Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

Living with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Physiologist (say that three times fast) leads to some very precise conversations when medical emergencies occur. Whether they are emergencies with positive outcomes (like my Mother’s multiple hospitalizations for congestive heart failure) or emergencies with negative outcomes like the sudden death of Michael Jackson (from cardiac arrest). All of the major news networks keep repeating that Michael Jackson was taken to UCLA Medical Center in full cardiac arrest which is NOT the same thing as a heart attack. The helpful newscasters tell us that heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is interrupted. Cardiac arrest is when the heart goes into ventricular fibrillation and ceases beating. Heart attack is plumbing. Cardiac arrest is electrical.

This evening, I learned that very few heart attacks are caused by prescription (or other) drug abuse while cardiac arrests (especially if there is no underlying coronary disease) are more likely to be caused by drugs (prescription or illicit) or chronic conditions like Anorexia. Several family acquaintances are coming forward to talk about Jackson’s effort on and desire for a wildly successful “comeback tour” which was supposed to start on July 13th. Staying in a rented house, Jackson had been reported to be working incessantly on the show. In a variety of interviews, people would say he was like Anna Nicole Smith, a casualty to fame, incessant drive and self-serving sycophants. IMHO, Anna Nicole Smith didn’t have the talent, stature or global impact that Michael Jackson did. So, perhaps Michael Jackson is this generation’s Elvis Presley.

I remember Elvis before he was fat; I remember when Elvis was all talent and sass and music. His voice blared from radios everywhere. We watched him on television, in movies and on concerts. And then he was obscenely famous. He became more isolated. The only people who were allowed near “The King” were the doctors and handlers who gave him whatever he wanted, whatever would keep him going, regardless of the consequences for his health. I saw a photo on the Daily Mail of Jackson on his 50th birthday (left) and was stunned at how emaciated he appeared in the photo. Frail. It was shocking. Lisa Marie Presley must have some interesting karma to have been touched by both of these remarkably talented, remarkably charmed, remarkably doomed men. Of course, this is the moment for the caveats … the official cause of death is yet to be determined, yet to be announced regarding Michael Jackson. At this point, it’s a collective web experience of the unexpected, premature passing of one of this generation’s most amazing musical talents.

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After a long (and sometimes public) battle with cancer, former CHARLIE’S ANGEL Farrah Fawcett died this morning. She was only 62 years old. She shot to fame in the late 70’s. I recall that golden halo of hair and that broad smile beaming down from the poster that seemed to be everywhere. Her beauty seemed to get in the way of her ability to be taken seriously in her chosen career. But then, in 1983, Fawcett earned critical-acclaim and much-deserved-respect when she replaced Susan Sarandon on Broadway in the play, EXTREMITIES. The story of a would-be rapist who turns the tables on her attacker. She followed in 1984 with a powerful performance as an abused wife in The Burning Bed. The highest-rated television movie of the year, the film brought the conversation about domestic abuse into the public dialog. RIP, Farrah.

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We spent the last to weeks working with Autodesk Maya. This time, it was at Phoenix Country Day School with students in grades 5 through 11. I am always amazed at how quickly and easily the students adapt to the logic of the software. Within a few hours, they were modeling with polygons, NURBs and subD’s. They were applying surface textures and animating their objects using keyframe and path animation. The thing they liked the most was Learning Maya 6 | Dynamics. They were building bowling alleys, fountains, mousetraps and Rube Golberg devices. It was inspiring, simply inspiring. I’ve read hundreds of (mediocre) Maya books. It’s hard to find good books. The BEST book out there on dynamics is actually published by Alias … and amazingly it was written for version six but it works just as well with the latest versions.

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Looking for great design articles and information? Not to mention links to textures, brushes, tutorials and more, check out DesignM.ag. I love it, love it, love it!

