High School Graduation

Jason graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School on Tuesday afternoon. Bruce and I attended and our friend Marilyn met us there.

The graduation took place at Walt Whitman Auditorium on the Brooklyn College campus. Brooklyn College has been voted as having the most beautiful campus, probably in all of New York City, but you couldn't see much of the campus because it was covered with a sea of graduates in royal blue and white. It seemed all the high schools used the identical color scheme, royal blue for the boys and white for the girls. The auditorium was being used as a revolving door, one graduation out and the next one in, immediately afterwards.

Marilyn found us on the line and we waited together until it was time to go inside. I was worried about her because her walker is defective and several times she's taken a bad fall already. But fortunately there were no mishaps. I ate a turkey sandwich before the doors opened, knowing that the graduation would not be over until around 3 PM and by then my sugar would be dropping through the floor.

As the parents entered and sat down, John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare" was playing. I love John Williams' music, most notably the themes from the six "Star Wars" movies. But I was waiting for one special piece of music that symbolizes graduation for me, "Pomp and Circumstance."

They did indeed play "Pomp and Circumstance" as the graduates moved down the aisles and proceeded to their seats in alphabetical order. Jason passed by very close to where we were sitting but I didn't try to take a photo of him, knowing it was not likely I would get a good shot. The processional, with "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in the background, was the only time I teared up a little bit. The rest of the graduation was a happy occasion but basically something to sit through while various speakers exhorted the graduates to "find themselves," "not be afraid to take risks," and "take advantage of all life has to offer." I'm sure there's a new and fresh way to conduct a graduation but so far I've never seen one.

However it still was a pleasant ceremony. Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Borough President, stole the show from the scheduled keynote speaker. He gave a rousing and inspiring speech, reminding the grads that above all they have to be trustworthy, and must respect themselves and others. He reminded them that "no one is better than you," and that each of them has a unique gift or talent to bring to the world. Marty is refreshing and funny, and he gets his point across with humor. At the end, just like he did four years ago when Jason graduated from Cunningham Intermediate School in the very same auditorium, Marty pulled out a toy lightsaber, waved it in the air, and bellowed, "May the Force be with you!"

I don't remember this from last time but he reminded the boys to be gentlemen and hold doors for the ladies, and reminded the girls to say, "Thank you!" That's a bit of courtesy that is finally coming back, and I don't think feminism will suffer as a result.

Afterwards we were starving so we stopped off at Quizmo's for a late lunch/early dinner. Marilyn treated us and we spent a happy 45 minutes or so eating and socializing. We got there just in time because after we were seated the place filled up.

I won't remember the speeches a week from now or a year from now, and neither will Jason. But I know he'll remember the warmth and friendliness of the teachers and other staff at Lincoln, the friendships he made and the people who went out of their way to help him. Most especially I think he'll remember his furry, feathered and scaly friends in the Animal Lab where he volunteered and worked on his first paid job throughout high school. He'll never forget the late great Hamlet, the fiesty rooster who pecked everyone but also won their hearts. He won't forget Bashful and Smokey and Corey the loudmouthed crow. Lincoln High School put his feet on his chosen career path in the veterinary technology field, and I know he will always be grateful to the people and animals who helped him to find his direction.

Mermaid Parade

On Saturday we all went to see the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. Some years it seemed rather short, over almost as soon as it began. But this year, perhaps because Coney Island is under siege and likely to be radically changed by real estate developers, the mermaids and other "denizens of the deep" came out in record numbers. The parade went on for 2.5 hours and was the usual visual treat, only moreso.

First came the antique cars. This isn't my cup of tea but car aficionados must love it. After that the real parade started. I heard around 1,000 people marched this year and I believe it. Just about all of them had colorful, clever, and often risque costumes they created themselves. Many of the mermaids wore pasties or even went bare breasted but with some sort of body paint partially disguising their nudity.

All sorts of groups were represented, most notably the Cyclones, Brooklyn's minor league baseball team, the Polar Bear Club (those brave and crazed souls who swim at Coney Island every New Year's Day), and quite a few others. There were Mermaids for Peace, mermaids in Scottish garb, and a variety of sea horses, sharks, sea jellies (the new name for jellyfish, according to Jason), pirates and even two Elvis impersonators (what they have to do with the ocean, I don't know, but one of them kissed my hand, how charmante! and the other one carried a guitar that read, "A hunka hunka burnin' lard!"

Union organizers protested against Starbucks (one of the developers looking to destroy historic Coney Island), and another group carried placards that read, "Save Coney Island; Keep It Weird!"

The color silver was a dominant theme this year since this was the 25th annual Mermaid Parade. There was some concern about it being the last one but the parade organizers are insisting they will keep marching year after year even after the developers have their way. I hope that is true because I look forward to this summer solstice event every June. It's Brooklyn's answer to Mardi Gras, Halloween in June, and it's a wild and wacky event that should continue as long as the organizers still want to put it on.

Free At Last

Jason had his last high school exam, the Physics Regents, today. That's it. It' s over and I won't have to hang around watching to see that he does his homework anymore. I can go out evenings any time I want. I can get a job. I can do all kinds of things I have put on hold for almost 18 years.

