Just another day to me

Nope.  You didn’t miss it.  This year I removed my birthday from FaceBook.  Why would I do that?  I’m not big on my birthday.  I don’t get excited about it.  It’s just a day.  Do I take advantage to claim that I ‘need’ to have time so I can sneak out for Star Wars? Go to a Giants game? Go out for dinner?  Sure.  Otherwise, I’m really busy this time of year.  You’re really busy this time of year.  And, while I loved your notes if you chose to write one, I’m just as appreciative of you if you didn’t. 

Make no mistake, this is about me, and so it will likely appear conceited or extremely self-serving…or controlling.  However, I couldn’t imagine walking around the street and stopping everyone I know on a first name basis and telling them when my birthday is.  That seems odd, no?  Isn’t that what a forced broadcast on FaceBook is?   

"Hey…you…I know we don’t correspond other than “liking” each other’s posts on a bi-monthly basis, but I wanted you to know that I saw your reminder that it’s your birthday and I didn’t want to be the peripheral friend who didn’t write something…lest our mutual friend see that I didn’t write anything at all (how embarrassing would that be?)  And, you’re only at 93 birthday wishes, yet you have clear over 400 friends, so I wanted you to know that you can count on me to up your percentage of reminded responses." 

I know that’s not really how you see it.  Again, sometimes FaceBook is more than numbers.  Sometimes it’s not.  But, we’re all busy (as previously mentioned), so I left it off.  It’s kind of an experiment and certainly there are many others who prefer to be...should be recognized on their special day.  I prefer to earn your attention on social media based on creative blog entries or photos I post or, god forbid, my opinions or views that we disagree on.  Personally, I'm hoping that you're all watching what I post to the group I love “Weather for Immature Adults.” It's titillating! (See what I did there?  #selffulfillingprophecy) 

Anyway, I had a birthday.  If you missed it and didn’t want to, I’ll have another one.  But, if you were busy, stay busy.  This time of year, and this year in particular, we need to be extra good to each other.  And, seeing how next year is starting to unfold, see if you can’t carry that forward.  Let’s stay on each other to be busy and do good.  Have a lovely Holiday season whatever your holiday is.  And, I hope you get to spend it with the people you’re busiest with. (Cue wildly inappropriate song by Sean Paul "Get Busy.")

Broad Suggestions

I'll admit it.  I watched Hairspray Live in its entirety.  Why?  Two words, Martin Short.  That said, his roll was diminished and unimpressive, but had clear flashes of Ed Grimley.  It got me thinking, with this trend of airing live productions (albeit canned and without the benefit of either a "real" live audience or laugh-track), where does it end?  I had some thoughts about other revivals they may want to consider that have, probably, been beaten to death.

Guys & Dolls - Yes, I know that this show has had so many incarnations to it...from the original Broadway show to the 1955 movie with Sinatra...to a Rat Pack soundtrack in 1964...to its revival in 1992 and then a Carnegie Hall review starring Nathan Lane (again) and Meghan Mullally.  That said, we could jazz it up for modern day with revamped hip beats and have Harry Connick Jr. play Sky Masterson and Lady Gaga play Adelaide.  No?

How about The Music Man...starring Neil Patrick Harris as Harold Hill, Kal Penn as his conniving associate (think "Bollywood" for Shipoopi) and a way-too-old Macaulay Culkin as the little boy lisper.  Wells Fargo Wagon never sounded so good!  No?

OK, what about Hedwig and the Angry Inch...J.K. Rowling's latest foray into live theater showcasing Hedwig's trials and tribulations as Harry's letter carrier Owl and his search for his own sexual identity after a grooming mishap at Hogwart's owlry!  All set to music provided by the John Williams Glam Rock Orchestra.  Hedwig's obviously played by Idris Elba.

No?

OK, I promise, this is my last one: Camelot, starring Gilbert Gottfried as Lancelot...only because there's more singing...by the second act, if you don't have a headache you're doing it wrong.  King Arthur would be played by the resurrected body of Robert Goulet (who else?); Merlyn would be played by Ellen DeGeneres...you know, for comedic effect. 

A boy can wish...now I've got "If ever I could leave you" being sung by Gilbert's impression of an old Groucho Marx followed by his impression of a Jewish vampire...followed by his impression of Jerry Seinfeld.  All for one low low price!  Priceless!