'Tis the Season


... of Giving, more or less. This is a two pronged missive, a fork in our cyber-info road going off in two directions. Stockings With Care on November 9th was the best way for some of us to kick this off and as an event, although not exactly eventful, was not without its moments. Two of its brightest moments were Tom Fontana, a driving force behind it (please see the earlier post -- scroll down) and Mr. Christopher Meloni, whose praises we never tire of singing (especially the ubiquitous Ms. Clifton since she considers herself a chanteuse). Gatherings of this nature are the positive side of exploiting fans. It is the utilization of star power, for lack of a better term, to help a good cause. Of all the excuses to throw a party this is one of the better ones, although many in attendance don't need an excuse or a cause to come see some of the people who were 'celebrity bartenders.' There were actually a few blessed attendees who were there strictly for the cause. Given the current politico-cultural structure of contemporary US society it's a non governmental way to help that's not a faith based initiative, so to speak.

Here was the place and opportunity to discover those famed ones who are generous and accessible. In addition to the favourites already mentioned, Rob Bogue, Jeff Branson and Josh Casaubon made favourable impressions.


The other side of this common NYC equation involves those who come to the charitable events who can be divided into those who care and, yes, those who couldn't care less. These happenings are there to benefit the starstruck as well as the needy. Of course there are the starstruck and there are vampires. Celebrities as royalty tend to be benevolent monarchs, although there are a few tyrants here and there. The benevolent and generous tend to be easy marks and stand just across that line crossed by some overzealous fans.

Of course, mingling with benevolent royalty and fawning over them is part of the schtick for all in attendance. As a matter of fact it is de rigueur. There is a pathology, however, expressed by those obsessive fans who can literally cling to a 'star' to the detriment of the general experience and it is a special person who can consistently be smiling and patient in the face of that particular pathology.

Yes, there are many who are fans who do our best not to step over that line and witnessing how classy our favourites are in the line of battle, we continue to be fans if not necessarily the favourite's favourite.

There's a lot to be said for generosity and getting something out of it in the meantime is just icing on the celebrity cake. Perhaps a charity event is in order for the pathologically starstruck. We just have to build moats in front of those lines.

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