Vicarious Rocky

Kaye is married! A picture is worth 1000 words.

I was waiting to post about it, waiting for pictures. But we got the swine flu (we think) and have been too wiped out and too busy to reminisce. Memphis! That was grand, mostly because Monsanto paid for everything. Who doesn't love that? Well, everyone that thinks Monsanto is evil. They just cringed. But my hotel had ducks in the Lobby. They were fuzzy and cute and Indy got to touch one that then snapped at him.

I liked Memphis enough to go back, but without the kid, for sure. The Civil Rights Museum, The Music studios, Rib places, Beale street music and drinks, the art galleries. All great stuff for the non kid peeps. The town has an amazing amount of character too, which I loved. I sensed it was poorish, not shishi at all (gritty even), but it was dripping with character. It was like no other city I have ever been too. So that made it worth the trip.

He told us his "hug arms were ready" before we got to the restaurant. This was day 1 at Magic Kingdom. Lots more of these posted soon.

Indy and I are so lucky to have you as the Father of this little family. I have truly never known another human being that is as patient, generous, joyful, optimistic and so full of love every single day. You may be an alien.

Thank you for taking the time to be part of Indy's daily life and for not only being the cheerleader for fun and risk and bravery for him, but also a go-to guy for comfort and cuddles.

Whenever I wonder who he will become when he grows up, I am encouraged to know he has such an amazing role model to guide him.

We love you so much! Happy Day Darling!

It's not just Wall Street big wigs leaving a bad taste in the honest taxpayer's mouth. A local arts organization in Milwaukee is making a go at turning stomachs as well. The Sklight Opera appears to be bumbling its way through budget cuts with, at best, clueless and, at worst, unethical decisions and practices.

Skylight Opera Music Director, Jamie Johns, became vocal with the public in questioning the budget restructuring decision that fired beloved Artistic Director Bill Theisen and Company Manager Diana Alioto -- leaving an unfilled creative black hole at the company. He also reiterated some staff concerns about the HR practices and actions preceding recent firings. After he got legitimate press about his misgivings, he was fired via email.

People looking for the other side of this story are encouraged to call the man who made the decision directly: "If you have any questions regarding this information, the Skylight or the Broadway Theatre Center please contact Eric [Dillner] directly at 414-291-7811 ext. 221."

This is a video of Jamie leading a peaceful protest about the sudden and sloppy restructuring:

Seems lots of people I know are going through huge transitions right now. I am proud to know them all. To name a few:

Holly finished the comps and coursework for her PhD! She moves now into a new era of scholarship. Is she ready? Is anyone? Can she finish? Can she enjoy the process, the LONG non-sprinty process, of writing her dissertation? Has she learned enough about the scholarship and writing and herself to complete this journey with her sanity intact?

Jamie lost his job. He spoke out against leadership there and was labeled a "combatant." He now starts a journey of self exploration. What kind of employment does he want? Is it about getting back "in" somewhere and using his gifts? Is it a redefinition of desires?

Kaye is getting married. Leslie's Facebook says: 8 days. :) The combining of families, of loves, of dysfunction and futures. Sorting that tangle of personalities and agendas and intentions that circle around the party and the life making that follows is a transition I remember and don't envy.

Seems to me transitions are never smooth and we rarely get to prepare for them. We mostly get thrust into change. And even if we had time to write a manifesto or blueprint for how it should all unfold, I think most of us would still patchwork our way through to a new stability. But, as uncomfortable as transition is, the beauty and excitement of the future's potential lies within that discomfort and not in the new status quo we eventually reach. That island of "next" we're all swimming towards is one in a never ending chain.

I am rambling and killing metaphors, but what I want to say to all the transitioners out there -- good luck with the swim, I wish you calm seas, cool water, and happy thoughts about your new destination. And my advice, not that I am worthy of dolling it out, is enjoy the peaceful moments as they come and remember they will go away. And they will come again.

Love to you all! Rocky