R

RJ's Adventures in D.C.

2009-01-21T13:56:00.011-05:00

At intersection of Constitution and Pennsylvania

After completing my annual work trip to the Virgin Islands (average temperature 84), I ventured to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration of Barack Obama with my friend Claudia Ford. We had no tickets but a comfy sleeping space at my friend Chen's house near DuPont Circle. We originally were going to stay in D.C. but when reports came that it might take us 6 hours on Metro to get BACK to Virginia, I strong armed Chen for the keys to his apartment. Which was just as Chen was staying in my NYC apartment--he wanted to escape the crowds!

Claudia is ready for a trip south

Monday night, we listened to the weather reports while nursing steaming hot mugs of tea, expected temperature was maybe 34! I had originally proposed backing out but Claudia F was all for going, just to be there and I am grateful she persuaded me (well it was originally my hair-brained idea so for me to propose backing out at last minutes was a rather cheap move.)
We awoke to DC's NPR station and my phone ringing with Metro text alters which started at 6:30 am! The Metro (subway) was already crowded! By 8:3o am the Mall as viewed on TV was half-full. . . they didn't open the Mall 'til 8!
We left our warm townhouse around 9:20 for the mile or so walk down (New Yorkers are never afraid to walk!) On the street, we were stopped by an attractive 30ish guy drinking coffee, bundled against the cold.
'Are you going to the Mall?'
'Yes' we replied.
'I have tickets.' One or both of us must've frowned. He quickly added. 'To give away, not for sale--if you don't take them, they will go to waste.'
He pulled out maybe 5-6 tickets, asked us to peel off two and wished us luck! I figure he was a Congressional staffer.
We stood for a few minutes revising our planned walk to 18th and the Mall (near the Lincoln Monument and the jumbotrons).
Thank goodness I printed out a 'walking' map from the Presidential Ingauguration Committee.
We followed the map to 3rd and E NW and went through security, about a 30 minute delay. Got onto a corner and were told the entrance to the "Silver Seating" area (ours) had been closed 10 mins before due to crowds. No! Don't fear! We were disappointed but man, after what we heard others went through, never getting close, we were lucky! I do think printing out that map was what paved our way --many people were trying to enter the Mall area and from the north there were only three entry ways.

It was incredibly marvelous to be outside, freezing off my tuckus for a moment that I will remember and talk about until I'm 82! Though the speakers were a bit iffy, i heard the canons blast and knew it was real. It was a new day and to quote a one of Charlie Gibson's friends, This Country is better than it knows itself to be. And things have gone seriously off course the last several years, I believe we can recover and prove our ancestors proud.

Click on this photo for a larger view of the Capitol Grounds.

The red dot above next to the legend is where Claudia and I were honored to stand and listen, see and feel something that will hopefully live in all of us for some time to come.

And now for a bit of music courtesy of will i am--click on the blue to get to the video:

It's a New Day:

Lyrics: I went asleep last night
Tired from the fight
I've been fighting for tomorrow
All my life
Yea I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
'Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Have finally came true

It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day

It's been a long time coming
Up the mountain kept runnin'
Souls of freedom kept hummin'
Channeling Harriet Tubman

Kennedy, Lincoln, and King
We gotta invest in that dream
It feels like we're swimming upstream
It feels like we're stuck inbetween
A rock and a hard place,
We've been through the heartaches
And lived through the darkest days

If you and I made it this far,
Well then hey, we can make it all the way
And they said no we can't
And we said yes we can
Remember it's you and me together

I woke up this morning
Feeling alright
I've been fightin' for tomorrow
All my life
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Have finally came true

It's a new day
(it's a new day)
It's a new day
(it's a new day)
It's a new day
It's a new day!

It's been a long time waitin'
Waiting for this moment
Been a long time praying
Praying for this moment

We hope for this moment
And now that we own it
For life I will hold it
And I ain't gonna let it go

It's for fathers, our brothers,
Our friends who fought for freedom
Our sisters, our mothers,
Who died for us to be in this moment

Stop and cherish this moment
Stop and cherish this time

It's time for you and me
For us and we
That's you and me together

I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Have finally came true
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling alright

'Cause we weren't fighting for nothing
And the soldiers weren't fighting
For nothing
No, Martin was dreaming for nothing
And Lincoln didn't change it for nothing
And children weren't crying for nothing

It's a new day
It's a new day
A new day
It's a new day
It's a new day!

Ding Dong Is My Youth Gone?

2008-10-04T14:20:00.005-05:00

41 and Counting

My most evil birthday card - inside it read: Ding Dong your Youth is gone.
So cruel Nancybe. . but remember, I will always be younger than you!

A year ago, I feasted and feted in France. For 41, Brent and Robin (two fellow French travelers) came east to pass the weekend with me. We ventured forth taking in historic Vanderbilt properties in Dutchess County, dining at Gigi's in Rhinebeck (a favorite of mine) and a bit of theatre, Boeing Boeing! It was a wonderful weekend not diminished by the fact I lost my voice for 3 days before my pals arrived. There is some nasty bug circulating. Also during the visit/birthday soiree, I introduced Bird (Robin's nickname) to the delight of a Red Velvet cupcake. Red Velvet cake was a southern delicacy Robin just did not understand, until now ("oh it's the frosting!"):

Taking on NYC and the MTA and Winning

Another highlight of recent months--A few months ago, I transferred from the E subway line at 51st and Lex onto my usual train, the #6. This is a very busy subway stop with lots of commuters coming in from Queens and travelers coming and going to JFK. It's often a tight squeeze on the platform as there is an elevator and two escalators. And to my shock, I saw that MTA in their infinite wisdom (NOT!) decided the platform also needed a magazine kiosk! And they started to build it, see the photo below:
I was astonished. Its a miracle not more people fall from the platform onto the subway tracks. I live in constant apprehension of it, particularly at this stop. There was less than 6 feet on each side of this kiosk for hundreds of passengers to squeeze by. Not to mention there is a damn Barnes and Noble upstairs, why a magazine kiosk here?! I wrote my City Council member about my concerns via email. A female staff member actually called me back! We exchanged a few emails, I sent them the photos and on Oct 2nd when I escorted Robin to the E line for her trip to JFK, the kiosk was gone! Victory! I won against the MTA, wow!

Summertime pursuits

2008-08-26T18:30:00.004-05:00

I've noted a trend in my blog. . I seem to be chronicling more adventures when I leave New York and this blog is entitled RJ's adventures in New York . . . so here are some shots of a recent adventure in NYC with my friends Chen and Timeah!

The Hudson Hotel on 8th and 58th has a faux billiard lounge on its 2nd floor, I've taken many a visitor there to swill the cocktails and finally, with Chen and Timeah, I played billiards. [Note: Timeah does not actually spell his name like that, he's not that pretentious. .he's Tim. Chen and I call him Timeah! after the character in the tv show South Park.]

The Hudson Hotel - Library

L to R: Chen and Tim(eah!)

Chen provides fuel for the game to RJ

Sunburning in North Carolina

Longtime friend Kivi has asked almost every year since I moved back east to join them for a family vacation to Ocracoke, North Carolina, an island in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore , reportedly where Blackbeard the Pirate was finally defeated. Read about the rake here: click

We travel to Ocracoke, R to L: Ella, Ava, Jia and me.

I journeyed down to join them and another pal, Kathy and her daughter Ella for eight days of sun and surf. Ocracoke Island has recently been voted as one of the top beaches in America. It's no wonder, a calm, laid back island that takes hours to get to and then a ferry ride. And for the San Francisco-Manhattanite snob I am, it had a wonderful java stop, bookstore and Zillies, a boutique grocery store. When you opened the refrigerator of our rental home, it contained about 3 types of yogurt, and when I found Zillies carried my Greek yogurt with honey we then had 4 types! So yogurt and the two cases of wine we brought provided great sustenance (Kivi as a freelance writer/trainer has a great arrangement with a local wine merchant where she helps them with PR and they comp her wine . .great wine by the way!). Even though I wore SPF70 sunscreen, being in a new swimsuit, i didn't cover all the exposed areas and walked away with a sunburn on my chest on day 1. Thereafter i was very covered in sunscreen and under umbrellas, though in the end, everyone commented I spent the most time in the water. I hadn't been to the ocean in nearly ten years, I was a bit nervous at first but soon felt secure and did float float float.

