Saturday Night Serenade–Staying Woke

For the last week and a half, we’ve been mourning the loss of 17 in south Florida.  And we’ve been reminded of those we lost in Columbine, and Sandy Hook, and Las Vegas, and Texas, and Orlando, and countless other places.  Senseless losses that should capture our attention and strengthen our determination to solve the problems that led us there, to keep it from happening again.

But in the ‘short attention span theatre’ that is the 21st century news cycle, the cause just before Parkland was #MeToo and #TimesUp, the social movement that is calling out sexism and misogyny.    It’s been posited that every woman you know, along with many men, has her own Me Too story.  I know I do.  Maybe one day I’ll write about it.

It’s astounding, really, that for so long we’ve all excused sexual predation as ‘locker room talk’ and ‘boys being boys’.  Clue: It’s NOT okay.  It NEVER was.

I’m hopeful that now that the dialogue has begun, it will continue, that we’ll move forward more enlightened, treating EVERYONE with respect and compassion.  EVERYONE.  Now that we’re woke, let’s stay woke, amen?

I heard this song, Female by Keith Urban, the other day, and it touched my heart.  I’m including the official lyric version, too, because words are important.

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.  Be sure to honor the women in your life, and hug the people you love.  Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Mourning

It’s happened again.  This time less than an hour away from my home.  Heaven forbid we should ever get accustomed to it.

A sad, lost, disturbed child entered a school with a gun and killed seventeen people.

As usual, the finger-pointing and politicizing started instantaneously.  On every side.  Does it help?  Do we feel superior now?

No matter the factors that led to the tragedy, we’re heart-broken.  Seventeen lives were senselessly snuffed out.  Seventeen journeys cut short.  Seventeen families shattered.  Countless survivors scarred for life.

So now what?  While we wait for politicians to get their shit together and do something effective–about guns, about mental illness, about family social services, about following up on reports filed by citizens who saw something and said something.  What do we do?

I think we love.  Starting with those closest to us.  We hug them, and we tell them that we love them.  We reach out to those who are hurting and we help them if we can, or refer them to someone who is better equipped.

I heard Bob Goff speak last week about love in action.  Loving those we find “creepy,” because they need it the most.  His book Love Does is currently in my Amazon cart.  It’s ten bucks and available on Prime.

A small investment in a better world.

Happy Saturday night.

 

Saturday Night Serenade–Valentine’s Date Night

We’ve been seeing the ads for weeks.  The Broadway touring company of Cabaret is coming to the local performing arts center in West Palm Beach.  Every time I see the commercial, I spend the next half hour humming, “Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!”

The other day, Mr. R retrieved the mail, and the next time I went to my computer, sitting propped against the screen was an envelope from the Kravis Center.  Snatching it up, I gasped, “Stop it!”

He just grinned at me.  “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

The thoughtful surprise is as enjoyable as watching the show will be.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?  I think the important thing is just appreciating those we love, and taking the opportunity to say so.

Be warm and safe this February evening.  Remember to hug those you love.  Happy Saturday night!

And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Saturday Night Serenade–Super Bowl Edition

Are you ready for some football?

I’m not remotely a football fan, but I love the Super Bowl.  I love that it’s a uniquely American cultural event, with a tradition all its own.  People throw parties and gather at sports bars,  dressed in their favorite team’s jersey.  There’s a whole category of ‘game day’ snacks, from subs, to chili, to burgers.  Plus, plenty of beer.

I couldn’t care less which teams play, I tune in for the half-time show and the commercials.  This year, I’m cheering for the Eagles, mainly because they’re not the Patriots.  But mostly, I’m looking forward to the spectacle.  Justin Timberlake is the half-time performer, and that should be fun.  Fingers crossed, no ‘wardrobe malfunction’ this time out.

This week’s serenade is from a couple of years ago, one of my favorite Super Bowl performances of all time.  I LOVE Bruno Mars, and this shortened version of Uptown Funk is fantastic.

Remember when you had to wait until the actual game to see the awesome commercials?  Now, a lot of them are already out.  I’ve seen Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) from Game of Thrones in a rap battle with Morgan Freeman.  I’ve seen a rabbi, a priest, an imam, and a monk pile into a truck and head to a football game.  But so far, nothing has made me laugh like Hannibal Lecter pinch-hitting for Amazon’s Alexa.  Creepy fun!

I don’t know about you, but here at Chez R, we’ll be serving ribs and nachos when we sit down to watch.  Tonight is all about preparation.

I hope your pick wins tomorrow.  For now, enjoy laughter with those you love, and be sure to give them a hug.

Happy Saturday night!