April | 2007 | CareyGLY's Random Musings

Month: April 2007

Blogging

Had a yummy sushi dinner with Tyson, Amos and Josh tonight before their 9:00 bedtime, LOL

Waiter: What would you like to drink?
Me: Diet Coke please
Waiter: Is Diet Pepsi OK?
Me: Is Canadian money OK?

I love that line!

So I’m being told by a lot of my friends and family that my blog is far too intensive to be able to take in everything. I’ve always been a writer. In school when the teacher assigned a 10 page report and the rest of the class groaned, I’d write 20. I guess it’s a bit narcissistic to expect everyone to read what I write. After all, I’m writing for myself right? LOL, sometimes I need to remember that. But, if I take the time to write it, and total strangers can take the time to read it, then shouldn’t my loved ones? It’s no different than sending 10 emails a day to everyone. The reason I called it Random Musings From a Storied Life, is because that’s exactly what my life is…lots of stories. Throw in a dash of politics and a pinch of humor, and that’s what this is all about. Before I started blogging, I just sent emails….maybe they never read those either! I wonder if I should only start blogging every other day. I suppose I’d just write twice as much though. At least they could have two days to read it and send me their book reports. Ha Ha

Speaking of stories, did you ever have one of those mornings? The other day I woke up at 7:00 because I had an 8:00 dentist appointment and then had to drive down to Laguna Hills. When I got out of the shower, I went to put lotion on my face, only to find that I had put hair gel on my face! So, back in the shower I went. When I got to the dentist I found out that I had a cracked crown, and I had cut my tongue on it while I slept. He put on something temporary and told me to come back the next day to get the permanent crown. He also took a mold of my teeth and gave me a mouth guard to wear so my tongue could heal. The stupid mouth guard cost $50, and I was later told that I could get one at the local drug store for $5! Grrrr.

I quickly went back home and washed the mouth guard with some water and toothpaste. Then I wrapped it in some paper towel to dry. I gathered my things for work and quickly emptied the garbage in the bathroom into my big garbage bag from the kitchen and took it down to the garage to throw in the dumpster. So then I’m driving to work and I had gone about 2 miles and realized my tongue was hurting and that I had forgotten the mouth guard. So I turned around and headed back home to get it, only to find when I got in the house, that it was gone.

I suppose you’ve already guessed the rest of the story. The $50 mouth guard was wrapped in a paper towel which I unwittingly through in the garbage bag which got thrown into the dumpster. And damned if I was going to throw away $50, even IF I had to dumpster dive! So dumpster dive I did. Well, not really, but I still had to pull my garbage bag out and dig around in it. After that, I took my THIRD shower of the morning and proceeded to drive 60 miles south in terrible LA traffic only to be late for my meeting. One of those mornings!
Brokeback, Bassam & Biology

Brokeback Mutton
By William Saletan
Slate.com
Posted Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, at 7:08 PM ET
“I wish I knew how to quit ewe”
Just up the road from Brokeback Mountain, closeted away in their own private Idaho, the gay sheep were getting it on.
Well, it wasn’t exactly private. They were doing it in front of scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station near the Idaho-Montana-Wyoming border. The scientists arranged the trysts. It’s called “sexual partner preference testing.” Read More…

Bassam drove from Santa Barbara so we could have lunch today. He’s been in Portugal and Jordan for the past few weeks and it was great to catch up. After lunch he went to the Beverly Center and I went back to work. I invited him to stay at the “Hotel Careyfornia” tonight, ( as we had a rare vacancy ) but he had to be back in Santa Barbara to teach in the morning. So our visit was brief but wonderful. It’s alway nice when a GLY member comes to town. We all have so many fond memories of good times here. The rest of you (Eva, Bine, Tom, Marcelo, Vonda, etc…) need to make a trip. You all are in the U.S. now, so there’s no excuse. It’s been too long!

Bassam relaxing in West Hollywood

Today was a perfect day. 75 and sunny

A relaxing lunch at Basix
I had my usual Chinese Chicken Salad and Bassam had a burger.

