DENNIS RODMAN

Say the name, Dennis Rodman, and I'm picturing wildly, weirdly dyed hair, piercings everywhere, prurient photos of him with sexy babes like Madonna, and Carmen Electra.

Rodman's many impressive sports awards have faded into sports history, but his outlandish behavior continues to make headlines. He's been visiting North Korea and palling around with it's young Supreme Ruler.

Supreme Ruler Kim Jong-Un -- greed, anger, petulance is what I see in his face. He's 31, carrying on the despotic traditions of his father, living in luxury while his people live like slaves in shocking poverty, and blatantly developing atomic weapons.

Yes -- North Korea has become a threat like Iran. At least right now, Iran is talking with us, but Kim Jong-Un continues, despite UN sanctions, to test bigger, long-range atomic weapons.

Rodman, famous, outrageous sports hero, now 52, was, once upon a time, a poor kid who grew up wandering the streets, had no home, or parents to protect and watch over him, and teach him right from wrong.

Just recently, Rodman raised the money and brought a bunch of famous athletes with him to North Korea to celebrate and sing "Happy Birthday" to Kim Jong-Un.



Okay. Rodman doesn't sing very well, but he is certainly connecting with this dangerous young ruler, making himself Kim's best buddy, a celebrity pal whom Kim is obviously thrilled to have aournd.

Rodman's outlandish, and unpredictable, but gee, he's made himself what our country NEEDS -- a beloved ambassador to North Korea, an Uncle .whom Kim Jong-Un hero-worships and won't want to destroy.

Yay hurray, for Dennis Rodman!

WORKING WITH CLOONEY & EDWARDS

When John Cullum was performing on TV's "Northern Exposure" and "ER," he got to know George Clooney and Anthony Edwards. Both these actors, who have gone on to play roles in many other shows.

Em wonders what makes them different.

George after "ER." no matter what role he played, is always George Clooney. Anthony Edwards played the "Boy in the Bubble" in "Northern Exposure," and the lead doctor, Dr. Green, in "ER." ( John C. played Dr. Green's father.)

Why has George C become a major star, while Tony E -- he hasn't disappeared, but he is no longer the celebrity he was in his "ER" days?

Actor John Cullum deliberately does not keep track of anyone's celebrity status, but Emily does. She thinks it's because George is himself, and Tony becomes another person, with each role.

SHOES

My mom had small feet. She wore pretty shoes. Her feet hurt a lot. She talked about "corns." She talked about high heels being bad for one's feet. She started going to a podiatrist every two weeks or so.

One day, there she was, wearing black shoes -- ugly black shoes with black shoe laces, and black low heels. They changed the way she looked. They were "old lady" shoes.

"How do I look?" Mom asked.

"Oh you look fine, Mom," I lied.

I have lots of high-heeled shoes that I used to wear, don't wear anymore.  I never wear high- heels unless we've got a limousine waiting downstairs. I wear flats, or sandals, or sneakers.

John Cullum, my husband, did a performance of "THE VISIT," a John Kander-Fred Ebb musical based on Fredrich Durrenmatt's play. The musical was performed, one night only, in a large Broadway theater as a benefit for the Vineyard theater. It was a full cast, orchestra and John, co-starring with Chita Rivera.

The plot -- a wealthy woman, (Chita), returns to her hometown and offers its residents a new lease on life in exchange for the murder of Anton, (John), the man who scorned her years ago.

 I sat with John Kander in the back of the theater during rehearsal, chatting with him as the climax was rehearsed. On the stage, a young person entered in a pair of yellow shoes. Gradually, more townspeople appeared in yellow shoes. This "Yellow Shoes" number, becomes a powerful idea -- a symbol of young people wanting to overthrow the old-fashioned ways of the older townspeople.

"Pure genius," I thought, when finally everyone in the town -- everyone in the cast was wearing yellow shoes, except Anton, (John). Surrounding him, the yellow-shoed people kill him. It was a riveting, horrifying scene on the stage.

I was wearing my black sneakers. I wear them nowadays even when I go to the theater -- they look okay t with my black pants and lovely black silk blouse.  (Sure, they're black shoes, but they're not "health" shoes like Mom wore. I remember hers cost $80. Back then, it was a huge amount to pay for corrective shoes.) 


Here's a picture of my sneakers.  Hell, forget the price! My Rebok sneakers cost as much as health shoes used to cost, and nowadays health shoes cost hundreds of dollars.

Oh my God ...
I AM WEARING OLD LADY SHOES EVERY DAY.  

Oh my God, in a world where women of every age-size-shape-type are wearing high and higher heels -- spikes, 8 inches, 10, even more -- I couldn't walk in them, couldn't shop, can't even sit if I wear them -- I can't wear them, won't wear them -- I refuse to let what's in style kill what's left of my youthful spirit.

Hey Mom, your shoes kept you going! Hey Kander, to hell with the yellow shoe-younger generation taking over the world! I love my black sneakers.

I'm comfy-happy-wearing 'em right now as I write this.

EM DOODLES

POLITICS

Sometimes my doodles say more than words. They reveal how I really feel about what I'm writing about, and show how everyday I am getting bolder, braver -- blushingly capable of expressing my opinions. 

MATURITY

ANXIETY

CREATIVITY

BEING NAKED

PERCEPTIVENESS