Tangerine Sublett - Part 2

As I start my day, I find my morning coffee filled with Tangerine... (no, that's not good...)

While the dawn approaches, Tangerine... (no, too flowery...)

Oh Tangerine, where art thou... (Sweet Mother of God, no...)

Let it suffice to say that I am starting my morning with Tangerine on my mind. (That wasn't an epigram worthy of Wilde by any means, but it'll do.) Yes, the career of Tangerine Sublett seems to have been a fairly brief one...

http://www.tv.com/tangerine-sublett/person/177775/summary.html

Above is a link to her admittedly short bio at tv.com. Her credits include...one episode of "Sanford & Son." That seems to have been the one jewel of a performance she gave the world. Her imdb.com listing (below) is equally succinct...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2341076/

One sometimes entertains flights of fancy, and I am no exception...I have the sudden urge to purchase an apartment building, paint it light orange and call it "Tangerine Sublet(t)s."

Chances are, I will control this urge.

Onward, onward...I am teaching at an arts camp for the first three days of this week, and then taking a weekend getaway with Lovey...a three hour tour of sorts...I am really looking forward to it.

This has nothing to do with anything...just a photo of a bulldog surfing. It made me smile. :-)
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080628/photos_us_rank_afp/7e6670231653a2a685648e51eb2692ac/

In today's News From The Motherland...advertising pays off...with a cute baby! :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7480748.stm

Obama in '08!!!
FLT3

Tangerine Sublett

No, I have not discovered a new citrus-based cocktail or an original flavor of Icee...I was just indulging in an evening of "Sanford And Son" with Lovey, Thurston IV and Thurston V. There was upon the screen...a classic...a joy...an epic episode of one of the greatest tv sitcoms this side of the island...

"A Pad For Lamont" tells the story of young Lamont's fledgling attempt at independence. The great actress TANGERINE SUBLETT (hand to God, I'm not kidding...to quote Thurston IV, "he's really not kidding...") played Fred's paramour in the episode. While Lamont pursues the lovely Darlene (with predictably tragic results) Fred re-establishes himself as a "playa" while romancing the widow Earnestine. We laughed. We cried. It was better than "Cats."

Not much else to report.

In today's News From The Motherland... man sells life. I would say something along the lines of "take my life...please," but I fear Lovey might groan at that one...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7479836.stm

Obama in '08!!!

FLT3

Forty Seven Ginger Headed Sailors...

Two new YouTube treasures to share...two versions of the song immortalized for contemporary audiences by Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster in the BBC series Jeeves And Wooster...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqzzHwuseaM&feature=related - Jack Hylton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKAoet-wtws - Tommy Handley

It is quite impossible to hear this song and not smile. :-)

The following snapshots sum up my life right now. God is, indeed, in His heaven and all is right with the world...

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/gilligan_s_island___the_complete_first_season/_group_photos/jim_backus3.jpg

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/schwitz/healthnews/jim_backus_gilligans_island.jpg

http://espn.go.com/i/abcsports/mnf/2001/1008/photo/a_backus_i.jpg

Yes, there is someone special in my life...more on "Lovey" in subsequent posts...

What else? Obama continues in his quest for The White House, and I have accepted him as my candidate. There is still a titch of Hillary-grief in my psyche, but I am beginning to catch the wave of Obama momentum. He will be a fine president.

The Music Man has closed, quite successfully, and I Do! I Do! looms on the horizon. As far as things theatrical go, I have taught at one workshop this summer, and have two more lined up. Between those will come a couple of writing assignments to keep the wolves away from the door, as well as a trip or two. I have spent much of this week helping my dad put up a fence in his back yard...hard work, but rewarding...and good exercise!

In today's News From The Motherland...a well-deserved tribute to Nelson Mandela. I love Hyde Park, BTW... ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7475717.stm

Obama in '08!!!!

FLT3

Um...er...yeah...uh...right...

I just got this link from a friend of mine...I'm not exactly sure what the point is...did using this particular gasoline change a professional athlete into Tina Louise? Or did it give her the good sense to abandon football for acting? I'm so confused...still, though, a cool museum piece...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHxwjsjJRhY&feature=related

In today's News From The Motherland...a farewell to George Carlin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468681.stm

Obama in '08!

FLT3

And the spaceship jumped over the shark...

Okay, I'll admit it...I watched it...I liked it...but I was a kid, and even then I had to admit that the series had started to stretch it a bit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JkWhlMJh0

For those who actually follow these musings with any regularity, I have not forgotten the "getting my thoughts together" comments of last week. I am still composing my thoughts, but have come up with the following...

.Sometimes you can blindly stumble into the happy place you thought could never exist.

More later.

In today's News From The Motherland...perfect weather for Ms. Poppins...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7467236.stm

Obama in 08!
FLT3

More Mr Magoo...