Note the sunburn . . .
I wondered if I'd really post this photo but hey..you all know what I look like

When not floating in the surf, I was up to my usual. . .

Film Boycotts, do they work?

After returning from NC, Kivi and Edgar saw the film Tropic Thunder. Part of Kivi's work entails providing support, training and advice to nonprofit organizations on their outreach methods. She wondered, via a column, if the Special Olympics boycott of Tropic Thunder was a good move, was it the most effective way to call attention to an issue? She questioned the tactic not the issue (i.e. use of the word "retard" in the film which is offensive to her and me and I think when you see the film--to writer/director Ben Stiller). But her point was lost on some of the readers of her column, so she asked me to contribute as a guest columnist. My brother Terry is physically and mentally disabled and has a wall of Special Olympic medals. Read Kivi and my takes on the movie--click here for Kivi and here for my thoughts. And for Ben Stiller's explanation--click here

Misc.

2008-07-18T09:19:00.013-05:00

Rebecca Jamison as heroine?

Okay another fun Google alert on my name lead me to a online novel entitled Murder in Trinity's Land End. .wherein the heroine is described as follows:
". . She smiled and he noticed how modestly beautiful she was for the first time. It was the kind of natural beauty that came without a hint of manufactured makeup or glamor. [.. .] He couldn’t stop looking at her and thinking Rebecca Jamison could have been the toast of the town anywhere but here she was showing unselfishness and human kindness to those who could really use it. If there was such a thing as altruism in its purest sense, he had found it for a second time in the form of this woman with a sense of purpose."" [emphasis added]

Okay let's be real, that is NOT me but it was fun to read and pretend. I communicated with the author and plan to check back to read about Rebecca--her altruism caring for orphans, and of course the murder mystery. Rebecca better remain pretty and nice. . well not sooo nice. But pretty like in this photo where I had my one and only jello shot (somehow I missed this craze in college) in New Orleans dressed as one of Santa's North Pole HazMat crew--okay only a few people got the costume!

Irrational Love of Music

The troupe at the N.O. Saturn Bar--L to R: John C, Arlene,Me, Nakari, Matt and Timonie

On the right hand side of this blog are links to some of my favorite things and i just have to take a moment and rave about the New Orleans Jazz Vipers. I first found them with my friends Timonie, John, Arlene, Matthew and Nakari when we all went to New Orleans for Halloween in 2002 was it? We stepped outside the French Quarter and found this wondeful little place, The Spotted Cat, and this band. I went back in March 2004 for work-related conference and dragged a whole entourage to the place (some women were in high heels and didn't appreciate the 1 mile walk. .hey in NYC, 1 mile is heels is nothing!) When we arrived the band was on a break, the ladies in heels were annoyed with me and left. The "boys" stayed and became fans, greatly applauding my choice. After Katrina the band returned to the Spotted Cat and released a 3rd cd with the title song, I Hope You Are Coming Back to New Orleans--love it! Click on the links to see and listen to their traditional swing jazz sound. They also play in the French Quarter too. I highly recommend taking in their show should you find yourself in New Orleans.

To Listen live from their website click here
OR watch here:

You Tube video of I Hope You're Coming to New Orleans

Long or Short

2008-06-23T20:05:00.010-05:00

So how self-involved can one individual be, we are about to find out.

Every 3 years or so I see someone with a particular haircut and I think I should try it. So I trot to the salon and get my hair done, I say something akin to "blunt cut, page boy, bob" you get the idea? Now for the last 3 years my erstwhile friend Jaysa has run interference with my stylist Cristal. Jaysa firmly believes my hair looks better long (a la the photo to the right on this blog). But Jaysa moved and I saw the cut on someone somewhere and told Cristal to "do it!" Its going to be hot, I have a lot of out doors work this summer, get it off my neck! She did exactly as I asked, when I turned to see my reflection, it was the cut but my face. .well I instantly said "Cristal you did exactly what I wanted, I just have to remember I hate this cut on myself, I do this every 3-4 years!"

So I hated it for a week, then I went to the office. The response was instantly positive and two people wanted Cristal's number. I regarded it again, it's growing on me. But is it better long or short? This is where you all can help me out by voting in the poll below, that's right a poll!

Short like here or long like the blog photo?

Wiles girls in Boston

My sister Toni and her family visited Boston this last weekend. I made a joint visit with them and my friend David who lives in Maine. We walked all about the Copley Square area. It turned out to be a good idea as I'd used a hotel in that area in my forthcoming novel and I had a significant detail all wrong! I also got to catch up with a longtime/old SF pal, Julia Wolfe. I have other friends in Boston whom I didn't have a chance to contact my apologies but it was a last minute/quick trip, one I shall make again I am sure.

An interesting moment in Boston was after I parted from my family, I walked along Boyleston street back to my hotel. I was approached by two women with long dull black hair in black salon smocks. They asked, "would you be interested in having your hair done?" My eyed widened, a hand went up to my newly minted and heralded doo and I shrieked, "I just had it done. . .in Manhattan!" They seemed surprised. twits.

My neices Mikayla and Emily and Dad Michael with Catie Copley, the former seeing-eye dog of the Copley Plaza Hotel.

Julia enjoys a 3-olive dry martini

Quotations

2008-06-02T18:53:00.008-05:00

My friend Mimi has been one of those (and there are several of you) who's been a tireless enthusiast for my ambitions be they citing a recalcitrant tank owner for polluting sacred ceremonial springs or my writing ambitions. Recently she's started sending me various quotes:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly that balanced, well-adjusted, stable and secure people do not, on the whole,make good writers, including good journalists."
Paul Johnson, The Quotable Paul Johnson 401 (1994).

...um what am I supposed to do with that I asked her? Are you saying you sanction my insanity or saying that I'll always suck because I'm not insane enough?

She then sent this one, perhaps a bit more encouraging?
"The writing process is always impeded by obstacles which have to be negotiated. There's always some difficulty to be surmounted. Nobody has ever found that writing comes easy,that it 'flowed' from the pen. Writing is always difficult, and the more difficult it is, the better it turns out in the end."
Alexei Tolstoy, "Advice to the Young Writer" (1939)

I liked that one better, it's resonant. Though the words seem to come from a place behind or above me, getting them down and committing to sitting alone in front of a keyboard or my butcher paper-lined apartment walls when its lovely outside and you've just found a salon that gives $25 manicure/pedicures all week long! Well the little things get in the way. But in hindsight I think with the first quote, Mimi wants me to be crazier!

Judging Who's Pretty

Several years ago, I was sitting in a meeting with about thirty people. During a lull in the meeting a co-worker turned to me and said, “Rebecca were you in People magazine recently? A letter or something?” I opened my eyes wide, why yes a note I had written to the Editor of People magazine had been printed.
Flashback about a month earlier, I was at a doctor appointment and picked up the atrocious magazine. It was their annual edition 50 Most Beautiful People. I thumbed through it and got angry. I was 33 at the time. Why was I angry? The article gave me numerous reasons and a lot to say about what I saw in that magazine and I wanted to say something to them about it. I was certain if I had a good “subject” line for my email to the editor, I’d get a hearing--The subject line I used in my email was as follows:

Subject: You Mean the 50 Most Beautiful White People under 30.

I then went on a short diatribe about their selections and named several people over 30, 40, 50 and 60 of a wide cultural/ethic spectrum who were current newsmakers and NOT in their pages. What was really on those pages were newbies to Hollywood who few people knew or cared about except their SuperAgents. It was ageist and racist. They printed my rant and then replied that it was a panel who chose the people, not an individual—I then asked, well who’s on your panel, white 25 year olds? Okay I had a bone and still carry it. Try being a single woman in New York City after Sex and the City. It’s a fun show on several levels but that show was really a gay man’s (Darren Starr) perspective of his friends (gay men) dating life. I have enough gay male friends to recognize it instantly. And I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked which one of the characters I am? Most men hope you’re Samantha. Hey I love Kim Catrall's portrayal but come on! Is that sleaze or not?

I much prefer this list, “Hotties Over 50”—it starts out with Mary McDonnell, has Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne. . This is the kind of list I was meaning when I wrote those stupid people at People all those years ago.

