There are two stories that will come into play in this blog (my final one, I promise.) The first ist the story you are thinking of right now. The other is the story I am about to tell.

In the time before man (I'm using evolution as it fits my purposes better)...In the time before man there were other creatures, specifically fish. One of these fish is called Ralph. Ralph was living in a very big ocean. Swimming in the seas he liked and having a good time with all his fishy friends (yes, we're all fish, get over it.)

The seas that Ralph like to swim in started getting rough. He decided not to swim so near the top. He swam lower because he didn't know what to do. He kept on his fish friends. He watched as some of those above him disappeared. He felt sadness, but could not abide the rough waters.

He tried, of course, but swimming in the rough waters was not the same. Then they got rougher still Ralph was so disheartened. He was sad and he was angry. He was ready to close his gills and sink to the bottom of the ocean.

He cried out to his friends that was what he was going to do. And his friends, as true fish friends would, his friends begged him not to go and reminded him of what he was leaving behind. Fish can cry.

Ralph started thinking about some of his fish friends who had "disappeared." In testing the new rougher waters he noticed them...standing on a shoreline not too far away. He heard them calling out to him. He saw that they had grown legs...

...and he noticed that he had legs too.

So Ralph the fish walked from the waters...and decided to find a new home.

http://localcolloqualisms.blogspot.com/

You'll have to cut and paste to get there. Give me a little time to get set-up and running, but at least for the next five weeks that will be my new blog home.

I mentioned two stories. The one I told...and the one you were thinking about. You were thinking about the boy who cried wolf...you were, weren't you?

In closing, I really appreciate the things that were said here and in other blogs and comments on other blogs. That is what really pushed me to finding a new home. I invite you all to visit me there, and I will continue to look for you, my friends in other places. You mean something to me.

And... if you wanted to drop me a line, you know my name Ralphellis which is @ a Good place to send mail.com . (put the orange bits together.)

Thank you all.

So, The last blog was Hello to a new year, and goodby to here. This is goodbye to hear and hello to somewhere else. We'll make it through, I promise.

See you on the other side.

The next step in my little thingy here is to leave a comment about shows you think shouldn't be cancelled.

Shows that are legal to be included are shows that aired this season. New, old, whatever. If it has aired or is going to air in this television season then it can be included. For instance: Moonlight is not eligible, but Lost is. Does that make sense?

It also doesn't matter if it was included on the list of shows to be cancelled.

So, tell me what shows should be cancelled and give an explanation.

Continuing the tradition, I'll add shows as comments come in.

This will be up until Tuesday.

See you next week for part 3.

I'm hoping at least a few of you know that last night was the final episode of Boston Legal. That's what today's blog is about. There may be spoilers, so consider yourself warned. Of course, as far as I know you can't Itunes it, I'm not sure it's actually available for legal download or internet viewing anywhere, and I know ABC won't air any re-runs. So, you'll need to wait for DVD to see it if you didn't act last night.

That's kind of tragic for me, since I missed the first hour of this two hour episode. I blame myself, I'd heard it was going to be two hours, I forgot. Plus I was at the viewing last night. Another reason I missed? Virtually no press or promotion. ...and sad to say, the guide for BL here isn't being run all that great at the moment, it's been very hard to get information about upcoming episodes. When last I looked, the final episode which aired last night wasn't listed.

Now, with all that information out of the way let's talk about Boston Legal. I've liked the show from the 3rd or 4th episode. I happened upon it in a circumstance that is not completely remembered by me, and I loved the show immediately. I've followed it through time changes and cast changes hoping at every step of the way they would find not only their voice, but their place in the line-up. Eventually I came to realize that having a consistent voice, tone, and cast wasn't really going to happen and that kind of worked out for the best. It distinguished the show from the crowd.

As long as Denny and Alan were there, nothing could go wrong. They were the only regular cast members to appear in the first episode and the last (or at least the last hour of the last episode.)