Local Flavor, LOL. Love the hat and red sunglasses, not to mention the flames.
Hard Wired Attraction
Pas de Deux of Sexuality Is Written in the Genes
By NICHOLAS WADE
New York Times
Published: April 10, 2007
When it comes to the matter of desire, evolution leaves little to chance. Human sexual behavior is not a free-form performance, biologists are finding, but is guided at every turn by genetic programs.
Desire between the sexes is not a matter of choice. Straight men, it seems, have neural circuits that prompt them to seek out women; gay men have those prompting them to seek other men. Women’s brains may be organized to select men who seem likely to provide for them and their children. The deal is sealed with other neural programs that induce a burst of romantic love, followed by long-term attachment.
So much fuss, so intricate a dance, all to achieve success on the simple scale that is all evolution cares about, that of raising the greatest number of children to adulthood. Desire may seem the core of human sexual behavior, but it is just the central act in a long drama whose script is written quite substantially in the genes. Read more…
I Love My Dog

Thanks to Lewis for such a sweet gift!!!

One More Reason to love dogs. WARNING: this video is not good for the sqeamish, the faint of heart, the prude, the jealous cat lover, the radical PETA member or the Against Dog Masturbation Coalition.

On the Lighter Side:
American Idol stars Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest recently toured Africa to give back to disadvantaged children. The children’s first question, “What’s friggin’ up with Sanjaya??”.
Keith Richards snorts his own dead father??
and finally, thanks to Conan O’Brien for www.hornymanatee.com

The Lives of Others – East & West
OK, I know I live in Hollywood and all, but isn’t $14 too much to pay for a movie??

I’m getting ready to head to my aunt’s house for Easter Dinner, but wanted to post a few photos from last night. Mica and I went to see “The Lives of Others” at the Arclight. I know I was quite late in seeing it and that it won the Academy Award for best foreign film (Germany), and now I know what all of my German friends were talking about. It’s hard to believe how much has changed since the Berlin Wall fell. When my brother and I were little growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, we were best friends with the kids across the street; Brandon & Tracy A’Hearn. Their mother Karin was from Hamburg, West Germany. In those days you had to address letters to Germany as either East or West. I know this because their grandmother (from the West) came to visit every year. I loved her dearly, and called her ”Omi” just like her real grandchildren did. She was an elegant woman, just like her daughter, but still full of piss and vinegar. A real German frau who had lived through two World Wars and could enchant me with stories for hours. After she left each summer, I would write to her religiously every month. I was quite the letter writer up through college. A normal hand written letter for me, even at age 9, was several pages. I guess that explains why my posts here are so long. I got this skill from my mother and her mother as well, who was a high school English, Latin and History teacher for 50 years.
I still remember how I addressed Omi’s letters:
Frau Lotte Eidenmuller
Hammer Hof 38
20535 Hamburg 26
West Germany
Isn’t it funny how I still remember that after more than 30 years? Even after I went away to college, I still wrote to Omi. After she died, and I began traveling for a living, I visited Hamburg and even looked for Hammer Hof 38! I now have two great friends who live in Hamburg. I have posted about them several times, David & Daniel (whose images are in the spinning cube to your left. The one with the snow is all of us bundled up in Munich with snow falling after just seeing Lord of the Rings, and yes, that is snow .) But that’s a whole other story for another time. Once again I have digressed, but this movie made me think of the stories that Omi told me about the differences between East and West Germany. I understood nothing of politics or governments at that age, but I did understand good vs. evil, artistic expression vs. staid formality. It’s an ageless theme really and it’s what this movie is about. An author named Henri Murger’s wrote about it in 1846 when he penned his classic story of his real friends who were Bohemians in the Latin Quarter of Paris (the West) entitled Scènes de la Vie de Bohème. Fifty years later, Puccini turned Murger’s masterpiece into the most famous opera in the world, La Bohème. And, believe it or not, 100 years later, Jonathan Larson turned Puccini’s labor of love into the musical Rent, which for those of you who don’t know is the entire theme and reason for this blog. You need only go to the top of this page, to hear a song between the two star crossed dying artists, Mimi and Roger in Rent (Mimi and Rodolpho in La Boheme). 525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure, measure a year….? Again, I digress.
The “Lives of Others” taps into this good vs. evil theme. The protagonist a handsome playwright with a famous actress girlfriend against the rigid East German STASSY, an organization even more corrupt than the KGB and the Mossad. But there’s a chink in the STASSY armor. A lonely bureaucrat who becomes entranced by an artistic life. Something offered just behind that infamous wall. Those of you reading this who were born after about 1979 probably don’t even remember the fall of the Berlin Wall. I urge you however, to educate yourselves. It was quite a turning point in world history. I was two years out of college when it happened, and even then I could not grasp its meaning. This movie helps those of us who never lived under such a regime, understand it just a little bit better, the bad with the good. It was an excellent film, but I digress…. (Maybe that should be the title of this blog!)
Now, on to the photos (which many people skim for anyway! Doesn’t anyone read anymore ?? It seems like I mostly get comments and emails about my pictures.)

