TAXING DAY

OK today is my Tax appointment and I of course am not really ready. I did all the calculating and am about to go to my accountant and have him slash all the deductions. It is amazing how when you make less you pay more, huh?
And your that Wagoner guy at GM walks with $20,000,000 severance! Talk about rewarding bad behavior!!
The imbalance and inequity in this is stultifying.
And what is the story with NY State raising prices and fees in this time of utter financial devastation?
Somehow I feel that Bush Bacchanalia is still somehow part of the Greed Gene Pool and the antidote is yet to be swallowed.
I keep hearing, even on progressive radio stations from call in Senators and financial people, this tired phrase "This is the way business has been done."
"SO WHAT?"
If the Unions are making concessions then the management has to as well. It is grossly unfair and wrong. It makes Obama look weak and with all his educated speech making does nothing to secure our feelings or finances.
But that is my kitchen table philosophy. If I had a kitchen table or a kitchen large enough to have a table!
And let's not forget Bloomberg...whose answer to the financial crunch, especially for actual NY City residents is to make Malls and reroute traffic!!
While Subway Fares increase and services diminish!!
For those on Unemployment you'll see a $25 increase in benefits. Well thanks..but that Subway increase will eat that up.
And speaking of Eating:::::When will food prices come down? Gas prices went up and Food went up in tandem...NOW Gas prices have come down and food prices are STILL HIGH!
Let's not start on the ABSURDLY high rents that are still being asked for. Business too are closing left and right along every street and Avenue. It is truly depressing tos ee neighborhoods with empty stores and many replaced by boutique banks and corporate chain restaurants.
So that is how I start my new Fiscal year...Pissed and annoyed and ready to take more hits from the money mad world.
OH and let's talk for a minute about DOCTORS and HEALTH INSURANCE.
My Doctor recently retired and another was suggested by him. This new Doctor is nearby and so that was a real choice to consider. I called made an appointment and asked about them taking my Insurance. I was told all was fine.
Then I go there and they see that my plan is not covered by this particular Doctor. He is OUT OF NETWORK. But I was told by the office manager that wasn't problem. It was a matter of me getting the bill and submitting it myself and all would be fine.
So, it was a mater for paperwork.
When the time came post exam and lab work...well that WASN'T the case.
My Insurance denied payment.
So I go to the Doctor's Office, as I said it was nearby, and talked again with the Office Manager. He continued to tell me that his "Biller" said the Insurance company would cover the Lab work and that the Office visit was another matter. I was sure he said they would cover the Office would cover that and I collected my records and made an appointment with another IN NETWORK Doctor.
I had paid my Co-Pay and thought that the end of the situation.
Until only yesterday when the Doctor's Office Manager called me and tried to work a deal for payment! I was astonished.
He said that they would charge me for half the office visit and would work out an installment plan for me to pay.
I declined as I told them they misled me into the situation and now wanted me to pay for it?
I also requested my Lab report as I needed it for the new Doctor. They were reluctant to Fax or Email so I am awaiting it in the mailbox.
I fear this is not yet over, but am now aware of what nonsense can happen to you when you are not on top of things.
The Office of that Doctor was told one thing and I was told that and then it was not at all the reality.
My new Doctor takes the Insurance and as he is part of a Cardio Clinic that I have been to before I feel more secure about things in general. Also this new Doctor is affiliated with Lenox Hill and that alone makes me feel better.
SO I suggest you all get a "Second Opinion" on when you are having to change Doctors. And if something seems askew make sure you contact the Insurance company before doing anything. I made the mistake of trusting the Office Manager and when I called the insurance company myself I got a reality check for sure!!
I am off to TAX land.

