Tag Archives: John Nyman

A Couple of Things…

Posted on by
Reply

1. I can’t even put into words (though clearly, I’m attempting to do so) how much it meant to me to be asked to emcee the 805 Love Notes Thomas Fire Benefit concert at the Ventura Theater.  I’ll be honest, I wasn’t nervous about being in front of a large crowd, but I was nervous about crying in front of a large crowd as we reflect on what so many friends and family have had to go through after losing their homes and how our community has come together to help, well, it just moves me to tears. My voice did crack a couple times, and I had to stop briefly, but I held it together.

Many thanks to local musician, Bill Benson, for the candid photos from back stage.
The artists were Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Shawn Jones Trio, Shades of Day, Franklin for Short, Chris Pearce, Jesse Siebenberg, Todd Hannigan, Shane Alexander, Max Kasch, Leslie Stevens, Shelby Figueroa, The Pemberton Sisters (Jamie Drake and Justine Bennett), and Brother Sal. It was a long day, but so many heart-felt performances from all the artists who donated their time. #VenturaStrong #805Strong

2. I have to continually remind myself that life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.

3. Some mornings start better than others.

4.  It’s really quite disconcerting how many conversations I’ve had with different men I know that believe women are going too far on “this sexual harassment trend.” For starters, it’s not a trend, it’s a notion whose time has come. It’s time for women to band together and demand their dignity.They shouldn’t have to live in fear or shame. Yes, women are coming out of the woodwork to speak up, finally, and I’m glad. It makes me smile how many men are living in fear that they could be called out for past bad behavior.

That being said, this isn’t just a women’s problem. Men are abused as well, sexually and/or mentally belittled; they too have suffered in silence. It’s time we talk about this, because the more we do, the more future perpetrators will think twice before acting on their evil impulses.

I would also like to promote goodwill and good relations between each other. I do not support man bashing. I LOATHE generalities. I hope we never lose the art of seduction and being attracted to one another. What joy there is in finding good companionship (short or long-termed).

5. Last month while visiting my daughter for Christmas, I made it go right to catch up with a dear old friend of mine, John Nyman. He and his wife moved to Portland about a year ago.  It’s been way too many years since the last time we saw each other, I think it was at my wedding in 89.  In any case, we yapped it up with Sydney Rose in tow for over an hour in a coffee shop, and afterwards I kicked myself for not having Sydney take a photo of the two of us.  So I did the next best thing.  I grabbed a photo of him from his FB page and a photo of myself and photoshopped them together.  He has not changed at all, except for the beard!

6. The other thing that happened while visiting my daughter in Portland over Christmas is that I visited my first strip club, apparently the oldest one in Portland called Mary’s, or Mary’s Club or St. Mary’s or something like that.  Sydney actually was taking me to her favorite Mexican restaurant but warned me that the diner shared a bathroom with Marys.  I swear I tried to hold it in, but finally gave up and timidly made my way to the back, through a heavy door and around a sharp corner where yes, a woman was dancing on a pole.  But now that I think about it, and as God as my witness, I couldn’t tell you whether she was naked or not….so yeah, no photo for this one 😉

7. I love that my dad and Carol “Represent” when they step out for jazz.  This is Nate Birkey from NYC.  My dad came to know him when he played here in Ventura in the 90’s at a popular hub for jazz, California 66 (now Cafe Fiore)..

8. While taking a walk out to the mermaid statue down at the Harbor’s entrance on New Year’s day, just as I was arriving at my destination, a man walking his dog said hello to me and asked me where my better half was.  The fact that he thought I should have someone with me didn’t bother me as much as assuming that this “other person” would be the better half. What the hell, right?

9. I came across an article online called “8 Things InStyle Editors Actually Bought Without Hesitation in December.”  So yeah, I was intrigued because I used to peruse the mag back in the day when I cared a little more about fashion.  So I figured they’d know what is hip or not, right?  NO THEY DON’T!  WTF, Really? And…wait for it, they cost $695.  Click for article source.