And in one of those, “it could only happen to me categories”, we went to Famina after the movie for some soup. Just before they were closing at 2 AM, this van full of guys from a Japanese film crew (only in West Hollywood, LOL) pulled into the parking lot. They were apparently at some Japanese Awards show, and they were stopping in for some sustenance! We all got to talking, and I’m sure they were beguiled by Mica’s charm, but she snapped this photo which was pretty funny. You know how the Japanese like to bow! LOL

And here are the Easter pictures from today. Family in attendance: Aunty LuLu, Uncle Georgie, Darlene & Dave, Freddie & Susie with Kyle and Cody (Kevin as at the river, Kenny was in Las Vegas and Curtis was in Boulder at school), Teddy & Sam with Emily, Jennifer & Rob with Cole and Tressa, Lisa & Joel with Tommy and Andy, and me!
It’s after 3 AM, and I’ve probably made many mistakes, so forgive me. I will proofread in the morning. For now I leave you with another one of my “Omas” in Germany. This is my dear friend Sabine’s grandmother who has been quite ill and in the hospital in Bavaria. I’m sending her love and “dicken schmatz” for a speedy recovery. I love you Omi!
Pearls Before Breakfast

Pearls Before Breakfast

By Gene Weingarten

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 8, 2007

Joshua Bell is one of the world’s greatest violinists. His instrument of choice is a multimillion-dollar Stradivarius. If he played it for spare change, incognito, outside a bustling Metro stop in Washington, would anyone notice? Read on….

This is a long read, but trust me, it’s well worth your time! Thanks Joelle!!

Taking “Red” a bit too far

From: Carey
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 4:59 PM
To: Claudio
Subject: InspiRED

Oi Claudio,

OK, I have to hand it to you, that’s the funniest shirt I’ve ever seen.  Anyway, I did a little photoshopping to the picture Joelle sent me and the “Red” website, and well, here are the results. I hope Bono doesn’t sue your Brazilian ass! Beijos,

Carey

xo



Roscoe & Arielle!!

I went to Ann & Jorge’s house for dinner last night and to see little Arielle, who’s not quite 2 yet. She’s so pretty as you can see, and such a happy baby! Roscoe is their new dog that they got after we lost “Beast“. Roscoe is a Rottweiler puppy and has no idea of his own strength or size! He thinks he’s a lapdog, LOL. But he’s SO good with the baby, even though he takes a lot of abuse from her. He’s about half the size now that he will be in six months. I can hardly wait to walk him around West Hollywood! Thanks Ann & Jorge for a great dinner and a great time!

Nobody Walks in LA??

As the popular song goes, “Nobody walks in LA”. The nice thing about where I live (West Hollywood), is that I walk everywhere, In fact, if I can’t walk there I usually don’t go, as I can’t stand to drive in this city (and I can’t afford to get any more speeding tickets!). So here are some shots I snapped as I was walking home from my dentist’s office this glorious California afternoon. Oh, and don’t forget, Entourage and the final season of The Sopranos start Sunday; set your DVR’s!! I saw Entourage being filmed by my dentist’s office…Ari and Lloyd were there.

If you’ve never seen Ari Gold, click here and scroll down

A show about ruthless Hollywood, is huge in Ruthless Hollywood!

Macy Gray is coming to the Roxy

The world famous Sunset Strip

River Phoenix died right were I was standing here

Happy Easter

What would the strip be without the Hustler store?

Art deco Miami wannabe

The famous “Roxy“

Tattoos

Raymond/Jigg, I originally wrote a much longer reply to your tattoo post, then accidentally hit my back space key and lost everything. I learned my lesson that whenever I write more than a paragraph, I’m going to copy and paste it from my email! Having said that, I will try to compose my same thoughts. The question though, is whether this new post will be better or worse than the one I lost? There are valid reasons for each response, just like there are valid reasons to get a tattoo or not get a tattoo, or whether something you do now, will be thought of as better or worse later in life. The reason this is a fairly controversial topic, is because it is such an individual decision. There is no one I know that could talk me into, or out of getting a tattoo if I really did or did not want one. (Let’s assume there is no alcohol in this equation).  Now, I’m a very strong willed person, and I realize not everyone is. However, it is an important decision because theoretically you will have to live with that decision the rest of your life.

