David Lee Rotten
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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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Welcome to America, Little Mama

9/19/2014

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When nearing the end of my recent visit to New York, my grandson from Ohio flew to La Guardia to spend a few days and accompany me on the drive home. It was his first independent flight and he loved it! 

One of the things he particularly wanted to do was visit "Lady Liberty" and Ellis Island. With very detailed instructions and directions, he and I managed to get from Brooklyn to Battery Park where the boat boarded. Fortunately we decided to leave "at the crack of dawn" almost. The boats were full but not the huge crush I've experienced before. The trip over was uneventful except for my motion sickness. As soon as we reached land, it dissipated.

The Statue is wonderful and amazing! But Ellis Island inspires awe. Imagining the millions of immigrants who braved the long, arduous trip in the bowels of a ship, filthy conditions, perhaps people dying around you. The smells, the fear and anxiety mixed with excitement and trepidation at the thought of a new land and loss of the old. And the sea-sickness. Particularly heinous to one who has experienced this illness on every kind of transportation and recreational apparatus!

Coming to a new world. Maybe with a plan-indentured servant, family or friends awaiting your arrival, a profession or occupation to insure your survival in this strange land.You arrive-the huge figure of the lady in the distance, landing on Ellis Island. Hardly able to walk on your sea legs. So many "coming to America."

You're with child and happy and excited to welcome this first generation American into your family. As you cling to your husband to avoid separation, you are abruptly pulled through a gate. Your man starts to follow and is denied entrance. Panic, sheer terror. You plead with guards, cry and reach out for him. Finally, a harried man's face softens and says,"you must stay at the hospital until the child arrives." You gaze blankly at him-you don't speak English.

When I learned that pregnant women had to stay on the island until they gave birth, I couldn't stop thinking about it. On one site, they spoke of around 350 babies being born at the hospital. I was surprised there weren't more.

When I think of the settled lives most of us live, I can't even imagine the determination and bravery so many millions have demonstrated.

We didn't have time to see everything-I may have to do it again someday.
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9/11 - Our Loss Remembered

9/10/2014

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How could thirteen years have passed since 9/11? We all remember where we were, what we were doing, how we found out. We were unable to stop watching. We saw the second plane hitting the tower. We knew then that it couldn't have been an accident.

Most of us didn't know any of the victims, had never been to New York or D.C. or the field in Pennsylvania. But we cried and sobbed and mourned and grieved. They were people; men, women, children, unborn babies. Our people from our towns, our cities, our land, our world.

All humanity joined in sorrow. Unable to grasp the depth of hatred, the mindset of those whose joy and salvation is murder. Who serve a god rewarding the slaughter of 'innocents' and self.

I was able to visit the 9/11 memorial site several times during my N.Y. city visit. Even with the crowds present, it feels peaceful and solemn. Voices hushed, the soothing sounds and sight of rushing water. The beauty and simplicity of the names cut into the bronze plates. Eleven with the added phrase; "and her unborn child".

So much thought and care has gone into arranging the 2,983 names. Originally, they were to be randomly placed. Somehow developing the concept of "meaningful adjacencies", they paired co-workers, companies, organization affiliates, friends, relatives and recovery proximity. Over 1200 family requests were received and addressed.

As we stood by the south tower site, we noticed kids touching the water, feeling it's coolness. Our first thought-disapproval. Then my daughter suggested putting our hands in so "our skin cells will be part of the ever-flowing water and it will be part of us." With fingers immersed; we experienced immediate tears and emotional connection.  Nothing magical or mystical, just honoring and mourning the dead, and empathizing with families and friends who ever struggle with their loss.

In great or small ways we all do.

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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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