Reelin' in the years...

There are some times in life when the years feel like ash sifting down from the volcanic mountain. Harmless, gentle and yet very much there reminding you of time gone by. It feels like that tonight.

There has been so much lately...so much activity, so much stuff...so many feelings, hopes, ideas, emotions, possibilities. I am reeling. Some of it feels great; some, less so. ah well. Such is the stuff and livingness of life. I am glad I can be grateful for it all.

Watched my beloved Tony Awards show tonight. I have been watching this program since I can remember. Because theatre is my first love--especially musicals. I was the classic starry-eyed kid watching my favorites sing, dance and weave magic before my eyes. And then as I began to work professionally in theatre, it felt almost within my reach--someday...someday, I will win a Tony. Not an Emmy nor an Oscar. Nah. I wanted to earn a Tony award for my stage work. Then the years kept rolling by and even my work in the theatre rolled on by and now, i sit in fond appreciation once again.

It makes me laugh to watch all these musicals that fed so many of us growing up are now the revivals on the Great White Way. And the interesting twists and upgrades they are taking. The new "Sweeney Todd" looked so avante garde; and "The Threepenny Opera" so seedy. Harry Connick Jr. instead of John Raitt? Hmmm--not so sure. And, Molly RIngwald in "Sweet Chairty"? Huh? Guess I am a theatre prude and/or biased.

It was also bittersweet for me tonight. In the respectful tribute to those people who passed away in the past year, a name and face came up that caught me by surprise. Maureen Stapleton. How could I have not heard or read that? I had the privilege of working with Ms. Stapleton in my very first Equity production, "Juno and the Paycock" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. That play was one of the most significant times in my life. A young actress making her debut in a play with Maureen Stapleton, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Wow. I was so blessed. And working with this amazing woman and watching her and learning from her... and now all three of those remarkable and influential people are gone. I felt so badly that I had missed her passing. I went online and checked for an obituary and found a great site (Obituaries Today) that gave me the info I needed and an opportunity to sign a virtual Guest Book and share a few words. It helped to have a place to connect, reflect and a small sense of closure. She was an amazing actress--not a celebrity, but an actress. I am grateful to have known her.

During the broadcast, there was quite a unique and spiritual commercial for Liberty Mutual Insurance. It was a slice of life, "Pay It Forward" collage and was quite powerful. Watch for it.

Also during the show, was one of the current e-Bay commercials where they are touting the "Whatever IT is.." and in the background playing "Sleep Jean" by The Monkees. Could someone tell me what that particular song has to do with e-Bay or with this campaign? I mean, I like the song--I admit, I was a big fan of The Monkees and have their music still--but I don't get this song for this promo other than appealing to Baby Boomers somehow.

Thanks for letting me ramble and share tonight. I needed to.