Monday, May 22, 2006



I’m totally swamped right now, so I don’t have time to write down all the stuff floating around in my brain at the moment. I think I need one of Dumbledore’s pensieve’s … that would help A LOT...

One quick little thing I’ve gotta’ share is that I finally saw The Producer’s this weekend. It is so incredibly hilarious! I’m adding it to my favorite movies list. The actors are fabulous, the dialogue is quick, witty and completely irreverent, and the song and dance numbers are out of this world! I can’t believe it didn’t do better at the box office. I have to get the soundtrack! Can you imagine seeing this show live?

I especially love the scene in this movie where Nathan Lane (Max) and Matthew Broderick (Leo) convince Roger to direct “Springtime for Hitler”… And did you notice that Sabu, the houseboy that brings in the champagne at the end of the scene, is Jai from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? What a little cutie! And evil George from Desperate Housewives plays Roger's "Assistant"... Too funny!

Anyone that feels like re-living the scene with me, keep reading below. If you haven’t seen the movie, it probably won’t make sense, so I recommend stopping here. But either way, I hope you have a great week. And remember: “Keep it happy, keep it snappy, keep it gay!”

- A.

KEEP IT GAY
Lyrics
(I borrowed this text from another site, so I take no credit for transcribing the scene below. Ditto for typo’s or inaccuracies) : )

MAX:
Listen, Roger: did you get a chance yet to read Springtime for Hitler?
ROGER:
Read it? I devoured it! I for one, for instance, never realized that the Third Reich meant Germany.
MAX:
Yeah, how 'bout that? Then you'll do it?
ROGER:
Do it? Of course not.
The theatre's so obsessed
With dramas so depressed
It's hard to sell a ticket on Broadway
Shows should be more pretty
Shows should be more witty
Shows should be more...
What's the word?
LEO:
Gay?
ROGER:
Exactly!
No matter what you do on the stage
Keep it light, keep it bright, keep it gay!
Whether it's murder, mayhem or rage
Don't complain, it's a pain
Keep it gay!
CARMEN:
People want laughter when they see a show
The last thing they're after's a litany of woe
ROGER & CARMEN:
A happy ending will pep up your play...
ROGER:
Oedipus won't bomb...
CARMEN:
If he winds up with Mom!
Keep it gay!
ROGER:
Keep it gay...
ROGER & CARMEN:
Keep it gay!
MAX:
Couldn't agree with you more. And you have our blessings, Roger,
to make Springtime for Hitler just as gay as anyone could possibly want.
So, c'mon, do it for us, please.
ROGER:
No, sorry, Max, but it's simply not my cup of tea.
Still, fair is fair, perhaps I should ask my production team what they think.
This is my set designer, Bryan.
BRYAN:
Keep it glad, keep it mad, keep it gay!
ROGER:
And here's my costume designer, Kevin.
KEVIN:
Hello...
Keep it happy, keep it snappy, keep it gay!
BRYAN & KEVIN:
We're clever, creative
It's our job to see
That ev'rything's perfect for Mr. De Bris!
ROGER:
Next, Scott, my choreographer...
SCOTT:
Hi there...
ROGER:
And, ah, finally, last and least, my lighting designer, Shirley Markowitz.
SHIRLEY:
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
LEO:
I don't think we're getting to them, Max. What do we do now?
MAX:
Watch this. Roger, listen. I think that Springtime for Hitler
would be a marvelous opportunity for you. I mean, up to now,
you've always been associated with frivolous musicals.
ROGER:
You're right. I've often felt as though I've been throwing my life away
on silly little entertainments. Dopey showgirls in gooey gowns.
Two-three-kick-turn! Turn-turn-kick-turn!
CARMEN:
Oh, Roger.
ROGER:
It's enough to make you heave. Nonetheless, sorry, Max.
I just couldn't do Springtime for Hitler
MAX:
Why not? Think of the prestige.
ROGER:
No.
MAX:
Think of the respect.
ROGER:
No, no, no.
MAX:
Think of ... the Tony!
CARMEN & THE TEAM:
Tony...Tony...Tony...Tony...Tony!
ROGER:
Ngaaaaaahhhhh!
MAX:
What's the matter?
LEO:
Is he all right?
CARMEN:
He's having a stroke...
MAX & LEO:
What?
CARMEN:
...of genius!
ROGER:
I see it! I see it! At last. The chance to do something important!
CARMEN:
Roger de Bris presents History!
ROGER:
Of course that whole second act has to be rewritten. They're losing the war? Excuse me. It's too downbeat.
CARMEN:
Roger de Bris presents History!
ROGER:
But maybe...it's a wile idea, but it just might work...
I see a line of beautiful girls
Dressed as storm troopers, each one a gem
With leather boots and whips on their hips
It's risque, dare I say, S & M!
CARMEN & THE TEAM:
Love it!
ROGER:
I see German soldiers dancing through France
Played by chorus boys in very tight pants
And wait, there's more - they win the war!
And the dances they do will be daring and new
Turn-turn-kick-turn, turn-turn-kick-turn
One-two-three-kick-turn!
Keep it sassy, keep it classy, keep it...
MAX:
That is brilliant. Brilliant! Roger, I speak for Mr. Bloom and myself
when I say that you are the only man in the world who can do justice
to Springtime for Hitler. Will you do it, please?
LEO:
Please.
ROGER:
Wait a minute. This is a very big decision. It might affect the course of my entire life.
I shall have to think about it...I'll do it. I'll do it!
Sabu, champagne!
ROGER, CARMEN & THE TEAM:
If at the end you want them to cheer
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
Whether it's Hamlet, Othello or Lear
Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay
CARMEN:
Comedy's joyous, a constant delight
Dramas annoy us...
ROGER & CARMEN:
...and ruin our night.
ROGER, CARMEN & THE TEAM:
So keep your Strindbergs and Ibsens at bay...
ROGER:
I'll sign...
KEVIN:
Sign...
BRYAN:
Sign...
SCOTT:
Sign...
CARMEN:
Sign...
SHIRLEY:
Sign...
MAX & LEO:
Sign...
ROGER:
Roger Elizabeth De Bris!
ALL:
Keep it gay!!

