What a List! and Reviews

Friends, this was a big weekend.

1) Healthcare. Love it or hate it---it’s a big deal, a game changer, the thing I have been waiting for (not in this exact form) and, well, we got something through. The Republicans are acting like this is the end of the world. I wonder why Republicans even run for government office since they hate government so much. It’s like--I would never try to get a job in Football. Why do they take jobs in Washington D.C. when they hate the idea of government doing anything? I do not understand it. I am thrilled that Obama got this through. And let’s face it—Nancy Pelosi is a wild animal. All the fears that this is going to hurt the Dems in November are unfounded for two reasons. A) November is a long time away and B) People are going to like this once they get used to the idea. Congratulations. CHANGE has happened. Now the President can focus on jobs. Here he goes.

2)Rain coming.

3)I saw a few things. Here are the small reviews.

Greenberg, a film by Noah Baumbach, is kind of good. I like the LA-ness of it. It shows LA to be a sweet city, which it is. Oddly, LA can be a very tender place. Ben Stiller is enjoyable. This movie isn’t for everyone. You can rent it soon enough, I am sure.


Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris, directed by Pam MacKinnon, is a brilliant play. Too bad it closed today because you really should see it. Smart and hilarious, about the same house in a neighborhood that is turning White to Black in 1959 and now Black to White in 2010. It’s about race, sure, but it’s also about how slow people are to change, ever. Smart smart funny. Two great lines: “Why is a tampon like a White woman? Because they’re both stuck up cunts.” And “What’s long and hard on a black man? The First Grade.” No one comes out unscathed. Bruce Norris, you’re a dog! If this goes to Broadway, or shows up at a regional theater near you, go see it. It’s a satire, certainly, but with a great amount of flesh and blood.


The Temperamentals, by Jon Marans, is a bit of an academic slog through the machinations of The Mattachine Society, the first gay political organization in the United States formed in the late 1940’s. It was interesting, but very presentational—“Then this happened, then that happened, etc.” Never my favorite form for a play. But you have to give it to these guys---they put their necks out there, in Los Angeles, forging the first group for the rights of gay people. So, you know, hats (and sometimes frilly ones at that) off to The Mattachine Society and Jon Marans and everyone involved in the production, especially the very talented and eyeful Michael Urie from Ugly Betty.

4)Heading to Boston tomorrow for an overnighter to show Tufts to one of my oldest friends’ daughter. Okay, we’re old now. Fine. Great school. I enjoyed it. Kind of like if Dartmouth and B.U. had a baby together.

5)People in Los Angeles are not as pushy and greedy as New Yorkers because they are already in a more Garden-of-Eden setting. Why push when you’re already there?

6)New York is covered with daffodils. Lovely.

7)Piss. It warms up in New York and you start to smell the piss.

8)I need a haircut, like a serious one.

9)I haven’t had a drink or any weed in three weeks. It’s incredible. I’ve lost weight and my head is very clear. Once in a while I get a little blue and I think, “Sure wouldn’t mind a drink or something—“ but then, it passes and there I am. Just decided to stop for thirty days. Wanted to hit the reset button. It was a hard winter and wine is cheap in Queens. It’s really not a Lent thing. But maybe it should be even though I don’t care about Lent. Maybe we should do Lent things like two or three times every year. Gives you perspective. Call it Lentil. I love lentils.

10)I wish all my friends a very healthy mind and body. There is going to be so much more attack from the Right about this healthcare thing. I have friends on the Right, oh yes I do. And I keep asking them to calm down. We Lefties got through the Iraq War, they can get through a little bit o’ Health Care for all. It’s all going to be fine. When did the United States of America become such a land-o-drama-queens? The good news for everyone? That pendulum just keeps swinging. As of the last fifty years, the Republicans take care of the wars and the Democrats take care of the domestic issues. This is how we do it and apparently, both things need attention. As for me, I look forward to a world with many fewer wars and many fewer Republicans. Unless, of course, these Republicans are really interesting thinkers, give lots of money to the arts and never vote.