Monthly Archives: February 2023

Monday, February 27, 2023 -My Anesthesia

During my convalescence from hip surgery, I watched many movies at 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM. If you have every had surgery with a general anesthesia, you know it really messes with your sleep patterns. Sidebar: Little known historical fact – Anesthesia was Anastasia of Russia’s first cousin.

I thought it would be motivational to watch a movie with dancing – you know to get back on my feet again. I think people who can sing are great. I think people who can dance are great. But people who can sing AND dance at the same time are just unbelievable. The movie I watched at least three times is:

CHICAGO

Chicago is a 2002 American musical black comedy crime film based on the 1975 stage musical of the same name which in turn originated in the 1926 play of the same name.

Did you know the play and the movie were based on real events? These two would become the inspiration for Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Unfortunately, they were not able to pull off a bob or a marcel wave like their movie portrayals did.

https://blog.strazcenter.org/2018/09/11/he-had-it-comin/?amp=1

When opening strains of that jazz trumpet play All That Jazz, I just go weak all over. As I watched (and sometimes sang along) I wondered which part I would play best. Would it be Velma Kelly, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones? Or would it be Roxie Hart played by Texas’ very own, from Katy, Texas, Renee Zellweger? I could probably be an okey understudy for Velma Kelly. In my anesthesia induced brain, I can envision no one but Jenny Lee Wax to play Roxie Hart. But I am confident that I would steal the spotlight as Mama Morton.

In addition to Zeta-Jones and Zellweger the film stared Queen Latifa as Mama Morton and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn – all of whom were nominated for Academy Awards!

But we are talking about singing and dancing. Richard Gere learned to tap dance for the scene when the jury is out. I always wanted to step, ball, shuffle.

But it is the Bob Fosse based opening number by Catherine Zeta-Jones that just takes my breath away. Granted, Ginger Rogers danced everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. Catherine Zeta-Jones not only does that but she was three months pregnant when she played Vera Kelly in Chicago. She would go on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Chicago and Chicago would win best picture.

Now I am going to work on my sheba shake …

Oh, you’re gonna see me
Sheba shimmy shake
And all that jazz

Oh, she’s gonna shimmy
Till her garters break
And all that jazz…

Friday, February 24, 2023

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND -HERE’S WHAT I’M THINKING

The last post was 14 months ago – December 2021. So what have I been doing since that time? I think I have repressed much of that time frame.

From January 1 (and months before) until August 30, I did a great deal of sitting. Sitting because it hurt to walk because my hip finally wore out. So on August 30, 2022, I had hip replacement surgery. I absolutely detest getting old. Golden Years, my now scarred butt! Body parts do not work as they once did. But thanks to a wonderful orthopedist (Aggie football, Class of ’99), a group of personal trainers and therapists, and unbelievable help from family, friends and neighbors, I healed very fast. I used a walker for about a week. Now it makes a great clothes hanger. I walked with a cane for about three weeks. I named the cane Sugar. I started to name it Citizen, but figured no one would get it. I stopped using the cane when I hit myself in the mouth with it and busted my lip. I took that as a sign. If February had 30 days, it would be my sixth month anniversary.

That fall college football began. Georgia again won the National Championship and Texas A&M finished last behind Vanderbilt in the SEC.  How much is the buyout?

Women’s basketball season began a new coaching era with former Georgia women’s basketball coach, Joni Taylor replacing Gary Blair. I have no idea how I was selected, but on a Monday, I received an email asking if I would be home on the following Thursday because my season basketball tickets would be delivered to my house by a member of the team. Sure enough Coach Joni Taylor shows up at my front door!!

I did not know who it was. When I asked and she said, “I’m Coach Taylor,” I jumped and screamed and hollered and danced like an idiot, making a wonderful impression, I’m sure. Again, I don’t how it came to be, but I doubt my annual $112 donation had anything to do with it. However, it will be my NIL photo.

It was not a good season for the Ladies. Lot’s of energy, lots of injuries, but lots of hope and lots of potential. When you only have seven players available for nine games and three of those are freshman, it is hard to beat an intramural team. But on the men’s side  – Bring It ‘Bama!!! The lack of football created a basketball frenzy on campus.

What else? Oh I wrote a book for my family. I wrote about family, friends and life called My Stories – You’re’sToo! I think they enjoyed it.

But then I wrote another book. This is a book of short stories called They’re Not Crazy – They’re Southern. I am hoping for a May release on Amazon.

Speaking of writing books, if you are an animal lover and especially if you love yorkies, please consider purchasing The Yorkie Who Sings at Midnight by my Sweet Potato Queen Friend, Janne Swearengen. From the back of the book “If you’ve ever given your heart to any animal, especially a rescued animal, this book will speak to you.” It will speak volumes. Make a difference and buy the book!!

That’s all for now. It is the first Friday of Lent so I must find something to eat that did not previously walk on legs on the ground. Gig ‘Em!