XXX
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SPRING IS QUEER

How is everyone?
Long time between Blog Spew. huh?
Been busy with TAXES ..compiling receipts and calculating sums and trying to figure out what I did for a year!!??
I have my appointment Tueday next and am working diligently to get some idea of what last year meant financially.
Mostly Unemployment and Auditions!!
Hope you are all more organized than I when it comes to this time of year.
"Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most"..(that's a song)
When I mention that I am in the throes of all this paperwork: Summaries from AMEX and Bank Accounts and Investments ...I feel like I am swimming in a pool of gagging sludge.
Then I get the emails from friends "Oh I already got my return..automatic deposit!" Oh thanks for that..I will probably OWE money as I don't have tax taken from my Unemployment. IT USED TO NOT BE TAXED..WHY SHOULD IT BE TAXED..IT IS NOT EARNED INCOME...And if it is TAXED why can we NOT COUNT IT TOWARD A NEW CLAIM???
I am so gald Obama extended it and has added an extra $25 a week ( $100 a month) to our claims..BUT the Subway Fare Increase in NYC will suck that away real fast.
That Insurqance is not a Free bee..we worked for it and our employers pay into it..so WHY are we bneng taxed??
AND what is this FASCIST (my view) bull about DRUG testing randomly people on Unemployment and getting Food Stamps??
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT?
SOCIAL PROFILING is what I call it!!
People ..the many who have anad are continually losing jobs and have to rely on the pittance that Unemployment serves up are now HUMILIATED into having to give Urine samples???
And how much will that COST..and WHO will pay for that?
EIGHT states are already doing that including New Jersey> OUTRAGEOUS as far as I am concerned. At a time when people need help and a hand up ..this is a nasty evil and mean way to oppress and subjugate a strata of society which is already hurting.
I am not an advocate of any sort of drugs unless you are in great pain as I have been after major cancer surgeries or other maladies..But to make an effort to create an issue out of a non issue is ABSURD and Wasteful of time, energy, and money.
We'll see if adults will prevail this tight right wing mentality trumps common sense again!
Anyway..
I am glad Spring is here at last.
We have been going to a great deal of theatre and thrilled to do it.
We saw off-off-Broadway stuff : TARTUFFE at the Seaport Theatre with colleague Susan Jeffries, a terrific actress and wonderful friend and MISS EVERS BOYS with pal Garrett Lee Hendricks in a particularly wonderful performance at the Times Square Arts Center on 43rd....both under $20 and Free for Equity members.
Saw the Charles Busch and Lypsinka version of LEGENDS at Town Hall a benefit for Friends in Deed on Monday. Those Drag Queens were absolutely terrific and it was a house that was not only full but so vibrant and fun it was a joy.
I saw the Original tour of LEGENDS with Carol Channing and Mary Martin and pal Gary Beach. It was touring in Kansas City while I was working at Kansas City Starlight. Gary got me in to see it and it was certainly an event to watch those broads and Gary do his wonderful work. It was said Martin was on a head set -in her ear- as she was not able to remember lines!!
We then saw 33 VARIATIONS which was a real treat and also a revelation. Jane Fonda was wonderful onstage and the show was intriguing and very engaging. Colin Hanks, Tom's son, was also very good.
The audience was full of money people and celebrities including our Hal Prince. Looking healthy and vibrant after his stroke a while ago. He was talkative and charming as ever. And he just turned 80!!!
We headed fro Bar Centrale afterwards and our pals David and Dan joined us. We sat next to Frank Langella and Rene Abourjenois..
When they were leaving a lady with her back to us turned out to be the talented and terrific Gillian Lynne..the Choreographer of PHANTOM and CATS among other Broadway shows. We chatted and relived our old CATS days and she was charming and sweet.
Great Gal!
I had a couple of auditions and callbacks this week and some next but I am of a mind set that it is fun to do but never expect a Job to morph out of them! When they do I am amazed.
We are seeing IRENA'S VOW this Saturday and FINIAN'S RAINBOW at Encores on Sunday.
I like the idea of ENCORES but find the choice of shows rather pedestrian or so far out that the evenings are tedious and rather boring..I sight MUSIC IN THE AIR.
All that talent and dull material.
Encores is still, to my sense, trying for the next success that CHICAGO had ...so the stuff they choose to present is rather careful and not always interesting.
How about shows we haven't seen...why not HIGH SPIRITS..the musical Version of BLITHE SPIRIT now at the Shubert?? Or something obscure with a wonderful score like IRMA LA DOUCE or STOP THE WORLD ..or ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT ...Or the NEVER seen or heard Wright and Forrest score of KEAN??
Also the casting of these presentations is always the SAME. I love Kristen Chenowith's work, but she is constantly in these shows. HOW ABOUT DISCOVERING SOME NEW TALENTS ??
Or rediscovering some old talents that can still deliver??
Among all this theatre we have also indulged in MOVIES!!..

