Thirty Eight going on infinity

Was sick the past few days, no I mean REALLY sick! Sweats and chills, chicken soup, the whole bit! UGH! Felt like I lost an entire week, which on the one hand doesn't sound all that bad but on the other, where'd the time go?
For that matter, this whole space/time thing...where's it going? Hmmm. Nothing like letting Physics play Travel Agent!
When we were young, so full of piss and vinegar that we claimed to own time we believed that it couldn't pass without our divine edict. We worked hard and played harder, putting the future on a lay away plan 'til we were ready to deal with it.
These days, I'm astonished at how often one of my mother's sayings comes from between my lips, and how much more empathy I have for how things were for her back when I was hanging on her apron strings.

So for today... for the memories of bullet-proof youth swirled in a goblet aged by experience, Fifty Five shall be the new Thirty Eight...old enough to know better but young enough to enjoy!

Realization of a Charmed Life

Randi with Peter Tork and the Dashboard Saints 1989-ish

I was going through some old photos the other day and ran across this one....another example of dreams coming true.

At the time, Diane and I were living in Venice, California..I was trying to write a book.  It started out being just something about '60s pre-fab groups but quickly evolved into "Daydream Believers," the working title for a book about The Monkees.

Why?  First off, because I'm a fan.  Always have been one and will always be one...and why not?
Great music, great t.v. show and just plain fun.  When they first came out, the whole world was going crazy....they just gave it a laugh track.

Anyway, we started by doing tons of research....we scoured the libraries, record companies and memorabilia shops on Sunset Boulevard, got names and interviewed people. That's when we heard about the conventions.
Thus began the Rock n Roll portion of our lives.  We attended a convention, all the research on little index cards and note pads full of questions.  We met a lot of people and eventually formed the Monkees Press Club, dedicated to archiving and enjoying The Monkees.

The newsletter, Press Club News, went international and for about eight years we were doing that full time...when not working to keep the rent and bills paid.  This meant traveling to the various cities where major conventions were held; Philadelphia, Chicago and of course Hollywood.  There were others, like the one we attended in Pennsauken, NJ,   that were small by comparison but gave the opportunity to visit our families.

What started out being just a bunch of like-minded collectors and enthusiasts turned into a well oiled machine of people capable of helping out at these conventions and even operating as extra security for the band when needed.  Folks got the idea that the Monkees Press Club wasn't your every day, ordinary gang of screaming fans, we were there for what really counted.  And if help was what was needed, there we were. Being reliable and responsible gave us tremendous access, and we never abused it.

Anyway, one of my secret, not even spoken of loudly-type dreams was to jam with Peter Tork.  It wasn't something I thought about every day, mind you...hardly ever crossed my mind actually.  In truth, I thought it would be inappropriate to use any professional access to my own advantage. So I never pressed the issue.

But one night, he and his "other" band, the Dashboard Saints, were playing at 19 Broadway in Fairfax California.  Diane and I naturally attended the show to report for Press Club News, plus we knew our Northern California friends were going to be there.

In between sets, we were all standing outside 19 Broadway for a smoke.  We were all kind of laughing and joking and singing and my big mouth got noticed.  When we got back inside, Peter came over to me and asked me to sing a number with the band. 

After a couple of ideas, we decided on "Stormy Monday."  It was kind of thrilling, really. Tork played harmonica and I just kind of wailed along with the band. There's even a recording of it around somewhere.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Realization of a Charmed Life....looking back, I've had one, and am eternally grateful!

Fairy Tale Flaws and Futures

Once upon a time...
.....the charmed beginning to many a childhood tale. 

This inviting start was usually followed by a description of some far away, long ago place wherein lived kings, queens, princesses....LOTS of princesses, princes.....LOTS of princes, and assorted other associates.  Not to be forgotten were the many, many Knights and seemingly equal number of witches, dragons and other Nemesis  floating about, casting their evil nastiness.

by rcw

It was up to the aforementioned Knights and/or Princes-for indeed some of those fellows were both royal AND knighted-to spring into action on yon noble steed and save the day.

This usually involved battling something really terrible to rescue the story's Ingenue, hence winning her hand in Royal Matrimony....
......And they lived happily ever after.

Have I got that right? Did I leave anything out?

Two questions....
1) What happens afterward?
I mean the REAL afterward when drooping boobs and receding hairlines show up? What happens when Cindy and Charming become empty nesters and a young, nubile Snow White moves into the forest and a reputation for easy pickin's?

2) To me, the more important question....Why aren't there any fairy tales with women or girls as heroes?
Why can't a Woman fight a Dragon to save the Prince? Or scale a mighty wall, outsmart a guard and kill the witch? And who says witches can't be men?!
(Don't give me that old Witch/Warlock sexism stuff, they're two completely different animals when you get back to basics)

I think #2 needs to be rectified, and #1 sure would be nice to see as well.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Fairy Tale Flaws and Futures....why not? We could use a little update!

Four Twenty

Eeeeee! Where did that come from?
Not feeling particularly old, not feeling too young either....actually Four Twenty is more a state of being, a state of mind rather than an age. Unless of course you consider that we are on the verge of legalizing some form of access to Cannabis (a/k/a Marijuana).
Then it is an age...THE age of THC. About time we bring Cannabis back!
Anyway, for all the hard work, dedication and sacrifices done and given by the many activists, patients, community leaders and unsung heros this humble writer offers love, prayers and greatest respect.
The day is almost here, soon there'll be no more fear.