You make a very eloquent case (both in this post and the ones you link to), why this decision is an important one for you. What you need to decide for yourself (as I think you’re really asking here), is whether or not you can have a relationship with someone who is so diametrically opposed to your views on this subject? Keep in mind that we are all products of our environment. The way we were raised, our religious beliefs or lack thereof and our personal experiences. A girl who was mugged or sexually molested by someone who had a tattoo, might not be able to get over that correlation. Conversely, if a tattoo reminds you of a wonderful person or experience in your life, you might be more apt to have a tattoo or at least like them on others.  If you’ve had a friend who has gotten hepatitis or worse from a dirty needle, it might factor into your decision as well. You could argue that there are completely safe methods, but again, it’s all about perceptions. It’s kind of like visiting a city you’ve never been to, and how your opinion of that city is formed because of the fact that you were alone or with a friend or local. Your perspectives are different.

Now, let me play devil’s advocate for a minute. You again speak quite learnedly about why you feel tattoos are art forms and essentially life’s storyboard. You later edit yourself however, to tell us, your faithful readers, that you would always keep your tattoos hidden from the outside world. This line of reasoning is completely logical as (American) society has not yet come to terms with the appropriateness of such “art”. Therefore you (intelligently I think), have concluded that you cannot let your beliefs keep you from attaining the goals and status that you want for yourself (and your future family). Having said that, would Leonardo cover the Mona Lisa? Would Michelangelo shroud The David? Admittedly then, you must ask yourself the same question. How much are you willing to compromise? How much should you be willing to compromise for a potential mate? How much should they be willing to compromise?
I, like you, find tattoos sexy. But unlike you (I think), I do not find this at all sexy or attractive. Now, just to clarify, I think Angelina Jolie is attractive to nearly everyone; gay, straight or otherwise. I find her tattoo however, somewhat tacky with such an otherwise beautiful ensemble. (Of course maybe I’m just sickened by the fact that the tattoo was for Billy Bob Thornton, LOL).

The last and final thing I will dare to bring up, is the future. No one knows what will happen in their future. Happiness, heartbreak, pleasure, pain. One thing for certain however, is that unless you are Dorian Gray, you, like all of us, (God willing) will get old. Now, I don’t know you, but you appear to be an attractive and relatively fit young man (from the photos you’ve posted through the years). Now you are Asian, so you’ll probably look like that when you’re 70 (see, some stereotypes can be good j/k). But to me personally, tattoos are usually not that attractive when they’re all shriveled up and wrinkly. I suppose it depends on where they are, but the point I’m trying to make again, is that it’s a permanent, personal decision that may not be right for everyone.

I appreciate the comments you made on my blog. Though you say that your etiquette post was not your best work, it doesn’t matter. It was better than 90% of the drivel you read on the Internet, and it introduces you as someone with good manners, strong views and a good moral compass. You are likely more conservative than I am (though one could argue that tattoos are hardly conservative; your mother for one), but that’s what makes these debates so lively. Keep up the good work. Your blog is a breath of fresh air, and a credit to your readers. Having gone back to the beginning and just skimming a few posts, I’m sure it will be a testament to a well lived life as you continue to grow older and wiser. I hope you had a “happy” birthday. Peace. –Carey
Comments from previous entry
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“The president of Iran announced that he’s going to free the British hostages as an early Easter gift. As an extra bonus, the Iranian president said he’s going to throw in a case of marshmallow Peeps.” — Conan O’Brien
What do you get when you cross a robot with a pirate??
Aaaaaaaargh 2D2
Crazy Cousins
I was in Laguna today, so I met Dar & Dave, and Lisa & Joel, and of course my sweet little cousins Tommy and Andy. Andy kept trying to jump into the fountain and Tommy couldn’t stop playing his Gameboy. I snapped these photos with my cell phone. We ate at BJ’s Brewhouse which has the best desserts in the world.  They’re called “Pizookies” and they are out of this world!

And Joel tried the mini beer samplers….cute!

Is Iraq REALLY that bad? YES!
This roundup of YouTube clips is meant to give a small sense of what it’s like for the people who are killing and getting killed in Iraq — a view that, limited as it is, one can’t possibly get from the mainstream newsmedia. Terribly sad.
  Oh Oh!!

