David Lee Rotten
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When Tears Are In Your Eyes...

10/22/2014

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7 A.M.

Sitting, listening, tears streaming.

I received a lovely box in the mail yesterday from my Brooklyn boys. Among the gift items was a CD/DVD of Simon & Garfunkel (one of my very favorites!). I decided to let it keep Milton and me company this morning.

It takes me back to Easter Sunday, March 29, 1970.  I'm three months pregnant and staying with my parents on the farm. My husband of 10 months is in basic training outside of Chicago. I work at the hospital in a small city, about 10 miles away. There are no cell phones and we only get three TV stations - a few radio stations. I'm off work and enjoying my holiday with family. A call goes out in the night for all hospital staff to come help. I'm unaware and can't respond. The next morning, we learn that there was a terrible fire in town and five volunteer firemen are dead, 27 people injured with 12 admitted to the small hospital. Even in New York, Chicago, L.A., Paris, or any huge city you can think of, this would be front page news. Imagine a population of 8,000. Everyone in the town and surrounding area is either friend or relative, relative of a friend, friend of a relative, works with, goes to church with, or had their life/home saved by one of these killed.

Within the next few days, the fallen were to be eulogized, farewells given and put to rest. Several of the injured remained in the hospital. It was planned to have the audio broadcast on the public address system at the hospital. My mom was working that day and I came in for the 3-11 shift. I was able to ignore the service in the guise of busyness (Didn't want to cry at work!) Until the song. S & G in their pure, melodic harmonies singing, "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

I expounded a bit about the power of music to vividly refresh a moment in time in my post 'The Song Remembering When'. Thus the tears streaming at 7 A.M. I'm back there, back then, trying not to cry, not succeeding, feeling the anguish, feeling the sorrow of the above mentioned people, feeling my own sadness at the loss of so many, so young, so dedicated, from all walks of life, brought together in death by their mutual commitment to life.

I'll never forget. No one should.

*David Lee Rotten Note: Check out the amazing Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water performance that I was lucky to see LIVE at the 25th ANNIVERSARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CONCERT- Madison Square Garden, NYC - October 29&30, 2009
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Mama's a Dancing Cannibal!!!

10/2/2014

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I like lists.

Not all the time. Not compulsively, (you know who you are Jody, LOL) but a must-have when preparing for a trip. Thus my fairly comprehensive list prior to my month-long visit to New York last summer. An exciting event to anticipate and coming at a fortuitous time for me after my recent life-changing breakup.

Camera
Toiletries
Underwear
C-pap (gotta breathe)
Capris
Tops
Jacket
Jeans
Socks
Nightgowns

Then David called; DLR  "Hey, you'll be here for the Naked Highway video shoot of Cannibal in Philly! Maybe you can be in it. Could you get together sort of a french maid's outfit?"

Added to the list! Happily/weirdly, I had everything needed except the apron. Bought material to take with and included 'sewing machine' on my list. So glad I did-used on several projects while there.

On the appointed day, we piled into my little convertible with all our supplies. A beautiful, sunny drive from Brooklyn to Philadelphia. Only been there once, being from the opposite corner of the state. 

The building was beautiful-seemed historic-a lovely apartment and a suitably large and believably eerie basement. The director/cameraman and all the participants present and donning their costumes. The lovely body-parts David had fashioned on their platters and ready for serving. (the song is Cannibal after all) The beautifully appointed banquet table. The tasty pre-shoot wine provided.

The process like layers; Sy alone; David alone; Sy and David together; just the table. So much filming before the feast. I was watching and enjoying and sipping in my maid's costume. Suddenly, I received my first direction."Why don't you go over behind David and start dancing?"

What?! Yay for wine!

The whole experience just SO COOL and I love the finished product. The lighting, the subtle acting of the guests, the fun campiness, the venue, the props, the catchy song itself; all came together in the best way!

I hate to admit, but it is a little difficult to see myself on the screen. The years. The pounds. Do we ever grow up, accept ourselves, love ourselves as we are, enough to just enjoy and not obsess?

David excitedly told me today that some of his friends think that I stole the show.

Ignoring a lifetime of self-doubt, I will make the choice to be happy with me!

Thanks guys, for including me. I'll never forget it!
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The Song Remembers When

8/8/2014

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This was a country song maybe in the 90’s. It put into words what most of us already know if we love music. 

THE SONG not only evokes the memory, it takes me back to that place. Gives me back that feeling, the place, the weather, the sadness or happiness of that moment. I’m there again.

“Kathy, I’m lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping. I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why.”

Simon and Garfunkel transport me back-I’m young and heartbroken and disillusioned and, WOW, they used my name. My most important boyfriend gave me my first S&G album and I’ve loved them ever since.

“Imagine me and you-I do-I think about you day and night, it’s only right, to think about the girl you love, and hold her tight-So Happy Together." The Turtles take me to my room, pale green with soft green and white striped curtains and sheets. My shorthand teacher suggested practicing to the radio. I loved that assignment! I must have written those words dozens of times. The only radio station I could reliably tune in had a very short playlist.

A few years later, married, pregnant and living in Key West. Hot and humid and rainy most every day. A different world from the Pennsylvania dairy farm where I grew up! Several songs can take me there. “I Wanna Make It With You” (Bread), “Fire and Rain” (James Taylor), “Spill the Wine” Eric Burden and the Animals. When I hear them, I close my eyes and I’m sitting at the old metal table I covered with bright contact paper to hide the rust. I’m smoking a cigarette and reading Ayn Rand. (yes, I was pregnant. In my defense, that was before we knew the possible consequences of that act) It’s hot and sunny-so humid! Then clouds and torrential downpours. The conch train goes by the Presidential Gate across from my downstairs apartment. Good thing it’s covered. In an hour or less, just as hot, all evidence of rain, gone.

Some years later, my sister was sick-deep depression-empty eyes. She had a record she loved and played over and over. When she died, I played that record once and never again. I was there again, the sadness, frustration, hope, fear and the culmination of sorrow and loss.

The song remembers when-through good times and bad-the soundtrack of my life.

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    Picture

    Kathy Brooks aka
    Mama Lee Rotten

    I am a writer living in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. I enjoy thrift shopping, working in the garden, singing karaoke and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I have only recently started writing, and one of my poems, "Song 4 You" has already been adapted to music by my son, David Lee Rotten (of Naked Highway), and will be released in early 2015 on his debut solo album/video project Bound.  

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