A Great Big Diva!

Punk Fan

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What a long strange trip it's been. I discovered Punk as a freshman at Northwestern University in 1979 via some groovy kids in my dorm. I came across a few punk disciples then (granted it was a couple years after the beginning of the movement) and later sang at the infamous CBGB's with the band Urge Overkill. I could scream it with the best of 'em. …

Hope.

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I sit in my home tonight, safe and comfortable. I just spent an hour or so looking at news reports in the aftermath of today's tragedy in Boston. I find solace when I see people helping others - from the trained emergency respondents to the able bodied folks who aided others, to the prayers and good wishes that I see expressed all over the world wide web. That's the key because that wonderful human spirit is inside of most of us. I do not lose hope. I do not condemn this country or the world …

About Roger Ebert

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I had a dream about Roger Ebert the other day. It wasn't a bad dream - he didn't die in the dream but it did involve my witnessing his health struggles. The dream disturbed me so much that I had to share it with my friend Barb. And then today he announced in his blog that he is "slowing down" and taking "a leave of presence." (Leave it to Roger. He can always turn a phrase so cleverly.) The cancer has returned. This news devastated me. I am so emotional right now. I feel silly for it. …

The Adventures of Permanent Lifestyle Change Girl 2013

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My eating, the Mirror, the scale, video of me performing (Egads!) There is no denying it. I have become a fat bitch again. Don't despair folks. We obese people can say these things about ourselves. And no matter how many of my dear ones smack my hand or pound the table as they offer their support by saying: "Don't say those things about yourself!" The truth is that I have to face the truth. No matter how well I sing and no matter how much the people love me in spite of the rolls of flesh I …

Prepared to Bleed.

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Tonight I perform an encore performance of my Nina Simone Show and of course I am all nervous and panicked about: wardrobe, tickets sales and everything else! It's funny because I really do consider this show as one of the best things I've done in concert to date. So why all the nerves and insecurity? …