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The Chalice
The Jim and I have returned from a powerful and meaningful experience with our TVUUC family tonight. For the first time, in a very long time, I let down my guard and my fears of being hurt and I truly reached out and held others in return. TVUUC is a place that continues to teach me how to be a loving advocate for hope in this world and to work very hard to find mutual understanding and connection. There was support there from so many in Knoxville and so many various walks of life and faith…all there…united together. For anyone who has any misconceptions about UU, let me tell you – I am a Lutheran UU. I have my masters degree in clinical counseling psychology and pastoral counseling. I believe there are many paths to the truth and I value everyone’s personal search for that meaning. NO matter what you may hear in the days to come, know this…we are a community of people who care and love and live in the hope that the world will learn to fully do the same and Greg McKendry is a hero (in more ways that just what you will know and what I am able to express right now). We are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, Agnostic, Scientific and more…and yet, we were there – together – candles lit from one another sharing the hope that in the end, LOVE is what will help us all (all of us in this world), survive whatever horror each day brings.
Work to promote that sense of love. Breathe it each day of your life.
To my TVUUC family, I love you and thank you for loving me despite myself and thank you…God above for loving me always. The Jim and I thank you for being here in this community and for being TVUUC.
Today, all of us who were connected to TVUUC sat in front of our TVs and the internet, waiting for some answers. Anything that helped make this event seem less random. We got some word but for me, it still makes this tragedy senseless. Reportedly, the gunman felt angry at his joblessness status and wanted to make an impact on the “liberal movement”. If you are a member of TVUUC or you have read more about it since this incident, yes, we are a liberal faith meaning we are OPEN to anyone and everyone regardless of race, creed, culture, sexual orientation or prior religious affiliation. TVUUC is a community of people who welcome all with open doors and do their best to not judge anyone who enters there. It was my first church community that I even considered after the death of my Mom almost 10 years ago…I was searching for a sense of belonging and spiritual connection, even with my ambiguous faith that surfaced after the loss of someone I loved. I found it at TVUUC. While, I never felt like I completely fit in…it was the most sense of belonging I had to a church in a decade. Some of the biggest choices in my adult life were made with some of the members of that church. Some choices were beautiful and hopeful, and some choices were hard and heartbreaking. All along, I had faith that even with some of those difficult choices that the congregation would hold each other up and take care of those who needed it most. When I walked away (for a while), I did so to allow time for healing. Now, I cannot even consider NOT going back to help heal with everyone. I talked to a number of my TVUUC friends last night and for the first time realized that I can change my relationships RIGHT NOW. I can continue to limp around with past wounds and not engage. I could just sit and stew, soured by someone’s expression of frustration. I am angry, but when do we start to use anger for something more than negative. Now, because something has threatened an institution I believe has only has set out to do things like promote acceptance, peace and unconditional love – I cannot and will not runaway. I only pray and hope that this tragedy creates a stronger sense of community and reforms bonds of love and acceptance in this country…that’s all I can pray for. Peace, love and hope…three things that matter most in a time of chaos and hurt. I pray that everyone will work towards this and turn their pain and anger into something more, something greater and something powerful…for something good.
We sit here. Stunned and disbelieving. The tragedy is closer to us than we had previously thought and is devastating.
We can say nothing right now because nothing makes any sense.
We just want people to do 3 things:
1) Please help if you can.
2) Keep the wonderful people and the families of the vicitms deep in our prayers and thoughts.
3) Know that TVUUC is a place of genuine peace and love and work in your lives to increase both of these things in this world. The world has lost one of those great people who promoted and lived BOTH; a man of true honor and goodness. Few of us can walk in his shoes, but by God we can sure try.
Without going into much detail, I have a special relationship past with TVUUC. I have not returned to the church since April of this year but I often think about the people who attend there and admire their courage and peacefulness. Today, the Jim and I sit stunned. Apparently another potentially random act of violence has struck what I often saw as a center of solace in East Tennessee. My heart breaks for the community. Our love, thoughts, prayers and hope go out to our once church home and family.
