Not JUST Singles — AKA "The Merry Bunch"
A Brief History
More than 10 years ago, a UU Singles Group was loosely formed going to lunch on a semi-regular basis. Unofficial heads of state were Steve Kenton and Wendy Price. At the beginning of 1999 your current President of Silliness, John Williamson started attending services. He saw a a little insert in the Sunday bulletin about UU Singles and came along to lunch. Steve Kenton noticed that John stood out a little from the usual lunchtime crowd, way too many jokes, and all those stories about movies, music and life in general. Steve thought that I should lead the Singles group. I disagreed — I had never led anything like this before in my life. "Oh you're a natural at this" he said, or something like that and so the Singles started a new chapter. After a little while, I decided that just lunch was not all we should offer. We started going to movies and plays together. Our merry little bunch started to grow.
A few years went by — I moved to Georgia for two years and things were stagnant. I came back in the fall of 2002 and over the next year we started to build up again. On several occasions we had over 20 people attend lunch! We also began to go to lunch at the same location a good part of the time — Sandy's. Then in the fall of 2004 we had a party hosted by Darci Waldon that had over 20 people attend. We also enjoyed a FABULOUS Lemon Chiffon cake made by the great Kate Walker. Another party was hosted in December by Rosemarie Dinklage. In January 2005, another milestone was reached as 26 of you squeezed into Sandy's at the same time. A new Merry Bunch record! We also had a couple of game nights and movie nights. Our group continues to grow and contract depending on the day and the season.
This past year we started a new tradition: Lunch at Nero's just down the street from Sandy's, with a twist — 20 or more Bunchers come through the door and it is free dessert for all. That sounds sooo good I'll say it again FREE DESSERT. On Sunday, April 13th for the third time we piled into Nero's — we had 20 or more so the qualifier was met but we kicked it up a notch Emeril — we had 26 — tying the all time record!! Plus a special guest appearance was put in by Rev. Meredith Garmon. Take a bow, Rev.
Just this past week on May 12th BOTH Rev's Meredith and Lorakim stopped by for lunch at Sandy's unannounced. One never knows how many or who will show up for our luncheon outings.
The Future
I hope to keep things more readily updated through this site. Tune in for more stories, plans, outings and of course new elephant jokes. What — haven't seen one yet —
- How many elephants fit into my car? Two in the front, two in the back.
- Why did the elephant wear red sneakers? Because the blue ones were being washed.
Some of you are wondering where did my title "President of Silliness" come from. Did I just pull it out of silly air. No, silly there is actually a STORY behind it. Back in 2005 sitting at Sandy's a good friend who no longer attends, Joe Pittman was sitting with a few "Bunchers" at lunch when Libby Parker began asking for a brief summary of the group that was supposedly going to put on the UU website for prospective ministers to look at. Well — Ol' Joe was in fine form that day. "John is the PRESIDENT OF SILLINESS" he intoned but he was not done "Wendy (Wendy Price my very merry co-chair) is "THE GIVER OF GREAT HUGS". I then came up a with a quick mission statement (which I very quickly forgot) and then we went on to discuss other important subjects, eg the weather, latest movies and where is that second bottle of ketchup. Imagine my shock and surprise about a year later when invited to look at a brief history of our intrepid bunch at the UU website and seeing me listed as "John Williamson, President of Silliness". Now picture if you can, a minister candidate being interviewed for the job and being asked, did you have any questions about our fellowship? "Why, yes — would we be able to meet this President of Silliness?" (General laughter and hilarity would follow). Nawww, never happened. Or did it?
This group used to be called "UU Singles". However in keeping with UU principles and ignoring no one who is looking for fun, new friends and more elephant jokes than thought humanly possible we changed it to be Not Just Singles......if you are attached, detatched, remote, distant, far away, from another planet, disjointed, double jointed or even filing single at the higher married rate ALL are welcome to our activities.
Review section
Here we will be pulling from a vast array of sources (music, movies, TV shows, literature) to hopefully recommend, enlighten, broaden the horizons of all who enjoy "fine arts". We start off with latest movies seen.....recommending, "Charlie Wilson's War", "Michael Clayton" and "There Will Be Blood". And a truly remarkable book: Three Cups of Tea. I encourage everyone to add to this list.
- "Reprise" this charming Norwegian movie about two young writers has some witty and sly observations about the punk/new wave scene back in the 70's that shook the music world. If you missed that time or did not understand it, then these observations will fly right past you. If you like myself remember that fresh period of American and British creativity that changed everything about conventional music then these asides make these film a little more special. Recommended.
- "Tell No One" a French movie thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. Best of all, the Hipp has brought this movie back by popular demand, from Aug 29 to September 4th. Recommended - and don't come in late - or some of the suspense will be lost.
- "The Dark Night" - the hype and hoopla surrounding this movie has been surreal because of co-star Heath Ledger (who plays the villain The Joker) untimely death.
First the warning to all parents; No child under say, 14 should be allowed to see this movie. It is too violent and the Joker character will scare the daylights out of someone who cannot understand the background of Heath Ledger's medication that help create this monster and some dialog that was very disturbing. A fellow "Buncher" confided to me they had nightmares for two days after seeing this.
Second the prediction: Mr Ledger will win the Oscar for this role. He drop-kicked the evil villain role to the 10th power with his last performance. Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs" is a trustworthy choirboy compared to him.
