I love a free trial. I make it a personal goal to cancel before I’m charged for subsequent months. I note the cancellation date in my calendar. I also note it for a few days before the deadline so it’s fresh in my mind and I don’t forget. When I cancel it’s a personal victory and a feeling so satisfying you’d think it actually mattered.

Disney +  is offering a free 7 day trial. I went for it since my kids have been asking for it and we have so much home time. I thought the purchase was mostly for them. I explored what it offers and it had me at Encore.

Before I continue I should establish that I am a card carrying musical theatre geek. I know, I know. I come off as totally “snatched”, “Gucci”, “sic” (as the kids say) but really I use to stage entire musicals in my childhood living room while singing along to Broadway soundtracks.

Theatre in grade school and high school defined and saved me. Not only did it give me purpose, passion, a sense of belonging and joy it gave me my career track and the world I would engage in the rest of my life. Thank God.

Encore is a high school reunion on steroids. Alumni from a high school musical theatre department come together to re-stage and perform a show they performed back then. To make the stakes even higher they do it all in one week. Some of the casts are from 28 years ago and some are from 10.

These folk have history, life experience, regrets, unrealized dreams, successes and fails. All of them share the desire to get that moment in the spotlight back for one night. As Kristin Bell the producer and host says,

“Being on stage feels like someone else but also more yourself than you’ve ever felt.”

That says it all. As a professional actress some gigs are just a pay check; not life changing. Sometimes you have the opportunity to remember all the reasons you first fell in love with theatre and dedicated your life to a career where there is more rejection than glory.

I had one of those transformative experiences with School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play at The Goodman Theatre which sadly was suspended last week due to the coronoavirus. I played the role of Headmistress Francis the matriarch of an all girls school in Ghana. The entire process was fulfilling and rewarding.

There is a moment where I stand center stage with 7 other Black women around me and with an amplified voice from the depths of my being say “HEY!” in order to bring the chaos happening to a halt. In that moment,

“Being on stage felt like someone else but also more myself than I’ve ever felt.”

It was a powerful window into my inner strength and my potential. I’ll never forget it.

The cast, artistic staff & crew at The Goodman

Every episode of Encore has brought sweet tears to my eyes whether it’s a member of the cast having a breakthrough or another expressing a pain from their past or present. These people are in a safe place where they can have the courage to let themselves be seen in all their vulnerability. That is the potential of theatre for a performer and for an audience.

Seeing the family members watch their loved ones have their moment on stage again is one of my favorite parts. In particular the delight on the faces of the children as their parent is the center of attention. The spouses with their proud grins and parents beaming with pride is heart expanding.

My children and husband came to see my final performance of School Girls and imagining them seated in the audience with those kinds of looks on their faces makes me want to ugly cry in a good way. I’m so grateful.

I highly recommend Encore on Disney +. I don’t think I’m going to cancel it either. My kids are loving it and I keep finding more things I want to watch.

Disney + if you’d like me to do at home commercials for your platform please contact me. I certainly have the time.

What are you watching? Please share in the comments below.

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For oft, when on my couch I lie

in vacant or in pensive mood,

They fall upon that inward eye

which is the bliss of solitude;

and then my heart with pleasure fills,

and dances with the daffodils.

— “The Daffodils” by William Wordsworth

This has been one of my favorite poems for much of my life. The joy of memory, the pain of nostalgia, and the bliss of having time alone to think, read and write — all familiar things to me — are there in Wordsworth’s poem.

But “the bliss of solitude” is beginning to ring hollow now that the only company I have is phone calls, texts, and the occasional clerk or shopper in the neighborhood. I’m writing this in the library, conscious that I may not be able to get out tomorrow.

Yes, I need my time alone, but this is a bit much even for me. I find myself turning the radio on to hear a different voice in the morning.

I picked up a takeout meal last night, and I had to wait for a few minutes at the corner restaurant I want to support when I can. But I caught myself thinking “I haven’t done this since before the war,” without meaning September 2001.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back when I can.

Margaret Serious has a page on Facebook.

SELF-ISOLATION, DAY 4

Good morning everyone! Here is Day 4! More than that for many in the world, but it is my DAY 4.

I want to say that I am not wearing rose-colored glasses. No Polyanna. In fact my glasses are conventional except they do this dark-tinting thing in the sun. Does not stop me from keeping my attitude, my mood up. If it gets down, some of you please reach out to me. I appreciate that some people enjoy my blog thing. As I have said, I am not even sure why I do this except that in my life, when something really affects me, I write about it. OMG, the sun just broke through the clouds! I need to go out and walk in it. I will finish this later.

