No Comment(s)

I debated on whether or not to actually post about this because I truly believe that everything happens for the best, therefore I need to let go and move on.

However, I also believe that sometimes you need to take a brief moment to vent before you can let it go.

So, here’s my brief moment….

As most of you discovered on Tuesday, I had some major shitola going on with my previous commenting system. Such as, many people not being able to comment, and comments disappearing into cyberspace.

Well, to say the least I freaked. I couldn’t remember how the hell to uninstall it and then reinstall Blogger’s commenting system. I spent several hours trying various things and then finally figured out how to do it.

ALLEUIA!

Now let me preface what I’m about to share by saying that I totally knew from the beginning when I installed IntenseDebate, that once I started using it, if I were to revert back to Blogger’s system I would lose ALL comments made through IntenseDebate, so I take full responsibility. And I would also like to share that I think the features they offer on their commenting system are awesome.

(that is, when they feel like working)

But, apparently they still haven’t figured out a way to export comments for those of us who use Blogger. And apparently from all the glitches I’ve had with this system since the beginning, IntenseDebate is NOT compatible with Blogger.

Which brings me to my question…

WHY are they listing Blogger as a compatible platform when in fact it doesn’t really work? And you better believe I sent them an email and asked.

(I still haven’t heard back yet, and I‘m not holding my breath)

So, I would like to say to all of you who use Blogger, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE INTENSEDEBATE.

Comments are a HUGE part of blogging, therefore if an outside system is not 100% compatible with the various blogging platforms it CLAIMS to be compatible with, then it shouldn’t be listed.

I would like to thank all of you who left comments on this blog since last December when I first installed IntenseDebate, and apologize for having lost them. I feel like I’ve been robbed of all the wonderful conversations we’ve had. It's truly sad. However, just know that I appreciated all your thoughts and words on previous comments.

Again, I only have myself to blame for this, because I knew.

But, hey….you live and learn, don’t you?

Ok, now that I‘ve vented, it’s time to let go and move on.

*deep cleansing breath*

Letting go……

Bye-bye IntenseDebate.

Pftttttttt!

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Have a super weekend everyone!

X

Seen Through The Eyes of Children

As most of you already know, I was involved in the theater for many years and have accumulated a lot of great memories performing onstage.

Also, most of you already know that I was cast as the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella, back in the late 90’s and had the time of my life.

Not only did I get the opportunity to do something onstage that I had always dreamed of doing - portray a woman - but, I also had the amazing opportunity to work in children’s theater. The thing that I love about performing for children is that you can’t ACT, because they don‘t miss a trick. Therefore, it taught me a great deal about allowing myself to BELIEVE onstage, rather than PRETENDING to believe.

I knew that in order for the children to believe who I was as the Wicked Stepmother, I would have to believe it first.

Perhaps the biggest highlight in this experience was that I was asked by a kindergarten teacher, who had brought her students to see one of the performances, to give a guest talk as myself (not the character) and meet the children at her school, so they could ask me questions about what it was like to be an actor.

I honestly can’t share (because I can't remember) any of the questions they asked, other than how long it took me to put my makeup on. However, what I can share with you is the touching gift they gave me after I completed my talk.

They each drew pictures of my character, as seen through their own eyes, and then put them all together in this adorable little portfolio.

Here are several of the drawings…..

Drawn by Rebecca


Drawn by Allison


Drawn by Alex


Drawn by Georgia

This is a photo of me taken backstage in the dressing room with Rick, the man who did an AMAZING job in creating my costume and wigs. BRAVA, Rick….thank you again!

Inside joke: Rick came up with the perfect name for my character, Sylvia.

Anyway, when I closed the portfolio, this is what I saw written on the back….

This is WHY I love children so much.

Blessings….

Please note: Because of some major issues with my previous commenting system, I have reverted back to Blogger's. Sorry for any problems you may have experienced earlier today. Thank you everyone!

Something Cute and Cuddly

Okay, is this not one of the cutest pictures you ever saw in your life?

(insert *squeal*)

A few days ago I was scouring the Internet, looking for photos of cute baby pictures for a post I wanted to share, but when I saw this photo I changed my mind and decided to post about CUDDLING.

“Hi, my name is Ron and I’m a cuddle-holic.”

Yes, it’s true.

Whenever I’ve been in a relationship, cuddling is mandatory.

In fact, before I ever get serious with anyone I make them fill out a test form and one of the questions is, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you like to cuddle?”

Anything lower than a 10 is a failing grade and I refuse to ever see them again.