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JOURNALISM:

Public Service - Las Vegas Sun
Breaking News Reporting - The New York Times Staff
Investigative Reporting - David Barstow of The New York Times
Explanatory Reporting - Bettina Boxall and Julie Cart of the Los Angeles Times
Local Reporting - Detroit Free Press Staff and Ryan Gabrielson and Paul Giblin of the East Valley Tribune, Mesa, AZ
National Reporting - St. Petersburg Times Staff
International Reporting - The New York Times Staff
Feature Writing - Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times
Commentary - Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post
Criticism - Holland Cotter of The New York Times
Editorial Writing - Mark Mahoney of The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY
Editorial Cartooning - Steve Breen of The San Diego Union-Tribune
Breaking News Photography - Patrick Farrell of The Miami Herald
Feature Photography - Damon Winter of The New York Times

LETTERS, DRAMA and MUSIC:

Fiction - Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (Random House)
Drama - Ruined by Lynn Nottage
History - The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed (W.W. Norton & Company)
Biography - American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham (Random House)
Poetry - The Shadow of Sirius by W.S. Merwin (Copper Canyon Press)
General Nonfiction - Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon (Doubleday)
Music - Double Sextet by Steve Reich, premiered March 26, 2008 in Richmond, VA (Boosey & Hawkes)

A shout out to Ryan Gabrielson for winning a Pulitzer Prize … he was the reporter who covered the Maricopa Community College District during the whole scandal and retribution period. He was a great reporter. Congrats to him for all of his hard work!

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Out magazine just published their third annual list of “The Power 50: The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America,” which means it’s time for MOMBIAN’s third annual list of The Most Powerful Lesbian Moms in America.

“The definition of “power” is subjective, of course. For the purposes of this list, I considered it to mean someone who is known by a large cross-section of the population, within or outside the lesbian community, is at or near the top of her chosen profession, or who is in some other way a well-known personality and long-time influencer. I aimed for inclusion rather than exclusion, but tried to pick those whose impact in their fields or in the world at large is widespread and lasting. I intend this to be a fun list, not to be taken too seriously, so let me know if I’ve missed anyone you deem worthy.

I’m including the names of partners, even if one person is not as well known, in order to acknowledge the contributions of both people to their households and to each others’ achievements. (I may have missed a few partners, however, if their names are not public, and blurred matters if one partner came along when the children were older. I was not able to find last names and professions for a few others. Someday I’ll be able to hire that research staff.)

Out only has 12 women on their list, two less than last year, so I’m hoping my suggestions may help them find a better balance. If I can come up with the names of over 50 powerful people who are not only lesbians but also moms (a few less if we omit less-known partners), surely Out can add some more lesbians to its Power 50. Out gave more weight to political clout in all its picks, whereas I looked at overall clout, political or professional. And yes, the balance of power still swings male in our society, so maybe it’s not Out’s fault. But still, I can’t believe the balance is so skewed.

I’ll also add that we must each define success for ourselves. It may mean choosing to stay home with one’s children, or to forgo career advancement for the sake of one’s family. For those who strive to achieve in both career and family, however, these moms are inspirational.

Of course, the thing about motherhood is that your kids always think you’re the most powerful mom(s) in the world, and it’s their opinions that really matter.

In alphabetic, not rank, order by last name of the generally more well-known partner:

• Susan Arnold, former vice chair and president of global business units at Proctor & Gamble, and Diana Salter (profession unknown)
• Amanda Bearse, actor and director
• Elizabeth Birch, LGBT-rights advocate and former head of HRC
• Lisa Brummel, senior vice president for human resources, Microsoft
• Beth Callaghan, co-founder of Our Chart; director of Web operations, for technology site All Things D, and former editor-in-chief of PlanetOut
• Greta Cammermeyer, Colonel, Washington National Guard (ret.) and LGBT-rights activist, and Diane Divelbess, artist
• Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word
• Debra Chasnoff, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
• Mary Cheney, public relations executive, political campaigner, and vice-presidential daughter, and Heather Poe, former U.S. Park Ranger
• Cat Cora, “Iron Chef,” and Jennifer Cora (profession unknown)
• Judy Dlugacz, founder and president of Olivia, and Rachel (last name and profession unknown)
• Karla Drenner, Georgia State Representative
• Amy Errett, partner, Maveron (a venture capital firm), former CEO of Olivia, former chief asset gathering officer, E*Trade, and Clare (last name and profession unknown)
• Melissa Etheridge, musician, and Tammy Lynn Etheridge née Michaels, actor
• Jodie Foster, actor, and Cydney Bernard, film producer (I’m adding their names with the caveat that it is debatable whether Foster’s thanking of “my beautiful Cydney” during a speech in 2008 was meant as a coming out, and whether the two split later that year per tabloid rumors. Their children bear both their names, however, which to me is indicative enough to warrant their inclusion here.)
• Jenny Fulle, executive vice president of production and executive producer of Sony Pictures Imageworks, and pioneer in opening up Little League to girls
• Sara Gilbert, actor, and Alison Adler, TV producer
• Judy Gold, stand-up comedian and two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer of The Rosie O’Donnell Show
• Lisa Henderson, general manager, Olivia, and partner (name and profession unknown)
• Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, and Dr. Heather Berberet
• Nina Jacobson, film producer, currently at DreamWorks SKG, and formerly president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group
• Cheryl Jacques, administrative judge for the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, former head of HRC, and former Massachusetts State Senator, and Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council
• Jolie Justus, Missouri state senator
• Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Sandy Holmes (profession unknown)
• Honey Labrador, designer, television personality, and former model, and Nikki Flux, actor
• Annie Leibowitz, photographer
• Dr. Susan Love, president and medical director of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, and leader of the breast cancer advocacy movement, and Dr. Helen Cooksey, surgeon
• Del Martin (d. August 2008) and Phyllis Lyon, activists
• Mary Beth Maxwell, candidate for labor secretary and founding Executive Director of American Rights at Work
• Cynthia Nixon, actor, and Christine Marinoni, education activist
• Rosie O’Donnell, actor and television personality, and Kelli O’Donnell, founder of R Family Vacations and former Nickelodeon marketing executive
• Hilary Rosen political commentator and former head of the Recording Industry of America (RIAA)
• E. Denise Simmons, mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Mattie Hayes
• Kara Swisher, Wall Street Journal columnist, co-executive editor of technology site All Things D, and Megan Smith, vice president of new business development at Google
• Sheryl Swoopes, professional basketball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Alisa Scott, former basketball player and coach
• Linda Villarosa, author, journalist, public speaker, former editor of the New York Times and former executive editor of Essence Magazine, and Jana Welch, marketing executive”

The sort of list that would be unlikely to show up on Amazon.com … stop erasing us … visibility is vital.

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Inspired by the Rachel Maddow show, the GOP is LOST and in Exile, with Arizona Senator Jon Kyle at the front of the pack since he thinks Obama is unwise to appear on the Leno show.

Next, they’ll be upset Michelle Obama is putting a garden in the Whitehouse because it’s not proper either.

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“Dammit I’m Mad”

Dammit I’m mad.
Evil is a deed as I live.
God, am I reviled? I rise, my bed on a sun, I melt.
To be not one man emanating is sad. I piss.
Alas, it is so late. Who stops to help?
Man, it is hot. I’m in it. I tell.
I am not a devil. I level “Mad Dog”.
Ah, say burning is, as a deified gulp,
In my halo of a mired rum tin.
I erase many men. Oh, to be man, a sin.
Is evil in a clam? In a trap?
No. It is open. On it I was stuck.
Rats peed on hope. Elsewhere dips a web.
Be still if I fill its ebb.
Ew, a spider… eh?
We sleep. Oh no!
Deep, stark cuts saw it in one position.
Part animal, can I live? Sin is a name.
Both, one… my names are in it.
Murder? I’m a fool.
A hymn I plug, deified as a sign in ruby ash,
A Goddam level I lived at.
On mail let it in. I’m it.
Oh, sit in ample hot spots. Oh wet!
A loss it is alas (sip). I’d assign it a name.
Name not one bottle minus an ode by me:
“Sir, I deliver. I’m a dog”
Evil is a deed as I live.
Dammit I’m mad.

Palindromes read the same forward and backward. And, as they say on the internets … somewhere, ee cummings is crying.

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The Berlinale ended the 15th of February and I am pleased to report that Barbara Hammer’s short film A HORSE IS NOT A METAPHOR got the Teddy Award for Best Short. I am told we can read and see it in the Feb. 13 online video at Berlinale. If someone finds the link, forward it to me so I can post it. I first met Barbara Hammer at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival (my FIRST Sundance) following a panel discussion. She was inspiring and insightful. That year, Sundance programmed her film TENDER FICTIONS.

The links are in!

