Story #7 Smatterings from a man's conversation with a stranger

Smatterings from a man's conversation with a stranger

My grandma's got Alzheimer’s.

She died of malnutrition.

She's got demensia, memory loss.

She used to come over all the time.

Grandpa lived at 1037 Duluth.

With grandma

She was a west-sider.

She went to Coral Lebanese Deli.

"Emily's" was a Furniture place.

Was she a big woman?  (The man across the aisle finally asks)

No-She was thin and beautiful.

She lived at the test nursing home.

I feel sorry for her.

She would be 94.

Sophia.

Almost 100.

The president would give her. . .

Is she dead?

No, she's still living.

Her sister Pauline was gay.

She died in terminal.  With Aides.

She said gay life was terminal.

She wanted to be a woman.

Darlene was her sister.

Angie died of stomach cancer.

Linda Compman

Was a friend of my mother's/Father's-

She said I don't want to talk about Obama

Her name is Ale.

(The man across from the stranger changes the topic and starts talking about a bakery.)

Was it a Danish pastry shop?

I love Danish pastry.

They had a fire.

He knew everything in Arthur's store.

My father used to send me to run errands.

My brother went up north.

(The man across the aisle brings up the bakery shop again and the stranger asks a question about it)

Did she make homemade pudding?

No-

Pancakes?

Yeah....  I know a person who makes good pancakes.

I know a woman in Virginia who doesn't like eggs.

Do you like eggs?

What?  (Says the stranger, surprised at the question)

Do you like whoppers?

No-

Are you a vegetarian?

Are you okay? (The stranger finally asks)

Liza Minnelli.

I should have asked her for her autograph.

Liza Minnelli's daughter.

She married five times.

She was great.

Judy Garland.

I like that record

Felt sorry.   I would have helped her.

She was only 47 when she died.

I think it was an accident.

Do you think Judy Garland committed suicide?

(Silence)

Ye . . . She died on June 23, 1969.

I was only four years old.

I seen the Wizard of Oz.

It was at the Orpheum.

Frank Morgan was a scarecrow

West Fields was supposed to be a wizard

He was an alcoholic

Who?

Frank Morgan.

I like the part when she falls asleep.

The first scenes were in black and white.

(The man gets up to make his way to the door)

Are you going downtown?

I gotta go downtown

The metro is closed on Saturday

My transfer expired

No transportation.

My buss pass expired.

(The stranger switches the conversation to the topic of weather)

Yes, it’s supposed to be snow showers today.

I'm going to the store on Wednesday

I like milk

I take out the recycling on Wednesday.

It's not hard.

I don't like to work much.  I'm sorta lazy.

I think we know that. (Says the stranger)

Grandma was on welfare.

How much does it cost for people with disabilities to get on the bus?

I don't know.

How much does it cost for the elderly?

Seventy-five cents.

Does it really?

How much does it cost for kids?

Ask your kids.

  

Look at that beautiful coat.

I'm just having a coffee.

I'm on a diet.

I'm broke.

I like Burger King.

I don't live very far from here.

(The stranger walked out of Burger King sm

I watched "The Drowsy Chaperon" musical at Shakopee High school on November 14, 2014   

Play rehearsal warm ups could be heard back stage.  The softest strain of flutes and clarinets billowed through the theater before the audience reached their seats.  The actors in this musical traveled in all forms; whether it be rollerskating, dancing, jumping or flying. Big exaggerated hats like the famous white hat worn by Amal Alamuddin could be seen on stage in this rendition of the 1930's  the Drowsy Chaperon.My favorite character had to be Adolfo, a ladies man who captured the heart of the one person who was to keep the bride in tip top shape:the chaperon. Adolfo parachuted across the stage in a big purple cape.  He was to be a European man whose too white face looked more looked like a cross between a Mexican and a Filipino. His laugh was so infectious that one couldn't help but laugh along with him. 

A photographer takes his photos, there is 10 of them standing both right and left, what's the difference between him taking the shot and someone else and the difference is this, he sees something else in the shot, something that is absolutely human, and that is what perhaps makes a writer so grand as well. On a very daily basis they see something to comment on, that no one else sees....

The writer wrote

The coffee slept

And the writer made some more....

Not putting to sleep-the pen

Not rocking the intrepid mind to its slumber peace.

