The Wiz Is On Baby!

Looks like my wish was granted. The Wiz is going to be NBC's next live musical production! It is set to air in December. But wait it gets better. Along with the TV version, a revised live stage production, set for Broadway, is also in the works. And, the production team is partnering with Cirque Du Soliel. Joy and rapture! Click here for more details.

I still standby my recommendations for casting I shared in a previous post. Click here for the list. However, I must add Stephanie Mills to the cast. I can see Ms. Mills doing an awesome job as Aunt Em.

Yet Another State Setting Themselves Up

Representative Bob Ballinger of Arkansas, right, was among the bill’s sponsors who dismissed amendments to the measure. CreditDanny Johnston/Associated Press

The following comment made by a NYT's reader summed it all up for me. Basically, the mediocre and bigoted are flexing their muscle in certain states. 

K Henderson

 is a trusted commenter NYC 4 minutes ago

State government in action is rarely a pretty sight.

In my home state, the (cough) lawmakers there are mostly composed of the C students from my highschool. The A students often left to NYC, Boston and CA and never. came. back.

BTW, doesn't Ballinger look suspect? If this bill is signed into law, I wonder if he is going to be smiling when civil rights law suits are filed by the folks that were mistreated, due to the business owners that use this law to discriminate.

What a colossal waste of time!

Nice Place To Visit, But....

I am in awe of this image above. It is the Popocatepetl Volcano in Mexico. The volcano's activity has increased moderately. Umm, if I lived near it, I would get to packin'.

Joan River's Penthouse

I needed to take a mental diversion. It has been one of those days. So, I am looking at luxury listings and came across the penthouse that was home to Joan Rivers for many moons.

Check out the listing by clicking here.

Ms. Rivers lived the good life!

Annoyed Monkey

Why me? So, today I find out that when my accountant went to e-file my tax returns, someone else had beat me to the punch!

Yes, good people, some slime-ball of a human has stolen my SS # and filed a tax return.

Now, I have to wait 180 days for the IRS to sort this mess out. Well, I hope it will be only 180 days. Lord give me strength!

I'm 47 and I Can Kick and Stretch

Yesterday, I celebrated my 47th year on this planet. As I do every year, let me share a few more things I learning on this journey:

• young people will usually do what they want to do, despite an elder's excellent advice
• unfortunately folks in position of power are rarely the best, brightest, or most qualified
• a healthy baby is a blessing to a family because he or she renews hope and reminds adults of their journey
• it is important to have a friend or confidant that is at least 10-15 years older than you
• somethings are destined to be, and most things happen for a reason
• I don't trust people that don't fess up to functioning on some level of  cray-cray
• everything old, is new again
• showing up for life is everything

Leonard Nimoy's Turn At Metamorphosis

Leonard Nimoy has passed on. I have to say he lived longed and prospered.

My earliest memory of seeing Leonard Nimoy as Spock was of me being shocked that an actual alien from another planet was on TV. He fooled me. I respect him for realizing he had created such an iconic character, in his role as Spock, that he would forever be remembered for that role.

With dignity and respect for the character, he played Spock several times over in a few of the Star Trek film reboots. He was such a good sport about his Spock and Star Trek legacy. Travel on Mr. Nimoy.

NBC Needs To Ease The Wiz On Down to the Studio

I know it's old news, but supposedly NBC is considering doing a live version of the legendary musical The Wiz. Let me tell you all kinds of good feelings washed over me, I remember this show when it was on Broadway. I never got to see it live on stage, but knew the soundtrack.

Well, I am hoping the stars align and all will be set to bring this show back to the masses. I loved the movie version, although as I got older I wished the original Dorothy on Broadway, Stephanie Mills, would have been cast as Dorothy in the movie.

While in that train of thought about casting. Here is is my 2015 dreams cast for The Wiz:

Glenda - Audra McDonald (She never has a bad turn in any role. Plus, she can bring that angelic voice.)

Evilene - Jill Scott (Ya know Jill has woke up and said more than once in her life time, "don't nobody bring me no bad news." Her voice is powerful and she can act.

Scarecrow - Usher Raymond ( I think Usher will have fun with the physicality of the role.)

Tin Man - Don Cheadle (He rocked it as Sammy Davis Jr. and I am sure can do a mean tap routine)

Cowardly Lion - Jamie Foxx (Now, who else can sing and bring the comedy better than Jamie?)

Now, I am stuck with a choice for The Wiz and Dorothy! Anyone has suggestions for these two roles?

Noisy Baby Monkeys

So, lately I have been utilizing the computer labs at the university. I tend to get more work done, by being in a space dedicated to learning. When I am at home I procrastinate and have a hard time staying focused on my work.