A Special Machine

2008-05-23T14:36:00.003-05:00

A Special Machine

Okay, so the requests were to post more often. I warned this might result in me writing about the more mundane aspects of life. So here it goes. At certain stages in our aging, a doctor looks at you and says, you need to have this test—for girls after puberty it’s the foot in stirrups dreaded GYN visit, for men of a certain age, it the “cough and turn your head” exam and at 40 it’s the base mammogram experience. Now I’d had one of these before, like 6-7 years ago. I was drinking too much caffeine and it had deleterious side effects. I simply switched to decaf. I remember the test, it didn’t feel good but it was nothing that would cause me to run to my bedroom crying rivers of tears and clutching at my chest vowing never to come out again! . . .well, that is until I had my mammogram experience in New York City! If they say the Left Coast is too soft and the Right Coast is too tough, based solely on my mammogram experiences, I must now agree.

Visit 1. I leave work mid-afternoon, travel uptown to NY Presbyterian Hospital’s Female Imaging Center. I fill out paperwork and wait. Eventually I am escorted by a lovely blonde, 50ish eastern European woman into a room to take off my sweater, blouse and terribly expensive but essential brassiere. (It’s expensive because of the engineering required.) I wait. Eventually I am escorted into the machine room, and with dignity stand there in my slacks-topless. The woman, I don’t know her name, Helga works for this story, looks at the machine and then turned a steady but politely confused gaze at my chest. She turned again to the machine and back to my chest. This happened at least 3 times.

With a strong accent she begins. “Uh, I couldn’t tell, before, your clothes, they disguised or I couldn’t see or tell.—“ I’m wondering what? She continues in a halting fashion. “You see, this machine, I mean, you are a BIG girl!” I flush crimson. “This machine is for medium to small breasts, it won’t work, you need a special machine—“ What was she saying!? I'd had one before and I was the same size then or was I? My weight fluctuates between this and that. . maybe I was that then .. ?

I swallow the heat of embarrassment and the lump in my throat, I croak. “You mean I came all the way up here, took off my bra and I’m too big for the machine?!” She nodded, apologized then said their other machine might’ve been able to “handle” me but it was broken.

Listen, I come from a bosomy line of women but really, I’m too big for the mammogram machine? I see women way bigger than myself everywhere, where do women like us go?! Helga escorts me back to reception, the two women at the counter look at us perplexed. I retort as I waive a hand across my chest. “I guess I have too much going on here, I need the ‘special machine’.”

Visit 2. A month later, I am at a Cornell-Weill location on 63^rd and York. Before I even begin undressing, I open my cardigan and ask the technician, “Listen the other place said I was too big, I’m a D cup, is this gonna be a problem cuz I aint’ taking off all my clothes for nothing again.” She laughed and said it must’ve been an old machine. There would be no problem. LIAR!

I did as before, entering a little room for disrobing, left purse, upper body clothes, and then went into a shiny, clean room with 2 technicians. Everything looked brand spankin’ new. One technician stood by the machine and the other began exerting torture against my body unlike I’ve ever read or heard about! Torquemada hell!

Every woman knows they try to take a thing shaped somewhat like a ball attached to our chests and try to make it flat like a Frisbee between two plates of astoundingly cold metal or plastic. I knew that was coming but—suddenly, hey why are you tugging on it?! Now, a backstory.

When I was very young, not even 11, I saw a woman in my family who’d had 3 kids. She was built like I am now but she lived through the “burn your bra” era and had the kids, so things had a southern direction—very southern like the topless women in National Geographic we all stared at when we were kids. I did not want to look like that! I asked my Mom how I could ensure that didn’t happen. I got advice to always wear my bra and do pushups; don’t breastfeed too I think was in there. I followed this advice. I wore my bra ALL THE TIME even to bed until a group of girls in college confronted me, a staged intervention basically, and made me swear not to wear it to bed anymore, I could give myself breast cancer they all said. I wonder if that was at all true? OK, no.

So here I am 40 and things have matured in that arena as I’d hoped as a twit of 11. Then I get to the NYC mammogram center where smashing my flesh isn’t enough, the woman technician starts tugging and pulling on it to make it LONGER flatter?! Nooooooooooo!!!!!!! One done, then the 2nd and oh. . wait, we need to redo the first one! I teared up, 'oh okay' and trudged back to the machine.

So it was a torturous experience basically, one every woman of a certain age knows. I've long contended that if men menstruated there'd be a device invented to deal with it on Day 1, some sort of vacuum device. If man rather than turning their head and coughing, had to have a vital organ smashed between plates. .well you get my logic. The Horror! And this has to happen what annually?! At least I have a decade to wait until I get to have the ultimate experience that Dave Barry chronicled, the colonoscopy (I try to smile).

Link to Dave Barry's story:

http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/427603.html

Googling Myself?

2008-05-12T16:00:00.008-05:00

Googling ^TM? Myself

So recently, I was told “I googled you”. And I thought, well I’ve googled myself, I know what you found. When googling my name you generally get information on three women, (1) myself (EPA junk and Grayson stuff); (2) genealogy info on a woman in the 1870s; and, (3) Rebecca Jemison who in 2003 won the MegaMillions lotto for $162m. I received a great deal of email when the 3^rd RJ won all that money, it was soon after I moved to NY—I think people thought some jig was up! Alas the 3^rd RJ is a lovely and now über-rich tall, African American woman. Oh and her name is spelled Jemison not Jamison but it still comes up on Google. I do wonder though, if one RJ has already won a lotto does that decrease my 1 in 10,000,000 chances?

So I shared my ‘googling’ myself with a friend. She thought it odd. And then I informed her I even have a Google alert on my own name. She thought that odder still, perhaps a tad egotistical. Well hey, I’ve been misquoted and copyright infringement on my work was nearly a problem until I nipped it in the bud. So the Google alerts help keep track of that kind of stuff—and it has given me a potential idea for my next major writing endeavor after I submit the novel later this summer.

So Google yourself and see what comes up.

Atlanta Showtime!

L to R: Unknown individual? Mimi festive with St Patty Clovers and Matthew

I was in Atlanta for a work event a little bit back. It happened to be the day AFTER the tornado. People milled about all startled at the glass on the street. No one was hurt and I understand there was minimal damage (glass, roofing). I was asked what I thought. I furrowed my brow and said, “Listen, I’m from Kansas, tornados fall from the sky all the time, duck and cover! This is nothing, remember Greenburg, Kansas—well yeah you have to remember it cuz its now gone!”

One night I took my entourage (that would be Matt and Mimi) to a lovely dinner in Lafayette, GA at a former co-worker’s home, the crazy Ben Singh! Ben and his wife, Miriam hosted us with flair! Their ‘show’ dining room where they seldom eat is the size of my crackerbox NYC apartment but I sadly digress. Matthew took the photos below of myself and Mimi in the Atlanta underground en route to the dinner. Matthew is Dr. Small, hydro-geologist extraordinaire and musical savant. He used to carry his bass on his back to the San Francisco office before gigs. It was always an odd and amusing sight. Anyway, Matt decided to snap some photos of the interesting rock faces of the Atlanta underground. The tunnels were blasted and then dug out and not refaced, so you can observe the actual geology under Atlanta.

L to R: Mimi and Moi

After taking the photo of me and Mimi, a security officer came to Matt and said “If you take one more photo I’ll have to confiscate your camera.” Bulging eyes, nervous smiles. Serious guy, we’re scientist types just interested in the rock! He was actually quite gracious toward Matt in the end but if we’d continued our geologic-photo interest we woulda needed a permit! Post- 9/11.

Inspecting Funeral Homes

Well, I had hoped to have a juicy story here for everyone but it went blandly like this.

Me: Where do you dispose of the bodily fluids, the embalming waste?

Funeral Home Director: In the Bloodbox. You want some tea?

Me: how long you been doing that? No thank you (on the tea).

FHD: Since I was told to and dug up my system, here's the letter certifying everything. Seriously it’s Earl Grey you sure you don’t want some?

Okay that was that. No findings. He’d done what he was directed to do! Miracle! He wasn’t polluting the drinking water of Long Island with formaldehyde! This wasn’t like my 2006 inspections where they had to move bodies behind curtains so I could inspect rooms where I saw trickles of blood on the floor. Ewwwwwwww! And I don't like Earl Grey tea, Lady Grey okay or Bengal Spice. Has anyone else noticed no more Bengal Spice in the stores? what's up with that?

Upcoming: Chen drags me to see Gypsy. How many times can I take in one musical--Tyne Daly, Bette Midler, Angela Lansbury (okay that was on cd). I didn't see Bernadette Peters do it on Broadway in 2004, cuz Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose, that just didn't seem right.