And Then There Were 8
American Idol – Sanjaya the One to Beat?
Sanjaya avoided the Bottom 3 again. Is he the favorite to win it all? Over the past week, even more conspiracies and controversy have arose over America’s most watched show, so see our take and the take from all our users who have commented:

American Idol: Sanjaya survives and the power of mini-skirts
Top 9 Results Show Quick Thoughts
Top 9 Performance Grades
Top 9 Power Rankings
Wily Coyote!

Urban coyote gets his space
An unusual visitor that startled customers at a Quizno’s sandwich shop in downtown Chicago, is now tasting freedom after being released in the suburbs…read more

Just heard this today, thought it was pretty good. A little like Vienna Teng.

Dogs, Cats & Kids

From: Kelsey – Stage Manager
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 11:09 AM
To: Diane
Subject: Children’s Bios

Parents of young (Lost) boys,

We would like to put bios in the Peter Pan theater program for each child. The maximum word count is 45. Here is my sample bio for all of you that have not done one before:

Kelsey (Stage Manager) is a junior. Some previous credits include Night Mother(SM), Our Town (SM), …Forum(SM), Oklahoma and Assassins. Previous Village Theater credits include A Perfect Fall (ASM), Jungle Book (ASM), Seussical, Pippin, Les Miserables (Revolve Operator) and Mainstage’s TOMMY (SM intern). She would like to thank friends and family.
Thanks, and “Break a Leg”
Chelsea
Junior Class Stage Manager
—–Original Message—–
From: Diane
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:17 AM
To: Carey
Subject: Jasen’s School Play Today

Carey, I need your help!! Today is Jasen’s BIG DEBUT as one of the “Lost Boys” in the high school production of Peter Pan and I need a bio for the program! This is what I have so far. I’m devastated that it can only be 45 words!

“Jasen (Nibs) is a 5th grader at Eisenhower. This is Jasen’s first big production! Jasen keeps busy with sports and lives with his Mom, Dad and 4 brothers. He would like to thank his Grandma & Pop Pop for being his biggest fans!”
Thanks for your help Carey
Love, Diane
—–Original Message—–
From: Carey
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:27 AM
To: Diane
Subject: RE: Jasen’s School Play Today
LOL, I love Kelsey’s bio. Broadway here she comes!

This might be a tad much for Jasen’s bio (imagine that) but I CANNOT be restricted to 45 words. That control freak “Kelsey” is just going to have to deal with it. He’s MY Godson!! If she has a problem with that have her call me directly and I will set her “straight”. (BTW, who the hell is Nibs???? Shouldn’t my favorite Godson be playing Peter???? I may just have to fly up there and teach Chelsea or Kelsey or whatever her damn name is, how we Italians do things!) At any rate, here’s my first draft
Jasen (Nibs the Lost Boy) is making his major theatrical debut in Eisenhower High School’s production of Peter Pan, and is thrilled to be reviving the pivotal role of Nibs. Jasen’s previous credits include swing roles in Teletubbies - the Musical, Harry Potter Goes to Kindergarten, and the “Rent - the Pre-Teen Years (Understudy – Bum near Benny’s Range Rover). Jasen’s well rounded activities keep him busy with sports, academics and recreational time with his family. Jasen credits his mother, who still has time to shuttle him to play practice despite raising 5 boys, his Uncle Carey for his interest in musical theater, his two sets of identical twin baby brothers for making him want to stay late after school for rehearsal (and not have to baby-sit and God (not particularly in that order). He promises to thank them all on national television when he wins his first Tony. In the meantime he hopes to bring vim and vigor into each role he is blessed enough to win. Jasen’s name originates from Jase, the Greek God of Theater. His passion for the arts extends to his musical prowess, as well as his love for pottery spinning. His film credits include Family Video #611 - Jasen’s first communion, and #101 – Jasen poops on the potty.  He would like to dedicate this performance to his Grandma and Pop Pop for being his biggest fans and always making him believe.
Too much??

Love,

- Carey -

(Speaking of) Boys; Beware!!!
Best viewed with Firefox. Press F5 if video doesn’t load.
The Hip-pest Cat in NYC? A Tale of two Oreos

This is Oreo, (which was the name of my dog, that’s why this article caught my eye) Oreo was the first cat in the New York region to ever to undergo surgical hip replacement, which was just several thousand dollars more than the traditional method; total cat replacement. Terrible I know…especially since I’ve been reading about all the wonderful veterinary work that Nate Lam does with animals. Sorry Nate, I’m definitely more of a dog person as evidenced by my Oreo who ended up on the front page of the Chicago Tribune 20 years ago (gasp) for walking 45 miles trying to get home!

