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July 29, 2004
August 3rd: Help Pick High Cotton Benefit
“As God is our witness, High Cotton WILL go on!!”
Come meet HX Magazine's 2004 drag queen of the year, Flotilla Debarge, and the rest of the cast and company of High Cotton on August 3rd from 6-9pm at Junno’s downtown.
The Privys of Coon Fields Plantation are putting on a party to help raise funds for the 2004 Fringe Festival production of High Cotton. Join them for complimentary vodka well drinks until 8pm, fantastic raffle prizes, great music and all the Southern charm you can swallow.
So drop by and party for Cotton.
August 3rd , 2004
Tuesday
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Junno’s
64 Downing St
New York, NY 10014
$20./ pp
Vodka Well Drinks until 8pm.
Posted by mermu at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2004
The Buzz...
Tellin' you what's a happening.
My commercial for Bush in 30 Seconds, Who Do You Work For? is being aired as a PSA on this station for a show called "Speak Out".
Aside from putting my commercial out there for "Speak Out" to find, I'm a little peeved with Bush in 30:. They've managed to cut my commercial in half on their website and I have no way of alerting them to the error. ARGH!!!
High Cotton is alive and kickin'. I've found out I can sell ads in the program which is good. If they'd given me that kind of permission 2 months ago it would have been great. I'm also putting together a fundraiser for the show on August 3rd at Junno's in NYC. Hope you can make it if you're around. To all of you theatre benefactors out there who can't make it to the fundraiser...If you can't come and you want to contribute I can certainly make that happen! Just let me know... This project is particularly interesting because, although a TITC project, I'm producing it all by my lonesome. I'm earning my mettle on this one, I can tell you. Aside from that the show promises to be hysterical.
I put together a proposal for John Kerry's campaign and sent it to him. I haven't heard anything but the premise is so good that if he doesn't use it I will just save it for future races of which I want to be involved....maybe my own...someday. For the record, you should definitely check out what Kerry plans to do in the first hundred days of office when he's elected. Unlike our current President's task list, a vacation is nowhere in the schedule.
I'm also working on a fundraising project. Go to my Projects page to find out more about The Phoenix Project.
That's the buzz. Gotta fly.
Posted by mermu at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2004
Jimmy. Nailed
Jimmy was my second real boyfriend. (I don't count Mike R___ski because we only dated for a month. I was 15. He was 19 and that weirded him out I think. Or it could have been the fear of jailtime for StatRape should we have actually gotten closer...I don't know. He was a cutie though...Different Story...I digress. )
Jimmy. My second boyfriend. He made moving to Fort Worth bearable at a time where I felt I was losing everything. In Wichita Falls I had a life; I was president of the Youth Group. I was on Drill Team. I was in the mix. In Fort Worth there was nothing...but Jimmy. We had a really fun summer watching his cousins and then he left for home which was Joshua Tx. I saw him once a few months after but that was it. We didn't have cell phones and emails back in the day...especially for high school kids and long distance was expensive.
Then in college I saw him in my dorm's cafeteria. We rekindled our friendship and dated a bit but a bizarre night at a party with my cousin put a quick end to that and I moved to a different college 6 hours away my Junior year.
A year goes by and I get a call. It's Jimmy, he's moved back to the Fort Worth area (where I went to school) and we became friends again. We even dated awhile...again. Soon we realized we weren't couple material but we were obviously meant to be friends. It was a little weird how we crept into each other's life on occasion, but comforting too.
I managed to see him while I was in Florida on tour a few years after college. He was stationed there. I met his then girlfriend that he ended up marrying. We stayed in touch for awhile but drifted once again.
I've looked for him at odd times. You just can't google "Jimmy M____" and get a useful response. So I knew I'd have to wait until he googled me.
A few weeks ago he did. He's living in Connecticut about an hour and a half away from NYC with his wife(same girl in Fl) and child with one on the way. I'm so pleased things are going well for him.
It's weird but I know that Jimmy and I will have this weird in touch/out of touch relationship for the rest of our lives. He's known me since I was 15 years old. And we keep popping up like bad pennies. Our inconstant contact is a constant in an ever-changing world.
About another Jimmy. When I was in London in 1992 there was a song that played constantly. I loved it. This girl would sing "I love you" and the guy would whisper "She's lying.". Somebody told me it was SNAP who did it but that was a lie. I was thinking it might be ABC. I've been looking for this song for 12 years!!! Seriously...every now and then I'd google various phrases and things to try to find this song. I'd ask people in record stores, chatrooms, and anybody European. Nobody knew until....
My Englishman had a visitor who is also part of
The Raging Horns. He has a reputation for knowing everything about music. As far as I'm concerned he does because after 12 years of impotent searching and frustration, I now have Ain't No Doubt on my IPOD. TWELVE YEARS!!!!
