It's Been a Long Time...

Since I've rock and rolled. Or written on this blog. So what have I been up to?  Well, I am back in school, which is my favorite place to be. If I could be a professional student when I grow up, that would be my profession. Go Mean Green!

August is my birthday month, so in addition to attending Rare Book School at UCLA for a week, I got to take a little side trip to the Museum of Death located on Hollywood Blvd.

There it is.  It looked different at night.  Ooooh spooky skeleton!

What can I say about this odd little place?  After taking a class about displaying rare books and ephemera, I would have to say that the Museum of Death needs to work on their exhibition skills. Their display is a hot (not to mention disgusting) mess. Yes, this museum is all about death, but only sensationalized, serial-killer type death.  I felt guilty bringing my friend along for the trip. I also felt dirty just being there--physically and mentally. Yuck is all I have to say.

But, on my way back to the parking lot, I spied Vincent Price's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Yeah, I know.  It's a bad photo and you can't read his name.  But there I am with my old lady glasses.

I have a sneaking suspicion that people no longer read this blog, but if you do, let's talk.  I would like to restart my Monday Mourning posts.  Everyone has a story.  What's yours?

I will leave you with a song that was much better than the Museum of Death.

Enjoy.

Cyber Monday

If you live in America and have an Internet connection, you probably know that it is Cyber Monday. It is also December 1, which means that in the next few weeks many Americans are going to be decorating their houses for whatever holiday they celebrate, shopping for the perfect gift and eating more than usual. But today, it's all about buying stuff online at a discount.
I am going to propose something a little different.
The holiday season is also a season of giving. Some of us may drop some coins into the Salvation Army bucket, or we may buy a toy for a tot or volunteer our time at a soup kitchen. In all this commercial overabundance, it becomes glaringly apparent that there are those in need. I happen to know such a family.
My brother-in-law had a heart transplant in August of this year. Due to complications and setbacks, he was kept in the hospital till October. As of today, he's back in the hospital. He is self employed and has been unable to work since July. At the same time he was in the hospital, his wife was being treated for breast cancer. This family has been hit hard by medical bills. Not only are they fearful for his health, they also have the added fear of financial ruin. So, what I am asking is that when you are online today--and look, here you are--that you consider donating to this family. You could give $5 and it would still be beneficial. You can click on this link.
Thank you.
Pamela

Brittany Maynard

I don't watch a lot of television, but earlier this year I watched the entire Breaking Bad series in about three weeks. What made the show so initially compelling for me was Walter White's decision to not undergo chemotherapy. He wanted to die on his own terms. (And he does, but I don't want to give away any spoilers.)



Understandably, his pregnant wife was upset with that choice. Had Walt not succumbed to her wishes, Breaking Bad would have been an entirely different show. Breaking Sad?

This past weekend Brittany Maynard chose to end her life. She had a terminal diagnosis, she lived in Oregon (a state with Death with Dignity laws in place), and she didn't want to suffer. To me, that sounds perfectly reasonable. For others, it sounds downright crazy. Who is right? Who knows? I'm just grateful that this issue is finally getting national attention. We are all going to die and many of us are going to be faced with these same questions. To treat or not to treat? Quality vs. Quantity?

I know I can't change your mind with a Facebook post or an itty, bitty blog, but if you would like to know more about Death with Dignity, you can click on Brittany Maynard's name up there, or click here. I also recommend watching the wonderful documentary How to Die in Oregon. It's an excellent conversation starter.