Vic Tayback

So, yesterday on "Judging Amy", Maxine's fiance, Jared Duff (the late Richard Crenna) died in China. I believe he really died during his tenure on the show, so instead of digging him up and making some sort of odd 'Dirt Nap at Bernie's", they decided to keep him dead. So, the "Dirt Nap" is not real, honestly. I do like the idea, but something is telling me that wouldn't....quite...work. Hmmm. Go figure. I have to get Bea Arthur interested in something and that idea just seems like the perfect opus for her.

But I digress--They had the memorial service at the coffee shop where Maxine and Jared met. It's also the same shop that Jared gave to Maxine as a wedding present. See, Jared was loaded. A multi-billionaire even. And, Maxine is a social worker..so the marriage probably wouldn't have lasted. I don't know..just a feeling. Maybe it's the drama of the show that gives me the awesome (and at times, not welcome) power to know these types of things. It's a curse really.

This city is finally coming alive. It's finally warming up a bit and folks are out and about reintroducing themselves to the outside. People just seem friendlier. Just the other day, my local Assyrian convenient store owner, said that I was a good lookin' broad. Yes, you read it right. Broad. Now, that's a word you'd expect to hear from Vic Tayback's Mel on "Alice". When you hear it, it's usually tinged with some type of accent from one of the Five Borroughs. You don't expect to hear it with a guttural middle eastern accent. I must admit that I was both taken aback (accent) and somewhat flattered. Somewhat.

Now, the word broad is usually associated with a weathered woman. Not just her looks, but her life is weathered. She's done alot, seen oh so much, just experienced life. Most broads are street smart and many are well-educated. Most of her experiences were memorable-both good and bad. But most of them were like "Ack...I caught Doris cheating at Canasta, so we had to kick out of the group for a few weeks."--the tone of voice is usually sotto voce, maybe or maybe not peppered from years of smoking Kents. This is a sentence that is usually prefaced by brief descriptions of each gal in the group and where these Canasta sessions take place. For example: "Sadie's is the best. It's so bright and sunny and she has the best bridge mix. Of course, she won't tell us where she gets it, (irritated but loving chuckle) but between you and me (wink) I think she gets it at Blommer's. Did you know she graduated from Miami of Ohio?"

Broads are full of love for those they care for and they do have the capacity to love others who are not within their realm. BUT, it does take a special person to break through. The love is neither spoken or even really physically displayed. Broads don't take any crap from anyone. Broads hang out with each other and you either have to be a broad-in-training or a full-fledged broad to hang out with them. Broads can also spot another broad at ten paces. Posers can be uncovered even before a word is uttered. The husbands of broads, at first, watch in wonder as the mere mortals part as their broad wives walk by or enter a dwelling. As the marriage moves along, the husbands usually band together and become close friends. All because of the broad wives.

Now, most of the broads I know are white and black. As for other races, I am sure there are broads too. But, I just know of the two types. Of course, there are famous broads. Some are fabricated for entertainment, but many are real. Bea Arthur by herself is a true broad. "Maude" is a fictional broad. Isabell Sanford is a true broad. You get the idea.

When I was heading back home after my time at the convenient store, I thought about what was said and it's kind of an honor. Being a broad isn't bad. Not bad at all. Maybe I'll mature into one.

I don't know what it is about "Judging Amy" re-runs on TNT, but I am truly hooked. Maybe it's the score by Peter Himmelman, maybe it's knowing the fact that Tyne Daly smells (but is the backbone of the show) which causes me to chuckle when I think about it..I don't know what it is that draws me to the set everyday that I'm not working. Two hours of Amy trying to do the right thing..two hours watching Maxine (that's Tyne's character) trying to save abused children. It's heaven. Maybe I'll figure out the attraction soon, which means all y'all are going to read about it here.

I was let go from one of my teaching jobs yesterday. Actually, I think it was in the works for a while, but I found out by accident. I don't think the powers-that-be ever had any intention of informing me of this decision in person. They left that up to the website and a fellow adjunct faculty member. As well as 'hints' from a fellow faculty member about how he would have to learn the program I was using 'just in case he had to teach it someday',

That's Klassy with a 'k', wouldn't you agree? You see, I teach at a well-known Midwestern university in a major metropolitan area that has just started a field of study that I spent years working in professionally. I liked it. The students were incredibally enthusiastic, the staff eager to get things right. The program has major problems, but that's all due to growing pains. Late last fall, I was told that I was the first in line to run one of the fields of study. Finally, a fulltime gig in something I enjoy doing and most importantly, talking about. The best part, I could get my master's while working there. Pretty sweet deal. Ahh..but not all is as it seems. In the winter, we had major, major problems. Tech-wise. I did everything in my power..but it's kinda hard when you're not fulltime. I was told to figure things out on my own, do what I had to do to make it work--which is fine, I don't mind trying to make things work. I got some support from the associate profs, but not much because they had tech problems of their own. The head of the program was basically unavailable via phone or email. I haven't spoken to him in about 5-6 months. One would think that if there were problems with me, I would've been told and advised. One would think that the head of the dept would go to bat for someone he/she hired. One would think...well, alot of things.

In the long run, I am not upset about not teaching there in the fall. It's a sink or swim situation for most adjuncts. The program does have issues, but it will be fine. There is a lot of talented folks working there and the students are very hard working and decent. Many have what it takes to make a career of it. I do have faith.

However, the way it was handled was real crappy. I expected more from such a well-respected RELIGIOUS school. (don't get me started...) Unprofessionalism--none of us are truly immune, are we?