(which is why I’m single and cuddle my bed pillows)

Have you ever heard of the Cuddle Monster? Well, that’s me.

I’m an affectionate person, therefore I enjoy touchy-feely moments in my relationships.

Even within my friendships.

If I like someone, and they’re okay with it, I will affectionately touch them.

Touching for me is a way to connect to someone who I feel very close to. Even just a light touch on the shoulder or back feels good to me. I’m forever walking up to certain people I work with and hugging them.

*notice how I used the words certain people I work with because there are others who I wouldn’t touch, even if I were wearing asbestos gloves and standing behind bullet-proof glass.

In a more intimate relationship, I’m even apt to have a day where all I do is cuddle. It’s called Cuddle Day. Like on one of those cold wintry days, snuggling up to someone on the couch with a blanket while watching reruns of The Jetsons and eating Cracker Jack.

However, my favorite time to cuddle is while going to sleep. I know many people are not fond of cuddling while going nighty-night, but I enjoy that “spoon feeling” as I’m drifting off to dreamland.

My one longtime partner use to pretend he didn’t like it, but GOD FORBID I not do it one evening and he would be like “Awww….aren’t you gonna cuddle with me tonight???”

So there, I confessed….I’m a cuddlier.

Just call me Ron the Koala Bear.

Have a cuddly weekend everyone!

X

Please note:

If any of you found this post a bit overly cute, don’t worry, because next week I might share a post about how un-cute I can be, as I tell you how I enjoy throwing water balloons out my 21st floor apartment window while attempting to hit the Chinese food delivery boy on the head, just for the hell of it.

Memories of The World Trade Center

Sunday night, I decided to take down a box of loose old photographs that were on the top shelf of my closet and try to organize them in some way.

So, here I sat on my apartment floor with years and years worth of memories lying all around me; having flashbacks.

I found several photos that I had completely forgotten about when I first moved back to Philadelphia in 2001, and had met up with my ex-boss from Florida in New York City for the day. She was there visiting with some family members, but wanted to do some sightseeing with me because she knew I had once lived there.

What I’m about to share with you is strange, but very real. I should start by telling you that I’m extremely sensitive to energy. I have always been able to sense energy on a very deep level, therefore if something is happening or is about to happen, while many people may not necessarily sense it, I do.

I had moved to NYC in 1974, a year after the World Trade Center had opened, but because I’m not too terribly fond of heights, had never visited the towers during the five years I lived there. So, I was a little apprehensive when my ex-boss suddenly suggested we all go to the top for a glorious view of Manhattan.

Amazingly enough, once I got up there I was not as frightened as I thought I would be. In fact, when we got outside the observation deck we both started laughing, because my ex-boss was the one who began freaking out about the height, and yet, I on the other hand felt surprisingly okay.



Between seeing the various exhibitions and walking outside on the roof, we were there for about 45 minutes.

Now, here’s the strange part….

As we were waiting to get on an elevator to come back down, I suddenly felt myself begin to panic. I had no rational idea why I was feeling this way, but I could sense some sort of horrendous pandemonium going on around me, when in fact, everything around me at that moment was calm and peaceful.

It felt as if I was experiencing two different things happening simultaneously.

I could feel that everything was perfectly fine around me, but could also feel something outside of what was happening, happening.

When I closed my eyes, I could hear and see the shadows of people in chaotic alarm. It was like watching a movie on a planitarium screen that surrounded me.

I turned to my ex-boss and said, “Can I ask you something? Do you feel this building vibrating and shaking?”

She said, “No.”

I said, “Well, I do.”

Now I realize the World Trade Center was built to sway with the wind for flexibility, but this was not just a swaying I was feeling, it was a definite vibration and shaking.

I started to sweat profusely and felt like I was going to faint.

She looked at me and said, “Are you alright, Ron? You’re as white as a ghost.”

Because her two young nephew’s were standing close by us, I didn‘t want to frighten them by making a big deal about how I was feeling, so I quietly said to her smiling, “Just get me the hell out of here, because I feel like I’m going to flip out.”

As soon as the elevator doors opened I ran in and started to quietly mumble, “Ok, everyone…hurry, hurry, hurry.” When the elevator reached the lobby floor, I felt my entire body sigh with relief.

And I can remember this now as if it occurred yesterday. As we walked through the exit doors, I turned around and looked straight up at the towers.

And had the most unsettling feeling.

This experienced happened to me in late July of 2001.

Less than two months later, 9/11 happened.

It was not until almost a year after, did I even recall having this experience.

