Things to come...imminent... any moment now...
And now I embark on a great adventure...
I never thought this day would come, yet
here it is.
Hopefully, you'll be hearing from me in January.
But for now, I must bid you adieu...
As Arnold says, "I'll be back!"
Jiva
STATUES OF BILL...
THIS ONE IS IN IRELAND!
THIS ONE IS IN GHANA (ALONG WITH SEVEN FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS)
THIS ONE IS IN KOSOVO
Bill Clinton gets around!
Jiva
I love these shoes... I just wonder if you feel like you're walking on
your tippy toes when you wear them. I mean, they ARE kind of high!
All those straps. Great color. Fine material.
Another day in America.
It boggles my mind how lucky we are to be here.
Is there anything you can't buy in America?
Absolutely amazing.
Jiva
The Original 1939 Cast starring Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer,
Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine. There were NO men in this film.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George Cukor directed The Women in 1939, and Diane English directed her
version of the film in 2008. I specifically say "her version" because
it is radically different from the original. Diane felt that after 70 years,
women had become more supportive of each other, less catty and vindictive.
The original film states "it's all about men." The new version is definitely
all about women. Not a man in sight, and very few on anyone's mind, except
of course for the wandering husband.
The new film's cast of Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candace Bergen, Eva Mendes, Debi Mazar, Carrie Fisher, a cameo by Bette Midler,
and an outstanding at 82 Cloris Leachman, who has some of the best comic
lines in the film, do a wonderful job of being friends, confidants,
even in betrayal and sadness, they are dynamic. The film ends quite
appropriately in a birthing room, as Debra Messing gives birth to her
fifth child. This new film is all about women, their power, their
passions, their drive, and oh yes, their relationships with the invisible
men.
At first, I was appalled at the difference between the two films, but then
I realized that Diane English was right, women had changed, and they didn't
need to be so catty or clever or "in your face" with the outfits and the style
that was so predominant in the original. I've actually watched it five times,
and at the end now, I cry. Isn't that something? Quite a switch from the
original, which was a comedy classic.
Jiva
Well, they went and built a hotel on the elephants' migratory path. Did the elephants mind?
Apparently not. They stroll right through the place every
November. Makes a great tourist attraction. Eh? Seems the hotel courtyard
drops particularly delicious mangoes to the ground, and these elephants
cannot resist them! Even though there are other mango trees on other
properties, these elephants prefer the ones found at the hotel.
Jiva
You can see the infectious spirit of Billy... 
I love Miracles, don't you? Every now and again, I'm privileged to see a real one.
My friend, Billy DeGuido, a man of 53 years, was struck down by a massive heart attack in April. His brain was without oxygen for about ten minutes. The doctors held little chance for Billy's recovery.
Now, you'd have to know Billy to understand what happened next. At the hospital,
he became somewhat of a celebrity, as friends by the dozens poured into the
hospital to see how Billy was doing. He was in Cardiac Intensive Care,
so visits being very limited, the friends hung out in the waiting room.
Every day. Then, the doctors decided to let Billy's friends into his
Intensive Care Room, in hopes that their voices would wake him up.
Billy was known for his sports participation. He played baseball, he played
water volleyball, he played tennis. He was in on everything.
There was this:
No insurance.
I guess this is a commentary on the American Spirit, and what happens
when there is no coverage.
I decided to call Silent Unity, about two days into Billy's stay, when he was in a coma. Silent Unity is this organization in Missouri, where if you call, they pray for you or your friends for 30 days. It's powerful, intensive stuff. The next day, Billy responded a bit. ! What? Yes, he responded a bit. I'm going to give you the link to Billy's web page, so you can see for yourself, the Miracle that Billy is.
BILLY DEGUIDO
When you look at that page, you will see the enthusiasm, the hope, and the good wishes of everyone for our dear Billy.
Nurses from the original CCU visited Billy to see how the "Miracle Man" was doing. In the first few days in CCU some of the staff originally thought Billy had very little chance of making it, now the staff is so inspired by his progress they come to visit on their break. Even his doctor said he is a 1 in a 1000 case to make the recovery that he is doing.
