arrived at the Center in the morning.

That was easy to do. All I wanted to do was lie quietly so as not be short of breath and be as careful on my feet to be aware of any possibility of falling. Took a painkiller and high dose of Tylenol before sliding between the sheets where I stayed until morning when I had the tedious struggle to get dressed (hard enough with the use of BOTH hands, a real torture test without) and try to be ready when Jeffrey arrived to transport me. He did have to help me with the sling (the dear!)

It all went smooth yesterday and though I was, by this time, very weak and finding it difficult to put a coherent thought into words there was no panic. I had enough trouble following instructions and answering questions posed by the staff. I managed.  I now know that I can go from a moderately low red blood cell count to a dangerously low one in less than 24 hours. For no apparent reason and without any change to normal daily activity.

At least I was able to recognize and be aware of these quick changes nowadays. Glad I made the right decision early enough that no harm was done and the attorney couldn't whine about wasting her time.

Also, this latest blood - O Positive with modifiers for me - gave me a positive kick, or booster and I feel better today than I have following transfusion in the recent past. For this, too, I am thankful.  I am not going to be doing anything crazy, but I feel like I could put on my dancing shoes and boogie around the living room for a bit.

I am amazed.

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PSB: Hold On!

From their 2012 album "Elysium"

As I've mentioned before I almost always wake up with a song running around in my head. It usually drives me nuts until I find the recording and play it through. Don't know why. This is the tune I woke up with sloshing around in my head this morning. Although I like the song and what it means, a lot, I have no idea why it made a home for itself in my head last night.  But it did.

Another shut-in day, but I am slowly sorting through the most confusing paper work encountered so far.  I fear it will only get worse as the Repubs get their hands on things very soon.

Oh well, think positive thoughts, eh?

And so it goes.

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Oxford’s ”Out of The Blue”

Yep.  Britain’s Oxford University has an all male A Cappella group called Out of the Blue.  They hail  from different schools within the university, and most all can keep their feet to the beat, as we say. They are really good and some are too cute for words. I thought it was great fun.  Just enjoy.

This is a charity video.  Yes, well.  It’s a medley (?) of songs by Shakira.  I know nothing…really, I don’t.

And so it goes.

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TMI - Pride 2014

1. Tell me about your first Pride.

June 1970, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day march in NYC. From the Village up Fifth Avenue to Central Park. Stonewall tore the city apart the previous year and things still hadn’t settled down.  There was an uneasy truce with the NYPD and some doubted the first march to commemorate the first anniversary of the riots would happen at all.  It did, it was a mind-blowing experience, (though there was some fear) that so many gay folks came together to make the day happen. 

2. What did that first Pride mean to you?

 FREEDOM! While I was out, it hurt that so many others couldn’t be - but were there, anyway. Masked or disguised, but there. On the other hand it was also “about time” after years of protests and fighting the NYPD, Mayor Lindsey’s City Hall and the mob, who owned every sleazy gay bar in town.

3. How many different Prides have you been to?

I marched in every NYC pride event from the first in 1970 up through 1989 ( a marshal from 84 - 89) when virtually all my friends had died of AIDS. It became too strained, forced, surreal. I marched in Minneapolis Pride in 1982 because I was there on business, so what the hell!

4. Do you fly the Pride Flag and/or stick it to anything?

Used to fly the 4 X 6 size from the house in my previous life. Now there is a small one on my front door, and a sticker on the car. And whenever I write to my elected officials, there is always a rainbow sticker somewhere on the envelope. Just so they know.

5. Do you still celebrate Pride? What does it mean to you now?

I began celebrating again when I moved to Delaware, although their Pride event is an open fair with entertainment, no march or parade, and it happens in September. I don’t spend too much time there. I still get depressed when I remember friends lost and the great times in NYC.

6. Does Pride need improving? If so, what changes would you make?

The only thing I think needs more doing is educating our young’uns about our/their history. Teach them to be proud of who they are every day, not just around friends at a Pride event. A bold step for some here in the tiny state of Delaware, but more and more are choosing to come out.  Makes me proud.