I am so so so sorry and saddened by this. My heart truly breaks for this…I pray that all my former family members are okay. I don’t know what else to say. Too much. Too much.
It’s been one of those work days. You know the one. When chips and sizzling steak from Senior Taco sound like a good idea, and for the first time in forever, you decide to get the margarita special. If you know me, and the Jim does blessedly, you know tequila goes straight to my brain. I only drink one because 1 is more than enough for me, even being the big girl that I am. However, the rest of this story gets very disturbing. I wonder if my husband allowed me to get a little tipsy before giving me some horrific news. Apparently, the most vile concept I’ve heard in some time is a real possibility.
I grew up on MTV. Back when MTV showed music videos (that’s what MTV stands for, in case you didn’t know, Music TeleVision). They really did! They were these neat, often kitschy mini movies used to promote new songs. They were awesome and awe inspiring for a pre-teen. In that bold new world, there was a world full of music and it looked pretty darn good. That was back in the 80s. Now, MTV is not even watched in my house. Why? THEY DON’T SHOW MUSIC VIDEOS. Basically, MTV spends its entire operating budget trying to pretend that the 30 year old corporate execs (or 40 year old, or however old they are), can still throw a teenage house party and buy the beer to get everyone a good buzz (even if they’re underage, don’t call the cops okay?). They specialize in sub-par shows catering to the “me” generation where everyone gets drunk and everyone gets what they want (sometimes after the obligatory dramatic tantrum for ratings). However, MTV is going too far.
MTV Readies “Rocky Horror” Redux
Never before has my annoyance for retro camp remakes been so ignited. Why would ANYONE redo what is quintessentially a low budget, campy as heck, over the top rock musical that is more of an EVENT than an actual movie!?!!!! It’s a midnight movie, teenage right of passage that deserves the true genius of Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick (insert names and insults here). Originally released in 1975, I went to see it in 1990. I was a sophomore in high school and some friends asked me to attend the midnight movies with them. They told me I was in for quite an experience. The theater darkened, the audience erupted into insults and the rice flew…I was in AWE. It was the most fun I’ve ever had at the movies folks! There was sickening innuendo and shadow puppets, there was dancing in the aisles and for a moment you didn’t realize how bad the movie really was…it was friggin FUN. I know those songs by heart and I encourage all teens to experience the film as fully as they can – even with the bad pantomime actors in the theater pits (ah my few Columbia performances).
There is NO ONE alive today that I want to see in a pair of fishnets and platforms more than I did when Tim Curry ripped of his cape and a good Christian girl (like me), was finally thrust into the smarmy world of sexual ambiguity. It was a wake up call for me to think outside the box then, even though I’ve played for the same team my whole life. Tim was exactly what that role demanded, and he had the eyeliner and legs to prove it. Are they going to get someone like Zac Ephron and Vanessa Hudgens to play Brad and Janet?! I mean, come on?! They already are way past high school musical years anyway.
Never before have I been so annoyed by the reality that Hollywood is completely out of ideas. I’ve actually thought about taking up a collection of money from anyone who’s against this like I am to actually pay off Lou Adler (executive producer of the original film and aparently in talks for this schlock), so he can pay off those gambling debts or whatever he needs money for since I can’t imagine why else you’d pursue this ridiculous venture. I mean, I’ve been annoyed by things like the shot-for-shot remake of Psycho which was completely pointless. Wanna see creepy? Watch the original psycho and sit with Tony Perkins as he stares into that camera at the end with that horrific smirk. Wanna see real campy, bad 70s musicals…find a midnight showing in your area…take a few friends with you, get dressed up and do some research on the shout-back dialog. That, my good people is the way Rocky Horror should be and that is all I’m gonna say about that.
Another of Anna’s Born UP North, Dye DOWN South perspectives.
Weather…when it’s good, we love it…when it’s bad, we don’t even want to deal with it. I come from a place where snow falls in the winter, and a good amount. We also get our fair share of ice and a huge dose of below freezing temperatures each year. We have summers that are also hot and humid, but I must admit…the weather down south (at least to me), is a tad bit CRAZIER than I’m used to.
