"If"

The rather marvelous UK comic, Tiffany Stevenson has reimagined Rudyard Kipling's "If" for we forward thinking women.  It's a thing of beauty. (Also credit to Lauren Bravo for inspiration & contribution)

IF you can keep your tiny victories when misogynists about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when rape juries doubt you,
Cause he's famous and the media doubt it too;

If you can be pro choice and not be tired by campaigning
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being mansplained , don't give way to mansplaining
And dare to have boobs too small or hips too wide!

If you can dream - and not make the patriarchy your master;
If you can drink - and make taking down Trump your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph or have a bra fitting Disaster
And love your body just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Credited to men to make a trap for fools,
Or see yourself on panel shows & be called token
And not stoop to their level but educate those tools

If you can insert a tampon on a moving train
And not splatter the cubicle walls
And campaign for equal pay over and over again
And never accept the status quo due to lack of balls

If you can push a human out of your vagina and
Raise them to dream big long after you are gone,
Or choose not to if you so desire
And not judge your sister cos its a different path she is on

If you can walk with crowds and feel safe
From abuse or a harassers touch,
if neither trolls nor sneering sexists can hurt you,
If you love yourself and other ladies almost too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of public breast feeding done
Yours is the Earth everything that's in it, And which is more - you'll kick ass

I'll be moving this soon - probably just to wordpress. In the meantime, wanted to share a new treat I'm enjoying.
I was directed recently to @BBCRadio4's terrific "With Great Pleasure".  One of the recent hosts is the actress Helen Baxendale.  Included in her readers was her "Cuckoo" co-star, comic & actor, Greg Davies (whom you should all know I adore).  It's a great conceit - choosing some favorite bits of literature & bullying your friends into reading them aloud. A particular thrill that among her choices was John Irving's "A Prayer For Owen Meany", my favorite book.  Full episode here

The bonus thrill is another recent host is the fantastic Phill Jupitus, who I grow to love more daily. I'm still devastated at the loss of #NMTB but it's terrific watching his follow up act.
One of his choices was a graduation speech given by Richard DeMarco, CBE, Scottish artist and contributor to Edinburgh Festival & the Fringe.

This quote will stick with me:

"You are born to be creative to the last breath of your life.  Using the art - the language of your art - each one of you. You can make society well"

It's well worth listening to it being read, first by the original & repeated by Phill.  You'll find it here, with that bit at about the 14:00 mark.
If you follow #shortfilmsunday, I know it's a duplicate but it matters. To me.
One of the additional pieces Phill chose is "Genesis" by former US poet laureate, Billy Collins. I posted the entire poem but it follows the DeMarco bit & Thom Tuck's reading is worth a listen for sure.
 I'm devastated at the loss of Bowie today.  It matters so much that the legacy he leaves is the courage to make the art you want. to use your own voice & be original & true to yourself.  These both speak to this theme.
I hope I try to do that, in my own small way.

Random notebook scribbles

• parenthood - transition episode
• TP, black pen, hairbrush

List  - LA driving

• phone
• weather
• smoking
• music
• IQ
• personal vanity

met a dream man on the bus - Ed Hardy shirt, grey camo pants, cowboy hat  & white tracky jacket #not (i thought this would make Candace laugh)

• Show idea with comedians ( no other note - maybe Dinner for 5)

• King Leary - “the director has been taking Hitler lessons

• Ben Kingsley “Birders Guide to Everything” 

• the Dad who parked his SUV across sidewalk/drive to buy Doritos at gas station might be biggest twat in LA

 - i will take flawed & accessible over technically perfect but removed from emotion any day

Music

Was hunting through some old emails and found a conversation about when I was sharing music here on Mondays. Starting it up again & going to continue.  It's always been music that's making me happy & I will continue on that theme. Today's choice might then seem a bit odd or dark but I know how much this song means to #StephenFearing and it's a great live version with Serena Ryder via #CBCMusic so there you go. That all makes me happy.

Black Sheep (live)

Change is Constant

I'm continually astonished at how much I love Los Angeles and grow to even more with every passing day.
It feels like home in a way that few other places do (Baltimore & Hamilton). You're probably thinking with my love of movies, music, entertainment it's not that strange but it's really other things. I'm seriously disinterested in the celebrity business & media whores are one of my least favourite things about the city.
It's the sun & the history & the buildings & the art & the food & the people. It's things you could only learn by coming here with an open mind and an open heart.  It is so much more than what you think.

