Good-Bye, June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          My life should be an independent film; though if it were, it would hover somewhere between "The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg," "Grey Gardens," and "Cinemania.'

                            What a month this has been!  Birthdays galore, a colonoscopy, a mass shooting in Orlando, the halfway point of the year, the TONY Awards, and the departure of Missy from our neighborhood. No shows seen in June, though the documentary, "The Witness," was terrific, and now we have July to look forward to.  I am making dents in my Summer Reading, but I have a long way to go, and there may be some detours along the way.   You know  me, lambs.

                               So, thanks, everyone, for a lovely June, and getting me through that colonoscopy!!!!!!!!!!  I will back tomorrow, kicking off with a surprise event!

             
                             Here is Freddy Cannon, with my Summer favorite, "June, July And August," to see you out!

                              Until July, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                  

The Fag Fest Of The Year, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Everyone, gay or straight, should read this epic novel of sweeping, romantic scope, though, with its forays into the worlds of opera, theater and ballet, not to mention supernatural overtones, fags will lap this up the way beauty parlor matrons back in the 1960's lapped up Jacqueline Susann's "Valley Of The Dolls," now out in a stunning new. pink trimmed 50th Anniversary Edition.

                                 Alexander Chee is a better writer than Susann, and his language is gorgeous, so if you are one of those gays whose reading matter does not go beyond your thirty plus year old sticky issues of STROKE or HIS 69 paperbacks, then forget it!!!!!!!!!!  If, on the other hand, you are literate, and want a satisfying read, this is it, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Lilliet Berne, a reigning European opera star of the 1800's, gets her dream when a librettist approaches her about writing an operatic role, just for her.  Who, in the arts, does not dream of their own roles, darlings??????????  Except Lilliet's comes with a price--the libretto turns out to be based on a novel by Henri Simonet, about her disguised life, and her rise from practically a woman of the streets--my God, yes!!!!!--to where she is now!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Who had access to this info?  Who betrayed her?  What will Lilliet do, when she finds out. Oh, my God, darlings, I was so enthralled I could not stop reading. The sumptuous period details and costumes, the cultural references--see why only brainy gays can read this????????
And the romantic, supernatural ending, like something out of "Angels In America"--oh, my God!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        This book is sure to make my Ten Best List, and so far tops out the year. But this is only the first half, so we shall see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Meanwhile, put your time to good use, and read this very strong contender!!!!!!!!!

                                   

Can You Believe We Are Halfway Through 2016, Girls?????????????????????????

                                This day never ceases to amaze me, as it sneaks up on us, every year. Today, we are reminded that this is the halfway mark for the entire year.  We have completed the first half of 2016, and it has been an interesting time, and we hope the next half is as interesting. But no heavy drama, please--except on stage.

                                  During the first half of this year, we celebrated my beloved's birthday, my father had his 101st birthday,, there was of course, the TONYS, Oscars, and the annual screening of "The Song Of Bernadette."  Baby Gojira is at his most lovable, while we bid a fond farewell to Missy, but Chloe and Cujo are still with us to brighten our days.

                                    "She Loves Me" was the theatrical highlight of the first half; how could it not be?  Though Jessie Mueller's performance in "Waitress" was heart wrenching and moving. She consolidated her star status.

                                       I have so far read 28 books this year, which means I am good for at least 28 more,  And the Summer beckons with trips, books, and other celebratory fun.

                                        So, the first half has fared well. May we do equally as well in the second half!

                                          Seems like the year just began!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Mother From Hell Should Be Burnt To A Crisp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          Deep  in the heart of Texas, darlings!  That is where Christy Sheats lived, and, as soon as I heard her story, I knew I had found this week's winner of the Raving Queen Bitch Of The Week Award.

                          Christy was married to Jason Sheats, for more than twenty years. They had two girls, Taylor, aged 22 and Madison, aged 17, both living at home. This was the first problem. These girls would have fared better if they run off to L.A. checked into the Hotel Cortez, and been mentored by Hypodermic Sally!!!!!!!!!!!! Because they were living with a deranged woman from Hell--their mother!

                            Last Friday, Christy called a meeting in the living room of their home.  Jason and daughters attended.  Jason was sure Christy was going to explain to the girls their plans to divorce.
Instead, the matriarch of Fulshear  pulled out a gun, and, before her husband's eyes, shot the two daughters fatally.  Both girls ran out onto the street. Taylor died almost instantly; Madison was taken to the hospital, where she died.

                               This is one mentally vindictive, sick bitch. The only reason she spared her husband's life was because she wanted him to suffer the memory of having to live with all this!  Can you imagine?  By the time the police were summoned, Christy wouldn't budge, so it was basically suicide by cop.

                                  What I want to know is--hey Jason, Taylor, Madison, anyone who knew this woman--why wasn't something done?  Like forcing her to get mental help which could have avoided this tragedy. Even being confined to where she could not get at her daughters would have helped things a bit.

                                       It's too bad you are dead, Christy. Not because I am sorry, though I feel for your daughters and husband, who cannot help feeling a mixture of emotions, one of them being grief. At her best, she  most likely was a loving Mom and woman.  But with a history like this, and not getting help, I would say that even if Christy's own mother poured Clorox down her throat, she should have poured more. Then Christy would not have evolved into this sick monster.

