GABFEST

My Olympics, Your Olympics

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Olympic Stadium

I love the Olympics and if I had my way, it would be held every year instead of every four years.

We watched the Olympics, enjoyed the events and couldn’t help but be at awe especially with Usain Bolt, the 100 meters record holder. I mean, this guy is a phenomenon. Who amongst us can say that we can run that fast. I certainly can’t. I take longer to put on my make up. I am trying to figure out what I can do in less then a minute. Do you have an idea? I certainly don’t!

We have to marvel, respect what these athletes do. I noticed during their interviews, regardless of what they did, sports they played, their gender, the countries they represented, that most of them at the some point talked about how much hard they had to work, how disciplined they had to be with their regiment, workouts, nutrition, sleep that without these elements, they could not achieve that level of performance or glory, they were incomplete.

Seriously, think about, all of us are athletes, Olympians in own rights. Let’s face it, like it or not, we are consistently competing in the Olympics of life. Who among us can positively say that we have never been through the university of life? It is one evolving game.

One can argue that what we do in our everyday lives, is a lot harder then what these athletes do in their everyday regiment. It is not easy to get through the loss of a loved one, an illness, live with terminal condition, bottle internal demons, deal with job lost, go through divorce and so on. To some individuals, not taking it away from the great athletes, it is harder to go through situations of life then it is to compete. Then again, who hasn’t? Think positive and it should be a breeze, right? At least we hope.

However, it isn’t so easy.

Just like they need a extraordinary discipline, strenuating and consistency with their work out; in order for us to attain the glory that we seek, the ecstasy, fulfillment, happiness which we will one day, we too will have to submit ourselves to a very rigorous regiment of life, get the needed nutrition, not calories or gym but turn sometimes to higher power, the Lord to give us the stability we seek. Some of us govern, exercise our lives, get the rewards and the glory we so deserve spiritually by turning to the Lord or just go by their merry way, hoping for the glory to come without being invited.

Those who attend the house of Lord, whatever your religion, are reminded of that overtime they hear the teaching in regards to life concerns.

It is through whatever your ideology that we are reminded that HE is the bread of life, the bread that gives us the combustive eternal glory we so desire but in order to attain that fuel, we need to allow ourselves to embraced HIS teachings.

Closing Ceremony

As humans, we often run into issues, get discouraged with the direction our lives are taking and believe our resources are just not enough to solve the headaches du’jour: our woes, struggles, weaknesses. Well, issues don’t dissipate, they don’t go away; maybe they will some day, if we are lucky, only after we are dead.

As long as we are alive, we are going to be challenged by something. Our problem is that none of us is going to escape the challenges and suffering that comes with being human. Granted, some will sometimes suffer and struggle more then the others but that only occurs when we over rely on our own strength, wisdom or vitality. However, the longer we live, the more we realize that our strength, smarts and energy are not enough to navigate the drills of life.

“I am done with this nonsense. Please, put me out of my misery”. Distraught words often spoken in times of complete misery but what we don’t realized is that often, we are never alone. The higher power is never far behind. HE is always with us. He never abandon us in our commitment, in our misery. He brings us his presence, understands us, our journey, our struggles, the glory, the nourishment that we seek. He is always available.

We earn our nourishment by appealing to higher power. Praying can be very subjective as some don’t see the use for it and others who do, asserts of it fulfilling their soul.

There are so many ways to pray. Some get the nourishment when they connect honestly to the Lord by sharing their joys, apprehensions, frustrations and doubts, as they believe it broads their horizons, revitalizes them, gives them a spark that they did not have previously. Others get their nourishment by sharing in community. This is how they appeal to higher power by offering their time for better causes.

Often living in the community does not come easy. It is a drag as we search for ways to accommodate, marry our personalities with those of others. We often find ourselves questioning the reasons for being, finding it alarming, crazy while in community of home and work. Yes, it can be but it is how we deal with it that makes us a whole.

