Beijing Drama

Early Monday or late Sunday (the time difference makes me nuts) Michael Phelps won his second and most difficult race, the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay. The relay team - first time Olympians Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and veteran anchor Jason Lezak and Phelps, won gold although France and Australia were favored to beat them. It was the most exciting, most record-breaking, most amazing, thrilling, unbelievable relay anyone could ever imagine.
The French, had been smack-talking before the race. "The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we came here for" French relay anchor Alain Bernard said. Well, American anchor Jason Lezak had other ideas. Coming from behind, in a dramatic and I do mean last second drama, Lezak powered pass Mr. Big Talk to touch the wall, set a world record and win gold. I thought Phelps, Weber-Gale and Jones were going to hurt themselves screaming for their teammate near the closer than close finish. Whew!
France took second, Australia third.



Cullen Jones is heavily involved with an organization called "Make a Splash," a national child-focused water safety initiative created by the USA Swimming Foundation (MakeaSplash.org). Jones is mostly concerned not that minority children learn to swim fast, but that they learn to swim, period.





Underdogs, the USA Men's Gymnastic team won Bronze by competing their hearts out with tough competition China (gold) and Japan who took silver and edging out Germany for third place. They were exuberant to win Bronze. I like that. Gold is gold but Silver and Bronze ain't tin either.

Bernie Mac 1957-2008

I just heard about the passing of Chicago comedian Bernie Mac. He was admitted to Northwestern hospital in Chicago last week and died early this morning due to complications arising from pneumonia, his publicist said.
I am very sad.



C'mon America, we will miss Bernie so much.

Beijing 8-8-08

China's opening ceremony was awesome. Can we say dazzling... OMG! I think all of China's 1.3 billion people were in it. 2,008 drummers, 2,008 dancers, 2,008 marshal artists etc etc. Fireworks, well China invented fireworks. I could smell the gunpowder in Chicago. I'm just saying.
We had our two nephews, ages 9 and 4 and it actually held their attention, most of the time. Nine year old Marcellus likes wrestling, WWE. I ummm insist that he watch some "real" wrestling during the games. He got excited whenever a wrestler was carrying his or her country's flag.
The ceremony was steeped in China's history and universal themes like the environment and welcoming the world. The special effects, sheer numbers and magnitude of it was overwhelming, in a good way.

The Olympic Stadium in Beijing is called the Birds Nest. Just look at this thing.


Performers run around a large globe during the opening ceremonies.



A dancer performs on stage with a green sash.



Drums, 2,008 strong. The drums like everything were amazingly in sinc.



Performers wearing illuminated bright green suits wave to the crowd.





There was lots of flying, including the lighting of the torch?









The Athletes-
I noticed now that all nations have adopted the USA way of entering the Olympic Stadium. Just relaxed and chillin', taking pics and videos of each other. That's good, have fun, this is your moment, all hopes are high.

Greece first always.


Lopez Lemong can't stop grinning


USA, say it now.. U - S - A , in their Ralph Loren caps.



NBA Rockets superstar Yao Ming carries the flag for the host nation. With Yao marched 9 year old Lin Hao. During the horrific earthquake that demolished his school in Yingxiu, earlier this year, Lin and two other children were trapped in the rubble. This child sang songs to keep their spirits up while he waited for rescue. He did dig himself out and this kid went back to pull out his two classmates. Twenty children died at Lin's school. When asked why he took such a chance, he said he was hall monitor so it was his job.



Now the games
With the more than 12 hour time difference, better watch out for spoiler warnings if you don't want to know results before you see the game.

Will pitcher Jennie Finch and the US women take their forth and final softball gold? Softball will not be in the next two Olympic games.

Will Kerry Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, the defending Olympic beach volleyball champions do it again?

Starting today, swimmer Michael Phelps, takes another crack at beating Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals. Phelps came close in 2004 - six golds and two bronzes -and he's entered the same eight events in Beijing.

Dara Torres 41, challenging all those kids and whooping their butts. Bank on her to do it for great and in pull it off for the USA in the relays.