                                        If Christy were still alive, everyone should have had a chance to get their turn, and walk up to her, and smack her across the face. This woman needed to be put in her place.

                                          A padded cell!!!!!!!!!!!  Permanently!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I Really Don't Care, Hargensen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                       I love it when Rena Sofer, as Ms. Desjardin, says that to Chris Hargensen and her snotty friend, Tina Blake. They are superbly played by Emilie de Ravin and Katherine Isabelle, and, while I could be shot for saying this, they are actually better than Nancy Allen and P.J. Soles.

                         Sometimes I just feel like a bitch, and lately I have been wanting to give it to someone. Of course, it must be someone who is deserving, and that list is as long as my Summer Reading List, which I am barely making a dent in, as I cannot read faster than I do, even though I am a fast reader. To get through MY list, you need to read a book a day.

                           So, here is Mr. Nerd Teacher--probably closeted--with his AP Literature Course.  Listen to his, then we will talk about MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Help keep my Inner Bitch inner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They Should Have Been Bedmates, Not Roommates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   When one thinks of the murder, on June 17, 1988, of Roger "Butch" Pratt, the dangers of being in the closet and repressed homosexuality rear their ugly heads.  But  Roger and Ed Swiger, his friend, roommate, and, eventually, killer, should have known better. Had they slept with each other, banged butts together, none of this would have happened.

                                        Ed Swiger, especially, thought he was going to be a world player. Uh huh. So, what is he doing at some little Podunk place in PA called Thiel College????????  Couldn't get near the Ivies, huh, Ed????????

                                         As for Butch, he just wanted an education and a good time.  What he did not realize was that both had Mommy issues, and Ed had control issues.

                                          Butch ended up dating a childhood friend of Ed's from Ohio, named Teresa Wakulchik, who would turn out to be a real bitch, and someone who should have been convicted, along with her girl friend, Caroline Luli.

                                            But, first those Mommy issues. Ed and his brother were the types who were given entitlement by their mother, Ed, especially. They were probably breast fed till they were fourteen, and told the way to get ahead in business is for a man to eat pussy.  I don't mean to be vulgar, darlings, but I have known plenty of examples of this!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Butch's Mama doted on him too, suckling him to her bosom well beyond puberty.  Once they got to college, and the frat house, they clicked, and, instead of exploring their relationship, tried to hide it from the world. Well, I was not fooled.

                                                To keep up the pretense, Ed got involved with some older tramp named Linda Karlen. She was all of 37; I bet her pubes were going gray!!!!!!!!!!   But Ed gorged on her pussy to get ahead, which yielded him gifts, boy toy status, and a job for he and Ed in Linda's furniture store.  Linda thought she was riding some motor horse, like Debra Winger in "Urban Cowboy," but she lacked the beauty, brains and talent of Debra!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  If Ed wants to do this, that is his business. And if things had just kept as they were, nothing would have gone wrong. But, in cases like this, something always goes wrong.

                                                   Linda and Ed had insatiable ambition.  He was going to go to law school, while Butch would go to business school with him. But Linda had criminal tendencies, and, after making some bad choices that left here strapped for money, she asked the boys if they would commit arson on the store, so she could collect.  This was after having known that they stole from their own fraternity house, because Ed was mad over his candidate not being elected President.  So childish, isn't it, darlings????????????

                                                      Prank robbery was one thing; arson was another. Ed would not go along with it; the guy one thought was the bottom now became the top. Ed did not like it, so he got his loser younger brother, Mike,  to do the deed. Eventually, they burned down Linda's house, for the same reason. Ed would not participate.

                                                         The friendship was strained, but still continued.  Ed and Butch graduated from Thiel and headed off to Philly for their advanced studies.  On a June weekend, in 1988, Ed got invited by Teresa Wakulchik to a weekend party.  He had not seen Teresa in awhile, so he was happy to go.  It was the last time his doting, Oedipal Mama, saw him.

                                                           When he got to Akron, he was picked up by Teresa and her friend, Caroline. Like the bitches they were, they delivered Butch to the woods, abandoning him there. Ed and his brother appeared, and for Butch manning up and admitting what he and Ed had done, plus what Ed and Linda had done, he was beaten to a death he did not deserve.

                                                              Ed and Linda, and, I think, Mike, got convicted. I am not sure about Teresa and Caroline, though they should at least be charged as accomplices in a murder conspiracy.  Burn the witches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                 If only Ed and Butch had discovered their true potential.  This might not have happened.

                                                                  On the other hand, Ed might have turned out to be an abusive gay partner/straight husband, so maybe it is wise he never fully hooked up with anyone.

                                                                     Butch was innocent.

                                                                      Watch out for these closet cases, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AP Has Plagued Me All My Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          "You have to remember that we are in a regular class.
                                              But, in the advanced classes, they DO think.  I mean,
                                            it's very different, in there."
                                                --Education book, early 1970's

                   That was the prevailing attitude, back in my day.  It has been a sore point all my life that I was never placed in AP classes, though part of it is my fault for not speaking up.  To think,I would ever see again the text that was used during my HS years for Advanced Placement Biology.