So, I’m back. There is a real disparity between those people who are not allowed to go to work, or are unemployed, and those who still need to go to work. In particular, healthcare workers, police and fire. Also, pharmacy workers and grocery store workers. I am one of those and will see if any measures are being taken to enforce social-distancing as I experienced at a local pharmacy.

Music. I enjoy music. It can make my day. I have no talent. As the saying goes, I only know how to play the radio. I do sing…badly. But I only sing at home when no one is listening except my dog and she does not seem to mind. There is an almost endless supply of online music. People are coming up with innovative ways to put on a music display. Someone posted a short piece on FB by the Chino Hills Choir, I believe. Most likely from California. These high school kids synchronized a performance with the background of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Really beautiful. It is on You Tube.

Also, DO NOT FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR ONLINE CENSUS FORM, if you received one. No excuses.

OK, stay in touch with family and friends. Let us keep track of each other.

Stay safe and well out there. Stay together and believe in the higher powers.

March 20, 20202

If you have a birthday coming up, I hope that you can still find ways to make it fun. Here are 12 ways that I’m celebrating this year:

Scrolling through my phone. Thank Google for social media. Even without Coronavirus, I think we usually appreciate the “Happy Birthday” texts and posts, but especially now. We’ve also gotten friendly with FaceTime and Marco Polo.

Going for a run AND showering. I ran outside this morning for the first time in four months. And then I showered! And shaved! And put on makeup!

Eating breakfast in bed. My oldest made this request at his eight birthday, and it’s become a family tradition. I improved on this tradition this morning by asking for cupcakes. #dessertforbreakfast

Doing zero dishes. Another tradition we have is no chores for the birthday boy. In my case, I couldn’t see skipping all chores as the mom, so I’m going to avoid my least favorite one. 😉

Taking family walks. This is something I love to do, and everyone else…does not. But guess what we’ve been doing every day for a week? Walking twice a day, that’s what!

Drinking rose all day. Okay, I have to be honest: it’s actually Prosecco.

Napping on the couch. I tend to reserve nap time for Sunday afternoons, but birthdays are an exception. And actually, I lied again: I’m writing this post instead of napping.

Having MY turn with Alexa. “Baby Shark?” Nope. “Dance Monkey?” Nah-uh. The sweetest words I’ve ever heard out of my child’s mouth: “Alexa- shuffle songs by Shakira.” 

Learning “Thriller” with my boys. Last night, my five year old asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I love experiences, and so we’re going to set aside time every few days to learn the dance. Under normal circumstances, we’d probably never do something like this. #coronabucketlist

Dining in my at-home restaurant. On Sunday, the eight year old and I planned out our dinner menu, with two choices in the drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert category. He’s going to take the order like an actual restaurant. And I’m going to do zero dishes (remember?).

Watching “The Greatest Showman.” Friday is our movie night, but (no surprise) it’s usually kids’ choice. Not tonight. Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, please!

Enjoying Saturday homemade brunch. Going out for brunch is one thing that I’ll miss, but we’ve gotten pretty good at making this meal at home. Bacon wrapped dates and chicken and waffles, anyone?

The Mazda6 is more than an ordinary mid-size family sedan, but then Mazda is more than the “usual” Japanese auto manufacturer. Founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Mazda was renamed in 1984. Known for development of and using the Wankel engine, they are best known for the iconic sportster, the MX-5, Miata.

It would appear that Mazda is deliberate about the vehicles they create and sell; not going overboard like some auto manufacturers who feel they have to represent each category of automobile. Instead, Mazda introduces new models here and there, and with great thought.
Our week in the new 2020 Mazda6 Signature sedan was nice, for many reasons. One, there wasn’t much traffic on the roads so we could drive it, as intended. This is a fun-to-drive sedan. With its attractive body and classy interior, one gets a lot for his/her money.

As someone who still prefers a sedan to the SUV ad nauseum, the Mazda6 sits high on our list. My daily driver is a 2016 Nissan Maxima with a sporty vibe and 300 horsepower which is hard to beat. Not every family with kids needs a minivan or SUV. Something like the new Mazda6 accommodates well and offers plenty of backseat room.
Based somewhat on Mazda’s 2010 Concept car, the Shinari, the Mazda6 is a stunner. Especially if you choose just the right color. In our case, Soul Red Crystal Metallic really stands out. The blue they chose for the concept Shinari was a beautiful blue. Both make this sedan stand out. Our test vehicle came with ivory/white nappa leather trimmed sport seats.