Well, it seemed like a good idea to use the space and resources at school. However, now that the semester is up and running I am noticing that all the twenty-something students that surround me tend to chat, giggle and gossip. I find it amazing they can get any work done.

I haven't said anything, because I am pretty sure I would have done the same at their age. I am going to bring my cushy headphones to the labs just to diminish the ambient sound a bit. Yes, I have become that older and bit grumpier monkey that wants the baby monkeys to pipe down.

Hey, 'Memba When Allan Use to Post on the Regular?

Good People,

I have been MIA for several months now. Well, actually I've been reading and enjoying your blogging. Renee, Viktor, Michael, et. al., ya be doing it! However, I have been letting the grass grow long, and the dust collect on my own blog.

I assure you it has nothing to do with any major drama, or illness, or disinterest. Gracias a dios. The simple reason is my old ass laptop has been giving me problems when it comes to posting. I am well overdue for an upgrade. However, I need a new sofa first. Priorities!

So, I plan on posting from my lovely computer lab, at my lovely university. BTW I am so digging my TESOL masters program. I am four courses in, loving my cohort and doing well. I will see this journey all the way to the end. I got a lot of guardian angels and the grit to make it happen.

I have also been working really hard to give my K-4 students, at my ever so lovely school, the best that I can give them. They motivate me to bring my pedagogical skills to new levels, and they crack me up! The things that come out of the mouths of those babes.

I have so much on my mind and need to extract things out carefully and in an orderly fashion. I gotta ease back into my blogging with  some form of grace and decorum. It would not be cute for me to mentally vomit all over the place. So, please keep an eye out for my future posts.

Peace,
Allan

My Summer Soundtrack

It been far too long since I shared some music with you good people. Here are some tracks that have kept me chugging along during the summer. I just finished teaching during Summer School, and now my vacation officially begins.

Peace and Love!

Sires of Lesbos - Long Days, Hot Nights: I am getting that ol' skool house vibe off of this track.



Sam Smith - Money On My Mind: The perfect track when you are just walking down the street and taking in the human race. 



Hercules & Love Affair ft. John Grant - I Try To Talk To You: I do my Wonder Woman spins to this song.



Jamie xx - Sleep Sound: I first got into this dude after I heard his  fierce remix of Adele's Rolling In The Deep. This track will take you on a journey.

Random Thoughts

I realized that I have not been sharing certain experiences. Here is my attempt to catch you guys up on some of my adventures.

• I've been experiencing a lot of loss these past several months. I lost a beloved aunt, an uncle and Gino. I had my moments when I cried about the loss, but then I was able to feel at peace, because, Marcos has showed me on several occasions, that we all will transition to a place for rest and then metamorphosis. 
• While providing homebound services to a student, I over hear the mom, in the kitchen, say to her friend, "If you are going to prostitute yourself, do it for you, not for a man. God forgive me for what I had to do to pay rent, but if you are gonna prostitute, do it for you. Don't do it for a man. If you have a man he is suppose to be taking care of you." Luckily, the 10 year-old student was totally focused on his math worksheet. I, on the other hand, turned beet red.
• So, I came out my face to a yungin in the family. I thought I was being this pull no punches, adult. I thought I was going to get across to him by laying down the law. After I found out he was really upset with me, I apologized. We shook on it and I thought all was good. Well, now he aint talking to me. And, now I feel sad about it. 
• Still feeling like as I get older, I get better. I roll with it and take action, in order to keep on rolling. 

Rescue This Dog...He is ready to love you. FAB UPDATE!

Hello Good People,

On a recent visit to the vet, I met a wonderful dog named Midnight. He is up for adoption. 8 months old, mix breed, really gentle and needs a loving home. His picture is below.  

The good Dr. Padilla, June and Linda are taking care of him over at the West Haven Animal Clinic. They would be more than happy to introduce you to see if you are the right mom or dad for Midnight. Call them at 203-934-3528 to set up a meeting.

Please pass this post on to anyone you know that lives in CT and values the companionship of a loyal and loving dog.

Midnight was adopted today! Halleloo!

Action is the foundational key to all success.

Pablo Picasso

Gino's Turn At Metamorphosis

So, in a recent post, I had shared a story of Marcos coming for a brief visit. In that post I placed a picture of him with Gino, that was taken on Easter Sunday.  They looked so good together.

Shortly after, Gino was acting strange and seemed a bit out of sorts. I then remembered an old superstition that advises one not to display a picture containing a person that has passed with a being that is living.