                    It symbolizes for me lack of teacher attention, for, while I may not have belonged in AP Biology, I clearly belonged in AP English. But it was never suggested to me.  The joke is many of the books assigned there--like Faulkner's "The Sound And The Fury," and Joyce's "A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man," I had already read anyway, so it might have been a moot point. Especially, three weeks into my first semester of college, I was pulled out of Freshman English, and put into two Senior Honors Courses!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                   Which shows I was brilliant, but in the first twelve grades, it was ignored.

                     None of this stops me from still having the AP Dream, where I wander classrooms, halls, and offices in my former, or unnamed, high school--it is all generic looking, anyway--searching for the AP classroom, or a teacher who can sign me in to take AP English.

                      I don't think this was be fully resolved, unless I audit or take an AP English course. School is closing now, but are there any out there--maybe near Bay Ridge--where I could do this?  I would sit in the back and keep my mouth shut, as I would not want my insights to overwhelm the students. Hell, they did, forty years before.

                       Anyway, how about it, darlings!  Challenge me with those reading lists!!!!!!!!!!!

                       You think I can't handle it!  What do school administrators know!  They are just totems!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Like in my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                            

Farewell To A Beloved Neighborhood Friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Now, don't get too weepy, darlings!  Missy is not headed to the great beyond. Far from it; she is healthy, robust and lovable. She is just seeking a new home from the one she occupied for years on 76th Street, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

                                 I love Missy so much, I thought about taking her myself. But other heads prevailed.  Nevertheless, I am here to thank Missy for all the pleasure, love, affection and comfort she has given us, over the years. She will be missed SO much, but it is comforting to know, she will flourish.  We love you, Missy, and always will!

                                  Looks like Miss Chloe gets to rule the street, now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Belated Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               I was not sure what we were going to do on Pride Day. After Orlando, and the announcement of the potential size of the crowds, we did not feel keen on marching into Manhattan. An upset stomach of mine, the night before, very minor, made the decision for us, and so we had a restful and relaxing Pride.  We both have done our share when younger, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               What a cap off to a moth that started with events and continued--birthdays out the wazoo, the tragedy of Orlando, the West Virginia floods, a destination wedding destined to make history; at least in our family; the death of my Aunt Jane; now my father is the last surviving member of the generation of people we knew I grew up around.  I knew this time would come.  Seems like it came all soon.

                                  But July will be here, picnics, fireworks, and all kinds of other fabulous Summer events. Plus a visit to my father or sister somewhere in there.

                                    June was a month of event even I could not keep with. And I still have not seen "The Crucible!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     Channel 13 should have shown "The Killing Of Sister George" Saturday night!

                                      May July be calmer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End Of An Era, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               It was a memorable weekend, in a month that has been a month to remember.

                               Now, some of you may know that, since 1990, I have been going to the Mermaid Parade, at Coney Island.  Though I have missed some, over the years, and this was one, as the event was on Saturday, the 18th.  Part of the highlight of the Parade--and it eventually outstripped it--was a pre-parade luncheon at Carolina's, just a block from Stillwell Avenue. Thus a tradition was born, that lasted a good ten years, or more.  Until the year, we showed up, to discover Carolina's was no more; it had been sold the winter before and was now--a Chinese buffet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Hardly the bill of fare for this group.  That year, we had to settle for the smallest, and hottest--non-air conditioned, on one of the Summer's hottest days--pizza parlors.  The food was actually quite good, but the atmosphere was low class.

                                   The following year, we tried Garguilio's, also near Stillwell.  Though we were the only ones in the place, they still enforced their dress code, so when I came out of the bathroom, changed into Summer wear, just before leaving, the staff gave me dirty looks.  I gave them right back. And that was the end of that place for us.

                                      Finally, we found Fiorentino's, and for about ten years it served as our annual meeting place, as much to see everyone, as to sample their stuffed escarole, which I have never had anywhere else.

                                       History repeated itself this year.  We arrived to discover Fiorentino's was gone; the family having sold off the place in January. Rumor is it will become a Jewish Deli!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Times change, the parade has changed, we have changed, with age, but we will continue to pursue our annual culinary event as long as we can find a suitable place. Which may not be in Brooklyn, anymore!

                                            Only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Is So Racist About Buckwheat Sitting On The Ice Cube????????????????

                             As a child I always thought of this as a funny gag, not something with racist connotations.  Buckwheat was cute and adorable; had the stunt been done with Porky, it would have worked, as well. But Buckwheat's stature, oversized shirt or whatever it was he was wearing, those curls and those teeth, made the ice sequence in "Lucky Corner" something special.

                             This is one of many reasons why the episode, "Lucky Corner," is so special.  You remember "Lucky Corner," darlings!  It's the one where Scotty and his grandfather have a lemonade stand that is being upstaged by a prissy guy's lunch counter, and his son, played by Woim.  At some point, a barber's electric razor is inserted down his back, and Woim becomes a puppet, at Alfalfa's discretion, a sort of comeuppance.  And the White equivalent of Buckwheat on the ice. So, there is no racism at all, here, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                I believe this is where Alfalfa and another kid do "Little Brown Jug!"

