July 28, 2022

Meeting a Childhood Heartthrob?

So have you ever had a chance to meet a childhood heartthrob later in life? Someone who was larger than life and you simply adored in your youth (usually with a healthy amount of hormones involved)?

So here is my story.

I was a child of the seventies (born in '66). As a red-blooded American boy, I absolutely loved Olivia Newton John. I mean who didn't? She had the look, the voice and I was crazy for the accent. She was already well known for her music when she did Grease in 1978. I was 12. I was smitten.

Fast forward to 2001. If you remember some of my posts, you may recall I am involved in Search and Rescue for FEMA. I was at 9/11 with my team. I was on a meal break in one of the many cafes set up for the rescue workers when they brought through a USO-style group of celebrities to meet the rescue workers.

Next thing I know, Olivia Newton John sits down right next to me. I was sitting at a table with about 7 other guys. Real rough and tumble firemen types. I kept up the façade for about 10 seconds before I just melted into a gibbering fanboy. I just didn't care what they thought. This was Olivia Newton John after all. The funny thing is that after I broke the ice, they all reacted the same way. She was very kind and gracious and still beautiful. I was still hooked even after nearly 25 years.

So what about you? Ever have your childhood dream crush drop into your real life?

PS I also had the chance to meet Al Franken there but that is a story for another day.

July 17, 2022

Hope this pro-choice legal action gets some traction.

Unitarian and Buddhist ministers are joining a rabbi's legal fight against Florida's new abortion law

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unitarian-buddhist-ministers-are-joining-rabbis-legal-fight-floridas-n-rcna37354

Two religious leaders — a Unitarian and a Buddhist — plan to join a South Florida rabbi's legal crusade challenging a new state law banning abortions after 15 weeks, arguing it violates the state Constitution's right to privacy and freedom of religion.

The retired Unitarian Rev. Harris Riordan and the Buddhist minister Maya Malay confirmed they will file a lawsuit in state court next week, echoing arguments from Rabbi Barry Silver. Silver intends to file his own amended complaint next week along with Rabbi Arthur Wascow, the founder and director of the progressive Jewish organization the Shalom Center.

"We are excited to expand this lawsuit to include outstanding representatives of the Buddhist and Unitarian traditions," Silver said. "Maya Malay and Harris Riordan are wonderful teachers of their own traditions and have dedicated their lives to improving the world for people of all faiths and religions.

"We look forward to building coalitions with people of all faiths and backgrounds, including atheists and freethinkers, to repair the wall of separation between church and state and to unite the people of the world to protect human rights and save our precious planet," Silver added.

The Unitarian Universalist have always been strong on social action. I know this particular Reverend personally and proud of it.