The link for the film is:
http://www.teddyaward.tv/2009/popup/video.asp?OzIID=18345&ObjKatID=125&ThemaKatID=1072

The link for the interview with Barbara is:
http://www.teddyaward.tv/2009/popup/video.asp?OzIID=18349&ObjKatID=125&ThemaKatID=1072
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According to the Berlinale Catalog, “Filmmaker Barbara Hammer fights ovarian cancer with visions of horseback riding and river swimming in her new experimental film A Horse Is Not A Metaphor. Hammer says she is a “cancer thriver as well as survivor” in this hopeful and densely layered personal work with music by composer Meredith Monk.”

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News from Camille Bloom:

* I am getting ready to head out on tour later this month, and even snuck in a show on the Big Island of Hawaii!! Tell your Island friends to come on out on Feb. 17th. This first tour will take me through some new territory - so feel free to spread the word to friends in the area. It always helps. Check out any of the links below to see tourdates of the Mid-west and NorthEast.

*I have been doing a big radio push for the newest album, and so far it is going really well. Please feel free to check any of the radio stations listed on my site and request away. Particular to Seattle, e-mail dj@kexp and request a track off the new album.

*Also - on an aside, I have begun working with schools to give two different writing workshops: Songwriting and The Business of Music. If you or someone you know is interested in either of these workshops, details are available on my Camille Bloom website.

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SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE began collecting awards on January 11 at the Golden Globes. On February 1, the Director’s Guild of America honored Danny Boyle for the film. Seems like the trend will continue at the Academy Awards this February 22nd. With all of the award attention, I figured I should watch it and see what was going on.

I really loved the film. It was extremely well-written. The editing was extraordinary. The music was incredibly fun. The acting was amazing. The kids were remarkable. I was moved to tears several times. The ending was powerful (even though a tad predictable). It’s light years ahead of many of the films I’ve seen lately.

Accused of cheating on his quest to win WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, Jamal must reveal to his torturers how he, a slum dweller, was able to answer all of the questions posed to him. In the telling of that story, we come to understand more of his life and his reason for being on the program. The writer cleverly withholds the result until the last possible moment. Yesterday, I read that a slum dweller from Mumbai was suing SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE for insulting the poor. I think the film makes people aware of the frightening choices children face in the slums. Lawsuits seem to be the “norm” in filmmaking these days. It is the current measure of success.

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This year, we received an awesome Christmas gift - a DVD copy of “The Land of Refuge“. I was the lucky one in the family who made it to Phoenix for the premiere. My husband Jeff did not. I wanted him to see the documentary right away, so when received the copy in the mail, I brought the laptop out to the kitchen and we decided to watch it while we ate supper. Well, I can tell you that “The Land of Refuge” captured his attention. He was totally focused as he watched the DVD. Jeff is quite a movie buff and he’s pretty critical about what does and what doesn’t entertain him. He likes the History Channel, so I thought he might enjoy the documentary.

Jeff has embraced technology, so at the conclusion of the documentary he spent quite some time drafting a detailed complimentary text message for Cyndi. Needless to say, he somehow pressed the wrong button and lost his message. The second draft went through. Cyndi was in New York at the time and she quickly responded with questions for Jeff. He would still be text messaging today in order to answer the questions. Not because there were so many questions, just because he had so many positive things to say. We opted for responding via email. He thinks they should talk to the History Channel. He so enjoyed the documentary. The entire evening was filled with a positive comments and praise. He was a very proud brother-in-law for sure!

I’ve been married to Jeff for over 30 years and when he is that vocal, it really has to be something because he’s a man of few words. Thanks for giving Jeff something to talk about!

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BY SANDY BOWE (CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI) — Cyndi celebrated her 52nd birthday on Friday. She celebrated by going out to lunch with mom and dad. She will extend her celebration through the weekend in Sedona. Cyndi - may I suggest a screaming contest at the top of your lungs while driving down the main street of town? That’s a great memory. Despite Alec being younger, he gave the girls a run for their money (his voice hadn’t changed yet). Or, perhaps a refreshing trip down Slide Rock (visual of Kevin doing this crazy activity).On another note, early this morning, I fell back to sleep and dreamt that they were showing “The Land of Refuge” at the Chippewa Theater. All of my sisters, nephews and nieces were there. I remember sitting next to Jerrod in my dream. Then, all I could hear was extremely heavy breathing/snoring. I looked next to me and an elderly man was sleeping. We moved to another section of the theater. Another very elderly man was breathing/snoring. We moved again, only to encounter another sleeper. Other people in the theater were getting annoyed with the elderly men who had fallen asleep, so finally the younger men in the theater drove them out. When I woke up, I realized that my dear husband was the heavy breather/snorer that had infiltrated my dreams. I must have been in one of those half-sleeping/half-awake phases.  I love my sis Cyn so very much and just want to wish her a happy birthday weekend!