The writer wrote

The chandlier strewn

The desk buckled under the pressure of the burdenous texts.

The writer had to read

The writer wrote

The sleepers slept

And old man Donahue swept his pen on the frozen sheet.

"Ellen Degeneres:Seriously...I'm Kidding" By Ellen Degeneres

 

"Ellen Degeneres:Seriously...I'm Kidding"  (A memoir) By Ellen Degeneres.  This is a great humorous read, I can't even summarize the book because there are just so many levels of funny. It is so funny, that when I was listening to it, (on my way to work), a man in the car next to me, must have been enjoying my laughter, because he was grinning at me.

 Degeneres talks about what all humans are in search of: happiness.

 Am I happy writing this blog?  I would have to say "yes", I love siting down at the computer listening to Jay-Z's "Forever Young" and writing reviews on books that I've come to listen to, throughout the week.  

 Am I living day-to-day? asks Degeneres?

 Yes, with each new book review, I'm adding creative ideas to my life, while simultaneously living vicariously through the authors for which I read.  

Sometimes he doesn’t even say a complete instruction just utters words like bum, bum, bum, or snaps his fingers.  Because derrick doesn’t have a piano, playing the songs, he has slum behind the dj booth, in front of a laptop and can stop and play the songs at intervals, while knowing the exacts second and minute where he can go back and play important song sequences.  Some of the dancers to bend over in lounges and relax their back muscles.

He’s practically moving and dancing along with the dancers while he explains left side around.  All the dancers have painted smiles on their faces, feigning enthusiasm and support, not for a second, showing any form of fatigue or tiredness, they don’t want to show themselves as weak dancers, some dancers stand back and watch on the sidelines when it’s not their turn to dance. 

Derrick demonstrates by walking through the dancers, dancing for them while explaining to them, lifting his hands in time with the music.  Someone takes the initiative and plays the beginning of the song. Derrick gives directions occasionally with his hands, slapping his hands to show the rhythm of the dance, counts and times their movements, use your right foot to push up, prepare, his says, he begins singing along to the music while explaining the steps.

the ballet artist in bright red rouse smacked her lips,you can't catch me.

well who'd want to came a petulant laugh, a laugh so invisible so earth shattering,

it matched her personality, showcased her invisibly

Did you know that your writing style can characterize your personality traits?

Connecting letters is curious and creative.  Sharp letters are aggressive.

Dashes above the "i" are considered unconfident.  Opened "O's" are considered open minded

and closed "O's" are considered introverted.  Rounding letters is considered creative or imaginative. 

 

Before the winter sets in

I'd like to..

walk outside more

see a gigantic maze

walk through the leaves

send a few people fall festive cards

I'd like to see a some town people

See people care about the small things

Traditions  

Hired by brinks security, he got paid on commission $10.00 an hour to get client remotely interested in buying a security alarm.  Sal walked to his 4th house that day.   Brinks did video monitoring and training for each of their employees.  

"Ah shit!"

"What is it?"

"We can hear you and we got you on camera three."Jeanine said in a bored manner.

"Sorry, I just stepped in dog shit, alright you'll get that off later, NOW GET GOING TO YOUR NEXT HOUSE." Jeanine screamed staring closer at her monitor in the surveillance van, while popping some Cheese Puffs in her mouth.  

Knock, Knock

-"Hello, can I help you?" a bald man with glasses and a wirey mustache asks.

"Yes sir, you heard of Brinks Security System, right?"

"Not interested."  He pushes the door against Sal's pushed out hand.

Stopping the door, Sal says, "No sir-I'm not selling anything, well not today anyway-"

"Okay, then?"

We're conducting a survey,.  How many times has your property been broken into?"

"Ah, let me think." He chuckles.

 "Twice, if you count that time-a brink's agents tried to make off with my dog's shit.  

Sal is severely agitated.

"Good day, to you sir" he says and storms off. 