                                But Buckwheat, teeth chattering while sitting on the ice cube, is the highlight!!!!!!!!

                                  Remember, girls, this Theater Queen's first exposure to Shakespeare, was the Little Rascals doing "Romeo And Juliet."  And who can forget Buckwheat--one of the greatest of all Juliets, I am telling you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    "Here ah is!!!!!!!!!!!," girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Book About Political Correction, For Those Who Loathe It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Political correction is here to stay, whether we like it or not. What Paul Beatty's novel, "The Sellout," gets at is that those who like it do so only as it pertains to their own particular social group or community.  The rest be damned.

                                        This book made The Times Ten Best List.  I enjoyed it, but wasn't blown away, but I can see why it made the list.  It fits The Times' agenda of being trendy and hipster.  We all have our own agendas, darlings; make no mistake about that.

                                         I did not laugh my way through Beatty's book, but I was continually amused by lines like "Bugs Bunny was just B'rer Rabbit with a better agent," and the claim that straight Black men repeatedly cry out, "Who owns the pussy?," while engaged in sex.  It would not surprise me  one bit.  Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if straight White men did it.

                                           What makes the book reading are the constant cultural references, especially those centered around "The Little Rascals," and the presence of Hominy Jenkins, one of the most amusing characters in American fiction. He was, basically, Buckwheat's understudy, and his presence in this is a delight.  What a role for the right actor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                I have to agree with the vision of America that Beatty presents, where there is more racism around us than many would like to admit.

                                                  He just makes owning up to it a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was "The Blob" An Amoeba???????????????????????????

                             After reading this morning about the tragic death of a young, eighteen-year-old woman from Ohio, who died from a brain-eating amoeba, while on a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, I started thinking of that camp classic, "The Flesh Eaters," but,more importantly, the 1958 gem, "The Blob," featuring a young Steve McQueen, and Aneta Corsaut, years before she became known as spinster school teacher, Helen Trump, on "The Andy Griffith" show.

                              "What was The Blob?" so many of us wondered, as children.  Out of endless talks came the conclusion--I can't recall from whom--that The Blob was an amoeba. And this was before I had even learned the word, or what one was.  This was back in the day when I was so innocent, I thought sophistication was luncheon wearing gloves, with Nancy Drew and her chums, especially that George, completely unaware--then--that the whole thing was code for lesbian!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   To me, The Blob was some moving mass of laminated Play-Doh.  At least, that is the way it looked, on screen.  I loved when it rolled into the movie theater, sending crowds screaming, and, of course, when it engulfed the diner..

                                     It even killed a sweet little dog, but at least that was done off screen!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      I think even The Blob had more brains, than this brain eating amoeba!  And there are lots of brainless amoebas walking around on two legs, out  there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        As Ray Bolger said, in "The Wizard Of Oz," "Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking!"

Portrait Of Parents From Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Imagine me saying the other day it  would be a long road to finding as scumbag a couple as Hedda Nussbaum and Joel Steinberg.   Well, I am here to report now that the dual winners of the Raving Queen Bitch Of The Week Award, Daniel and Savilla Stoltzfus, are not that far behind.

                               Now, Lee Kaplan, the pedophile who got involved with them--or maybe them him--is your garden variety filth.  He may have hidden those girls for years in his suburban Philly enclave, but once caught, one knew what one was dealing with.

                                Daniel and Savilla are just mercenary, sex sick scum.  I mean, just look at them; especially Savilla, who looks like an extra from Whitewood, Massachusetts from "Horror Hotel."  Even on her worst day, Joan Didion would win over her in a beauty contest.

                                 The Stoltzfuses were desperate; no money coming in, and they could lose their farm.  Instead, they cross paths with Kaplan, and sell him something else--their fourteen-year-old daughter, who lived with Kaplan , giving him two children by the time she reached the age of eighteen, four years later.

                                     Call Child Services, and have these two locked up. Let the inmates mete out their own justice, in the prison system.  Oh, I know I sound judgmental, but damn it, what these two sickos did, and their excuses for it, make me sick.

                                          And just what is it with rural Pennsylvania??????  I am telling you, there may be fabulous eating places, like Shady Maple, where obese cows from all over the country can pig out on what passes for them as gourmet food, as fat trash wouldn't know the difference, anyway, as long as it tastes good going in, and shits out just right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             This region is inhabited by folks like the Stoltzfuses, the type of people who have sex with the cow, or their daughter, and it does not make a difference.  Maybe the whole area should be cleaned out.  Maybe the Amish should step forward, to reassure the rest of what they call us heathens that they are not like this.  I am not sure I would believe that, right now.

                                                 What I do believe is that two better candidates for Bitch Of The Week this week could not be found!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     If these two don't scare you, I don't know what will.  Diana Ross??????????

What A Novel Idea!!!!!!!!!!! Going To The Movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       The murder of Kitty Genovese, on March 13, 1964, marked the start of my fascination with crime cases.  The stature of her slaying as urban legend will last long after those of us old enough to remember it are gone.

                                         So, my beloved and I just had to see the documentary, "The Witness."  It was harrowing in ways unexpected, and yet joyful, too.  I mean, when was the last time we had actually been to the movies?