The show was fun, easily the funniest comedy on television in my opinion...but somehow also one of televisions most compelling dramas. I've heard people say that it was preachy, but I tend to think of it as debatey. You certainly know what the politics of the show-makers are, but they also gave you the alternate viewpoints along the way. ...Particularly in last night's episode when Alan went up against the Supreme Court.

BL's two greatest strengths, particuarly in it's final year, was it's ability to remain ultra-current and it's penchant for breaking the fourth wall. They say never bite the hand that feeds you, but in the last few episodes it was clear they were no longer being fed which was beautiful.

I really liked this show. It will not go down in history as one of the greatest, and that's okay. It doesn't need to be great to be good. Perhaps if Alan could have made that case Boston Legal wouldn't need to bring down their shingle.

*raises glass* Here's to the gang at Chang, Poole, an Schmidt!

Yeah,...so I had like an hour left to sleep. But I can't. Perhaps it's the worry. I don't know.

Today I step in front of an audience again. Something I haven't done since about 2004. You don't loose it, certainly not...but it does play on you a little. My big problem is that there was a scheduling shift yesterday due to reasons I can't talk about. I've ended up with all three of the performances today, so, frankly I need my sleep. I'm very worried that I won't make it through all of them. I will most certainly fall asleep onstage in the second act (where I sit and watch the dances in the throne with little Clara.) I really try not too. I do. But...it's hard.

I had agreed to and actually worked towards a schedule that didn't have me doing all three shows, but...as I said, there was a change. So...now, I'm staring down the barrel of something that terrifies me. I mean, perhaps it would be easier if I hadn't had a big day yesterday which ended with a night-time load out. I don't know.

*sigh* I've done this before. I can handle it. I know I can. let's not forget for many years I've done this gig. In the past it's been 8 shows in 4 days. Which is a schedule most Broadways shows don't run...

I've got my make-up, I've got my costume. I've got my pillow (for between shows.) I've got my water. I've even got my camera, but we'll see on that score.

Let me remind you, I really want to be where I am today. I am very happy to be doing this. I just wish I'd been able to sleep that last hour. I think I'm going to need it later.

~FF

Today I want to talk about connections. This isn't going to be the last time I do this. When I get a little more time a little later in the month I'm going to talk about this a little more. I'm kind of stockpiling things right now since I don't have the kind of time I want.

Anyway...A few weeks ago, at this point (perhaps a month or more,) I spoke about a lady who was very important to my life and how it's turned out.

A little over a week or two ago I spoke about getting to go home to the Nutcracker.

There have been developments in both of those areas that week, as they've kind of collided.

This weekend is The Nutcracker. We've been rehearsing pretty heavily. Were I not at a different show this morning I would be in make-up and costume right now. All of that aside, I'll don my top hat and eye patch tomorrow morning.

...but the person who has really made that happen this year, that was really integral to getting me back into the Nutcracker this year...she may not be there. Her mother is dying.

Y'see the daughter of the very important woman is the ballet mistress. It is through the company I work with now (and I'm with this morning) that I was able to really get re-acquainted with her and that renewed friendship lead to my return to the Nutcracker.

Are you with me so far?

In any case, during rehearsal the other night...Our first technical rehearsal, the mother took a turn for the worst. The daughter was called to leave the rehearsal and may not return to the show this year. Understandably. She has worked very hard on This Nutcracker. It's been a fulfilling experience to bring a new life to this tradition, to this company and I am sad for many reasons, specifically that she may nor get to see it.

I am still saddened by what remains an imminent death due mostly to years of smoking.

... but I am also sad for these girls, the dancers who may now do a show without their biggest supporter in the wings, the biggest helper, and a great teacher.

Also, it is evident that emotional strain is hitting them. The very important lady is not just important to me. She was the first dance teacher many of these girls had. She ran that song and dance group that I was part of and many of the older girls in the company were part of it during it's final years. She is as much a part of their lives as she is mine. SHe is, of course, the reason I began performing in the nutcracker. SO, her death is not an easy thing for this company...For this show.