I’m typing this from my office after deciding to cancel some groups tonight because of what potentially threatens to be “crazy” storm weather. Reportedly there are the possibilities, and real at that, of hail, tornadoes and everything else that goes with a cold front hitting a hot wall. Now, up in Pennsylvania, we get some rockin’ thunderstorms. I’ve always loved the smell right before and right after a really tempestuous storm, but rarely did we have to deal with anything resembling a tornado. I mean, they do happen…just not with the potential frequency that they seem to in Tennessee. I remember my first tornado warning, complete with wind so fast I was sure Dorothy and Toto would be flying past my balcony sooner than later. There was also squealing that the windows made from suction from that wind…a tornado was nearby and I was terrified. I searched for the most “central room” in our 3rd floor apartment (like that’s going to help), and had to herd cats in there as well! It was not fun.
Nashville, was worse. Literally every storm carried the promise of “wind shears” which basically could lead to the full scale twister. It’s like living on a prayer, and I thought that moving far away from Bon Jovi land would protect me from such horrors. Anyway…the sky is getting grayer and I’m thinking its time to leave the office. Be safe in your journeys home as well!
I’ve come to realize that while I have an undercurrent of cold cruelty, I’m almost 98% pollyanna. I’ve been schooled by Knoxville’s “fabulous blogger ladies” in the fine art (or calculated risk), of “swooping” on Ebay. Apparently, you watch an item and about 20 minutes or less left on the auction block – you swoop in and bid you’re little heart out. Apparently, this will almost assure you a win I’ve been told. Well, for the first time today…I tried it. I won too! A great new coach bag which will blessedly be larger than my current one. I was excited at the last assassin bid, while another apparent “swooper” came in with like 14 seconds to go and tried to win. I won…and now I feel…weird.
I’ve paid for the purchase and all, but realized that I’m not really cut out for cut-throat and that makes me feel like kind of a schmo. I understand we live in a society that lives off competition and capitalism, and a culture that’s often times a true Darwinian portrait of “survival of the fittest”. However, I’m not sure I’m not cool enough to ride with the big girls. I mean, I only had like 1 detention in high school due to being late because of a friend’s car not working. I only had 2 reprimands in elementary school for
1) swinging on the bathroom doors in the girls lavatory and
2) doing cartwheels in the same lavatory;
and both times I wasn’t the only one doing the deeds…but naturally, I was the only one to get caught. I also told a huge lie when I was like 10 years old, telling all my peers that I was super close friends with Duran Duran (god only knows how they believed that one). In the end, it lead me to lose all my friends at the time, and to have less Duran Duran swag due to giving it away to keep the lie going. So, I’m pretty cautious about swinging on the trapeze without a net.
Either way, I think there’s something mildly wrong with my inability to push my agenda and let the chips fall where they may. How am I going to survive in a world where if you don’t get ahead, you get left behind? Who knew that last-minute bidding and winning a Coach purse would send me into an existential dilemma. Urgh. I’m going to try to forget about my swooping gain and act like it never happened…and perhaps I’ll happly take my Ebay Coach bag with me to a therapy appointment. It is really nice by the way.
The Divine Miss Uli
The Jim puts up with me and my dance obsession. I have danced since age 3, have taught for over 8 years and now watch almost every dance-related reality show that makes it to broadcast. Occasionally, when I watch these shows, I also get up and dance. Our Eskie-Spits (Uli), will often dance with me…and for the most part, she really is dancing (not just nipping at my hands or bootaay). She’s got good balance on her hind legs and will do a pirouette faster than you can say “Baryshnikov”. We’re quite the goofy home theatre duo. So, imagine last week I stumbled upon this news story and video clip from Japan.
http://www.reuters.com//news/video?videoId=86361&src=vidAd1
Who knew we were so hip? Right. I know, I know…we’re dorks. See previous blog entry on Childlessness 
. This is the kind of stuff we no-kiddo-cootie-carriers get into.
