My parents told me never to get into a spaceship of a stranger. :-)

     Madonna is a member of Raising Malawi’sAdvisory Committee, and helps with the volunteer organization’s mission to help orphans in one of the poorest countries in the world (Malawi) by providing water, food, medical care and schooling. She actively gives money to many causes, many relating to children. She has written checks totaling several million dollars. I was skeptical, at first, upon hearing Madonna wanting to adopt another African child. Would the child be loved by Madonna…and not a parade of nannies and nursemaids but she was persistant. To me, this does not necessarily mean that she was throwing a tantrum…I believe this is a sign of a woman devoted to being a mother. She is a true humanitarian.Below are a list of Madonna’s supported charities.

  *  Afghanistan Relief Organization  *American Foundation for AIDS Research  *BID 2 BEAT AIDS  *Bony Pony Ranch  *Charity Projects Entertainment Fund  *Children in Need  *H.E.L.P. Malawi  *Live Earth  *Make-A-Wish Foundation  *Millennium Promise Alliance  *Millennium Villages  *Raisa Gorbachev Foundation  *Raising Malawi  *Treatment Action Campaign  *UN Millennium Project

Yes, Deena, documentaries are very informative. I do not like reality shows in general, except one… it is the Emmy nominated A &E show, "Intervention". It depicts the true picture of addiction. But there is a different addict every show. It shows the day to day life of an addict…it is done in a documentary form. If Chasity’s show could resemble this format in any way, it may be successful but, I agree…without education, it is exploitation and could probably result in a very judgemental audience.

This may sound peculiar coming from me but Chasity’s reality series could provide a good source of support for other transgendered, who are living in isolation…fearful of being ridiculed and rejected if their stories were to become public. This population already know what it is like to be different and they search high and low to seek others who will understand their plight. Chasity certainly has been in the public eye most of her life. She came out as ‘gay’ publicly and has always made her views and beliefs very well known. I think that she has the inner fortitude to act as a role model for others who are living in discretion. I believe that this is one topic that needs some press coverage as so many transgendered are misunderstood and are considered freaks. Chasity appears to be well adjusted in her quest for sexual reassignment surgery. I think that she could bring the issue out of the closet. I have already seen news reports about her transition and she seems open and honest and very self-assured. As for support from Cher, I think that she would honor her daughter’s wishes….whatever they may be.

    Nikki committed suicide when the effects from Asperger’s Syndrome became too overwhelming. Asperger’s is a higher functioning form of Autism. It is a very difficult condition to live with. It is usually characterized by social awkwardness, obsession compulsive disorder, atypical speech patterns and physical clumsiness. In some cases, those suffering from Aspergers are rigid in their beliefs of being socially superior with their thoughts and idea’s and have problems understanding normal socially acceptable points of view. My heart goes out to poor Nikki as it must be torturous to be living in a world feeling so misunderstood, without the ability to assimilate. I feel such empathy for Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson for having the inner strength and fortitude to live with such a situation. It is purely a sign of great parental love. Burt dedicated one of his songs to his daughter.

Liz, I had never heard of Lady Gaga before until I saw her on an award show earlier this year. (It could have been ‘American Idol’). But the moment she graced the stage, I was mesmorized by her performence. She sang, "Poker Face". She is certainly a jack of all trades on stage, a singer…a dancer…comedy….drama. Her production numbers are choreographed in a manner resembling Janet Jacket ,she has a Madonna element (only more melodramatic) about her. She has the make-up/ drag queen face of an enhanced Christina Aguilera. To top things off, in addition, she has a Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’ quality to her musical  extravagances. Now, can she sing? It is hard to tell with everything else going on during her show….but it is difficult to keeo your eyes off of her. 

"Something’s Gotta Give" had the beginnings of a great movie with Marilyn Monroe. Too bad she wasn’t able to complete it. The story line is cute. A comedy about a woman lost at sea for seven years and then rescused only to discovered her husband had remarried on the day of her rescue. What follows is her hysterical goal of keeping him from going on his honeymoon with his new bride. Well, the film was eventually made with Doris Day. It was called "Move Over, Darling" (1963). Though Marilyn may have beed good in the film, it is the comedy of Doris Day that really made an impression in my mind. She was fantastic.

 I believe "Violet Eyes" is the way to go, Deena. No doubt that the buzz regarding this upcoming fragrance will be spectacular. Twitter has given Elizabeth Taylor back to those who love her. On May 8th, she had 1,000 followers on twitter. Now, four weeks later, she has 37, 000 followers. She doesn’t post everyday, and some days the posts are pur and simple: "Enjoying the quiet in my garden today". Some have wondered if it is really Elizabeth Taylor (opposed to an assistant) that is twittering for her, but I believe that Elizabeth, herself, is doing all of the work. Due to health reasons, she has virtually been secluded and has lost touch with her public. Twitter is the perfect method of giving bits and pieces of her life to her fan base. As I said, her following rate is staggering. Her "White Diamonds" frangrance recently won a FIFI Award and went down into The Frangrance Hall of Fame. She was estatic and couldn’t wait to share the news with her followers. I believe that she feels inspired and alive again taking part in this new technology. I wish her love and happiness.