We walked arm in arm to the beat of the kleptomaniac's drum
Steal, steal, steal
and when you aren't stealing, steal some more!
The six of them were standing outside the warehouse of the junkyard the six of them didn't know the warehouse was full of itemsfrom Ripley's Believe it or not!
Steal, steal, steal
marched in their heads.  There was no one in sight and there wouldn't be anyone till the midnight guard showed up.
So they began to steal.  Unfortunately the only place they had to store their items was in a child's pink barbie suit case.  But they walked in.  Joe slipped on a gag woopie cushion-"fart, fart, toot, toot"

Derrick Fleeing the fire

Derrick fleeing the Fire
Derrick escorted all of the dancers behind stage to the nearest exit and into the arms of their loved ones who were waiting.Mothers and fathers who would give anything to see their child alive.  And yet through the fire that tore up the Hall walked the children.  They walked through the blackened doors and exits which left only one image in the distraught guardians head.  And that was seeing their young, little dancers parading through the doors in their neon and glistening, decorated outfits with glittering scrunchies and tight pulled back curls sprayed only a few hours ago by the parents own hands.  Once they crossed the police yellow tape they were safe to run to any faces their were mere recognizable.and run they did, like mice.  and the parents gave Derrick only one look and that was relief.  Relief that their own kids were alive and able to make it through the building, and in the minutes that followed, their was a buckling to the roof, and a final collapse.   That only haunted Derrick even more, in the days to follow.  The collapse being so loud, that when reports reached Derrick, the cost of repair to the Orchestra and all of its stages told Derrick that his one time dream of being a choreographer in the city of Minneapolis was over.

the woman in blond highlights twirled her strands to and fro, the seminar being her trademark job at Theodore's home for men she felt capable to deliver the training session to the new employees. 

"Mrs. Frost we need you in training room five."
 "Be there in ten: she said. Larry, one of the new trainees, had his wide open, a real homer looking at Mrs Frost while eating his cracker jacks. One didn't know if he was understanding the material or just going through with the motions.  His visor on his head signified his second job at subway. 

Stupendous!Glad you agree
Well sir..

No, no, your tenacious articulation on the subject matter of the beast, told me that 
you object him anxiously.

Along the lazy lakes
of lake island
Lionel looked up and longed for
languid nights
curled up with Larry Lee, his lucid cat, 
who shook his long, length fur
and settled down lucratively beside him
before long, Larry Lee crept about the linoleum leaving behind dust prints and cascading
outside his limits
Larry left Lionel in the night
Lionel's captors rummaged through the lake island home
And Larry lee returned looking lamely on Lionel's liquidated body.

A poem called Open

open door shut,
weep constant pray,

Penciled days

open door shut,
seep, constant stay

make, hope, stray

open door shut,
weep constant rain

pour, lay, make

questions answered on opera making

Costume room at the opera.  What do they really do back there?  Where do they get ideas for say instance the opera Hansel and Gretel children's costumes?  How are they organized and fitted?  What about the set itself?  How do they paint a back drop the size of the orpheum stage?  Here are some questions I attempt answering.

how do the paint a backdrop to the stage

theypaint the scenery or canvas on the floor.  ginger rogers and fred astaire for the circus at around 1920 when both dancers were dancing and the opera added this specific backdrop for Hansel and Gretel opera. sorry small clip but u can get the gist that this is a rehearsal for the opera, and those are the podiums and risers they stand on.

Rickeya struck the piano, opening the chords in two.  

pound, pound, pound

her  hands rythmetically licked the chords

naturally in time with the conductor who 

bounced, bounced, bounced 

his head fast to the right and left

His whole shoulder moving that time

orange hair in a big red bow, tied back

But each head bob loosened a strand, a string, a membrane

loose, that seeped in the girl's head

She took it, moved it, in her music
 

her head betrayed none of the self consciousness like when she sloped through

the streets, thunder belts crackling,

she picked up her feet on those days, 

but at the piano they were heavily anchored to the pedals, 

each lift, head down, each rise, head up,

a cadence

perplexing with the conductor's,

his rippled membranes streaming underneath his toes now

He danced while composing, moving forward and back,

almost throwing his stick at his young musicians

play, play, play, would you?

wonderless pit

Going down

going down to the spaceless abyss called the wonderless pit

Where everything she own disappears

so does the ideas she had for her writer's group

her small chump change and things called numbers

for a lack of a better word.

Short story of Duluth 5

    He fell to the floor and broke his front tooth, since the "accident" was purely coincidental and Adama was leaving that day, they couldn't continue in arbitration, the union told Adama she should pack it up and run before Steve pressed charges for the water jug incident.  