The United States men's basketball team, featuring NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, is favored to win its first gold medal in a major event since the 2000 Olympics. They won a bronze medal in 2004. Of course many NBA players, play for their home countries during the Olympics. So watch out USA.

The U S women B-Ball team are the defending champs. Fourth straight gold?

Gymnastics. Always drama and personalities and unbelievable...just watch it all.

I also check out archery, no Geena Davis this time, awwwwww. And watching Equestrian(the most dangerous sport), diving, fencing, soccer, weight lifting, volley ball, track, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming and table tennis. Table tennis sounds tame but it is FIERCE. I saw it live at the 1996 Atlanta games and they go at it with speeds and power you can't believe possible.

Later.

Americans in Beijing 2008

Tomorrow night the summer games begin. I cannot imagine the pomp, passion and creative adventure China has in store for us at the Opening Ceremony.
Americans in China
What does it means to be American? Well, it ain't about coming over on the Mayflower, or wearing a lapel pin, or owning a gun, or belonging to a certain religion or liking country music, or being a republican or democrat or being white or black or red or yellow.
Ideally it's about loving and respecting freedom.
Lopez Lomong, who has been a U.S. citizen for only 13 months, has been chosen by his American team mates to carry the stars and stripes into the Olympic stadium.
Lopez Lomong who was born in Kimotong, Sudan, has overcome an overwhelming array of obstacles in becoming a top American middle distance runner.

At age 6, he was abducted from a Sudanese church by a militia faction that wanted to turn young boys into child soldiers and girls into sex slaves. This militia professed to be Christians. He eventually escaped the militia camp through a hole in a fence with three older boys who carried him on their backs as they walked for three days until they reached Kenya, where police arrested them and sent them to a refugee camp. He spent 10 years in the camp, living on one meal a day.

Through a refugee relocation program, Lomong resettled with a foster family in New York and became one of the 3,800 resettled youngsters known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan”. Lomong excelled in high school track, then attended Northern Arizona University where he began to pursue his Olympic dreams.

Lomong became a U.S. citizen in July, 2007. His dream was to represent the USA in international competition, his way to thank those who have helped him. Away from the track, Lomong is studying hotel management because he hopes to return to Africa to help revitalize the continent's tourism. He also wants to assist families confronted with multiple challenges in his home country.

Lomong who believed his Sudanese parents long dead, recently traveled to his homeland and was reunited with his mother and brothers.

Lopez's journey from imprisoned child soldier to Sudanese refugee to member of the U.S. Olympic team has obviously inspired his fellow U.S. Olympic teammates, and brought attention to the suffering in Sudan.

Why choose Lomong to carry our flag? I'd guess it's because he represents what it means to be free, and what it means to respect that concept. It's about courage and endurance and the Olympic spirit, all embodied by Lomong. I am proud of our team for this decision.

"The American flag means everything in my life -- everything that describes me, coming from another country and going through all of the stages that I have to become a U.S. citizen," Lomong said. "This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an American. Seeing my fellow Americans coming behind me (in the Opening Ceremony) and supporting me will be a great honor – the highest honor. It’s just a happy day. I don’t even have the words to describe how happy I am." -Lopez Lomong

Dara Torres in Olympics number Five.

In 1984 Dara Torres was just 16 years old when she competed in the Los Angeles Olympic Games and won a gold medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay. In 1988, she competed in the Seoul Olympics where she earned a silver and a bronze medal. Torres initially retired in 1989, but then dove back into the pool to compete in the Barcelona Games of 1992 and won another gold for the 4x100 free relay. Then for the second time, at the age of 25, she decided to retire from competitive swimming.

Seven years later in 1999, now age 32, Dara not only got back into training, she entered in the Sydney Games in 2000 and won not one gold medal, but two as well as three bronze medals.

When Dara became pregnant in 2005, she continued swimming to keep herself in shape. Her daughter was born in April of 2006 and Dara began training once again for the 2008 Olympics. During the trials, she not only secured her position on the 2008 U.S. Olympic swim team at the age of 41, but broke American records in the 100 m freestyle and 50 m freestyle.