According to the superstition, having that picture on display will make the person that has passed miss the living being in the picture, and the Universe will bring them back together. So, me being scared about losing Gino,  I changed the picture in the post.

The following days Gino became worse, and once again lost mobility in his rear legs. I took him to the vet yesterday for treatment. The vet had recommended Gino spend the night, which he has done before while under this treatment. I agreed and told Gino, "I will see you tomorrow."

Later that night, I had a dream with Marcos. He was in a car, with two doors, and was chillin' in the backseat. The passenger side door opened and Marcos pushed the, front passenger seat forward. It seemed he was making room for me to enter. Marcos had a sweet smile on his face.  As I walked towards the car, something distracted me and next thing I knew I woke up. I then thought what a strange dream.

Well, good people, at 10:30 am, I received a call from the vet telling me "Su hijo esta muerto."  Yup, it was time for Gino's turn at metamorphosis. I had a good cry. Then realized Marcos came in the car to take Gino on his favorite adventure, a car ride!

Thank you Gino for keeping me alive and happy during the painful first-year after Marcos' passing. You were an old dude, but you hanged in there with me. I love you! Now, go have fun with Marcos and Luna.

And Marcos, I apologize for letting my fear turn into a selfish act. You waited long enough to be reunited with Gino. xoxo Enjoy!

A LIttle Kiki with the Family Circus

I use to love reading the Sunday comics when I was a kid.  Some of my favorites were Peanuts, BC, Garfield and Family Circus. 

Marcos Makes Another Visit

Yesterday, on Linda's porch, we talked about Marcos. It was his birthday. I said to her, "He will always be a part of me." Linda said, "Yes, that's true. Look! He just touched me!" Linda shows me her forearm. "I have goosebumps! He is with us now!" Wow! How you continue to show up whenever I need you.

BTW, papito I still preach the three lessons you taught me:

1. Get rid of your colonial mentality
2. Read more
3. When people reveal who they are, believe it.

Titi Maria's Turn at Metamorphosis

I lit a gardenia scented candle for Titi Maria in front of my altar last night. I said prayers and expressed my sincere appreciation for my Titi being a significant and essential part of my life. I was blessed to have her.

She then gently sent images to my mind that showed how she worked her beauty through out the years. She was fine, fashionable and about family. I will endeavor to carry her torch.

Btw, I recently made me spaghetti and Spam for dinner. This dish was one of her go to dishes when money was tight. Back in the day money was often tight. Titi Maria taught me the importance of making a dollar stretch in order to feed your family and take care of business.

When I eat this dish I am reminded about how Titi's creativity was used to take care of the people she loved. She always worked her knowledge, talent and spirit in order to take care of all of us. She done taught me well.

Bien hecho Titi. Muchas Gracias.

I now have a grade A, top-notch, Wonder Woman of a guardian angel on the other side that has joined Marcos, James, Joselito, Willi Ninja, and others that I loved; that will guide me as I continue my journey.

Frankie's Turn at Metamorphosis

Go on Frankie! Thank you for giving my tribe the "church" we needed when we strutted into the Paradise Garage. Sometimes,  I turn to the sonic medicine you gave this lost queer boy, whenever I need healing.

All of my senses are re-activated when I remember the first time I walked into the Garage, while you played the House Music all night long.

I found my place in the GLBT world on Christopher St. and you gave us our soundtrack. I stomped to the beats because this baby wanted to ride.

I also remember meeting you at the Roxy one night. Willi Ninja and I went to the DJ booth to give you some love. I was so impressed that you were kind to us.

You then focused on giving the crowd the music they needed to feel connected while feeling fab and free.

Your work saved many lives, which in my mind makes your work divine. Now, papito go onto the divine and learn about how you mattered in this mortal coil.

I love you. I thank you. I have your music to sustain me.

With gratitude,
Allan

Haiiiikuuus! God Bless You

four seasons - spring

Spring-a-ling-a-ling!
Scent of la primavera
summons the robins.

backstabber

Tried to hide your lies
by stabbing me in my back.
My armor is truth!

cooking for others

As I united
the sweet and the savory;
my love stirred the pots.

homophobia's true root system - one

Gays going mainstream!
My skin shivers from the fear;
my child might turn.

Shirley Temple's Turn At Metamorphosis

Like so many others, I adored Shirley Temple films when I was a kid. She was a little living doll. Watching her act, sing and dance made me smile!

I give her props for transitioning into adulthood with a new found purpose after being such a mega-star in her youth.

Thank you Curly Top you were Our Little Girl for many Americans, with your Dimples and Bright Eyes that made many people Stand Up and Cheer! Baby Take a Bow, you will be remembered Now and Forever as The Little Princess.