Short story of Duluth 4

Steve stepped in the meeting just before cajoling Adama in.  When it came to the dismissal part of the meeting, Adama slammed her fist down on the table so hard, that the Culligan fell from its canister, its top knocking off and the water splashed out towards steven so fast the he didn't have time to stammer his favorite line "oh Damn!"  Instead the force of the jug came so hard, that it hit his chest like a typhoon straight out of the superior.    

Short Story of Duluth 3

   Not even the cardiac floor claimed happy with Adama who sent a note on one of their trays that said "Here's your puree also know as baby food-EAT UP GRAMMAS." Steve the red head seemed especially fascinated at Adama's dismissal.  He kept shooting her sexy grins with his tongue lapping the insides and outsides of his mouth.  just before Adama entered the meeting.  She overheard him say to a dietician, "Why do they keep hiring brainless college students to work in this hospital? The Chinese fair much better in this field, at least they come in the proper attire." He pointed to Ken Wong who walked by in a multi-colored plaid shirt and glasses to big for his face.  

Story of Duluth two

    The cold encroached upon in February as she lived from one house to another, until the damn hospital she worked at put the brakes to her isolated life.  They told her this is the point in her career when its time to leave.  April second, they sat her down, Susan Kephold, Rick Mahogany and a red haired-lanky guy, named Steve.  They told her it was time to leave after she mistakenly sent hot soup to the burn unit, as well as dried frozen peas to the behavior ward.  The peas were her biggest mistake as bulimic and anorexic girls shoveled down large plates of food, often two at a time, just to get the behavioral specialists of their back looking at the peas and they must have burst into with drawl and slid back into their old habits.  

duluth short story

Out in Duluth Adama slammed her bike down on the deserted bike path bordered lake superior, unseen by a single soul, thoughts of isolation swam in her mind.  When was she going to make friends, When was she going to have the fun drinking nights that were to be expected in this frigid environment. 

Costume Room

Costume room at the opera.  What do they really do back there?  Where do they get ideas for say instance the opera Hansel and Gretel children's costumes?  How are they organized and fitted?  What about the set itself?  How do they paint a back drop the size of the orpheum stage?  Here are some questions I attend on answering.

      

st.paul almanac

Kind of surprised that about 10 people showed up to the publishing of an almanac that has at least 100 writers.  Went to a reading for the St. Paul almanac.  This is the coffee shop upstairs, on the wall is a picture of a library, not a real library, its pretty artsy fartsy.  Subtext Bookstore is in St. Paul Friday, Oct. 10th at 7pm, for the St. Paul Almanac Publishing. Address is: 165 Western Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

fadma began to finger the small intestine through her fingers piece by piece of its white elasticity. Being washed like a large necklace or bread dough

Opera Viva!

 

 

Opera Viva!

I went to this event the other night and learned a few things.  The event was a concert of operatic proportions featuring performances by Minnesota Opera Resident Artists. Long story short, this event was a chance for library goers to understand and learn about Opera.  The introduction told by the director contained what opera entails, including the fact that opera, in its plainest sense, is a story told in music from either a book or a play.  Most operas include love scenes, a soprano is in love with a tenor or vice versa, often times the soprano dies in the end, or the tenor dies, or all the characters die.  Most operas are energetically filled with life and love.  

Minnesota opera has done many operas one such as Hansel and Gretel opera consists of a mezzo soprano, and the witch, also a mezzo soprano, because the opera singers need to be highly experienced, the singers are often put in childlike costumes in order to fulfill the goal of Hansel and Gretel as the characters are children in the fairytale as well.  

The audience was told they could ask the singers and opera coordinators open ended questions.  That being said, these were the questions 

What was your first opera experience? A keyboard player who is also an Italian conductor for the Minnesota opera told a touching story of how his early days of opera enjoyment came when he listened to an album of a four hour long opera as a child and was immediately amazed by it, and from then on would continue to try to translate long operas in languages like German and Russian, he said he took on the hard operas first. 

What is your favorite book?  One such tenor commented "History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson.  The audience was told they could ask the singers open ended questions that could apply to all the performers. 

How long does it take to prepare for an opera performance? approximately 3-9 including three weeks on stage getting into character and rehearsing followed by a transition to the actual theatre for stage effects and occasionally for bigger performances like Grapes of Wrath it may take an additional three weeks to rehearse.  

Overall the performance was incredible and free, an opportunity for the community to enjoy the opera in their own setting.