The movie itself: way too long (at least 45 minutes needed to be cut) but it draws you in from the opening robbery scene and you can't look away. Christian Bale could have been wearing a dress as Batman but it would receive scant notice because Heath Ledger is commanding in his role. Jack Nicholson played the Joker with sarcastic joy, relishing the role. Heath Ledger has all the best lines but they aren't funny - they are dark, terrifying, yet memorizing. Recommended - with reservations - no children - please; and if one doesn't like movies with dark and twisted themes then stay away from this one. - Recently viewed movies; "Iron Man".......with the high tech and superior storyline that the Spiderman series has wrought this has raised the bar for any superhero presentation. Iron Man meets and exceeds expectations. The thundering soundtrack along with the dead on casting of Robert Downey Jr in the title role make this worth seeing. Recommendation: go see it, but sit wayyyyy back in the theater up high and you may need earplugs. By the way to see more of Mr Downey in fine form check out "Chaplin" or "Wonder Boys"; he does great work in both.
- One of our newest Merry Bunchers has passed the test: she read this page and section on the website and responded! Two thumbs up to D.J. Chandler as she has viewed and recommends "Amazing Grace".
- On June 29th I saw "BlindSight" at the Hippodrome: two thumbs way up! A marvelous film about blind teenagers from Tibet who attempt to climb on the mountains next to Everest — a mere 20,000 feet. The courage and perseverance that they show is quite remarkable — since outside of a very small group of climbers who assist them no one not even their immediate families give them much credit for accomplishing anything. A great film for ALL ages.
Back on Memorial Day weekend I was fortunate to spend a day at the Florida Folk Festival. Once again I purchased a cd of a performer who I had not heard of before that day. Even better the Florida State Library and Archive was giving away 3 cd's that show the rich tradition and variety of these festivals. By signing up on a mailing list, I was able to receive a fourth one in the mail this week. Anyone can borrow these cds if they wish. I encourage everyone to support this project and make a donation if possible. This is something we should keep alive for the next generation. And the Florida Folk Festival — again a treat for the senses. Next year we hope to organize a group to enjoy multiple days.
Thanks of the highest order:
Goes to all of you for attending all these functions, of course. But some special thanks go out to: Rose Bass, Sarah Cousins, Rosemarie Dinklage and Darci Waldon for twice or more graciously hosting events at their respective houses. Kate Walker for making a wonderful fabulous exotic Lemon Chiffon Cake (I'm sorry Dr Pavlov I have ALL your drooling dogs beat on this one) not once but twice. Wendy Price for being the "Giver of Great Hugs" and helping out in all respects as my Very Merry Co-Chair. Libby Parker who originally came up with our fabulous moniker "The Merry Bunch". Greg & Heidi Garafalo, who started the 20 or more stuffed in through the door at Nero's for FREE DESSERT tradition.
Tribute
- This is for those who are no longer with us. I start with Michael Biggerstaff a UU member who passed away a few months ago. Mike used to come to lunch with us back in 2004 before his health took a turn for the worse. He always had interesting conversation and encouraged me in my pursuits. I miss having Mike at lunch.
- Gail Collins who passed away in 2005, also used to attend UU and come to lunch. She fought cancer more than once, but never complained or let it interfere with her optimistic outlook on life. Two occasions stick out that illustrate this — one a day on the water with the UU River Rats where we started at the Ichetucknee Springs then paddled down onto the Santa Fe. Along the way I passed Gail bravely paddling on the river and not making much headway — in fact she was literally going in circles when we passed. But — she stuck it out. Later at dinner she casually informed us that her father had passed away the previous week. I was amazed at her performance that day — obviously in pain emotionally and physically but she finished the day looking as strong as the next paddler. The other event that stood out — another typical lunch at Sandy's — except that Gail had us in tears of laughter from her hilarious tale of trying to change the lock on her front door and managing to superglue herself to the floor. "Why not call a locksmith?" she was asked. "Oh they are wayyyyyy too expensive". We decided that she could star a new reality series from which we all could become rich we would entitle it "Good God!! Its GAIL!!" Of course the pilot episode would feature the whole lock changing episode.
- My last person none of you knew — he was a coworker of mine until two weeks ago, Easton Nelson. In the five months that I knew him, Easton had kind words for everyone, always was ecouraging to me in my pursuits, and enjoyed music and movies as much as I did. He sang at his church quite enthusiatically. Two weeks ago he was found dead in his apartment, cause unknown. I hope that somewhere Easton is singing with the best bass section in the finest choir ever heard.
- Bo Diddley — Gainesville's own, passed away in June [2008] often not paid or over looked — was not forgotten in this area nor around the world for this legend's contributions to the Rock and Roll legacy. He always gave freely of his time, and a good friend of mine had Bo come on very short notice and play a few songs for a friends birthday celebration which Bo did free of charge. That was Mr Diddley to a "T". He even had an instrument named after him "The Diddley Bow". Wherever you are are, play on.
- George Carlin — left this world last week of June [2008] and is proceeding to crack them up in the great beyond. No weather forecast will ever be the same without his creation, Al Sleet - the Hippy Dippy Weatherman "forecast for tonight.......dark....continued dark throughout the night.........with widely scattered light in the morning. And if you don't LIKE the weather..........MOVE!! Seven words you can never say on television, growing up Catholic before becoming American, this was counter-culture comic genius.
- Isaac Hayes — passed away on Aug 11th [2008] to cool R&B/Soul legendary status. With the theme to the 1971 movie "Shaft" the consummate of cool was born. Who didn't want to have that theme playing as they rolled into town. At least the Oscar and Grammy big-wigs got it right that time: He won BOTH an Oscar and Grammys for his work. He also worked for Stax Records helping write great songs like "Hold On I'm Coming" and "Soul Man". More recently he was an integral part of the "South Park" animated series with a very funny character named "Chef". I know when "Black Moses" rolls into the great beyond all the cool cats will be watching and keeping time to his groove.
For all of the above I leave two things:
- A dedication song by Jimmy Cliff from the Soundtrack "The Harder They Come"; the song is "Many Rivers To Cross".
- The second is a poem by Jack London:
"I would rather by ashes than dust! I would rather that spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stilled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
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