Friday, May 19, 2006

FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS FRIDAY

1. Email
2. Puppy Kisses
3. Excel Spreadsheets (It's scary, but true--I love spreadsheets! If I could fit my entire life into a spreadsheet, I probably would...)
4. Multi-colored Sharpies (turquoise and silver are my favorites)
5. Suburb Sounds (bird calls, wind chimes, trees rustling, insects buzzing, little kids playing outside, retirees doing yard work, the mail truck putting through the neighborhood, squirrels scampering across the deck, dogs barking in the distance...)

When we were chatting about great children’s books, Prisonerofhope and Grandma Baba both mentioned Shel Silverstein so I had to pull out one of his books and share this poem with you… He’s got some really fun, silly stuff too and of course “The Giving Tree” is a beautiful, touching story…

I like this one because it reminds me of the optimism, creativity and intuition that comes so easily to children and that eludes so many adults…

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

by SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Happy Friday, everyone! May your journey take you beyond where the sidewalk ends…

- A.

May 17, 2006



“Books are like imprisoned souls
‘till someone takes them down
from a shelf and frees them.”

- Samuel Butler, British Author

I’ve taken on the job of coordinating the summer reading program at the place where I tutor, and I’m struggling with the usual red tape and politics. I think it’s the universe’s way of testing me… (Because it IS all about me, isn’t it?) : )

I’m getting pressure to sign up kids immediately, but the “approved” materials aren’t in, no one will give me the dates I’m supposed to work with, I can’t get a list of students that will be there this summer, there’s no budget for sign up incentives, my homemade ones need to be approved first…You know the drill. It’s one of those go ask Mom deals and Mom says go ask Dad… But I will NOT be defeated so easily. I am going to get these kids excited about summer reading if it kills me! (And it just may…)

I’m also compiling a list of my favorite books that aren’t on the “approved” list, because I know in my heart that I can make readers out of some of the non-readers if I can just find that one book that speaks to them...