As usual when something long anticipated happens I don't feel the elation I expected to feel. Instead it's just a flat feeling, almost a nonacceptance of this new situation. It's been so long and I have been used to building what I do around him. Now, one doesn't stop being a parent, but the level of responsibility has just dropped back quite a lot.

Now I have to decide what I'm doing with the rest of my life. Once I know where I stand as far as a job I'll be thinking about some volunteer activities. Chances are Bruce and I will want to get involved with the UU church in Brooklyn. It's time to stop trying to contribute where we are not wanted, and start contributing our efforts where they will be valued.

It's on to graduation and then summertime. Jason will be working and I hope I will too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

James Mason Biography

Not long ago I received a copy of James Mason, A Personal Biography, by Diane De Rosso, from a fan in the Netherlands who was unloading a lot of her collectibles.

De Rosso was Mason's sister-in-law, being the half sister of his first wife Pamela. As such she was a close friend of James Mason and had the opportunity to know the inner man -- at least, as much as he was willing to reveal. He didn't reveal that much of himself to many people, from what she writes.

The book is well written and balanced. De Rosso does not spare either Pamela or James when discussing their shortcomings as a couple. However she is discreet and does not reveal the names of lovers even though that would have made some very juicy gossip! She tells some very funny stories such as the pooch that "spent a penny" on the floor while being introduced to some gentleman. But there isn't a lot of humor because as a younger person Mason seems to have been somewhat insecure and lacking in confidence even though his acting ability was amazing. His marriage to Pamela was a loving one at first and she took on the managerial role, becoming quite the dominant wife/agent. Later, though, it fell apart and became quite nasty, and Mason seems to have been unable to defend himself. The man who was such a powerfully sexual presence onscreen was in fact vulnerable and lonely once Pam deserted him.

I was happy to read, though, that he found his true love in the last 15 years or so of his life and lived happily ever after with her until the day he died. He was a person who was driven to perfect his craft and be as professional and excellent as possible, and he deserved happiness. I'll be writing to Maria again to thank her for sending me this book.

Nine More Days

In nine more days, my life will change forever. Jason will graduate high school, and I won't have to supervise homework ever again. Freedom is just around the corner but it feels like it will be a million years before that happens. First we have to get through him studying for the Physics Regents, which is on the 21st.

I have so many plans popping in my head about what I'll do when he's done with school and heading to college in the fall. I hope I won't disappoint myself. Other times, I have. There were summers when he went to day camp and I had most of the day free. I used to promise myself I would get out to museums, meet with friends and do all sorts of things while he was out. But instead too often I wound up sitting at home in front of the computer or walking the same few blocks in my neighborhood, bored with the same old stores.

I don't want that to happen again. I'm looking for a job and this time around I think I'll find one. I would like to find a part time job but that seems to be much harder than full time. It's bit perverse because you would think companies could save a bit of money that way. But most jobs are full time and even more than full time.

Another plan is to attend more of the free events in the city. Unfortunately I had a good source of information on a website but it has been under construction for so long that I don't know whether it is going to be reconstructed or not. Too bad! But I can still go to the outdoor concerts and so on. Not street fairs, because the food is not on my diet plan and it's way too tempting when there is another food concession every 20 feet. But concerts and maybe free outdoor movies would be a lot of fun.

I'm also looking for some organizations where I can get involved and make a difference. Obviously BSEC is not going to be that place. I am thinking about rejoining Amnesty International, or finding another organization to volunteer for. Maybe I'll even decide to join a board. I'd like to get my book, "How to Kill a Church," published, too.

Also this summer we're taking part in the Power Up! business plan competition. I have not worked on my business plan at all but will have to start doing so. I don't expect to win the contest but I'd like to work with Jason and put together a plan so he can use it and set up a pet sitting business when he's done with his veterinary technology training.

So I have plenty of plans and I'm counting the days until I'm freed up from supervising studying, which has seemed to be necessary right up to the last minute. June 21st will be the first day of the rest of my life. I know it's a dreadful cliche but it is also true.

A Victory for Democracy

Last night at the BSEC Board meeting there was finally a small victory for democracy. After a discussion, the Board came to the realization (with perhaps one dissenter) that even a person who is the subject of a forensic audit which has not yet been completed and released has every right to run for the Board, and that it is up to the membership to decide, once informed of this fact, whether they want him on the Board.

It's about time such a decision was made since the President has been saying things for quite some time about not wanting to let certain people who are "out of favor" in some way or another run for the Board. That's really not up to the President!

I got a chance to speak my piece and I said there's been an ongoing fear of letting the membership make its own decisions about whom to vote for, and this goes back nearly two years already. If it can't be orchestrated so that they always win, the people in power now don't want to play. I also said that the "dirt" on this person (so far, completely unproven) has been known to the membership already for at least a year due to a telephone smear campaign that not only cast aspersions on him but on anyone associated with him.

The Treasurer kept trying to interrupt me but I raised my voice slightly and told her, "I don't want to hear from you right now -- I'm talking so you be quiet!" This gave me immense satisfaction. For once the meeting was run by a person who is evenhanded and fair, and who came down equally on both "sides" when they got out of line. Good for her: that's what our organization should be. Too bad that will all be reversed when the Prez gets back from her out of town trip.

