People Who Need People

Saturday the 12th of December was a rather special one.  I was able to go to Los Angeles to meet with my good friend Dan...remember, the social worker I talked about a few entries ago?  It was so nice to reacquaint ourselves after an almost decade long silence.  So many things in our lives, all wonderful and positive.  It was fun actually introducing Dan to the latest music and some new movies; after all, the art of film started this friendship.  Our original plans were to go to Universal studios and the movies.  Well, theme parks and films will always be there, but the chance to volunteer for a wonderful organization  is a once a year event.  And that is just exactly what transpired.  Dan works for the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team and they were sponsoring QUEST 2009, a beauty pageant.  He and his co-workers were to work this event and lo and behold, they needed some volunteers.    Did I mind?  No.  It was a chance to help, to volunteer, to do community service.  OK, so it was not in my hometown, but it was a chance to do something good.  My job was simple- direct people to the "Will Call" ticket table or tell them to go to the box office.  Many thought I was security- and I am as secure as a teddy bear!  Anyway, I was able to see people from all walks of life- government officials, members of the press, tv producer, etc.  It was an amazing cavalcade of humanity.  Mame Dennis would approve most certainly.
My "boss" for the evening was a very effervescent woman named Tara, one of Dan's supervisors.  You know, when you meet people you either like them or dislike them.  Tara most definitely made her imprint; her own words "I have a fan?"  She is an incredible person, hard working and nice.  I even told her that I would come down next year to help out.  I met several other supervisors, but the night being a busy one there was no chance to meet and chat.
Several speakers and the contestants themselves talked about the transgender community.  I have a greater respect for this community and have realized that they are also God's children.  Many of them are HIV+.  In fact, it is the transgender community that has the highest percentage of people with the HIV virus.  And victims of discrimination and domestic violence.  They are survivors.  And they are willing to work hard to overcome the intolerance faced by many due to gender, lifestyle choice, race, ethnicity, religion.  We do live in a somewhat ignorant society.  We don't take the time to learn about people.  We're complacent with the ones we know and don't dare take a risk to broaden our horizons in the area where human beings are concerned.
What I see in APAIT is compassion towards everyone.  It is a noble mission.  One that I applaud.  It seeks to educate about this horrid disease.  This pageant was an entertaining way to reach those who are ignorant about so many things.  APAIT embraces not only the Asian/Pacific Islander community, but all- Hispanic, African American- in short, people!
To all of the APAIT workers- God bless you on your amazing journey!
To Tara, keep sharing your infectious laugh and beautiful smile...and be nice to my friend.
To Dan, don't work too hard.  Thank you for inviting me to help out at this event.  Thanks for the friendship I truly appreciate!

"To love another person is to see the face of God."
-from the musical Les Miserables

One Day More

What can be said about the Anglo-French epic musical Les Misérables that has not already been said?  The same route that JCS took- concept album, concert version and eventual stage production.  Even Alfred Hitchcock remarked that it would make a grand musical.  More of a pop opera, with ballads, some rock riffs, and grand opera chorals.  Truly an evening of grand theatre.  Yours truly saw it in spring of 88 while it still was playing at the Broadway Theatre.  It had not been "watered" down and ran three plus hours.  From the opening bars that screamed "epic" I was entranced.  The actor playing Jean Valjean was country singer Gary Morris.  This show was one of the first where lots of actors from the pop/country/other genre wanted to become Broadway stars.   It is the closest to opera a musical theatre fan would get to see.  The villains of the show, the Thenardiers, were deliciously evil and their songs which required some comedy sure did relieve the goings on.  Not a dry eye during Eponine's death and the finale had the audience revved up to a frenzy.  After the show, lots of us waited at the stage door hoping to meet the actors.  Jennifer Butt, aka Mdme. Thenardier, was gracious and funny.  Her real hair was as red as the wig she wore onstage.  Gary Morris was ever the elegant gentleman; tired but willing to sign autographs and take pictures with his adoring fans.  

Les Misérables is truly a human story.  Great songs have come from its score and lots of us can identify with the story, the characters, the songs.  I am proud to say that this is the musical that I introduced to many a third grader.  As I look back, it was amazing to hear the boys singing "Valjean" and the girls singing "Fantine" in the selection Fantine's Death.  And how would I know that a simple graduation gift would prompt two students to pursue theatre!  To Jake and Jeff, continued success in your marvelous careers.  

Pamela Zed

Leave it to a friend in Spain for me to learn about a San Francisco based performer-artiste.  Pamela Z.  I know little about her but checked her out on You Tube and was mesmerized.  I must say that learning to appreciate new music and musical styles will enhance my listening pleasure.  I definitely will check out her music and performances.  Something different and very refreshing.  And thanks IH for introducing me to this artiste.