7. How do you give back?

In the early days I was a member of The Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance. Later I worked with the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. In the 80s and 90s (before moving to DE, my then spouse and I were mentors at P-FLAG, NJ. During the height of the AIDS crisis of the 80s I worked within the Buddy System; was full-time care giver for the younger brother of my then spouse, until his death in 1987. I was spent, burned out.  Could never handle that emotional roller coaster ever again. I’ll be around for others, but only in minor supporting roles.  

BONUS

What kind of trouble or embarrassing moment have you had during Pride?

Got my head busted by NYPD for pausing in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral - shouting “Shame, Shame” while shaking my fist at the church. Cop must have been a catholic homophobe, because I got busted pretty good. Missed the post-march event (in those days) in Central Park. Instead, I was at St. Vincent’s hospital receiving stitches and ending the evening with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red to ease my pain and ego.

Thanks to Sean over at “Just a Jeep Guy”

And so it goes.

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Caturday at the Ballet

She's an artist, dontcha know!

More later.
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R.I.P: DEVO's Bob Casale

Another magical musician has left us. 

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Devo guitarist Bob Casale died Monday, his brother and band mate announced Tuesday. Casale was 61. 

He was known by fans as "Bob 2" since he played alongside guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh, the brother of Devo co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh. 

"As an original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me from the beginning," his brother Gerald Casale said in a Facebook posting. "He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got." 

The new-wave band began after Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh met as art students at Kent State University. The group wrote its first music in May 1970 -- the same month National Guard troops fired on antiwar protesters on the Kent State campus, killing four students. 

Devo actively toured in recent years, including a televised performance playing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. 

"He was excited about the possibility of Mark Mothersbaugh allowing Devo to play shows again," Gerald Casale wrote in his brother's death announcement. "His sudden death from conditions that led to heart failure came as a total shock to us all." 

Mark Mothersbaugh issued a statement Tuesday saying he was "shocked and saddened" by Casale's death. "He not only was integral in Devo's sound, he worked over 20 years at Mutato, collaborating with me on 60 or 70 films and television shows, not to mention countless commercials and many video games," said Mothersbaugh.   

"Bob was instrumental in creating the sound of projects as varied as Rugrats and Wes Anderson's films. He was a great friend. I will miss him greatly."

Read the rest HERE.

And so it goes.

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Shirley Temple - R.I.P.

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus at the age of six when my mother took me to see him in a store and he asked for my autograph." - Shirley Temple

During the depression she kept many people from being depressed and saved her studio from Bankruptcy. 

Hollywood star Shirley Temple has died at the age of 85, her family has said. 
The actress found fame as a child star in the 1930s in films like Bright Eyes, Stand Up and Cheer and Curly Top. 
She died on Monday at home in Woodside, California, from natural causes. "She was surrounded by her family and caregivers," a statement said. 

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26135627 

(This famous number with Bojangles - The Little Colonel - was quite an eye-opener for many reasons.  She kept up with him step or matched step. Love it!)

And so it goes.

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Being Boring

Yes, that's it!  Pet Shop Boys! Aside from additional boring medical mishugas, I've nothing more to offer other than this.  The opening song of their "Behavior" album, and the closing number of this concert a few years ago.

It's telling to me that - after a 2-hour concert - Neil chose to sing this one live, and alone. To me, this is their most personal and moving piece.  "Behavior" is in the car player at this time and this seemed to fit my mood of the last few days.

I hope you listen to the lyrics, and remember,  and enjoy.


And so it goes.
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It's Christmas! - Waltz of the Snowflakes

Mark Morris' ballet "The Hard Nut" has been a joy to watch for many years. This year I found this tiny part and wanted to share it here. If you've never seen the entire ballet, you're missing some great dance talent and imagination at work.

No, I am not awake at this hour. This is a 'scheduled' post.  

Hope you enjoyed the experience.  Not your run-of-the-mill Nutcracker ballets. It IS different, after all.