                                            The joyfulness came from the footage of Kitty herself.  Her voice is never heard, but a picture is conveyed of a young woman struggling, and then finding herself as a person, In many ways, she was ahead of her time.

                                               I never knew Kitty was married for a time--four months, I believe.  Nor did I know she was the only girl in a family of three boys.

                                                One of those boys, Bill Genovese, haunted by this tragedy that continues to haunt his family--how could it not?-- was instrumental, with director James Solomon, in putting this film together.  While Kitty's tragedy is known to her siblings, it was kept from their eventual offspring.  The next generation had to discover it for itself.  I found this fascinating.

                                                   Kitty was a vivacious, friendly, familial, career girl type.  She ran a bar--a smart businesswoman, though she was arrested on a minor money violation.

                                                     I kept thinking how unfortunate her life had been cut down by that scum, Winston Moseley.  That if her nieces and nephews had known her, how much a benefit it would have been.  And what would Kitty have thought of the AIDS crisis and the Gay Rights Movement?  We would never know, because it was only the notoriety of her tragedy that made her known to us. But her family would have missed out.

                                                       I found it a moving tribute to a loving spirit that was unfortunately deprived of her chance to live the life she ought.

                                                         Where it gets harrowing is the climax--where a local actress, named Shannon Beeby to reenact the attack, playing Kitty, on the very spot it happened, while her brother watches in obvious torment as Miss Beeby offers up some bloodcurdling screams that may have been impossible to ignore.  The film also demythologizes the "38 Witnesses" story fabricated by the Times, but there is some truth to it. However, few knew about the saint that is her neighbor, Sophie, who comforted Kitty in her arms, while her husband called for help.  I believe Kitty died in Sophie's loving arms.

                                                             So, Kitty was helped. Maybe not enough to save her, but not everyone stood back and watched.

                                                               Based on just Miss Beeby's screams, it would have been impossible for me to do nothing.  But then I have yet to be tested.

                                                                 I urge you to see this documentary. And I hope it brings some kind of closure--any!!!!!!!--to Bill Genovese and his family.

Guess Who Has Been Spotted, Back In Bay Ridge???????????????

                                 Does she only appear in Summer?  Somewhere, tonight, in the Ridge, a distraught mother will once again cry out, "Monster, give me my child!!!!!!!!"

                                  Yes--Frankenstein's Daughter is back!  My beloved and I spotted her early this morning--with a child, one whom she has abducted for her sardonic pleasure--probably to eat him, and drain his blood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    It was shocking at first, because--or maybe I was still not yet awake--she looked ALMOST good!  Her face had a glow, like it had had work done on it. But, with that faux Karen Carpenter cut, and the child she was clutching, there is no doubt the abominable creature has returned to Bay Ridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Beware, darlings!   I am telling you!

                                      Mothers, tell children to be wary of this creature!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Oedipal Psycho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        There is more truth to the story of Norman Bates than we know.  There are Normans out there, everywhere, it would seem.

                                          One such is Douglas Bradford, who murdered Lynn Knight, a girl who jilted him, at her home in Torrance, Calfornia, back on August 30, 1979.

                                            Doug was smart; an Engineering student at Cal State's Long Beach campus. He was also the eldest of six children--yet, at 27, he was still living at home, with his parents. Uh huh. A real Mama's Boy. His mother was named Norma, like Norma Bates, mother of Norman, and, like her fictional counterpart, Norma most likely dominated and intimidated her son. It would not surprise me if she breast fed him to the age of 14; maybe even older.

                                             Despite this background, Doug was straight, which surprises the hell out of me. Or, maybe he was is just hopelessly stuck in the closet. Because he had issues; women and otherwise.

                                               Also, despite this background, Doug was sportsmanlike, enjoying skiing and boating, among other things.  He met Lynn Knight while skiing.  They dated for about two months, and Doug was expected to accompany her to her sister, Donna's wedding, in Stratford, Ontario, in Canada. Lynn was to be the maid of honor.

                                                But things went sour, and Lynn politely told Doug she wanted to end the relationship, that he would not be going to Donna's wedding.  Doug had told Mama she was "the one."  He was more serious about things, than Lynn was.

                                                   This led to conflict, which Doug could not reconcile. Upset,, and humiliated at a woman dumping him--though he was never much to look at-- Doug began stalking Lynn, driving by her house, not far from his, which he was familiar with.  One day, while stopping by to return a lamp of hers, he discovered another man in the house with Lynn.  He lost his temper, yelling at the guy, throwing the lamp at Lynn, breaking it, and calling her a whore. From here, it was a short step to murder,

                                                      The planning that went into this, darlings! He actually made a home made garrote from wood pieces and picture wire.  He broke into her apartment on the evening of August 30, 1979, and began strangling her.  He slashed her throat and femoral artery. Then he stabbed her 15 times. And tore up the wedding invitation.

                                                           For thirty-five years, he remained free. Mama Norma probably knew the truth; hell, she would have helped bury the body, if it meant keeping her baby Doug home so he could suck from her teat!!!!!!!!!!  I know these types!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I bet she knew he killed Lynn, and kept quiet. Maybe she should have been charged, too.