It's a tough time all around. But... Even she would say "The show must go on..." Perhaps that's a legacy we must let her leave. There are always hearts to be touched. You must continue on.

It's our time now.

By now most of the world has probably heard about the tragedy from the Wal-Mart up near New York City on what we here in the United States call Black Friday.

If not, I'll encapsulate: Thousands of early morning shoppers waiting to get inside the store for "bargains". At the first glimmer of the door opening they surged forward in an attempt to be the first one in the door. They broke the door down and killed an employee. This is bad enough, but when they store decided it needed to close because of the incident shoppers verbally argued and refused to leave.

As a United States citizen I am appalled. I know we are greedy and heartles, for the most part. I know we are selfish and self centered, but this behavior is completely beyond me.

I've explained to a few people what I would have done. I've been told that I'm crazy. I know it's going to be virtually impossible to find anyone to fault in this case. In lieu of that, everyone inside of the store should have been found at fault...all the shoppers anyway. They should have been removed from the store and taken to a detention center and held for the rest of the day. Take away their ability to do what they committed crime trying to do. Yes, innocent people (most wal-marts have two doors, so some of them must have come in from the other side)...innocent people would have wound up punished and there-in lies the rub for some that beleive that one guilty person going free is not worth one innocent person being punished. I say innocent or not if they were there they had the capability and capacity to become one of the people who perpetrated this crime. They may be innocent of this particular crime...but perhaps only by virtue of being at the other side. A lesson could be learned. A lesson must be taught...a lesson should have been taught.

When humans become animals, like they did that day I think it's time for us to pull the plug on society and bring out the kool-aid. If we honestly can't think of our fellow humans, if we can't control our actions on something as simple as going shopping, do we really deserve to exist as a society? You killed a man to save a few dollars, how are you going justify that to yourself? "Oh, it wasn't me, it was the guy next to me who dealt the blow. It was the girl behind me who stepped on him. It wasn't me."

Bull. It was all of us.

I don't know for a certainty, but I'd like to think that store didn't even really turn on the registers when that happened. That they closed almost immediately. Something tells me they didn't. But despite the loss of revenue, they should have closed immediately denying people the ability to gain the satisfaction that drove them to madness.

I'm sure I've not articulated well all that I'm feeling. Let me be clear, there are many times and many things that have happened that have made me fear for the future of my country and my world. Right now I am so ashamed at the people of the United States. I wonder if we should continue to exist. I really do.

As has become my custom, for tradition is too strong a word, the day before Thanksgiving I blog about Thanksgiving. Seems like a pretty simple and solid thing to do. Not original by any means, but it is a concept I can be down with in a very happy and meaningful way. Hopefully the same can be said by you and yours.

Before I begin in earnest, I must start unofficially with the caveat that while the specific holiday that I am referring to is American, the concept of the holiday is universal and celebrated by many countries and religions the world over throughout the year. Like the concept itself, this blog is also universal, but birth and nationality dictate its' annual appearance on this day.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. In the United States we have set this day aside to celebrate an historical event that has been popularized through history as involving participants that weren't actually there, containing items that didn't exist, and occurring on a day that it most certainly didn't occur on. Even the purpose of the original Thanksgiving is under a certain deal of skepticism, but saying so is often considered blasphemous so I'll let that last one slide and hopefully keep any margin of respect that you still have for me.

Tomorrow is, by national decree and Presidential proclamation, a day of Thanksgiving. So I shall take this time to count my blessings. In reality those blessings number many, but in "blogality"* I shall keep my blessings short, poignant, and hopefully humorous.

I present to you the things I am thankful for this year:

1.Life. My fear of repeating myself safely in check, I remain ever thankful that I exist. It is hard for me to imagine a world in which I didn't exist, but I know with all my heart that possibility existed as surely as I do now. If it were not for a sequence of events which occurred more than 30 years ago and over which I had no control, I would not be here. If even one of those events had occurred differently or badly it could very easily be someone else writing this blog...or worse, that this blog would never be written at all. I'm thankful through virtue of my existence that I have the opportunity to write this.