We are at peace whenever we become aware that The Creator is driving the bus, he is present, working in the midst of whatever tension, challenges we maybe experiencing, joy we partake with one another, at home, at work, in general; we are fulfilled, stimulated by it.

We need to deepen our constant presence with those living around us. If we aware of what is going, we are able to energize ourselves and shake the craziness that surrounds our lives.

Just like the olympic athletes, all of us are also looking for that glory, and just like they need to prepare themselves to a strict discipline, we need to also do the same that our return will be even far greater. Even if you don’t believe in religion you must admit that the higher power, the Creator,  will bestow that glory upon us but we have to work at it. Just because we are confronted with one hurdle of life, it does not mean we have to kill ourselves over it. The storm shall pass. Look at it from the point of view of a book page. Turn it, next!

Then again, one can also argue that yes they are athletes, they are olympians but not super humans who are immune from the facts of life. They too go through the same. Perhaps, a double punch! Personally, I hit the gym when I experiencing headaches. So, does it make me an olympian?

My Encounter With Victoria Jackson!

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I am still perplexed, usuriously bewildered. I don’t necessarily understand but have reconciled with the fact that each of us is different and unique, and entitled to our own opinions. If I knew then what I know today, perhaps, I would have nicely asked my brief and atypical friend a few questions.

I was leisurely gliding through the booths two years ago, while attending Coconut Grove Arts festival, this is one of the biggest art festival in Miami and perhaps, in the country besides the Art Basel, when I heard this irrefutable squeak irritating voice.

I knew it from the back of my head. It reminded me of my parrot Jackie. I don’t really own a bird but for the purpose of this story, let’s pretend I have one.

I didn’t immediately jump to her graces like one mad fan because I didn’t want to intrude neither come across like one round the bend loony. I believe celebrities too need their time in the sun; they need to be left alone; they are after all humans just like any of us; so, if they are out grocery shopping, I don’t really need to know what they  have in their shopping bag; if is bacon or bathroom tissue.

I am not an admirer. I used to watch her regularly on SNL and even though, she is an F-lister, I was nevertheless animated to spot a celebrity.

I danced in circles like a dog attempting to bite off his own tail. I was flying high as if I had won the lottery. Not!

I composed myself long enough pretending to be interested in the next booth merchandise, so to confirm I had the right person. Coy and dispirited, however, I quietly walked away. I have seen celebrities and can understand why people go gaga over a famous person. Perhaps, she was relieved that she was not interrupted and I for not having created a scene and made a full of myself. God, I can only image me making the six o’clock news over a washed up comedian.

She hasn’t done anything of artistic value lately, like a comedy tour or TV show. Last I saw her, she was on Celebrity Fit Club on VHI and that was it. So, I can’t understand why I was so bend on talking to her. Nevertheless, I was ecstatic. I guess I was just happy to have spotted a celebrity.

I moved through to other booths. I got to the end of the aisle and was on my back when I heard The Voice once again. I thought she was long gone by then. Perhaps, she was stalking me and not the other way around. This time, I was not ready to let her go; I was determined to meet her.

I stopped by the booth where she was and I acted as if I was checking the merchandise and was able to verify that it was indeed her. Amassing enough courage, I approached her as she was walking away.

“Are you Victoria Jackson?”, I asked.

“Yes I am”, she said.

“I heard the voice and thought it was you but did not want to intrude.”

“That’s alright”, she said. “You are not interrupting.” Her response alleviated my nerves putting me at ease.

We began chatting while walking down the 1/2-mile stretch of the road back to our cars. Side-by-side conversing like two old pals, talking about art while I tiptoed with my line of questions.

We got to the place where we left our cars to learn that coincidentally we parked at the same location, at a lady’s front yard and separated only by two cars.

During our mini excursion, I learned that she was born and raised in Miami. Her father ran a gymnastic school. She moved back to the area after Saturday Night Live to marry a local policeman with whom she has two kids. Traveling around for comedic gigs suddenly became a piss as she was trying to juggle the family life and career; so, she decided to stop working to raise her kids. As she put it, she didn’t want her kids to be raised by “someone else”. She needed to see them grow up, be a part of their lives instead of “running around the country chasing the almighty dollar”, she said. She had the choice as I see it, and she made it and does not regret it one bit. These were her reasons and I am glad she could choose.