Second post of the day...this one is classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjjD94KYJOY&feature=related

FLT3

Defying The Block

Once again, a potentially incomprehensible header...one could easily be led to believe that I am standing up to some sort of tyranny (sp?) imposed by the other residents of my immediate neighbourhood (sp purposeful, Rule Britannia!) However, nothing so dramatic is meant...merely that I have been grappling with a delicious bout of writer's block. There is a lot going on in my life...substantial, good things are happening. Unfortunately, every time I try to put fingers to keyboard for the purpose of illuminating my readers (all eight of you) I can't find the right words to do my feelings justice. To steal a line from Harold Hill in the film version of The Music Man, "It isn't often I find myself at a loss for words..." The proper words will find their way to the page, but it may take a little while longer...

In the meantime, here is today's News From The Motherland...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7461764.stm

FLT3

Non-Political

It was recently pointed out to me (by someone whose opinion I respect) that my posts of late have been rather politics-heavy. With that in mind, today's post will not discuss the upcoming election. (Yes, it will be tough, but I can do it...)

I started a new book this week, a new offering by one of my favorite authors, David Sedaris. His tongue-in-cheek diatribes about his family are touching, humorous, and ring frighteningly true to anyone who grew up with slightly eccentric siblings and parents (as did I.) Having been most entertained by Me Talk Pretty One Day and Barrell Fever in particular, I picked up the new book with great expectations (lower case...I did not purchase Dickens and Sedaris in tandem...) So far, it has not disappointed...

The Music Man opened to great success this weekend. We have an amazing cast, and the group has come together beautifully. I could not be more proud! We received a good review from The Birmingham News...
http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2008/06/music_man_gets_rousing_centers.html

Tomorrow (well, today, actually) I start a week-long gig teaching at the Clay County Arts Camp. I will probably wind up spending half my salary (admittedly, a generous one) in petrol, but I am looking forward to it. I will be doing quite a bit of improv, which is a particular favorite of mine...

Not much else to report...the temperature continues to inch perilously closer to 100 degrees...and it's only the first week of June...ye gods, as Zaneeta Shinn would say...

Off to sleep for a few hours and then the work week begins...c'est la vie!

NOTE: I only just now realized (11 June) that I did not include News From The Motherland previously...consider the oversight corrected as we look at George W.'s final trip as president...thank God... (okay, I promised no politics, so I'll stop there.)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7447428.stm

FLT3

Citrus Compact Cars...

"Nothing too wild, now...maybe a runabout like that little white one over there..."

There's no great insight to the human condition contained in this cartoon...just a Mr. Magoo adventure that made me smile...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plyWxrHLE14&feature=related

"The Music Man" opens tonight, and I think we're in good shape. I am hopeful for a large audience, and the final dress last night went well. There were a few glitches...just enough to keep us on our toes tonight.

Not much else to report. Enjoy the cartoon! :-)

In today's News From The Motherland... "BBC The Musical?"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7437391.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Gettin' Old...

Yesterday (4 June) was my birthday...and it was very pleasant. I received good wishes, lovely gifts, and sincere warmth from family & friends. As birthdays go, it was great.

I am also a year older. While 38 is not exactly dotage, I am starting to notice a few early signs of wear. The fact that I am doing "The Music Man" again just points out some of the inevitable signs of aging. My first time to play Harold Hill (not counting high school) was 11 years ago. At 27, I pretty much glided through the role, barely breaking a sweat. Going out for drinks and fun after rehearsal was a daily routine. At 38, I still feel confident in my ability to bring Professor Hill to life with appropriate zest, but by the end of the performance, I'm pooped. The energy level just isn't as high as it once was...oh well...

My girl Hillary has accepted the inevitable and graciously conceded to Obama. From this point, he is my candidate, but I am still hoping for a VP slot for Hillary. I honestly think that's the only way he can win. In honor of (and hopes for) the running mate, I will continue to conclude these missives with "Hillary in '08!!!"

In today's News From The Motherland... Spock plays The Fringe...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7436374.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Catching Up...

I just realized that I have had one of my distressingly infrequent lapses in updating my blog...the wails of dismay coming from all eight of my readers has become deafening, so I figured it was time to post something...

I won't even get started on the election...oh who am I kidding, of course I will...Hillary's invocation of RFK's assasination was unfortunate, but the media backlash has been ridiculous. She misspoke, but she clearly did not mean to imply that Obama could be a target...the irony comes from the fact that the Obama campaign quickly came out to say that Hillary's gaffe was no big deal. I'm just ready for the whole thing to be settled...

Rehearsal is going well for "The Music Man." The cast is very talented, and a good group of people. We ran the show (sans quartet, which joins us next week) twice yesterday. I can't say I have re-invented the wheel in any way...it's a pretty traditional take on a classic, which should make the audiences happy. Two weeks till opening...