                                                               In 2014, justice was served Doug, and for Lynn, by a lifetime conviction. This, after he had married, left her, and had a 13 year relationship with another woman, unmarried. Both were most likely tractable types who could be easily controlled, saying nothing but "Yes, sir," and putting meals on the table. Oh, yes, they are out there.

                                                                 Lynn Knight was not such a woman. She discovered the kind of woman Doug did want, and knowing she could not be that, broke it off. It cost her her life. She was actually buried in the red dress she was going to wear to her sister's wedding.

                                                                  No titties to suck now, Doug, as you are in prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                   It just shows, girls, and I will say it again--

                                                                    If you are dating a guy who still lives at home with his mother--RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Revisit Hedda And Joel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 You remember Hedda Nussbaum and Joel Steinberg?  They were the Scumbag Couple Of The Twentieth Century, based on their doings, back in 1987.  They were bought to my forefront by my seeing the 1990 "Law And Order" episode, entitled "Indifference," in which David Groh and Marcia Jean Kurtz play a fictionalized version of them--here a psychologist named Jacob Lowenstein, and his wife, Carla. These Lowensteins, however, were far different from BARBRA in "The Prince Of Tides!"

                                     Nussbaum and Steinberg were educated--he a lawyer, she a children's book editor.  They evolved into a couple of coked out sickos who illegally adopted children, while Joel abused both Hedda and Lisa.  Hedda, as can be seen, looks every inch the battered victim, but I am not willing to let her off..  Joel isolated Hedda, in their apartment on now posh Waverly Place, in the West Village, drove her from her job, family and friends, beat and coked her into submission, while abusing, physically, not sexually, their six-year-old adopted daughter Lisa, culminating in her death on November 1, 1987, due to head trauma caused by Steinberg beating her and knocking her against the wall.  He then left her on the floor, telling Hedda he would awaken Lisa later.

                                        And this is where I get mad at Hedda.  The child is just lying there. I know she been brainwashed, coerced, I know I have never worked with victims of domestic violence, but surely some brain capacity remained for Hedda to do something; at least call 911.  I get that she may have wanted to, but if she had Steinberg would have beaten her, but, hell, on his best days he did that, anyway, so what difference would it have made?  The difference is she might have saved Lisa!  Bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           So, I don't cut Hedda any slack. Nor do I feel the Justice System did them right. Both were imprisoned, but he should have been castrated minus anaesthetic, while she should have been slapped silly by female inmates. And they should have been imprisoned for life.  Instead, Steinberg was released on June 30, 2004. He was placed in a halfway house, but when the location was discovered, he was harassed. Uh....you think? So, he was moved somewhere else.  I don't know where he is now, but I fear for those who do, and have to live with him among them.  Hedda was released before him, is out in society trying to do good works, has written books, been an advocate, but it does not excuse what she allowed herself to become, and what she did not do when she should have.  Go ahead and attack me, but what you have with Hedda and Lisa is one victim victimizing a more vulnerable one.

                                             The story went pretty much the same on "Law And Order."  David Groh, who always had a mean look to him, even when on "Rhoda," was chilling in the Steinberg role.  I think he either won or was nominated for an Emmy. It remains some of his best work. Marcia Jean Kurtz was an almost carbon copy of Hedda. Her dependence would have been sympathetic, if she had not made the choices she did.  I have no sympathy for her.

                                               As for the other child, Mitchell/Travis, or what's his name, he was reunited with his biological mother, Nicole Bridget Smigel.

                                                 This episode should be seen, because it will expose those who don't know to this case, which has become the Gold Standard in domestic violence cases.

                                                    I don't like the idea of Hedda and Joel being out there.  They are still a threat, as far as I am concerned.

                                                      May we never visit them, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Divine MERYL Has Another Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                What a day, darlings--the longest of the year, the 47th Anniversary Of Judy Garland's death, and MERYL STREEP's birthday.  The Divine is 67, and shouldn't we all look as good at that age, let alone be as technically brilliant in our acting technique???????????

                                   But that is why she is MERYL!  No one can do it like she!

                                    Wishing, from all my girls and myself, your heart's desire on this day. Do whatever you want, eat and drink what you want--it won't show!!!!!!!!!--and we all look forward to another year of brilliance. Cannot wait to see the Florence Foster Jenkins movie!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Happy Birthday, MERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've Been Building Up To It, Now It Is Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Yes, dears, today is the LOOOOOOOOONGEST day of the year.  But I don't know which is the shortest night--last night, or tonight??????????

                                              Of course, from now on, the days start getting shorter, but that won't be noticed till sometime in September.  So, Summer is in full throttle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Have fun, be safe, and remember all God's chillun' are loved by he and Gojira!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Am Now A Member Of The High Blood Pressure Club!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Girls, why did this have to happen?  Up until around my Forties, even if I was my most vitriolic, my blood pressure was always.....perfect.  I was certain hypertension was something I would never have to worry about.

                            Then I started inching past forty, and so did my blood pressure.  Not right away, just in slight increments, to designate me, a little high.  Like, for example 140/98.  Within the last five years, my cardiologist, whom I trust, has hinted that the time would come when I would need to be on blood pressure medication.