Dara is the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympic games. Nine medals and 24 years of swimming and she's ready to do it again.
I'll be rooting for her in the 50 meter freestyle, 4 x 100 medley relay, and 4 x 100 freestyle relay. Go Dara!



1984


1992


2000




Between Olympic years, Torres spends time as a catwalk model, journalist, and takes part in extreme sports. Now she has added high-speed driving to that list.

Chicago Sirens Howl

Chicago River North


Oh what a night in Chicago.
Last night the emergency sirens went off in Chicago. The siren only goes off for extreme crisis. Most people have never ever heard it before except for at testing time on Tuesdays at 10:30am. But this was different and it was multiple sirens going off at once. We were watching the news and watching the reddish-yellow sky with the most frequent lighting flashes I have EVER seen. There was a tornado coming. Monica kind of freaked out, got her stuff and commanded we retreat to the basement. NOW!
Ok, Ok. But of course I had to get the flashlights and find the radio and candles and .....
Of course, I had all the emergency stuff together and ready and of course I couldn't remember where the hell I'd put them. Moni got the cell phones and our watches and purses and some puzzle books and pencils. I found the flashlights but no radio. Gotta Go, she is standing at the door. She was right because our apartment is all windows everywhere and the rain and wind and lightning and contant thunder that sounded like growling was getting louder. And the sirens were constant now too.
So we headed for the basement. Other neighbors were camped in the hallways and in the lobby (not smart considering all the glass). But, we went to the laundry room which is really very comfy. Monica was glad to see that she was not alone in being afraid, there were others there. One neighbor had a cat who she said had been upset all evening. Animals know stuff before the TV meteorologist do.
The storm passed through our area quickly so we were only down there long enough to make some calls to family and get to know some very nice neighbors.

It turned out that a string of severe thunderstorms and hurricane force winds, some between 60 and 94 mph, swept through Illinois and Northwest Indiana causing much damage, flooding, fires, and leaving more than 200,000 people in the dark. Viaducts, basements and yards all over the city were flooded. Today, some areas are getting more rain but the forecast calls for temps in the high 80's and no rain for the next few days. Although, both our mother's homes had water in the basement, we were lucky, we suffered no personal damage or injury.
I hope the next time we hear those sirens will be because the Cubs have won the World Series. Oh well, never mind.

Scoreboard at Wrigley Field


Cubs 70's Night Elvis decides to slide on Wrigley field tarp.


Elvis Impersonator at Cubs game is almost blown away.


Logan Square in Chicago




Funnel cloud spotted near Diversy Harbor

Bravo, Monica!

Chicago summer is in it's dog days now. Hot and humid night and day. Monica is preparing to go back to school. Big Sigh.
She is ready to get ready, but I don't even want to think about summer ending yet.
Monica gives 200% teaching her kindergarten students, so once the school year starts there's basically no let up until next summer. When her kids leave her for 1st grade, they can read, write, write sentences, add, subtract, and do fractions. Monica is a great believer in the humanities and makes sure they are introduced to art and music and their own creativity. It's amazing watching their progress during the year. But, Monica sends them off with more than a solid academic and social skills start.

She goes where they are. Whether the five year old has previous pre-school experience and fully supportive parents, to seven year olds who have never been to school, to kids with parents in prison or on drugs. Somehow with 27 kids in this mixed bag, (and no teacher's aide) she manages to instill in them the self discipline they need to listen and learn. Yeah, she's tough too.
But, through her constant positive reinforcement they learn to know and want the feeling of accomplishment.

Teachers need that too, so it was wonderfully gratifying when Monica got this note from her school's principal, regarding the primary grades at her school.

".... School was recognized at the Reading First Conference in Nashville, TN for having the second highest increase of students at Benchmark Level (Reading First). Their growth was 23%, the highest in Chicago Public Schools and the second highest in the entire state of Illinois."

Wow! Jackie doing a happy dance, buttons popping off with pride for Monica and all her hard work.

But the Congrats don't stop with Moni.
Congratulations also goes to Judy, another wonderful veteran kindergarten teacher at the school, who is now teaching the children of her former students. And to the 1st, 2nd and especially the difficult 3rd grade teachers for building on Monica and Judy's foundation. And most of all, KUDOS to the kids, some who have little at home support.