And wondered…...

You Tube: Curse of the Gypsy Woman

I must preface this video by saying that my mention of meeting a “certain celebrity” is completely fictitious.

Meaning….I’m telling you a bold face LIE.

Ok, now that that’s out of the way….

You see, two days ago I suddenly got the urge to act CRAZY, so I whipped out my webcam and made another You Tube.

I went totally WACKO in the head.

So, please don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Warning: Don’t EVER give the finger to a gypsy woman.

Have super weekend everyone!

X

Shaving.....the rite of passage

There is nothing more exciting for a young man, as he goes through the rite of passage and shaves his face for the first time.

I remember sitting on the closed toilet seat in the bathroom of our row home in Philadelphia, watching intently as my father stood in front of the mirror going through the ritual of shaving his face in the morning. I can still recall the steam rising up from the hot water in the sink, and the sound of the razor blade as it scraped across his skin.

All I kept thinking to myself was, “Ooooo…. I can’t wait to do that someday.”

Every morning I would examine my upper lip and chin in the mirror, hoping to find some sort of resemblance to a whisker, so I could finally get my first razor, a can of Barbasol shaving cream, and a bottle of Old Spice aftershave lotion.

Yet, it’s funny how only after a few years this eagerly anticipated right of passage suddenly became a royal PAIN IN MY ASS.

Even though I have a goatee, I still have to shave areas of my mug.

My least favorite area to shave is my neck, because no matter how careful I am, I always manage to look as though Jack the Ripper was hiding behind my shower curtain and suddenly jumped out; slashing my throat with a pair of dull toe nail clippers.

I look like one of those men you sometimes see at Starbucks in the morning, who has little pieces of bloodstained toilet paper stuck to his face.

I never shave on my days off, so that my face can take a break.

Now even though I kvetch about shaving, I know that women have it just as challenging as us men.

In fact, even more so.

So, I’m giving you all a homework assignment.

Just for tomorrow, I would like the men and women who read this blog to switch shaving rituals, so we can experience what the opposite sex has to endure in hair removal. And then give me a 200 word essay on the Hazards of Shaving.

Ladies, please shave your face…..



And gentlemen, please shave your underarms, legs, and chest ….

I. DON’T. THINK. SO.

(Ok, ladies.....you win)

That's Some Expensive Crap

Can someone please tell me when the price of a single roll of toilet paper skyrocketed to the price of a one-night stay in a honeymoon suite at the Ritz Carlton?

Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

While shopping for toilet paper yesterday, I almost let out an audible gasp in isle 6 when I saw the price of $1.50.

Excuse me, but are we talking about the same stuff I use to pay 50 cents for?

And are we also talking about a paper product that even though it’s 2ply, I still end up poking my ring finger through it?

When did grooming my delicate derriere triple in price?

Probably about the time when a pack of chewing gum escalated from 25 cents to $1.29.

I know you’re all probably thinking, “Well Ron, why don’t you go to Costco and buy it in bulk because it’s cheaper that way?”

And my answer is, “Because I live in a studio apartment and have no where to store 50 rolls of Scotts.”

I only have space enough in this apartment to live with 2 rolls at a time.

I realize that I just bought a new laptop, so I shouldn’t be pinching over $1.50. But, at least with my laptop I get multiple usages instead of wiping once and then literally flushing my money down the toilet.

I’m thinking that maybe I’ll start a toilet paper savings account, like a Christmas club. That way $10.00 of my weekly paycheck will be put aside for toilet tissue expenses for the following year.

Oh but wait, that won’t work because by next year toilet paper will be up to $20.00 a roll, so my money won't be worth SHIT.

No, on second thought….

I think I’m just gonna go back to the caveman days and use these…..

However, I’ll have to be very careful not to confuse Boston ivy with poison ivy.

Wishing you a spectacular weekend everyone!

X

A Change on Vent

As you know, last month I changed my posting schedule because I was fortunate enough to get some additional hours at work, so I was busier than usual. And so far, thank God, the additional hours keep coming.

Yahoooooo!

However, it was really interesting because I found that posting twice a week instead of three times a week was actually something I enjoyed.

It freed me up to do several things.

One, it allowed me more time to respond to your comments (something I love to do).

Two, it allowed me more time to visit YOUR blogs and leave comments (something I love to do).

Three, it allowed me more time to write posts for my other blog (something I love to do, but have not had as much time as I would like).

My other blog takes a great deal of time to research the topics I post about.

So, starting next week I’ve decided to stick with publishing twice a week on Vent.