                               Well, darlings, that time has come.  Suddenly, since May, I have been getting weird readings.  Not so much on the top, but what concerned me more was on the bottom.  Things like 139/104, or one time, 166/111.

                                 What was going on?  I was anxious in May about the colonoscopy, but I came through that OK. And things are just perfect at home...as usual.

                                    So, I rushed to my cardiologist.  He is trying me out on something called Benicar.  I am to stay on this for two weeks, and monitor my readings.  If the blood pressure goes down, this, or an equivalent, would be the one.  If not I am to take for two weeks a 40mg type of something that starts with an A.  I cannot recall the name.

                                       We shall see what transpires.  But who would have thought I would come to this,

                                         The Baby Boomers were supposed to remain young forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Affordable Than "Hamilton," But Probably As Difficult To Get A Ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           When I first heard, earlier this year, that ENCORES Summer Series was going to include "Runaways," I am telling you, darlings, I was SO excited.  This gem has not been revived on the New York stage since its legendary 1978 Original Production.  The work's creator, Elizabeth Swados, passed on this year, so this is a perfect tribute to her.

                               Except.

                                There are a really limited number of performances.  Five, to be exact. It is performing from July 4 through July 9.  Which means this is not only going to be the biggest Summer event, but the hottest ticket.

                                  Then, just think what it has to live up to--that Original Cast--Josie De Guzman, Trini Alvarado, Carlo Imperato, David Schechter, Bruce Hilibok, Karen Evans, Nan-Lynn Nelson, Evan Miranda, Bernie Allison--and these are just the ones I can remember.  For a time, Diane Lane was a cast member, though by the time it got to Broadway, she had been replaced by Rachel Kelly.

                                     The makers of this "Ruanways" have cast roles with kids from all over the five boroughs. They have a great deal to live up to.  Also, with their generation, and their background, do they have the wherewithal to perform this??????  The social consciousness????? "Runaways" is filled with numbers, bursting with theatrical excitement, occasionally joyous, but more a dark meditation on the Human Condition, junior division.  Can the spoiled, technologized "Spring Awakening" generation understand the concept of life on the streets, child abuse, and child prostitution?  These are realities dealt with in "Runaways;" what do these indulged kids know about any of this, anyway?????????/

                                        I will work like hell to get a ticket. But my excitement has turned to skepticism.  I am not so sure the theatrical glory of "Runaways can ever be recreated.   Take a look for yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         This is one time when I would love to be proven wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome In Summer, With Gojira!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Isn't he just the cutest thing, darlings????????  He has his Summer drink, his parasol, and he is ready to party!!!!!!!!!!!  His favorite song, this season, is "Dancing In The Streets," which you know I will do the best to bring to you.  Just picture him swinging to the beat.

                               I still find Summer the most magical time of the year.  It is the time when our childhoods never seem to leave us, because of all that carefree freedom we had from school!

                                Who knows what this Summer may bring?  Stay tuned on here to  find out!

                                  And here we are! Martha And Vandellas, and their 1964 classic, "Dancing In The Streets!!!!!!!!!!"

                                    Happy Solstice, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't Gojira Cute???????? And Don't We Just Love Him???????????????

                                 In 1991, a writer named Mark Jacobson published a novel entitled "Gojiro."  Not "Gojira," but "Gojiro."  There is no question whom this book is about, but I bet Toho copyright laws necessitated the changing of the last vowel.

                                   I had been looking forward to this, expecting a cute take on the Hollywood memoir by its biggest star.  Instead, it has been compared to Voltaire and "Beowulf," and the opening chapters are so hard, I had to be reminded by Gojira that it IS just a story.  Because we all know how lovable he is, and don't want him sad.  In the opening chapter, Gojira is found, contemplating suicide.
As if such a thing were possible.

                                    So, I hope this book gets upbeat.  It does, supposedly, have a happy ending, and I will share it all with you, when I am done.  I am only on page 33, so I have another 323 to go.

                                      Gojira is one of the most beloved creatures out there. In the book he calls himself a "Cosmozard," which is a cosmopolitan lizard.  Which is why he loves the night life, his fans, and children, in general.

                                          You are loved, Gojira!  And Baby Gojira!  You both are the best!!!!!!!!!!!

When Matthew Pearl Writes, I Read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            I would never miss a Matthew Pearl book, and this one is no exception.  "The Dante Club," his first, is by far the best, but I was unexpectedly blown away with fascination by his last, novel, "The Technologies."   His latest falls somewhere between the earlier works, "The Poe Shadow," and "The Last Dickens," and fares better than those.

                                              The word "bookaneer," is, of course, a play on the word "buccaneer."  It is a tale of piracy--but the literary kind--in the 19th century, involving a trip to Samoa, Robert Louis Stevenson, references to his works as to "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, wrapped up in a suspense mystery involving trying to lay hands on a rare Stevenson manuscript.

                                                Pearl's blend of fact and fiction is seamless, and he seems to have a flair for adventure not seen before, recalling H. Rider Haggard.  It really is an ingenious book, if not the equal of my two favorites. But who cares, when it is Matthew Pearl writing.  The reader is always guaranteed both entertainment and quality.