I brought up the Celebrity Fit Club on VHI throughout the exchange and wanted to know the experience was like. She told me that she had no issue with the producers flying her out there – Los Angeles – to lose weight and get paid for it. She was always up to it; the ever capitalist. Her statements now make a lot sense.

She enjoyed her time on the show, she said. It was fun and attested that all the drama we saw on TV was real; it actually happened. We talked about her career, her kids, her husband. I wanted to know what possessed her to marry a cup instead of an individual in the entertainment business. The response was never fully answered but I was satisfied and did not press her for more. True to form, after all that talk and I got into my car without ever asking her for an autograph or a picture. Not because I did not want to but because I simply forgot. How would I then be able to prove that I actually met Victoria?

I was disappointed I must confess. I drove straight home and let everyone know that I had just saw Victoria Jackson. “Vitoria who”? That seemed to have been the consensus reaction.

For me, she was just the lady I saw on the street, a person I struck a conversation with and not a celebrity. Someone I enjoyed chitchatting with for a few minutes and that was it. It was not until this past election, however, that I suddenly realized that not having her picture or autograph was not so bad after all.

I learned of Victoria Jackson the politician and the need to detach the individual from his or her politics became evident. I was no longer enchanted but disillusioned. I was like huh?! “How do you call a blonde who has lost 90% of her marbles?”

Most recently, she appeared in an array of talk shows, specifically the FoxNews Network, spewing some dumbfounded maniac ideas that made me think that perhaps, I was better off not having her as a “friend” and her picture, not worth a dime.

I was not in the prowl to judge her but was immediately turned off. How can a person be so scary, scanning and downright in the dark? Ok, let’s call it what it is, plain stupid.  As she so eloquently stated, “My motivation is gone, because [Obama] will punish me if I’m successful. That’s how you start communism, is just take — Cuba. Obama wants to be Castro.”??? “Well, I’ve never been involved in politics. ‘Cuz it’s just neh neh neh, neh neh neh. But all of a sudden it was, it was: Oh, Hillary Clinton is a socialist, she wants to socialize medicine. Well, I’ll have to vote against her.”

Did she really believe that the President of the United States is communist and he is really coming after her money? What, does she have any left? What a goofball, but wait, there is more, “And then all of a sudden a communist appears! Out of nowhere! And that’s when I started to get involved. So I did research. Uh, black liberation theology, his church, is Marxist. And his professors are Marxist. Redistribute the wealth”

Not to be undone, she has elevated to the blogosphere world by posting a blog recently entitled “Down is Up, Unfair is Fair and Ignorance is Bliss” on Andrew Breitbart’s website that made me think that Hollywood is perhaps, one crazy community. When they point the fingers at the Hollywood types, are they perhaps referring to her and her types or Clooney, Jolie, Pitt and many others who do outstanding work with the poor and the needy? http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/vjackson/2009/07/07/ignorance-is-bliss/#more-178482

I particularly enjoy the part where she states, ““You know, I’ve been speaking at Tea Parties lately.  No one seems to know or care that our country just turned Socialist.” She continues, “I continued, “It’s called ‘late-term abortion’.  Now he’s going to kill sick people and old people.  Did you know that Cap & Trade will allow the government to regulate how long we take a shower?  And that the “New Health Plan”, happy, happy, will allow the government to decide who lives and who dies?””

Bravo! Let’s clap! Am I entitled to think or call her ignorant? Perhaps but she is also entitled to her opinion. Should I then categorize or call anyone who believes this country is heading to communism or this President is communist, stupid? Perhaps, I am also entitled to my opinion.

RIP Guiding Light!

