Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong
Monday, September 12, 2011
Remembering 9/11
Today is the 10th Anniversary of that fateful day, 9/11/01. I wasn't born when John F. Kennedy died. I was only 5 when Neil Armstrong step foot on the moon. I remember where I was when I heard about the Shuttle explosion in 1986. So I guess 9/11 is the significant, as Alan Jackson's song says "Where were you when the earth stopped turning?" moment for me.
For me, I live in Los Angeles. My husband (then fiance) and I had moved into our house 9 days earlier and were up until around 2AM painting. My mom called at 6:30A saying that she spoke to my uncle (who lived in NYC) and they were all ok. I had no idea what she was talking about. She said they flew planes into the World Trade Center. G and I turned on the TV and sat there, watching, stunned, as the Towers collapsed. It was the most surreal thing I've ever seen. I work in TV production and I think that if someone pitched a movie idea saying "we'll fly planes into the World Trade Center" they'd be thrown out for the sheer absurdity of the idea. And then here it was, in real life.
We watched the rest of the events that morning, all the planes being grounded, etc. We finally went back to sleep out of sheer physical and emotional exhaustion and when the basic news was already broadcast. We spent the next few days unpacking with the TV always on. G was also supposed to be traveling to Atlantic City that Thursday for work. Flights resumed on Friday and G was on one of the first flights out of LAX. There were all sorts of rules to go in and out of the airport. You couldn't drive yourself, it had to be a professional company so I drove G to the directors house at 4AM to meet a limo to take them for their 9AM flight. Before we left the house is when I completely lost it emotionally. I didn't think that there would be any other plane incidents. I did believe that the "bad guys" had accomplished their mission but the thought of getting on an airplane to work on a stupid beauty pageant (Miss America - stupid in the scheme of world events) was completely unnecessary. G got on the flight, landed safely, thank G-d. I flew 3 days later to Atlantic City. I was terribly nervous and I love to travel. It all just seemed so silly under the circumstances. Miss America went off the following week without a hitch but they did do things like shut down the airport and there was a no-fly zone on the Boardwalk. A little much for a pageant, perhaps, but who could take chances anymore?
Thankfully, I didn't know anyone personally who died that day. Two scouts for the Los Angeles Kings (I'm a diehard fan) were on the United flight from Boston and those two are still remembered and honored today by the organization. I'll never forget the events of that week. I'm not an overly patriotic person but I do feel proud to be an American today.
G was nominated for his 1st Emmy Awards for Directing a Variety, Music or Comedy Series. It doesn't get better than this. He's up against the directors from The Daily Show starring Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Late Night with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live. Yes, it's a little bit of apples and oranges because 4 cameras of a talk show like Jon Stewart is a little different than 13 cameras of American Idol but it is all in the category. And hopefully, the Blue Ribbon Emmy voters will appreciate the great job G did directing the Idol episode that included Casey's dramatic save by the judges, Stevie Wonder singing "Happy Birthday" to Steven Tyler and Hulk Hogan coming out to meet James. Wish him luck. In the meantime, I get to go dress shopping.
Two blog posts in one month. What's the world coming to?
I realized I haven't posted pictures in awhile so I figured I should update the 1 or 2 followers out there and just humor myself to remember some of these times before my girls head off to college. I can't believe how big they're all getting.
C is finishing up 2nd grade. It's been a good year but she's been having trouble the last couple of weeks. School's fine but she's hit the "my little sisters are annoying me". I guess when they turned 2 they became little people who go into her stuff instead of cute little babies. There are a few other things going on and we're trying really hard to get through it all. Makes me scared for the teenage years.
M&H are quite amazing. They're going to go to summer camp at their pre-school which will be their transition before they start pre-school in the fall. Can you believe that they'll be going to pre-school in September? We can't either. We'll be sending them to one of the temple pre-schools in the area instead of C's school where they have a pre-school. The problem is their birthday (December) and how they classes break down. They'll be 2 years, 9 months in a 2 year old class and that doesn't work. So hopefully, they'll be in a class that's more age appropriate with a bunch of 2 1/2 year olds. They're full tilt into Disney Princesses. It's hard to pick just one favorite but Belle and Pocahantas (aka Piky-hatas) are the frontrunners. Both are chatterboxes beyond belief. We can have full conversations with M. She understands everything. The doctor says she speaks like a 3 year old. She's totally off the charts and completely clear in whatever she says. H is catching up. She's actually right on track for her age. She's got a ton to say but it's not always as clear but we know what she's saying. She's still got the sweetest disposition and is just such a happy kid. Generally, the two of them get along really well (thank goodness) except when one wants the toy the other one has. Still, it's all good.
That's the general update. Here are the photos.