You will also see what happens when friends rally around in a time of crisis.
It's an amazing thing... and it's what has inspired me to write this on my blog. Thanks for looking. Pray for Billy, he has a long road ahead of him.
Jiva
Bea Arthur (born Bernice Frankel) was born on May 13, 1922 in New York City
Jiva
I saw Eartha Kitt in New Faces of 1952 in Chicago... she sang that fabulous
song "Monotonous" in a style that was unique and so sexy. I have been a fan
of hers ever since. 
Earthy Eartha, The Diva
There never has been and never will be anyone like her.
Eartha at The Churchill Club 1951
Eartha in Anna Lucasta
Eartha with her daughter Kitt
Eartha with Julius LaRosa and Ed Sullivan
Eartha with Nat King Cole
Eartha with Kristin Chenoweth 2004
Eartha with daughter Kitt McDonald Shapiro
Eartha sings "I'm Still Here" from FOLLIES
She may be gone, but she will live on in our memories...
Here is a website for her fans from her daughter Kitt:
Eartha Kitt The Official Site
Jiva
I HOPE I LOOK LIKE THIS AT 94 !!
Patricia Morrison looking good at 94
Patricia Morrison in 1939
King Yul Brynner a legend
I don't know why, but this clip always gives me goosebumps!
Jiva
With her husband, actor Liam Neesom.
With her mother, Vanessa Redgrave.
Here is Mom Vanessa with Natasha and Joely in 1965.
With her sons, Michael and Daniel.
Natasha's sister Joely Richardson and her daughter, Daisy Bevan.
Her Grandfather Michael Redgrave and Grandmother Rachel Kempson.
Her mother Vanessa Redgrave and aunt Lynn Redgrave.
Natasha and her sister Joely.
45 Year old Natasha Richardson, of the Redgrave Family Acting Dynasty, has died today after being taken off life support in New York City. How tragic and sad for her family, her husband Liam Neeson and their two sons, Michael and Daniel. Natasha was one of the younger members of the Redgrave family, her mother being Vanessa Redgrave, daughter of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, shown above. Natasha's aunt, Lynn Redgrave, uncle Corin Redgrave, and Natasha's sister Joely Richardson, are all famous in their own right theatrically.
As Mary Schmich said in her famous article fantasizing about a good commencement address, that was falsely attributed to Kurt Vonnegut,
"The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday."
So may this be the reason behind Natasha's premature death, something that never crossed anyone's mind as being possible, on any day of the week.
It is always a shock to learn of an improbable passing. To her family, her husband, her sons, her mother, sister, aunt and uncle, our deepest sympathies and comfort.
The Broadway community will no doubt dim its lights in her honor tomorrow night.
For the complete story of her ski accident, her transport to New York, and subsequent death, click on this link from the Daily Mail.
Jiva
LIVE THEATER ~ AMERICAN MUSICAL COMEDY,
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
If this doesn't make you laugh and blank out your brain, you're dead!
This Economy has me in the dumps.
Typical Busby Berkeley Number from 1930's films.
A depression era treat for the masses.
I'm choosing Broadway Musicals for MY escape!
CRAZY FOR YOU is my absolute FAVORITE MUSICAL!
I am IN LOVE with HARRY GROENER, and have been since I saw the show
ON BROADWAY in 1993.
I even sent him my photo, fool that I am!
Isn't he just adorable???? :-)
The "Merm" belts it out...
So you too may while away a few minutes of your time, escaping to Broadway.
If I were there, I'd see every single show playing.
That's my answer to these troubling times...
it's called "Looking the other way." :-)
And you have to admit, "Anything Goes"
is certainly the Theme Song of
This Economy!
Jiva
ANY QUESTIONS?
Jiva
Here we are, almost into spring, getting ready to leave the cold winter behind us.
I said to my friend, "Nothing is going to be the same anymore..."
and he said, "Yes it is, the elk will still migrate, the geese will still be honking,
nothing will change." And I thought he was right, the basics will still be there,
we can make the most of them, as we wait for the great insurrection
these troubled times may bring upon us.