And so it goes.
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Little Drummer Boy - Salsoul Style

Most readers of this site were not alive when this album was released and didn't witness the joy it passed along all these many years. 

For us in 1976 this was a treasure, a musical place to go where family issues weren't  addressed or important. Where we could dance with friends for hours enjoying the music without the family baggage. Salsoul knew this.  Bless them. They knew their audience.  It made the holiday more welcoming and cheerful.

Being present when this was first played at 12-West in 1976 was a gift. When I post the "Christmas Medley next week, you'll know why. For now, use your imagination to visualize the campy images and costumes  that evolved from the lyrics of this great piece of 1970s tantalizing tinsel music.  

It's not just me. It must be good stuff, because it's been revitalized, re-edited, and re-recorded for today. Is that cool, or what. Enjoy.

Merry Ho-ho to everyone.

And so it goes.

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"Show Your Joe" Oh, Tinkerbell!

If you remember how the K-Mart "Ship Your Pants" ad got the wingers' panties in a wad, just wait til you see what happens to them this time around.  Jingle Bells!  Jingle Balls! And, a bit of Twerk-it, baby!  I'm going to get me some Joe Boxer!

Ho-Ho-Ho.  And enjoy the season.



Made my day.

More later.
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Wish I Felt Like Dancin'

Not to interfere with Anne Marie's Saturday Night Dance Party - I am posting this as my Sunday "Tea Dance" special. 

Here's a song from one of my favorite artists, Jimmy Somerville and Bronski Beat. It's from a live broadcast of  Britain's TOTP (Top of the Pops) TV show in 1984. They had just burst upon the music scene.  Jimmy would move on to form The Communards a few years later (I'll post a few clips from  those recordings at a later date.) 

Jimmy became an outspoken, unapologetic icon, especially on his later solo albums. I saw him perform at NYC Pride on the pier back in the 90s.  For you film and/or Virginia Woolf fans Jimmy performs in full Elizabethan dress in a cameo scene in the film "Orlando" on the Queen's barge as it floats up river in the early part of the film.

Here is Jimmy performing "Smalltown Boy" which was a huge hit in Europe and the US. It became a sort of Gay anthem that year as AIDS raged on both sides of the pond. 

I'm posting this because Jimmy is still singing his sweet little Falsetto head off in this song on tour this summer all over Europe. Which brings me to the next short video. In Berlin this year, a street musician on guitar leaning against a building is singing - - - Smalltown Boy.  When Jimmy (of all people) out walking his dog, stops to listen and sing along.  He even gives the musician a surprise hug when the guy asks "are you him?"  It's cute and powerful at the same time. I mean the song is 30 years old!  Think about that.  



Jimmy Somerville has covered songs by Donna Summer, Thelma Houston, Sylvester, The Bee Gees, and Gloria Gaynor to name a few biggies. His is a voice like no other. 

A little not-so-ancient history for your November Sunday.   You're Welcome.

More later.
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Music Makes People Come Together

Now you know I am bored to tears.  I wish I could be out and about and among the living, but for now that's not an option. 

I have not done many of these before (although I enjoy reading the answers given by others) because I am usually too busy with work but, I have all this free time on my hands, so brace yourselves.

MUSIC MAKES THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER 

1. How often and where do you listen to music?When I'm in the car, at the restaurant (we have Sirius there) but the contemporary stations play the same crap over and over, so depending on the customers, we'll put on House, Oldies, or Latino. It is a Mexican restaurant, after all.  At home there is always something playing in the background as I cook, clean, or just for company.

2. When was the last time you bought music in CD format?About 2 years ago. I bought a PUPPINI SISTERS Disc. 

3. Do you buy complete albums or just a song at a time? Is this different now because of iTunes? I haven't bought music in a long time. I have an iTunes acct., but haven't used it yet.

4. From who do you purchase your digital music?
See above. I am switching to Mac, and may begin collecting again. I have transferred a few fave CDs to the now dead PC and uploaded them to the iPod, KIndle and phone, but that's it for now

5. Do you listen to satellite or internet radio? How about Podcasts?
I have a few selected channels on Pandora and listen when I am in the mood. There is only one Podcast I listen to on a weekly basis. 