It's gotten to my bones & my brain & my writing & all I create. I hope to continue to show & share that love in all I do.  I can't imagine living anywhere else. That may change & I certainly still do love to travel but this feels like a home.  I lived in Chicago for 11 years & did not feel like my skin fit for one single day.

I'll be honest. It's pretty dire at the moment.  My absolute least favourite part is how tough it is to find work of any sort. If my resume said I was a 25 year old actress wannabe who'll call in twice a week for auditions I'd probably stand a better chance.

But I remain determined. There's a fairly good chance I'll be sleeping under that Hollywood sign by the weekend.  You might think I'm crazy or stubborn or whatever and you may be right. But it's time to look everyone square in the face & remind them they're supposed to love me for who I am. And this is it.  I've spent most of my life worrying about other people being happy & giving up on things to make that so.
It's a tough line & I will continue to do my best to never be selfish.  I hope this doesn't sound like I am. But I have to make choices that keep  me sane and moving forward.
This is that choice.
Thanks for listening.

The Ballad of Mary Webster

                             The Ballad of Mary Webster

T’was in Harrison House in Battle Creek In the State of Michigan, brother,

   That a maiden stood with a comb in one hand And a pair of shears in the other.

“That’s it,” she exclaimed as she finished the job; “I’ll find a new spot on this sphere

   Where a new type of work will earn money in gobs And the weather is cold

most all year!

I have seen how Kellogg’s makes Corn Flakes, How ships go through locks at the Soo

   How Ford makes autos at Dearborn And the malls of Kalamazoo

But I never have seen any mountains! No ocean’s come under my gaze!

   I’m going to climb in my Cutlass And just drive northwest for days!”

So Mary did climb in her Cutlass With sleeping bag, grubstake and gear.

   “Goodbye,” she called as she headed north, “I’ll stay for at least a year.

I may prospect for gold in the valleys Or hunt in the mountains for bear

   Or get a job on a fishing boat, Just anything but curl hair!

I’ll call when I get to Alaska Where the air’s unpolluted and clear

   For the natives are friendly and helpful And I’ll make it in no time, have no fear.”

From Mackinac Bridge she rolled westward Through woodland, o’er rivers

and plains

And great stretches of mountainous scenery “Til she came to the city of Haines;

And there the long highway ended. “How can I reach Juneau?” asked Mary.

   “You’re in luck,” the station man answered, “Tomorrow’s the day for the ferry.”

“I must stop this outflow of money, And establish an income real soon.

   These motels are draining my grubstake.” mused Mary as she looked at the moon.

“First a phone call to tell them I made it, And see if my puppy’s okay;

   Then into that big boat for Juneau! At last I have gotten away!”

So into the Capital city At the meeting of mountain and sea

   Drove Mary and found an apartment On Mt. Roberts side by a tree.

And now to the employment office; What will be her new line of work?

   “How are your typing and shorthand? Can you sew quite well?” asked the clerk.

There’s a hairdresser needed in Glacier Village, Just north of here at M’Lady’s

   “It’s for me,” cried Mary delighted, Jumped into her Cutlass and drove like Hades.

In M’Lady’s Salon in Juneau In the State of Alaska, brother, 

   Mary stands with a comb in one hand And a pair of shears in the other.

“It’s a pretty good life after all,” smiled Mary, “Even better than fish or hunt bear;

   I’ve an ocean and mountains to look at And I don’t really mind curling hair!”

by Olive Webster

Cole slaw

Asian cole slaw

 - green cabbage
 - purple cabbage
 - carrots
 - water chestnuts
 - sesame seeds
 Feel free to add snap peas or other veg if you like.   I stick with crispy stuff. Bamboo shoots work fine. a scallion is good too but onion is too strong


marinade:

 - rice wine vinegar (about a cup, depending on quantity of veg you're using)
 - stir in honey, at least a tsp but a bit at a time & let it set. it takes awhile for the flavour to marry. keep stirring
 - a tsp or so of sesame oil. it's a bit opposite of a vinaigrette. you don't want it oily like salad.
 - a tsp or so of  crushed ginger

all really just to personal taste.  keep in mind the vinegar will sort of cook the cabbage so depending if you want crispy or not, add marinade less than an hour before serving