2. I have a purpose. What that purpose is I'll leave shrouded in mystery for the time being, which is an excuse I'm using to hide the fact that I may not really know what my purpose is. I have heard through many years, and even more sources, that I was put here for a reason, that I am special. I have come to the belief that I do and I am. Unfortunately, the culture of insults that persists in this country, and perhaps the world, precludes me from labeling this point as "I am Special." Certainly this is something we all know not only about me, but about ourselves. If you do not know you are special, rest assured you are. You also have a purpose in life and I really hope that you find it. As an old teacher used to say "There's something you need to find out there. Only you can find it. It's not Waldo**." While I may or may not have found it, I know it exists and for it I am thankful.

3.Family. Certainly another holdover from previous years, but a worthy one. Where would you be without family? Without a mother and a father you would not exist, which brings us back to point 1. Whether they are in your life now or ever were in any meaningful way, they existed at one point without them there would be no you. Therefore a lineage is created that can be traced back from your starting point. You have ancestors, whether you know them or not. The choices they made, the choices your parents made, and the choices you will make for your children (or the choice of whether to have children or not) are all a part of who they were, who you are, and who they will someday be. Family, by virtue of their presence on this planet have, transported you to this place in life. And if you have siblings they have no doubt annoyed the heck out of you along the way. In my case, annoyance aside, I have been granted a massive outpouring of love and support by my family over the thirty years of my life. I hope that you can say the same or similar. It is something I am truly thankful for, and despite the amount of thankfulness I have for my family, I know it will never be enough.

4. I don't have a mortgage. I do have other bills and they are a source of concern, but I don't have a mortgage so I'm pretty thankful about that. I don't personally have money in the stock market. With the exception of a car I have nothing that is currently being overtly ravaged the destructive forces of the national economy here in the United States. Prices rise and fall everyday on many things, and that certainly affects me, but on a large scale I am not yet effected by the large economic woes that have befallen the land of my birth. I will be hit, they do effect me, and I am preparing for that eventuality. I know it will get worse, but I am thankful that it hasn't yet.

5. I do have a roof over my head. This fact is due mostly to the love and support I spoke about in point 3. This is something that they aren't complaining about and neither am I. In fact it makes me more thankful for point 3, but also for point 5 which is a separate point entirely. In a time when so many people are losing their jobs and homes I have both, granted in a very different form than most. These are both things I have joked and complained about in the past, but today and many days in the recent months I have found myself being much more thankful than I used to be that these are facts.

6. Friends.*** This list, it should be said, is in no particular order other than the randomness of my subconscious to consciousness communication, which is a communication line that I have no control over. While a case can be made that will find a correlation to the order versus importance, I am not making a conscious decision about that. I need to say that here because friends may read this and I don't want them to get offended. Since I consider many of you friends, this is actually a certainty that is occurring even now.**** So, despite what appears to be a low spot on the list, I am thankful for friends. They support me in a way that my family cannot. Friends bring my joy and laughter in a way that my family cannot. My friends are of my choosing, and my family is not. This must be understood or the value of friendship is totally lost. We have no control over our family, but we have a fair amount of control over who are friends are. The next time you're hanging out with them, look around your friends and realize that you choose these people. Whether consciously or subconsciously you chose these people. That says something about who you are. In my case, with a few exceptions*****, I am thankful for the choices I have made.

7. The opportunities I have been given. I chose something very specific for the final point on this list. I cannot escape 2008 without realizing that it has been a very good year for me. There have been events throughout the year that have completely taken my breath away with their personal and professional dream fulfillment. I have seen dreams come true this year from returning to Buckeye to having my song produced; returning to The Nutcracker to being given the chance to direct my favorite play (a recent development I'll speak more of next week.) Life is good. There is bad, there always will be, but as long as I can keep the good news flowing I can be thankful. Right now...at this point in my life, it's not hard at all.