Helping my parents with some yard work later today...it's a beautiful day outside, so it'll be nice to get some exercise.

In today's News From The Motherland...the PM appears secure for now...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7419033.stm


HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Considering All Options...

When to concede? That's a tough question...

Our girl Hillary has been doing an excellent job of playing catch-up with Barak Obama, but she seems to be consistently "one step short." While it is still mathematically possible for her to overtake his lead, it is highly unlikely to say the least.

At this point, I am attempting to balance realism with hope. I think our best bet is the vice presidency, and I expect the landslide victories that are supposedly looming imminent in tomorrow's primaries will boost the argument in her favor. It would seem unlikely that either candidate could beat John McCain without the other on the ticket. "Vice President Clinton" doesn't have quite the same ring as "President Clinton," but I could live with it.

Make no mistake...when the inevitable happens, Obama is my candidate, and I will do my best to make him my president. I do, however, still maintain that a Clinton/Obama ticket would have been much more electable...I fear the Republican machine will eat Obama for lunch.

On other fronts, The Music Man is coming along well, springtime is here, and I had a delightful trip to Orlando last week. (I now have two Florida trips to discuss...must do that in an upcoming post...)


In today's News From The Motherland... Sir Paul and Heather finally split officially...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7395872.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Second Post Of The Day...

From The Motherland...a great website! MIND THE GAP...MIND THE GAP...MIND THE GAP...

http://solo2.abac.com/themole/

HILLARY IN '08!!!
FLT3

Changes in the political world...

Nope, I'm not talking about Hillary and Obama... just today's News From The Motherland...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7383521.stm

Not much else to report right now...it has been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, as the saying goes...

HILLARY IN '08!!!!

FLT3

41 Atrocities

I am not an angel. As I sometimes say whenever I take the moral high ground, "I can do some skeevy shit, but..." (My apologies for language, but a quote is a quote.) I certainly can (and sometimes do) do things that I should not. I am not a squeaky-clean Eagle Scout, and to everything from excess in festive behaviour to dallying with morally casual women, I will plead guilty.

That said, I am aghast at some of the new developments in the already horrifying Texas Polygamy Cult story. Apparently children of both genders were not only sexually abused (which is enough to make you physically ill) but also beaten severely. 41 children have been found to have sustained broken bones in the recent past. Some of these children were toddlers.

Admittedly, kids are going to sometimes have accidents. (I broke my collar bone in gym class when I was in the 3rd grade, so I speak from experience.) However, 41 broken bones just doesn't sound right.

The mind reels when one imagines what sort of inhuman monster can hit a toddler hard enough to break a bone (or at all for that matter.) I can remember (30 years later) how much my injury hurt, and how much I wanted my mother. Within fifteen minutes, she was at the school, and I was being simultaneously comforted and rushed to the doctor...and it was still traumatic. I don't even want to think of the absence of warmth, of the cruelty that went into not only causing those injuries, much less the presumed coldness that followed. Did the mothers even hold the children and seek treatment for their wounds? Were they even acknowledged?

We are a nation of laws, based on English Common Law. We are civilized people (as a society) and I abhor vigilantiism. On the other hand, if someone mysteriously decided to beat the hell out of whatever adult(s) did these horrible things, I think I could deal with it. I might even be willing to help. I have always said that a sure cure for child abuse is to have a proportionately larger adult beat the abuser until equal (or greater) pain has been inflicted.

Okay, enough frontier justice... I had a great time at the beach last weekend, and will talk about it next time. After watching the news about the kids, I had to get that off my chest.

On happier (and even wierder) subjects, in today's News From The Motherland, soccer star Renaldo makes a big mistake...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7374317.stm


HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Where do YOU live?

I just had a very interesting bit of perspective presented by a friend of mine on his blog. He was talking about his desire as a kid to live in Oz (as in Dorothy and the Tin Man.) I mentioned that as a kid (and sometimes as an adult) I always wanted to live on Gilligan's Island. He pointed out that in effect, we each DO live in these places. Oz having actually been a reflection of American society, was just Frank Baum's condensed glimpse at the USA. My friend pointed out that I (and I quote) "associate with rich people, brilliant people, pretty women; trying out schemes, putting on shows, having drinks, fighting, feuding, loving, and being loved." Sounds kind of like what life was like on the island...minus the headhunters, which I can do without anyway.

This set me thinking...do we all "live" somewhere else, in a manner of speaking? Does everyone have a set of experiences and significant individuals in his/her circle who represent a desired worldview/experience? We tend to think of life as somewhat random (or at least I do) but on a subliminal level, do we surround ourselves with persons and objects that reflect whatever we have established as our own personal utopia?