Ahh Spring

2008-04-22T18:10:00.017-05:00

5 Years on the Right Coast?

Has Spring finally sprung? For reasons not entirely fathomable by me, yes I write this blog as its called, so I shan't claim too much humbleness but I am astounded at the number of comments asking for 'more more more'. And after over two hundred reads of my last posting, okay okay, uncle! I must admit though, I don't post more because, well my life is actually quite dull, I just condense it and write it well. If I write more you'll all see just how dull it is. But you asked. So what's the latest?

Well as of April 1, I've been on the Atlantic/Right coast (versus Left as we referred to SF-land of leftist malcontents such as myself) for 5 years. That's right, cinco, cinq, cinque, пять, tano--some Russian and Swahili in there. Read on below for more thoughts on five years in a tiny NYC apartment versus the 3 bedroom/2 bath SF place (that cost less than my studio) that I left behind . . oh no we can't talk about that--the pain! Do I have a lawyer, where's he judge? Ha ha . .okay I can almost laugh about that but not quite. Give me another five years.

Le Novel-RJ Ends Procrastination

View outside the front door of the condo

I started a novel in 2003 because I was new to New York City, it was damn hot, I didn't know but 2 people, didn't have cable, couldn't find a good book to read and don't frequent the clubs. So what else to do? I made up a story about people I saw on the street and combined it with an odd dream. I worked on it a great deal in 2003 and 2004 then set it aside to write the Grayson Hall book. August 2006= Hall book publication. Then 1 year recovery period or soaking it in. I had done it. And frankly, I have to admit, by 40 I've done a lot of things I dreamed of doing as a young teenager--I've visited Europe, Australia, Mexico, Caribbean, been to all but 3 US States (Vermont, North Dakota and Alaska await me!), moved to New York City (a dream since I was 11 that I kinda forgot in San Francisco), actually published a book, saw on stage Patrick Stewart (Macbeth), Vanessa Redgrave (3 times), Giulia Pagano (see last post), Phil Bosco and Ciarin Hinds (is there a strong UK bend here?). Is Giulia the lone American in my theatrical pantheon? Outstanding are Maggie Smith (Okay met her at a party but still not on stage) and Geraldine McEwan. Note that 3 of 4 actress above played, to critical acclaim, in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie on stage, film and tv. Hmm interesting tidbit. I am legend for those. Well not legend but a fun annoyance maybe?

Post-40 Goals?

Some of you have asked what now? My new goals are-- (1) finish the damn novel, (2) lose 35 lbs and (3) buy my own apartment. Now should I refer to my own book as "damn?" Hmm? I have to say since setting it aside, it feels a chore to work on it and I have to go away from my apartment, my stuff and internet access to get it done. But each time I actually focus on it, I fall inlove with it again and am amazed that I wrote it. Then I return home and two days later I have stomach aches for how juvenile it is and uninteresting, ill conceived tripe! Okay I've read and bought worse things but is that really my benchmark?

But back to the pictures and Le Novel, my latest writing retreat returned me to Niagara on the Lake, Canada. My friends Bobbi and Jay once again lent me their lovely condo. NOTL as we use for short hand is the home of the Shaw Festival. I didn't see any theatre this time out, didn't watch the DVDs at the condo (even though ironically the entire mini-series Masada was on the shelf!) or continue pressing on with the book I've been reading--Bernard Lewis' The Middle East a Brief History of the Last 2000 Years. Might I say, that book is kicking my a**. Sunni/Shi'ite , Persian/Arab/Bedouin...I think I understand the differences and then Lewis throws in something where all the lines are blurred, ugh but I do try. It's just like France, Germany, England but with different names. .wait who rules England? Oh a Germanic family? Didn't it used to be French . .oh yeah, right 1000 years ago. When did the English rule themselves, maybe the Tudors?

View behind the condo

Rather I remain focused on my goal and accomplished a great deal, wrote the conclusion of the story, I had been knocking around the same conclusion for years but rethinking it and then coming back to it again--so that is done. Fact checking, fleshing out of the closing 3 chapters needs to be done but I think I will meet the June deadline without too much heartburn, nerves sure but no stomach acid.

As to the other 2 goals, I think they are the harder two. My weight has been a problem since I was 23 or so, of course I worried about it at 13, how horrible. And buying an apartment in NYC--they want downpayments that would equal a house in a lot of the country. We'll see but I have my eye on the prize(s).

RJ almost causes an International Incident

Crossing into Canada was not as smooth as usual, folks be forewarned. Do not and I repeat, do NOT look down and read a newspaper if your a passenger in the car! Egads that got my Canadian Border agent mad. I could counter she was mostly staring at a computer, not talking to us or asking question, but in the end I did not give her 100% of my attention or in her mind--unquestioned respect so she delayed us, searched our car, found my "Big Sexy Hair" care products (yes it seriously is a brand of haircare products). That was it--No contraband. The Border Agent walked away mad about being a Border agent and I went across the border to a hot stone massage. I tried to keep it in perspective. But this is my warning to all those crossing the border, don't read, listen to an iPod or anything else whilst crossing. You might met up with her!

Answering a few Questions

A few questions routinely come to me after a blog update, so I'll answer 'em right here:

1. What's next? A bit more on this that I didn't cover above. While in France last September, my friend Gail asked that question. Most assumed (including myself) that I moved to New York to write the book. That's done so now what? I replied, "Gail I have no idea. If you'd asked me 19 years ago if I thought I'd be sitting in France with you, well my answer would've been 'no'." If you'd asked me 10 years ago if I would relocate from San Francisco, I would've said "no way". But Here I am 5 years in New York as of April 1, 2008. Returning to SF has been suggested (with potential jobs) more than once but I'm not quite ready to return. I don't expect I'll stay here for the rest of my days but who knows? I surely don't.

2. I love your hair color, did you change it? Hey, my hair has been the same color for years. . okay I color it to cover the gray (70% above my brow, hardly any elsewhere-go figure) But it's the same color folks seriously!

3. What about dating/your lovelife? Oh please, I'm not going to write about here. If you seriously want to know, call, write or better yet visit and see for yourself. Okay, well honestly, there ain't much on that front right now.

What you'll see in future updates?

RJ inspects funeral homes on Long Island (oh yeah, you wanna hear about it)
RJ vacations (with children) on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
RJ commits to weight training (why? cuz my doctor said so)

In Conclusion: Will Ferrell and the Landlord

And now cuz I like to conclude with silly stuff--a video that makes me laugh each time I see it. I have to admit I really like Will Ferrell, I think Elf is a fun, sweet movie. Him sitting on Bob Newhart's elfin lap is enough to put me in stitches for 5 mins. Then his sweet turn as the IRS agent who brings his ladylove "flour" in Stranger than Fiction was touching .

Some of his skits are priceless. This is so funny and wrong .. .but I can't help but share. Will Ferrell's landlord Pearl demands the rent!

The LandlordFunnyOrDie.com

Re-start 2008 please!

2008-02-09T09:56:00.036-05:00

On the Mend: Helen and TerryHelen and RJ in Georgetown, DC-September 2007

Above is a photo of Helen and me at her daughter Charlene's 60th birthday celebration in Georgetown, D.C. As many of my friends know Helen is my 2nd Mom and has been ill since shortly after this photo was taken. However, contrary to rumors, her illness wasn't due to her taking a sip of my tequila shot at this party. She is doing better and I thank everyone for their kinds words and prayers for Helen. When in France I said a little prayer myself in Vezelay near some Mary Magdalene relics. Helen is a staunch Protestant and didn't know if she liked me praying in a Catholic church. I countered, "hey Helen it got me into a church and praying, I don't think we should be picky about it." She laughed and said I was right on that score.

And on another 'on the mend note' I just learned today that my brother will finally be going home after nearly two months in the hospital and a rehab facility (he was taking a 5-week antibiotic treatment). He's very excited to go home. He hasn't spoken to his girlfriend Alvadene in all that time and normally they spend hours on the phone each night, after spending all day together at the Depot Center. Again, thanks to everyone who asked after him and sent prayers his way. My entire family is most appreciative.