RIP Or
Most shameless cat joke I know:
Me: “Oh, you’re a cat lover?”
Cat Lover “Yes, I love cats”
Me: “Oh! We should trade recipes!!”

One more tasteless joke:
A hooker asked her surgeon to make another hole in her ass. The surgeon asked, “Why”? She said, “Business is good, so I’m opening another location.”
Thanks to Eric, for finding these 2 videos. The new Maroon 5 and a different type of Beyonce song.
My last 100 visitors, yesterday and today. Thanks friends! Wake up Antarctica!
Thanks to Lewis for reminding me what a good movie this was. This actress is 15 and in the movie she’s singing to her parents who always tell her she’s too fat. She should be on American Idol!
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“In the recent Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, musher Deborah Bicknell was found on the wrong trail, 18 miles off course. Why can’t women just stop and ask for directions?” — Michael Hinkson, Cooperstown, Pa., writing to syndicated columnist Norman Chad. (The Washington Post)

This is Jennifer’s son Justin. I told you you’d be on the Internet Justin
I finally installed my beta version of Joost. They still don’t have a ton of content, but some of what they have is pretty cool. The first thing I saw was the Christina Aguilera/P Diddy video and the quality was amazing. The other channels weren’t as impressive, but it has potential. As a beta tester I have 5 invitations that I can give out. I’ll make them first come first serve, for whoever wants them. Take a look at the website and the hardware requirements before you decide. If you want an invitation, send me an email at careygly@gmail.com Again, first come, first served
Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™
Tommy & Cole in the “Big City”
Dar and Lisa brought the boys up today to see Meet the Robinsons at the El Capitan. Afterwards we went to the Kodak Theater, and had lunch. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the kids had a blast. Luckily the Hollywood sign was still standing and flame free. All the smoke had cleared away too, though it was pretty smoggy when looking towards downtown LA. Here are some photos of the kids and a few more of the fire. I’m also including a coupe of videos I took of Tommy and Andy the other night. I need to teach them a new joke

Finally, thanks to Seth for passing on this worthwhile website: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032907C.shtml
Natalee Thai

Donna was in town visiting just for a the day. She has a 6 AM flight out of LAX in the morning, so Mica and I met her for dinner. It’s amazing we figured it out, because we were coming from different directions and had no idea where we were going to meet. Mika remembered a place called Natalee Thai in Venice. My initial reaction was “Who is Natalee and why is she Thai?”. It turned out to be a great place though, and we had an uproariously funny dinner and as always, a lively conversation. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera (the readers let out a collective <gasp>), so this was the best I could do without PhotoShop. (You young kids with your fancy computers, could teach me a thing or two I’m sure!) So here we are:
Thank you to my dearest friend Marc for, as always, brightening my “best blog ever” with his biting satire and delicious repartee. This comment will surely go in the annals (or is it anals?). Scroll down to “mdrezz’s” verbose comment . This one’s for you ‘mdrezz’. It combines your love of theater with your pining for Doogie Howser
Freedom on friend!

From: marcelo
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 9:29 PM
To: Carey
Subject: Re: Happy Birthday Hemyle
I enjoyed reading your exchange with David. I also enjoyed, immensely, the Rosie video. My only exception with your well-articulated response is not new and it has been the topic of a few of our discussions in the past. I find it counterproductive to judge the merit and value of a country, such as the great USA (or a person, or music, or most things I can think of), in comparison/relation to other countries (as in the USA being “the best country in the world, bar none,” etc). This type of approach forces the prefrontal cortex to frame the idea of the United States within a competitive/rivalry-based logic–which in turn is not constructive for true international dialogue of equal fellow humans. Not to mention that it turns non-USians off from the central point (that the USA is a GREAT nation with a great history and very enlightened constitution and political structure).

Freedom on friend! beijos, m
From: Carey
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 9:37 PM
To: marcelo
Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Hemyle
You know what? You’re ABSOLUTELY right. Thank you for reminding me of that. Sometimes I feel things are so bad here though, that I have to go out of my way to convince people of how great this country really is. You have reminded me however, that this type of reasoning is counterproductive, and as always, I bow to your cultural awareness. Because it is you, I have always aspired to be like from a cultural tolerance perspective. Because it is you, that I think of when I travel the world. Because it is you who has taught me to be more accepting and forgiving. You have always had that gift, and I wish I was more like you.

Beijos my dear friend! xoxo
This one’s for you Marcelo Abracos
Our happy times together