I can’t help but wonder if Guy Ritchie’s decision to remake "Guys and Dolls" was made because of, not despit of, his divorce from Madonna knowing that she would have definitely wanted the role. Making a film about a blond bombshell after divorcing a blond bombshell in too coinsidental for me.

I think one of the reasons that we do obsess over our past mishaps and transgressions is ,at the time of the obsession, we have a complete picture of what our actions caused. When we are faced with choices and desicions, we usually always go out on a limb, never really knowing the consequences of our actions until they actually take place. Then it is to late to remedy the situation, thus, we ponder over what we could have been done instead, what we should have done instead and what could we have done differently. And these thoughts invaded our mind when we are most vulnerable….in the middle of the night, when we are trying to disengage from the troubles of our day. I have learned that the coulda, woulda, shoulda sydrome only pertepuates the obsession and at some point, I have to say: "Stop. What is done is done." Liz, in your situation, I am sure that you are constantly making desicions over what to print, who to include, how to post a delicate issue, knowing what the ramifications could be. And judging by the quanity of your work, these choices have to be made rather quickly. And once it is said…it is out there 100%. I think you are a fantastic, insightful journalist and posess a deep sense of self trust in what you reveal to the public but you are still subjected to the same uncertainties that we all are. Maybe ever more so. If trust is earned, then you are the epitome of trust. Your body of work has stood the test of time and continues to interest and intrigue us all. Being aware of all of this, sleep should come easily for you. You continue to leave your mark with your honesty and your thought provoking style. Sleep well, dear one. You are truly loved!

Great advice Liz. I guess I would have to say that in this day and age, it is not unusual to have two or three major careers throughout ones life. So even if you find a career that you love but cannot see yourself doing it for forty years, it is perfectly alright to change careers mid-life and go in a completely different direction.

Elizabeth Taylor’s scandals may have been shocking to the public but they certainly didn’t hurt her screen career. People flocked to see the famous lovers in "Cleopatra" in 1963 due to the press reporting on Richard and Elizabeth for the previous two years. In 1962, one newspapers article even stated, " Hot off the press. There is no news about Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor today". It is speculated that 20th Century Fox actually endorsed the affair as they knew it would generate such interest. The fact that everyone involved sued everyone else is besides the point. Due to the scandal, Elizabeth Taylor was seven million dollars richer, in total so things didn’t work out so badly for her. Some say the Jennifer/Bratt/ Angelina situation is a modern day Debbie/Eddie/Elizabeth but I believe the morals of todays society are not as harsh as they were in 1958. Elizabeth was raked over the coals for that, yet, her film, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (released in the midst of the scandal) was a box office hit. I guess everything that Elizabeth Taylor touches ultimately turns to gold and now she is twittering away, giving away bits and pieces of what she is presently involved in. I think that the public does revel in the imperfections of the famous but, now, it only makes the famous MORE famous and there are so many more imperfections these days to revel about. But feeling superior? No, maybe more identifiable.

I totally agree that fertility treatment should be without an age limit for woman now that being in one’s 40’s and having children is not as unusal as it was 50 years ago. I was a child born in the 1950’s and my mother was in her mid-40’s at the time. It was unheard of back them. When she ventured out with me as a baby, people would comment, assuming that she was my grandmother. This had taken her br surprise. Growing up, I was always aware of having a much older mother than my peers. After already raising four grown children, at 55 my mother didn’t participate in a lot of the other activites that the younger mothers did. Though I loved my mother very much, I felt a bit cheated and seemed to always be a third wheel, joining other younger families of my peers in social activites. As a little boy, I was a little ashamed of my mothers age (and I carry some guilt about that). At times, I was angry at her and didn’t understand why this was happening to only me. I believe that the child of a 67 woman, today, may feel some of the same feelings. Certainly 45 is much different now and some women actually wait until then to start families. I was brought up in a different time. I wonder if the 67 year old woman has given much thought about some of the issues I have raised. The other sad side is I feel I was much too young when my mother passed away, missing so many of my adult years I could have spent with her.

The most amazing thing about Liza is that she still continues to dance and kick up a storm with a double hip replacement. Some people are unable to leave a wheelchair after such a procedure. But she is a survivor. Personal loss and addiction has plagued her life but I believe that she is winning her battle with addiction by the mere fact that she is still hopeful, determined and functions very well in the outside world. Recovery is a process and it take many times for the addict to win the battle with their illness. The goal is that with each subsequent relapse the addict learns a little more about recovery, possessing more tools to make recovery a success. Some aren’t able to ever reach a state of continuous recovery and for those, we teach ‘harm reduction’. (I am an Addiction Counselor). The aim is to teach the addict how to use as safely as possible. This is still a controversial mode of treatment. Chronic pain may make it impossible to give up the chemicals altogether. Liza, as well as Elizabeth Taylor, may be practicing harm reduction. That they are living their lives tells me that they are being successful. The bottom line comes down to the quality of life. Poor Judy Garland didn’t make it but these ladies are excellent examples of how treatment in the 21st century is working for them.

Yes, Phyllis….of course. Fathers are just as important. There is a strength that men get from their fathers. Individuality. But I believe that men learn the softer side about women from their mother. They learn tenderness, forgiveness, kindness, sharing, compassion. They learn by watching, not so much by communicating. Men are very visual and while we cannot always put it into words, I believe we usually have a good understanding of what is going on and file it away.