Charlie Sheen signed a two-year contract to continue in the hit show “Two and a Half Men.” Good show – I enjoy it. It’s well written, well acted…and obviously well paying. But I just have to say it – (almost) $2 million dollars an episode?? That’s a lot of K for playing a playboy, don’t you think? Look – I get it – it’s a business thing and the show will continue to do well in syndication which is where the money is made. But think about it for a second…millions of dollars to an actor who has felony charges looming over him. Hmm…criminal behavior equals a big paycheck? Doesn’t that kind of go against what we teach our children…what we expect of our society? I like Charlie Sheen…he’s never done anything wrong to me…and he does a great job in the show. And he knows it – and that’s where his leverage was. When you become indispensable to the success of a corporation, or a show, or a sports team, or any large group, you know you have an ace in the hole and can name your price. Is that a good thing though?

Perhaps I’m just sour grapes…I have dreams of making more money…having to worry about paying rent and my cable bill isn’t the most fun I can think of. Or perhaps I just find it hard to justify the way we do “business”, when there are children who are starving, people who have lost everything, folks in desperate need of medical attention they can’t afford. It seems out of balance. It is out of balance.

Soapbox over 🙂

WOW! Can 3 letters do this performance justice? OVO, the new show by Cirque du Soleil, is A(with a capital A)mazing. I saw it yesterday, under blue skies, under the big top, on Randall’s Island (after a quick trip on the water taxi). I swear my mouth was agape 90% of the show (allowing myself 10% for swallowing and whistling). The french may call it “fantastique” as it truly is a sight to behold.

The theme was insects, nature, life. The egg was its symbol. It is a spectacle of human ability, high-tech engineering, and sheer creativity. The marriage of lights, costumes, music, and physicality is transportive. And it has it all – acrobatics, high-wire, juggling, comedy, dance…you name it, they have it. What makes the experience of Cirque du Soleil (as they are a global entertainment company) so magical is that it transcends all pre-concieved notions…and liberates the mind.

I have seen a number of Cirque shows over the years – and every time, I leave with a sense of wonder and awe. How do they do it? As a performer, I can appreciate the amount of work and passion it takes to create something this spectacular…the dedication to the art, to their craft. I salute them.

Go!

Here a few pics I took at the festival…

Saturday, May 15. NY Photo Festival in Dumbo. Did you know such a thing existed?? Photography, sunshine, a light breeze. Dare I call it picture perfect?

“God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.” – lyrics, Billy Currington.

I first heard this song while on vacation in Savannah, in our bright red HRH rental car, driving down the roadway. We sat quietly as we heard the lyrics, laughed at the silliness of them, but hummed along anyway. It was one of those songs I could never forget.

It’s a great video and song if you get the chance…somewhat intoxicating (pun intended), and calming. The story is simple – a younger and older man meet one day at a bar, discuss life over beers, share some honest stories, and part ways, never to meet again. But the twist is the old man dies and leaves all his money to this stranger whom he barely knew.

It’s a lesson (in its wonderful country song way) that you never know who you will meet or the mark you will make upon their life. We often aren’t aware of our impact upon others…something we say or do slips through…and stands the test of time and memory. It is the little things that make all the difference, as the expression goes – a smile, a pat on the back, a good word, a listening ear. And Billy Currington summed it up with the lift of a glass – God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.

Cheers!