While the list can go on, I will not drag it on. There is much to be thankful for this day and every day. It is my wish for me, for you and for others, that you can find at least one thing every day to be thankful for without condition. You will never find all the things that you should be thankful no matter how hard you try. Amazingly, of all the things I'm thankful for, that is perhaps the one that means the most.

* I think I made this up. It's possible it existed before but I never read it. I like it.

** Where's Waldo was a popular book series in my younger days where people where asked to look in fairly large pictures and find a striped clothing clad man named Waldo. It was fun, but is possibly an obscure reference outside of the United States and younger persons. I did find Waldo. It was fun.

*** Not the TV show.

****Now being in reference to you reading it, not me writing it.

*****You know who you are.

So.... The train goes this way... I dropped in to visit BoromirBeauty's blog. And because of that I ended up at Emma2000 (from memory, I hope that's right...)'s blog. She's doing this little poll thingy. Similar to the stuff that Boromir Beauty was running off and on these past several months. Emma's, of course, are based on talent. I'm not saying that Boromir Beauty is...well, shallow... but...

Anyway... this seemed like a fun way to pass a blog before my big annual Thanksgiving blog. So, without much more ado I give you my Top Twenty Television actors (known mainly through television...as the title suggests.)... In no particular order. Ish.

1. Hugh Laurie- The brilliant Doctor Gregory House. Sure, I don't actually watch the show anymore but that's because FOX made one of the biggest bonehead moves in the history of television. Still, House is one of the best characters on television now... If not of all time. Including whatever may come in the future.
2. Andre Braugher- His wonderful performance on Homicide: Life on the Street was listed by TV guide as one of the 50 greatest on television. This man only walked away with one Emmy out of six years. There's something wrong with the system. If there were more cops like Frank Pembleton, there'd be less crime.
3. Kyle Secor- Frank's partner. His role was hardly a second bannana. My theory has always been the entire series of Homicide was about Kyle's character Tim Bayliss. He's the understated anchor of a huge flagship. And...his performance was brilliant next to genius. The Chemistry was superb.
4. Mark Alaimo- Deep Space Nine's Gul Dukat. Acting under make-up is hard. Being a compelling villian who is at times menacing and heartbreaking under make-up is even more challenging. Clever and nuanced, he remains my favorite Star Trek villain.
5. Brent Spiner- He was on someone else's list, and I think that made him end up on mine. I saw him first on Night Court, in a strictly comedic role (are there any other types of roles on that show?) Then, to see him play Data over Next Generation's Run was fun and interesting. Also, knowing he's played Broadway more than once, the man has chops.
6. Robert Sean Leonard- To include Hugh Laurie and not include Robert Sean Leonard would be tragedy. The two work so well together and have what is easily the greatest guy/guy relationship on television. Not romantic, but they are in a way the soulmates neither will ever find. His performance is stunningly beautiful against his more over the top counterpart, but it just fits.
7. Michael Emerson- I could have sat here and just started listing actors from Lost. (or many shows for that matter) I might have even people the list, but I chose Ben. He is an enigma and Michael plays him wonderfully. Never tips his hat, always thinking, and his wit and timing are superb. He is the number one reason I watch the show.
8. Jack Coleman- A man whose major character was labelled after a costume peice...Just chew on that for a second. His HRG (Horn Rimmed Glasses) eventually became Mr. Bennett. At times he's evil and at other's he's good. Through it all he's a family man. That takes an extra level of nuance not all actors can manage.
9. Neal McDonough- I chose him from Boomtown. There's an episode called The David McNorris show which is centered around his character. I think that could have been a spin-off that he headlined. Seriously. I bet it would still be on the air. He's charismatic and smoldering with a real energy.
10. Bradley Whitford- Not everyone can hack into the lines of Aaron Sorkin in "leading" roles on two shows. He did and he excelled at it. From The West Wing to Studio 60...and let's not forget Thirtysomething and other contributions to the medium. Plus, he's a nice guy who actually cares about the world around him and his fans (met him in New York in May.)
