A Christmas Carol, Act 1

Photos by Barbara Ann Meuers

I've been a closet ham ever since I can remember. I normally don't like to go without a shirt because some sneaky boar stamped Grade A on my back when I was about 17. Back then, coincidently, I had the "leads" in a musical called "Seventeen", another called "Babes In Arms", a play entitled "Don't Take My Penny", and the Gilbert and Sullivan classic operetta "HMS Pinafore".

Well, I ain't done squat since, although my wife, brothers, daughters, and close friends might tell you that I've been acting all my life, and can be pretty melodramatic about it all too. That is until last December. My friend Derrick, who is an oftentimes actor in community theater, told me they were looking for singing extras in the 7th Annual Greg Gasman production of "A Christmas Carol". Or, maybe I was eavesdropping as he was telling daughter Ashley and wife Rachelle about the call...I forget. Does that sound like a "chorus line"? Nope, it's the truth!

Apparently Gasman had heard of my previous great performances, because I didn't even have to audition. Or, maybe Derrick has great influence...I forget. Because he's done the play seven times, he keeps thinking of new ways or angles to put the thing across. This time, he's telling the story in the present at a party he's hosting on the left side of the stage, and the classic tale is taking place on the right side of the stage. It was a great time.

Some of the songs I quote aren't from Christmas.  Because we aren't living in the southern hemisphere, it's six months or so 'til Christmas. Sorry. I'll probably bore you to death with all the photos I've got, but being as full of myself as I am, I must document my "comeback" career in acting. And it's been working, after my resurgence on the stage, I got a movie role playing a fellow named Lewis Cass.  Look it up. Suppose I'll be reviving my singing and dancing career too. So this is one of four. Hang on. 

I'm a little nervous at the beginning, so I keep my head to the back of my camera. Wait, that doesn't make sense. See how nervous I am?

My talent must have oozed out, because the director has decided to use me not only as a "party singer/extra", but now I'll be on the right side of the stage too as a dancer. I search for an appropriate costume.

By george, I think I've found it. I'll look good in a gray penguin suit, yup ah will.

Looking through the window from back stage. This is still a rehearsal, that's why nobody is in the audience. Well, there are some bodies, but they're part of the crew.

Music director Karen, goes over a few numbers with the trio. That's Ashley in the center.

Just how does one wassail? Is it a verb? A noun? A strange past tense of boating?
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,

No, this isn't Santa Claus, he the director Greg who is actually playing himself telling the story about Cratchit and Co.

There's Derrick er, Bob Cratchit, maybe he's amazed at the singing style of Ebenezer's niece. That's Eben's niece sir.

The ghost of Christmas past is freaking out old Scrooge. Serves him right. He's kind of a scrooge.

Here's the Ghost of Christmas Present, (well yeah, duh) Kari Lou is in a play now.


Hey Carrie Anne what's your game now

Can anybody play~The Hollies

A penguin doing the dosey doe? I almost tipped over.

Rebalanced. Phew. No more penguin walk, although still look a bit like Opus. Here we come awaddling among the leaves so green...


(I'm gonna) walk like a man
Fast as I can
Walk like a man from you
I'll tell the world to forget about it girl
And walk like a man from you.~Frankie Valli

That's Ashley in front with Fezziwig, Rachelle and I are to the rear. I never did do this without mistake, but who cares, who knows?


Friends won't learn the truth from me
I don't want their sympathy
You go to parties, dances and shows
I still love you but no one knows.~Dion and the Belmonts 

Rachelle and I work are way to the front of the dance line, so Barb can get a better pic.

The dancers have a seat, while Fezziwig tells a tale, much to the amusement of all.

Ho, ho, ho! You know what's weird? I always thought reindeer had hooves, not paws.


Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?

Part of the choreography was pointy fingers.

Bloody Mary is the girl I love.

Now listen, do you want to know a secret? Yeah, well Barb put a bell around my neck so I couldn't sneak up on anybody. Jeesh. Shhhh.

High five.


Ho, ho, ho! 
Who wouldn’t go! 
Ho, ho, ho! 
Who wouldn’t go! 
Up on the rooftop 
Click, click, click 
Down thru the chimney with 
Good Saint Nick 

The chorus line.

Poor Derrick, er Bob. He's got lines to memorize. What a thespian, studying in the lobby. Look how dedicated he is.