I’ve always liked to read, but when I was younger I wanted to stick to one genre, mostly fantasy books like “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” But one day I stumbled upon a book about Helen Keller. I couldn’t put it down. Then I wanted to know more about her teacher, Annie Sullivan. That was before the days of the internet, so I tracked down a biography about her in the library and a whole new world opened up for me. Soon I was devouring biographies and historical fiction, along with the fantasy and science fiction books I love so much. Now, I read pretty much anything and everything. Cook books, humor novels, short stories, essays, poetry, cereal boxes… It doesn’t matter. If someone took the time to write it, I’ll take the time to read it….

I’d love to hear what books made an impact on you as a child or on your children. If you can tell me the genre and age group, too, I could add it to my growing list that’s pending “approval”…. : )

Happy summer reading!

- A.

P.S. The students I work with range in age from 1st grade to 12th grade, so the sky's the limit!

Sunday, May 14, 2006

MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day always makes me a little weepy. I was talking to my sister about this on the phone yesterday and she was surprised. I was surprised that she was surprised. “I know you’ve always wanted kids, but I never knew it made you so sad that you didn’t have any.” Apparently I’ve gotten so good at my putting on my “Happy Face” that even the person closest to me doesn’t see through it. In her defense, though, I do have a habit of “hiding away” when I’m feeling down.

My public face is always smiling, polite, and attentive. If I’m not smiling or chatting away, people ask what’s wrong, and I have no intention of actually answering a question like that. Why should I? Even if I could properly articulate what’s bothering me at any given time, most people don’t really want to know. They want you to say you’re fine so they can go on with their day. And for the few who really do want to know, there’s usually nothing they can do to help anyway, so why bring them down, too? So typically, if I’m feeling down, I lay low for a few days until it passes.

Not that I have much to complain about. Most of the time I AM happy and the smiling is genuine. I have a great life and I’m surrounded by people (and puppies) that love me. No pity parties here! I promised, remember?

But around Mother’s Day, I’ve always laid low. As I was making my cards to send out for Mother’s Day, adding various poems I had found, I became a little weepy. It doesn’t help that when you’re my age and married, people just assume you are a mother and wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. Or that my own mother, who means well, sends me a card every year. (What’s up with that?!! I guess she doesn’t want me to feel left out, but that’s not something she can change with a card.)

So this year, I decided to just sit with my feelings and see where they led. And you know what? It didn’t kill me to admit to myself that yes, it makes me terribly sad that I don’t have any children. And yes, I am extremely angry with my husband for deciding AFTER I married him that he doesn’t want children after all.

What do I do about all this? I don’t know yet. Maybe teaching will be enough. Maybe I was meant to mother a classroom of kids, not just a few at home. Maybe I’ll get the courage to strike out on my own and be a foster parent or adopt. (Two things I’ve always wanted to do.) There’s still time. But acknowledging the feelings sure beats the heck out of putting on the “Happy Face” all the time.

And as I explained to my sister, it’s okay to be a little sad sometimes. Please don’t worry about me or feel sorry for me. A little weepiness doesn’t mean that I’m not happy to hear about her friend that’s expecting or that I don’t wish all the wonderful moms out there a fabulous mother’s day, because I really, sincerely do.

I wish all the moms, step-mom’s, grandma’s, aunties, and other mother figures out there a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And for those out there who feel a little sad like I do, my thoughts are with you, too.

So here's something to make us all smile:

Q & A WITH SOME SCHOOL KIDS ABOUT THEIR MOTHERS

What kind of little girl was your Mom?

1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other
stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would
be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does
he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs
and YES to chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom
eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's
such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff
under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do
than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work
at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real
power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without
medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think
some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean.
I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my
sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes
on her back.

- A.

Friday, May 12, 2006

FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS FRIDAY

1. Fridays
2. Longnecks
3. My last day of subbing for the school year
4. Not being in high school anymore
5. All the hard work that Lucy put into the Blogstream University Class of 2006 video at: Tryinotocomeundone

A friend emailed me the pictures below and I had to share. They brought a huge smile to my face. Hope they do the same for you…

PRESIDENTIAL DRAG QUEENS:










Have a great weekend!

- Annie