11. Richard Schiff- It's nice to be understated. A less showy role on the West Wing brought him to my attention. He became one of my favorite characters who I was able to associate with. He brings a sort of everyman feel to his roles. Those sad sack eyes just bring you in and his intensity keeps you there.
12. James Spader- The member of the only duo I split. Shatner didn't make the list. I really enjoy what the two do together, but I don't think Shatner's Denny Crane could exist without Alan Shore. The same cannot be said for Alan Shore. He does not need Denny to exist as a completely compelling character. As an actor James Spader gets the kind of gifts that most actors will only dream of, monologues with meaning delivered straight to the audience. He excels at them. It's sad to see the courtroom close. But I can't wait to see how James Spader gets to close it.
13. Ian McShane- He made the western watchable again. A character of epic proportions on tapestry the scale of an entire continent...epitomized in a small town. He was the lynchpin of a society, the man with the plan, and the world was changing around him. Watching him scheme and scramble to stay on top was sheer delight. They don't make *expletives* like him any more.
14. Robert Guillame- Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. This man has a career I envy. Supporting roles to leading roles to supporting roles, his grace and gavitas have made him always enjoyable. He is an icon to me. Then to suffer a stroke and return to television a little "bruised" perhaps, but he brought his A-game (does he have any other?)...and rode out the storm. That's the definition of Cl*a*ssy.
15. Chi McBride- Comedy or Drama, hair or no hair. You've seen him in something and you loved him. He's anchored shows and supported in shows. He's been part of an ensemble...and do I need to mention that he WAS Desmond Pfeiffer? The man has long career written all over him. His shows may not always succeed but he will always find a home somewhere else. That's good acting.
16. Michael Hogan- This man NEEDS an emmy for his portrayal of Saul Tigh on Battestar Galactica. I've never seen him in anything else, but he knocks that particular role out of the park on a weekly basis. Did I mention he's still just a supporting character? In the span of one season he has to kill his own wife and then finds out that everything he knew was wrong. That every breath he has taken has been a lie. Not many actors get the chance to be on the journey that he has taken. Hopefully he can deal with the fact that the only gift will be the work itself because Emmy voters hate Sci-fi....and that's where some of the best acting and storytelling takes place. Michael Hogan is proof.
17. Keifer Sutherland- Acting is not always about nuance. He'll never do shakespeare, but give him a cellphone and a gun and we cen recreate the final scene of Hamlet everynight (everybody dies!) No, seriously there is a trick to making someone so intense beleivable. There is a skill to making something so large work. There has to be a heart somewhere, a center that draws it all together. Jack Bauer is 24. Keifer Sutherland is Jack Bauer. The action exists for the actor to conquer. The world is saved because he can.
18. Hal Linden- Barney Miller is one of the shows I started watching in my youth. ...one of the first shows I watched,well, that I can remember. It had an impact on me. He had an impact on me. Then later, in Black's Magic he captured a young boy's imagination again. He was the grandfather I never had.
19. John Larroquette- From Night Court to Boston Legal to everything in between (including The John Larroquette show with fellow listie Chi McBride)...He is an amazing actor to watch. He brings a level of cl*a*ss to any production and a sarcasm that is totally unmatched in the acting world. There is a reason he is (at least) a five time Emmy Award Winning Actor!
20. Werner Klemper- Yes. I put Colonel Klink on the list. Yes, I am aware that this wil galvanize people. Yes, there may be controversy, but I blame that on the French Judges. He was funny. You have to admit that. Off screen he was intelligent and onscreen he created a role that would he would never be able to get away from.

Sorry for all the words. I hade time to do little capsules, but not to find and post pics. Thanks Emma for making this happen. Thanks BoromirBeauty for your role in making this happen too!

As much as I'd like to beleive that quality television can survive, it is far too evident that this is not the case.

Television is a business. It's a business that is not about serving it's consumers, but instead making money. Unfortunately it's not about making a live-able ammount of money, it's about making a profit. It's about making more money than the other guys.

So, Shows that can survive cannot survive. Shows must kill to survive.