But after the celebratory mood from ushering in my 40th year (see previous post) 2008 started off roughly. There was Terry's illness, Helen's hospitalization, then in early January a dear friend passed away unexpectedly, my insurance decided to not cover some of my doctors, bla bla bla. It was not an auspicious start. So as February approached, I put together a plan. . . a serious 3-part plan involving a lot of art to get 2008 back on a more positive track.

#1 Carribean Getaway: This originated as a business trip (really yes!) to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. I decided to extend it a bit, as it would be my first visit to the Caribbean. Somehow years ago because you could get direct flights from JFK to San Juan, Puerto Rico then the VI, EPA's New York office handles Puerto Rico and the VI instead of the Atlanta office. SWEET! So 2 days of work and then I took an extra day just for myself, had a massage on the beach! and dined at the lovely Cafe Christine in Christiansted run by a woman who lives there for only 4 months out of the year and then returns to her native France. Wonderful meals, balmy lovely weather not much night life though. I returned with a red nose and mosquito bites that as of Feb 18th were just starting to fade.

View outside my cottage front door: Chenay Bay Resort, Christiansted, St Croix, VI

#2 Writing Retreat & Theatre! in North Carolina Over President's Day weekend I arranged to take a writing retreat as the deadline for my 2nd book quickly approaches. I asked to utilize my friends Kivi and Edgar's in-law cottage or as they called it The Little House. It's quiet, homey, there is limited internet access, e.g. limited distractions for when I am weak and lacking discipline. So it went something like this, "Hey can I invite myself down, take you out to dinner and then disappear for several hours a day? Oh and can you pick me up at the airport?" Thankfully the reply was Yes! So I was off to North Carolina for a 3-day writing extravaganza! And then as chance would have it (courtesy of Google News alerts, folks should try it!), coinciding with this little sojourn in Lexington, I finally, after 20+ years grasped an opportunity to take in a stage performance by a favorite actor, Giulia Pagano-imdb link. Theatre links: off-b'way and Broadway

Giulia Pagano and RJ at the Triad Theatre, Greensboro, NC

Ms Pagano was quite kind to me during my awkward college years. We exchanged a few letters two decades ago and the few times I tread the boards she provided some advice ("if you don't love it enough to starve, forget it" I obviously didn't fit into that profile).

I always hoped one day to see her on stage and would look online every once in a while as the years passed. I always seemed to just miss a performance. Drats! But as luck (2008 was already turning around after the VI trip), she was appearing at the Triad Stage in Greensboro, NC in a G.B. Shaw play Mrs. Warren's Profession (I wrote about Shaw for my college Senior thesis--politics and prose, socialism, capitalism and all that jazz). Greensboro is a short drive from Kivi and Edgar's. Giulia and I arranged to meet briefly after the performance. Those with whom I went to college (and wow there are a few of you out there reading this?!) will remember this actress from the soap we all watched in the lobby of Dotzour Hall, As the World Turns, she was none other than the character Marsha Talbot. Upon meeting, she was quite kind, very gracious and might I add, awfully brave. In addition to theatre, she mentioned that she enjoyed working with a chain saw in the woods around her home! It's interesting I left the country and don't want to see another combine or tractor again. This gal leaves the city and loves chain saws! The play was very good in a new theatre with a very tight ensemble cast, great costuming, lighting and staging. Giulia had an amazing authentic Cockney accent, was wonderfully engaging as Kitty Warren and effective in spelling out her limited life choices. Giulia's husband, Rand Bridges was also in the play as Sir George Croft, having fun instilling great humor into the typical-Shaw capitalist.

#3 That Bodacious Bald Man My friend Claudia and I purchased tickets to see Patrick Stewart perform in "that Scottish play". Another exciting actor with a broad classical career (far beyond Star Trek). This is an exciting ticket to hold, not as exciting as Mrs. Warren's Profession of course but thrilling nonetheless. Link to info on that Scottish play

So that, thus far, is my 3-part plan to re-ignite this year and work toward a positive journey during year 40! Other challenges will arrive I'm sure but I'm feeling better about 2008 already.

RJ and Children

To my mother's lament, I announced various things in my teen years. 1st--I was going to live at least 1,000 miles away from Russell, Kansas. 2nd--I wasn't likely to have children. I only reconsidered that once and that was a brief reconsideration! So I do enjoy my nieces and nephews (there are 3 of each) and my friends children. Kivi and Edgar have 2 daughters, Ava and Jia whom I spent this last weekend with. Ava for some reason adores me (hey I am not complaining just amazed). There is nothing better than arriving at my sister's house or Kivi's and having a small person run toward me with open arms screaming my name. It's not that my ego is small (obviously) but a boost such as that is lovely any time.

Ava Rey, RJ and Jianna

My friends in Brooklyn, Michael and Melissa (see past posts) have twins whom I also hope to also instill with this adoration. Of course my first step is their official debut here in my blog:

Quentin and Fiona

And before anyone asks, NO! I had nothing to do with suggesting little Q's name. It's purely coincidental.

Towering Influence

I have been asked to post the poem below so others could see it, I hesitated a bit (my poetry is not a strong point) but want to honor the request. This was shared at Arlene Luther's funeral in January. Arlene worked for the Navajo Nation EPA; she was born into the Towering House People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Arlene aka Carmelita[1]

She should’ve come with a warning label

Not for the faint of heart

Or the obscure

Blinded by greed, grandeur or romance for her land

Walk on solid ground

With a sure step

But do not linger with hope.

She had a grand smile and laugh

That could wash away the anger of a passionate exchange.

Or the confusion of language

When I could not communicate

separated by culture, age, geography

Or My own ignorance.

The label also said

Be forewarned You will learn

Not in the moment but in reflection

And that lesson is here with me now

And tomorrow.

Rebecca Jamison,
January 9, 2008

Arlene Luther at Ft Point below the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California.

[1] Carmelita was a nickname given to Arlene many years ago by a man she nursed in the Dakotas, I believe.

J'ai Quarante!!! RJ's Adventures in France

2007-08-31T19:56:00.000-05:00

Burgundy -Bourgogne

As folks might know I turned 40 on September 30 (yeah you probably do know cuz I talked about it incessantly). I had visualized an extended vacation oversees for many many years. At some time I read the short story, A Month by the Lake by E. H. Bates and envisioned a sojourn as described in the book at Lake Como, Italy. When places weren't materializing that I liked, I recalled my friend Gail's daughter had a home in France. Fortunately after calls and emails, we secured the 15th century 11-bedroom Chateau in Bourgogne France (Burgundy) about 2.5 hours outside of Paris. The tiny village of Saint Andeux (population reportedly of 128) west of Dijon welcomed us:

Chateau St. Andeux, built in 1478
Guardian at the Gate of Chateau St. Andeux
"Hang in there Jesus" was irreverently called to him each morning.

And to answer the question, yes we had the entire Le Maison to ourselves. It had 11-bedrooms with bathrooms, a billiard room and antechamber office that I used for writing, formal living room, sitting room, dining room, large kitchen and TV room. So much happened during our very low-key, relaxing sojourn in the heart of France. We toured various villages including where they filmed the movie Chocolat in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, the heart of the mustard craze-Dijon, a center of vines--Beaune, plus small medieval villages including our 'cyber' stop in Semur-en-Axois where I spotted a home that i'd love to own! It leads to a medieval bridge and the fortress in Semur and to the boulangerie (bread bread bread!), the cyber cafe and the spa!

We even took a day trip to Versailles outside Paris.

Versailles garden at left
Hall in the Grand Trianon at right

In all these travels were were aided by a device I recommend to everyone and anyone traveling in a foreign country--a GPS unit in the car! We named ours Geraldine (after Geraldine McEwan an English actress who starred in a BBC show called Mulberry that I now enjoy way too much, I actually bought the two DVDs--see photo at right). It was so enjoyable to be told in a nice British accent to 'bear left at the fork' or 'at the circle, take the third exit' or when a mishap occurred, 'if its convenient, make a U-turn' . . .So rather than anyone having to chart driving/mapping, constant calls of "where the hell are we?" accompanied by meltdowns, Geraldine guided us to each destination with elan. And just to note, if your gonna get one, apparently Geraldine is much more pleasant than the female American GPS unit, so make sure to ask for the British female voice, she was quite nice and rather supportive.