Because it's hard for me my baby 

And the darkest hour is just before dawn 

Each night before you go to bed my baby 

Whisper a little prayer for me my baby 

And tell all the stars above 

This is dedicated to the one I love~The Shirelles

History of Aki Giizhigad (Earth Day)

Aki Giizhigad means Earth Day in Ojibwe. It is my belief that the most important issue before the world is the environment. Without a healthy environment, there will be no life. The reason I use the Ojibwe words is because this is a cultural ethic of America's Indigenous peoples. Although the Ojibwe in Minnesota are in the midst revitalizing their culture, language...and ecology, I believe we better learn and re-learn with them. This is what I refer to in a post on my other blog - Indian Country: Through the Eyes of an Irishman - as kindling the 8th fire.  Take a look: http://omakakii.blogspot.com/2010/09/prophecy-of-seven-fires.html

I have a rare college degree. I have a BS from BSU, surprised? I didn't think so. That's not so rare, but the rest is.  My major was Communication Media with an Environmental Interpretation Emphasis. Phew! So the idea (pre Reagan) was that the DNR could use some good P.R., duh. So, off and on I've done what I could to promote good stewardship of Mother Earth.

While doing a story on Earth Day at the Red Lake Indian Reservation, I looked into the history of Earth Day and how it all began.

Earth Day and the Rise of Environmental Consciousness

I WILL ORGANIZE A CLEAN-UP IN MY COMMUNITY AND PICK UP LITTER WHENEVER I SEE IT....~Earth Day Tenet 

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is the annual U.S. celebration of the environment and a time for Americans to assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet. Earth Day has no central organizing force behind it, though several nongovernmental organizations work to keep track of the thousands of local events in schools and parks that mark the day. It affirms that environmental awareness is part of the country’s consciousness and that the idea of protecting the environment — once the province of a few conservationists — has moved from the extreme to the mainstream of American thought.

Ohio’s Cuyahoga River Caught on Fire

This was not always the case. In the 19th century, Americans, blessed with a vast land rich in natural resources, lived with the notion that fresh fields were always just over the horizon. When one exhausted the soil or forests or coal of a given place, it was possible to move on to another. As industry boomed in the early 20th century people accepted without question skies blackened from smokestack emissions and rivers fouled with industrial waste. As early as the mid-1930s — and again in the 1950s — Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, running through America’s industrial heartland, was set ablaze by burning chemical waste from factories built upon its banks. There was no public outcry. Few people even noticed.

During the 1960s public attitudes began to change. In 1962 a marine biologist named Rachel Carson published Silent Spring. The title referred to a future without birds and described in plain language devastating long-term effects of highly toxic pesticides and other chemical agents then commonly used in American agriculture, industry and daily life. The book was a surprise bestseller. 

In 1968 Apollo astronauts, returning from their pioneering orbital flight around the moon, photographed the planet Earth as a whole for the first time. This image of the Earth — small, fragile, beautiful, and unique — quickly was imprinted on the psyches of millions. In 1969 industrial runoff in the Cuyahoga River again caught fire. This time the public reaction was immediate and intense. In that same year the U.S. Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), establishing a “national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment.”


ORIGIN OF EARTH DAY

Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin and a longtime conservationist, was one who understood that the methods developed for use in the anti-war protest could succeed in other areas as well.  “It suddenly occurred to me, why not have a nationwide teach-in on the environment? That was the origin of Earth Day.”


Nelson returned to Washington and began promoting Earth Day to state governors, mayors of big cities, editors of college newspapers and, importantly, to Scholastic Magazine, which is circulated in U.S. elementary and secondary schools. In September 1969, Nelson formally announced that there would be a “national environmental teach-in” sometime in spring 1970.


“The wire services carried the story nationwide,” recalled Nelson. “The response was dramatic .... By December, the movement had expanded so rapidly that it became necessary to open an office in Washington to serve as a national clearinghouse for Earth Day inquiries and activities ....

“Earth Day achieved what I had hoped for. The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political arena. An estimated 20 million people participated in demonstrations across the country. Ten thousand grade schools and high schools, two thousand colleges, and one thousand communities were involved .... That was the remarkable thing that became Earth Day.”


Groundbreaking federal legislation followed the success of the first Earth Day. Then, in the wake of this legislative success, Earth Day seemed to disappear. Though annual celebrations continued, they failed to match the size and enthusiasm of the first year. 

Yet the spirit of Earth Day continued. Environmental organizations grew in size and power. Groups such as Greenpeace and The Nature Conservancy flourished.  Venerable institutions such as the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society vigorously brought suits against logging companies to slow the destruction of old-growth forests. 


