ABSILVER's World

Labels, how do you see yourself? Saturday is national coming out day .  If you are straight, you probably haven't thought about coming out!  Most people, unknowingly, are assumed to be straight, and thus, the need to "come out" is perhaps a little strange.  There are in today's world some interesting nuances here.  Children of gay parents may at times feel odd about coming out straight, but I assume in most gay families, the assumption until heard otherwise is their children are, for lack of a better term, straight. I have been out to my family for over 20 years and out in most work and friendships for at least that long, so the idea of coming out is behind me.  I am not sure if people can tell when I am on a plane, train, or walking on the beach, but here I am out and proud, as they say. What does this have to do with labels?  It seems that we all have a unique desire to label ourselves so people can accurately put us in a category of familiarity.  It happens i

Where will I be this Yom Kippur? For so long in my life, Yom Kippur and Kol Nidre, helped define how my year would be.  There are so many memories to share. For those of you who do not know, Yom Kippur is a holiday called the "Day of Atonement", and actually is ten days after Rosh Hashanah.  That period of time is a time of celebration of the new year, but is also a time of repentance and prayer for a healthy and prosperous new year.  G-d is passing judgment on all humans and deciding their fate for the coming year. As a kid, Rosh Hashanah was the fun holiday.  The shofar was blown in Synagogue.  The meals from my Mom, Granny and Aunts were wonderful and everyone was celebratory.  The synagogue and ark coverings were changed to all white, and there was a feeling of what a New Year should be.  But lurking in the liturgy and prayer, were these repentant theme of confession, repenting, and praying to be inscribed in the book of life and to have a happy and prosperous y

Electrolux buying GE appliances:  I think this is a good thing.  GE Appliances look and generally run well.. but frankly my Electrolux based dishwasher (Kenmore branded) has to be by far the best dishwasher I have owned.  It is small, but cleans like twice its size. Show Tunes: I love Broadway.  I love Broadway Musicals, and most of them on film.  But, going to a bar to watch them and drink is not on my top ten list of things to do.  (Just sharing Mark).  Doesn't make sense but it is what it is. Joan Rivers :  I am tired of what being written is about her career.  I don't think she was more crude than the male comics, just her comedy was well female oriented.  She said what she felt, made us look at ourselves honestly.  Not only that, she was a humanitarian and good to her family, and charities she cared about.   Barbra Streisand:  Her production team must be the best social media marketers of all time.  This new album / CD is all over the social sphere and can only ima

It makes no sense.  I sit here on a Thursday afternoon working, and planning for two workshops that are on the horizon.  All good...  but now I am sad. I sat through hearing about Robin Williams passing, and feeling bad for a man tortured enough to want to take his own life.  Thinking how genius is not a cure all or maybe can be contrary to sanity and mental health. Then Lauren Bacall died.  I read her first autobiography and was marveled by her, but she was a young 89 and passed away so here I sat and stayed quiet. Now today, it is Joan Rivers.  She went and did a concert the evening before last Thursday, and left them laughing.  Wakes up the next morning, goes in for what one would think was a simple procedure on her throat and a week later now she has passed away.  When you saw interviews of her she would say this is how she would want to go, and going out on top she did.  Man, could there be a point in her career where she was more successful or exposed to the public

I know...  people get depressed.  Some people have a chemical imbalance or challenges in their soul that they can't shake.  But here I sit in the middle of my condo wondering about Robin Williams, as many of you do.  I have a blog here, and I write, and yet I feel somewhat at a loss for words but.. I will try. I have been depressed at times, as I assume we all are.   I have walked across an occassional bridge concerned about falling into the highway and wondering how long before I would be missed.  But, my reaction has always been to walk closer to the curb and keep walking.  As Windston Churchill said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."  Don't stop, for lack of a kinder term, living! Why could such a brilliant man not speed up?  what will be his challenges that were so ornerous to his mind that moving on to be with his friend Christopher Reeves was the right choice.  Think about the comparison, one man who was kept alive by the desire to live and by

I feel like an Armadillo at times.  Hard shell, gets around well, and sometimes even a little cute.  If I have a moment, of exposed anxiety, I remember there is a shell around me and I just keep trudging forward.  The faster I move, walk or execute an idea the less likely that thin skinned underbelly will show and I will get hurt.  So, I sit here this morning feeling like an Armadillo on his back, legs and feet scrambling trying to get back on his feet to have that shell protect him once again. It doesn't happen to me often.   Miss Daisy Bell spent the night here, and she was amazing.  The weather yesterday was pretty horrible but she managed to keep her wits about her. (OK she did what dogs do, she slept all day).   She didn't run out in the rain too much, and actually seemed to find a way to walk under the umbrella with me.  So, we had an OK day sitting at home in the rain.  She seems to be eating well.  Slowly gaining more strength, and actually showing a little spunk

I feel like a hamster. One who sees a wheel, and jumps on board. Can't stop running. Calls it exercise but really, just can't stop going. Maybe it isn't a hamster. It is a Bunny. Like the Eveready brand. Keeps going, and going and going. Possibly, a mouse. One trying to learn that maze. To get to some water, or possibly a nibble of kibble. But, wondering why I am in the maze in the first place. Or, just a rat. One that is in a race. Looking for the cheese, but somebody moved it. Looking for some nourishment. Nourishment, not for the stomach. Nourishment for the mind. To nourish one's soul. Maybe open one's heart. Need to be human. Realize the luxury of choice. I can open doors to cages. Doors to be opened are opportunities. I will choose the wheels to run, the mazes to navigate, the minds to nourish along with my own.