The Left Bank of Paris

After 2 1/2 weeks in the countryside where I accomplished a great deal of writing, my pals Gail and Chen accompanied me to Paris for my last three nights. Chen took off for the Chunnel and London, Gail and I stayed at the Hotel De Louisiane. From the chateau we graduated to a small hotel room that IS smaller than my New York apartment but it was on the Left Bank at the intersection of the Rue de Seine and Buci--very convenient to all the major sight seeing items.

A stormy sky above the entrance to the Louvre

We could walk to the Louvre, Notre Dam, the Ille de la Cite (where Marie Antoinette spent her last days), wonderful patisseries, boulangeries and restaurants, etc. On the first full day, Gail and I decided we needed to recharge our supply of reading materials and decided to head out to the legendary English language bookstore, Shakespeare and Co. En route to the bookstore we approached a visage...I saw two eyes on a building that rang familiar. . Andy Warhol? No. .we inched closer to the building to see the following (below):

The bar Polly Maggoo, named after the 1965 William Klein film, Qui etes-vous Polly Maggoo
which co-stared Grayson Hall.RJ points to Grayson's name on the movie poster.

Polly Maggoo was a French film Grayson Hall made in the mid-1960s. She portrayed a thinly veiled Diana Vreeland-type (legendary fashion editor) named Miss Maxwell. Gail and I ventured inside, had a drink and spoke with a manager about the film-based bar. After we got across that I'd written a book about one of the films stars he told us to take as many photos as we liked (no free wine though?) What a trip! I had no idea the place existed.

The last few days went quickly with good food and friendly people all about us. We did a lot of cafe gazing on the streets of Paris. Our smatterings of French got us all by and all incoming and outgoing flights/trains etc worked amazingly well. I returned to New York on October 17 and collapsed for that night then was up at 7:00 a.m. scrubbing my bathroom floor... ahh to return home. But i do already miss the place and will certainly return again.

Photos Photos Photos

Below are lots of photos. Brent's are quite good, but he went to Turkey first, so hit the link and go to photo 103 to start France. Robin's also are artistically inclined. Nancy's is a thorough documentation of our trip. Mine, well, my eye ain't so great but I tried.

Brent's photos (start at 103)__Click here
Robin's 75 photos can be viewed by clicking here
My 100+ photos can be viewed by clicking here
Nancy's 157 photos can be viewed by clicking here

C'est Moi, Rebecca

2007-05-11T09:01:00.000-05:00

May 29, 2007--RJ has Arrived

I've talked, detailed, written how i've been mistaken for someone else since I moved here in 2003. Well, here is the latest adventure:

May 29, 2007, 5:45 p.m.
RJ exits the NYC subway by Bloomingdales headed west toward the French Alliance for a Level 1 French class. iPod playing some innocuous tune in an effort to keep RJ's attitude upbeat (learning a new language at 39 ain't easy folks!)

A man waves as I cross the street mid-block. I turn off the iPod, he says, "may i ask you a question?"
Wary, wondering (is he gonna ask for change, directions or something wildly weird?), with a drawn out sigh, I reply "Yeees~~".
"Are you the author of the Grayson Hall biography? Are you RJ Jamison?"
Stunned but pleased I replied, "Why, yes."

So .. I've arrived and after realizing the man who approached me wasn't deranged or needing my money, I spoke briefly to the gentleman before running off to my French class.

Visual Map of wars

I thought this was a very interesting visual of major armed conflicts throughout history in the world--click this link

Kivi's experience of NYC

This summer I've been fortunate to have many visitors, Kivi has left the BBQ capital of North Carolina twice to visit, my college pal Carol venture up for a whirlwind 20 hours to take in a play with Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes (I can't believe Angela Lansbury said the "c" word--okay it was part of play but still!) and my pal David Duncan (aka D2) of Portland, Maine came down for a birthday soiree in early August.

Kivi wrote a bit in a local NC paper where she is a featured columnist, read Kivi's column, click here

Carol in NYC

I think my pal Carol had a good time, I walked her all over New York. Now Carol is immenently athletic. She remembers the days in Kansas when walking 5 blocks made me whine incessantly, so she was surprised to see me recommending walks uptown, crosstown, downtown. On one excursion near Columbus Circle, we ran into my favorite eccentric, Sylvia Miles (chronicled earlier in my adventures). Sylvia called out to me, we stopped, chatted, talked about her new movie filmed in Italy with Wilem Dafoe. After 10 minutes we walked away and Carol in a deadpan fashion said, "you set that up didn't you?"

Girl no I didn't. .that's just New York! There are millions here but you always run into someone you know. Link to Photo of Sylvia (you gotta check her out!)

Johnny Depp to star in new Dark Shadows Movie

It was announced in Variety that Johnny Depp will star in a new DS movie. Hopefully this will help with sales of the Grayson bio . . . folks will be interested in the old show, watch it, google search its actors. . and whala! Ironically, Grayson's husband, Sam, the head writer for Dark Shadows wanted Johnny Depp for the 1991 revival series on NBC, the lead went to Ben Cross who was rather rigid and unappealing IMO. Link to Variety Article

YouTube Junky

I love finding stuff on YouTube, like this classic moment that can still make me all teary -- from 1981 when one of my first heroes, Ruby Catherine Stevens (oh yeah! that WAS her real name) of Brooklyn, NY finally got her Oscar:

Stanwyck and Holden in Golden Boy (1939)

Running with Pencils

2007-04-25T08:20:00.000-05:00

Since my last posting I've been fortunate to be revisited by old .. old friends.. one I've known since i was 4, a SF pal and another a college pal whom I hadn't seen in 15 years.

Out of the Past. . .

L to R: Dee is the gypsy blond .. .and can anyone guess which child is moi?

DeeDee (now monosyllabic Dee) and I were best friends as toddlers in California. She bossed me around (yes, it is true) and I did whatever I could to remain in her select group of pals. She had blue eyes and platinum blond hair. . I had eyes everyone called hazel which at 35 I realized was the wrong description (hazel=brown/green and my eyes are green-blue) and stringy yellow hair (see photographic evidence above and YES I am the yellow blond, the brunette is NOT me but rather my sister Kerry. The Easter dresses were made by Dee's mother, Sharon.) So Dee and I hadn't seen one another since I was about 13--we met up in Morganton, North Carolina. I awaited her arrival sitting beside a Confederate statute (the irony). Why we haven't' seen one another is a long story that may one day end up in a novel but suffice it to say, we met up, fell into hours of conversation over wine (which for some reason folks in NC thought we shouldn't be ordering after 1:00 pm? Were we supposed to wait until 5:00?). I was due for dinner elsewhere but couldn't part from Dee, we just keep talking. I finally hit the Interstate back to Lexington around 6:00. What a magnificent day it was, one I'll always remember, wine, chocolate and a childhood friend with whom I still had an easy rapport. Photographic evidence of this reunion is stuck in Dee's camera . ..

Why was I near Morganton, North Carolina? I was visiting old SF pal, now NC resident, Kivi Leroux-Miller. I hadn't yet met her 2nd daughter, Jianna for whom I came to feel a great deal of affection for (particularly one night when I mistakenly took her off the sleeping regime and tried to rock her back to sleep for over an hour. . at 3 or 4:00 a.m. I put her back to bed. . .) Jia's older sister bewitched me two years ago on a similar visit to NC. I love the little girls but still don't want my own. . okay Ma?!

Kivi, Robin and I shop for Pottery in Seagrove, NC and sip chardonnay

at the Childress Winery

15 years since our last rendezvous in NYC

Etsuko Shimabakuro and I knew each other in the late 1980s at McPherson College. She traveled from Okinawa to attend school. . i ventured oh ..a 100 miles from my parents front door. The last time we saw one another was when I lived in Washington, D. C. and Etsuko flew into Dulles for a visit. She and I took the train to New York City. We were joined by fellow pal, Laura Shelton (now Dr. Shelton!) who jumped onto the train in Philadelphia. We spent a few exciting (err creeped out actually) nights at the Chelsea YMCA in New York. That was before the neighborhood was gentrified and gay-ghettoized. The Y was right across the street form the Chelsea Hotel where Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols knifed his girlfriend and apparently Janice Joplin did adult sexual things to Leonard Cohen (hey I'm only going by his song...).

Etsuko returned to a very different New York. .and apparently I look the same r so she kept saying at brunch~~ flattery will get you the best tour of NYC folks!

What am I reading?