Posted by mermu at 12:10 PM | Comments (5)
Credentials
This guy wants me to hire him for a high level position that requires vision, diplomacy, and the "stick-to-it-iveness" to get things done despite sometimes crippling opposition and infighting. What do you think? Would you hire him?
I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days.> *My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.
*MILITARY:
*I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL.
*I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use.
*By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
*COLLEGE:
*I graduated from Yale University with a low C average.
*I was a cheerleader.
*PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:
*I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
*I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
*I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas.
*The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
*I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.
*With the help of my father and our rightwing friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.
*ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:
*I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
*During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog ridden city in America.
*I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
*I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.
*With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.
*ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
*I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.
*I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.
*I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.
*I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
*I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12month period.
*I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12month period.
*I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market.
*In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.
*I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history.
*My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.
*I set the record for most campaign fundraising trips by a U.S. President.
*I am the all-time U.S. and world record holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.
*My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron.
*My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.
*I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history.
*I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
*I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.
*I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
*I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any President in U.S. history.
*I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.
*I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.
*I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
*I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
*I refused to allow inspectors access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
*I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).
*I set the record for fewest number of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.
*I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one year period.
*After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.
*I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.
*I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind.
*I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, preemptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. citizens, and the world community.
*I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families in war time.
*In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.
*I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
*I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.
*I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice.
*RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
*All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
*All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
*All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.
*PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004.
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't hire this guy to fly a kite.
Posted by mermu at 11:47 AM | Comments (1)
July 17, 2004
Sonic Vision
Yesterday, Cat and I went to the American Museum of Natural History to watch Sonic Vision. This is a graphics show in the planetarium set to some really cool music. It was a blast to see, and only lasted an hour or so. At times it felt like we were traveling through space. Cat and I enjoyed it so much that we've placed it on the "Must See" list for my future NYC visitors...especially if you're youngish. (I don't think Uncle Kansas would much enjoy any fascinating graphics while it's accompanied with U2's "Elevation, or well, anything by White Zombie.)
Cousin Cat and I have had a nice time on her second solo sojourn to NYC. It's great for me to try to see NYC through a kid's eyes too. There are alot of fun things to do here for people of all ages. I had to rethink my "Cruise Director" mode shortly after Cat arrived. Most of the things I was thinking to do involved bars, late nights, and booze. I'm definitely not ready to see Cat in that environment so I'm sure TandF aren't ready either.
Cat's been a pretty good girl so far on this trip. In the interest of decorum, she refused to take a picture with the naked cowboy when we saw him yesterday afternoon. For those of you who are spitting up your drinks at this moment, he's not really naked. He wears a pair of tighty whities with "NAKED COWBOY" written all over them.
He's a NY institution. For the record and in the interest of having other cousins and *gulp* nieces and nephews visit, there were plenty of kids taking pictures with him. On one hand, I am very impressed with Catherine's insistance to maintain a proper distance. On the other hand I wonder, "was I ever that shy?"
Posted by mermu at 09:53 AM | Comments (3)
July 16, 2004
I've Paid the Price
It's taken me almost 10 years to do it, but I've finally paid off my student loans for college. What I bought with my money: a bachelor of Arts in Acting and Directing, a summer programme in Oxford and Edinburgh Scotland and the first few payments on my then new Ford Ranger.
The degree's worth sort of speaks for itself. I did manage to get a number of grants and scholarships but that just wasn't enough to cover everything. In addition to actually having learned things, that piece of paper almost always means I'll make more money in any given job than someone who doesn't have a similar piece of paper. The Oxford/Edinburgh Summer Programme was my first time out of the country, my first time on a large trip on my own and unsurpervised and the first time I had any inkling of who I might be as an adult. It was my chance to see the world and discover that I really liked seeing the world. The car payments paid for the first 3 payments of my first new and first reliable mode of transportation. I was in school at the time and could not have covered the payments otherwise. I loved that Ford Ranger. It got me to Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida and more places than I can count. It's been through floods, snow storms and really big mountains with an "I-don't-know-how-to-drive-through-mountains" driver. I learned how to drive through mountains with that truck. It also helped me move more times than I'd like to remember. It still lives on as what I hope is reliable transportation for my Auntie Godmother and her husband.
So in the end, it really stunk shelling out that money every month for almost 10 years but I must say, I'd do it all again if I had to. It'll be the best investment I've made probably in my entire life. The returns are already overwhelming.
Posted by mermu at 10:03 AM | Comments (5)
July 12, 2004
Gates
When Auntie and Uncle Kansas came to visit me earlier in the year, Auntie told me about this project coming to Central Park in February. After reading the subsequent New Yorker article she sent me, I'm not sure what to think. Artists Jeanne Claude and Christo have quite the interesting vision and apparently they finance the entire cost of their installations themselves.
