FARRAH, REVIEWS, AND A FOND FAREWELL

My Friends:
It's been 2 months since our last meeting. Much has happened for all of us, and I hope this post finds you all in fairly decent health. Summer is upon us and, hopefully we all have some fun planned.

First, I must discuss a recent TV show. I'm sure some of you saw the Farrah Fawcett show on NBC, detailing Farrah's trials and tribulations with her cancer treatments and how she's being a real trouper. Now, I didn't watch the show, I'll admit that right off the bat. The reason I didn't watch it is because I didn't want to have to feel bad for "poor" Farrah. I couldn't stand to sit and watch what I thought was going to be a fluff piece saying Goodbye to America's Sweetheart. I'm supposed to feel sorry for this woman? What? Was this a tribute? Something to make her feel better, to help her know that America cares?

I'm hoping that the reason for the show was more to show what cancer patients have to go through everyday, whether you're famous or not. I happen to have a good friend, that I work with, who is going through some very painful treatment right now. He has a tumor on the back of his tongue, which led to surgery to remove secondary, larger tumors AND 23 lymph nodes. He just went through 33 radiation treatments and chemo for 6 weeks. He had to have a food tube put in because he couldn't be allowed to swallow. After the treatments, he has to go and have long needles go through his neck and implant two stents in his tongue and have radiation seeds put into his tongue. His doctor's optimistic that his problem can be cured.

So, I hope that was the point of the Farrah show. To show what a terrible thing it can be to go through this ordeal. We end up becoming pin cushions without a guarantee. The money's in the treatment, you see, not the cure. That's a terrible thought. Maybe I'm a curmudgeon.

MOVIE REVIEWS
We've been to the movies 3 times in the last few weeks. Here's my take on those 3 films:
1.-Star Trek--We saw the movie in IMAX format at Crossgates Mall. The screen was very big. and the sound was very loud. It was the best of the Star Trek movies, for me. Even better than The Wrath Of Khan (with Ricardo Montalban). The story of Kirk and Spock and their early years and Starfleet Academy was a real winner. Action to the max, great humor and a great story to go along with the special effects. I can't imagine ever paying $15.25 per ticket to go to the IMAX again ($61 for the family to see a freakin' movie). Highly recommended.

2.- Angels and Demons--Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, and Ewan McGregor. Winning threesome hits a grand slam, right? Not if you read the book and are kind of sticklers about sticking to the story, like Patty and I are. They changed significant parts of the story to make the movie, which we thought were unnecessary and killed the film for us. If you didn't read the book, then you'd probably enjoy it. Not as controversial as the DaVinci Code...that's why it didn't do as well at the boxoffice, I'm sure. On a 1 to 10 basis, I'd say 4 if you read the book, and 7.5 if you didn't.

3.-Night At The Museum 2--Loved the first one, thought the sequel was queer as the shark was jumped, and they, of course, try to go overboard for the sequel. I fell asleep. The kids in Patty's class loved it. If you're younger you probably enjoyed it alot more than this adult did. When Ben Stiller's son was able to hack into the Smithsonian's blueprints and floor plans, you lost me. Proceed with your entertainment dollar cautiously.

UPCOMING CONCERTS
This summer the Tollertons (mostly me and the boys) will be going to several concerts. First off, July 25 will be Green Day at the T. U. Center in downtown Albany. This will be a fun and crazy show. I've never seen these "Merry Punkers: live, but I was told their last show here was a roof-raiser. I really like their new song, "Know Your Enemy."

Next, will be August 2nd, we'll be seeing the always awesome AC/DC. We'll be going with friend Sansone and his daughter Alicia, along with a Country-loving friend Rugged Russom. Russom likes to talk up Toby Keith and the like. I told him, "Brother, until you've seen Angus Young strutting around with his guitar and felt the cannons during For Those About To Rock, you don't know the meaning of the term, "worship at the altar of Rock." He couldn't pass up the chance to headbang with LIR.

In November we'll be checking out Metallica, The Sword and Down at the T.U. Center. This one is special because my kids have never had the chance to get blown out by the awesome power of Metallica. They need it to feed their soul and set them free. If we're lucky we may get the chance to meet them. I know someone close to the band. I won't name him here. He's an occasional reader of Len Is Right. I don't want you all flooding his email Inbox with requests. Hey, I know you people.

I may also take my lovely wife to see Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick at Saratoga Perf. Arts Ctr. If she's nice to me.....and we leave ontime.

A VERY FOND FAREWELL
Edie Luce, the mother of my good friends Roy,"the G.B. King", and "Chuck, The Edge of Darkness," passed away in her sleep Wednesday morning after a couple of years of multiple health problems.

Edie was one heck of a painter, enjoying folk art and painting pictures that centered around her beloved Saratoga and the famous racetrack. She always was smiling (anytime I saw her), had a great sense of humor (you'd have to with her sons), was very hospitable and very accepting. I enjoyed the few times I was in her presence and I know her family will miss her very much. The last year was very tough on her, her husband of 62 years, Roy Sr., and the rest of her family. Her husband Roy and she spent New Year's Eve in adjoining beds in the hospital. Funny and sad at the same time.

My deepest condolences go out to Roy Jr., Chuck and the rest of the Luce family and friends. Edie was one of a kind.

Alright, friends, this was a tame post. I hope to find something that I can expel some vitriol on, soon. I'd like to do an "Extreme Justin" rant on something to let you know that Len Is Right is still alive and well and unsatisfied. But, do you really want to hear my thoughts on the Mets?

Be well. Send me your plans for summer concerts. Anyone going to anything good?
See ya.
I am,
Len Tollerton