Love and Marriage

If ever there was a survey of the biggest myths perpetrated over the history of the world, I swear that marriage + love would be a the top of the list.

Why are there days when I can totally understand the homicidal impulse that overcomes people? Is it hormonal? Is it just that spending so much time with ANYONE would make you feel as though you are losing your mind? I honestly don't know how couples who have been together for 50 years or so manage to survive, except that as our senses start to fail us, and we can't hear what our spouse is saying, we can't see them as well, our sense of smell is fading, taste, and who wants to be touched?

I recently heard about a couple who live on opposite coasts half the year. That sounds good to me.

Tomorrow I may be saying how much I love my partner and enjoy our life together, but today you can have him. No, the truth is that I do love my partner, I just want more space. More time alone. I need more alone time to keep me sane.

I think I also need to do some heavy duty meditating. And tonight we are going to see a play by Michael Weller, a friend, called "Fifty Words" about a Brooklyn couple who fights for the pretty much the entire show. Perhaps a bad idea...

Later tonight:

In fact, a very good idea. "Fifty Words" was the perfect play to see, although painful, it really does show a marriage, the honest struggle that trying to live with someone and create a family, involves. Michael Weller wrote it. His son, Ben and my daughter Zoe are good friends. I love Ben. I've known his mother, Kathy for thirty years. There's so much truth in the play. We all really enjoyed it, although it was painful. The actors, Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel were both superb. Thank you, Michael. I've admired your work for so many years

Also - yesterday, I saw "The Changeling" the new Clint Eastwood film with Angelina Jolie. A fantastic film, beautifully acted and directed. And also very sad.

Ironically, I guess there isn't much in life that makes me happier than seeing really fine works of art. That and some alone time.

Serenity/surrender

First of all, I changed the template for the blog, just to shake things up. I will probably do that periodically.

Second of all, for some reason, I woke up feeling relatively happy this morning and I have no idea why. No "winter coming on blues" (F.O.W.) I watched the debate, it was somber and there were a few times I wanted to throw something at the television, but basically I feel that if Obama isn't elected we will get what we deserve and it isn't going to be pretty. And despite the feelings I have about Sarah Palin (deep dislike), McCain (disgust) and the Republicans (YUCK) -- and what we know will be 27 days of lies, distortions, fear and everything they can think of to throw at Obama (including the kitchen sink) -- despite the fears about the world's economies, I am trying to stay grounded and focus on the positive. (That was a run-on. Sorry. I think listening to Sarah Palin has ruined me.)

Anyway, I recently began reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle and in the chapter "Ego: the current state of humanity," he ends with this thought:

"Whenever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter and deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening of the shell of the ego. You are closed. Whatever action you take in a state of inner resistance (which we could also call negativity) will create more outer resistance, and the universe will not be on your side; life will not be helpful. If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in. When you yield internally, when you surrender, a new dimension of consciousness opens up. If action is possible or necessary, your action will be in alignment with the whole and supported by creative intelligence, the unconditioned consciousness which in a state of inner openness you become one with. Circumstances and people then become helpful, cooperative. Coincidences happen. If no action is possible, you rest in the inner peace and stillness that comes with surrender. You rest in God."

Maybe all of this sounds a little far out to you. (Unless you're Oprah, who I don't think is reading this.) If she is reading this, I want to give a shout out: "Hi Oprah!"

It used to seem far out to me, but somehow I've found myself on this path of searching for a deeper meaning, for living not just on one plane, but going deeper into the meaning of the events and experiences of my life and of my friends' and families' lives. And beyond that - to world events. This election is one of those moments.

All I know is, when I am open to the world, coincidences do happen. People do show up for me. Life feels richer and more abundance - and I'm not talking about money, I'm talking about experiences, connection and good feelings and chocolate cake. (I just threw that in to see if you were paying attention.)

New t-shirt coming out today: "THAT ONE: '08"

F.O.W.

Fear of Winter...I can feel it looming, especially this year, given the state of the country and the world.

Less daylight, five or so months of cold weather, snow, rain, darkness, it hits me every fall and although I love this season, I always feel anxious about how I am going to handle another winter. It's not so bad that I'm thinking of moving to Florida or anything and it may sound silly, but having suffered from depression a few times in my life, the winter's always tough. I know I'm not alone. The mornings are difficult for me. I wake up and don't want to get out of bed. And in the middle of the night, I lie in bed and worry...and obsess. Once I get going, I do my meditation, reading and some exercise, I usually feel better.

I think that the most important thing is to remember to breathe and to be in the moment.
By the way, I wanted to put up a new photo, but the one that's up is too big! If anyone knows how to make it smaller, please let me know. Thanks!

A hell of a great speech

Boogieman, an important film

I haven't seen it yet, but it's about someone I've been obsessed with for years, the late Lee Atwater, evil Republican mastermind of numerous elections, Karl Rove's mentor (Rove is Steve Schmidt, McCain's campaign manager's mentor). Atwater was the man who changed the course of American politics for generations. And not in a good way. He died of brain cancer.

The film is "Boogie Man" and here is the website for it:

boogiemanfilm.com

I am going to see it as soon as I can. I suggest you put it on your Netflix account, if it's not playing at a theater near you. The schedule for the film is on the website.

If you think that the next month is not going to be filled with Republican dirty tricks, you are dreaming. Start with today's article in the NY Times with the Obama "so-called connection" to William Ayers. More is coming. Trust me.

On another note, I just watched the Charlie Rose interview with Warren Buffett that aired a couple of days ago on PBS. If you have 55 minutes to spare, this is a really good discussion of what's been happening in our economy in the last three weeks:

http://www.charlierose.com/guests/warren-buffett

Sarah, thank you so much!

Sarah, You have no idea how many people are grateful for your nomination. Let's start with Katie Couric. I have never heard her name mentioned as many times as I have in the last week. Everyone is talking about her - Katie's interview, Katie Couric's gotcha moments, she is probably beside herself with joy that she got those interviews.

And given how tired Bush jokes are, I'm sure that every comedian in this entire universe is grateful to have someone new to kick around. What about Tina Fey? Could her career get any hotter? When I watch you now, I think you are doing a Tina Fey imitation. Even I enjoy being you, answering questions like you, you are just so darn cute and folksy.

You know, if our futures and the futures' of generations after us and the entire planet wasn't at stake, I would say: thank you for being such a good sport. When people praised your mediocre performance last night in the debate I couldn't help but think that a really smart and articulate fifth grader could have done just as well.

But what we need to remember is that today there are more important things to focus on (the economy, the House's vote) and last night is over.

For me personally, we are starting to rehearse our solo shows and that is challenging and fun.

And I believe in my heart that the Democrats will prevail on November 4th.

I'm in love with Jon Stewart

I know he's married. And I'm married. And I'm a bit older than he is. And probably when he's not on his show, he's not very funny. And his staff writes a lot of the material. But he makes me laugh.