On one hand, I'm not sure I could find much beauty in something that will so completely overtake one of the most beautiful spots of New York City. On the other hand, it seems exotic and intriguing.
The installation will only last for 16 days in February and when gone will not have damaged CP in any way...at least that's what they are saying. I think it's going to be worth checking out.
Posted by mermu at 09:00 AM | Comments (2)
July 09, 2004
Bush sings Shaggy
Well, it was a banner day for George W Bush. On the same day that the Pentagon announced that GWB's military records were accidentally destroyed, a Senate report accuses the CIA of false intelligence information which misled poor GW in to thinking Saddam had those big bad Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Now if he'd get people to mysteriously forget the manner in which he assumed the Presidency, the failure to fund his No Child Left Behind act thereby rendering it pointless, his *special* relationship with Ken Lay and Enron, the debacles with Halliburton managing Iraqi construction and meals, and the fact that the man is a complete boob he'd be sitting in High Cotton.
It's as if Bush were doing a political rendition of Shaggy's hit song...It wasn't me! Yeah. Right.
Posted by mermu at 06:37 PM | Comments (1)
Ollabelle
The day after the Morrison fundraiser, Pru and I went to see a concert in this little Weehawken park by the Hudson River. It was the first event in a free concert series. The band Ollabelle was really great. They have a gospel/folk sound that is reminiscent of Old Texas and "O brother Where Art thou?". If you like them, you can purchase their music on Itunes.
While at this event, I discovered that Weehawken is building a huge Performing Arts Center by the river. Hmm. Now this is something I'd like to get involved in.
I also learned this year is the the 200th anniversary of the Hamilton-Burr duel that happened right here in little ole Weehawken. This ancient pissing contest resulted in Hamilton's death and the "what might have been's" if these guys had better communication skills are still raging. This weekend there is a reenactment at the very spot. I and my Weehawken friends are planning on going. It should be fun. And wow! American History practically in my back yard.
Posted by mermu at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
No Time for Delay
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the man who very well may be the next US Congressman from District 22 (That's Sugarland, Tx). His name is Richard Morrison. He's running against the machine that is Tom Delay. Now some of you folks may know Tom. He's known for throwing his weight around in DC and not throwing his weight around in his District. He personally clogged funding for the Houston Light Rail while greenlighting funds for Dallas and other large cities. Why you ask? Well, I'm asking the same question myself. Even Republicans like Senator Kay Baily Hutchinson favor the Houston Light Rail. If you've ever lived in Houston and have asthma, as I did, you'd understand why this is so important. Houston is consistently ranked as one of the worst pollution points in the country and ole Tom thinks investing in convenient mass transit is a bad idea...well at least for his city.
Aside from the fact that Tom Delay is so caught up in self-interest politics, I believe that Richard Morrison would still be the better choice. He's smart, educated, personable and he has some great ideas for how we can improve our country in education, jobs, yes...mass transit, and many other issues important to Houstonians and the nation. If you live in the area, and even if you don't check out Mr. Morrison. I think you'll be favorable impressed.
Speaking of impressed I admit I was so proud of my friend Emily for hosting such a fantastic event. Guest speakers included Al Franken, Mark Green (frmr. Mayoral Candidate for NYC) with a surprise visit from Sen. Rangel (D-NY). This was a great event for Emily and for Richard Morrison. I've been told it may also lead to a larger-scale event as well.
As a Texan, well and as an American I am really excited with this turn toward involvement in politics not just in one's voting district. This year I have contributed to both Senator LLoyd Doggett (who is a target by those vicious Republican re-districters) and to Richard Morrison. Consider that a re-elected Tom Delay could be elected the next Speaker of the House which would make him #3 in line for the presidency. That's alot of potential damage I would like to avoid. I may not be able to vote for Richard Morrison...but I can sure get the word out.
Also if you're interested in meeting the man, throw a fundraiser in your community. He might come out for it. And then I'm sure you'll be just as convinced as I am.
BTW, there's a pic of me and the future Congressman on my photos page. He's pretty cute, isn't he? Sorry girls, this man is happily married with four adorable kids.
Posted by mermu at 10:11 AM | Comments (1)
July 08, 2004
Who Do you Work? Redux
I got a request from a man in Michigan who wants to air my "Who Do You Work For?" commercial as a PSA on his public access television show. I think I'm going to let him.
Also in the last few weeks I've put together a campaign for Kerry based on the central concept of the original commercial. I've sent it out to him but who knows if anybody will actually see it. So if you know anybody who knows Kerry...let me know. I've written something that might help him get elected.
BTW, my Kerry campaign is based on his "100 Days to Change America". There are some really fantastic ideas in there.
Posted by mermu at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)