DUPLICITY..Not good enough..Julia didn't look that great..and that evening MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING was on and that was 10 years earlier and she looked radiant.
KNOWING..A mess of miss Edited mish mash. And it was a shame as the premise was interesting and intriguing..then it got too religious oriented and lost us.
We saw MONSTER vs ALIENS tonight and loved it. 3D is the way to go with all these wonderful Pixar offerings. I hope directors and producers and studios and Indy films adapt it more often.

So ..we had 60 Plus Degrees today and I look forward to more and more of that.
Obama continues to try and navigate through the negativity and barrage of slurs and sling and arrows of outrageous fortune!
I am disappointed that he hasn't taken the Mandate WE gave him and shove it down the Republicans collective throat..we, after all, have had to take it up the Butt from them for the last 8 years!!
I live in his HOPE and my own optimistic pessimism!
I hope we all can find the blossoms of Spring popping up where we least expect it.
And of course may we all win a Lotto or two!


XXX
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PASSING FANCY

I heard this afternoon that my cousin Mary Ann passed away yesterday from pancreatic cancer.
So I thought I would write a bit about her as it seemed appropriate.
I hadn't seen her since 2001 when we spent almost a week in Las Vegas laughing and gambling and having fun.
She is the first of the cousins to leave us. She was barely in her 60's and as teens we lived fairly close. A bike ride away. Her younger sister Amelia was at her side but her brother Gene was in Long Island at the very house that was a bike ride away.
They had a Levitt Salt Box Cape Cod and like all the houses Levitt built it was easily expanded and totally equipped to meet the needs of growing families. Not only that but these homes were built to accommodate the returning WW II Vets and therefore affordable. The American Dream come more or less true. The homes have lasted longer than the dream.
Homes there now are around $300,000 or more..not necessarily the price range for the "starter home" that the vets were to enjoy,.
We had many a great time there, especially on Sunday mornings before we trekked to church. Their Mom my Aunt Lena made the best meatballs. Sicilian style I am told..with raisins and pine nuts . I loved them fresh from the pan and crispy crusted and chewy and full of flavor and those delicious centers.
She always had some ready for me when I went there. The Italian households of all my Aunts and my Mom were always cooking on a Sunday...although my Mom started on Saturday night. I swear it was to torture me. I would hardly sleep as the sauce for the Sunday macaroni was simmering all night on her electric range.
Those enticing aromas flowing into my bedroom were a source of total desperation for me.
I would toss and turn and finally give in. Sneak quietly downstairs and find a nice heel of the Italian bread and scoop out the doughy part...buttered..yes Buttered (God I should have been a fat horse) the bread..smashed a nearby tasty but not Aunt Lena type meatball into the bread and dipped the bread into the simmering sauce. It was a ritual that continued until I left for college.
The house quiet, the soft stove light and the bubbling aroma of that delicious brew. I would enjoy every bite and had to be careful not to eat too much because sometimes Mom counted the meatballs. I thought I was so clever by carefully cleaning up, hiding my tracks like a thief and stealthily climbing the stairs back to my room. Being very careful to skip the one or two that squeaked and holding my breath as I passed Mom & Dad's room. I would climb into my bed sated and fulfilled.
I never thought that she might notice the huge chunk of bread missing from one of the three or four loaves. What could I say if she said something? " Wow a large mouse must've got to it?"
Anyway..My cousins and I would gather in the Cape Cod kitchen and munch our way to church. Sneaking a cigarette or two on the way.
Mary Ann was the oldest of the three cousins but a year or so younger than I. She was the one who loved Rock N Roll and to her the SUPREMES were, well.. Supreme!
We shared our vast collections of 45 records and many a happy teenage hour together.
She was a good dancer and so was I and I would take her to the dance floor of any family wedding or function and we would tear it up!
She loved California and over 30 years ago packed her bags and headed out there. She had no job and never drove or had a car. In California!!
She got her apartment and a job that was easily accessible via the public transportation. So she took a Bus to work and back every day!
She recently retired and was getting Social Security. Her retirement didn't last long at all. She talked of retiring to Sonoma so her ashes will be spread there.
Everyone is being philosophical and emotionally stressed but life is life and this is part of it.
We lost our last connection to our elders about a year ago when our Uncle Americo passed and that was traumatic. Now Mary Ann joins them and we all hope they're laughing, happy and eating Aunt Lena's meatballs in a Heaven filled with the aroma of those Italian kitchens
She had a rough time of it in the end so now...
REST IN PEACE sweet cousin.