Now on to the membership meeting and the elections. Bruce and I don't expect to be elected but we'd be pleasantly surprised if that happened. However we'll make our statements and that's that. Most likely, it will be on to better things.

"From This Moment On"

I've just finished reading From This Moment On by Lynn Kurland, thanks to cousin Ivy who sent me a boxful of her novels a few months ago. This one is set in medieval France and England and concerns the adventures of Alienore and Colin. Alienore, betrothed without her consent (not necessary in those days) to Colin, who is known far and wide as a merciless warrior, takes refuge by stealing her brother's armor and running away disguised as a young knight.

Ironically she ends up being assigned to protect a young airhead, er woman, named Sybil, who is the next one betrothed to the infamous "Butcher of Berkhamshire." Sybil is so terrified of Colin that she continually faints every time she meets him face to face, and locks herself in the solar with her maids in waiting and a huge amount of food. (Sybil also appears to be a likely candidate for Overeaters Anonymous if it had existed in the thirteenth century).

Perceiving Alienore as a young man, passing herself off as Sir Henri, Colin decides to teach the lad to be a sword fighter, since it is clear that this young knight's training has been less than sufficient. In the course of training together an attraction grows, much to the consternation of both of them. Alienore can't understand why she is attracted to so terrifying a man, and Colin is disturbed at the thought that he may be attracted to a young man.

Several people learn Alienore's secret, most of them supportive of her, but of course there is an obligatory villain who uses it against her. Her own stepmother is also a villainess in her own right and Alienore is endangered again when brought to her homestead in, ironically, a search for herself!

Of course, being it is a romance novel, all's well that ends well, and it does. I found this an entertaining and amusing story even though the events recounted were so improbable. Apparently in order to keep historical romance fresh it is necessary to invent convoluted and improbable scenarios so that readers will not become bored with the usual plots of abduction by a sexy pirate or forced marriage to the man of her dreams.

It's a fun book and I recommend it.

Patagonia Olive Oil

Coming soon to supermarket and gourmet stores; watch for it on the shelves. Wednesday night I attended a focus group where we discussed an unknown brand of olive oil, which we'd picked up in unmarked sample bottles and taste-tested for about a week.

I loved it. I loved the golden color. Later, when we saw it in the "real" bottles, it had more of a green tinge to it. But in the small sample plastic bottle, it looked pure gold to me, liquid gold. It said sunshine and luxury, and I could imagine being gently massaged with this oil.

I had never tasted extra virgin olive oil and the stronger taste delighted me. I felt as if I could just slightly taste the olives. Yet the taste didn't linger, and I found myself pouring more and more onto my salads as I ate them. Sure, it's high calorie, but at least olive oil is healthy, so I didn't feel too guilty about eating a lot of it.

The focus group amused me. I was one of those bridge and tunnel people in with the "real" Manhattanites. They are a whole different breed. These people talked about shopping in the overpriced gourmet stores like Dean & DeLuca, where you could pay $3 for an avocado that I can get at a fruit stand for $1.29. These were women who went home after a day's work and made bruschetta, or grilled fish and shrimp. They tried frying chicken in this oil and other types of cooking. All I did, unimaginative little me, was to put it on salad and mop it up with bread (after sprinkling pepper on the oil as it spread across a plate).

The others were much more upscale and conscious of the need to impress their friends. They wouldn't use plastic bottles partly because plastic is bad for the environment, but also because it looks tacky. Only glass bottles for them! I was the one person in favor of plastic because it doesn't break as easily and I live in a family of clutzes who drop bottles with alarming regularity.

They knew what extra virgin and "cold press" or "first press" meant. Listening to this was an education but to some extent I found it an education in food snobbery. Only extra virgin was worth buying. Lesser brands were all right in an ordinary supermarket, but the better brands belonged in a D'Agostino's or in the very trendy gourmet boutiques. People agreed that this unknown brand should be in the gourmet boutiques and named some outrageously high prices for a standard sized bottle.

We learned that the brand is Patagonia and that it is going to be marketed as an ecologically friendly olive oil, coming from unspoiled Patagonia. But one woman whom I found particularly snooty didn't like the slogan: said it was "too easy." They showed us two labels. I liked the blue label better but many other women there preferred the plainish offwhite label that looked boring to me. It was also practically illegible. Also, European foods were much better than American; Americans have no real standards about how food is prepared.

Right, that's why the foreign imports of flu vaccine were found to be ineffective because of bad handling and I had to get a second flu shot this past winter. The American system of monitoring food and drugs is flawed, but so is the European, but I guess these snobs would rather think that America is bad and all things foreign are much better.

I had a fun time discussing the olive oil and I certainly was quite happy to collect my $125 at the end of the session. It was also very amusing watching the trendy crowd, the upscale types who really would discuss Hemingway at a wine and cheese (and olive oil) party do their thing. I went home happy that I am not in that crowd and that I am down to earth enough to simply eat what I like without worrying about what people think of me for my food choices or the type of packaging those food choices come in.