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BY SANDY BOWE, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI — I had the pleasure of traveling to Arizona from Wisconsin last weekend for the premiere of THE LAND OF REFUGE. It was an experience I will never forget! I arrived on Friday, the day before the premiere. I knew how busy Cyndi was because she actually encouraged me to waste some time before I went to her house! She indicated that she had a few things to accomplish and I was more than happy to spend some time with my son, Christopher. When I got the green light from Cyndi, I made my way to her house, followed by a relaxing dinner at BJ’s. Good company, good food and good conversation filled our night. I could tell that Cyndi had a lot on her mind, but she was her usual “social butterfly” self, so it was a fun night. After dinner, Cyndi, Joyce, Chris and I jumped into the Echo (or was it that wonderful upgraded Jeep?) and I recall many moments of genuine laughter as we drove home. All I can say is “crocheted hats” and “Kissyfur”.

I spent the night at Joyce’s. My own room — I can’t say I missed that mattress on the floor at Cyndi’s! Saturday morning, I dropped Cyndi off at her house so she could work on final edits with Pamela Jo, the other writer/producer. When Pam arrived at Cyndi’s, it was a Pam I’d never seen before. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. I think that’s what she looks like when she’s nervous! I did get to hear her laugh before I left to visit my mom and dad, so I knew she’d be alright. After visiting my parents, Joyce met me at the Flea Market. She had never been there before - I couldn’t believe it. She had never been to one of my “Phoenix Top Five”.

It’s Showtime … we all know how Cyndi’s clock works … way different than the standard clock most of us use. However, the night of the premiere, our clocks were running the same! Imagine three women all getting cleaned up and ready for the red carpet in less than an hour - we did it! I was quite amused watching Joyce match her blacks and she was as nervous as Cyndi. I was totally excited. Howie (a.k.a. Alec) was still on Cyndi’s clock. He wasn’t quite as speedy as us, but he looked dang sharp! Cyndi, Joyce and I were the first to arrive at the theater (that’s a fact). We even beat Pam and her family! While they tended to details, I waited for my parents to arrive with their friends from Pleasant Valley so I could direct them to the theater. When my son Chris and his wife Sara arrived, we took our seats in the theater. Sitting there watching people fill the theater was a surreal experience. After a brief introduction on how the premiere would be similar to the format used at “Sundance” and “Tribeca” (I wondered how many people in the theater had been to either or both - I wasn’t one of them), the house lights went down and the film began.

I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary. I felt it was well researched (as evidenced by the gentleman who was quite impressed by the information Pam and Cyndi were able to find, when he himself, a relative has never been able to find). The music was great. I learned so much and I couldn’t help but wonder about this lifestyle I still don’t quite understand. At the conclusion of the documentary, questions were fielded from the audience. Pam and Cyndi received flowers from the Bowman family (very sweet gesture). I got to meet many of Cyndi’s friends. Some I met years ago, but hadn’t seen in quite some time, others it was the first time I was able to put a name to a face. What a great bunch of people! Immediately following the film, many audience members made their way to the “Coffee Rush” for refreshments and conversation. I was one of them, but I was famished (as was Gina). While dreaming of solid, life-sustaining food, I was entranced by the buzz of conversation around me. I think I may have looked dazed and confused for awhile. It was a proud moment for Cyndi. The crew was there. Several other people who had put time and energy into the project were in attendance, also. I was in awe watching them interact. They were all on the same page. I tried to be, but my mind was food deprived, so I babbled non-sensical things off and on (more on than off).

We closed-up Coffee Rush and made our way back to Joyce’s. Cyndi drove through Burger King, so I filled my belly with health food! We talked a lot about the documentary and how positive we felt about the final product and the audience reaction. The team effort paid off and Cyndi and Pam can feel quite proud of their project. I am so very proud of them as well.

It was a pleasure spending the evening with everyone and I enjoyed meeting them all.

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