¿Quien es Obie Juan?

¿Quien es Obie Juan?

¿Quizas un gran mago?

¿O un gran sabio?

Se aparece como un halcón

Se desaparece como lluvia de verano

Pero su aparición

Quedará un sútil misterio

Que os guie La Fuerza

Obie Juan

Que os guie La Fuerza

Carlos Gardel

Leave it to a friend to introduce me to a film starring a world famous Argentine tango singer, Carlos Gardel.  The film?  Tango Bar- Un Film de John Reinhardt.  Made in 1935 and distributed by Paramount, this silly but fun film is about a gambler, Gardel, and his run-in with a woman who is a professional thief.  (Her dog helps her steal a jewel encrusted bracelet.)  Rosita Moreno portrays the thief.  Who?  Anyway, I am assuming the film was made in Buenos Aires, which did have a blossoming film industry in the 1930s; pretty sure Buenos Aires was the Hollywood of South America at this time.  Lots of stock footage of docks with ocean liners.  And those grand vistas of Barcelona in the 30s with its wide avenues.  It is not a musical, per se, but  Mr. Gardel sings several tango-inspired songs.  To my surprise...I actually enjoyed this film.  Granted, the transfer quality was not 100%, but the story was understandable and the soundtrack clear.  Now I must "discover" this Latin American singer and hear his music.  On a personal note, my father's favorite singer was Carlos Gardel, and surprisingly, I can hear why. I am not an expert on the tango, but it is a music that is definitely the soul and spirit of Argentina and its capital city, Buenos Aires.  My only connection to the tango was watching a musical revue, Tango Argentino when it played at the Golden Gate Theatre back in the 80s.   Boy, am I digressing.  The film does show the sumptuousness of the 30s in the fact of how people dressed up to travel.  30s fashion was so chic!  The title of the film refers to an establishment the Gardel character opens in Barcelona.  Lo and behold, Miss Moreno's characters does not like leading a life of crime and becomes a good girl and works in the Tango Bar as an actress/singer.  There is a surprise discovery and happy ending.  The film runs an hour and would be considered a "B movie."  I've garnered a reputation, as of late, of being a "connoisseur" of this genre of film.   A reputation that is fun! Let's face it, they are films that were made, released and have a cult following of sorts.  It is a film to see; no subtitles so watch it was a Spanish speaking amigo.  I thank my friend for getting this film, but more importantly, for allowing this film to introduce me to a type of music I would otherwise neglect.  Gracias!  Grazie!  Danke!

"Por una cabeza de un noble potrillo

 que justo en la raya afloja al llegar

 y que al regresar parece decir

 no olvides, hermano

 Vos sabes, no hay que jugar..."

(from the song "Por Una Cabez" from the film Tango Bar; music and lyrics by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo La Pera)

Dinner With A Friend

The last day of April brought a pleasant surprise,

Dinner with a friend-

Shakes, burgers and fries

The place is a landmark

A dive, perhaps, to others

But when you're with a friend

It's a five star joint.

A drive-in

In its heyday

Crowded on weekends

Now it competes with golden arches,

Royalty, little girls and toys in boxes-

But still the locals flock and order

The crowds may not be many

But the food is just as good

                                                              Cause it's not the food, nor the drink-

                                                              But the dinner with a friend

The food becomes a background

To pleasant conversation

From politics to who's pitching on the mound;

To use a napkin would be an abomination

An interruption to a mouth watering sensation.

Laughter abounds

In mid discussion

A laughter that relieves tension

Both inner and outward

A friend who listens intently

And does not care if you're right or wrong

Time goes by so fast

When in company of a friend

Time to get nostalgic

Oh- will this ever end?

Can't go back to the past, it's true

Friends come and go

A terrible adieu

And new friends come

You hope they stay

But all the time in the world

Cannot conquer the one I cherish

And that's the time I spend on

Dinner with a friend

OK- enough of the sentimentality.  But, I had a great dinner with a friend and I just got nostalgic thinking of old times.  I miss my friends, the living ones who have moved to other locales and the ones resting in peace.  But it is the blossoming of a new friendship that adds that certain je ne sais quois- the extra spice, flavor, texture to what could otherwise be a lonely dinner.  I thank my friend and look forward to many, many more dinners.  And what about dinner and a "B-movie!"

May I take your order please?

All My Exes live in Texas

This is just a shout out to a dear friend, an English teacher- mind you!  She periodically checks the blog to see if it is grammatcially correct; proper use of style and voice, and if the gerunds make sense in the appositve!  Hey!

Have a great day and thanks for reading.  See you at work Mrs.....