If they don't kill, they get killed.

SO, now we say goodbye to Pushing Daisies. I didn't watch it. I have often spoken on the record how I don't care for the concept behind the show. I have at no time, so far as I am aware spoken down to it's obvious quality and creativity. It's just not something I want to see. But MANY people I know did want to see it. Now...they're going to be deprived. It's been cancelled, and as a friend wrote to me upon hearing the news "the world officially sucks."

Welcome to my world. I've lived this story for many years. The Tick, Boomtown, Sports Night, Dead Like Me, Firefly,...The list can go on.

Yet we still get to endure 15 or whatever years of ER. A million years of Law and Order....and what dare I say.....Knight Rider?

Television is a business. It's cruel. It's unfair. It's rude, dismissive, and totally wrong. But.... (not thinking about cable.....since I only have antanae)...Television is free. We pay for it with emotion. Emotional losses like Jericho and Moonlight.... And some of us have paid enough. But...we continue to tune in. Hoping that it'll be someone else next time. That maybe we'll make it through a few more television seasons before we have to pony up for the "tax man again."

I'll be paying in a few weeks when Boston Legal ends. It's had a good run, better than it actually deserved. So This will be a mild payment for me. ...and I've got nothing on the cusp yet. (NCIS doesn't look to be in jeopardy....and I've already given up on Galactica after the decision to split this last season.)

I don't know if I'm really making a good point or not. But.... I guess what I'm trying to say is, Pushing Daisies fans, you have my condolences. I feel your pain. ...just try to find solace in the fact that the pendulum will swing again. Someone else will pay next week. ...or sooner.

Cheer up. At least there's life after the tube for Pushing Daisies. (or at least they hope.)

A few months back you may recall my ecstatic-ness that a song I wrote with a colleague had been chosen for a festival of new works. That festival begins Thursday night. Can you imagine how excited I am?

Someone, other than the two of us who had a hand in creating it, will be singing it in front of an audience. We'll get to hear honest reaction from people we don't know!

If you want to think of it with a birthing metaphor (like lots of people have and do) we had the child in May when we wrote and recorded the song for the first time. Now it's graduating high school. Somewhere around September it made it through elementary school, we made some changes ahead of casting and rehearsal.

So...tonight is the night. They're playing my song. I'm also lighting the event, and my colleague will be backstage singing other songs during the evening. I guess that makes it unfortunate that we won't be able to hear it and the reactions together. ...but, I'm not complaining. The goal is getting it out there...and tonight my song will be heard. I think it's great....and I'm just an excited dude today.

As always I thank you all for your kindness and support. I know many of you out there listened to early versions and gave me feedback. So, without you it wouldn't be possible. Thank you all!

Tonight is OUR night.

Despite the phenomenal downturn in the economy, the forced foreclosures, the rising cost of everything, the expected new taxes to help the government overcome this all...

Despite all of that and more, one local city has decided to lay a great financial burden on it's citizens in order to overcome a problem that only exists 3 months in a year and has been in existence since the city was formed many many many many moons ago.

The city is passing a law/ordinance...something, that will require any property that does not have a sidewalk to have one by may. The city (which is 4/5ths residential) would like to have full sidewalks on every block. It will make their city more attractive to the tourists who come down in the summer. And...well, safer for the drunk hooligans to walk home at night when the bartenders keep their keys.

...so, they're making people pay to have sidewalks put in.

I'm not saying the reasons are all that bad. I'm just saying in these economic times that this is a wrong call. The problem has existed, it can exist a little longer. Don't make it harder for the people who live there to continue to not only live there, but continue to live in general. Wait...or tell them you want it done, but give it a longer deadline.

I really don't know. I just imagine some mayor or other politician sitting back in their office and thinking, how can we imrpove tourism and not pay for it? OH! Let's add sidewalks and make the people pay for them instead of us.

I get that it can be a real safety concern, but let's recall that in passing this whatever none of the people who spoke in it's favor sited any facts or figures based on safety.