When you think about kindergarten, there will be no other grade where children will learn more in one year. So thanks again Monica and Judy for sending them off with a love and respect for learning.

Oh Mamma Mia!

Well yall, I saw The Dark Knight and it was dark. Not as good as I expected, but good. Bravo Heath!

I saw Wall-E and loved, loved loved it!!!

But, the best so far this summer is Mamma Mia! This movie is pure joy. It's a feel good, bright beautiful Greek scenary, wish you were there and knew those people movie. Sends you out skipping and singing and buying the catchy and totally infectious movie soundtrack, even if you already have the songs by ABBA. It doesn't matter that Mamma Mia's been around forever, it was new this summer.

I cannot express the wonder that is Meryl Streep. She is astoundingly real and joyful and...I cannot express it. Alex help me, girl.

The movie is full of people who look like real Greek villagers. That adds to the charm. And there's Pierce Brosnan who can't sing a lick but it doesn't matter because his sincerity works for him. And there's the wonderfully wicked Christine Baranski who I've loved since her Cybil days.
So good to see a big screen musical. So much fun.

Christian the Lionhearted

This was on The View today. If you haven't seen it, get your hanky.



The word here is love.

Windy City Queercast

Windy City Queercasts are FABULOUS podcasts hosted by FABULOUS actress/singer Amy Metheny. If you don't listen to these you are missing out and ya don't have to be queer to enjoy. You just need to want to be in the know about what's hot in not only Chicago but all over the world of theater, movies, TV, music, books, politics, and gossip, etc. Amy has the most entertaining, knowledgeable and lets face it, nutty co-hosts like Alexandra Billings, Stephen Rader or Mitchell Fain. I can always guarantee lots of laughter. You can listen to Amy's celebrity interviews and Queercast shenanigans while you cruise around the net or download it.

I'll start you off with this one where Alex Billings talks about her childhood, her transition from male to female, the loss of male entitlement power and so much more. And Amy interviews author Stephanie Brill to discuss her new book, (co-written with Rachel Pepper) The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals. This must have book for parents covers gender variance from birth through college.
Brill talks about how to tell if a child may be gender variant, the remarkable progress in Trans adolescent health care body development, parental rights regarding protecting children and how to be their best advocate and ally.

It's amazing how much has changed in the short time since Alex's transition. She talks about how little info she had about this complex issue and who her only role models were in contrast to the support and information available now. And yet, myths and ignorance, violence and hatred of Trans-adults and Trans-teens is still common. Imagine the confusion for children, even those with family support. Imagine the trauma for those without a supportive, loving environment. Alex points out the importance not only of educational tools like Brill's book but the need for visible role models. She's right. Children need to know that they can be OK. They need to see Transgendered actors on stage, in movies and on TV, in Trans or non-Trans roles. They also need to see Trans lawyers, bankers, athletes, etc.

So check out this podcast to laugh and learn along with Amy and Alex.
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals is also a must have for health care professionals and educators. Monica has a copy on the way.
For more information visit the Gender Spectrum Web site at www.genderspectrum.org.

Don't miss Amy and Alex's Hollywood chat discussing summer TV shows, the Tony Awards, Tim Russert, Indiana Jones and Get Smart and Amy's adoration of Cougars (women over 35). Kate Hepburn makes a surprise visit too.

Checkout other Windy City Queercast recent podcasts and archives at www.windycityqueercast.com

John Hancock, Super Hero

Hancock is not your father's superhero, uh uh, nope. He is a rude, drunken, bummy guy who sleeps on public benches and wakes up with a hangover and saves people. Nope, it's not a disguise. His heroic actions are about as neat as his raggedy appearance. He looks like he smells, bad. His attitude toward the people he serves, sucks.

The story of how Hancock got his powers, his sucky attitude and social position is sketchy as heck. I'm sure all that will reveal its self in a sequel. I can't wait. I loved this movie. It's entertaining and funny and has a big surprise.