Two pics of H. She looked so cute it was easy to take a bunch of pictures of her. She looks so big with her hair down.
M is also looking like a little girl, not baby.
M&H in their new toddler beds. They love them. Too bad it takes forever for M to stay in hers.
And #1 C at school celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut last week.
Between work (and I don't work that much), trying to be a good mom, my commitments to the DGA and flute, there just isn't enough of me to go around. I can't be all things to all people. C is going through some things right now and both days that I've scheduled some things to help her, I now have to work. One of my shows moved days which effects things at the beginning of the school year. I just can't win today. I think I just need a good cry and I'll feel better because right now, I feel like crap.
I know, it's been 5 months since I posted anything here and the first thing I publish is a video. But this is really so much fun that I had to share (if anyone is still out there) and it's something I wanted to remember. I have reason to start catching up on the blog, so stay tuned. I'll give it a go.
C with Uncle Steve who's band, Egg, was performing on the Telethon this year.
Steve, C and G
C on the air with a bunch of kids when Egg performed.
Celebrity pictures. C was so nervous when she first met David Archuletta with G that she wouldn't take a picture with him. But later, in the Green Room, T got her to pose with him. I can't begin to tell you how excited she was after this was taken. And BTW, she doesn't really know who David Archuletta is other than some guy from "American Idol".
Now, this guy she does know. Mitchell Musso from "Hannah Montana" who also performed on the Telethon.
And some random shots of my cute kids. Just to update anyone who's still with this program.
From the joy of the good news about Gary, I go to the complete opposite when yesterday I learned of the news that my friend Elena passed away on Thursday evening. (10/7/10 at 7:30P). I met Elena at least 10 years ago at a DGA PAC event where we met then-Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO). It was probably another 8 years later when we connect at the DGA National Board level. She's a 2AD and our work paths don't cross being the "great divide" between film and tape but she totally remembered me. We served two terms together on the DGA National Board but it was last negotiations 3 years ago that we we really bonded. While sitting in the room waiting for the next round of talks, we'd all be sitting there on our computers. She and I would IM from across the room and talk about what was going on, scrapbooking, who in the room we thought was cute, kids, etc. It was good girly stuff.
In July 2009, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer all over her body. I'm pretty sure I blogged that at the time. It was shocking and horrible, obviously. She's had enough tragedy already in her life (she lost triplet boys who were born pre-mature in 2005). She and her husband somehow pulled themselves together and adopted a beautiful boy and gorgeous girl after that. Her daughter was only about 5 months old when she was diagnosed. But Elena fought on, strong and hard. She did all chemo and treatments. It was brutal but she pushed on. She has an amazing family and friends network cheering her on. Following her on Facebook and seeing her a couple of times at DGA functions, she was always there with a smile and talking positively of her fight. I know a few weeks ago she was going in for more scans but I thought the results were good. Clearly, something turned and I don't know the details.
Elena was such a smart, active and outspoken (in a good way) member of the DGA at all levels. She always understood the big picture and fought hard for those in her category. The 2AD's couldn't have picked a better representative. She was also a good friend to those of us on the AD/SM/PA side. She was one of the few people on "the other side" who understood what we did. And I'm honored to say she was also a good friend to me. At the last Biennial Convention (where the DGA Board is elected), when it came up to my position at the end of the day, she stood up and told the room why I should be the person elected. I was working that day and couldn't be at the convention but apparently, she said that I'm a good representative of my category, I'm smart and part of the youth and energy that we need on the Board. It's one thing for "my" people to stand up for me but when it comes from other categories, especially someone with her experience and clout, people listen. I was elected and I give her the credit.
We weren't the closest of friends but clearly we had a bonding that made our friendship special. I can't believe that she lost her battle in only 16 months. I have to say, besides my great sadness, I'm angry with G-d. I mean, hasn't she gone through a enough with her triplets? I truly believed that if anyone could beat the heinousness of cancer, it was Elena. G-d owed her and her husband that. Clearly He/She had other plans. Perhaps Elena's babies needed her in heaven. But what about her babies here? Her son will be 4 in December and her daughter is a little over 2. Yes, they've got Dad but they need their Mommy too. I know we'll never know, but right now I'm questioning G-d and his motives. I'm angry that this happened and I'm heartbroken.
The world is certainly a less joyous place without Elena. She was truly one of the good people on this planet. I hope she's running free, without pain, and giving her three beautiful boys all the love that she has to give. She's truly an angel.
Two shots for my memories. Look at this beautiful woman with her beautiful smile.
I'm a mom to 3 beautiful girls. I work in TV Production when I have to, I prefer to stay at home. In my spare time, I scrapbook, play the flute, am a crazy LA Kings fan, and I play on the computer when I should really be sleeping.