10. Back when I was working on Buzzine Magazine, we shared an office space with Lin Milano, Alyssa Milano’s mom.  I always enjoyed working with her as she was a strong professional woman working in a tough field representing actors.  She once told me she would represent Sydney Rose (who was around 7 at the time).  I was thoroughly touched by that gesture.  So I asked Sydney if she would like to look into becoming an actress.  She didn’t even have to think about it.  She just flatly said, “No.”  I’ve always respected her for that. Smart girl.

11. Another Thomas Fire Benefit is lined up for Saturday, February 3, and this one headlines Kevin Costner and Modern West along with Olivia Newton John, Colbie Caillat, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more. I was asked if I wanted to do any interviews and all I really needed was a couple of quotes for an article about the event, so I submitted questions for Kevin Costner, who said he would rather have it be more personable and preferred speaking with me instead. So yeah, me and Kevin are tight now.
Seriously, he was warm and had true concern for our community (he grew up here and lives just up the coast). He totally reminded of Ray, the character he portrayed in Field of Dreams.

12. From my favorite quotes file, “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” – William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

A Couple of Things…

Posted on by
Reply
click to enlarge

Love Bill Watterson’s sense of humor!

1.  As a parent you do your best to make a safe environment for your kids so they can flourish.  As a kid, this NEVER made sense to me.

2.  I think it’s a tad rude, at the very least, disrespectful, to not give credit when using someone else’s quote on Facebook.   It looks like that person is saying it for the very first time, when in reality, it’s actually plagiarism.   Tsk Tsk.

If you don’t know source, then state, “Source Unknown.”

3.  I don’t watch any reality TV, in fact, I don’t watch any shows that have a running storyline.  But I do enjoy listening to my co-workers talk about them.  Especially when they’re talking Sons of Anarchy.  Cracks me up!!!  Didn’t even know Dave Navarro was on it!

piping-plover

4.  The American Birding Association has named this Plover chick as the cutest U.S. bird.. VERY cute!  (This is to make up for the blobfish on last post)

5.  I kind of miss the Swiffer commercials featuring Player’s “Baby Come Back.”

6.  I confided in a friend not too long ago about a situation that makes me sad and she warned me that she would literally kick this person’s ass if she came across him.   Seriously!   On one hand, I’m so honored that she loves me so much she would resort to violence to protect me from being hurt.  On the other hand, kind of scary.

massage7.  A read a blog that John Nyman had shared on his Facebook paged called “What People Really Look Like.”  And I was interested to know from this masseuse who has seen all types of bodies that “Women have cellulite.  All of them.”   And then he goes on to say, “It’s dimply and cute. It’s not a defect. It’s not a health problem. It’s the natural consequence of not consisting of photoshopped pixels,and not having emerged from an airbrush.”

The writer’s name is Dale Favier, and I think I love him.

(read his blog:  http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/09/what-people-really-look-like-dale-favier/)

8.  I don’t understand how someone hasn’t come up with a women’s dress shoe that conforms to the shape of your foot.  I hate pain! (I say this as I add another bandage to the side of my right baby toe).

Prabal-Gurung-Spring-20139.  Speaking of fashion, I can’t even begin to explain how I could care less about New York Fashion Week.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one outfit I would want to wear let alone one outfit I would want to see anybody else wearing in day-to-day living.   What a complete waste of gratuitous, self-absorbing mutherfu…time…wait.  Maybe I would wear that red top…hmmm.

10.  Someone recently posted a bunch of High School essay metaphors.  They were really funny.  I’m sharing five of my favorites:

a. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
b. He was as tall as a six-foot-three-inch tree.
c. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
d. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
e. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

1240158_10201550080785495_1629469084_n11.  A couple of times a year when the Lottery or Powerball, or whatever game gets really large, a co-worker will come by and collect for a Group Pool to buy in to.  I always contribute a couple of dollars because I’M NOT GOING TO BE THAT LOSER left behind.

We haven’t won yet.

12.  I remember being so brave when my Aunt Evelyn pierced my ears for the very first time when I was around 10 years old.  After numbing my earlobe with an ice cube, she ran a simple sewing needle through my first ear, I heard the pop, and I promptly passed out.

13.  From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:  “Normal is boring.”  Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama

Thanks for listening!