Will Smith is excellent as the reluctant Los Angeles homeless crusader. Jason Bateman, who I have been a fan of since he played a teen scam artist in his short lived 1985 sitcom, is the PR guy trying to save the world and then he is saved by Hancock.
Charlize Theron, who I hardly recognized because she looked like herself, is good at keeping us guessing about how she feels about Hancock's intrusion in her life after he saves her husband (Bateman). Is it pity, disgust, attraction, fear, or what?

Critics be damned, I really enjoyed this movie. Maybe because it put a different, funny, irreverent yet human spin on the superhero thing. There has got to be a prequel/sequel in the works. Actually, I'm more interested in the prequel. Can't say much more without being a spoiler.
So, unless your superheros must be well mannered and live in huge mansions or ice fortresses, just get some popcorn and enjoy.

Williams Sisters on Centre Court 2008

Defending champ, Venus Williams is winner of back to back victories making Saturday's win her fifth singles championship of the coveted trophy - a sterling silver salver aptly named the Venus Rosewater dish.



When Serena was asked how she would prepare to beat Venus, she said she would make sure to eat up all the breakfast food before the match so Venus would be hungry. Spoken like a true little sister.
Well, it seemed to work at first with Serena winning the first four games. But, Venus 28, hungry or not, beat little sis Serena 26, in straight sets (7-5 and 6-4). But, it was a dramatic hard fought battle for every game taking up to as many as 6 deuce (tie) points to decide the winner.



Venus didn't celebrate too hard immediately because of Serena, and said that her first job is that of big sister.




First and second place. Not too shabby.

OK, about 3 1/2 hours later the sisters paired up again at All England Club's Centre Court to win their seventh Grand Slam doubles title beating Lisa Raymond of the United States and Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-2.



Including the prize money awarded to the singles champion and runner-up, along with what they earned for the doubles championship, the Williams family netted more than $2.5 million Saturday. Not too shabby at all.






"By the way, I know you ate all the Wheaties this morning."

Independence Day 2008

July 4th! This year I feel America is on the brink of starting to put it's money where it's mouth is. Whatever happens in November, I am prouder of this country on this Independence Day than I ever have been in my life. Not just because of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, but because Barack won in Iowa and Hillary won 18 million votes. Because Phyllis and Del were married in California and Ellen announced on TV that she will marry Portia and there are no threats of canceling her show. Because people may be ready to take their country back by paying attention and participating.

Last Saturday close to 4000 Unite for Change meetings were held across America. 4000! In backyards, coffee houses, parks, kitchens, restaurants, living rooms, field houses, rooftops, and you name it. There were breakfasts, lunches and sit down dinners, barbeques and bring your own food pot lucks. The gatherings ranged from 10 people in someone's kitchen to over 2100 under a tent at Taste of Chicago to watch Stevie Wonder. Monica and I went to Exchange Cafe on the south shore here in Chicago. It is a wonderful, comfortable loft style coffee/sandwich shop frequented by bikers and skaters and runners along the lake as well as neighborhood folks who gather for some good conversation. The place was packed with folks from south shore and other areas, all ages (including several using walkers) and races, even some former GOPers, and many Hillary supporters.
There were reps from Barack's campaign and workers who told stories of knocking on doors in Iowa and Indiana. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Alderwoman Sandi Jackson were there and are as funny as they are intense.
We discussed the campaign and community issues including gun control. In light of all the recent and disturbing gun crimes and the ridiculous Supreme Court gun control decision that is so disheartening, this meeting was such a glimmer of hope that the court could soon possibly be salvaged.

It's been many years since I've seen people so ready and inspired to work together for a goal. Not just for the election but excited about making things better here at home. Hope is a powerful thing. The younger people questioned and listened and watched the older people hop off their same ole same ole treadmills and were eager with suggestions and ways they could take part. The grassroots spirit in that cafe was invigorating and warm and real. It was not so much about Obama as it was about people actually realizing that they have the power. In 4000 places we came together to participate in our democracy.
So my dear Founding Fathers, we may finally be on the path to making you men of your marvelous words and more.
Happy 4th yall!