Various folks ask me for book recommendations .. .a pal sent me this link to a website called GoodReads .. so I've easily populated the site with books I've enjoyed (and some I've NOT)
RJ's GoodReads recommendations

Call/Email the White House

I have this on my speed dial and call routinely . . . I will NOT resign my belief that this IS a democracy and say my actions wont result in any change. . .that's capitulation. . call 212-456-1111 and voice your opinion and VOTE!

Florence Foster Jenkins--take a listen

Last year there was a great little musical on Broadway called Souvenir about a New York society lady who in the 1940s held little fund raiser concerts each year. Invites to these soirees were highly sought after as Mrs. Jenkins believed she had a voice of an angel. She sold out a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944. She died a few months after the concert. Unfortunately Flo did not honestly hear her own singing-- but you can and then you'll understand why people flocked to hear her. Stories of people falling out of their seats laughing are legendary in NYC--click on the link: Flo

Emmy buzz for my Dobbleganger:

TV Guide A & A with MM

My Lunch with Andre'

Okay in 1980 this talkfest movie came out directed by Candice Bergen's French husband to be, Louis Malle. It was called "My Dinner with Andre'" In it a New York writer agrees to have dinner with his pretentious New York theatrical director friend, Andre Gregory. They both venture out on a blustery New York evening for a 2-hour dinner dominated by Andre's pretentious self-realizations. I saw this film about 5 months ago at the Museum of Modern Art. . . it was a double feature with Shaft! I can't figure out WhY the 2 films were doubled billed but they were. Okay so 'Dinner' was a bore and I only liked the last 10 minutes when Wallace Shawn yells at Andre Gregory how much he liked his hum drum little life with the electric blanket, "I love my electric blanket!" and didn't need all the sophomoric self-revelatory insights Andre went on and on about.

Sunday I'm in the West Village having lunch with Matt and Cecelia and their two kids. We are imbibing on a complete American meal (the 1950s style soda shop I had suggested nearby is now no longer!) Sitting there, Cecelia says "there goes Andre Gregory". ..and so he did, walking along, greyer, a bit craggier but tall and erect. And we watched him walk on towards greater self realizations. YouTube clip of Andre' click here

What's Next. .

In Sept-Oct, I'll be with a few friends turning 40 at the 15th century, 13-bedroom Chateau St. Andeux outside Dijon. Stay tuned for the RJ's adventures in France!

RJ Book Highlighted in TV Guide

2007-01-19T15:09:00.000-05:00

(with all the pretty fonts & oh so exciting photos)

Before we get to the miscellaneous obscura. . please note to the right (if you're on the blog webpage), you can sign up for notification anytime this is updated (FSS Feed). The update will be delivered directly to your email box with the photos and fonts. Maybe its simpler for you? It's simpler for me, I don't send out a mass email--And given that this had 300 hits from the last update, I guess some folks are reading it. . .
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What's up with the Book?

I want to thank everyone who asks about the book. A few things have happened since it's release. I always knew this would be a small event (even with the 600+ people at my launch), given the 'niche-cult' aspect of Grayson's fandom but it has been a pleasure and a joy. And below, a few tidbits on what's happening~~

TV Guide comes a callin'

In January, I was contacted by a columnist from TV Guide to highlight my book in his soaps column, Mike Logan on Soaps-Logan RAVE segment. For those in the dark (oh wait who would that be?) Grayson's biggest "pop culture" gig was on the daytime soap, Dark Shadows--hence the interest and placement of the blurb. Now this is full of some nostalgia for me as I was a big TV Guide addict back in the early 80s. Every week I'd save my 35 cents, walk across Vine Street and get my TV Guide! I had stacks in my closet (I am over being ashamed of my little collection!) That habit formed the basis for my head full of useless pop culture for which I am still known to this day. The Mike Logan RAVE column will be in the March 5th (goes on sale Wednesday, March 1st). TV Guide's circulation, is "20 million plus" with a "net paid circulation of 4.5 million. Still one of the largest weekly circulations in the USA. [quotes- interview- publisher Scott Crystal, MediaVillage.com, 10-14-2005]. Logan said "Jamison portrays the late actress as a smoking, drinking ass-pincher who swore like a Teamster yet was deeply sensitive. . . A Hard Act is as sharp and campy as Hall herself, and a terrific way to celebrate the soap's 40th anniversary."

Forgetting my own Ad!

With my publisher, I arranged for an ad for the book to appear in the prestigious New York Review of Books. I signed the release, etc. back in October or November. Then there was the Holidaze (Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK day). I got a call on January 26th or 27th from a friend. An aquaintance of his had seen the NYRB ad and favorably commented. Let's hope other "eyes" saw it and ordered it!

The House of Grayson Hall

It was brought to my attention that a cd was being sold on ebay that had a song entitled, "The House of Grayson Hall". Curiosity got the best of me and by using an intermediary I acquired the cd by Dementia Procox, a 1980s New Wave band. Together with her son and grandchildren, we listened to the cd, specifically the "GH" song in the house (make that apartment) of Grayson Hall. The cd was very interesting, it reminded Matthew Hall of the Wall of Voodoo which we then subsequently listened to as well. I never quite got the artistic connection to Grayson (and barely heard her voice in another song on the album), it was a weird and fun way to spend a Saturday night in Manhattan.

Okay I've posted about this before: RJ being mistaken for who?

In December at a Borders bookstore on Park Avenue I was mistaken for again for someone--at least this time I knew who! It went something like this

Nice but mistaken lady: "I'm sorry I don't normally do this, sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed your new show --I don't normally watch SciFi but it is so much better than the 70s version."

Me (opening my mouth ruined the whole illusion as I don't sound thing like who she believes I am): "Thank you but I'm not Mary McDonnell, though I also think the new Battlestar Galactica is a great show."

Who did she think I was? Do you know Mary McDonnell , Stands with Fist, Donnie Darko's mother, Robert Redford's girlfriend in Sneakers, Carter's mom in ER . . .a very distinguished career. (see earlier Adventures entry-- my friend Chen suggested that I was being mistaken for MM 2 years ago and i pooh poohed it!)

I look at it this way--I finally fulfilled my high school destiny of being Madam President! (MM plays President Laura Roslin on Battlestar Galactica. And my high school graduating class voted me most likely to be President--see photgraphic evidence below.) Yeah yeah yeah I hear my sister and others saying why am I not in politics? My mouth is too big that's why. But I have made overatures here in New York city but man, am I tough enough?

Mistaken Identity #2:

I had lunch with Richard Seff in January in my neighborhood. At a nearby table, a gentleman with little subtlety eaves dropped on our conversation. At some point he asked if I was Tracy Chevalier, the author of The Girl with the Pearl Earring? okay--a least i was mistaken for another author. But here's a photo of her--Tracey Chevalier photo. I don't really see it.

I look forward to the day when someone in 5-10 years is mistaken for me! and writes about it in a stupid blog.

Miscellaneous tidbits - not about me but fun all the same

Let it snow, let it snow. .STOP!!!!!

Photos of Oswego County, New York. The massive "lake effect" snowfall made the national news. .but here are some great photos taken by a friend's nephew in northern New York:

Plowing through the snow and a car bravely comes forth

My Favorite In Living Color Clip

I'm not a big Jim Carrey fan but this clip is a riot-The Wrath of Farrakhan When I originally decided to include this clip, over a week ago, it was before Farrakhan's last public speech:

Get Involved

2006-12-22T09:23:00.001-05:00

No More Malaria

Spend $10 on a bed net and help save an entire African family from malaria. I heard about this initiative right before George Will's tirade against personal blogs (Will's job security is threatened methinks). Malaria has been brought under control on many continents except Africa. A small donation of $10 can help a whole family survive and thrive. Click here- Malaria No More

Call the White House--tell W what you're thinking

After the latest Presidential address, I looked up the White House comment line phone number, I was polite but sure had some steam to blow! (Remember I'm a . . . ah dreaded word . .liberal! Yes I believe in health care for all, I believe in a livable wage for a hard day's work, I think teachers should be paid more than strippers, I don't believe billionaires need to leave their billions to their kids. . I mean Paris Hilton, need i say more?)

White House Phone number--ask for the Comment Line:
1 202 456 1414

2007!!!!!

2006-12-04T10:38:00.000-05:00

Greetings from NYC!
New Home for RJ's Adventures

First off--this is a new platform, hopefully easier to read and for me to compose for the silly stuff i post. Secondly. . you can respond/post comments automatically to the site, if you wish and i do hope a few of you do. A few things on that--the easiest technie way is to post as "anonymous" but please do sign your name at the bottom of any post so i know who you are. And the reason for the "word verification" is to try and stop from being spammed.

