Tag: life

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Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Law Goes Into Effect + More News

After Florida's 'don't say gay' law took effect Monday, teachers reported being discouraged from putting pictures of their same-sex spouse on their desk, teachers and staff members will be disallowed from wearing rainbow articles of clothing, and “Safe Space” stickers aimed at LGBTQ students may have to be removed from doors. Some news items you might have missed: • WFTV: After Florida’s ‘don’t say gay’ law took effect Monday, teachers reported being discouraged from putting pictures of their same-sex spouse on their desk, teachers and staff members will be disallowed from wearing rainbow articles of clothing, and “Safe Space” stickers aimed at LGBTQ students may have to be removed from doors. Continue reading “Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Law Goes Into Effect + More News”

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Remembering Broadway’s Thommie Walsh On His Birthday

Remembering Thommie Walsh, two-time Tony Award winner, who would have turned 72 today
Two-time Tony Award winner Thommie Walsh
I originally posted this on March 15, 2011 in tribute to my funny, talented, and dear friend, Thommie Walsh. This is a very personal post for me, and so I share this each year to celebrate his beautiful spirit. Today would have been Thommie’s 72nd birthday. Continue reading “Remembering Broadway’s Thommie Walsh On His Birthday”

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Saturday Slow Down: Mary Chapin Carpenter ‘John Doe No.24’

Mary Chapin-Carpenter sings John Doe No. 24

I’m listening, again, to one of my very favorite songs of all time. The simplicity of the guitar-driven track and the slow, deliberate tempo create the perfect soundscape with which to tell the poignant story of “John Doe No. 24.” Continue reading “Saturday Slow Down: Mary Chapin Carpenter ‘John Doe No.24’”

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Song Of The Day: Billy Joel ‘Summer Highland Falls’

Billy Joel sings 'Summer Highland Falls'

Billy Joel sings 'Summer Highland Falls'
Billy Joel sings ‘Summer Highland Falls’ (screen cap via YouTube)
Making my way these days – COVID, writing, life – Billy Joel’s “Summer Highland Falls” (from his 1976 album Turnstiles) recently bubbled up in my psyche. I have a real estate listing here in Las Vegas where the market is insanely hot for Sellers, but the flip-side to that is Buyers are having a tough, tough time getting offers accepted with so much competition. In a wider view, I’m reminded of life’s highs and lows, seeing the other sides — of arguments, positions, perspectives… “They say that these are not the best of times,” Billy got that right. And amid the pandemic, we find “there is a time for meditation in cathedrals of our own.” Watching the political landscape, my spirit resonates with the sentiment, “So we’ll argue and we’ll compromise, and realize that nothing’s ever changed…” And taking in the constantly roiling race relations across the country, I can hear the insight in Billy’s 1976 prose offering, “And as we stand upon the ledges of our lives with our respective similarities, it’s either sadness or euphoria…” Billy has said in interviews it’s one of his favorite songs he ever wrote. Mine too. The song began with the chords, but he developed the rolling piano figure to express the manic-ness he often feels. Humanity in three minutes.

They say that these are not the best of times But they’re the only times I’ve ever known And I believe there is a time for meditation In cathedrals of our own Now I have seen that sad surrender in my lover’s eyes And I can only stand apart and sympathize For we are always what our situations hand us It’s either sadness or euphoria

So we’ll argue and we’ll compromise And realize that nothing’s ever changed For all our mutual experience Our separate conclusions are the same Now we are forced to recognize our inhumanity Our reason coexists with our insanity But we choose between reality and madness It’s either sadness or euphoria

How thoughtlessly we dissipate our energies Perhaps we don’t fulfill each other’s fantasies And as we stand upon the ledges of our lives With our respective similarities It’s either sadness or euphoria

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Just Because: You Want To See This Baby Squirrel Drink Water

I’m catching up on a lot of chores around the house and wanted to share this serene Sunday moment. Because you really want to see a man give water to a baby squirrel. The squirrel is so calm and trusting. Take a second and just breathe with this.

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Happy Valentine’s Day 2021

Michael Caprio and I

Happy Valentine's Day from me and hubby Michael Caprio
Michael and I (photo: John Ganun)
Happy Valentine’s Day! I originally posted this ten years ago, in 2011, the first year of The Randy Report. Hot hubby Michael and I have been together for more than 26 years now. More wine…

With today being Valentine’s Day, obviously, my mind wanders to MY Valentine, Michael. That’s him, up above. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been together 26 Valentine’s Days. Before we met, it looked like V Day was always going to be something to sing sad songs about. Music is such a part of my life that I relate it to everything. When people ask about the day Michael and I met, I explain that it was exactly as Oscar Hammerstein II wrote:

“Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger; you may see a stranger across a crowded room; and somehow you know, you know even then, that somewhere you’ll see him again and again.”

I know, it sounds oh so cheesy, but it was that black and white. It’s just the best way to explain how I knew. There are days I can’t believe he’s in love with me. Still. Not that we have this flawless romance. On days we disagree, I just remind him I’m his favorite 🙂 Interestingly, when we got married, we didn’t really have a song for the day because we were just so amazed that we even had the right to get married. Probably the only big event in my life that doesn’t relate to a song. It was just all about Michael and me. It goes without saying that all day long today I’ll be playing various iterations of “My Funny Valentine.” It’s such a great tune, and so many awesome artists have brought it to life. Barbra Streisand’s version is still my favorite. A bit of drama in the beginning, and then that thrilling climax. https://youtu.be/WXym_e-wkYw And then there’s Ella Fitzgerald’s version – sublime. https://youtu.be/_IZrRJn0v-4 I recommend you get all of them, sit back and enjoy. I think I relate Valentine’s Day and romance to music because music has rhythm, hills & valleys, and texture; a lot like time-tested love does. A lot like Michael and I do. Michael is my valentine; he’s the music that makes me dance. I hope you all dance the way we do. (that’s a euphemism, kids…) I encourage everyone to pour a glass of wine, light some candles, turn out the lights, listen to some great music and enjoy. Whether alone or with your honey, it’s a good day to remember to love someone. Someone else, or even if that someone is yourself. That might even be the best place to start. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.