                                                  All with exquisite, literary skill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  It will also tempt the reader into reading, or rereading, Stevenson or Mary Shelley. I had that feeling as I made way through novel, considering putting my Summer Reading Project on hold.

                                                   But I can always do it later. Stevenson and Shelley are better suited to cold, Winter weather.  Not unlike the Brontes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary-Louise Is At It Again, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Girls, this could be a Summer Event, if it gets a general release. I just found out that Mary-Louise Parker is in a film, set in New York, called "Chronically Metropolitan."  No, it is not Woody Allen, but it sounds promising. A successful writer returns to his New York roots, to confront an ex-girl friend and other folk in his past. Chris Noth, aka Mike Logan on "Law and Order," is also in the film.

                                 It is having a world premiere, next week, at the Nantucket Film Festival.  I wish I could go to the screening, but I hope it gets a general release. Maybe the New York Film Festival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  But the brilliance of Mary-Louise continues.  How exciting to get a new dose of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     See you at  this film, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A No-Brainer This Week, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              As soon as I awoke this past Sunday, and heard about what Omar Mateen did, I knew he was good for Bitch Of The Week. But when I heard that his shooting on visitors to the gay nightclub, Pulse, in Orlando, FLA, was the greatest mass shooting in history, and the biggest disaster since 9/11, he is sure to nail Bitch Of The Year.  Unless, God forbid, something worse happens before December 31, and I pray it does not.

                               Good looks often mask evil. But when things began to be revealed, I was not surprised.  I had him pegged for an extremist closet case, so uncomfortable, with himself and his culture, that he took it out on everyone else.  I mean, closet cases are dangerous in and of themselves; they ruin marriages, children, and sometimes infect their spouses with STD's.  All of which is despicable enough, and the solution is to be like Margaret White, and just lock them in their closets, until they decide to own up.  And avoid them like the plague, because they take the prize for hypocrisy.

                                 Omar Mateen is a deceased bitch, which means he will never kill again, but it might have been interesting to get some insights from him. Clearly, he craved attention, so he would talk.

                                    What does it say about a man who marries only four months, divorces, and then marries again, and has a kid?  That he is trying desperately to appear that he is straight. Hey Omar, I got news for you; people would rather have you out and proud, then shooting down over 100 people, killing 50, just because they happen to be comfortable with who they are, and you are not!!!!!!
Who the hell are you to play God? What gave you the idea it was your decision to end the lives of these people, who had more to offer than you.

                                        Straight To Hell for this bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Instead of movements to rehabilitate gays, let's rehabilitate closet cases!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Bloomsday, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               No, girls, I have not cracked Joyce's "Ulysses" yet, but that does not mean I don't know what Bloomsday is. Joyce's novel takes place on June 16, 1904, and its lead character is Leopold Bloom. Hence, the day's name.  It is also, according to legend, the day Joyce met the woman who would become his wife, Nora.

                                 It also happens to be my niece's birthday.  To reveal her age would be the same as revealing mine, which is enough to make me blush.  I mean, it was quite awhile ago.  I do recall that the day on which it happened was not only Bloomsday, but Father's Day.

                                  So, Happy Birthday to my niece, and a Happy Bloomsday, to all.

                                   Here are the penultimate last fifty lines from Molly Bloom's soliloquy.  To remind all what this day is about!

                                     Cheers, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Start Your Day With The Distilled Essence Of Mary- Louise Parker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Of course, you must not forget the coffee, girls, but if you want to see the distilled essence of Mary-Louise Parker, then you have to look at her work as Harper Pitt in "Angels In America."

                                  When 'Angels' hit Broadway, back in 1993, Marcia Gay Harden originated Harper, and no one, back then, did the role like Marcia.  And Marcia went on to prove herself, time and again.

                                     If there is anyone even worthy of Marcia's theatrical magic, it is Mary-Louise Parker.  I love her spooky entrance, and how she burrows inward in her portrayal.  It is what I try to do, when I work, darlings, which is why I think if any of you out there want to learn something about acting, Mary-Louise Parker's work is an excellent place to start.

                                       Here is Mary-Louise accepting the Emmy, getting kissed by MERYL STREEP--oh, my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!--and musing on Harper.

                                         So, watch her very carefully--and learn a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is The Latest Annoying Commercial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              I thought, for a time, we were rid of Connie and Jack, but they are still around. But, have you seen the latest commercial for Little Caesar Pizza????????  It is nauseating, both for its product, and its execution.

                                Little Caesar is one of the crap brands of pizza that people with sense would not dare eat--like Domino's and Pizza Hut.  The ad for Little Caesar must have been made by some frustrated opera queen who did not make it--and there are LOTS of those, darlings!!!!!!!!!--because the whole thing consists of talking heads singing "The cheese is in the crust," like it is Grand Opera. At first viewing, it is way over the top. By the third it is disgusting, especially with that cheese oozing out, reminding me of the birth scene in Ridley Scott's original "Alien."  Too bad Little Caesar could not get Veronica Cartwright to scream over this one!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Here is an example of--excuse me!!!!!!--a really cheesy product, and an example of yet how lover our culture has sunk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  What is next, girls??????????????????????????