At home, Americans, often prompted by their children, began to separate their household trash for recycling. By the late 1980s recycling programs were established in many communities. Corporations, ever conscious of the desires of the consumer — and the bottom line of profits — began to promote themselves as being environmentally friendly. 


RESURGENCE IN 1990

Earth Day came back in a big way in 1990. Led by Dennis Hayes, a primary organizer of the first Earth Day, Earth Day 1990 was international in scope. More than 200 million people around the world — 10 times the number in 1970 — participated in events that recognized that the environment had finally become a universal public concern. 


The 25th anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1995 was a time to assess environmental progress. In Western countries the news seemed good — air and water were cleaner, forests were expanding and many other environmental indicators were up as well. 


What began in 1970 as a protest movement has evolved into a global celebration of the environment and commitment to its protection. The history of Earth Day mirrors the growth of environmental awareness over the last few decades, and the legacy of Earth Day is the certain knowledge that the environment is a universal concern.

Remember the Classic “Keep America Beautiful” public Service Announcement, “The Crying Indian”? The classic public service announcement from the 1970’s came out of the Earth Day environmental movement against littering.  See the Full Commercial, Keep America Beautiful on YouTube at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM

On the wall in my office, it's really old.

0.14285714%: A Cynical View of Local Politics

I'm a little tardy with this post, it happened in early January. For that matter, I guess I'm a little tardy with posting a post at all, so tie me to the whipping post.

So back in the Spring of 2002, wife Barbara was looking for a part-time job. I almost kiddingly suggested she run for city council. She apparently found it somewhat intriguing but balked. I said, do it as a lark, or do it for real. Something must have been right, 'cause she went for it, people encouraged her, donated money, and the biggest thing, she enjoyed door knocking. Essential to win an election. Long story short, she won as the last ward was counted, beating a two-term incumbent for the at-large (entire city) position.

What's really amazing and a down right shame however, is she became only the 4th woman in city history to serve on a seven member council in existence since the mid-1890's...115 years or so. Thus the title of this post, 1/7th. Barb joined the 3rd woman ever elected, Nancy Erickson who represented Ward 5. Cameron McMahon was elected at-large back in the 50's or 60's, and Rosemary Given Amble served in the at-large position, I wanna say in the 80's.

So Barb served for eight years, and if you ask her that was just a bit too long. So here's some photos of her last meeting. The good part? Well hallelujah! Bemidji being the progressive city it is, elected it's 5th woman in history, keeping the council 0.14285714% female. Another woman ran who was the better man, in my view, for the at-large seat being vacated by Barbara. So sad, I don't think the electorate did it's homework. Nope, I don't.  Here goes.

No gold watch, but got a nice plaque and a corsage. Unfortunately, she was the only councilor to represent half the city on the issue of events centers, right down to the last meeting, while two others abandoned earlier. Barb consistently received kudos on her stand based on principle. Imagine that, principle.

Before the meeting and Barb's arrival, some sneaky person put this unassuming package on her portion of the council desk. The city clerk courteously marked the spot so no mistakes were made and given to some male councilor.

Councilor Meuers discovers the package, unwraps it, and then breaks into song and raps about flowers. She sang: 

Oh well I don't mind, if you don't mind

'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine

Before I go, can you read my kind?

Headin' to the trail, with the lonesome pines

Oh Kay, you shouldn't have. I never could pin those flowers on. You'd think that would be a skill more men would become more proficient.

Woman councilor #4 welcomes councilor #3. Councilor #3 after serving for eight years decided to run for mayor but was defeated by "big money special interest group" whom she scared the crap out of. One day...if I can scare up the energy, I'll tell that story. The story is one of the reasons why Barb had enough, and the story defeated a woman candidate too. The year? 2008.

Newly elected mayor wearing his political colors, visits with retiring mayor who made the mistake of running for state rep. He couldn't possibly have looked at a Blue Book. Funny thing about power. It exists if people believe it, and doesn't if they don't. 

Barb symbolically passes on her councilor's book to the person who will fill her seat, well...I mean sit in the same chair at the table. Good man who defeated a good woman who in my view who would have been a better councilor, but not a better tuba player.

A better exchange. Barb symbolically passes on the councilor's book to the 5th woman to serve on the Bemidji City Council, Rita Albrecht, an old friend who defeated a two-term male incumbent a la Barba-ra, to represent Ward 4.

