Holiday & other stuff

[Guest guest]

I got to go and see Holiday in concert Saturday night. What an

evening! I knew her from the Dreamgirls hit.... " And I'm Telling You "

Anyway, she's been the gospel singer on Ally McBeal more recently.

Anyway, it was such a special night for me because she really visited with

the audience a lot. She said she had been through a lot of changes and had

lost 200 pounds. I thought this was great....of course she looks like a

million bucks now. She had a great way of describing what a change she had

undergone in her life from not being involved with anyone two dating at 42.

Actually, I think she's been married twice. Anyway, it made me realize what

a big deal and blessing putting the monster (obesity) at bay is, and how

radically our lives can change. Sometimes it takes hearing it from someone

else.

I noticed that she was drinking Gatorade. She said she like PowerAid

better, but it was......she then said, " oh never, mind, don't need to go

there. " I'm sure it was some kind of sugar thing. Then she gave out

chocolates to some Mothers in the audience for Mother's Day. Mentioned she

couldn't handle the stuff but knew they'd enjoy it. Also, the night before,

she got in late, but had to find some eggs, and how hard it was to find a

good egg place open late. She's definitely " one of us. "

Even with iron-poor blood, I got up the next morning and helped with a

beginning sculling class, had my own coached rowing session. I am very

afraid of tipping out of the skinny little boat and not being able to get

back in. (One of my students tipped out and we coached her back in.) So I

tried it at the end of my row. It was not elegant, yet I did not drown.

I'm going to practice it until I get really good at falling and getting back

up. It's just important to not fear it so you can go full speed ahead in

your boat and get better. The more you hold back, the harder it is to

balance, like riding bikes. I'm thinking it's a metaphor for other things

as well.

Anyway, Holiday is my heroine of the week. I heard she bitched and

moaned the whole way, had some iron or b-12 problems, but has lost 200

pounds and likes to talk about it. I hung out at the party afterward where

she was going to show up, but got tired and went home.

in Austin

RNY April 1998