I certainly don't pick my friends based on their resemblance to Jim Backus or Bob Denver, nor do I live in a bamboo hut and eat nothing but coconuts and bananas. Neither does my friend have a yellow brick road painted on his floor, but that's beside the point. His comments truly strike a chord with me. I think it would be fascinating to take a group of people and really explore what childhood stories have had an impact on their lives as adults. Does the girl who loves Barbie become a beautician? Does the boy who read The Hardy Boys series over and over become a policeman? The list could go on and on...does pop culture give us an unattainable fantasy that we, as adults in the "real" world attempt (even without realizing) to recreate?

Now that I have given you all something to ponder...today's News From The Motherland...are British jails really that comfy...? I'll stick with a hotel, thanks...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7366258.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Again, A Victory...

Pennsylvania has spoken, and our girl is still in the race! Granted, we have a lot of work (make that a hell of a lot of work) yet to do, but hope remains alive. I was telling someone yesterday that I would be sincerely happy and encouraged with a 10-point win...which is exactly what Hillary got!

Admittedly, the hill ahead is a steep one to climb. The Obama-ites are formidable opponents, and their fundraising machine is well-oiled to say the least. If you are AT ALL inclined to help in the cause, go to...

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

...and make a donation of ANY size...large or small. We are not in The White House yet, but it can happen!

As are many others, I am curious about the VP nomination... I would enthusiastically support Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama (okay, I would be a little more enthusiastic about Clinton/Obama, but either way would work...) It is my (uninformed) opinion that whoever gets the nomination would be foolish in the extreme not to ask the other. Both camps have expressed a certain unwillingness to vote for the opposing candidate, but a unified ticket would most likely round up a huge percentage of botgh camps, effectively shutting out the Republicans.

More going on in my life, but details will have to wait. The sun is calling. I love springtime!

In today's News From The Motherland...Mr. Brown flies the St. George's Flag above #10...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7361433.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Delta Blues and BBQ

We are wrapping up our tour of BCT's Tom Sawyer with a week-long trip to Mississippi this week, followed by a few day trips next week. As of Friday next, Tom, Huck, and the gang will have finished their run. I would be lying if I said I wasn't sick to death of the show (60-plus performances of a kid's show will run a bit thin) but the company is most congenial, as several of my very good friends are in the cast. We all work and play very well together, which has made the tour fun.

Last night we enjoyed one of those little chance encounters that make life worth living...we were looking for someplace to have dinner, and Leah (our Becky Thatcher) pulled up at what seemed to be a cute little restaurant. We soon realized that we were at the Missisippi Delta Blues Museum, and a reception/showing for a local photographer (among others) was being held. We were invited in very warmly, offered food and drink, and enjoyed touring the museum and the exibit. I must confess to a slight faux pas...upon being introduced to the photographer, I complimented one photo that I particularly enjoyed...only to find out that it was not hers. (As it turns out, there were several photographers represented.) At any rate, she graciously accepted the compliment for her peer, and a good time was had by all.

As for the famed Mississippi barbeque, I have yet to sample it, but there is a particularly skeevy (translation: great bbq) place called "Abe's" not too far from the hotel that looks promising...that may be our dinner destination tonight.

On other fronts, we have begun rehearsal for CenterStage's The Music Man, which looks like it will be a strong show. (After four previous outings as Harold Hill, maybe I will finally get it right...) Spring is hopefully here for good, with the last cold spell seemingly on the way out the door.

In today's News From The Motherland... a rare Sherlock Holmes treasure...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7351250.stm

Debate tonight... HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Art

Ginger...aaaaaaaaaaaaaah, Ginger...

http://tvphotogalleries.com/data/668/2349Tina_Louise_00001382.jpg

Not much to say today, but what a nice image... :-)

News From The Motherland to follow...

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3

Pulling Ahead...

This made me smile...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080320/pl_nm/usa_politics_gallup_dc_2;_ylt=AmEebujFV7o1ylb0p8zPmKME1vAI

I have said it before...I'll say it again. Never count out a Clinton. :-)

Obama appears to have stepped into a quagmire with the whole "crazy racist minister" issue. His semi-defiant speech appears to have struck a sour note with many. It is looking more and more likely that the superdelegates will decide on the nominee. This could get ugly, but I am feeling more and more confident that Hillary will persevere.

The last few days have been fun. Tom Sawyer is now on tour, and we had a three-day overnight to Jackson, Alabama, which is a boring place, but only an hour or so from Gulf Shores, where our little group spent a wonderful free afternoon. There are only five of us and one stage manager on tour, and we all get along famously, so it was like a mini-vacation. I enjoyed it.

In today's News From The Motherland... remembering a giant of stage and screen:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7306378.stm

HILLARY IN '08!!!

FLT3