Daily Archives: March 17, 2008

Elton and Hillary?

Whooo boy! I thought I was something special when I was just getting emails (and phone calls) from the Clinton Clan. But today the unbelievable happened. Elton John invited me to a concert in New York. Honestly. He sent me an email telling me he is throwing a party. I mean, come on — Elton John. The Pinball Wizard. Diana’s friend. The Candle in the Wind guy.

Here’s what his email says:

Dear Dona, (see that? he called me by name)

There is nothing I like better than throwing a party for a good friend. Will you come out to support my friend Hillary Clinton at a special, one-night-only solo concert in New York? I promise this will be one night that you won’t want to miss.

Click here for more details and to be notified when tickets go on sale.

Sincerely,

Elton John

Gosh, and here I was feeling left out of the party when I heard about all those free things Obama supporters were getting from Oprah. (just kidding – no one’s getting any free things.)

They aren’t, are they?

Since the party is in New York it’s unlikely I’ll go. Plus the ticket price is not really within my budget.

On a side note – Hillary’s site, at least the party information page is not web accessible. The details are all gifs with alt text that reads, “event details” and “ticket details”. For shame, Hillary. I guess she’s not looking for the blind voters.

Season(s) of Ireland

I’m calling today the beginning of our Irish Season. Not only is it St. Patrick’s Day (My favorite holiday) but it is also the day we meet with Andrew’s rugby coach about Andrew’s trip to Ireland which begins this Wednesday. This is also the week we’ll probably book our flight to Ireland and maybe fill in our itinerary. We’ve already booked two cottages: Parkduff in County Clare and Tralia House in County Kerry.

Having Patrick for a last name was always cool on St. Patrick’s Day — as a kid and as a teacher. March 17th was a determining factor in not changing my name when I got married. Kids would say to me Happy St. Patrick‘s Day, Ms Patrick! I never got tired of it. Occasionally, even now, someone will say that to me. It always makes me smile.

According to the Irish folk I met on my first trip to Ireland in 1979, I may not even be of Irish decent. Patrick is not a surname in that country; although, they reasoned, it could have been Fitzpatrick or Kirkpatrick and changed once my ancestors arrived in the United States.