Their selling model differs a little from the ordinary by allowing buyers to select a higher trim level and add the features they desire. Maybe the Mazda6 won’t compete with sedans that offer the latest up-do-date features, but it satisfies on most levels. After all, most drivers out there are not auto freaks. Customers are enticed by the reasonable starting price but may wince when they discover adding some must-have extras. The Grand Touring Reserve model probably offers the best value, including the turbo engine. Also included are the 11-speaker Bose premium audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, paddle shifters and larger vented discs for front brakes.

Changes to the 2020 Mazda6 are few, including a trunk lid badge and new key fob for the Signature model. Redesigned three times in the past 6 years, the Signature trim level also gets special badging. Our Signature features leather interior, real wood trim and several exclusive to this model, standard features. The engine carries over from 2018, adding a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. While we appreciate the turbo boost, it still sounds like a 4-banger and doesn’t have the growl we might wish for. There are five models, including the Sport ($24,920), Touring ($27,520), Grand Touring ($30,620), Grand Touring Reserve ($33,120 and the Signature ($36,220).

Our test Signature model came with special badg

ing for 2020, a 360-degree camera with front/rear parking sensors, nav with traffic sign recognition and nappa leather with Japanese sen wood accents. It’s a beauty.

No shortage of space in the Mazda6. The trunk is ample, accommodating lots of bags, luggage. One feels as though she is driving a substantial car. In need of more space? Release the handles and lay down the back seats for carrying long objects; even a bicycle.

Ranking near the top of the midsize car class, the Mazda6 offers spirited performance, great looks and a luxury feel. For those so-inclined, there is no hybrid or plug-in available at this time. Two engine choices are available and include the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 187 hp., and the optional turbocharged engine that generates up to 250 hp. Six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Mazda revealed an AWD version and 2.2-liter turbo-diesel will be coming to the U.S. market.

The 2020 Mazda6 is a beauty and fun to drive. All six models come with driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, low-speed forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. We did not try out the paddle shifters. Mazda Connect touchscreen infotainment, although nice takes some time getting used to. It took me a bit more time to get command of the GPS system.

Mazda’s infotainment system is competitive, yet the buttons are a pain to operate. The screen is nicely positioned on the dash, tucked right in as not to be in the way. The center console is ample and actually holds any number of goodies.
Safety and driver-assistance features include standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and available lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. Earning a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA speaks well for the Mazda6, as well as being named a Top Safety Pick.

If you’re still into sedans-like this writer-the Mazda6 should be a definite choice on your list. We think you’ll agree when you drive it, it hits a lot of the buttons.

SPECS

Pricing: $35,300 MSRP, Total vehicle price $36,915
Engine: 2.5-liter inline 4, turbocharged, hp 227, 310 lb-ft. torque
Transmission: 6-speed, automatic, sky-active drive, front-wheel-drive,
Wheels: 19-inch alloy, gun metallic finish
Fuel economy: 26/35 mpg.
Weight: 3,437 lbs.
Brakes: 4-wheel disc
Wheelbase: 111.4 in.
Length: 192.7 in.
Width: 72.4 in.
Height: 57.1 in.
Fuel tank capacity: 16.4 gal.
Tires: 19-inch P225/45 R19 all-season
Pricing: $24,100-$35,400
Warranty: Limited, covers 3 yrs/36,000-miles; powertrain5 yrs/60,000-miles; no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural.

“…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt first inaugural address, 1933.

Yeah, sure, Frankie. The Great Depression has ruined America. The Stock Market Crash, bank runs, bread lines, soup kitchens, the Dust Bowl, 20 percent unemployment, fortunes destroyed and lives lost.

And yet you speak of an unreal dream, filling Americans with false hope. You’re disgusting.

Just like President Donald Trump. At least that’s what the media are saying.

“Is it possible that your impulse to put a positive spin on things may be giving Americans a false sense of hope?” NBC News’ Peter Alexander White House correspondent asked Trump.

Trump properly replied, “No, I don’t think so. It may work, it may not work. I feel good about. That’s all it is, it’s a feeling.”

That was a good enough answer to the question about whether certain untested drug therapies might help. Maybe, maybe not. Next question.

Except Alexander wasn’t satisfied with this common sense answer. His second barrel still loaded, he came back with another question, aggressively asked, about Trump’s “positive spin” giving Americans false hope.

The aggressive question and the way it was posed had the desired effect. It goaded the defensive Trump to go emotional, calling Alexander a terrible reporter. And so, NBC and the media had another story about Trump, the jerk. Mission accomplished.