Some people have begun to call our new government the Bush/Obama government,
meaning that it appears to be much the same, wasteful spending, continuation of war,
empty promises. The inability to understand a free economy.
I tend to live in a bubble of my own making, hanging with friends who do the same.
Living in a dream of beauty and intelligence, yet going to the meetings, just in
case there is work that might help bring us back to a freer, independant America.
Sometimes it only takes a moment of will and perseverance to wrought change.
Not change we can believe in, but change that actually happens.
I don't wish to be owned by my government, I yearn to breathe free,
like it says at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
God bless America, may freedom be her song.
Jiva
SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE OSCAR'S, THERE WERE NO JOKES, NO LAUGHS, BUT A LOT
OF SERIOUS MOMENTS OF LAUDING ACTORS AND THEIR TALENTS BY FORMER ACTORS.
THIS HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE, AND YOU COULD SEE IT BROUGHT EXCITEMENT
AND THRILLS TO THE NOMINEES TO BE SO COMPLIMENTED BY ICONS OF FILM.
For each category of actors, best, and supporting, a group of famous
winners from the past stepped forward, and each one personally addressed
one of the nominees, as a one on one so to speak, and told them of how
impressed they were with their work. You could see the thrill of
the words on the nominees faces. It was a brilliant stroke by the
director of the awards. It is something that each actor will carry
with them for the rest of their lives, to be personally complimented
by someone famous as Shirley MacLaine, or Robert DeNiro, a different
star for each nominee and seen by the millions of viewers.
Because of the lack of a comedic host, song and dance man Hugh Jackman did his best
to entertain the audience of celebrities and their families, but a little humor might
have gone a long way to quicken the pacing of the show, and keep the excitement going.
As it was, I found myself drifting off, changing channels, watching scenes from a film
playing on TCM, watching bits of Oliver Twist on PBS, and then coming back to the
awards. Not my usual habits at all! But that's how it was for me. For you, it may
have been more to your liking. I was very happy to see Kate win her Oscar, god
knows she deserves one, and I had to laugh when she told Meryl Streep she'd just have
to "suck it up," commenting that godesses like herself couldn't believe they were in
the same company with Meryl.
Slumdog Millionaire and it's director Danny Boyle won the prize.
Kate Winslet and Sean Penn won best actor.
Penelope Cruz and Heath Ledger won best supporting actor.
Steve Martin and Tina Fey had a nice little performance,
and Heath Ledger's family accepted the award on his behalf.
Beyonce` and Hugh Jackman did a musical number with dancers.
The best part of all for me, was that towards the end of
the show, for the first time EVER as far as I can remember,
there was plenty of time for each performer to thank all the
people they wanted to thank, without any music or "hurry up"
people waving them off. Which proved that it CAN be done!
Jiva
80 YEARS OF OSCARS ~ 80 YEARS OF FILMS
Tomorrow night at eight o'clock EST, The Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences will present once again, the awards for movies made in 2008. It's one of my favorite nights, not so much because it's fun to see the Red Carpet arrivals, although I certainly do enjoy that, but what has always fascinated me about the awards (and I've been watching them ever since they came on TV), is the emotional effect that films have on the viewers. Just like Gone With The Wind, [I'm watching it right now on Turner Classic Movies], what we learn from films can be transforming to our souls, to our lives. Indeed, certain films do earn the right to be awarded the highest honors for the emotion and stimulation they bring to us, sometimes changing the way we see the world. Film is the medium through which all things are possible.
HERE IS A MONTAGE OF THE 80 BEST PICTURES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oscar Nominees:
Best Picture
'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
'Frost/Nixon'
'Milk'
'The Reader'
'Slumdog Millionaire'
Best Director
Danny Boyle 'Slumdog Millionaire'
Stephen Daldry 'The Reader'
David Fincher 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Ron Howard 'Frost/Nixon'
Gus Van Sant 'Milk'
Best Actor
Richard Jenkins 'The Visitor'
Frank Langella 'Frost/Nixon'
Sean Penn 'Milk'
Brad Pitt 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Mickey Rourke 'The Wrestler'
Best Actress
Anne Hathaway 'Rachel Getting Married'
Angelina Jolie 'Changeling'
Melissa Leo 'Frozen River'
Meryl Streep 'Doubt'
Kate Winslet 'The Reader'
Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin 'Milk'
Robert Downey Jr. 'Tropic Thunder'
Philip Seymour Hoffman 'Doubt'
Heath Ledger 'The Dark Knight'
Michael Shannon 'Revolutionary Road'
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams 'Doubt'
Penelope Cruz 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'
Viola Davis 'Doubt'
Taraji P. Henson 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Jiva
THE NEWS IS OUT... JULIE SINGS AGAIN !
