Another Candle in the Wind

The mist caresses the distant hills like a warm hand gently stroking a purring cat. The calm stillness of this wintery morning will hopefully set the tone for a quiet day, free of the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic, loud noise, and flaring tempers. Sadly, this morning begins with the residual upset and sadness following the news of another Hollywood death. Yes, I am talking about Heath Ledger.

No, I didn’t know him.
No, I’m not mourning the upset of a made-up affair that simply never could have existed.
I am mourning the fact that we have lost yet another very promising and talented artist at the tender age of 28. So very, very unnecessary.

I remember showing up to the opening day of Brokeback Mountain. It was really hysterical. The line for the movie wrapped around the side of the artsy theater. As I walked down the line, familiar face after familiar face smiled. “Yep – the gays of O.C. have all come ‘out’ today for the big occasion.” Watching the movie, I was really taken aback at the acting. I completely forgot the fact that Heath was not born in this country. I completely forgot that he was not 100% Midwestern U.S. of A. I completely forgot everything aside from the character that he portrayed – sad, tormented, afraid.

Maybe those last three adjectives were not so much of an act? Maybe in real life, Mr. Ledger was sad, tormented and afraid? Reading some of the newspaper stories about him, he gravitated towards roles that scared him. He did his best when he faced fear. And one of his personal demons was sleep. Apparently the past few months brought him little sleep. He would lay down in bed, and his brain would just spin away (GODS does that sound familiar!), leaving him with very little rest and little sleep. The poor lad really should have taken up embroidery.

Hollywood has lost another bright young and vibrant star in his James Dean prime. Your candle burned out, but hopefully the screen will keep your image alive.

I need a doctor!

No, nothing is wrong. I am fine. But, I need to select a doctor.

Work switched this year to Kaiser, and I am now on an HMO. Coincidentally, the doctor that I had last year decided to stop practicing - ARGH! It is such a pain for me to find new doctors. At the risk of sounding offensive without meaning to, I really prefer a doctor who is...

- male
- speaks English as his first language
- gay
- local

Why male? Obvious part reasons.
Why English? I'm just tired of having to explain... explain again... and explain again the issue when there is an issue.
Why gay? Cuz without going into detail, there are just things that we do that non-gay doctors require further explanation on, and I'd rather avoid that.

The problem is, if there are any that are local, I'm unaware of who they are. I don't really want to drive down to Laguna or Long Beach if I need to see a doctor. And yes, I've checked the gay yellow pages.

ARGH!

Here comes the rain...

"OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the collective voices at the office seemed to shriek. "It's raining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Hmmmm," I said. "I guess I should have driven the Jeep back from lunch rather than parking at home."

"GASPPPPPPPPPPPP!" said the borg-collective at work. "What are you going to DOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!"

"Um..." I said dispassionately. "...get wet."

Actually, that isn't even really true. Being the anal-retentive backup-for-a-backup planner that I am, I had an umbrella hanging from the hook on my office door JUST in case.

Truth be told, as I left the office, the rain came down calmly and pleasantly - by no means a torrent, but as a light sprinkle. And as I walked home, I smiled. I truly hope that I never become so Californian as to be afraid of the rain, or of getting wet. Even in a suit n' tie, I enjoyed walking in the rain. Between the chill of the air, the quiet on the streets, and the steady tranquil sound of the drops on my umbrella, I just loved it.

Lets hear it for rain!