The point I'm trying to make is... times are hard. Your government and elected officials should be working to make it less hard, not more. This is clearly a case of the government not thinking about the home-owners and tax-payers.

This is a wrong call and it sends a horrible message.

Now, I just need to find out if the city is recommending people to do the paving, because that makes this an entirely different issue and that would make me more angry.

I'm all for sidewalks, I've walked that place for many a year (I worked there for two years,)...but now is not the right time.

There was a time in my "former life" when things were pretty cool indeed. I easily and often listed off 3 things that I was doing annually that I promised I would continue doing as long as people asked me.

...Then, in the span of one year I stopped doing all of them. Times they were changing and life was taking hold in a way I hadn't anticipated. All three things brought me a level a joy, but the path my life was taking would keep me from that joy.

I never forgot any of them. One of these things I knew I would not get to do again at the same level. Another I knew I would return too in time. The third I figured was just a hiccup, just one year away. And then it became two...and then three.

Life has a way of showing you what you need to see and what you need to do. It doesn't just take things away, there is a reason for everything. There is a meaning.

The first thing I was able to return to about three years ago, of course it was not at the same level or in the same way. That doesn't matter. Each year I am able to give my time and energy to something that is very dear to my heart. I have an impact an I remain a fixture in a program that I will return to someday.

The second item I was able to return to last year after a tremendous miracle. It was much talked about this blog, so I will not go into details.

The third event still eluded me. Despite my attempts each year it seemed beyond my reach...but there are miracles every day.

You can assume from that last statement that I get to return to the final thing this year. It is true, I do. We started rehearsals this weekend for The Nutcracker. No. This is not a show that I will be lighting. I actually get to appear onstage in a substantial role. Yes, I do a little ballet.

I had been involved with the Nutcracker for about 11 or 12 years prior to my being unable to participate. I've been away for 4 years. It is amazing to me that amount of acceptance and welcome I have received. I always assumed that some people saw my departure from the Nutcracker as me abandoning them. For some reason I felt that some people would be bitter and unhappy. It turns out that was simply an ego moment on my part, where I totally overestimate my self importance. People were genuinely glad to see me, and I echo that sentiment. Okay...so I can't remember all the names...

What is more important than the people allowing me back into the fold is that the feelings return. It is easy to tap back into the emotions of the character and how it feels to play him. The hunch and the walk have returned. The music rings familiar and solid. The steps are a little different, the studio itself is different, but even in their differences they couldn't be more the same.

So 2008 will go down in my personal history books as an important year of gifts and opportunities. I was able to go back to my three "happy places" a changed man returned his old familiar homes.

...excuse me though, I think I need to go put some more ice on my shoulder...

Today is Election Day in the United States of America. I speak these words today for all, but mostly for my fellow Americans.

We live in a free country, but that freedom has been paid for in the blood, sweat, and tears of our forefathers. Men and women have fought and died for the rights and privileges that we hold dear. All that they ask in return is that we avail ourselves them.

We have the right to vote. This right was not God given. It was earned through countless lives and over many years of hardship and hard work. When this right was earned it was not earned by all. Some worked hard to gain it. Some still struggle.

It is not a right that everyone shares. It is not a global entitlement. Many countries do not vote and still more participate in elections where the votes don't matter. The will of the people is not heard.

Yet we have it and many choose not to use it.

As you go about your business today do not think for one minute...not for one solitary second that today is an ordinary day. Today is not the same as yesterday. Tomorrow will be more different still and it will be so because of today.

Today we have the right to choose. The outcome, regardless of what that outcome is, represents a choice being made by people like you and like me. People who stood up to make their voice heard.

And yet there will be many who will sit in silence.

The reasons a person would choose not to exercise their rights as a citizen in this free and Democratic nation are many, so I have been told. I haven't yet heard a good one.

So, I ask you now, my friends and neighbors, please find it in your hearts to step forth today and be counted. Raise you voice and cast your ballot. Honor the men and women who have fallen in the cause of freedom.

Vote.