This wasn’t just a single goading by the media. A Google search of “Trump false hope” turned up 50 million hits. It’s turned into a sport.

Yes, we know that President Blowhard exaggerates and gets his facts wrong. To satisfy his own driving need to defend himself any suggestion that he is not perfect produces the expected result: Another clip showing Trump off his rocker.

But there’s this. Roosevelt could have been accused of the same thing. The Great Depression was so devastating that it lasted for an entire decade. Looking back on his fear-not promise, one could say that he was full of crap.

But part of his job was to inspire faith, optimism and, yes, hope. Hope is strong incentive. Same with Trump, whether you agree with his policies or not.

And there’s this: If Trump had not tried to bring some hope to these tragic times, the media would have nailed him for his negativism. If he had focused on seemingly unsolvable problems he would have been ripped for being the bearer of doom.

When it comes to the media, Trump always loses.

The Great Depression.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

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Enemy of social prosperity, COVID-19.
You deprive businesses and savings, you sly, mean virus that inspires a deep clean.
Coronavirus squashes extended family gatherings.
Meanwhile, nuclear families bond and read narratives.

No logic or reason protects us this allergy season, but may evoke a rut.

We miss school uniforms!

We mat struggle to still exercise in a lock-down.
Who imagined home school without a frown?
Still, you inspire anticipation.
Parents wonder at their children’s fascination.
We cling to school’s morning routine of pledge and prayer.
We hope to triumph over this scare!

We must protect the vulnerable and search for the undiscoverable.
Our boys miss school choir and mass.
We shall do well by doing good with class.

We practice social distance, yet work from home as family in coexistence.
We look forward to meetings, faith gatherings, family swim, soccer games, play dates and parties clammering.

Big thanks to our boys’ school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for daily Facebook prayer and pledge posts, teacher schedules and administration support!

It’s not that the small things don’t matter. Oh, they do. It’s just that sometimes the siren is screaming so loudly that you can’t enjoy the sound of the thumping paws of cats on the floor above you chasing each other.

On some days the small things are the only thing. Like chilled half-n-half swirling in hot coffee. Or a crisp Jazz Apple. Or the satisfying task of splitting open the toilet paper package and delivering all the fresh rolls to the bathroom cupboards.

As I moved cautiously through the grocery store today, trying hard to keep six feet between me and the next person without seeming to brand them a threat, I found no half-n-half, no Jazz Apples, and no toilet paper. I’m no hoarder. But I am usually a week ahead of running out of things.

We’ll make do without these things. They are, after all, small things. We have canned milk, honey crisp apples and enough toilet paper at home to get by.

In a time of crisis, sometimes the very best you can do is to survive, and survival is a blunt thing. It is staying indoors and making do without milk or apples.

I remember being in the grocery store the October after I was diagnosed with cancer the previous August. Two young women were fussing over the snacks they were going to buy for their Friday movie night. I remember looking at them blankly, not being able to fathom caring about snacks or Fridays or movies. I remember the anxiety that I felt in that moment, the gnawing need to be able to care about such small things.

When survival is called into question, my view becomes narrowed to tunnel vision. My tight, telephoto focus is on me and mine. It’s amazing what you can shuffle to the back of the deck when you need to.

But it’s also amazing how quickly your quality of life diminishes when you keep shuffling and shuffling.

Time gets distorted during a crisis. People tell you to live in the moment, and I’m here to tell you that sometimes the only place you can live is the moment. And the moment is hell. It is filled with a loud voice on repeat, “Danger, Danger, Danger, Danger.”

But sometimes time stretches out like the hallway in a terror flick. You’re running, running, and the monster is chasing you and the hall gets longer and longer. Time has no end. Like in the waiting room at the hospital or the doctor’s office. You keep thinking, “If only I can get to the CT machine, I’ll make it.”

In times like these just waking up feels dangerous. And that feeling steels away the joy of a first cup of coffee.

So we’re going without small things. No working in coffee shops, no meeting and hugging friends at a restaurant, no surfing the web during a boring meeting and buying new shoes while two colleagues fuss over a policy.

Human beings aren’t a distant kind. We need each other. And when we feel threatened, we need each other to be close.

But here we are, living in the midst of global crisis and in the midst of our own personal crises. You may be in treatment and wondering if you’ll be able to continue with it. You may not know when your next paycheck is coming. You may live alone and need the physical embrace of a friend.

I wish that you are able to find some joy in small things, that you can turn down the screaming siren, and that you stay safe and well.

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