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guiding-light

Dearly departed, we are gathered here today to witness the end of a soap opera. Yes, after 72-year run, don’t hate, they started on the radio, one of my favorite soaps is gone; dead, like yesterday’s meat. Procter & Gamble Co., they owed the show, decided to hit the snooze button and pulled the plug and now no more. Capiche, kaboom, done and, I am feeling the pain.

Once upon a time we were brothers, sisters, cousins, hoomies, suitemates, roommates; we were attached to the hips, to the joints to the… whatever. We were in this insatiate, passionate, love/hate relationship that could have killed both us. I had no boundaries and at one point called the almighty God to have pity and save me from my own misery.

I needed rehab, no not that kind, pronto as I was obsessed and could not live without it. It taught me how to speak English, literally, no joke. My English professor suggested it and the newspaper as mechanism to better the idiom and it proved to be interesting. I got hooked on (CALGON, please take me away!) the revolving solar system of never ending stories of soapoperas, las hot calientes novellas. Too bad there were no popcorn.

And so it begun, my adventure, my love affair many moon lights ago.

I used to watch all of them on CBS; Guiding Light, it was on at 3:00PM at the time, alongside The Young and Restless at 12:30PM, Capitol at 1:30, which met an early demise and was later replaced by The Bold and The Beautiful, As The World Turns at 2:30PM followed by Guiding Light, every day, every night, rain or shine, whenever I could, religiously.

I used to schedule my life around it; watch it after school, after work, after whatever. When I could not watch it live, I would tape it (that was before we heard of TIVO and videos on demand) and watch later on the day, regardless of the time.

I used to muscle everyone and everything so to not miss one episode and be forced to catch up later. I used to be it and it used to be me and we understood each other like one more bottle of beer or a cigarette. Don’t hate!

I lived with Billy, JB, Josh, Shane, country oil boys who rattled Springfield – the fictitious city; the Bauer family and their annual Thanksgiving barbeque for as long as I can remember.

Reva was my girl dough. She was exciting, the life of the party, a no nonsense kind of girl. She was crazy like a fox and all of that in a bag of chips.

As many stories go on soaps, there were their shares of craziness. C’mon, it would not be a novella if it lacked that aspect. Reva married JB who was dad’s to Billy and Josh because Josh did not man up enough to her; then, after so many wranglings, she finally married Josh – the love of her life – to divorce him later to marry Billy, Josh’s older brother who sensed the weakness on his “little brother” and went in for the kill; and as if it was not enough, she divorces Billy after he begun drinking and went back to Josh who attempted to humiliate her but could not help but take her back…. Oof, I am tired just writing about it.

Riva had two kids, breast cancer, went to jail, was hit by a car and lived to see another day, went through menopause, died – yes she did, twice, went over a bridge in some Caribbean island to appear later, to marry JB once again until his death and then Josh. Reva, please stop, I am getting intoxicated! Oh and Mindy, who was Billy’s spoiled daughter.

Then there were the Bauer’s, a family of cool doctors, Ed, Maureen and Rick. They dealt with drug abuse, breast cancer, drinking issues, I mean so many crazy stuff that my head was spinning.

The Spaulding’s, the rich and crazy bunch led by madly in love Beth and Phillip, Alan – every town has its villain and he was it but somehow Beth found her way to her father in law.

Guiding Light was what it was; a distraction, a fairy-tale, make-believe, a delight and I enjoyed every minute of it. I knew its stories and its characters, and it surrounded me. We parted ways only when its schedule was changed to make room for The Doctors show and I lost interest, and it succumbed to the old man disease, ratings, with no possibility of reruns. I mean, soapopera at 10:00AM, please!

Let’s not forget the many actors who paraded its screen and are now stars: Hayden Panettiere, before she became an heroine and was this six years old cutie as an apple and Riva’s daughter, Angela Basset, Mia Long, Calista Flockhart, Kevin Bacon, Taye Diggs, Billy D. Williams and many others. They all went through the Guiding Light’s school.

Today, it sits as yesterday’s story; one more episode in a life of a character in the life of Springfield but it is not the character; it is Springfield. I will miss it and it will never be the same. So long.