NaBlaPoMo Day 3 Free Write

Sandy_JH_mdpNY-11 (Photo credit: mdpNY)

How Have You Been Personally Affected By Storm Sandy?

I want to stay in my safe haven, in my little house with my rust colored dog by my side. I appreciate dearly that my husband is able to work from home these past few weeks, I feel safer just being here. I could go out, I suppose, but I am limited to where I can go with street closures and fallen trees and wires in the streets.  I realize I just don’t want to go anywhere.  Not yet. I’ve seen enough on the television 24/7 to know the scenes by heart. I just can’t believe this has happened to my city. It’s difficult to believe that to fill up my car means that I need to search for gas for hours.

While I don’t live directly in the city now, I was born and raised in Kew Gardens, Queens. After college I had my first job in NYC at Paramount Pictures, working with my best friend, eating lunch in Central Park and living just over the bridge, in Brooklyn Heights, years before it became popular. I saw movie stars all the time and in my early twenties, I was so excited just to see them. I practically had a hotline with my mother to tell her who I had just seen in the elevator: Diana Ross, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman in our Reception Area being asked if he wanted coffee at least nine times by various assistants (he was not happy) and a young and beautiful John Travolta on the executive floor. It was an exciting and exhilarating time, free movie screenings and many perks.

Now, I appreciate other things. The comfort of my husband’s hand holding mine. My puppy’s peaceful breathing as she lays her head on my lap. Halloween photos from our two happy children in college. Yes, I’m older but more peaceful than before. Storm Sandy was something we may have expected from weather reports but could not actually believe.  A natural disaster, an out of world experience. I know I will venture out again when things are more settled, trains running, power restored. Right now, I am happy to stay here with my dog and my husband but when I am ready, I will explore again, I will reinvent the new New York.  Slowly, with different expectations.

Plinky Prompt: Who Is The Most Famous Person You Have Met?

• 

  English: Ellen DeGeneres in 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  Meeting Someone Famous

• Define Famous For Me…
  I’ve said hello to Diana Ross, John Travolta, and endless movie stars. I met Bob Barker when I was six and my parents snuck me into a taping of “The Price Is Right” when we visited Los Angeles. I’ve offered Dustin Hoffman coffee (well, me and six other people), I sat next to Vanessa Williams (I observed her complexion when she was promoting that Pro-Activ skin care line) at a conference. I saw Robert Redford in the lobby of the building I worked in and couldn’t believe it was him. More importantly, I even (I’m embarrassed and I’m sorry) met and told President Clinton that perhaps he should eat a hamburger (even though he is a vegan)( SORRY ELLEN DEGENERES) because he looked so gaunt and I worried for his health. I admit it, mea culpa.
  BUT, I don’t care about fame or fortune, title or level. I never have and I never will. I care about how a person treats me and others and I am not easily intimidated. I don’t consider Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan famous, sorry, I just don’t. Famous people? People who have changed the world for the better, people who have helped people. I would love to meet Ellen Degeneres (or Oprah when she still had her wonderful daytime show-she gave me such inspiration) because they want to make the world a better, more loving place and yes, to me, they are famous. It’s not fame that interests me, it’s character. I’d be honored to meet Ellen or Oprah, two women who have strength, love, generosity and humility. To me, that’s the definition of FAME.
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22 Things I Have Done

Cover via Amazon

Last week they wrote about what they have never done…this week write a list of 22 things you HAVE done. (inspired by Sellabit Mom) From Mama’s Losin’ It:

1) I saved the lives of baby bunnies by rescuing them from underneath the grass, brought them to the vet and they LIVED! I’m a bunny whisperer.

2) I have two great children (teenagers) whom I love, like and respect. (This is not to say they don’t drive me crazy sometimes)

3) I adopted a puppy from a shelter and it was one of the best decisions of my life; she’s nine years old now and her name is Callie.

4) I’ve been married to a great guy for the last 23 years. *Note: we DON’T live in Hollywood.

5) I’ve traveled to Holland,  Spain,  Aruba, Greece, Israel, Portugal…etc.

6) I didn’t get mad or annoyed at my husband at all when he was pick pocketed in Barcelona, Spain because he forgot to put his wallet in the “safe” pocket.

7) I finished a twenty-two mile (walking) marathon and earned money for charity, Walk For Hunger.

8) I’ve read many, many books and love reading. I support my library and was a Border’s addict. Damn, I hate that you are gone.

9) I threw up in first or second grade right before a play, didn’t tell anyone, cleaned myself up and went out on stage. “The show must go on.”

10) I gave my sister a 39th SURPRISE birthday party and let me tell you, she WAS surprised! (she wore a Mickey Mouse T-shirt to my house.)

11)  I forced my father, 18 years ago to let me take him to the Emergency Room on Father’s Day; it turned out he needed a quadruple by-pass operation and he lived for many years afterwards, I, quite possibly, saved his life.

12) When my son was 4, I surprised him with a Batman birthday party, with “Batman” himself appearing. Best party EVER.

13)  I worked at a major motion film company and we got to see free movies.

14) I murdered a goldfish by overfeeding him and I still feel guilty, Frank, I’m so sorry. RIP

15) I made memory books for my son, daughter, niece and nephew when they were 13 years old, using old photographs and collage and I made one for my father-in-law for his 80th birthday. A lot of work; a lot of love. Great outcome; love doing it.

16) I swiped a small tube of Elmer’s Glue when I was 6, mom marched me back into the store to apologize and pay. Ouch.

17) I saw Diana Ross in the elevator.

18) I bake the best banana raisin/chocolate chip bread in the universe. Ask anyone.

19) I once pooped my pants (as a grown-up) when I was very, very sick. I’m sure my children will be so proud.

20) I covered a shift as a favor to a friend and I met John Travolta, he smiled at me, it was about 30 years ago (do you think he still remembers me?! I guess not.)

21) I put grape jelly on pizza (and yes, eat it)

22) I have played the song “Someone Like You” by Adele at least 100 times.

My Top Celebrity Sightings

Image via Wikipedia

When I was “oh so very young” I worked at Paramount Pictures in the Corporate Offices on the East Coast. I never did anything remotely related with stars but oh…the elevators. The biggest star sighting was seeing Diana Ross in the elevator. The doors opened and I was right there to see this regal beauty, I swear she looked seven feet tall. It was a moment, one I will never forget. She had such amazing presence. Shortly after that, I also saw John Travolta and that was JUST as special, maybe even more so. I was covering the front desk of the executive floor as a favor for a friend. The telephone board was so confusing and I was trying really hard not to lose anyone! When I finally caught a breath, I looked up and into the beautiful, warm, enchanting eyes of a very young John Travolta. He didn’t want to interrupt ME so he waited until I looked up. He was such a sweet young man, with wonderful manners and a smile that was brilliant. He then thanked me with a big grin and a wink!
I saw other “celebrities” but some were cranky or had attitude. A true star, to me, is one that is beautiful not only outside but inside as well. Thank you, John Travolta. Love, The Young Me

for MaryBeth C.  who made every day fun! I hope we can reconnect.