XXX
BOBO
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NEW YORK WEAKLY

Another NY week!! Nothing too much
It is almost 70Degrees today here in the Big Apple!!
I heard on NPR today that it is gonna be 90 tomorrow!! I doubt that..must be a joke.
BUT if one considers it was ZERO degrees and Snow Stormy a few DAYS ago why not think it could turn on a dime. GLOBAL WARMING has to be the cause.
One advantage right now is one can walk about and enjoy the city on foot instead of from claustrophobic city bus gagging on fetid recycled and germ strewn air.
I had some business midtown and took advantage of footwork to visit Rockefeller Center.
My College, ITHACA, was in town for Senior Field Study and I did a seminar on longevity in the theatre (Arts). Three of us spoke t,o and with, a group of about 25 theatre students.
A smart, intelligent and interested and interesting group.
They had seen a few shows and had very insightful and varied opinions. Fresh view from fresh faced educated thespians!
These seminars are always enlightening for both sides. They come back to NY to do a presentation on May 11th and I will try to attend.
For those of you who don't know Ithaca College..It is set in a beautiful part of NY State and on the mouth of the Cayuga Lake. Cornell is the "other" school which Ithaca Campus looks down upon from the South Hill on Danbury Road.
There was as reception after the seminar on 45th St and after that I walked my good pal and Ithaca colleague Lesie Shreve to the Players Club on Gramercy Park.
It was a gorgeous night and high on one Scotch and Fried and Battered finger foods I was up and ready to perambulate with vigor.
I love those clear nights of early evening in New York. The city, especially on a Friday, is rumbling with the energy of another weekend on the brink.
People in bustling OVERPRICED restaurants and the gaggles of smokers babbling on cell phones :
"Well you know you are the cause of my anxiety..."...;;"I was on a shoot today and couldn't call you..." ;;"I am at the restaurant. Where are you?"
No wonder Neil Simon traveled NYC with a note pad and wrote snippets of dialogue that way.
I passed some interesting window displays and took some photo shots. That is always fun.
One was a celebration of Brabie's 50th Anniversary in the windows of ROTHSTEIN a mannequin manufacturing place of high end. quality
We are off to see a new movie with Felicity Huffman written and directed by Daniel Barnz (nee:Bernstein). Dan is the brother of a good friend and we hope it is a smash.
The problem with all this Temperature Change is WHAT to wear??
I say be prepared for it all. We may get out of the movie to another Snowstorm before morning!!

Take Care

XX
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