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So I come back to saying this good-by,
A sort of ceremony of my own,
This stepping backward for another glance.
Perhaps you’ll say we need no ceremony,
Because we know each other, crack and flaw,
Like two irregular stones that fit together.
Yet still good-by, because we live by inches
And only sometimes see the full dimension.
Your stature’s one I want to memorize–
Your whole level of being, to impose
On any other comers, man or woman.
I’d ask them that they carry what they are
With your particular bearing, as you wear
The flaws that make you both yourself and human.

{ from Adrienne Rich’s “Stepping Backward” }

How you left us is still hard to forget. How you loved us will be forever sweet to remember.

Another step in the right direction from the Obama administration: He has relaxed the sanctions against interaction with Cuba.

This is another of those tangents I often strayed into during my last blog (I swear, I will link to it!). I continue to fail to understand why we have for so long not been allowed dealings with Communist Cuba, but we can outsource practically our entire blue-collar workforce to China, which, in case you were wondering, continues to be Communist. Oh but wait. This article does state that:

The changes do not alter the Cuban government’s long-standing efforts to hinder foreign companies operating on the island.

I get it. We can’t exploit the Cuban workers the same way we’re exploiting the Chinese. Makes perfect sense now.

I’m very interested to see what sort of changes these loosened restrictions will bring, both to Cuba and to the United States. Perhaps Cuba will reinstate the sanctions themselves once the infection of American stupidity starts to seep into their culture. After all, there is talk that soon they may be subjected to utter tripe such as Howard Stern. I don’t know about anyone else, but I would consider that to be more punishment than positive…

I’m all about rooting for the underdog. I’m also still a big musical theater whore, so when you combine the two, I’m in a little piece of nirvana.

I suppose that’s why I’ve yet to not get chills when I watch this YouTube clip of Susan Boyle’s performance from Britain’s Got Talent.

What. A. Voice.

This rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” rivals that of the great La LuPone herself (sorry, but I am a Yank and so my heart rests with this particular American diva).

I also think it is more than telling that, even before anyone heard Ms. Boyle’s singing voice, they were already convinced that she was going to be horrid. Check the faces that the audience and the judges pull as she speaks of her dream of being a professional singer akin to West End diva Elaine Paige. And why? Because she doesn’t look like star material? And what would that look be? Britney Spears? Lindsey Lohan? Paris Hilton? All three are proof that looks are most assuredly not everything (or anything, for that matter).

I only hope that the lights shining down on Ms. Boyle as she sang weren’t so bright that she couldn’t see when the audience sprang to their feet (along with two of the three judges) to applaud her performance. Well deserved ovation, indeed.

I wish for nothing but spectacular things within Ms. Boyle’s future. According to this Daily Times article, she has already been in to speak with Simon Cowell regarding signing with his Sony BMG label. Good on ya, Susan.