Death...Death...and Now Life

My friends have been asking me why I haven't been writing lately.  I'm not sure why, but what came to mind is sadness stopping my pen.  Sadness that every time I look at the news, someone I admire, or remember fondly has died (Van Cliburn, Dawn Clark Netsch, Chavez).

So, I was thrilled last night when my friend Margaret called to tell me that she is expecting a new grandchild in July!  And, it's a boy who will be a great cousin to her other baby boy born last year.

And, since I'm in a good mood now, I can laugh at the goofiness of Dennis Rodman becoming our "diplomat of the day."  I say, with things going the way they do in Washington, Dennis was inevitable. Kind of like when Rodney King broke through with "Can't we all just get along?"

Third World Super Bowl

What if, as part of some frenzied world-wide marketing plan, the NFL decided to hold the Super Bowl in Africa?   They could trumpet the scheme as "spreading around the dollars."  Imagine all of the corporate private jets flying in formation to the far away continent.  Many of the players could connect with their ancestors.  Henry Louis Gates could guide them to find their proper tribe.

Now, imagine that the lights go out.  Fear grips the fans.  Game delayed.  Every sky box holder is on his cell phone demanding that his "people" get him out of there.  So much for the NFL marketing team.

Just a few years ago, the World Cup (the "Super Bowl" of soccer, the world's most popular game) was held in several cities in Africa.  To my knowledge, there were no power failures.  Just those noisy horns.

Some say Beyonce is to blame for the Super Bowl going dark.  She was using too much of the available power for her half-time show.  The popular super star is about to engage in a world wide tour.  Let's see how the other countries manage.

Rest of the world?  Thumbs up?  New Orleans?  Thumbs down?

Dark Dawn

Dawn Clark Netsch has been diagnosed with ALS.  I can't image a worse fate.  Netsch brought some dignity and high-mindedness to public service and politics in this sullied State.  She deserves our admiration and gratitute.

The year was 1994.  I was living in exile in Elmhurst -- the heart of Republican DuPage County.  Netsch was running for Governor as a "straight shooter." (Remember those marvelous billiards commercials?)  She was the first woman in Illinois to get the nod from a major party.

When I entered the polling place at Primary time, there were a few gents totally at ease enjoying the coffee and donuts. I asked for a Democratic ballot.  "Oh right," one of them smirked.  "We'd better bring out some of those ballots today.  The 'little ladies' are going to want to vote for the gal."  The others chuckled along with the joke.  And, they made me wait while they pretended to fumble around looking for the "wrong" ballot.

I'm sure Dawn Clark Netsch faced, confronted and overcame all of this in her long career.

Why did she make her illness public?  She says "It might get people thinking more about ALS."  If anyone could cure the incureable, I'd put my money on her.

Gone

Gillian Flynn has written  a stunning novel" Girl Gone.  I enthusiastically join all the other readers who couldn't put it down.  Kathy thinks the book has staying power, in the same category as Lolita.   We agreed that it perfectly captures the ruthless self-centeredness that is crashing like Sandy over our national shores,  destroying the norms of accepted behavior in its wake.

Me. Me. Me.  Win. Win. Win.  And, if I have to bring the country to a "cliff", or spray a clip of bullets, I will not be denied the feeling of power!

The person in public life who reminds me most of Amy, the girl in the book who is gone, is Lance Armstrong.  Today, I've been listening to clips of his public statements.  They are chilling.  I also learned of the havoc he wrecked on everyone who dared to challenge his lies.  The most intriguing question is why is he admitting anything?  Why now?

The answer that makes the most sense to me goes back to the novel.  When they finally decided to nail Lance Armstrong, he lost his "story." He was no longer in charge of his narrative.   So, he must regain control.

The book ends at the same place where we are now with Lance:  we'll see over time if Amy and he suceed.

Cheaters

We were stunned into silence during "Too Big to Fail."  We were angry, but impotent during "Too Big to Jail."  We were grateful for Obama because he wasn't Romney, even when we were forced to stick with Guantanimo, Mortgage Crisis, Drones, and 1 percent.

All that  pent up moral outrage had to go somewhere.  So, it did.  NO PLAYERS BEING ELECTED INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.  And, LANCE ARMSTRONG STRIPPED OF ALL TITLES AND ABOUT TO CONFESS TO OPRAH.

Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clements.  Yes!  Bring down the cheaters.  Shame them all.

Feel better now?

Art is a Way

Elsa has a new web site:  www.artisaway.com

I think you'll love it!

Rookies

Elaine, a woman I have met and admire, is writing a blog with the self-explanatory title: "The Rookie Widow."  It struck a chord with me as two of my best friends entered the big leagues in the same way last year.  One of the unintended benefits of not being married for too long, is that I can avoid induction into that Hall of Fame.  2012 was tough.  Those husbands were dear to me, too.  I'm happy to turn the page, even though I'm in the last chapters.

So, Happy New Year 2013.  I'm looking forward to visiting Natalie and Diego in February, the (hopefully) return of Derrick Rose in March, and whatever other good news is out there. Isn't it great to know that the unexpected endures?