My Friend Tatiana de Rosnay Discussing Her Novel "Sarah's Key."

Here's a video of my friend Tatiana de Rosnay discussing her novel Sarah's Key for the Jewish Book Council.

Exhausted but illuminated

So tired today. The past two weeks have been hectic. In addition to my class and still trying to get my condo in order (still living out of a lot of boxes), I attended my first Kabbalah Congress through Bnei Baruch. As one can guess, I'm dragging and burnt out.

Since February, I have gone non stop and endured a lot of changes. My husband and I bought our first condo and, as much as I told him we shouldn't, closed and moved on the same day. My godmother, who was my eldest paternal aunt, unexpectedly passed away int he middle of the month. She was 80 and lived a good life, but it was very hard on me. Now I know she is still with me, but I do miss her. Then the WRD 202 classes I have were non-stop. I often think, "When am I going to receive a break and some help?"

Well, God does work in mysterious and wonderful ways. I was in line to buy a coffee at the B&N on DePaul's campus, and next to me as I waited in line was a table of books. One of them was called "What to Do When People Push Your Buttons." I bought it because I know at times I can become quick with people or begin to cry when I am under stress. I am reading it now. Will give my review once I finish it.

"The Empire Strikes Barack": Another gem courtesy of YouTube

My dear friend and fellow struggling literary artist, Debbie sent me this.

Another Song for My Husband and a Song for the World

I listen to this Madonna song on my MP3 player all the time. First it reminded me of when my husband and I first dated. My family and friends didn't believe we were meant to be together. We seemed so different. Clearly, those family and friends didn't know either one of us. Bill and I complete each other; other people forbade it through their actions and words because they didn't understand and didn't try to understand.

And when I view this clip from her Confessions tour, it supports what I said about "other people forbid[ding] it because they [don't]understand." The causes of the Middle East's conflicts are rooted in the time of Abraham. The two dancers sporting the religious symbols of Judaism and Islam provide a beautiful as well as a telling image. We hate what we is different and what we don't understand. Yet we are all one, and when we hate a person or an idea that doesn't correlate with or complement our own views, we hate and ultimately destroy ourselves.

History and the Future. Go Senator Obama, Go!

To Quote the Great Studs Turkel: History is Thursday.

This man's egoism and arrogance are embarrassing, infuriating, and tragic. The only piece of advice I have for Kevin James if he asked me would be for him to read books on World War II and Neville Chamberlain, consult a dictionary for the definition of "appeasement", and better understand world history -past and contemporary. God willing, he will.

Mark Green's quote is great: rhetoric and not reality.

Splat!

Yesterday I woke up feeling like a whole vial of bacteria had been poured upon me. My throat was extremely sore and my body was achey and more fatigued than usual. I took my temperature and it was low grade: 99.7 degrees. Illness aggravates my multiple sclerosis; I was not ready to go out and dance. I had made an appointment with my internist for another reason - my sleeplessness - but I think the universe planned the virus to arrive when it did.

After I left my class, I was walking to my doctor's office. As I crossed Wabash Avenue my legs suddenly decided not to function and I crashed to the pavement. My books and water went all over the street and drivers began honking their car horns because I had fallen when the light changed.

My husband has a bad attitude when it comes to strangers and life itself, believing the worse in everybody. How I wish he had been there with me when I had fallen. Three strangers, despite the drivers honking and other drivers driving around me, came to may aid. They helped me up and repeatedly asked if I was all right. One thought I had passed out. My ego more than my knees and palms (as a childhood gymnast and dancer I know the proper way to fall) was bruised, so I embarrassedly told them that I was just fine.

One man helped me up and told me to sit down in Starbucks so I could catch my breath. He wrapped his arm around me waist and asked me if I had felt faint. I told him that I have MS and sometimes my legs decide they don't want to work anymore. He walked inside with me, helped he sit down because, as embarrassed as I was, I felt shaky. He asked if I wanted a glass of water. I told him no and thanked him for his concern.

I wish I hadn't been embarrassed. I should have considered myself blessed. People still do care for other people. My husband, the cynic, still thought the men had other motives in mind. I don't believe that. Who would be attracted to a woman, who has a visible runny nose, that just fell knee first onto Wabash Avenue?

Today my sore throat has taken my voice and purple and magenta bruises are on my knees and the palm of my right hand. My legs and arms are weak. My cognition is like a frayed wool sweater. But I have been through worse, and I appreciate that strangers cared enough to help me. I also appreciate that I, as my deceased Godmother often said, come from strong peasant stock. As an artist, one does need that fighting spirit.

For my husband.

With apologies to Depeche Mode: A Sadness That Nauseates

Last night I finished watching the remarkable and haunting Frontline episode entitled "Bush's War." Outside of my friends, no one reads my blog, but I am prepared to receive some nasty and, of course, anonymous "rebuttals" to my thoughts.

In full disclosure, my father was in the Marine reserves in the early to late sixties. My cousin served in the airforce. My other cousin is married to soldier currently serving in Iraq. I deeply respect the Military and love my country, despite all its flaws and sins - past and current. True love entails this. However, since December of 1999, I have been disappointed and angered at the road America has taken. "Bush's War" only confirms my greatest fears.

When George Walker Bush first ran for President, I told my friends and family that he was going to bring down America like he brought down every company he had ran. Yet the past has proved the United States's resilience. I think the phoenix should replace the eagle as our national bird.

Frontline astutely showed how an administration when left unchecked by the branches, the press, and its citizens can damage multiple countries. I know there are people who believe that America should use all means to fight "the war on terror." But the tactics used by the United States in its interrogations shame me and make me sick. Knowing and seeing how prisoners have been treated not only makes me cry but makes me want to vomit. Seeing and hearing Iraqi citizens suffer only deepens my sadness.

As Americans, we should be disgusted that this is the path we have taken. Religion has become so entwined with our politics. So why don't we all start acting like our brother's keeper? Those we bomb and torture bleed like us, cry like us, despair like us, and grow angry like us. And worship the same God as a lot of us, whether we refer to God as The Father, Allah, or Yahweh.

Happy Easter!

On Good Friday evening, I watched one of the best shows on television, Tavis Smiley. That evening he had on Anne Lamott, who was discussing her book Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith, now out in paperback. Lamott, who is a liberal Christian like myself, talked about the power of Good Friday and Easter. Even to a person of another faith, an atheist, or an agonistic, what she said rang true about life itself.

"Good Friday" often shows up in our lives. Times of loss, suffering, anxiety, stress, betrayal, depression, illness, loneliness are common "Good Friday" moments and feelings. However, future light always shines. I have had many "Good Fridays" and "Easters" in my life. Lamott's words deeply touched me. The best way to sum up this attitude is said by Mr. Smiley when he always ends his show: "Keep the Faith."