JULIE SINGS HER FAVORITE SONG MY SHIP BEFORE SHE LOST HER VOICE... SO BEAUTIFUL...
THIS VIDEO ACTUALLY HAD ME IN TEARS...
Recorded August 12, 2008.
Such wonderful news... I happened to do a search to see what the news was, if any, about Julie's voice, as I had heard rumors that her voice was returning! And apparently this is true, although not the range she once had, more like a very low range, but that could change, as she is seeing voice coaches, and trying not to go beyond the limited range she now has, so as not to injure her vocal chords further than they already were damaged by the disastrous surgery she had twelve years ago to remove a non malignant cyst in her throat. She was supposed to be well with a voice better than ever within two weeks of the surgery, but alas, her voice did not return. She quips at The Hollywood Bowl, "I can sing the hell out of Old Man River."
But just the fact that she can sing at all, after this long silence, is a miracle. Everyone is cheering her on. God bless that sweet woman, her voice was her life, and now she has her life back.
To see the article about the return of her voice, click HERE.
Here is a clever clip put together by Nesha1987 on You Tube,
showing how IMPOSSIBLE THINGS ARE HAPPENING EVERY DAY !!
Thank you Julie for not giving up. You are an inspiration.
Julie is an amazing 73 years old this year.
It just flies, the time, doesn't it?
Jiva
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ESTELLE AND RONNIE
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2007 ~ THE RONETTES INDUCTED
THE ORIGINAL HIT ~ BE MY BABY BY THE RONETTES
Ronettes star Estelle Bennett dies at 67 yesterday at her home in New Jersey.
Always sad to see them slip away... Deepest sympathies to you Ronnie...
Jiva
I cannot deny that I am diametrically opposed to this stimulus bill that is passing in the Senate today.
I don't think it will stimulate anything except the pockets of a few
people who are without ethics.
If any of the money actually gets where it's supposed to go,
I'll be really surprised.
I have a link for you, from a web site that has the audacity to explain why this bill
will not work, why it will do very little to stimulate anything, and why it is a bad idea.
MORE SIMPLE ARITHMETIC
Other than that, the only thing that comes to my mind is this: 
I rest my case.
Jiva
The pilot of the US Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River,
attended SOUTH PACIFIC last night, and at the end of the show,
Kelli O'Hara stepped forward and announced that Sully and his
family were in the audience.
He received a STANDING OVATION, which was richly deserved.
The Associated Press sent the story around the world.
Sully and his family are in New York this week to not only
see a Broadway show, but to be regaled by New Yorkers for
his heroism in bringing in that plane with 155 survivors
all due to his quick thinking and aero expertise.
Mayor Bloomberg will give Sully the key to New York City.
Tonight, he will be interviewed by Katie Couric on CBS 60 Minutes at 7 o'clock.
I will be watching for sure.
There are not enough good words to praise this man,
he came along at a time when America needed a hero,
and a hero he is.
AND HERE IS A POSTSCRIPT TO THIS INCREDIBLE STORY:
Sully had checked out a book from the U of C at Fresno Library.
It was in the Cargo Hold of the plane in the Hudson River.
Sully contacted the library asking for an extension and waiver
of fees.
"Fresno State library officials said they were struck by Sullenberger's sense of responsibility and did him one better: they're waiving all fees, even lost book fees, and placing a template in the replacement book dedicating it to him.
The book's subject? "Professional ethics."
AND NOW, IF WE COULD ONLY HAVE EVERYONE IN CONGRESS READ THAT BOOK,
AND ALL COMPANY CEO'S, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE.