6. What are your favorite kinds of music?
Theatre music, pop, Big Bands of the 30s & 40s, jazz, classical; pretty much anything except rap and hip-hop. 

7. Today's music_____!
There are few new artists I can listen to, mostly because the storytelling (if any) and lyrics turn me off. (i.e. Katy Perry - "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?")  I mean, WTF?

8. What music is you guilty pleasure?
No guilt, only pleasure. Depending on mood, either Mahler (sends my spirit

soaring) or The Pet Shop Boys (when in a happy dancing mood), if that makes sense. 

9. Have you heard a song recently that reminds you of someone?
No, fortunately I don't know anyone who feels like a plastic bag. Or any other  bag, for that matter.

BONUS   

Do you play music to set the mood? 
No, my mood sets the tone for the music to enhance it. 

Once it's set, what do you play to keep the action moving?
I've never played music while indulging in bedroom calisthenics. It just gets in the way and can be very distracting. 

Well, there you have it. BTW, there is a storm raging outside right now and I am playing John Pizzarelli to lighten the dreary atmosphere of the day. Works for me.

Thanks Sean, I think.  Just a Jeep Guy!

And so it goes.

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"This Is a Woman's World" - New Release from Cher...and

adapted to The Golden Girls.  No joke.



The song is OK, (maybe it will grow on me) but the mixed  video clips are wonderful.

And so it goes.
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"Racer" by Giorgio Morodor

The latest from the legend himself, having made Disco and Donna Summer stars beyond all imagining, scoring  the restored classic silent film, Metropolis . Racer proves his staying power as an artist and composer - always on the edge.  Love it. Hope you do, too.



 Um, I think I need to dance.  No, really.

And so it goes.
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Something Annie Lennox, Light & Campy

Well, I deserve it. Ballet Trocadero & Annie Lennox.

The bizarre weather, the visitors, the unreal almost hourly temperature changes, the longer hours have me walking home bow-legged (now stop that!) and starving.  When the crowds arrive immediately after opening, and they just keep coming, there is no way to wolf down even a small amount of food.

So, since Wednesday I've been knocking back a good breakfast and hoping for the best. A banana just before the doors open helps, trust me. Today was a good one all round, but I came home with a headache and super hungry. Stuffed my face, then had a cocktail and watched this video. Had to share.   Enjoy.

If you don't know Ballet Trocadero just Google them.

And so it goes.
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Tavares 1976: Welcome to My World.

"Don't Take Away the Music" was just one of their big hits that year. And it couldn't sum up the era any better.  It was all about music and dancing. And we danced ourselves crazy, the music was that good. I loved it.

 This one was an earworm that I had to post, but others may be on the way in the future.  Stay tuned.

And so it goes.
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To Kick-start My Energy Level...

Still not back to 100%, but a friend sent this link and it got my heart pumping and my feet moving.  What could be better.

Tiesto - Silence - Delirium featuring Sarah McLachlan

Tiesto is probably the best DJ out there today.Very high energy, and all that. I am happy that my heart is still pumping and my feet can still move to the beat.

And so it goes.

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Pet Shop Boys in Argentina 2013

I truly believe we here in the US  have been malnourished, deprived of the music of these guys.  After West End Girls exploded here  30 years ago, their work was systematically and totally ignored. It's no secret that I love their music, lyrics and collaborations. What is so amazing is that when on tour, if they perform some of their older hits (yes, they were hits outside the US, thanks to homophobia and a disastrous shift in radio presentation) the audience is dying to sing along.  Who wouldn't?

As you will hear, these folks are ready and eager to join in on this one.  They create their own kind of special energy. They are all in this experience together and I doubt it will ever be forgotten.  Enjoy.

Their new album "Electric" will be released around my birthday this summer, and I can't wait.

And so it goes.
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Safety Dance: We Can Dance

Just what I needed today.  Great fun tribute to dance in Hollywood films.



More later.
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