I don’t often comment about local celebrity, but I wanted to commend a certain person. I have to say that each weekend when the Jim and I watch the local news, there is at least one bright spot amongst all the local flavor. If you watch the local news, specifically WATE – you’ll know that there are two warriors of weather…Matt Hinkin and Bob Becker. While Matt Hinkin get’s the job done from Monday to Friday; I look forward to the weekends and the seemingly happiest weatherman in town…Bob Becker.
If you’ve seen both of these men in action, you’ll know what I’m talking about. There is an aire about Bob that makes you feel that no matter what weather he’s forcasting, we can get through it with a smile. Tornado?! No problem Bob, it’ll be okay – let’s all clean out the panic room! Tsunami?! Here? Thanks Bob, maybe we should buy some floats at Wal-Mart and ride it out!? The Jim and I always remark that no matter what the weather, Bob Becker makes us feel better about it. Even the sweltering, high humidity summer that we’re knee deep in.
So, thanks Bob for making weather forcasting a pleasure and something to enjoy…although I doubt I will ever get to the point of watching the Weather Channel like I used to watch MTV in it’s hey day. Unless of course, Bob get’s a Wea-Jay spot.
In a few words: behold the power of ABBA.
Movie Poster from Rotten Tomatoes
I was fortunate enough to hitch a ride with two genuinely funny and sassy lasses yesterday, Mrs. A & a newbie my sphere of knowledge, Ms. H, to see the new from stage to screen musical: Mamma Mia! If for some reason, you’ve been living under a rock for a the last 10 years or so, Mamma Mia! is a musical completely built around the music of Swedish super-group ABBA. It puts to use familiar tunes that I grew up with, songs I sadly know all the lyrics to, and weaves them through a tale of a wedding, 3 potential father’s of the bride and a mother/daughter relationship. While that last description makes it sound a lot more noble, the reality of this musical is…put on your CAMPIEST SENSIBILITY and leave your delusions of grandeur at the door. It’s a silly, goofy romp that is fun if you allow it to be.
A couple of points of interest: first of all, it appears it may be the contender for the highest grossing movie musical opening ever (slightly beating out Hairspray – which I actually liked a lot better). I have to imagine that the appeal of this film rests solidly around the often fanatical devotion to the 4 members of ABBA and the music they gave us. ABBA apparently has such world-wide power and devotion, that I don’t know why they haven’t considered signing up to work on the whole world peace issue. I can’t imagine the throngs of thousands were in theatre seats to hear Meryl Streep or (god help us), Pierce Brosnan sing. I probably would have lived a happier life not ever hearing Pierce attempt to sing…it’s not horrible, but I find him a lot more appealing without song stylings or spandex (that comes later in the film).
There are a few moments that I laughed out loud, simply at the silliness factor. There is a “Greek chorus” of locals who keep showing up to provide backing vocals at every scene and it made me realize how happy I am to not live in a “musical” myself. I’m not okay with a huge proportion of on-lookers following me a round and adding commentary via tune. Additionally, the acting is WAY over the top, and there was no showing of “Fernando” (ABBA reference), at which I was sad because god knows Chiquitita had a showing. The location of the film is stunning, and makes you want to live a care-free life on the Greek isles putting up with a Greek chorus if need be just for the blue water. The singing is…interesting…I’ve already commented on some of them and funnily, my crush-factor (Colin Firth), sadly sounds like he could provide voice talent work for a Muppet. There’s even some cameos from ABBA members…but I’m not going to give it all away here.
This movie will NOT change your life, but it will provide some nice escapism and a chance to mumble ABBA tunes for the next few days or weeks. If you’re not an ABBA fan, or a fan of the movie musical genre…stay far far away. If the Jim for some reason had gone to this film, I’d have been removing pencils from his ears that he stabbed himself with. While he’s put up with a number of movie musicals I’ve enjoyed, this I think would kill him. IN the meantime, if you like musicals…if you like ABBA…then go and face this Waterloo.
** Stars out of 4.
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