Every single living female Bemidji City Councilor. (Well, two are married...but not to each other, illegal in Minnesota) Hell, there's more living US Presidents. Isn't it fun when we see them all together? Pictured: Woman Councilor #5 Rita Albrecht, Woman Councilor #3 Nancy Erickson, and Woman Councilor #4 Barbara Meuers.

Now Davy Crockett

He was the king of the wild frontier

I'd tame him down

If he had his old dead self here

Now Jesse James and Frank James

Baddest men in the land

We got some women who'd make 'em eat now,

Out of your hand

Now John Dillinger

The woman in red got him

Now teach all you hardies about a W.O.M.A.N.

Oww ow oww

I'm a W.O.M.  one A and a N

A woman

A woman ~Etta James

Two folks who represented the entire city. The retiring mayor, and the retiring Councilor at-large. A rare conjunction two years before 2012.

It's Over

All the rainbows in the sky

Start to weep, then say goodbye

You won't be seeing rainbows any more

Setting suns before they fall, Echo to you that's all that's all

But you'll see lonely sunsets after all

It's over It's over It's over It's over~Roy Orbison

Much to my amazement this group be visiting. Left to right; new councilor, old councilor, ex-councilor, and un-councilor. Notice how the men seem to be listening, or are they merely thinking? Which begs the question, what?

The defeated woman candidate from 2008 mentioned earlier, visits with the current city finance director. He must balance budgets and egos.

A Question of Balance

And he thought of those he angered,

For he was not a violent man,

And he thought of those he hurt

For he was not a cruel man

And he thought of those he frightened

For he was not an evil man,

And he understood.

He understood himself.

It's where we stop and look around us

There is nothing that we need.

In a world of persecution

That is burning in it's greed.~Moody Blues

City manager and notorious Gaea critic visits with two of his ex-bosses. City Manager removes infamous Gaia painted sculpture appropriately depicting female genitalia misnamed vagina over vulva, City Councilor in surgical strike of astute politic replaces said artwork, middleman mayor was the referee.

Gaia

Our Mother Earth 

The whispers suggest 

Her center is a smoldering molten core 

All consuming melt of fire 

  

I am skeptic of this witchery called science 

Imagining the center to have a heart much like mine 

  

Vulnerable and sore 

Vibrant muscle drumming in gratitude 

Capillary tunnels flowing out spreading life 

Her blood runs blue 

Into cavernous basins 

Crystalline grotto of incandescent hue 

  

Beating so profoundly 

Resonating to the whole, in a world that thrives on music 

In purity of tribal ritual to intricate unfurling of orchestral fantasia 

Echoes of hollow sharp brass cutting the steady pound to the march of war 

To serene fluid lickings of virgin fingertips caressing the strings of the harp 

Into the steamy moaning, dripping sex of onyx lips singing Mississippi blues 

  

Surging vibrations in vast myriad of artery carnations 

Fed by blood pumping of the same hallowed maternal heart 

  

~Written by Dragonyear

The line-up. Will the new council be the same as the old council?

Won't Get Fooled Again?

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around me

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

Don't get fooled again

No, no!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Meet the new boss

Same as the old boss~The Who

One of the last weird issues our flower child had to deal with was a 2 Ho Hum closing for a (wouldn't ya know it, related to development of the south shore) business who wishes to serve the drug C2H5OH. Some big business wanted to high pressure black mail "the people" into "if we don't get our way we will take our hotel and go home". Well, the new boss is the same as the old boss, although it didn't happen here, it did happen later under the new council, leaving one to one-duh, if money talks.

Money

The best things in life are free

But you can keep them for the birds and bees

Now give me money

That's what I want

That's what I want, yeah

That's what I want

You're lovin' gives me a thrill

But you're lovin' don't pay my bills

Now give me money

That's what I want

That's what I want, yeah

That's what I want

Money don't get everything it's true

What it don't get, I can't use

Now give me money

That's what I want~Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford

Trips. Woman Councilor #3 and Councilor #5 sandwich the retiring mayor's spouse.

The Law. The County Sheriff and the City Police Chief seem mildly amused that they seem to have no more influence over city council majorities than the majority of the people. Now why would not the people's "elected" reps give credence to the opinion of public safety employees allied with the local dram club?

You never give me your money

You only give me your funny paper

and in the middle of negotiations

you break down~Lennon/McCartney

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?

Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,

Others are blue.

It's the way you ride the trail that counts,

Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?

Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again. ~Dale Evans