Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Do you remember?

I've been a little bit in love with this video of Gavin Creel singing Pasek and Paul's "Do You Remember?" for a while now.



It's a really sweet song (one of several written for an abandoned Peter Pan musical project) and Gavin Creel does it beautifully. (I've also never seen his hair look better.) The video is from a showcase of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's music at the Zipper a few months ago. It seems as fitting a note as any on which to wrap up 2008. Happy new year!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Slip a sable under the tree, for she…

Eartha Kitt has died. She was 81, and pretty much the ultimate "sex kitten", always. She was...si bon.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Still merry, still (more or less) bright…

Yep, that's me circa 1969, posing for a photo on Santa's knee. It would be first of seven photos taken with the old fella (and one of the first laps belonging to strange men in which I'd find myself sitting over the years, a practice that happily continues). You can see the whole gallery of my visits with Santa on Flickr.

As you read this, I'm celebrating Christmas in the Land That Dial-up Forgot with my mother, a warm hearth, a lovely tree and enough food to feed a platoon, should you know any Marines you'd like to send my way. From my ancestral home to you and yours, a very Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Holiday greetings from The Wet Spots

So long, Lwaxana

Majel Barrett Roddenberry has died. She was 76.

What a dame! She was so protective of Gene Roddenberry's vision for Star Trek and for the future, and she was a witty actress into the bargain. Once several years ago, when she was visiting St. Louis for a fan convention, I was in the autograph line waiting to meet her. As I approached the table where she was signing and graciously chatting with star-struck fan after fan, I overheard her say to an assistant that she'd like to have sushi for dinner and to find out a place they could go.

When it was my turn at the table, she inscribed my photo and we traded a few pleasantries. As I was leaving, almost as an afterthought, I recommended the name of a good local restaurant that I knew to have fine sushi. Her face lit up and she called the assistant back over. "Take this down," she said, and encouraged me to repeat the recommendation. "No, wait," she said. "Get this man's telephone number. You're coming to dinner with us!"

And so I did. I dined with Nurse Chapel, Number One, Lwaxana Troi (sans Mr. Homm). For almost three glorious hours, she held forth with stories and laughter, sake and sushi, and we closed down the Kirkwood eatery I'd recommended. When we parted company, I got a warm hug and a peck on the cheek which, combined with the evening's company, I'll treasure more and longer than any autographed photo.

So long, Mrs. Barrett-Roddenberry, and say hello to your beloved Great Bird of the Galaxy.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

Get Dropbox!

I have little Mac utility chubby for Dropbox, and based on a few weeks of use, I highly recommend it. It's the easiest way I've found to keep files synchronized among a number of remote computers, and it's saved my bacon—along with my files—several times. Installation and use couldn't be simpler, and it's available for Mac, Windows and Linux. It's free for up to 2GB of files (more than enough for me so far) and $9.99 a month for up to 50GB. Awesome!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Run, Obama, run!

Ladies and gentlemen, your Headline of the Day:

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Proposition 8: The Musical

It's Proposition 8: The Musical! Warning: Contains Jack Black.

While it's not Mr. Shaiman's best foot forward, there's certainly a chuckle or two to be had in this star-crammed satire. It's only a shame this wasn't made a couple of months ago; there's nothing like musical comedy to rally the troops!

She’s on her way

Folk music legend Odetta has died. She was 77.

I had the opportunity to meet her a few years ago when she was in town doing a concert at the Sheldon, which I reviewed for the Post-Dispatch. She was so gracious and, although she was not in the best voice that evening, gave a performance that held the audience rapt. Many encores were demanded and many given. It hurts my heart a little bit to know that there are young people who don't know her name or her legacy; I'll try to do my part to share the music on down.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Gladys on Ellen

Oh man! I am gonna start using the line Gladys gets off at 4:00 on a regular basis.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

“We’re just trying connect in a sea of voices…”

In such times as these, I believe, it is important to laugh—at ourselves, with others. And vice-versa.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

So far, so good

"Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40 after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass 40, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely." — Christian Dior



It's true. Today is my 40th birthday. How do I feel? As always, better than yesterday and not as good as tomorrow.

I know I repeat it every year, but that's simply because it's true: my life gets better and richer and more fulfilling day by day. I'm greatly blessed, with so many dear friends, relatively good health, a career that I love, a marvelous home in a beautiful city...it's an embarrassment of good fortune.

I'm so grateful for the many gifts in my life and, as I prepare to begin my fifth decade, so very excited to find out what's coming next!

There are literally months of celebrating planned to mark this august occasion. We had a kick-ass happy hour or five in St. Louis last night, and I'm taking the party on the road. Find out when I'm coming to your town and join the punishment of my liver.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

Thursday, November 6, 2008

You want to know what love is?

If you read only one personal story on the web today, please make it my pal Jake's about his chosen family. Then take a moment to think about the thousands upon thousands of stories yet untold it represents.

Then get up and go change the world. Thank you.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

It’s just my policy…

(Thanks to faithful reader Devon for sending this along, based on an earlier tweet.)

Monday, November 3, 2008