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Names Interchange

Media talking heads seem to have a problem knowing the preferred pronunciation of prominent peoples’ names. From veterans like Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd to more likely culprits at FoxNews. They all say “Steen” and “Stine” interchangeably. Often in the same paragraph. It’s Rod Rosenstein (STINE). Harvey Weinstein (STEEN). Carl BernSTEEN. How can these people cover the news so incompetently? It’s their only job to know these things.

There is no excuse for anyone to mispronounce the esteemed Senator from California’s surname. The most seasoned brilliant fair-minded person in government. As they’ve been doing all day. For the love of God. It’s Dianne Feinstein (STINE)!!!

Go back to 1983. William Safire agrees with me. How I miss his On Language column.

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Serpentine Shifts

The Golden Globes. Hats off to the few women who represented true individualism by not conforming to walking the red carpet in black. What’s the point when you pose and strut and remain objectified as a pretty thing anyway? Nicole should have thanked her co-star. Male directors need not have been dissed. Misandry is not the answer to bad behavior by a few jerks. Happy about James Franco. Of course. And Seth Meyers was solid.

The Essex Serpent, a novel by Sarah Perry. An amorphous Ness. Meant to be a Victorian Gothic homage, it didn’t quite manage either. Science, medicine, modernity dispelled the gossamer blue fog along a rural estuary where the mythic serpent was reportedly glimpsed. The so-called monster never conjured a terror commensurate with the village’s reaction. Perry draws her characters well. They just didn’t seem to belong in the same story together. A good read, but don’t agree with all the literary accolades.

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Oprah 2020

Authentic American. Survived its good, bad & ugly. Became its most successful businesswoman and communicator. Unimpeachable. Uncorruptible. Inspirational. Pragmatic. Energetic. Decisive. Transformational. Reads books. Any questions?

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Grayson v. Grayson

Snow bomb!! Cyclone-genesis!! A monster winter storm named Grayson. Kaboom! All hands on deck. Set to hit the New York area. Where Edward Grayson happens to be the Director of Cleaning and Collection. Yes. Who will win this monstrous challenge? Winter Storm Grayson. Or. Snowplow boss Grayson. Mano a mano. A coincidental combat for the ages! We’ll see.

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2018 Predictions & Predilections

Predictions

Trump will tweet a lot
CableNews & NYT will freak out about it daily
So will certain friends & relatives
TTSD antidote will be mid-term elections
Societal polarization will vertically widen
Garbage trucks will wake us up
Streaming services will shutter most movie houses
Online shopping will render the end of malls
There will be a U.S. military action in North Korea

Predilections

Luann will hook up with Harvey in rehab
Melania will be on Dancing With the Stars
Jon Stewart will replace Colbert
Tom Hanks & Meryl Streep will take a year off
Sam will reunite with real Jason
Tim Ryan (not Paul Ryan) will replace Pelosi
Tiger will win another major
Patriots will not win the Super Bowl
Tops will no longer have shoulder holes
Pets will develop allergies to humans
Alexa will do the dishes

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Page Five

Proof of collusion. Corner table at Bobby Van’s. Eric Trump and Michael Flynn. 

 

Farinelli & the King at the transformed to Shakespearean splendor Belasco Theatre. Mark Rylance brilliant! His wife Claire van Kampen’s musical script and the astonishing countertenor voice of Iestyn Davies took it over the top.  Five stars.

Sightings… Kathleen Turner a couple rows ahead. And Mandy Patinkin. 

 

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Down Treks 2017

Trump
Petulant Adolescent President
TTSD (Traumatic Trump Stress Disorder) worsens

Investigations
Comey’s covert agenda
Media overreach
Russia obsession

Democrats
Shallow bench
Lack of message

Sexual Perps
Reining men
Politicizing harassment

Weather
Snowflakes against free speech
Hurricanes & Fires

Television
Twin Peaks redux sucked

Sports
NFL violence cripples players & loses fans

Covfefe
Pets overrunning public places

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Changing Traditions

Christmas Eve Lobster Palooza! No Newburg this year. Thanks to Alicat & Co.
Centerpiece by Joe  

 

Then. Midnight services. Glorious music. Gorgeous architecture. Lots of incense.
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine

 

Buon Natale!

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2017

GOOD

Dr. Husband’s great photos every year

TV–
Schitt’s Creek
Big Little Lies
October on the Forks

Lots of Fun Theater-
Liev Schreiber- Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Cate Blanchett- The Present
Amy Schumer- Meteor Shower
Uma Thurman- The Parisian Woman, liaisons undangerous
Mark Rylance in Farinelli & the King

BAD

Petulant Adolescent President
Media’s Russia obsession
Democrats shallow bench & lack of message
Snowflakes against free speech
Hurricanes & Fires
Twin Peaks redux sucked
Pets overrunning public places

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Faux Claire

House of Cards creator Beau Willimon’s Broadway debut The Parisian Woman falls flat. As edgy as Robin Wright is as Claire Underwood in the Netflix series, Uma Thurman as Chloe in this modern-day play is not. Thurman seems tentative in her portrayal of a supposedly scheming liberal in Trump’s Washington political landscape. Related jokes are few and dated. Characters are generally mis-cast even as the weak writing would test any actor. Blair Brown displays her professional chops and is the only standout.

On the plus side. The Hudson Theater has been brilliantly brought back to its 1903 glory. Hotel conference room sheetrock was torn down to reveal crown moldings and historic detail from Ethel Barrymore’s stage heyday. It reopened last year and is worth the visit.