Brent turns another year younger in NYC

My friend Brent from SF visited in late September/early October for our 3rd annual "let's turn younger" soiree in NYC. Strangely enough, I was rather muted this year, not up for much partying. . only 39. . .egads! Well, i've never been much of a partier (no heckling here!) So a modest dinner out with a few drinks was fine for moi. Hope Brent returns for a 4th year, especially now that he's graduated to Not For Tourists Guide to New York

Another weekend in Niagara on the Lake

I spent another weekend attending the Shaw Festival with several friends and partaking of the stunning scenery. The photo below was taken before a group of us got onto the torpedo-like boat for a spin around the falls area. This jet boat closes over us so we did not get wet, very important when you're trying to look like a star with perfectly coiffed hair!

Just for FUN!

One of my favorite movie clips--I really think Steve Martin should've won something for this! Watch it especially before having dental work done.

Johari Window

A friend sent me this link, so i set it up for myself --what is a Johari Window? From the website: The Johari Window was invented by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in the 1950s as a model for mapping personality awareness. By describing yourself from a fixed list of adjectives, then asking your friends and colleagues to describe you from the same list, a grid of overlap and difference can be built up. Go check out mine and get your own . . .it only takes a few minutes and well. . its surf the web and read stupid gossip or do this and maybe learn about yourself (or not). RJ's Johari Window

Which Golden Girl are you?

My parents remember that i loved the Golden Girls during it's first run in the 1980s. They didn't understand why I so enjoyed watching a 4 50-something ladies every Saturday night. .they didn't understand then, they do now. They tell me they're addicted to Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia's antics. My parents and most gay men. The gay love of the Golden Girls was recently chronicled in the book The Q Guide to Golden Girls by Jim Colucci. Jim is an acquaintance of some pals of mine--impersonators Peter Mac and John Schaefer .

So for a fun 3 minutes, take this quiz put together on Lifetime (which my friend Rebecca Mat works for and who helped put together this quiz.) Find out which Golden Girl you are?!

I was unsurprisingly (given my reputation as no nonsense, sarcastic and those masculine traits (directions?I dont ask get me the map!)):

Richard Seff: Supporting Player-new biography

During my research into Grayson Hall's work with Alan Alda in a play entitled The Whole Nineth Floor, I met Richard Seff. Seff worked in various aspects of theatre, he was Chita Rivera's agent, wrote The Whole Nineth Floor and many other adventures (which I'm soon to learn about reading his memoir.) He was quite lovely about Grayson, and makes mean roast chicken! I look forward to devouring this book, if you like theatre, consider it! Order from Richard's website.

Two San Franciscans in NYC

Two pals from the Left Coast visited New York for a jam-packed 24 hours wherein we visited the Met to view the annual Christmas tree and the disturbingly provocative exhibit Glitter and Doom. This is also where Timonie and John failed to spot, even though I was pointing them out (subtly of course)-- Stephen Speilberg and his wife Kate Capshaw in line ahead of us. Then we also visited the Lower East Side-NoHo for grub and an interesting musical venue in my neighborhood, Session 73.

John and Timonie take in (and a bite) the Central Park Alice in Wonderland sculpture
2007

I think it's time for recommendations again on my annual 'theme song'. Leave a comment and suggest a song to keep grovin' toward in '07. I accomplished one 25 year goal with the book. . now I need a new goal, okay a 2nd book is one but. . . i need a theme song to get me groovin'. Maybe I should shake my groove thing on down to a size 8 --yeah yeah yeah. ..

2006 Installment #3

2006-11-30T14:19:00.000-05:00

Installment #3

Book Launched

I officially launched Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow at the 40th Anniversary Dark Shadows Festival. My hand was a claw after the weekend, signing nearly 200 copies. People were very gracious with their comments, "thank you for writing something for adults" and "thank you for your candor" were two of the compliments that resound the loudest. I had only three bizarre little episodes (which given the venue is less than expected)--1st) A strange little man man kept insisting my subject's husband had another name, something like Carbunkle, Arbuckle --2nd) another women hogged up the front of my line and kept asking me if I'd been inside a VA hospital? She flashed several different IDs and my, ultimately, tart retort did not drive her away. Finally a friend went into another room and rang my cell phone, escape! and 3rd) as I awaited a car to take me to the hotel where the event took place, a friend called to tell me Sylvia Miles had just stopped him on the sidewalk at Lower Broadway and Houston with "tell Rebecca the book is beautiful!" Mind you my friend had spoken to Miss Miles on the phone to help arrange an interview but had never met her-- I spoke with her a few days later and she did confirm the story and she still strongly believes she's met my friend~~~~

Grayson's friend and co-star on Dark Shadows, Nancy Barrett

Link--Click Here to view the YouTube video of Launch Event

Rebecca, how did you have time to write a book? Several folks have asked me that this last year. My reply--I don't have kids, I don't have a house requiring maintenance, I don't have a boyfriend (at present) requiring attention, my job is no longer all-consuming. I have plenty of time--3 to 4 hours every night (face it there isn't much on tv), weekends ( 6 hours Saturday, 6 hours on Sunday leaves plenty of time for dinners, parties, cocktail hours, theatre!) Like I said--plenty of time!. Now that it's done--yeah, i'm bored. So I'll pull out another project in October and work on a timeline and chapter outline for finishing it next year. Wish me luck!

With Love

For those of you who've seen a copy of the book, it is dedicated as follows, "To my mother, Arlene, and my friend Helen, with love." I spoke to my mother over the phone as she saw the dedication. It was a teary moment. I went to Washington, D.C. to give a copy to Helen, 87.

Nah, she ain't me. ..

As many know, I have been mistaken for 'someone' more than once since moving to NYC. People starring a bit longer than necessary, walking away and saying to one another "Was it her? Why didn't you ask?" More than one pal has suggested folks might think I'm Julianne Moore--based on this photo comparison below--yeah, I don't think so! I outweight her by at least 30 lbs. Another pal suggested perhaps Mary McDonnell? (You know she was in Dances with Wolves or the great updated show Battlestar Galactica--seriously if you're not watching this show--you missing something very special. A thought provoking, political show about survival in the wake of a dessimated society--not the space-crap we got in the 70s.)

Dame Helen!

My plug for folks to watch the final installment of the great British program, Prime Suspect 7. Check the link for PBS airings in your area. This really is a favorite program of mine starring an admired (non redhead?!) actress, Helen Mirren. This program has always been a well written exploration of a mature woman making it in the London Police Department with her brains not her "assets" though Dame Helen has quite a few assets. Anyone familiar with her work, e.g. Excalibur, The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover, The Madness of King George, or most recently a movie that I really liked (and few critics did), Shadowboxer with Cuba Gooding, Jr (finally making a decent film)--knows she's not adverse to artistic exploration or kinda kinky behavior! She's married to director Taylor Hackford who directed the Oscar-winning Ray (biop of Ray Charles). She has a new film coming out entitled The Queen for which she received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

600 feet below the City

One of the few fun work activities that I participated in recently was a tour of a place few have gone before..less than 100 people actually and that is 600 feet under Manhattan where the construction of a new water tunnel has been on going for over 20 years. After a 13 minute elevator ride down into the bowels of the City, we arrived to an area blasted out by dynamite to make room for a "digger" which constructed 60-miles of tunnels through granite and Manhattan shist. The tunnel is expected to be opened and operational in 2020 at a cost of $6 billion. Here's a link to more info about the site (for the rock geeks amongst you.) It was definitely a case study of the difference between the sexes. After 20-30 mins the women were done but the boys stood around ewww-ahhing over the tunnel boring machine and the rocks. blech!

What's next? Heck, wasn't this enough? As said above, I have another writing project, and well I turn 39 in a few weeks (Brent will be making his annual return for duo birthday festivities). I'll begin planning that "Turning 40 in Italy" vacation in earnest. . . I heard from lotsa folks interested in joining me in Italy--all i know is it is going to be near water, maybe Como or another mountain lake or maybe along the southern coast. . I just want to sit by the water with a few books and some wine and cheese and some fun filled friends for a month--that's the goal! Hopefully I'll have a chosen locale by the end of the year and then commitments in cash kids!