Hello friends, Yes, I am hitting you up for money yet again! May 30th is the annual WNY Aids Walk. People in the marathon will be accepting donations from sponsors to help raise money for local individuals and families with Aids. This includes medical treatment, case management, counseling, housing assistance and nutritious meals. It also helps to fund prevention education for teens and other at risk groups throughout Western New York. This year, I am helping to sponsor Dion Johnson, and through your generosity, he will hopefully be able to reach his goal. Every little bit helps!!!
Yesterday, April 25, 2009 - actress Bea Arthur died of complications from cancer at the age of 86. She was best known for her role as ultra-feminist Maude on the series by the same name, as well as her role as the sarcastic-divorce-substitute teacher Dorothy on the hit 80's sitcom, The Golden Girls. Arthur also won a Tony for her role as Vera Charles on the Broadway musical, Mame in 1966.
While growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was obsessed with the show The Golden Girls, and especially the character of Dorothy plated by Bea Arthur. She was a strong individual who was a great friend to the others, and faithful daughter to her often difficult to deal with mother. For some reason, I idolized the strength of character she portrayed as well as her dry whit, her intelligence, and related to the insecurities she sometimes hid beneath her strong stature.
I honestly do feel a sense of loss at her passing, as I did with the late Estelle Getty who played Sophia on The Golden Girls. That series and those characters have been so much a part of my life, showing me various aspects of human nature and relationships, as well as being a source of familiar comfort and laughter when I needed it most. Though I never met the gals from Miami, in my own imagination, they were my friends.
I have often joked that I have become the Dorothy of my group of friends. Tall, sarcastic, the advice giver, substitute teacher... who just can't seem to get a date! I often find myself asking "What would Dorothy do?"
"While very much saddened by this news, I find comfort in the thought that Getty is now with open arms and a "Come here, pussycat," welcoming her TV daughter into the great lanai in the sky." (taken from the gay.com editorial)
I was watching an old re-run of the Lawrence Welk Show tonight... No No... I'm that much of an old fart.. I usually can't sit through the old show, but tonight I kept it on while I worked on other stuff around the house. Every time I catch a glimpse of that show on Sundays as I flip through channels, I can't help but think of both sets of grandparents, who loved the show up to the end of their lives. I can fondly recall sitting with each of them watching a performance or two.
The show tonight happened to be an old Easter show. I used to look forward to Easter so much growing up. I think those of us growing up in the late 80s and early 90s were the last generation of kids to really experience Easter as a major holiday. Sadly, like many other things, it has fizzled out to just another day, perhaps with a dinner, and maybe a cheap basket with candy. It seems to have lost any religious zeal it once had as well as an occasion to get dressed up and celebrate the beginnings of spring.
We had quite a turn out for Palm Sunday Mass today, and since the weather held out (it was actually quite nice), we had the blessing of the palms outside and then a procession into the Church. I sat behind a young married couple who just had their baby baptized last week. The baby didn't make a sound... she (I think it was a girl) looked so sweet... it's always nice to see kids at Mass. Maybe one day I can sneak my nephew to Mass with me, though his mother will be raising him Lutheran.
This Easter is going to be a rather quiet occasion. I'll be going to Mass alone as usual, then to Dad's side for brunch. Going to Dad's side is a bit of a downer for Easter.. no one gets dressed up, no one really celebrates the holiday except to eat, so it's just a formality now. With my mother's parents both gone, and now my Aunt Karen, our numbers have dwindled considerably. Uncle Vinny will be joining us.. so at least it won't be just my tiny immediate family. Joe and Katie and Collin will be having dinner at Katie's folks, but stopping by for desert. -- I miss going to Mass as a family, the big dinners at Grandma's, the egg tree and egg hunts (I always wanted to have an egg hunt like in the final scene of Steel Magnolias), people getting dressed up, and the corsages the ladies would wear.
I'm a bit nostalgic today.. as you can tell. HaHa.
Ok, why is it that I keep watching tv and finding these hot guys that I can't have??? Oh.. and why are they always involved with FOOD??? Ugh.
Yes, as I was channel surfing yet again, I came across a new television hottie... Adam Richman, from Travel Channel's, Man V. Food.
I think I need to move out of Buffalo to find a mate, because the single life got old fast.. and it's been over a year since my last relationship!! Maybe I can lure these guys to Buffalo by promising them food. I don't know.. it's worth a try.