This is why Sully is a hero, because he represents everything
that is lacking in America today. He is a man of Integrity.
Story from The Associated Press.
Jiva
On January 15, 2009, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet declared that day to be "Dorothy Kloss Day" for residents and visitors of Palm Springs, California. Dorothy is in the Guiness Book of World Records as The Oldest Still Performing Show Girl. She is 85 years old. She performs daily at the Plaza Theatre show, Palm Springs, California, in The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.
This is particularly significant to me because Dorothy is a former Merriel Abbott Dancer,
just as I was once, a group of girls who trained their bodies to be strong, beautiful,
and apparently long lasting! As you can see from the photos, Dorothy Dale Kloss is one of
those very beautiful girls.
Jiva
HOTEL LAST FRONTIER ~ GAY NINETIES BAR ~ WESTERN STYLE ~ 1942
EL RANCHO VEGAS ~ FIRST HOTEL ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP ~ 1941
THE FLAMINGO HOTEL OPENED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE 1946
FREMONT STREET WAS AND STILL IS THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can see that the showgirls and dancers wore clothes back in those days!
I was in the chorus with The Merriel Abbott Dancers at The Last Frontier Hotel during the Fall of 1953. We opened and closed the show. Xavier Cugat and Abbe Lane were headliners. What a great place it was. We stayed at The Desert Spa, which was an off-shoot of The Desert Inn, right across the street from The Frontier.
Seven hotels on The Strip. Facing North: El Rancho and Last Frontier on the left, and The Sahara, Flamingo, Desert Inn, Sands, Thunderbird on the right. The strip was a two lane highway! You know, today, it's a ten lane highway! Chuck Wagon cost a dollar for "all you can eat," and an entire show could be seen for the price of a drink. Big name stars were everywhere. It was a blast. The Mary Kaye Trio played in the lounge, but most of us weren't allowed in there or in the casino because we were underage. Our youngest was only 15! We went horse back riding during the day out on ranches. There were bramble bushes blowing and rolling down the highway late at night, and sounds of rattlers very close by in the empty land between hotels. I loved the desert and the feeling of wide open spaces.
I never noticed any rough characters when I was there, just a lot of Hollywood stars, like Jimmy Durante, Shelley Winters, Janet Leigh, Sinatra, the Ritz Brothers, Hank Henry from The Silver Slipper next door... like that... everyone was family back then. We all hung out together and did silly stupid fun things... to be so young and experience that... nothing like it.
I went back to Las Vegas in 1978 which was my 25th Anniversary of having first worked there, and I got a job as a Keno Runner at The Tropicana just for fun. I can tell you there were definitely mob people running things then, they seemed to be everywhere. I loved the outfits the men wore, those black silk shirts with the white satin ties. And those low, graveley voices that sounded like they had eaten cement.
The comedian on our show was Bobby Sargent, and when I went back in 1978, his picture was on the elevator wall at the Hilton. Really surprised me! He was still around.
When we had to leave on the train to go back, I didn't want to go. I cried and cried, wanting so much to stay. But I was under age, and had not much say in my life. By the time we were back in Chicago, I seemed to forget all about it, as other issues took over.
Jiva
Seems like winter brings many northerners down here, a lot of Canadians,
and people who feel that endless summer is not such a bad idea...
Apparently, they want to get away from the cold and experience 80 degree temps.
Well, this is what it looks like folks, in case you were wondering. Sure,
I know it's a tough life to take. I've been here 28 years, and am wanting
so much to feel some cold weather on my skin, look off into the distance
and see mountains. To feel like I'm out west with sturdy people of strong
character, who love life. Florida makes me feel lethargic and lacking any
ambition whatsoever! Hard to believe, even Paradise gets old after awhile.
By the way, not to mislead... the above is not my house, oh no...
it's the house of a friend and it's for sale for $750,000... not
anything I could afford! It's just very representative of the life
so many people lead here in the sub-tropics... swimming pools, always.
Jiva
Another year, another parade of beauties to represent America to the world.
Congratulations Katie Stam, Miss Indiana, Miss America 2009
Jiva
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