I will most likely be posting on Mondays and Fridays, but I’m going to play it by ear and see what moves me.

I may add an additional post on some weeks, such as a blog interview or blogger highlight.

Communicating through comments is everything to me, so they are my top priority. And if it means posting less to have more time to exchange comments with you, then that’s what needs to be done.

I’m happy and grateful for the amount of readers that share this blog with me. Therefore, I always want to make sure I share quality time with you.

I hope you understand and will continue to visit Vent.

Also, if you’re interested and have the time, please feel free to stop by my beauty review blog and check it out. My dear friend Akelamalu, finally convinced me to open up comments. Not only that, but she’s been such a wonderful support in suggesting several great ideas for blog posts.

Thank you, m’dear, You’re a doll!

Yesterday, I spent FIVE FRIGGIN’ HOURS customizing a new design and thought I was going to pull my hair out because it was a bigger undertaking than I thought. I didn’t actually create the new template, but I had to customize it in depth to make it what I wanted for my blog. I wanted something fresh and bright.

I’m really pleased with the final result, however you know ME….I’ll be tweaking it for the next YEAR.

I realize that my other blog is a specific topic blog, therefore will not interest everyone. So, I in no way expect any of you to stop by on regular basis and read it, unless you‘re moved to do so.

Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say today. I’ll be posting again on Friday.

Thanks everyone.

Happy Wednesday!

Women and Shoes

Since my personal and professional life are primarily surrounded by females, I know without a shadow of a doubt that at least 90% of woman LOVE shoes.

And not only do they love them, but they COLLECT them.

Shoes for woman are about as mandatory and crucial as a T.V. remote is for a man.

Many women have an unquenchable thirst that prevents them from walking past a shoe store without feeling the gravitational pull of shoeaholicism.

I also know that several of you ladies have discovered clever ways to smuggle home new pairs of footwear, so your husbands and boyfriends won’t discovered that you bought, yet ANOTHER pair of Jimmy Choo’s.


And trust me, I know this to be a fact because quite often female shoppers will confide in me, while selecting a new shade of lipstick to go with their new Manolo Blahnik Red Satin Cross d’Orsay Slingbacks.

“OMG…my husband is going to divorce me when he finds out I bought another pair of shoes. I’ll have to hide them in the trunk of my car until he goes to sleep tonight, when I can finally bring them into the house and try them on again, before I hide them in at the attic with the Christmas decorations until I need to wear them to a cocktail party, at which point I’ll tell my husband that I had them for five years….he just never noticed.”

Honestly though, I can totally understand WHY women have more shoes than men.

Women need to have different styles and colors for various outfits.

Overall, it’s much more expensive for women to dress, than men.

Woman have so many more accessory items, such as jewelry, pantyhose, lingerie, purses, hair products, and cosmetics.

But when it comes to shoes, they seem to have more pairs than humanly possible to wear in one lifetime.

So, I ask you ladies.

Do you wear them all?

Or do you just collect them like rare stamps?


*Shoe Stamp created at Zazzle.

Blogging and the Holidays

The wonderful thing about blogging is that it allows us to reach across the globe, meeting people we may have never had the chance to otherwise know.

We communicate through little snippets called posts; sharing our daily thoughts, life stories, viewpoints, and talents.

I’ve often shared on this blog that I can tell more about a person through the energy of their written words, than I could if I was standing in front of them.

Words are energy.

Energy is universal.

Therefore, it reaches far and wide.

Blogs are like having our own little spaces in the Universe that gradually connect us to other little spaces, as we form a web around the world.

Even though we may celebrate different holidays, blogging unites us in celebrating them together; giving us a clearer understanding of all the various cultures, spiritual beliefs, and traditions.

For me, blogging has been such an amazing education because it’s opened my mind and soul to a wealth of knowledge.

During this time of Spring, we may each be celebrating various holidays, however I believe they are all in some way, celebrating a time of renewal.

For me, it’s Easter.

And I can’t help but be honest, and say there is a part of me that really gets into the whole manmade commercialism of this holiday, because I love dyed Easter eggs, black jelly beans, Cadbury cream eggs, and I still believe in the Easter Bunny.

However, I HATE marshmallow Peeps.

(I would rather eat a handful of sugarcoated thumbtacks)

So, whatever holiday you may be celebrating at this time, I just want say “Happy Celebration and Renewal.”

And even if you’re not celebrating a holiday, I hope this photo brings a smile to your heart…..

Thank you everyone, for always sharing your cute little butts with mine.

Have a wonderful weekend!

X